Nancheng Banquet Episode 9 Recap

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> Nancheng Banquet Recap

At the Yunshao House, a Madam pressured Chu Yue to entertain Master Wang, a wealthy merchant, noting that Commander Yan Changyun hadn't sent the monthly payment and had likely forgotten her. Just then, Yan Changyun arrived, sending in the payment and stating that Chu Yue was his woman, and the Madam should know what she should or shouldn't do. The Madam quickly deferred, promising to arrange another companion for Master Wang and urging Chu Yue to attend to Yan Changyun.

Yan Changyun checked on Chu Yue, who expressed relief he had come. Outside, Qiang, who had followed Yan Changyun, grew indignant at the scene, accusing Yan of indecency and betraying his status as commander by dallying with a courtesan. Yan Changyun ordered the eunuch to leave, stating that it was none of his business who he cared for. Other onlookers commented on a eunuch interfering with Commander Yan's affairs.

The Madam remarked to Yan that Qiang looked like a woman, but Yan Changyun simply dismissed him as a small eunuch. Feeling wronged by Yan Changyun, Qiang initially planned revenge, believing that without killing Yan and obtaining the antidote, he himself would die. He set a trap for Yan Changyun in his room.

However, remembering that Yan Changyun had saved his life, Qiang felt it was ungrateful to harm him and returned to warn Yan about the trap inside the room. Qiang confessed that he had been sent to kill Yan Changyun and that someone from his sect had contacted him, stating he would be a traitor if he didn't complete the mission.

Qiang explained that his entire sect was poisoned, and the antidote was being used to leverage them, promising them safety if he killed Yan. He told Yan that he hesitated because he saw him as a good commander, considered them brothers, and felt he owed Yan for saving his life, viewing his warning as repaying that debt. Qiang then stated he was at Yan Changyun's mercy.

Yan Changyun replied that he couldn't even manage his own feelings, let alone deal with Qiang. He struggled with his internal conflict, thinking about the unavenged injustices against the Qin family, the suffering of Chu Yue, Uncle Lei, and others, questioning how he could be swayed by personal feelings when the great revenge was not yet achieved. He mentally accused himself of hypocrisy, reminding himself that he was supposed to be using Qiang for the jade ring, not developing feelings.

Yan later trained intensely to steel his resolve. Later, Qiang spoke with the Emperor, who noted his sighs. Qiang explained he finally understood the Emperor's dilemma of having no right choices. Initially framing it as a friend's problem about being an assassin/vigilante caught between betraying a friend and self-preservation, Qiang eventually revealed his own struggle. When the Emperor suggested choosing self-preservation, Qiang countered, saying he would choose the friend, even sacrifice himself.

He gave an example, stating he would refuse offers of promotion and titles from Prime Minister Xiao if it meant betraying the Emperor, choosing instead to remain a humble eunuch by his side. The Emperor acknowledged his loyalty and offered him a drink, calling him a friend. Still troubled, Qiang called out to Yan Changyun from outside a closed door, apologizing for his actions and calling himself ungrateful and unworthy.

He begged Yan to open the door and take out his anger on him, offering to do anything for forgiveness because he didn't want to lose his friendship. He continued to apologize, saying he understood if he wasn't forgiven, as he couldn't even forgive himself, and didn't deserve Yan's consideration. Unbeknownst to Qiang, Yan Changyun was not inside the room but observing from a distance, grappling with his emotions and restraining himself from responding before quietly leaving.

On the street, Fang You ran out, shouting about ascending to become an immortal, before collapsing and spitting blood. Cheng and the Qianyu Guards arrived on the scene, shortly followed by officials from the Ministry of Justice, who demanded to take the body, claiming jurisdiction. The Qianyu Guards refused, stating they were handling the matter, but the Ministry of Justice insisted they were taking over. Despite the confrontation, the Qianyu Guards took custody of the body.

Elsewhere, Quan questioned if eliminating Fang You would end future threats, noting that Yan Changyun seemed unlikely to give up easily, but stated it was no longer up to him and that his father would handle it. Prime Minister Xiao arrived, angrily questioning Yan Changyun's authority in taking Fang You's body when the Ministry of Justice was investigating. Yan Changyun countered that sudden deaths on the street were within the Qianyu Guards' purview and that he only obeyed the Emperor.

Prime Minister Xiao asserted his position as the current Prime Minister and accused Yan of defying the Ministry, challenging him to face the Emperor. They proceeded to the palace, where Eunuch Feng told them the Emperor was not seeing anyone. The Emperor was actually in the Queen's chambers, admitting to her that he was hiding from Prime Minister Xiao and Yan Changyun, who were arguing and demanding a decision from him.

The Queen offered to help him leave through the back door, but he decided to stay for tea, as they hadn't seen each other in days. Prime Minister Xiao and Yan Changyun arrived outside the Queen's chambers. Prime Minister Xiao demanded Fang You's body and the authority over the Poppy powder case. Yan Changyun responded with "Xiao Daren, please proceed." Eunuch Feng again blocked them, stating the Emperor was resting inside.

Prime Minister Xiao attempted to push past, but Qiang intervened, warning that disturbing the Emperor's private time with the Queen would be a grave offense. Prime Minister Xiao paused and ultimately decided to leave. Qiang's intervention successfully prevented the confrontation from escalating further, which pleased the Emperor, who later rewarded Qiang. Prime Minister Xiao returned and urgently pressed the Emperor regarding the importance of the Poppy powder case, presenting a blank imperial edict.

He demanded the Emperor affix the imperial seal so he could add the names of those involved, and also grant him the authority of execution before reporting. Eunuch Feng objected, but Prime Minister Xiao dismissed him, accusing him of trying to interfere in state affairs. Prime Minister Xiao argued that the Poppy powder had harmed the nation, citing the execution of Duke Qin and his family, and claimed Qin descendants were now attempting to destabilize the state.

He insisted the Emperor act quickly or face a rebellion. The Emperor recalled the late Emperor's trust in Duke Qin and his disbelief that he was involved with the powder, noting how Prime Minister Xiao had used similar tactics in the past to frame Duke Qin. Prime Minister Xiao called Duke Qin a traitor and asserted that the young Emperor was being deceived, stressing the need to eliminate everyone connected to the powder to ensure the nation's stability.

He demanded the Emperor apply the seal immediately. Reluctantly, the Emperor complied. Prime Minister Xiao thanked him and left to implement the order. Later, drinking alone, the Emperor lamented his life as a tragedy and his role as a puppet, wondering if Yan (Duke Qin) in heaven resented him for allowing his execution. He reflected on the superficial respect shown by palace officials and his lack of true friends.

Later that night, Quan presented a list of individuals related to the Poppy powder case to his father, Prime Minister Xiao. Prime Minister Xiao explained he had taken drastic measures to protect Quan, his only son, planning for him to eventually become Prime Minister. Quan dismissed the position as insufficient, stating he didn't care about being second only to the Emperor.

He called the Emperor inept and declared his ambition to hold the highest position, implying a desire for the throne. Prime Minister Xiao was shocked and angry, calling it treason and forbidding Quan from ruining the family's reputation for loyalty. Quan argued that his father's manipulation of the Emperor was public knowledge, questioning the family's supposed loyalty, and suggested his father was merely concerned about being implicated himself.

He acknowledged his family name and stated he would heed his father's teachings, but Prime Minister Xiao reiterated his command for Quan to stay out of the Poppy powder matter. Prime Minister Xiao then began writing names on the blank imperial edict. Yan Changyun joined the Emperor, who found comfort in Yan's presence. Yan promised to stay by his side and protect him, recalling a past promise.

He urged the Emperor not to give up hope, assuring him he could reclaim everything that belonged to him. The Emperor asked if Yan would still be with him if he made mistakes. Yan replied that his father taught him to correct mistakes and promised he would never blame the Emperor, considering it his duty as a loyal subject. Eunuch Feng announced the Queen was looking for the Emperor, who stated he did not want to see her.

Yan Changyun excused himself. The Queen found the Emperor, expressing how long she had waited. She presented him with fertility medicine obtained by her father from a sacred mountain, claiming it was very effective, and asked him to return to her chambers. The Emperor agreed but then commanded her to undress right there in the hall if she desired to consummate, eating the medicine.

He insisted on doing so on the spot, ignoring pleas to return to the chambers and accusing her of defiance if she hesitated. He ordered her to undress. The next morning, the Emperor discussed his actions with Qiang, who pointed out how overly harsh they were. The Emperor, unable to apologize directly due to his status, decided to compensate the Queen by granting her long-desired wish to visit her family estate.

Meanwhile, the Qianyu Guards were frustrated by Prime Minister Xiao seizing Fang You's body, a key clue. Cheng questioned why Yan Changyun wasn't angry. Yan Changyun, their leader, told them to be patient, that the cunning old Prime Minister would reveal his true nature soon. He advised them to use strategy rather than brute force. Yan Changyun confirmed that Prime Minister Xiao was linked to the Poppy powder and likely possessed a list of contacts.

They planned to take action that night. Qiang unexpectedly approached Tianjiao, stating his intention to help steal the list and asking Tianjiao to be at the Xiao residence's back gate at midnight. He requested Tianjiao keep his involvement a secret from Yan Changyun, as he wanted to surprise him. Tianjiao expressed concern for Qiang's safety, but Qiang argued that being with the Queen provided him better access than the others.

Tianjiao later reported to Yan Changyun that he was escorting the Queen to her family estate, where he would guard the gate all night to assist. Yan Changyun noted Qiang's presence, which Tianjiao explained was at the Queen's request, and Yan Changyun seemed subtly concerned. Yan instructed Tianjiao to study the layout of the Xiao residence and escape routes, and to wait outside, as Yan intended to enter alone to retrieve the list, despite Tianjiao's warning about the heavy security.

At the Xiao residence, the Queen expressed worry that the Emperor might be cold at night. Qiang reassured her that the Emperor was surely thinking of her and urged her to rest. Quan, the Queen's brother, arrived. Qiang excused himself. Quan gave the Queen a sachet, telling her he had kept it safe since her 14th birthday when he got it for her from the mountain to protect her from poisons.

She remembered its fragrance and recalled she had left it at home because the Emperor disliked the smell. She asked Quan to keep it there. Quan agreed. The Queen then mentioned she was sleepy and suggested he rest as well. She asked him to stay for a few days, and he agreed before leaving.

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