Moonlit Reunion Episode 23 Recap
> Moonlit Reunion Recap
Sect Master Chang Ming reclaimed the Changxi Mace from Mei Zhuyu, reminding him that the weapon belonged to the Changxi Palace and he must consider the greater good, despite his attachment to Master's memories within it. Mei Zhuyu's junior brother, Shuang Jiang, tried to intervene, suggesting this was unkind, but Mei Zhuyu accepted his departure.
He declared that though he was leaving, he would not abandon his duty as a Celestial Master to slay demons and banish evil, as he now had someone precious to protect. Shuang Jiang reassured Mei Zhuyu that Chang Ming, as the First Senior Brother, was diligent and upright, making him the most suitable for the mace. Mei Zhuyu then entrusted the Changxi Mace to Chang Ming.
Before leaving, Chang Ming made Mei Zhuyu swear an oath: once he left the palace, he must never utter a word about Changxi Palace, or he would forever lose his loved ones and meet no good end. Mei Zhuyu solemnly swore, repeating the consequence. Xiaomu, the Second Senior Brother, accompanied Mei Zhuyu to the foot of the mountain and gifted him a horse, urging him to leave quickly and never return.
Mei Zhuyu wondered why Xiaomu, who had always been distant, would give him his prized horse, and also why he had helped him during the White Night Formation. Xiaomu explained that while he did not know Mei Zhuyu's reasons for coming to Changxi Palace, his own purpose there was solely for cultivation, and he would not tolerate defilement that took innocent lives in a place of purity. Mei Zhuyu thanked him.
As Xiaomu's figure disappeared, Mei Zhuyu looked back at Changxi Palace, recalling a childhood conversation with his Master. He had asked why his nine senior brothers had Dao names but he still used his secular one, and if he wasn't a true Changxi Palace disciple. His Master had explained that he knew Mei Zhuyu would one day leave Changxi, as he carried an unresolved obsession and unfinished fate that tethered him to the mortal world.
His Master had said that while his senior brothers sought their desires within Changxi, Mei Zhuyu's desires lay elsewhere. With this memory, Mei Zhuyu understood his true path. He offered three deep bows towards Changxi Palace and galloped towards the capital. In the depths of a dense forest, two maids waited by a carriage. Pei Jiya hurried along a mountain path, eager to meet his benefactor.
When the familiar figure of Sect Master Chang Ming emerged from the mist, Pei Jiya expressed his joy and pleaded for his benefactor to heal his ruined eyes. He listed his remaining faculties and his ability to cultivate dark arts, promising to do more for Chang Ming. However, Chang Ming coldly rebuked him for failing his task in Chang'an, declaring him useless now that he was blind.
Pei Jiya argued he had sent the ink demon as instructed, but unexpected events had occurred, asking for fair judgment. Chang Ming retorted that he wanted an uproar about demons in Chang'an to justify his own entry, but Pei Jiya's provocation had caused the demon to remain in Chang'an, ruining his grand plan. Chang Ming dismissed Pei Jiya as a fool and useless, stating that sparing his life was already lenient and he should simply leave and not return.
Enraged, Pei Jiya threatened to expose Chang Ming to other celestial masters of Changxi Palace. Chang Ming, unperturbed, attacked him, declaring he would pretend he had never saved him. As Pei Jiya lay wounded, he questioned Chang Ming's actions as a Celestial Master, citing the many benefits he had provided. Chang Ming merely called him "useless." Pei Jiya managed to flee to his carriage, only to find both his maids dead inside.
Wu Zishu then appeared, revealing he had been lying in wait to uncover the mastermind behind the Ruyi Pavilion plot against Wu Zhen, and since he had found the true culprit, Pei Jiya was now useless. Wu Zishu killed Pei Jiya to avenge Wu Zhen, specifically for using seductive incense to scheme against her in Ruyi Pavilion, vowing that such a despicable person would not appear before her again.
As he lay dying, Pei Jiya laughed, remarking that he had thought his own life, a frail mortal striving for nothing, was ridiculous, but Wu Zishu's was even more so. He taunted Wu Zishu, saying that despite his power, he would never win Wu Zhen's heart and was no better than himself, only taking out his anger on the weak.
Pei Jiya offered a final piece of advice, urging Wu Zishu not to become like him, for excessive greed and scheming would lead to losing one's body, conscience, loved one, and even oneself. Enraged, Wu Zishu silenced him. With his last breath, Pei Jiya wished for a next life free from his frail body, illness, and self-inflicted torment. In the capital, rumors spread that Mei Zhuyu had run off to Quzhou, abandoning his marriage.
As townspeople gossiped, a Marquis publicly mocked Wu Zhen, implying Mei Zhuyu had fled out of fear and she should have chosen him. Wu Zhen, fed up, retorted sharply. Just then, Mei Zhuyu appeared, silencing the Marquis and the crowd. He acknowledged his late return was his fault but declared that no one could speak ill of Wu Zhen, asserting that a husband protects his wife. He then whisked a surprised Wu Zhen onto his horse and rode home.
At home, Wu Zhen, still upset, accused Mei Zhuyu of having another lover in Quzhou, speculating he was delayed by that entanglement. Mei Zhuyu swore there was no other woman, explaining he had simply miscalculated his travel time. He then led Wu Zhen to his parents' memorial tablets.
There, he revealed his family history: his parents' love, their elopement due to disapproval from his mother's family who considered his father a mere merchant, his peaceful childhood, and then the devastating "heavenly fire" 18 years ago that orphaned him, led him to Quzhou, and eventually to his Master. He confessed that he had lost all desire for worldly things until he met her, and that she was the one who pulled him into the mortal world.
He praised her as the bravest, strongest, and most unique woman he had ever met, far surpassing many men. He confessed his cold and unlikable nature, but vowed, with his parents as witnesses, to marry her, promising a lifetime together. Wu Zhen, touched, noted that her sister and brother-in-law had already granted the marriage, but Mei Zhuyu clarified that her consent was far more important than any imperial decree.
Wu Zhen responded that since he was alone and she was reckless, they were a perfect match. Mei Zhuyu promised she could continue to live freely and unrestrained, but made one demand: even if she lost interest or grew weary of him, she must never abandon him, for he would never let go. Completely relieved, Wu Zhen embraced and kissed him. The couple then entered the palace, where Empress Wu sternly addressed them.
She expressed concern for Wu Zhen's impulsive nature and suggested they move into the more suitable Duke’s manor, though she worried Mei Zhuyu might be perceived as marrying into the family. Mei Zhuyu dismissed such worldly concerns, stating that as long as Wu Zhen was happy, he would live anywhere, even a humble cottage. Wu Zhen, however, decided she preferred to stay at Mei Zhuyu’s house, not wanting to be subjected to others' criticisms.
Empress Wu noted that Wu Zhen was indeed hard to please, but Mei Zhuyu insisted she was wonderful and required no special tolerance. The Duke of Yu, present at the meeting, suggested setting a wedding date soon. Afterward, Empress Wu asked Mei Zhuyu to join her for a walk. During their private conversation, Empress Wu revealed that Wu Zhen had truly walked back from the brink of death 18 years ago during the "heavenly fire" that consumed the city.
She recounted how a young Wu Zhen, frail and sickly, survived the inferno on Chinese New Year's Eve, miraculously regaining her health but emerging with a drastically changed personality. Empress Wu described how Wu Zhen, now labeled "spoiled and willful," seemed to hide a deep sorrow that even her father and she couldn't comprehend. She recalled Wu Zhen's late returns, anxieties, and hidden injuries, all unspoken.
Mei Zhuyu reassured the Empress that he and Wu Zhen were deeply in love, and he saw her as a kind, clever, resolute, and radiant woman, not the pampered individual others perceived. Empress Wu expressed relief, knowing the marriage fulfilled Wu Zhen's wishes. She confided in Mei Zhuyu, mentioning her own mother's early death and her father's childlike demeanor, which made it difficult for her to act freely within the palace.
Entrusting her only sister to him, she asked him to ease Wu Zhen's worries and ensure her future was filled with peace and joy. Mei Zhuyu solemnly vowed to never betray her, no matter life or death. As Mei Zhuyu departed, Empress Wu’s father emerged from behind a screen, looking on with contentment. As the wedding day approached, Mei Zhuyu personally delivered the betrothal gifts to the Duke of Yu, who received them with great delight.
Meanwhile, Wu Zishu met with the Evil Infantile Spirit in the shadows, making a blood pact. Wu Zishu promised to help the spirit retrieve its primordial core, restore its body, and rebuild its ancient empire. The Evil Infantile Spirit revealed its plan to destroy Chang'an with demon fire, then reconstruct it as a unified realm where all would serve it.
Wu Zishu declared that he would not interfere with the spirit's ambition for the world, as long as he had Wu Zhen, for she was the only one he wanted, and everyone else around her was unnecessary. With the curse mark formed, the Evil Infantile Spirit's eyes glowed crimson. That very night, the Demon Prison trembled.
Elder Hui, a rat demon, broke free from his seal, only to become a puppet in Wu Zishu's hands the moment he caught the demon core Wu Zishu threw him, having been swayed by Wu Zishu's offer to escape the plight of ordinary rodents and work for him. Three shadowy, malevolent figures converged on the palace walls, and though the wedding festivities were nigh, a deadly scheme was already unfolding.
