Moonlit Reunion Episode 15 Recap
> Moonlit Reunion Recap
The episode begins with Mei Zhuyu and Shuang Jiang returning to their inn room. Mei Zhuyu points out a Tracking Talisman he had cast on the door, which now glows a sinister red. He explains that a black glow would indicate dark magic, white for Daoist magic, and no glow for an ordinary person; the red glow signifies the presence of a heretic cultivator.
Shuang Jiang, unfamiliar with such a specific detail from their master's teachings, learns from Mei Zhuyu that heretic cultivators use a form of dark magic from the Western Regions, fueling their spells with flesh and blood through extremely cruel methods, though their power is limited. Mei Zhuyu concludes that Shuang Jiang had been poisoned on purpose, noting that he himself, having eaten and drunk nothing at the dinner, remained unharmed despite their shared accommodations.
Shuang Jiang questions why Pei Jiya would harm them after their encounter. Mei Zhuyu suspects that if it was deliberate, even Pei Jiya's earlier show of gratitude was part of a larger plan. Given Pei Jiya’s detailed knowledge of Chang’an and the involvement of dark magic, Mei Zhuyu stresses the need for caution. He instructs Shuang Jiang to immediately report the situation to Changxi Palace, while he returns to Chang'an to investigate Pei Jiya further.
Meanwhile, at Ruyi Pavilion, Wu Zhen drinks alone, her mind hazy with alcohol. In her semi-conscious state, she envisions Mei Zhuyu approaching her, their affection palpable as they move closer. However, a sudden disturbance downstairs, caused by a dancer falling, startles her awake. The image of Mei Zhuyu's face shimmers and fades, replaced by Pei Jiya's gentle smile, which instantly clears her drunken haze. Upon entering Chang'an, Mei Zhuyu overhears rumors about Wu Zhen.
He goes directly to the Mei residence to find Mei Si, hoping to gather information about a suspicious person he encountered outside the city. Mei Si agrees to help, using his connections with city gate guards. Mei Si, who knows Pei Jiya, greets Mei Zhuyu by teasing him about Wu Zhen, mentioning that she has "moved on" and is now with a new "beau."
Mei Si elaborates on the widespread gossip in Chang'an, stating that the "getting close" part was true, but the "new beau" part was false; the man was actually Pei Jiya, Wu Zhen's childhood sweetheart and her maternal uncle's adopted son from the Pei family of Kunzhou. Mei Zhuyu recalls Pei Jiya's prior introduction and the alarming red glow of the Tracking Talisman, confirming his suspicions that Pei Jiya's return is indeed premeditated.
Filled with indignation, Mei Zhuyu proceeds to the Duke’s manor, where he finds Pei Jiya and Wu Zhen seated together, engaged in conversation. Wu Zhen's demeanor towards Mei Zhuyu is notably distant. It becomes clear that Pei Jiya has skillfully twisted the events at the inn, transforming Mei Zhuyu's heroic act into a mere romantic interlude and even fabricating a story about his maids being smitten with Mei Zhuyu, thereby creating a wedge between Mei Zhuyu and Wu Zhen.
Pei Jiya explains that he had merely turned their encounter into a story for Wu Zhen and even claims Mei Zhuyu had wished them well. Wu Zhen, appearing to believe Pei Jiya's version, comments on Mei Zhuyu's usual generosity. When Mei Zhuyu questions Pei Jiya's presence, Pei Jiya states he is in Chang’an for the Incense Assembly and is temporarily residing at the Duke’s manor.
Taking advantage of Pei Jiya’s temporary residence, Mei Zhuyu declares his old leg injury has flared up and requests to stay at the manor for a few days. Pei Jiya objects, citing rules against outsiders in the inner court and emphasizing his own status as Wu Zhen's childhood sweetheart who had lived there previously.
Mei Zhuyu calmly counters that he too had lived there recently and shared a bond of life and death with Wu Zhen, making any talk of impropriety irrelevant. Unable to refuse, Wu Zhen permits both men to stay. Later, a servant inquires if Wu Zhen had anticipated Mei Zhuyu's return, to which Wu Zhen admits she had, after hearing Pei Jiya's account. Wu Zhen confesses to finding Pei Jiya somewhat strange and resolves to remain neutral between the two men.
Mei Zhuyu later presses Pei Jiya about whether their meeting was coincidental, to which Pei Jiya replies there are "no coincidences in this world, only fate." Mei Zhuyu then asks if Pei Jiya had visited his room the previous night, which Pei Jiya evades. Pei Jiya then openly declares that he does not care about the Incense Assembly, only about Wu Zhen.
Mei Zhuyu subtly challenges him, referencing an earlier conversation where Pei Jiya spoke of a woman he admired but said they were "not meant to be," implying Wu Zhen isn't truly important to him. After Mei Zhuyu retires, Pei Jiya is overheard telling his maid that he wished they had used a "stronger dose" of poison, confirming his malicious intent.
Later, Pei Jiya brings Wu Zhen some popular romance storybooks, advocating that a woman's true fulfillment lies in finding a good husband to cherish and protect her. Wu Zhen, however, expresses her agreement that finding someone reliable is indeed important. In a flashback to the Beast Market, Wu Zishu reminisces about his first meeting with Wu Zhen, who as a young Cat Spirit had visited his Bookstore to find a way to strengthen the Demon Market barrier.
They quickly became friends. Wu Zishu recalls how Wu Zhen loved sweets, especially sugar cakes, but often suffered toothaches from overindulgence, forcing him to cut off her supply. To make amends, Wu Zishu now seeks out the old baker to recreate those special sugar cakes, sending a box to Wu Zhen. As Wu Zhen savors a sugar cake, Liu Taizhen, the Serpent Master, arrives.
Liu Taizhen, teasing Wu Zhen about her recent romantic entanglements, reveals that her shedding period is approaching, which will prevent her from fulfilling her role as a judge for the upcoming Incense Assembly. She asks Wu Zhen to take her place, and Wu Zhen agrees, albeit expressing her lack of expertise in incense. Liu Taizhen assures her that many experienced judges will be present, and Ling Xiao will provide support.
Just then, Wu Zishu arrives, sincerely apologizing for his past strictness and expressing how much he regretted it, even learning Demon Law by heart as penance. He presents the sugar cakes as a secret gift from Xuan Feng, hoping they still taste the same. Wu Zhen accepts his apology, and they reconcile. The day of the Incense Assembly arrives. Wu Zhen takes her place as a judge alongside An Biluo, a highly respected incense master whom Ling Xiao deeply admires.
Ling Xiao warns Wu Zhen to avoid other judges, Master Xie and Master Gao, as she had previously "beaten up Master Xie's nephew and thrashed Master Gao's nephew." Mei Zhuyu, feigning an excuse, accompanies Mei Si to the event. Mei Si, upon seeing Wu Zhen on the judging panel instead of Liu Taizhen, expresses his surprise. Ling Xiao is visibly star-struck by An Biluo. Mei Zhuyu playfully comments on Ling Xiao having a "lapdog" smell, further annoying him.
The rules of the assembly are announced: entries will be graded as Common, Refined, Exquisite, and Supreme, with the highest-ranked advancing. The grand prize is the rare Qijiao resin. The competition begins with the first contestant, an incense master from Jiuhe Incense House in Qizhou, who presents "Leyou Incense," crafted from agarwood sourced from the Kingdom of Moluo and sealed with Suhe oil for a hundred days. Pei Jiya comments on the unique amber resin scent within the wood fragrance.
As the incense is lit, both Wu Zhen and Mei Zhuyu subtly detect a hint of blood. However, An Biluo sensationally declares he smells "no fragrance at all," causing a stir among the attendees. When it is Wu Zhen’s turn to judge, she rates the incense as "Common," explaining that she perceives a "trace of blood within the scent." During the judging, Wu Zhen's peripheral vision catches a flash of red light in An Biluo's eyes.
Pei Jiya, demonstrating his extensive knowledge, elaborates on the brutal process of harvesting agarwood resin in the Kingdom of Moluo, where slaves risk their lives, implying that Wu Zhen's judgment is influenced by the human cost involved. Mei Zhuyu, observing Pei Jiya, notes his impressive scholarship. Several subsequent contestants also receive a "Common" rating. Finally, Pei Jiya steps forward to present his own creation, an incense he names "Jiushi Incense."
Mei Zhuyu, noticing Pei Jiya's flirtatious glances towards Wu Zhen, is annoyed. Despite its plain name, the moment the "Jiushi Incense" begins to diffuse its ethereal aroma, it casts a spell over the judges and audience, intoxicating them and seemingly transporting them to cherished memories of the past. All the judges find themselves deeply immersed in its enchanting fragrance.
