Moonlit Reunion Episode 10 Recap
> Moonlit Reunion Recap
Blue-white lightning flashes across the sky above the Beast Market, illuminating it as brightly as day. Wu Zhen, standing at the center of a protective formation, works with other demons to activate a barrier. An aide informs her that the formation is ready and the barrier is now open, urging them to prepare. Seizing the moment, Elder Hui declares, "It's time." He uses the collective power of the demons to break open the prison gates.
To everyone's astonishment, the heavy, arm-thick chains that secured the great demon, Xuan Hui, are found to be binding only a small, weak black snake. Wu Zhen confronts the creature, asking if it is Xuan Hui, who proudly confirms his identity and mockingly calls her "Kitten." After destroying the Bone of No Transformation with lightning-struck wood, a surge of malevolent energy disperses, causing Wu Zishu to collapse unconscious.
Despite the immediate efforts of the demons to revive him, his body remains unresponsive, appearing like dead wood. Wu Zhen expresses her concern to Ling Xiao, asking why the usually calm Wu Zishu was so shaken. Ling Xiao suggests that as a book, he might have been scared by the lightning, or the malevolent energy from the evil spirit's bones.
He reassures her that Wu Zishu shows no signs of being infected by malevolent energy, and will recover with a few days of rest. He also notes that Cat Ancestor expended significant energy summoning the lightning. Ling Xiao expresses hope for rest now that the crisis is over, but Huzhu interjects, reminding Wu Zhen that tomorrow is the Lantern Festival. Wu Zhen, dreading her sister's usual antics, declares she won't attend.
Meanwhile, Mei Zhuyu, reviewing old case files, discovers strange anomalies in the "Heaven Fire" case from seven years prior, mentioning a Beast Market in Chang'an. He emphasizes the need for extreme caution and investigation. He instructs Shuang Jiang to represent the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs at the Lantern Festival, as officials from the Six Ministries are required to attend. Shuang Jiang, though reluctant, agrees.
Separately, Mei Si, having seen the black snake appear the previous night, urgently seeks out Shuang Jiang this morning to exorcise demons. He finds Shuang Jiang, who has been trying to help with rain drainage, and asks if he is the master from Changxi Palace who can exorcise demons, to which Shuang Jiang confirms he is. On the day of the Lantern Festival, servants try to wake Wu Zhen, reminding her that Empress Wu will be arriving soon.
Empress Wu indeed seeks out Wu Zhen, finding her trying to leave, and sternly orders her to stay by her side for the entire festival. Wu Zhen's attempts to escape fail, forcing her to sit on the high platform, feigning attention while her mind wanders, much to Empress Wu's displeasure. Consort Mei encourages Wu Zhen to make a wish, but Wu Zhen dismisses the act as "unrealistic," like "fishing for the moon in water."
Empress Wu agrees, then reminds Wu Zhen that when she was gravely ill as a child, Empress Wu's fervent prayers during the Lantern Festival saved her. Consort Mei then asks Wu Zhen for her wish, and Wu Zhen simply states, "Peace for the world." Empress Wu mocks her, telling her to "just don't throw the world into chaos." Soon after, Mei Zhuyu arrives and formally greets the Empress, Consort Mei, and County Princess Wu Zhen.
Empress Wu praises Mei Zhuyu for solving two old cases, saying he has brought honor to the Mei family. Mei Zhuyu humbly attributes it to his duty. Consort Mei then asks Mei Zhuyu what he wishes for on the Lantern Festival. Mei Zhuyu expresses his wish for "favorable weather" and "peace across the land," earning sincere praise from Empress Wu for his "gentleman's spirit" and care for the world.
Wu Zhen, noticing the clear favoritism, complains to her sister, "Sister, don't be so obviously biased." Empress Wu advises both of them to take the tradition seriously, especially as they are of marriageable age, hoping the lanterns will carry their wishes for a good spouse to the heavens. Wu Zhen mutters about "last-minute prayers," while Mei Zhuyu assures them of his sincerity.
As night falls, Chang'an becomes a vibrant tapestry of music, laughter, and throngs of people enjoying the Lantern Festival. Huzhu encounters Shuang Jiang on the street and pulls him along to celebrate the festival. Xie Yao meets Mei Zhuyu and, unable to hide her admiration for her crush, directly offers to introduce him to her father to become his disciple, hinting at a potential marriage alliance. Mei Zhuyu politely declines.
Xie Yao becomes enraged, her words growing sharper, convinced that Mei Zhuyu wants to become a County Princess's consort. Though he doesn't explicitly state his feelings for Wu Zhen, he refuses to let Xie Yao badmouth her. Wu Zhen, emerging from the shadows, sternly refutes Xie Yao's words, each like a sharp knife, causing Xie Yao to lose face completely. Huzhu asks Shuang Jiang about his wish, and he initially states "to slay demons and banish evil."
Huzhu playfully teases him, asking how to write "slay" and if he has no "serious" wishes. Seeing his hesitation, she takes the brush and writes "to get rich" on a lantern for him, which makes Shuang Jiang happy. Mei Si, meanwhile, releases more than ten lanterns, each inscribed with the wish "to be united with Liu Taizhen." Liu Taizhen happens to pass by, sees them, and coldly walks away.
Mei Si wonders what Liu Taizhen wished for, but Wu Zhen tells him it is "just Lady Liu's way," and he will get used to her coldness. Mei Si then asks Wu Zhen if she will release a lantern, but she insists she's not a child and doesn't believe in such things. Mei Si tries to convince her, mentioning even Huang Yi released two, wishing to start a family.
Mei Zhuyu comments that relying on lanterns is slower than finding a matchmaker, but then suggests to Wu Zhen that since people say Lantern Festival wishes are most effective, she should make one. Wu Zhen agrees. Mei Si complains that she agreed to Mei Zhuyu so easily, when he's urged her for years. Wu Zhen, playful, declares that since Mei Zhuyu brought her the lantern, she wishes him a long life.
They then engage in a lighthearted exchange of wishes, with Mei Zhuyu wishing her good health, and Mei Si interjecting, asking them to make "proper wishes." Finally, on one lantern, Wu Zhen writes her wish: "May the Beast Market be peaceful and safe," and Mei Zhuyu writes his: "May the human world enjoy lasting harmony." As the city is illuminated by countless lanterns ascending like a river of stars, a magnificent, dragon-shaped lantern appears in the clouds, stunning the onlookers.
Wu Zhen and Liu Taizhen immediately sense a chilling demonic aura and their expressions change. Liu Taizhen quickly realizes it is "demon magic" and "a demon is controlling the lanterns." Shuang Jiang also feels "something off" while still with Huzhu and the children. The dragon lantern spews flames, causing thousands of other lanterns to ignite and fall, throwing Chang'an into chaos. Panic spreads, and people scatter.
Liu Taizhen warns Wu Zhen that the dragon is "Xuan Hui" and he has come specifically to kill her. Wu Zhen acknowledges this, noting that Xuan Hui is targeting her. Liu Taizhen decides to handle the burning lanterns to prevent further injury among the crowd, while Mei Zhuyu, sensing the demonic power in the lanterns, determines that the Xuan Snake (Xuan Hui) must be nearby and offers to search for it. Wu Zhen urges him to be careful.
As the fire rages, Wu Zhen immediately takes charge, ordering Huang Yi to have the Jinwu Guards escort everyone to safety and to notify the Fire Watch Department. Citizens express shock and fear about the massive fire and the mysterious Ao lantern that started it. Empress Wu, informed that the Fire Watch Department has been notified, instructs her servants to have every household count their members to ensure no further incidents.
She then issues an imperial decree, announcing to the entire city that the custom of releasing wish lanterns is henceforth forbidden to prevent future fires. Meanwhile, Xie Yao is trapped in the fire. Wu Zhen, without regard for her own safety, rescues Xie Yao. Xie Yao tells Mei Zhuyu that Wu Zhen pushed her down from the city gate tower to save her, before the fire exploded behind them. Mei Zhuyu, concerned, rushes back into the inferno.
Huang Yi tries to stop him, asserting that Wu Zhen, with her formidable skills, is unlikely to be trapped and that the fire brigade is on its way. Mei Zhuyu, however, declares that he "cannot risk anything happening to her" and pushes past Huang Yi to run through the flames towards the city tower. He finds Wu Zhen, who had been fighting Xuan Hui alone, now exhausted, injured, and collapsed on the ground.
Liu Taizhen pursues Xuan Hui to the outskirts of the city, confronting him angrily, "Xuan Hui, where do you think you’re going?" Xuan Hui, amused, notes it's been six years since their last meeting, mocking her for not even offering a proper greeting, saying he's forgotten how long he's been in the Demon Prison without light. Liu Taizhen demands to know how he escaped and why he harmed Cat Ancestor.
Xuan Hui deflects, accusing her of caring too much for Cat Ancestor and remarking that she hasn't changed. Liu Taizhen reminds him of his position as Snake Ancestor and warns him not to abuse his power. Xuan Hui retorts, "I'm telling you, it's not that I can't beat you, don't push me." Liu Taizhen dismisses his defiance, stating that imprisoning him was an act of mercy, and that her current actions are merely an elder teaching a younger one.
She warns that if he continues to resist after hurting Cat Ancestor, she "can kill [him] myself." Xuan Hui, enraged that she would harm a fellow demon for an outsider (Wu Zhen), transforms into a colossal black python, resembling a flood dragon. However, he proves no match for Liu Taizhen, who defeats him with a single palm strike within three moves, sending him crashing into the lake with a massive splash.
As Liu Taizhen approaches the water's edge, the disturbed surface of the lake instantly calms, becoming as still as a mirror. In her unconscious state, Wu Zhen relives a childhood nightmare, the Heaven Fire, where she screams for help but receives no answer. Then, Mei Zhuyu's voice calls to her, "Wu Zhen, Wu Zhen." When she opens her eyes, she sees Mei Zhuyu rushing through the flames towards her.
He was severely injured and fell unconscious after jumping from the city wall to save her. Later, in a room, an Imperial Physician explains that Mei Zhuyu has been given medicine to calm him and relieve pain, but his injuries, especially to his leg, are severe due to the high fall while carrying the County Princess, and he may have lasting problems.
Wu Zhen, dismissing the Imperial Physician and her attendant Ming Zhuang to search for rare herbs, asks Ling Xiao if the demon tonight was indeed Xuan Hui, the black snake who should be imprisoned. Ling Xiao confirms it was. Wu Zhen wonders how he escaped again, and Ling Xiao reassures her that the Snake Ancestor (Liu Taizhen) is pursuing him and they will know more once he is caught. Despite Ling Xiao's warning, Wu Zhen begins to use her demonic powers to heal Mei Zhuyu.
