Luoyang Episode 8 Recap
> Luoyang Recap
Gao Bingzhu, who had fallen asleep drunk by a grave, slowly regained consciousness to find Wu Siyue had personally carved wooden tombstones for his seven deceased companions. Deeply moved, he watched as she instructed him to place each one on their respective graves. Gao Bingzhu then revealed a secret letter left by Huang An, handing it to Wu Siyue.
Wu Siyue admitted she had long found Lord Baili Yan’s death suspicious and, upon seeing the letter, confirmed her suspicions that Liu Xiang was the mastermind. Gao Bingzhu informed her that Liu Xiang intended to go to Zhoushan for Chan training the following day, leaving his mansion empty, which he believed would be the perfect opportunity to infiltrate the residence and seize the relevant account books from Chuiliu Corporation.
Wu Siyue, concerned for his safety given the mansion's tight security, offered to obtain a map of the Liu Mansion for him, urging him not to act impulsively and arranging to meet him at the Tongji canal near Chun Hua Fang before noon the next day. Gao Bingzhu, committed to avenging his friends, insisted he must go. Meanwhile, Baili Hongyi, also eager to investigate Liu Xiang, discussed with Shen Fei the best way to gain access to the Liu Mansion.
Shen Fei suggested that Baili Hongyi and Liu Ran perform the traditional "visiting relatives" custom, which would provide a legitimate reason for their visit. Baili Hongyi, however, found it difficult to broach the subject with Liu Ran. Unbeknownst to him, Liu Ran was preparing a pot of spicy soup in the kitchen, refusing Yunzhi’s offer of help, determined for Baili Hongyi to feel her personal effort.
When she presented the soup to him, Baili Hongyi, despite his initial reluctance, dutifully tasted it. Seizing the opportunity, he awkwardly suggested they visit her family. Liu Ran, thrilled by his unexpected proposal, readily agreed. The next day, Baili Hongyi and Liu Ran arrived at the Liu Mansion. Liu Xiang, originally planning his trip to Zhoushan, changed his itinerary upon their arrival, even instructing his staff to prepare Liu Ran’s favorite dishes.
During dinner, Liu Xiang attempted to engage Baili Hongyi in conversation, remarking that Lord Baili Yan had sat in Baili Hongyi’s current seat just last month and promised to secure Baili Hongyi a position in the royal court once his three years of mourning were complete. Baili Hongyi, however, directly challenged Liu Xiang, asking what he would say to his deceased father if he were still alive and sitting in that very spot. Liu Xiang was momentarily speechless.
Disregarding Liu Ran’s attempts to diffuse the tension, Baili Hongyi abruptly excused himself from the table. Later, Wu Siyue met Gao Bingzhu as arranged, presenting him with a detailed building plan of the Liu Mansion. Gao Bingzhu, skeptical, pressed her for the map's origin, prompting Wu Siyue to reveal that she had obtained it from Han Dongqing of Liangfang, the Intelligence Services.
She further admitted that Liangfang's extensive network and pervasive knowledge were how she had consistently managed to track him. Wu Siyue then informed Gao Bingzhu that Baili Hongyi and Liu Ran were currently at Liu Xiang’s mansion and advised him against taking action that day. Gao Bingzhu, understanding Baili Hongyi’s persistent nature and suspecting he might be in danger, insisted on going to his aid with Wu Siyue.
Inside the Liu Mansion, Baili Hongyi had been meticulously searching for clues and finally located a room he suspected was the account room. However, Liu Xiang immediately confronted him, having anticipated his moves. Baili Hongyi feigned curiosity, claiming he had simply wandered there due to the room's unusual architecture. Liu Xiang dismissed his excuse, believing Baili Hongyi's intentions were suspicious, and ordered his personal escort, Yuan Fei, to kill him.
Just then, Liu Ran rushed in, creating an excuse that Baili Hongyi had merely gotten lost. Liu Xiang remained unconvinced, reaffirming his strict rule that anyone trespassing into the account room would be killed on sight, and ordered Liu Ran to be escorted away. Liu Xiang then privately discussed with Yuan Fei his suspicion that Baili Hongyi would not easily drop the investigation, having already discovered Liu Xiang's involvement despite his efforts to eliminate witnesses like Huang An.
At that critical moment, a guard announced Moonbeam Guard Wu Siyue’s request to see Liu Ran. Liu Ran, seizing the opportunity, cleverly used Wu Siyue’s presence to request Baili Hongyi's release, saving him from imminent danger. Wu Siyue then brought Baili Hongyi to an Interior Guard Services tea house to meet Gao Bingzhu. Gao Bingzhu sternly reprimanded Baili Hongyi for his reckless infiltration of the Liu Mansion, leading to a heated exchange between the two men.
Wu Siyue intervened, urging them to put aside their differences and cooperate to uncover the truth, emphasizing the immediate need to find Chuiliu Corporation’s account books to prove Liu Xiang's guilt. Baili Hongyi then marked the account room’s location on the detailed map.
Together, the trio devised a new plan: the day after tomorrow was Princess Yongchuan's birthday, and Baili Hongyi would attend the feast at the Eastern Palace to keep Liu Xiang distracted, while Gao Bingzhu would seize the opportunity to infiltrate the Liu Mansion and retrieve the account books. On Princess Yongchuan's birthday, Liu Ran and Baili Hongyi were among the early arrivals at the Eastern Palace. Wu Siyue followed shortly after, escorting Minister Yang Huan.
King Dongchuan and Liu Xiang arrived later. Princess Yongchuan, delighted, pulled Wu Siyue aside for a private chat. Meanwhile, Gao Bingzhu, observing from outside the Liu Mansion, waited for Liu Xiang’s departure. Once Liu Xiang left for the palace, Gao Bingzhu quietly slipped into the mansion and located the supposed account room based on the map. Unbeknownst to him, Liu Xiang had anticipated such a move and set a trap there, having already arranged for additional security.
The birthday feast was a grand, traditional flowing banquet. As guests enjoyed the lavish spread, Princess Yongchuan, delighted by the festivities, called for more food and wine, encouraging everyone to continue celebrating. After several rounds of drinks, King Dongchuan and Liu Xiang attempted to excuse themselves, citing their inability to hold more liquor. However, Wu Siyue subtly intervened, prompting Princess Yongchuan to insist they stay for the specially imported Western desserts. Liu Xiang reluctantly conceded and remained at the banquet.
Back at the Liu Mansion, Gao Bingzhu, frustrated by the locked, seemingly ordinary account room, realized it was a decoy. He recalled a crucial detail from the building plan: a nondescript room secured with a unique "snake lock," a high-security mechanism typically reserved for confidential areas within the palace. He deduced that this room was likely the true location of the account books.
At the banquet, Liu Xiang made another attempt to leave, but Baili Hongyi, acting on their plan, expertly lured him to stay longer, enticing him with the promise of trying the renowned Western date pastries, known for their exquisite taste and melting texture.
