Moonlit Order Episode 7 Recap
> Moonlit Order Recap
Feng Zuoren was writhing in agony, having consumed the Deadly Poison, Duanchang San. Xue Hexu rushed to her side and, realizing she could still be saved within two hours, quickly brought her back to the Xue family mansion. The entire household was frantic, trying various remedies like green bean soup, but nothing seemed to work. Seeing Feng Zuoren's critical condition, Xue Nuannuan urged Xue Hexu to find a real cure.
Left with no other options, Xue Hexu decided to seek help from Grand Tutor Zhou. Grand Tutor Zhou, who still held a grudge against Xue Hexu from the Flower Banquet, was initially unwelcoming. Xue Hexu, desperate, lied and claimed his own father, Lord Dingyuan, had been poisoned. He pleaded for the antidote, offering to repay Grand Tutor Zhou with anything, even his life.
Grand Tutor Zhou, speculating about Lord Dingyuan's past involvement in a "prince's incident," expressed his doubts about simply providing the antidote. He then demanded the portrait of the late empress from the Xue family in exchange. Despite internally questioning why everyone seemed to desire that particular painting, Xue Hexu agreed to the terms. Back at the mansion, after Xue Hexu administered the antidote, Feng Zuoren slowly began to regain consciousness.
Shivering and chilled, she murmured about the cold while Xue Hexu gently comforted her, asking why she would foolishly take poison and what difficult secret she harbored. Overwhelmed with emotion, he embraced her, later chastising himself for the act. As Feng Zuoren began to stir, she grabbed his hand and faintly called him "Young Master." But upon fully opening her eyes and recognizing Xue Hexu, she curtly ordered him to leave.
Xue Nuannuan then informed Feng Zuoren that Xue Hexu had obtained the antidote for her. Knowing the Deadly Poison originated from the Jing'an Bureau, Feng Zuoren realized Xue Hexu must have paid a steep price to Grand Tutor Zhou. Liu Jiaoqian offered her prized chicken soup stewed with hundred-year-old ginseng, but Feng Zuoren questioned why they saved her, believing she should have died. She then dismissed everyone from her room.
When Xue Hexu re-entered, he confronted her, asking why she always spoke of death and emphasizing that death would leave her powerless. Feng Zuoren, however, dismissed him as "nosy," claiming he understood nothing because she had never confided in him. She warned him that saving her would bring disaster upon the Xue family, but he countered that the Xue family had suffered much and would never abandon those in need.
He sternly added that if she sought death again, he would not intervene. Later, Liu Jiaoqian and Xue Nuannuan also pleaded with Feng Zuoren, urging her to share her troubles and not leave them, as the family was already in turmoil. Xue Nuannuan promised to be obedient if her stepmother would stay. Meanwhile, Grand Tutor Zhou, having captured Hua Biliang, brought him before portraits of the late Emperor and Empress.
He instructed Hua Biliang to "identify the person by painting their features" to reveal the former Crown Prince's appearance. Hua Biliang initially refused, citing his artistic principles. Grand Tutor Zhou then feigned loyalty, claiming to be testing Hua Biliang's integrity. He asserted that the current Emperor, neglecting his duties and in declining health due to an obsession with immortality, sought to eliminate the former Crown Prince.
Grand Tutor Zhou argued that sketching the Crown Prince and helping him return was the only way to protect him and the people. Feng Zuoren, having learned the true nature of Hua Biliang's skill, questioned Xue Hexu about his trade with Grand Tutor Zhou. Xue Hexu confirmed he had given up the late Empress's portrait to save her, adding that the Emperor had indeed ordered her death, a revelation that she had already accepted.
Feng Zuoren realized the danger: if Grand Tutor Zhou could identify the former Crown Prince through the portraits, it could implicate the Xue family. Xue Hexu vehemently denied any connection to the former Crown Prince, asserting the Xue family's unwavering loyalty to the Hua Dynasty. Despite her initial frustration, Feng Zuoren recognized Xue Hexu's genuine concern, which would prevent him from harming her.
He proposed they work together to find the former Crown Prince and uncover the truth to save her life. Feng Zuoren agreed, immediately informing him that her subordinates had confirmed Hua Biliang's capture by Grand Tutor Zhou, meaning the portrait of the former Crown Prince was likely already completed. She urged Xue Hexu to devise a plan swiftly. He agreed.
Grand Tutor Zhou's subordinate reported that Hua Biliang had finished the portrait, and Grand Tutor Zhou promptly ordered Hua Biliang's assassination. At that moment, Xue Hexu arrived at Grand Tutor Zhou's mansion with a flamboyant lion dance troupe, claiming to express gratitude for the antidote that supposedly saved his "father" and bearing gifts. Unbeknownst to Grand Tutor Zhou, Feng Zuoren was covertly searching for the portrait in the Jing'an Bureau, where Grand Tutor Zhou's secret chamber was located.
Xue Hexu began to intentionally stall Grand Tutor Zhou with a rambling, nonsensical account of his elaborate breakfast, which included Jianbing guozi and handmade noodles. Grand Tutor Zhou grew suspicious, especially after a commotion from his secret chamber. Xue Hexu continued his charade, spinning a ridiculous tale about Lord Dingyuan confessing that Xue Hexu was actually the third son, not the second, born as a twin with Xue Nuannuan, and that their father had merely altered their birth order.
Furious at being played and realizing an intruder was in his chamber, Grand Tutor Zhou ordered Xue Hexu to wait while he investigated. Feng Zuoren then appeared before Xue Hexu, revealing she had found a painting but was nearly caught and needed more time. Despite Xue Hexu's suggestion to retreat, Feng Zuoren insisted on retrieving the painting, confident she could handle the guards. Xue Hexu told her to proceed, promising to further delay Grand Tutor Zhou.
Grand Tutor Zhou returned, having found his secret chamber disturbed but nothing missing. He confronted Xue Hexu, accusing him of being a villain who used a trick to lure him away. Xue Hexu feigned innocence, claiming he had been there the entire time. A subordinate then reported that the lion dance troupe was causing a ruckus again, demanding payment as Xue Hexu had instructed them to perform every two hours until settled.
With witnesses present, Grand Tutor Zhou could not openly act against Xue Hexu and dismissed him with a subtle warning not to be "fooled by someone cleverer than you." Defying the Emperor's expectations of her death, Feng Zuoren suddenly appeared before him. The Emperor was visibly surprised and angered by her survival and the public spectacle she had created.
Feng Zuoren apologized for her "foolishness" but quickly shifted the blame, stating that the Deadly Poison he had given her, sourced from the Jing'an Bureau, was "not potent," suggesting a serious flaw in the Bureau's quality control. She then presented the portrait of the former Crown Prince, claiming she had obtained it after much difficulty, and offered to redeem herself by personally capturing the "wretched fugitive." The Emperor, seeing the portrait, warned her not to disappoint him again and dismissed her.
