Luoyang Episode 25 Recap
> Luoyang Recap
Following their investigation into Xuanwu's Pearl leading them to Yuncui Temple, Gao Bingzhu, Wu Siyue, and Bai Lang prepared to visit the temple. Gao Bingzhu felt that whenever Wu Siyue sought him out, it was for trouble, and noted that traveling to Yuncui Temple would take one hour, urging them to depart quickly. He pointed out that Wu Siyue's official attire would immediately reveal their purpose, suggesting she change into something more appropriate and appealing.
Wu Siyue complied, changing into an elegant dress. Upon arriving at Yuncui Temple, they were met by a bustling crowd of pilgrims and persistent vendors peddling "blessed bracelets" that supposedly cured all ailments. One vendor specifically approached Wu Siyue, insisting she buy a bracelet for her husband, claiming his "sallow face" indicated "hidden illnesses" that their health-preserving bracelet could fix.
Bai Lang quickly intervened, faking poor health and purchasing a bracelet to distract the vendor, allowing Gao Bingzhu and Wu Siyue to slip away and enter the temple. Inside, Gao Bingzhu observed that the temple's priests were unusually stout, resembling guards more than spiritual figures, making him suspicious of their true identities. Pilgrims formed long lines to obtain medicinal elixirs from the main hall.
Wu Siyue instructed Gao Bingzhu to feign illness to join the queue, but his acting was unconvincing. To make it more believable, Wu Siyue landed a hard punch on him, causing Gao Bingzhu to wince in pain. Using this as a pretense, Wu Siyue helped him walk, guiding them discreetly toward the heavily guarded restricted area in the backyard. A priest stopped them at the entrance to the restricted area.
They claimed they were there to burn incense, specifically for Gao Bingzhu's persistent "wind-illness" which they suspected was caused by "unclean things," hoping to pray at the back for privacy due to his severe coughing. The priest directed them to the front palace, insisting that the backyard was off-limits for incense burning. Realizing they couldn't force their way in, Gao Bingzhu suggested they find another method.
They joined the line for elixirs, where Bai Lang, still feigning illness, received one and immediately ingested it, collapsing dramatically and loudly demanding compensation, accusing the temple's elixir of being problematic. The scene devolved into chaos as priests rushed to surround the seemingly dying Bai Lang. Gao Bingzhu and Wu Siyue seized the opportunity, using the commotion to slip past the distracted guards and enter the restricted backyard.
Inside, a priest urgently reported the disturbance to Taoist Tiantong, who immediately left the alchemy room with his retinue to investigate. Once they confirmed Taoist Tiantong and his group had departed, Gao Bingzhu and Wu Siyue separated to search the various rooms. Wu Siyue reminded Gao Bingzhu to be cautious. Wu Siyue discovered a large medicine cabinet, including a drawer specifically labeled for "Xuanwu's Pearl," but found it empty. Meanwhile, Taoist Tiantong met with a black-cloaked, masked figure.
The masked individual expressed extreme frustration, questioning why, after three months, the Immortality Elixir had not been completed, despite providing ample funds, manpower, and all necessary alchemy ingredients, even facilitating the acquisition of Xuanwu's Pearl from the Ke Tribe. Taoist Tiantong explained that the ancient formula for the elixir was incomplete and that he had been diligently refining it and repeatedly testing it on pilgrims to understand its properties. He requested a few more days to complete the elixir.
The masked man sternly rejected his request, reminding him that a "big day" was approaching and threatening dire consequences if there were further delays. Taoist Tiantong, under pressure, promised to expedite his work. Wu Siyue eventually found Taoist Tiantong's handwritten alchemy notes, detailing the process of making elixirs using Xuanwu's Pearl, while Gao Bingzhu kept watch outside. The chaos created by Bai Lang continued, with pilgrims joining his demand for compensation from the temple.
Suddenly, the priests realized the disturbance was a diversion and immediately rang the temple's alarm bell. Hearing the bell, Taoist Tiantong quickly had his men escort the masked man away from the temple. Once they were gone, Gao Bingzhu led Wu Siyue to the alchemy room. There, Wu Siyue noticed a familiar-looking gold-inlaid box with a Xuanwu pattern on the table, finding it very familiar but unable to immediately recall its origin.
Before she could fully process this, priests rushed into the alchemy room, forcing Gao Bingzhu to quickly lead Wu Siyue out. Wu Siyue suddenly recalled seeing the distinctive Xuanwu box at the Eastern Palace, and she remembered that Crown Prince Li Dun had a known fascination with alchemy. She immediately suspected that the mysterious masked figure was indeed Li Dun. They decided to return and consult Baili Hongyi.
Baili Hongyi suggested that their primary goal should be to clarify the relationship between Crown Prince Li Dun and Taoist Tiantong. Wu Siyue found the situation perplexing, noting that Li Dun had previously been targeted for assassination by the Four Season Clan. It seemed illogical that he would now be connected to Taoist Tiantong, whom she suspected was affiliated with the Clan.
She also recognized the inherent difficulty of investigating a Crown Prince, as both the Intelligence Services and the Interior Guard Services would be reluctant to act without irrefutable evidence. As it turned out, the mysterious masked figure from Yuncui Temple was indeed Crown Prince Li Dun, who, upon returning to the palace, had secluded himself, refusing all visitors.
Both Gao Bingzhu and Wu Siyue sought official permission to investigate Li Dun; Gao Bingzhu approached the Intelligence Services, and Wu Siyue approached her brother, Wu Youjue, head of the Interior Guard Services. Both were firmly denied. Gao Bingzhu declared his intention to investigate alone, but was warned that he could not use the name of the Intelligence Services and would be solely responsible for any repercussions.
Wu Siyue desperately pleaded with Wu Youjue, but he remained unyielding, privately dispatching Li Beiqi to station guards around Yuncui Temple. Taoist Tiantong discovered that his alchemy notes were missing and, fearing accountability from the masked man, reported the loss to Lady of Autumn. Lady of Autumn severely reprimanded him. The Lord of Spring arrived upon hearing the news and, feigning anger, threatened to execute Taoist Tiantong for jeopardizing the Clan's grand plan.
Lady of Autumn perceived this as an attempt by the Lord of Spring to shift blame onto her, forcing her to protect Taoist Tiantong for the time being. Lu Li, a disciple, voiced his indignation on Lady of Autumn's behalf. Lady of Autumn, however, decided to postpone any retaliation until their overarching goal was achieved, reasoning that Tiantong was still useful.
Wu Siyue sought out Gao Bingzhu to discuss her plan to investigate Li Dun at the Eastern Palace the following day. Gao Bingzhu strongly advised against such a risky endeavor, but Wu Siyue had already devised a comprehensive strategy. The next morning, she went to the Eastern Palace, only to be informed that Li Dun was ill and refusing visitors. Undeterred, Wu Siyue sought out Princess Lu for assistance.
Princess Lu, feeling confined and bored in the palace, agreed to help Wu Siyue meet Li Dun. Meanwhile, Baili Hongyi accompanied Liu Ran to Liubai Building to consult Liu Shi. They were informed that Liu Shi had gone to Hong Xiao Fang. Liu Ran decided to go there alone. At Hong Xiao Fang, Liu Feng had been waiting daily, hoping to see Yuwen Peipei, who had yet to appear.
Suddenly, Liu Shi angrily burst into the establishment, demanding Liu Feng return home. Liu Feng lashed out, accusing his father of abandoning him at age four and not returning even for his mother's funeral, stating that only his uncle, Liu Xiang, and Liu Ran held authority over him. Liu Shi was left speechless by his son's words. Liu Ran arrived just in time to defuse the tense situation, persuading Liu Shi to return to Liubai Building.
There, Baili Hongyi had prepared a lavish meal and presented Taoist Tiantong's alchemy notes to Liu Shi for his review. Li Dun, reluctantly, emerged to meet Wu Siyue. Wu Siyue directly questioned him about Xuanwu's Pearl. Li Dun feigned discomfort and attempted to leave, but Wu Siyue produced the distinct Xuanwu-patterned box, asserting that he had indeed been to Yuncui Temple. Li Dun vehemently denied it. At that moment, a fire erupted in his alchemy room.
Li Dun rushed to investigate, dismayed to find the room in ruins. Wu Siyue advised him against his obsession with alchemy. Li Dun finally conceded, explaining that ever since Song Liang's rebellion was exposed, he had lived in constant fear of the empress's wrath and had hoped to appease her by personally refining an elixir for the Ceremony of Light. He revealed that a retainer named Dai Zhou had introduced him to Taoist Tiantong, who was supposedly skilled in alchemy.
Li Dun lamented that the fire had destroyed three months of his efforts. Wu Siyue probed further, suggesting that Li Dun was unnecessarily covering for Dai Zhou and Taoist Tiantong. Li Dun then confessed that Dai Zhou had once requested official identity documents for a caravan from the Ke Tribe. Li Dun had foolishly complied, only to later hear that several "outlanders" in the caravan had died, a revelation he feared would further enrage the empress and implicate him.
Wu Siyue then revealed her suspicion that Taoist Tiantong was affiliated with the Four Season Clan, which visibly shocked Li Dun. He frantically blamed Dai Zhou, claiming the retainer had deluded and exploited him, adding that Dai Zhou had been missing for days.
