Luoyang Episode 38 Recap
> Luoyang Recap
An imperial decree was publicly announced, granting Wu Youjue the title of King of Longshan and a fief of 3,000 households, in recognition of his loyal and courageous actions in bringing down evildoers and upholding Her Majesty's reputation during turbulent times. Wu Youjue humbly accepted, promising his utmost devotion. Her Majesty, sitting with Wu Youjue, expressed her relief that his swift actions brought stability after the chaos at Hanjia Granary.
She lamented the weakness and mediocrity of her other sons and nephews, including the King of East River, who were unfit for important duties. She noted that the Crown Prince had disappointed her by having to submit a Remorse List, taking responsibility for his supervisory failures concerning the Ceremony of Light and Hanjia Granary. Her Majesty emphasized her impartial treatment of all her family members, entrusting important posts only to the capable.
She instructed Wu Youjue to delegate his current responsibilities and remain by her side to manage state affairs, with a future plan to appoint him as Deputy Minister of Central Secretariat, urging him not to disappoint her. Baili Kuanren’s execution left Baili Hongyi secluded in his room, grappling with the incomprehensible motives behind his brother’s actions, a state Liu Ran understood and respected, trusting he would eventually find clarity.
Meanwhile, Liu Feng, upon discovering a public notice, learned that Yuwen Peipei, also known as Chunhe of Hong Xiao Fang, had been killed on the spot by interior guards for grave misdeeds and resistance, identified as a disciple of the Four Season Clan. Enraged, Liu Feng confronted Wu Youjue, who was at a rice shop in the South Market overseeing preparations for the upcoming half-price grain distribution. Liu Feng passionately accused Wu Youjue of unjustly killing an innocent, specifically Chunhe.
Wu Youjue retorted that Yuwen Peipei had colluded with the Four Season Clan in an attempt to assassinate the King of East River, a felony punishable by death for her entire family, and that killing her on the spot was a merciful act. Liu Feng pleaded that she was merely a vulnerable accomplice, coerced into action, and lamented their shattered hopes of leaving the capital for a new life.
Wu Youjue dismissed his pleas as ridiculous, noting that Yuwen Peipei’s death conveniently ended the matter, aligning with Liu Feng's own inclination to avoid danger. Wu Youjue then ordered Li Chun to escort the distraught Liu Feng away. To avoid detection by the Intelligence Services, Gao Bingzhu arranged a meeting with Wu Siyue in the Unwelcome Well. He expressed his suspicion regarding the suspiciously smooth resolution of Baili Kuanren's arrest and the grain recovery, suggesting they should investigate further together.
Simultaneously, Liu Ran and Yunzhi faced a hostile crowd at a rice shop. The famine-stricken citizens, recognizing them as Baili Hongyi’s family, accused the Baili household of causing the crisis and surrounded them. Wu Siyue intervened, dispersing the mob by asserting that Baili Kuanren’s actions were unrelated to Liu Ran or Yunzhi, and condemning their bullying of vulnerable women.
When the crowd suspected Baili Hongyi himself of conspiring with his brother, Liu Ran passionately defended him, highlighting his unwavering dedication to eradicating the Four Season Clan and how they had also devastated his own family. She revealed that Baili Hongyi had even reported his own brother to Her Majesty, an act of selfless behavior.
Wu Siyue corroborated, confirming the recovery of the stolen grain and announcing Her Majesty’s personal initiative to open the granaries the following day, urging everyone to unite to overcome their shared hardship. Convinced, the crowd gradually dispersed. Liu Ran visited Baili Hongyi, who was deeply affected by the hurtful rumors circulating and blamed himself for involving her in the recent turmoil.
Liu Ran gently reassured him, dismissing her own discomfort and reminding him that as husband and wife, they would share all burdens. With the capital’s grain supply now secure, she suggested they leave the city to explore the world as he had once desired. Wu Siyue followed Wu Youjue to discover a hidden chamber he kept, which housed the spiritual tablets of their deceased parents.
She expressed surprise at its existence, to which Wu Youjue explained that due to their parents' past as "sinners," they could not be honored publicly. He instructed Wu Siyue to pay tribute, then, overcome with emotion, recounted their tragic history. Despite being members of the imperial Wu family, their parents were kind and honest, a trait misinterpreted as weakness by others. They endured bullying from relatives who seized their property, and faced unjust convictions from corrupt officials.
Wu Youjue described watching them fall ill and die one by one, helpless to afford medicine, while Wu Siyue was still an infant. This experience fueled his profound hatred, leading him to vow revenge and question why he couldn't command everyone's allegiance. Wu Siyue was stunned by the intensity of his long-held resentment. Wu Youjue confessed to Wu Siyue that his chronic ill health stemmed from poisoning himself years ago.
He recounted how, after their parents' deaths, he and a young Wu Siyue were left destitute and with no one to turn to. At fifteen, learning of an open position for a food-testing officer – a perilous role for those under seventeen – he sought assistance from the King of Jin to enter the palace, hoping to attract Her Majesty's attention.
With only two years before he would be too old for the position, and refusing to live a mediocre life, he made a desperate choice to swallow arsenic. Miraculously, he survived, and this act indeed brought him to Her Majesty's notice, earning her trust. Wu Siyue was utterly stunned, questioning if this was all part of his long-term scheme.
Wu Youjue justified his actions by explaining that it secured their survival, gained them the King of Jin's crucial backing, and placed the Interior Guard Services under his command, all while ensuring Wu Siyue was raised safely by Her Majesty as her own granddaughter, thus fulfilling their parents' unspoken wishes. Stunned by Wu Youjue's confession, Wu Siyue realized that all the recent events in the capital, including Li Beiqi's death, were part of his elaborate scheme.
Wu Youjue, confirming her suspicions, detailed his plan: he had enlisted Li Beiqi to facilitate the entry of seventeen refugees into the capital, who would then plant and detonate explosives at Hanjia Granary during the Ceremony of Light. The resulting chaos would allow Wu Youjue to seize control of the Intelligence Services and Interior Guard Services, capture Baili Kuanren, recover the grain, and, by winning public trust, ultimately ascend to the throne.
When Li Beiqi initially refused to aid in this "greater good," Wu Youjue manipulated him by offering a stark choice: kill Wu Youjue or cooperate, warning that refusal would lead to Wu Siyue's implication and execution for treason. Distraught at the thought of Wu Siyue's death, Li Beiqi reluctantly agreed. Wu Siyue was heartbroken, lamenting Li Beiqi's sacrifice and accusing Wu Youjue of betraying his own principles of protecting the capital for personal ambition.
She argued that Her Majesty was not undeserving and that the world remained unchanged; only Wu Youjue had transformed into someone willing to sacrifice anything, even himself, to achieve his goals. She pointed out that he had likely abducted Princess Yongchuan to pressure the Crown Prince, Li Dun, into abdicating, acknowledging the perfect execution of his plan. Wu Youjue confirmed that his grand design would come to fruition the following day.
Wu Siyue vowed to stop him by any means necessary. Wu Youjue, however, revealed that both Gao Bingzhu and Baili Hongyi were already under his constant surveillance. Wu Siyue drew her sword, but overwhelmed by the conflict of emotions, she found herself unable to strike her brother. In despair, she fled, leaving Wu Youjue to suggest she hand over the Peony Token if she couldn't bring herself to kill him.
To ensure his elaborate plan proceeded without interference, Wu Youjue significantly tightened security within the Interior Guard Services, implementing a strict lockdown that prohibited anyone, including Wu Siyue, from leaving without his direct authorization. He emphasized that the following day was crucial for his plan and tolerated no missteps. He then ordered a subordinate to closely monitor Gao Bingzhu and Baili Hongyi, with instructions to eliminate them if they showed any suspicious activity.
Meanwhile, Gao Bingzhu, having been personally entrusted by Wu Youjue, diligently supervised the protection of the grain reserves in the South Market, maintaining a vigilant presence. Yunzhi arrived to inform Gao Bingzhu that Baili Hongyi and Liu Ran had made a last-minute decision to depart the capital that very night and wished for him to join them for a farewell meal at Dangyang Tavern. Gao Bingzhu agreed to the invitation.
At Dangyang Tavern, Baili Hongyi and Liu Ran greeted Gao Bingzhu. Baili Hongyi explained their spontaneous decision to leave the capital that very night, noting he had attempted to invite Wu Siyue but could not locate her, understanding her current duties with the Interior Guard Services and the upcoming grain distribution. As they shared drinks, Baili Hongyi declared he had no further ties to the capital, his father's revenge achieved and the Four Season Clan dismantled.
He expressed gratitude to both Gao Bingzhu and Wu Siyue for their assistance. Gao Bingzhu, in turn, credited Baili Hongyi for his crucial role in uncovering the Thunder and stated that Wu Siyue deserved the most thanks for her dedication to protecting the capital, echoing the Interior Guard Services' motto: "Keep order for Her Majesty and protect Luoyang." They reminisced about their first encounter at Tao's Lamb Soup.
Gao Bingzhu confided that his concern for the residents of the Unwelcome Well was the only reason he remained in the capital, implying he would otherwise also seek to leave the tumultuous city. They shared heartfelt farewells, with Gao Bingzhu reminding Baili Hongyi that he would always have friends in the capital.
