My Divine Emissary Episode 5 Recap
> My Divine Emissary Recap
Upon receiving Li Mengmeng's proposed method for the aqueduct, Qi Yan and Zhen Xu drew up the detailed plans. Qi Yan instructed Zhen Xu to immediately deliver the drawings to Minister Li. He then sent Lu Huan to summon Li Mengmeng. Lu Huan cautiously asked if Qi Yan had been spending too much time with Li Mengmeng lately, mentioning palace gossip about their unusual closeness.
Qi Yan, however, dismissed such talk, stating that a great person does not dwell on trivial matters like rumors, and ordered Lu Huan to hurry. When Li Mengmeng arrived, Qi Yan told her to follow him. She asked where they were going, and he teased if she didn't want to go with him. Li Mengmeng quickly assured him she would follow him anywhere, even through "knife mountain and fire sea."
Qi Yan then turned and cornered her against a cabinet, asking if she was being serious. He commented that they had known each other for some time and he found her to be a very special person. Li Mengmeng, feeling awkward, quickly crouched down. Qi Yan then pushed the cabinet aside, revealing a hidden passage. The two descended underground into what Qi Yan revealed was his secret base, the Secret Research Pavilion.
He introduced Zhen Xu as the core member and mentioned other branches (implied to be Lu Huan and Kong An). Li Mengmeng observed a map of Qi Kingdom's canal system displayed on the wall. She questioned why, if the late emperor had already built the canal system, they weren't simply using it. This brought up the sensitive history of the canal project, which had been abandoned after a severe drought and became a court taboo, leading to Qi Su's banishment.
Qi Yan seemed disappointed, questioning if Li Mengmeng had spread information about his efforts to the Empress Dowager. Li Mengmeng denied this. Qi Yan explained that dredging the canal could solve irrigation problems and establish vital watercourse transport, asking if these benefits should be abandoned because of rumors. Li Mengmeng interjected, suggesting he shouldn't bring up the canal issue again, to which Qi Yan retorted that it was none of her business and that she asked too many questions.
Qi Yan then revealed his new plan: to tap into groundwater to supply the canal and make it navigable again, with the immediate priority being the construction of the aqueduct. He praised Li Mengmeng, stating that her method for the aqueduct was a real revelation and that she deserved a lot of credit. He presented her with a golden token, calling it priceless and assuring her that with it, she could travel freely throughout Qi Kingdom. Li Mengmeng thanked him.
Back in her quarters, Li Mengmeng held the golden token, wondering if Qi Yan truly liked her and worrying about the implications if he did. The next morning, long before sunrise, Lu Huan arrived to wake her, explaining that Qi Yan had officially appointed her as a counselor in the Secret Research Pavilion and required her presence before dawn to maintain secrecy.
Li Mengmeng complained about the early hours, joking that she thought joining the pavilion would make her life easier, and called the strict schedule "gaslighting at work" (or workplace PUA). Lu Huan dismissed her complaints, reminding her of her duty to the Emperor and her honor in serving him. Upon arriving at the pavilion, Qi Yan teased her about her late arrival on her first day.
Li Mengmeng, flustered, explained she was nervous about working with him and didn't sleep well. Qi Yan quickly got to the point, explaining the severe drought in Lu County and the need to complete a finalized model of the aqueduct within two days to be sent there, emphasizing its importance for demonstrating the aqueduct's benefits to the court and public for the future opening of the canal. They immediately set to work. Their efforts were successful within the two-day deadline.
Qi Yan dismissed Zhen Xu and Lu Huan to rest. He noticed Li Mengmeng asleep at her desk. As he gently reached to remove the brush from her hand, she woke up. Qi Yan acknowledged her hard work over the past couple of days and told her to go back and rest.
Later, Qi Yan asked Lu Huan, Zhen Xu, and Kong An if they looked forward to coming to the Secret Research Pavilion and if they found Li Mengmeng's teachings beneficial. They all responded positively, saying they were excited to be there, found her lessons interesting, and continued to think about what they learned even after work. Hearing this, Qi Yan was relieved, realizing he wasn't the only one who eagerly anticipated Li Mengmeng's presence and teachings.
Soon after, it was time for payment. Li Mengmeng, expecting twenty taels, was shocked to receive only eight. The person distributing the wages hinted she should know why, leaving Li Mengmeng feeling it was workplace PUA again.
Later, Zhou Quan approached Li Mengmeng, telling her the annual kickball tournament was approaching and suggesting she place a bet, implying it could be a way to win some money, especially as Prince Heqin was rumored to be participating this year, making the outcome less certain. Li Mengmeng went to Qi Yan and asked if he could raise her wage if she helped successfully build the aqueduct.
Qi Yan questioned why she needed so much money, but she was hesitant to reveal her plan to bet on Prince Heqin. She told him it was better if he didn't know. When Qi Yan declined to raise her wage, she jokingly asked him who was better at kickball, him or Prince Heqin, and if he could lose on purpose and split the winnings with her, a suggestion Qi Yan immediately dismissed. The kickball tournament began.
Qi Yan asked Lu Huan about Li Mengmeng's whereabouts, then spotted her talking to Prince Heqin. Walking over, seemingly annoyed, he threw his outer garment at Li Mengmeng, telling her to hold it for him. He remarked pointedly that Prince Heqin was quite diligent, even practicing where Li Mengmeng was. Prince Heqin quickly clarified they had just met and exchanged pleasantries.
As Qi Yan started to leave, Li Mengmeng hesitated, caught between her job serving the Emperor and her personal admiration for Prince Heqin. Qi Yan, noticing her hesitation, questioned her, saying she had claimed serving him was her life's honor, and asked if she had found a new honor so quickly. Li Mengmeng tried to explain it was a misunderstanding. Despite wanting to cheer for Prince Heqin, she loudly declared her belief that Qi Yan would win.
The match proceeded, with the score tied for a while before Qi Yan scored a goal, winning the match with a final score of three to two against Qi Su. Li Mengmeng felt conflicted, initially happy about Qi Yan's victory but then remembering her bet. After the match, Cui Wan'er approached Qi Su, asking about his injury and offering to check it, but Qi Su politely reassured her he was fine and excused himself.
Meanwhile, Li Mengmeng discovered a stroke of luck. Zhou Quan explained that when Li Mengmeng had asked her to place a gold ingot bet on Prince Heqin, it had somehow rolled onto Qi Yan's side of the betting board, resulting in Li Mengmeng winning a large sum of money. Zhou Quan, however, had bet on Prince Heqin and lost everything.
Zhou Quan teased Li Mengmeng, suggesting her love for the Emperor was less than her love for money, to which Li Mengmeng readily agreed, stating her career was the most important thing.
