Luoyang Episode 9 Recap
> Luoyang Recap
Liu Xiang, dismissing the red date cookies offered by Baili Hongyi, prepared to depart from the Eastern Palace. Wu Siyue quickly intervened, stating that she found the red date cookies unappetizing. This sparked a debate with Baili Hongyi, who, as a self-proclaimed foodie, meticulously defended the Western chef's unique approach, explaining that his red date cookies used Western red dates, making them melt in the mouth without being overly sweet, unlike common ones made with cane sugar.
Their argument escalated, prompting a minister, Yang Huan, to suggest that tastes simply differ. Liu Xiang, about to leave, was again called upon by Wu Siyue to judge the cookies, with King Dongchuan, Li Yichen, also expressing a newfound curiosity and Princess Li Lu joining in the persuasion, leading Liu Xiang to reluctantly stay and taste them.
Liu Xiang, however, agreed with Wu Siyue, finding no difference from ordinary ones, which delighted Wu Siyue and prompted her to playfully mock Baili Hongyi's culinary title. With the dispute seemingly settled, Liu Xiang left once more. Baili Hongyi, however, quickly pursued him to the mansion gates, inventing a story about a defect in the Eastern Palace's red date cookies—namely, the Western chef’s addition of milk nougat, which affected the sweetness of the red date puree.
He then offered to take Liu Xiang to a place serving superior red date cookies, an offer Liu Xiang firmly declined, citing prior engagements. Not giving up, Baili Hongyi then inquired about the unique seven-layered bracket set in Liu Xiang's mansion, claiming a hobby of replicating such structures. Liu Xiang, growing irritated, refused access, telling Baili Hongyi he could see them next time he visited with Liu Ran.
Meanwhile, while Baili Hongyi was stalling Liu Xiang, Gao Bingzhu, using a snake lock key duplicated by Baili Hongyi—who revealed his method was to deduce the key's form just by seeing the lock—successfully opened the account room door in Liu Xiang's mansion. He searched thoroughly but found no ledgers. Liu Xiang, realizing Baili Hongyi’s persistent efforts to detain him were suspicious, immediately ordered a full lockdown of his mansion.
Upon discovering a grappling hook near the courtyard wall, he deduced the thief had intentionally left it as a decoy and was still inside. Gao Bingzhu, conducting a second search of the account room, discovered a hidden chamber and quickly retrieved the missing ledgers from within. Upon discovering the snake lock of the account room was open and the hidden chamber ransacked, a furious Liu Xiang realized the ledgers were gone.
Gao Bingzhu, seizing the moment, swiftly escaped the Liu Mansion. Outside, Baili Hongyi expressed concern over Gao Bingzhu’s prolonged absence, fearing he might have taken the ledgers and fled, but Wu Siyue confidently asserted her trust in him. Soon after, Gao Bingzhu returned, producing the ledgers. They discovered the books were written in a complex cipher, which Baili Hongyi claimed he could decode, though it would take time.
Gao Bingzhu, however, insisted on a faster solution before Liu Xiang could react, suggesting involving the Intelligence Services, as they would surely possess the means to decipher such codes. Wu Siyue agreed to arrange a meeting. At the Four Season Clan’s compound, a figure (later identified as Lord Chu) discussed the loss of the Chuiliu Corporation ledgers, which contained records of the Lian Mountain Copper Mine, with a Senior Brother, lamenting Liu Xiang's carelessness.
Later, Lord Chu met with Han Dongqing, an Intelligence Services agent, who reported failing to find a falcon tamer linked to Zhao Yang, implying a deeper internal issue. Lord Chu then proposed involving an outsider, Gao Bingzhu, to help find the mole within the Intelligence Services.
Both Han Dongqing and An Baitan, Lord Chu’s guard, voiced concerns, citing the Intelligence Services' strict requirements for members to abandon all emotions and desires, and Gao Bingzhu’s profound desire for revenge, which would make him difficult to control. Nevertheless, Lord Chu, seeing no better candidate, tasked Han Dongqing with finding a way to help Gao Bingzhu release his hatred. Wu Siyue arranged a meeting with Han Dongqing via a secret letter at Fashan Temple.
Accompanied by Baili Hongyi and Gao Bingzhu, she identified the temple as one of the twelve "stupa" contact points for the Intelligence Services, noting that the names "Man" and "Ying" referred to important figures within the organization. Han Dongqing eventually appeared and confronted Gao Bingzhu, questioning why he never claimed credit for saving King Tongyang five years prior, an act that indirectly led to the death of his seven companions and altered his own life.
Gao Bingzhu adamantly replied that he had no interest in fame or protecting the capital, stating he would have preferred his brothers to live and would not intervene in such matters again if given the choice. Gao Bingzhu then handed Han Dongqing the ciphered ledger, which Han Dongqing promised to decode within an hour. Shortly after Han Dongqing departed, a scream echoed through the temple grounds.
Wu Siyue, Gao Bingzhu, and Baili Hongyi rushed out to find Han Dongqing critically wounded, and the ledger missing. Before succumbing to his injuries, Han Dongqing handed Gao Bingzhu a wooden plaque with "Cui's" written on it and faintly uttered "Biluo" and "blow out the candle." Wu Siyue and Baili Hongyi pursued the masked assailant into the forest, but the attacker relentlessly pressed them, inflicting severe injuries before escaping. Gao Bingzhu arrived just after the assailant had fled.
Elsewhere, Lord Chu, whose unique lotus lamp extinguished automatically, understood that Han Dongqing had died. Liu Xiang reported Han Dongqing's demise to the leader of the Four Season Clan, suggesting a decisive blow against the Intelligence Services while they were weakened. The leader, however, advised patience and a cautious approach. Back home, Baili Hongyi pondered Han Dongqing’s last words and sent Shen Fei to investigate any acquaintances Gao Bingzhu might have.
Acting on Han Dongqing’s dying message, Gao Bingzhu went to a place called "Cui's." There, he extinguished a lotus lamp, a pre-arranged signal, and was led to a secret room where Lord Chu awaited him. Gao Bingzhu handed Lord Chu the "Cui's" wooden plaque. Despite her injuries, Wu Siyue returned to the Interior Guard Services to confront Wu Youjue, admitting her unauthorized investigation into the Liu family and the subsequent loss of the crucial evidence.
Wu Youjue, though concerned for her well-being, urged her to prioritize healing before resuming the investigation. Meanwhile, Gao Bingzhu proposed a collaboration with the Intelligence Services to uncover the truth. Lord Chu, initially wary, was stunned when Gao Bingzhu revealed he knew Lord Chu's true identity as King Dongchuan, Li Yichen.
Gao Bingzhu explained his deduction: the Intelligence Services, as the empress's "eyes and ears," must be led by a capable and trusted prince named Li, just as the Interior Guard Services, her "arms," are led by a Wu. Furthermore, he noted that the pet names "Man" and "Ying," associated with King Dongchuan and his sister Princess Hongsang, matched significant figures at Fashan Temple, an Intelligence Services site, cementing the connection.
As a gesture of good faith, Gao Bingzhu demanded that Li Yichen dismiss his hidden guards. Gao Bingzhu then stated that their shared goal was to uncover the copper mine's whereabouts and expose the Four Season Clan to root out the moles within the Intelligence Services. Impressed by Gao Bingzhu's insight and resolve, Li Yichen removed his mask, agreeing to cooperate openly.
Li Yichen informed Gao Bingzhu that while there was no unusual activity in copper transactions on the black markets, there was an abnormal circulation of charcoal. Gao Bingzhu immediately decided to investigate this lead, reminded by Li Yichen not to squander Han Dongqing’s dying efforts. Separately, Wu Youjue ordered Li Beiqi to thoroughly investigate Liu Xiang's properties, intending to provide an explanation for Wu Siyue's injury.
Li Beiqi, along with Chen Wu and other Interior Guards, systematically raided and disrupted Liu Xiang's businesses throughout the capital. Despite the onslaught, Liu Xiang remained unfazed. Wu Youjue later reported to the empress on Liu Xiang's deceptive practices, highlighting the formidable influence of the Liu family, which had become a dominant force among the capital's noble families. The empress acknowledged the deep-rooted power of the Liu family, recognizing their extensive following among the old noble houses.
