Moonlit Order Episode 12 Recap
> Moonlit Order Recap
Xue Hexu burst in to interrupt Feng Zuoren and Xue Fugui, openly declaring his love for Feng Zuoren and asking his father, Xue Fugui, to permit their union. Enraged by this disruption, Feng Zuoren kicked Xue Hexu out. Xue Fugui, deeming it a grave matter, insisted on taking Xue Hexu to a secret chamber, despite Xue Hexu's reluctance. Feng Zuoren, overhearing this, was surprised that a secret chamber existed and immediately set out to find it within the Xue mansion.
However, after an extensive search, she realized they had lied to her as she found no such place. Xue Fugui led Xue Hexu not to a secret chamber, but to his mother's tomb. There, he affirmed his unwavering devotion to Xue Hexu's mother, claiming that the tomb was the only place he could speak freely. Xue Hexu, however, remained skeptical, believing Xue Fugui had an illegitimate son, Xue Youshou, born on the same day as him.
He revealed that he had met Xue Youshou two years prior while managing family affairs in the south, confronting his father before his mother's tomb. Seeing that the truth was out, Xue Fugui confessed that Xue Youshou was, in fact, Jia Xun, the former Crown Prince.
He explained that he had taken great risks to protect the child to repay a debt of gratitude to the late Empress, bringing Jia Xun into the Xue family before eventually sending him south with funds for his upbringing. To Xue Fugui's dismay, Xue Hexu revealed that his father's old contacts had embezzled the money, leaving Jia Xun to live a difficult, impoverished life.
Xue Fugui expressed deep remorse, seeing it as his own failure, but Xue Hexu absolved him, blaming the current Emperor's ruthless pursuit of power for the tragedy. Xue Fugui, fearful of such treasonous talk, warned his son against speaking ill of the Emperor, asserting the Xue family's loyalty. Unbeknownst to them, Feng Zuoren had been listening intently to their entire conversation from nearby. Xue Hexu declared his immediate intention to travel south and warn Xue Youshou.
However, Xue Fugui revealed that Grand Tutor Zhou and Emperor Jia were actively seeking Jia Xun, and the Xue family was no match for the combined forces of the Jing'an Bureau and the Xue Guardians. To protect his family, Xue Fugui, with a heavy heart, decided to reveal Jia Xun's whereabouts to Feng Zuoren. He then mistakenly assumed Xue Hexu's earlier interference was a joke to derail Feng Zuoren's investigation and reiterated his intent to speak with Feng Zuoren.
Refusing to let Jia Xun perish, Xue Hexu, using a trick he recently learned, knocked out his father. Immediately after, Feng Zuoren appeared, pressing Xue Hexu to disclose Jia Xun's location. She criticized him for his loyalty to an Emperor who had once tried to poison him and highlighted the Emperor's ruthlessness.
Xue Hexu, however, believed there was still a way to save the Xue family and Jia Xun by fleeing until the current Emperor died and Jia Xun could ascend the throne. He also again declared his true feelings for Feng Zuoren, vowing to protect her and the Xue family. Feng Zuoren dismissed his plan as naive, reiterating her intent to capture Jia Xun. As she turned to leave, Xue Hexu grabbed her hand.
At that very moment, Liu Jiaoqian arrived and, seeing Xue Hexu holding Feng Zuoren, immediately accused them of having an illicit affair. She ordered them to be brought before the ancestral hall, expecting no one to defend them. Other family members expressed shock and dismay, fearing ruin for the Xue family. Xue Hexu, trying to calm Liu Jiaoqian, maintained his sincere affection for Feng Zuoren, stating that true love should not be bound by status or convention.
Feng Zuoren vehemently denied any romantic involvement, clarifying that their relationship was simply that of a stepmother and her stepson, and that their conversation was not what others imagined. She then urged them to focus on the unconscious Xue Fugui. The following morning, Feng Zuoren relentlessly tried to rouse the unconscious Xue Fugui, desperate for information on Xue Youshou's whereabouts.
Suddenly, news arrived that Xue Hexu had left a dramatic letter and fled the mansion, proclaiming his heartbreak and despair over a rejected love, even hinting at self-harm. While Liu Jiaoqian expressed concern and self-blame, Feng Zuoren saw through the ruse, confidently asserting that Xue Hexu had gone to find Xue Youshou in the south.
Meanwhile, Grand Tutor Zhou dispatched a subordinate from the Jing'an Bureau to hunt for the former Crown Prince, but notoriously provided only a meager two copper coins for expenses, emphasizing frugality and expecting resourcefulness. Feng Zuoren and her Xue Guardians also pursued Xue Hexu. When they finally caught up to him, Xue Hexu was childishly plucking flower petals, still feigning lovesickness. Feng Zuoren confronted him, accusing him of trying to warn Xue Youshou.
Xue Hexu insisted he was merely taking a heartbroken stroll, lamenting Feng Zuoren's rejection and coldness. Feng Zuoren dismissed his act and warned him not to underestimate her. Her subordinates, frustrated by Xue Hexu's insolence and obstruction, moved to attack him, but Feng Zuoren intervened, reminding them that Xue Hexu was crucial to their mission and needed to be kept alive.
When her subordinates questioned her unusual leniency, she quickly spun a tale about playing a long game to catch bigger prey, ordering them to sheathe their swords and follow her lead. Xue Hexu, now aware of Feng Zuoren's true identity, was stunned to learn she was the head of the Xue Guardians, Emperor Jia's powerful and ruthless secret agency. Feng Zuoren asked if he was scared, but Xue Hexu replied that he felt pain for her past hardships.
He then learned her true name, Feng Zuoren, and despite her instructing him to call her Commander Feng, he playfully called her "Feng'er" instead. Feng Zuoren pressed him once more about Xue Youshou's location. Xue Hexu again denied trying to find Xue Youshou, claiming his only goal was to achieve something great to prove himself worthy of her love, before bidding her farewell. Feng Zuoren, however, remained unconvinced, dismissing his words as typical male deceit.
