Moonlit Order Episode 22 Recap
> Moonlit Order Recap
As an auspicious omen appeared in the sky, many ministers believed Xue Youshou was truly the former Crown Prince and knelt in homage. The Emperor, witnessing this, knew his power was lost. Grand Tutor Zhou brought Feng Zuoren forward, preparing to execute her. He accused Feng Zuoren of being Jia Ji’s lackey, responsible for the deaths of many loyal officials and innocent people over the years.
Grand Tutor Zhou declared his intention to deliver heaven's justice and eliminate the "bloodthirsty monster," ordering her immediate execution. However, just as the execution was about to begin, the auspicious omen dramatically shifted. The sky turned dark, revealing a celestial warning. This change was caused by Xue Hexu, who had previously mixed saltpeter, sulfur, and platinum powder into the fireworks, transforming them into induced thunder. Seeing this celestial warning, the ministers no longer trusted Xue Youshou as the chosen ruler.
They swiftly commanded the imperial guards to protect the Emperor and arrest Grand Tutor Zhou and the rebel sorcerer. The Emperor was quickly escorted away, and Xue Hexu then rushed to rescue Feng Zuoren. Xue Youshou attempted to flee, but Feng Zuoren relentlessly pursued him, demanding the jade pendant. Xue Youshou mockingly remarked on Feng Zuoren's changed attitude now that his status was no longer noble, calling her heartless.
Feng Zuoren retorted that he only pretended to be someone else because on his own, he was doomed to live like a sewer rat. Xue Youshou feigned handing over the jade pendant, but it was a trick to lure her into an ambush by assassins he had arranged. Xue Youshou then paradoxically intervened, saving Feng Zuoren from the assassins but keeping the jade pendant and leaving her injured.
Xue Hexu arrived shortly after and offered to find someone to treat her wounds, but Feng Zuoren insisted she would reclaim what was hers herself. Meanwhile, Xue Hexu learned that Jing'an Bureau agents had been dispatched to the prison. He worried, as he had not yet convinced the Emperor to pardon his family. Inside the prison, the agents presented an imperial decree for the execution of the entire Xue family for deceiving the Emperor.
Xue Hexu's father confronted the agents, accusing them of being Grand Tutor Zhou's pawns. Just then, Xue Hexu and Gu Qianfu arrived. The agents were stunned to see Gu Qianfu alive, as they had attended his funeral and even contributed money, which Grand Tutor Zhou had deceptively pocketed. Gu Qianfu exposed Grand Tutor Zhou's true nature as a self-serving and murderous man.
He reminded the agents that the Emperor had already ordered Grand Tutor Zhou's arrest and questioned if they would continue to serve such a villain. Convinced, the agents allowed Gu Qianfu to take responsibility, and the Xue family was thus saved. Xue Hexu's mother was overjoyed to see her son alive, and his father expressed relief, feeling he could now face the late Empress without shame. Xue Hexu affirmed his identity and loyalty as a member of the Xue family.
However, their reunion was cut short when they learned that Xue Youshou had fled with Grand Tutor Zhou. At the Xue mansion, the family's grandmother, still doting on Xue Youshou, secretly prepared gold and valuables for him, advising him to escape to Liang. But Xue Youshou remained defiant, blaming Xue Hexu for his failure.
Grand Tutor Zhou arrived and urged Xue Youshou to launch a coup, but the grandmother vehemently opposed their plans, threatening to expel Xue Youshou from the family. Enraged, Grand Tutor Zhou attempted to harm her, but Xue Youshou blocked him. Seizing the opportunity, the grandmother wielded a "Dog-Beating Staff," showcasing her unexpected martial arts skills by striking down Grand Tutor Zhou.
Just then, Xue Hexu and his brother Dongyang used shadow puppets to create the sound of approaching guards, tricking Grand Tutor Zhou into fleeing. Xue Youshou, still determined to become Emperor, donned a mask and escaped as well. Xue Hexu confronted the fleeing Xue Youshou, demanding the stolen jade pendant. Xue Youshou refused and created a distracting smoke screen, reminding Xue Hexu of his past as an illusionist.
Xue Hexu condemned him for harming Feng Zuoren and implicating the Xue family. Consumed by bitterness, Xue Youshou revealed his deep hatred for Xue Hexu, confessing that he orchestrated everything because he couldn't stand to see the Xue family happy while he had suffered. He then lunged at Xue Hexu, but Xue Hexu fended off the attack using a self-defense move Feng Zuoren had taught him.
Xue Youshou used more smoke to escape, but not before Xue Hexu managed to retrieve the jade pendant. Xue Hexu returned to the injured Feng Zuoren and gave her the recovered pendant. They reflected on their difficult journey, relieved that both the jade pendants and they themselves had finally been reunited. Feng Zuoren then told Xue Hexu that once she recovered, she wanted him to take her to see Emperor Jia.
