Moonlit Order Episode 15 Recap
> Moonlit Order Recap
Feng Zuoren questioned Xue Hexu on how he managed to escape. Xue Hexu explained that he was inspired by his past encounter with Gu Qianfu. When confronted by an assassin hired to kill him, Xue Hexu offered the man two liang, which was double the standard fee for a low-ranked assassin. Xue Hexu had cleverly deduced the assassin's low status due to his divine throwing skills but apparent poverty, explaining how higher-ranked assassins exploit much from the lower ranks.
The assassin, realizing the injustice, accepted the offer and agreed to fake Xue Hexu's death. Xue Hexu then personally created the burial mounds to evoke Feng Zuoren's emotions. Now believed dead by all, Xue Hexu intended to use this hidden identity to investigate Grand Tutor Zhou's true motives and locate Xue Youshou, who had been impersonating him. He stressed the importance of keeping his survival a secret, as revealing it would put them both in danger.
Feng Zuoren promised to be careful for his sake. Feng Zuoren later reported to the Emperor, presenting a severed head that she claimed belonged to Xue Youshou, the former Crown Prince, confirming his execution. Initially startled, the Emperor quickly regained his composure, believing his throne was now secure. However, he was displeased that Feng Zuoren had not taken action against the Xue family. Despite her attempts to plead for the family, the Emperor refused and ordered her execution.
Just then, a "Mr. Immortal" intervened, advising the Emperor against bloodshed within the palace. The Emperor, influenced by the Immortal, spared Feng Zuoren and the entire Xue family. Feng Zuoren, however, remained suspicious of the Immortal, noticing his unusual artifacts and nonsensical pronouncements, yet the Emperor seemed entirely convinced. The Immortal offered the Emperor various pieces of advice, including wearing red, choosing auspicious dates for travel, and visiting temples.
He also presented a "Foot Bathing Cauldron," "Heavenly Nectar Oil," and a "Nine-Cycle Golden Pill," which Feng Zuoren recognized as ordinary items with exaggerated names and prices. The Immortal further promised the Emperor a rule lasting "thousands of years," attributing the Emperor's recent illness to a "heart burden" connected to the Xue family. He also prescribed a specific sleeping position and a "Heavenly Pillow" to absorb moon essence.
Feng Zuoren later overheard a guard praising the Immortal's divination skills, which included predicting the guard's monthly pay, a fact commonly known throughout the palace. This solidified her conviction that the Immortal was a fraud. Driven by her suspicions, Feng Zuoren sought out the Immortal privately for a divination.
Her belief that he was a charlatan was quickly confirmed when his predictions about her zodiac sign were vague and incorrect, and his "Fitness Elixir" for weight loss turned out to be an overpriced plan relying solely on diet and exercise. Seeing that she had caught on, the Immortal removed his mask, revealing himself to be Xue Youshou.
Xue Youshou explained that he had been rescued during his wanderings by an eminent scholar from the Imperial Astronomical Bureau and brought into the palace long ago. He had to remain in this dangerous place for survival, and his silence was to protect Feng Zuoren from the Emperor's constant surveillance. He also clarified that he had left abruptly when the Emperor summoned him, which led her to believe he had been killed.
Xue Youshou then asked about Xue Hexu, and Feng Zuoren tearfully informed him that Xue Hexu had died by Grand Tutor Zhou's men. Distraught, Xue Youshou blamed himself for Xue Hexu's death. He vowed to protect the Xue family, citing Lord Dingyuan's past kindness, and stated his need for an imperial edict to legitimately meet with Lord Dingyuan. News of Xue Hexu's death reached the Xue family, plunging them into deep grief.
Unbeknownst to them, Xue Hexu was actually hiding under a table, secretly eating fruit. Xue Dongyang briefly caught sight of Xue Hexu but no one believed him, attributing it to Dongyang's overwhelming sorrow. Xue Fugui vowed to avenge his son by confronting Grand Tutor Zhou. While the family mourned, an imperial decree arrived, stating that evil forces were plaguing the Lord Dingyuan's Mansion and ordering the "Mr. Immortal" to exorcise them.
To completely dispel the Emperor's suspicion, Xue Youshou (as the Immortal) had already informed the Emperor that the former Crown Prince was "gone." However, the Emperor remained wary. So, Xue Youshou further fabricated a story about residual evil forces in the Xue family that could affect the Emperor's fortune, promising to eliminate them completely. The Emperor readily granted his request. Upon arriving at the Xue Mansion, Xue Youshou began a theatrical ritual and then removed his mask in front of the grieving family.
