Moonlit Reunion Episode 34 Recap
> Moonlit Reunion Recap
Mei Si and Liu Taizhen were returning to the capital after a night out when their carriage was spotted by Huang Dazhuang. Recognizing Mei Si, Huang Dazhuang questioned him about his disheveled appearance and insisted on inspecting the carriage, suspecting he was hiding someone, perhaps even a courtesan, especially given Mei Si had rejected Liu Taizhen’s marriage proposal. Huang Dazhuang emphasized his duty to keep Mei Si from going astray while Wu Zhen and Commissioner Mei were away.
To avoid further questioning and gossip, Liu Taizhen used magic to disappear, leaving Huang Dazhuang baffled by the empty carriage. Liu Taizhen then confronted Mei Si, asking if she should have remained to endure public speculation. Xuan Hui, also present, encouraged Liu Taizhen to express her true feelings for Mei Si, pointing out that Cat Master Wu Zhen was already married. Liu Taizhen denied any affection for Mei Si, humorously accusing Xuan Hui of becoming a matchmaker.
Xuan Hui clarified that Mei Si was his only friend, and he was merely showing concern before his imminent departure. Xuan Hui then revealed to Liu Taizhen that he would soon ascend as a dragon. While Liu Taizhen offered congratulations, Xuan Hui admitted his sole remaining concern was Mei Si's happiness, asking her to visit him often, as each meeting would bring joy to the mortal's short life.
Liu Taizhen playfully dismissed his attempts at matchmaking, but Xuan Hui insisted on entrusting Mei Si to her care. He led Liu Taizhen to Mei Si’s room, choosing to enter through the window, much to Liu Taizhen’s amusement as she remarked on him adopting Mei Si’s habits. Inside, they found raw chicken hearts and blood on the table.
Xuan Hui explained that Mei Si, misguided by "random books," had been foolishly consuming raw chicken hearts for 49 days, believing it would transform him into a demon so he could be with Liu Taizhen. Mei Si had even attempted to get Xuan Hui to bite his neck or take a drop of his blood on a full moon, only to be hit in response. Xuan Hui urged Liu Taizhen to guide Mei Si away from such foolishness.
Liu Taizhen observed the room, which was filled with numerous portraits of herself, a clear indication of Mei Si's feelings for her. In the Beast Market, Wu Zishu encountered Elder Hui, who had grown accustomed to visiting Wu Zishu's archive despite the strict "no entry without invitation" rule, as most demons believed Elder Hui was dead. Elder Hui sought Wu Zishu's help to leave the Beast Market, claiming he could assist Wu Zishu from the outside.
Wu Zishu was suspicious, fearing Elder Hui would harm Wu Zhen if unleashed. Elder Hui tried to reassure him, stating he would not act independently since Wu Zishu had resurrected him. Wu Zishu then questioned Elder Hui's need for a "demon core" and whom he intended to harm. Elder Hui lashed out, criticizing Wu Zishu for his lack of ambition as the Sinister Fiend Infant's aide, accusing him of being "useless" and hesitant over a "half-demon" like Wu Zhen.
Wu Zishu retorted by asking about Elder Hui's whereabouts 18 years ago when the Beast Market was attacked. Elder Hui corrected him, revealing a hidden truth: the Sinister Fiend Infant wasn't attacking the Beast Market, but "reclaiming" it, as he was its true founder. Elder Hui recounted his ancient past as a mountain rat spirit before Chang'an existed, describing how human greed sparked wars that devastated his home and forced demons into hiding.
He explained that the Sinister Fiend Infant had established the Celestial Barrier and the Beast Market to restore demon sovereignty and overthrow the mortal realm. Elder Hui expressed his contempt for the "first two Masters" (Cat Master and Serpent Master), whom he deemed "despicable" for usurping control, banishing the Sinister Fiend Infant, and merely perpetuating their own power without achieving anything. Elder Hui confirmed this was why he held no respect for the current Cat Master or Serpent Master.
He spoke of his thousand-year wait for the Sinister Fiend Infant's return, which occurred 18 years prior, believing that had he been free, the Sinister Fiend Infant would not have been defeated by the former Cat Master. Elder Hui, dismissing current demon leadership as "ridiculous fools" for confining demons for the sake of "mere humans," declared his unwavering commitment to revive the Sinister Fiend Infant and establish a new Chang'an, "ruled by demons" and never to be equal with mortals.
Later, Wu Zishu awoke from a disturbing dream. He had seen an ancient battlefield where the Sinister Fiend Infant obtained a powerful artifact that subsequently vanished, leaving Wu Zishu perplexed about its secret and questioning what the Sinister Fiend Infant had inscribed upon him. Meanwhile, Mei Zhuyu brought Wu Zhen to Changxi Palace. Upon arrival, he introduced her to his Fifth Senior Brother, Lu Yang, a master healer known for his reticence.
Their reunion was also witnessed by a terrified Lian Fu, another senior brother, who was visibly frightened by Wu Zhen's demon identity. The others quickly reassured him that Wu Zhen, having lost her memory, was harmless and now part of their family. While exploring, Wu Zhen, who no longer remembered her powers, stumbled into a residual training formation.
Just as she was about to be harmed, the Changxi Mace in her hand activated on its own, allowing her to effortlessly dispel the magical array, leaving her proud and amazed. The next morning, Mei Zhuyu was seen emerging from Wu Zhen’s room, creating an awkward moment with Second Senior Brother, who teasingly remarked on the couple’s inability to be apart even for a night.
To subtly separate them, Second Senior Brother encouraged Wu Zhen to explore the "dull and quiet" but "elegant" Changxi Palace, suggesting she try the wild fruits gathered by Lu Yang. Wu Zhen, eager to explore, agreed. Second Senior Brother then entrusted Mei Zhuyu with the keys to the Changxi Palace archive, including the secret chamber, urging him to search for a cure for Wu Zhen's amnesia and assuring him they would "pretend they never knew" if he accessed restricted sections.
Second Senior Brother expressed his bewilderment at Mei Zhuyu's profound sacrifice for one woman, but Mei Zhuyu resolutely affirmed it was "worth it." Wu Zhen, exploring the palace, found herself captivated by a training ground where muscular, bare-chested men practiced martial arts, chanting "Sword draws the three luminaries, will protects the universe." She watched with a bright smile. Meanwhile, Mei Zhuyu and a senior brother searched the archive for a cure but found nothing.
Jiang Yi offered to check the secret chamber. Mei Zhuyu grew visibly jealous watching Wu Zhen's admiration for the other men. When she asked if they were handsome, he reluctantly agreed. Wu Zhen then declared that her husband was surely just as handsome, though her amnesia made her playfully question her own memory as he quickly asserted he was "no less than they are" and she didn't need to "prove it."
Mei Si sat dejectedly in his room, wondering why Liu Taizhen had suddenly become distant. Xuan Hui, appearing as if "passing by," found Mei Si contemplating whether his foolish attempts to become a demon were the reason for Liu Taizhen’s changed attitude. Xuan Hui dismissed this, reminding Mei Si of his many past follies. Mei Si explained he couldn't reach Liu Taizhen in the Beast Market, to which Xuan Hui replied he was there to "bring him the news."
Xuan Hui informed Mei Si that Liu Taizhen had left the Beast Market an hour ago for Yuzhen Workshop. Before Xuan Hui could complete his announcement that he would "ascend to become a dragon" that very night, Mei Si, without hearing the end, rushed off. At Yuzhen Workshop, Liu Taizhen, discussing new materials with an attendant, was informed of Mei Si’s imminent arrival.
Aware of his persistence, she decided to use the back door, remarking on his quick access to information. However, Mei Si, having anticipated her move, was already waiting at the back exit. He stated his carriage was at the front, but his understanding of her led him to the back. When Liu Taizhen asked why he wanted to see her, Mei Si demanded to know why her attitude had changed so abruptly after their enjoyable time at Qiu Pond.
Liu Taizhen tried to dismiss it as "nothing," but Mei Si insisted she was not a fickle person and something significant must have happened, pleading for an explanation. Finally, Liu Taizhen invited him inside to talk.
