Moonlit Order Episode 23 Recap
> Moonlit Order Recap
Feng Zuoren, now recovered from her injuries, stands before the Emperor alongside Xue Hexu. After Feng Zuoren offers her respects, Xue Hexu presents a jade pendant, asking the Emperor if he recognizes it. He explains that the late Emperor had given one to each of them: the Emperor's was inscribed "Virtuous," while his own carried "Integrity." Xue Hexu then reveals his true identity, declaring, "I am your brother, Jia Xun."
The Emperor is transported back in a flashback to when his own father was gravely ill. The Emperor, then named Jia Ji, had argued to his ailing father that Crown Prince Jia Xun was too young and lacked virtue to rule. He had implored his father to choose a more capable heir for the Hua Dynasty. The old Emperor, seeing how young Jia Xun was, granted Jia Ji’s request but made Jia Ji promise to treat his younger brother well.
Subsequently, an imperial decree was read, proclaiming Jia Ji as the Crown Prince due to his wisdom and virtuous character, to which Jia Ji expressed his gratitude and pledged loyalty. Back in the present, the Emperor reflects on his life's efforts for the throne, now feeling it was meaningless. He questions if Jia Xun is there to seize the throne, adamantly stating it belongs to his son, the current Crown Prince.
Jia Xun pleads with the Emperor to spare the Xue family. However, the Emperor furiously dismisses Jia Xun's right to bargain, declaring that the Xue family, for harboring a "former dynasty traitor," must all die. Jia Xun then offers a compromise: if the Xue family is spared, he will lead them out of the Hua Dynasty forever, never to return. But if the Emperor remains stubborn, Jia Xun warns of other means to achieve his goal.
The Emperor, distrustful, accuses both Jia Xun and Feng Zuoren of repeated deceptions, convinced that Jia Xun ultimately intends to steal his son’s throne. At this critical juncture, Grand Tutor Zhou and Xue Youshou appear. Grand Tutor Zhou urges the Emperor to abdicate, claiming the Mandate of Heaven dictates a virtuous ruler and promising the Crown Prince a peaceful life.
The Emperor orders his imperial guards to seize the "traitors," but Grand Tutor Zhou reveals that he has bribed them, and they now recognize that the throne is changing hands. He orders his men to capture the Emperor, Feng Zuoren, and Jia Xun. Just then, Gu Qianfu arrives with the Xue Guardians. Grand Tutor Zhou dismisses their efforts, but Gu Qianfu commands everyone to stop. Gu Qianfu instructs Feng Zuoren to escort the Emperor to safety.
Concerned, the Emperor mentions that his Crown Prince is still in the palace. Feng Zuoren volunteers to rescue the Crown Prince, leaving Gu Qianfu and the Xue Guardians to protect the Emperor. Grand Tutor Zhou, seeing their plan, quickly orders one group of his men to pursue the Emperor and another to find the Crown Prince. In the palace, Xue Youshou sits on the throne, proclaiming his long-held desire to become the true Emperor after years of pretense.
However, he is reminded that the main rebel forces are pursuing the Emperor and Crown Prince, and he is urged to join them. Meanwhile, Feng Zuoren, carrying the young Crown Prince, desperately flees on horseback and is wounded by an arrow during the pursuit. The Crown Prince, terrified, is reassured by Feng Zuoren, who promises to deliver him safely to the Emperor and tells him to close his eyes as she valiantly fights off their pursuers.
Elsewhere, Gu Qianfu instructs the Emperor to hide, stating he will divert the rebels. As Gu Qianfu lures some of the pursuers away, Jia Xun tells the Emperor that hiding is futile as more soldiers will come. He instructs the Emperor to remove his imperial robe and give it to him. The Emperor, suspicious, remarks that Jia Xun has finally shown his true colors.
Jia Xun dismisses the robe as merely a "flashy burden" to him, though for the Emperor it represents the peak of power. Jia Xun then dons the imperial robe and runs off, mimicking the Emperor's panicked cries to effectively draw away the remaining pursuers. The Emperor, hidden and terrified, is filled with hope when Gu Qianfu appears, announcing his return. Simultaneously, Xue Fugui arrives with his troops to quell the rebellion.
He confronts Grand Tutor Zhou, denouncing him as a treacherous man attempting to manipulate the Emperor and declaring his intent to "cleanse the court of treacherous ministers." Grand Tutor Zhou retorts, accusing Xue Fugui of plotting rebellion by bringing border troops to the capital. When his subordinate reports that most of their soldiers are pursuing the Emperor and Crown Prince, leaving them vulnerable, Grand Tutor Zhou attempts to use Xue Youshou as leverage against Xue Fugui.
Xue Fugui, however, remains resolute. His soldiers overwhelm Grand Tutor Zhou's men, and Xue Fugui captures him, referencing the historical declaration: "Those who dare challenge Hua will be vanquished!" He orders Grand Tutor Zhou and his captured men to be held until the Emperor can pass judgment. Feng Zuoren successfully delivers the Crown Prince safely to the Emperor. The Emperor, however, remains deeply suspicious, believing they want to kill him and his son to seize the throne.
Gu Qianfu assures the Emperor of their loyalty, emphasizing that they risked their lives to protect him. The Crown Prince, confused, asks his father why Jia Xun is wearing the imperial robe. Jia Xun removes the robe, returning it to the Emperor. He dismisses past events as bygones and humbly urges the Emperor to return to the palace to govern the Hua Dynasty.
The Emperor, acknowledging his own terminal illness and his young son’s inability to rule, proposes that Jia Xun become the "Imperial Younger Brother" to help govern the nation and eventually ascend the throne after his own passing, on the sole condition that Jia Xun spares his son. Jia Xun declines, stating that he is not "Jia Xun" but simply "Xue Hexu." He assures the Emperor that the Crown Prince is destined to be the future ruler.
Instead, he appeals to the Emperor to spare the Xue family, citing their loyal service. He reflects on the many innocent lives sacrificed due to his existence and implores the Emperor to let the tragic cycle end. The Emperor, moved by Jia Xun's words, grants a pardon to Xue Youshou. Xue Fugui, feeling immense guilt, worries that Xue Youshou hates him and will not return home. Xue Hexu encourages his father not to shy away from this chance for redemption.
Xue Fugui and Xue Hexu proceed to the prison to meet Xue Youshou. Upon seeing Xue Fugui, Xue Youshou sarcastically questions why "Lord Dingyuan" would humble himself to visit, suspecting they are there to execute him. Xue Fugui, with immense regret, admits he was wrong all these years. Xue Youshou, still bitter, sarcastically retorts that his father is always right—that abandoning him was right, and choosing Xue Hexu was right.
Tears in his eyes, Xue Fugui confesses that he was truly wrong for sacrificing Xue Youshou and making him bear burdens that were never his to carry. He pleads with Xue Youshou to come home with him, asking for a chance to make amends and promising that their family will never be separated again.
