Moonlit Reunion Episode 18 Recap
> Moonlit Reunion Recap
Mei Zhuyu and Wu Zhen walked along a stone path in the Duke’s manor under the night sky. Wu Zhen questioned Mei Zhuyu about his prolonged stay, hinting that it might lead to misunderstandings from the Duke. She reminded him that while she once boasted of being able to support ten of him, merely affording it was different from truly desiring it, especially since he had initially said he was leaving.
Mei Zhuyu countered that she never cared about others' opinions, but Wu Zhen retorted that she might start now, as her father frequently asked her to choose between Mei Zhuyu and her cousin, Pei Jiya, and she needed excuses to prevent her father from misunderstanding. Just as Mei Zhuyu was about to speak, Wu Zhen stopped, her gaze fixed on a nearby stone post.
Pei Jiya emerged, stating he had come out to wait for her, concerned she had not yet returned. Wu Zhen playfully reminded him that her love for nightlife and late returns was normal, so there was no need for worry. Pei Jiya complimented her wit, then questioned Mei Zhuyu's presence, wondering if they had been enjoying music and dancing together. Mei Zhuyu simply stated they had "happened to bump into each other."
Pei Jiya commented on their apparent fate to cross paths, to which Mei Zhuyu confidently affirmed his bond with Wu Zhen. As Wu Zhen headed inside, Pei Jiya stumbled, and she instinctively steadied him. Mei Zhuyu's sharp eyes caught a glimpse of a strange black mist swirling in Pei Jiya's right eye. Once Wu Zhen was inside, Mei Zhuyu and Pei Jiya stood in subtle confrontation outside the door.
Mei Zhuyu warned Pei Jiya to be more careful where he walked, but Pei Jiya retorted that with Wu Zhen by his side, he had no worries. Pei Jiya then mused that Chang'an was not as lively as Kunzhou, suggesting Wu Zhen visit. Mei Zhuyu calmly countered that Kunzhou was peaceful, its people living tranquil lives. Pei Jiya asked Mei Zhuyu if he thought Wu Zhen would accept his proposal, to which Mei Zhuyu replied, "I think she will."
Pei Jiya then proudly claimed that no one else had cherished Wu Zhen in their heart for over a decade as he had, treating her like a unique treasure. He reminded Mei Zhuyu of his past congratulations on their friendship, implying Mei Zhuyu should not go back on his word.
Mei Zhuyu, having found Pei Jiya's name in the ink workshop's account books, clarified that his congratulations were conditional on their "true sincerity," questioning whether Pei Jiya and Wu Zhen were indeed sincere toward each other. This pointed remark solidified Pei Jiya’s resolve to have him killed. As Mei Zhuyu walked away, he handed Pei Jiya a lantern, once again advising him to see clearly when walking at night.
Pei Jiya's attendant tried to console him, but Pei Jiya, eyes filled with malice, stated that Mei Zhuyu was an "eyesore" and would "have to die anyway." Later, Wu Zhen returned to the Beast Market. She gave an ink block to Wu Zishu, asking him to retrieve something for her from the Demon Prison. Ling Xiao, noticing the strange scent of the ink block, identified it as the rare Qijiao resin.
Wu Zishu explained he would seal the ink block deep within the prison to prevent further trouble, as someone had used dark magic on it. After Wu Zishu left, Ling Xiao, surprised by the ink block's shapeshifting power due to the Qijiao resin, concluded there was more to the situation.
He instructed Hu Zhu to find another piece of Qijiao resin to cover up the matter, preventing further investigation by the Jinwu Guards, as the resin was linked to the ink demon. Hu Zhu revealed she now owned the restaurant and the general store, procuring a piece of Qijiao resin for Ling Xiao for free. At the Demon Prison, Wu Zishu, guided by Elder Bai, passed through numerous restrictions to the third level, which had housed the now-escaped Xuan Hui.
Wu Zishu retrieved the Zhaoming Mirror, which recorded the past crimes of demon offenders, stating it was necessary to track Xuan Hui. As they passed a particularly secure cell, Wu Zishu paused. Elder Bai explained it was the most heavily guarded cell, capable of inhibiting demonic powers, and had been intended for the Sinister Fiend Infant that attacked Chang'an eighteen years ago, but it was killed by the previous Cat Spirit, leaving the cell empty.
Elder Bai recounted how the fiend once declared itself the greatest god, destined to control everything, but had ultimately vanished into dust. Wu Zishu remained silent, recalling his own past as a subordinate of the Sinister Fiend Infant, responsible for heinous crimes like the burning of Chang'an. He reflected that in the present world, Wu Zhen held far more importance to him than the past, or even his own life.
Meanwhile, Mei Si anxiously sought news of Liu Taizhen, whose family reported her missing for days. Wu Zhen tried to reassure him that Liu Taizhen was merely unwell and would be fine. Mei Si worried about the rumors of demons in Chang'an. Wu Zishu intervened, directing Mei Si to search for Liu Taizhen on Luwei Mountain, south of Chang'an. Wu Zishu then spoke to Wu Zhen, observing her expression.
He told her that she often concerned herself with others' safety but overlooked that loving someone was life's greatest blessing, far more precious than merely surviving alone, a sentiment he shared. However, Wu Zhen's expression remained impassive, leaving Wu Zishu somewhat disappointed. The next morning, Mei Zhuyu and Pei Jiya joined the Duke for breakfast. Pei Jiya, noting Mei Zhuyu's surprise at the lavish meal, explained it was normal for a Duke's residence.
He reiterated his sincere intention to marry Wu Zhen, promising she would be the head lady of the Pei family and he would never take a concubine. The Duke asked Mei Zhuyu for his thoughts on marriage, to which Mei Zhuyu calmly stated he had no such intentions. Wu Zhen then asked for his opinion on her marriage to Pei Jiya, and Mei Zhuyu responded that it depended entirely on her own desires.
Their meal was interrupted by Eunuch Feng, who urgently summoned the Duke and Wu Zhen to the palace. Princess Yuan Zhen's cherished white tea tree had mysteriously withered and been ordered cut down, leaving the princess heartbroken and inconsolable. After the Duke and Wu Zhen departed for the palace, Mei Zhuyu secretly observed Pei Jiya from the rafters. He saw Pei Jiya performing a ritual, making incense with bird feathers and applying blood to his right eye.
Detecting Mei Zhuyu's presence, Pei Jiya stopped and confronted him. Mei Zhuyu accused Pei Jiya of creating demonic disturbances to cause chaos in Chang'an, but Pei Jiya vehemently denied it, dismissing rumors of demons as mere gossip. Mei Zhuyu, however, remained unconvinced, warning Pei Jiya that those who walk in darkness will eventually be consumed by it. At the palace, Wu Zhen found Princess Yuan Zhen distraught, surrounded by the Emperor and Empress attempting to console her.
Yuan Zhen clung to the belief that her beloved white tea tree would recover and bloom again. Alone with Yuan Zhen, Wu Zhen gently encouraged the princess to share the story of her bond with the tree. Yuan Zhen recounted a childhood memory of getting lost during a trip south, where the white tea tree had protected her from wild beasts.
Touched by this tale and knowing the tree had sacrificed itself to protect its beloved master, Wu Zhen performed a spiritual art, sealing the tree's essence into a white tea flower hairpin, which she then gave to Yuan Zhen. The princess's face lit up with a smile, finally finding peace. Later, Empress Wu discussed Wu Zhen's marriage with the Duke.
While the Duke favored Pei Jiya for his steady character and promise of no concubines, Empress Wu, suspecting Wu Zhen's heart lay elsewhere, subtly suggested a test. The Duke invited Mei Zhuyu and Pei Jiya to drink a supposedly mild "Apricot Gold" fruit beverage. He plied them with it until they were both thoroughly inebriated, intending to observe who Wu Zhen would care for first upon her return.
Wu Zhen, seeing through the Empress's scheme, returned and immediately offered to escort Pei Jiya to his room. She did so with a gentle smile, but once out of Pei Jiya's sight, her expression turned cold. Mei Zhuyu, left alone at the table, mistakenly believed Wu Zhen had made her choice and began to drink by himself.
However, Wu Zhen then unexpectedly appeared before him, commenting on his heavy drinking, despite his earlier claim of not drinking, and warned him about the potent after-effects of the "Apricot Gold." Mei Zhuyu questioned why she was concerned about him when she had just seen her cousin to his room.
