Moonlit Order Episode 6 Recap
> Moonlit Order Recap
Xue Hexu and Feng Zuoren both harbor a subtle, growing affection for each other, though they diligently try to suppress these feelings. Feeling remorseful for having misunderstood Feng Zuoren, Xue Hexu brings her the finest wound ointment from the Xue mansion. Since Feng Zuoren finds it difficult to apply the medicine to her injured back by herself, Xue Hexu volunteers to help, gently telling her that it might sting but to bear it.
Feng Zuoren thanks Xue Hexu for rescuing Dongyang, acknowledging her own severe injuries sustained in the process and regretting the harsh words she had spoken earlier. She attempts to downplay her wounds, claiming she merely fell into thorns while searching for Dongyang. However, Xue Hexu, recognizing Feng Zuoren's agility, suspects there is more to her story. After applying the medicine, Xue Hexu advises Feng Zuoren to leave to avoid any gossip. He then offers to help her with her mission.
Feng Zuoren, playfully suggesting he pay her a thousand taels of gold if he truly believes he can solve her problem, is surprised when Xue Hexu readily agrees. She asks him to stop toying with her, but Xue Hexu insists, urging her to reveal the true location of these "thorns" so he can clear the path for her. She warns Xue Hexu that this perilous path could cost the Xue family their lives, challenging him to still dare.
Xue Hexu dismisses her warning as a jest, asserting that the Xue family is resilient and has no insurmountable obstacles. To identify the former Crown Prince, Feng Zuoren decides she must seek out the dangerous Ghost Painter. Despite her subordinate's plea to think twice, Feng Zuoren remains resolute, citing the urgency of confirming the former Crown Prince's identity. Upon meeting the Ghost Painter, Feng Zuoren expresses her request for aid.
The Ghost Painter agrees to help, demanding portraits of the former Crown Prince's parents and warning that the more important the subject, the higher the price—even Feng Zuoren's life—which she readily accepts to pay in three days.
Feng Zuoren's subordinates report that while they found a portrait of the late emperor, all images of the late empress have been erased from the palace, her face even burned from a painting she shared with the late emperor, as she became a forbidden subject after the current emperor's ascension.
Feng Zuoren deduces that Lord Dingyuan Xue Fugui, who was a close friend to both the late emperor and late empress since youth, and whose life the late empress once saved during a military defeat, might possess a portrait. She then begins searching Lord Dingyuan's mansion and successfully locates a portrait of the late empress. Xue Hexu notices Feng Zuoren carrying away a painting.
Unaware of its significance, he attempts to inquire about it from his father, Lord Dingyuan Xue Fugui. However, his father, in a state of agitation, faints once again, preventing Xue Hexu from getting any answers. A servant then directs Xue Hexu to follow the direction Feng Zuoren took. Feng Zuoren presents the late empress's portrait to the Ghost Painter.
The Ghost Painter confirms his task is to sketch the former Crown Prince and reiterates that Feng Zuoren's life will be the payment in three days. He then cryptically wonders why "he" is still being pursued after all these years. Meanwhile, Xue Hexu arrives at the Ghost Painter's lair, finding it eerie. He inspects various grotesque items, initially believing them to be fake, until he touches what feels like a real, warm hand writing on a scroll.
The Ghost Painter reveals himself, remarking that since Xue Hexu has discovered him, he won't leave alive. However, upon closer inspection, the Ghost Painter recognizes Xue Hexu, noting his striking resemblance to "her," which causes him to abandon his intent to kill. Xue Hexu asks if the Ghost Painter knows his father. The Ghost Painter, claiming to know the noble Lord Dingyuan, is corrected by Xue Hexu, who states his father is merely Lord Dingyuan, not exceptionally noble.
The Ghost Painter then reveals his true identity as Hua Biliang, the late empress's personally appointed chief painter, who was tortured and imprisoned by Emperor Jia to draw ghost money, thus earning him the moniker "Ghost Painter." Xue Hexu asks if Hua Biliang knows what the former Crown Prince looks like, but Hua Biliang refuses to answer. Hua Biliang gives Xue Hexu the late empress's final portrait, urging him to take it and flee as far as possible.
Feng Zuoren suddenly appears, declaring that they must produce a sketch of Jia Xun, indicating the dire consequences if they fail. A chaotic fight erupts, with Xue Hexu's unexpected allies—a candied chestnuts maker skilled in the Iron Palm technique, a noodle maker, and a fishmonger—engaging Feng Zuoren. Thanks to Feng Zuoren's weakened state, these ordinary citizens manage to hold her at bay.
Xue Hexu then tries to escape with Hua Biliang, but Hua Biliang reveals he is bound by impenetrable black iron chains. Xue Hexu promptly produces metal dissolving liquid, explaining he acquired it during his business travels, and uses it to free Hua Biliang. Although Hua Biliang fears imperial guards are stationed outside, Xue Hexu assures him that his allies have already eliminated them, allowing them to make their escape.
After successfully leading Hua Biliang out, Xue Hexu arranges a carriage and provides him with money, advising him to find a safe haven to enjoy his remaining years. Hua Biliang, deeply touched by Xue Hexu's kindness, notes that he shares the same gentle and kind nature as "her," but ominously warns that such qualities also led to "her" demise and might endanger Xue Hexu. He then asks if Xue Hexu knows about his mother.
Xue Hexu sadly replies that he never had the chance to know her, as she died in childbirth. Hua Biliang then reiterates the critical importance of safeguarding the late empress's portrait, emphasizing that it is the sole remaining relic "she" left in this world. Xue Hexu, now in possession of the late empress's portrait, devises a plan to mislead Feng Zuoren into believing it has been destroyed.
He hides the authentic portrait and stages the burning of another painting, reasoning that the most dangerous place is often the safest. When Feng Zuoren returns, she demands to know why Xue Hexu burned the portrait. Xue Hexu asserts that it is the Xue family's property, and its disposition is none of her concern.
Feng Zuoren threatens him, prompting Xue Hexu to retort that she would even dare to massacre the entire Xue family, accusing her of being the one who truly wishes to destroy them. Feng Zuoren then reveals that the portrait was crucial for her to find the former Crown Prince, a confession that genuinely surprises Xue Hexu.
Meanwhile, the Emperor, noting Feng Zuoren's overdue return beyond the three-day deadline, grows suspicious and dispatches Nine Thousand Chief, the Chief of the Imperial Household, to find her. Feng Zuoren, realizing she has failed her mission and all leads are exhausted, is distraught about how she will explain herself to the Emperor. When Nine Thousand Chief confronts her, Feng Zuoren understands that the Emperor has decided to abandon her entirely. Without resistance, she accepts her fate, drinking the poison offered by Nine Thousand Chief and expressing gratitude for the Emperor's "mercy."
