Novoland: Pearl Eclipse Episode 17 Recap
> Novoland: Pearl Eclipse Recap
Di Xu, the Emperor of Dazheng, found himself restless one evening and sought fresh air in the palace gardens. There, he overheard the imperial concubine Ti Lan discussing a captivating Dazheng storybook with her maids. Ti Lan was recounting a tale of a clever young lady who disguised herself as a man to attend school, only to fall in love with a male classmate.
When her secret was almost discovered due to earring holes, she ingeniously explained that she often dressed as Avalokitesvara for village temple fairs. Intrigued, Di Xu invited Ti Lan to Yu’an Palace to continue reading the story to him. As Ti Lan read, Di Xu drifted into a troubling dream. He saw Fang Jianming and reflected on the Six Wing Generals who had helped secure the empire.
He recalled how four of them had perished within five years of the kingdom’s founding, leaving only the Fang and Su families. In his dream, Fang Jianming asserted that the loyal Su Ming, whose father had died because of Fang Jianming's feigned death, deserved to be spared. Di Xu lamented that his companions, who had survived the Rebellion of Prince Yi, were now falling in this era of peace, often at the hands of himself and Fang Jianming.
He then promised Fang Jianming that he would not kill Su Ming until the very last moment. Waking abruptly from the nightmare, Di Xu was startled by Ti Lan's presence. Though still weary, he asked her to continue reading. The next morning, Ti Lan assisted him in dressing for court. Di Xu, noting he had spent the entire night at Yu’an Palace, worried he would be late for the morning assembly.
Rushing to Zichen Hall, he joined the court where ministers presented reports. Updates included preparations for the arrival of a carriage from Lanzi City and the restoration of trade at Xiping Port, though routes to Nihualuo and Tuhuolu remained closed. The governor of Quanming Port urgently requested opening granaries to aid refugees suffering from severe cold and poor harvests. Other ministers advised caution, citing past instances where enemies disguised as merchants led to conflict.
However, Di Xu insisted that all registered Dazheng citizens were his people and must not starve, ordering that the granaries be opened with careful management. When he asked for a volunteer, most ministers hesitated. The suggestion of Prince Ji Chang was dismissed when Di Xu saw him dozing during the assembly. Stepping forward, Su Ming volunteered.
Remembering Su Ming's father who died in the Prince Yi Rebellion and Su Ming's own valiant service, Di Xu reinstated him as Grand General of the Garrison and ordered him to Quanming Port immediately. Later, upon hearing that Su Ming had knelt and wept in gratitude at the city gate before departing, Di Xu reflected with regret, "If he knew it would come to this, why did he even begin?"
Meanwhile, Zhang Chengqian reported to Fang Jianming that his investigation into the suspicious shops had found no conclusive evidence. He also conveyed his concern about Su Ming's assignment to Quanming Port, fearing he might use the opportunity to bypass Huangquan Pass via sea to Shangzhou and Hanzhou, effectively escaping. Their suspicions were solidified after the discovery of a raven feather, as only the Su family in Dazheng used ravens for communication.
With this proof of likely treason, Fang Jianming declared he would not spare Su Ming. He ordered Zhang Chengqian to send an urgent command to Fang Zhuoying: capture Su Ming and bring him back to Tianqi, or if that proved impossible, kill him on the spot. When Zhang Chengqian voiced apprehension about acting without the Emperor's order, Fang Jianming assured him he would personally address the matter with Di Xu.
He also ordered the captured spy to be interrogated to uncover any other disloyal individuals. At Huangquan Pass, Fang Haishi remained unconscious despite Fang Jianming's care. Salia and her people prayed for Fang Haishi's recovery. Fu Yi, dispatched by General Tang Qianzi, arrived with a military physician to inquire about Fang Haishi's condition and Fang Jianming's prolonged absence. Zhang Chengqian received him, explaining that Fang Jianming was preoccupied.
Later, Zhang Chengqian reported to Fang Jianming that he had obtained the requested thousand-year snow ganoderma and that Fu Yi was waiting. Fang Jianming instructed Zhang Chengqian to have Salia host Fu Yi in his stead, stating that he was busy strategizing how to conquer Huku. During the banquet, Fu Yi praised the Jiamanese for their winemaking and lauded Fang Jianming’s military prowess. He then probed for information about the former Right Pudun King, Earlji, and his Davana, Tidi.
Zhang Chengqian confirmed Tidi's beauty but stated she died during the chaos when Lanzi was taken, then deftly steered the conversation back to drinking. Simultaneously, Su Ming's subordinate informed him that while they couldn't get information from the captured spy, Fang Jianming had likely acquired evidence of their messages to Huku. Su Ming acknowledged the exposure, noting that his family was the only one in Dazheng to use ravens for communication.
Concluding that Fang Jianming would never let him go, Su Ming dismissed the suggestion to have his elite guard, Wu Qi, protect him, reasoning that they would be no match for the Secret Force assassins. Instead, he ordered Wu Qi to remain in Tianqi City to create a diversion and monitor Chief Stewardess Ju. Su Ming then abandoned his plan to go to Quanming Port, fearing an ambush.
His new plan was to travel along the Silt River, sail from Juzi into the Lax Sea, and seek refuge with the Left Tribe of Hanzhou. Meanwhile, in Tianqi City, Fang Zhuoying gathered fireflies for an unhappy Zhe Liu, contemplating how she would react if she knew he often eavesdropped on her from the rooftop. A messenger delivered Fang Jianming’s orders for Zhuoying to prepare to set out the following morning.
Zhe Liu discovered the fireflies, affectionately calling out for her "God of Wind," only to realize it was just a passing bird. From the rooftop, Fang Zhuoying secretly vowed to reveal his true identity and meet Zhe Liu in person upon his return. Back at Huangquan Pass, Zhang Chengqian delivered an urgent report: Su Ming had vanished near Dumulan City and Juzi. Fang Jianming immediately concluded Su Ming was fleeing to the Left Tribe of Huku.
Zhang Chengqian warned that with Fang Zhuoying having only recently departed Tianqi, they had to intercept Su Ming at Huangquan Pass before he reached the Lax Sea. Fang Jianming ordered Zhang Chengqian to lead a force immediately. Just then, Salia’s cries for help came from inside. Fang Jianming rushed in to find Fang Haishi coughing up blood. Salia offered the Jiaman Royal Family’s last panacea.
She handed the medicine to Fang Jianming, warning that its potency required a highly skilled martial artist to continuously transfer vital energy for twelve hours after administration. Realizing Fang Haishi could not swallow, Fang Jianming administered the medicine mouth-to-mouth and transferred his internal energy to her. Thanks to the panacea and his efforts, Fang Haishi's life was saved. Meanwhile, Chief Stewardess Ju delivered a completed court uniform to Di Xu and cautiously inquired about Fang Jianming.
Di Xu reassured her but mentioned that the spy apprehended from Lanzi had survived and would soon be interrogated. Ju was visibly startled to hear the spy had "woken up," prompting Di Xu to caution her about future information exchanges. Pleased with the Fabric Office's work, Di Xu rewarded each member with a bowl of almond tea. Ju accepted hers with a heavy heart. Shortly after, two guards arrived to collect their uniforms from Zhe Liu.
After they departed, Zhe Liu began to feel unwell. Returning to the main hall, she was horrified to find her fellow seamstresses collapsed, with her best friend and Chief Stewardess Ju already dead from poison. Zhe Liu attempted to flee for help but, succumbing to the poison, collapsed unconscious.
