Moonlit Reunion Episode 2 Recap
> Moonlit Reunion Recap
A fierce snow fell on a cold night as Wu Zhen found herself trapped in a dream. Years ago, a heavenly fire ravaged the city, and she, on the verge of death, was graced by a black cat. The cat's eyes burned like hellfire, granting her an extension on life at the cost of becoming half-human and half-demon, etching the title of Cat Lord into her fate.
Upon waking, Wu Zishu arrived, reporting that Fuxi had possessed Bi Tao, a dancer from Xiangsi Lane. Furthermore, Bi Tao's close friend, Zhe Liu, had recently been seen rehearsing at Ruyi Pavilion, which had drawn out Fuchao. Just then, Mei Zhuyu pushed open the door, and Wu Zishu vanished into smoke. Wu Zhen devised a plan, inviting Mei Zhuyu to accompany her to Xiangsi Lane.
Noticing his modest donkey cart, she engineered its disappearance, leaving him no choice but to ride in her elegant carriage. As they journeyed through the streets, the common folk whispered, saying the County Princess had found a new favorite, much to Mei Zhuyu’s embarrassment. At Xiangsi Lane, amidst decadent music and revelry, Gu Changhuai was enjoying himself. He deliberately put his arm around Zhe Liu, claiming her as his new companion, hoping to provoke Wu Zhen.
However, Wu Zhen paid him no mind, instead focusing on the restless Fuchao stirring within her sachet. Working together, Wu Zhen and Wu Zishu extracted Fuxi from Zhe Liu’s body. Suddenly, black mist surged and demonic energy permeated the hall, trapping the guests in a frenzied illusion surrounded by bats. Mei Zhuyu, recognizing the deception, dispelled the illusion using demon-banishing techniques. As he left Xiangsi Lane, he saw a tabby cat fall from the rafters.
A servant was about to scare the cat away with a stone when Wu Zishu appeared, stopping him and cradling the cat. Wu Zishu, aware of Mei Zhuyu's childhood aversion to cats, chuckled softly, noting that the feline would surely be saddened by the revelation. At the Beast Market, flickering ghostly flames illuminated Fuxi's gradual recovery. Fuchao, burdened by guilt over Fuxi's demonic transformation, apologized and explained the circumstances.
Wu Zhen offered guidance, telling them that in this world, walking alone possesses its own freedom, and companionship its own warmth; there is no need to be distraught by separation. Fuxi seemed to gain understanding, finally bowing in gratitude to Wu Zhen. Fuxi then recalled her first arrival in Chang’an, where she, in her true bat form, was found by a Xiangsi Lane dancer. The dancer, noticing she was damaged, took her to a jewelry workshop in the city.
There, Fuxi sensed a malevolent aura emanating from a secret compartment containing a blood-red stone. This evil presence corroded her spirit, gradually leading her into demonry. Upon hearing this, Wu Zishu's expression turned grim, and he declared the object to be a "Vengeful Spirit Bone," formed from the remains of a deeply resentful person. He warned that its presence could drive both humans and demons to madness. Meanwhile, Mei Zhuyu entered his old Mei family home.
Cobwebs draped the dilapidated walls, yet his parents' memorial tablets remained spotless, stirring a flood of memories. He recalled waiting with his mother for his father to return, a return that never came as his father died in a heavenly fire. Later, a master from Changxi Palace took Mei Zhuyu as a disciple, revealing that the fire was not a natural disaster but the work of demons.
Now, Mei Zhuyu had joined the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs, determined to uncover the truth and avenge his parents. Inside the palace, an eunuch reported to Empress Wu and Consort Mei that Wu Zhen had taken a liking to a young gentleman. Empress Wu, initially surprised, beamed upon seeing Mei Zhuyu's portrait. However, her joy turned to anger when she learned he worked for the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs.
She dismissed him as a mere "freeloader" relying on his looks and declared that such a minor official dared not cling to a County Princess, immediately ordering him to be taught a lesson. Wu Zhen, hearing the news, stormed into the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs.
Disregarding her own reputation, she caused a public scene, loudly declaring that Mei Zhuyu had no interest in her and that they would have nothing further to do with each other, all to protect him from the Empress's wrath. On her way back to her residence, Wu Zhen coincidentally met Liu Taizhen.
Though they appeared to be rivals, they were, in fact, the two rulers of the Beast Market: Wu Zhen as the Cat Lord and Liu Taizhen as the Snake Lord. Liu Taizhen, despite her long absence from Chang’an, was aware of the recent reappearance of demon hunters. She expressed concern that if the Changxi Palace cultivators were to resurface, it would inevitably lead to widespread conflict. Later that night, the jewelry workshop owner was drawn by a strange sound.
As he examined the Vengeful Spirit Bone in his hands, he turned to see all the pearls and jade in the room floating suspended in mid-air without any wind. Terrified, he fainted on the spot. The next day, the disoriented owner stumbled into the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs to report the incident. Xu Luan, the director, scoffed at his claims, convinced the owner was merely fabricating a supernatural tale to leverage the Bureau’s reputation for his business.
Mei Si, upon learning of his fiancée Liu Taizhen’s return to the capital, excitedly rushed to Yuzhen Workshop. Liu Taizhen, however, made an excuse to avoid him, leaving Wu Zhen to manage the situation. A commotion erupted downstairs as Xie Loubo began to mock Mei Zhuyu. Wu Zhen once again stepped in to defend Mei Zhuyu, dramatically splashing a basin of fragrant water into the crowd, causing a stir among the onlookers.
