Mengfei Comes Across Episode 26 Recap
> Mengfei Comes Across Recap
Chang Zhi and Jiu An harbored a deep desire to explore the martial arts world. Su Ruan exploited this wish, using an alleged errand for the Empress Dowager as a pretext to take them outside the palace. She had also hired two beggars with the intention of tricking and leading them away. Once out of the palace, Chang Zhi and Jiu An were delighted.
They soon encountered one of the beggars, who tricked Jiu An by telling her that she possessed unique physical attributes, indicating she was destined to become the martial arts alliance leader at the Wulin Convention. Initially somewhat skeptical, Jiu An was swayed by the beggar's words and enthusiastically decided to follow him.
After Chang Zhi and Jiu An went missing, Su Ruan told the Emperor that they had been close to Fanghua Palace recently, implying Consort Meng had incited them to leave. However, the Emperor dismissed her claims. Fortunately, Bao Qu soon found Chang Zhi and Jiu An. He then brought them, tied up, to Fanghua Palace. Before leaving, Bao Qu told the consorts about their escape and warned them not to untie the children, as they would bite.
However, Consort Meng and the other consorts felt pity for Chang Zhi and Jiu An. Once Bao Qu left, they untied the children and offered them food. During the meal, Consort Meng and the others repeatedly asked Chang Zhi and Jiu An why and how they had left the palace. But Chang Zhi and Jiu An remained tight-lipped and refused to say anything.
Helpless, the consorts went out to discuss for a while, but when they returned, they still couldn't get any answers, so they had to let the matter drop for the time being. That night, Consort Meng visited the Emperor in Changji Hall, as per his earlier invitation. She found him bare-chested, which made her blush. Despite her shyness, she bravely confronted him about sending Chang Zhi and Jiu An to Fanghua Palace, which caused them much distress.
The Emperor explained that he did so for their own good, as many people outside believed that Consort Meng and her consorts had incited Chang Zhi and Jiu An to leave. Overwhelmed by shyness due to his attire, Consort Meng quickly left after saying only a few words. After efforts by Fanghua Palace, Chang Zhi and Jiu An finally revealed what the old beggar had told them, specifically his prediction that Jiu An would become the martial arts alliance leader.
The consorts were firm that they couldn't go. Jiu An was unconvinced and accused them of jealousy, believing they feared she would forget them once she achieved fame. Consort Meng and the others, having no other choice, tried to scare them by describing the journey to the Wulin Convention as very arduous and perilous, where people could easily die. Although somewhat scared, Chang Zhi and Jiu An remained curious.
To fully dispel their notions, Consort Meng then enlisted Bao Qu, Liu Jinyan, He Qiliao, and Cai Taixian to jointly organize a mock Wulin Convention within the palace, aiming to fulfill Chang Zhi and Jiu An's dreams and prevent them from leaving the palace again. However, only a few days later, Chang Zhi and Jiu An once again snuck out of the palace. Bao Qu swiftly apprehended them and returned them to Fanghua Palace.
Consort Yan and the other consorts then asked Chang Zhi and Jiu An why they had sought out the beggar again. Chang Zhi explained that after being tricked initially, they were very angry and wanted to confront the beggar to settle accounts. However, the beggar had flattered Chang Zhi, telling him he was very intelligent and that a "Strongest Brain" competition was coming up, with Chang Zhi destined to be the champion.
Captivated by this, Chang Zhi was once again keen to go. Consort Meng and the others realized how clever this beggar was. To dispel Chang Zhi's newfound ambition, each of them posed a question, promising that if he could answer these questions, they would personally take them to the competition. Chang Zhi agreed, but the results were far from ideal; he didn't answer a single question correctly. Consequently, he had no choice but to stay obediently in the palace.
Following these events, after Chang Zhi and Jiu An were appeased, Bao Qu completed his investigation and discovered the reason for their repeated escapes: it was Su Ruan's doing, as she had hired the beggars. Upon learning this, the Emperor was very angry and immediately ordered Su Ruan's expulsion from the palace.
