Novoland: Pearl Eclipse Episode 18 Recap
> Novoland: Pearl Eclipse Recap
Assassins attempted to abduct a spy, but their operation failed as Su Ming had already fled, abandoning them as bait. Shaozi, having anticipated their move, was waiting in ambush. Before succumbing to self-administered poison, the assassin leader, Wu Qi, exposed Chief Stewardess Ju Qiqi of the Fabric Office as the mastermind behind their actions. Realizing the Fabric Office was in peril and likely targeted for elimination, Shaozi rushed there, but it was tragically too late.
Upon his arrival, Shaozi discovered that everyone in the Fabric Office, except for Zhe Liu, had perished from the same poison used by the assassins, which confirmed Chief Stewardess Ju's complicity. Di Xu was enraged upon hearing the news, declaring that someone dared to murder palace officials right under his nose and that their influence ran deep within the palace. He ordered Shaozi to immediately launch a full investigation and expressed regret to Fang Jianming for their past leniency.
Fortunately, Zhe Liu had ingested less poison and was still clinging to life. Medical officers were treating her, hoping her recovery would provide crucial leads. After receiving Jiaman’s Royal Family panacea and Fang Jianming's internal energy transfer, Fang Haishi finally regained consciousness. As she opened her eyes, she saw Fang Jianming by her bedside. During her semiconscious state, Fang Haishi had vaguely heard Fang Jianming's self-reproach, but she reassured him that her current predicament had nothing to do with him.
She firmly stated that meeting him was one of the best things that had ever happened to her, and she would never regret it. Over the next few days, Fang Haishi's injuries gradually healed, allowing her to venture out of her room. Knowing his disciple disliked the bitter taste of medicine, Fang Jianming went to the market to buy her some sugar, but she found him there.
She spontaneously took his hand, admitting that while his hand felt colder than hers, holding it made her feel warm inside. She offered him a piece of the sugar, noting its sweetness made her forget the bitterness of her medicine. He declined but gently led her from the wind and bought her a thick cloak made of snow fox fur from Red Plain.
Fang Haishi put it on, playfully remarking that she was a fool for taking so long to realize that some people are not as aloof as they appear. Fang Haishi also had a gift for Fang Jianming. Observing him working late into the night in dim light, she bought a pair of red candles, hoping they would prevent eye strain. When Fang Jianming entered his room, he immediately noticed the candles.
He chuckled and asked if she knew that red candles had a specific ceremonial use, but he did not elaborate further. His smile, reflected in the candlelight, clearly showed his appreciation for the gift. Fang Haishi, lying in bed, felt a mix of nervousness and secret joy as she watched her master read nearby, cherishing the warm atmosphere. Meanwhile, a maid, Bihong, found a kite that had gone missing days ago.
She intercepted the eunuchs who were taking it to the storehouse, insisting it belonged to Yu'an Palace. Ti Lan rushed over to intervene and unexpectedly encountered Di Xu. Learning that Ti Lan was the kite's true owner, Di Xu asked her to complete the poem inscribed on it. Ti Lan did so, with lines conveying that her innermost feelings could be shared with no one but the moon and flowers.
Impressed by her cleverness, Di Xu decided to keep the kite, promising to summon her to Jincheng Palace another day. Fang Zhuoying rode north through the night, diligently tracking Su Ming's party. At the same time, Zhang Chengqian reported urgent news from Tianqi City to Fang Jianming, just as Di Xu's secret edict arrived, containing only two words: "Return immediately."
Having learned about the tragedy at the Fabric Office and Chief Stewardess Ju's demise, Haishi asked Fang Jianming to burn incense for the Chief Stewardess upon his return. Despite Fang Jianming's reluctance to leave, he had no choice but to obey the imperial decree. Fang Haishi, however, was optimistic. She believed that even if they were separated by a great distance, a thousand miles were merely a single step when their hearts were connected.
She promised Fang Jianming that when they next reunited, she would be as good as new. Fang Haishi watched as Fang Jianming and his entourage departed, her fingers tracing the surface of her thumb ring. After Fang Jianming's departure, Fang Haishi proposed returning to Huangquan Battalion. Zhang Chengqian objected, citing her unhealed injuries. However, Fang Haishi had already suspected that there were problems within the battalion.
Zhang Chengqian admitted that Su Ming's spies were still active within the camp, including a mole named Song Dian who had previously lured Fang Jianming into danger. Fang Haishi asserted that securing Huangquan Battalion was paramount, as only a stable frontier would allow Fang Jianming to fully focus on purging traitors within the court. She insisted they return as quickly as possible. Meanwhile, Fang Zhuoying pursued Su Ming alone into Hanbei, swiftly neutralizing his guards.
Su Ming panicked and fled, with Fang Zhuoying in close pursuit. Unexpectedly, the Lord of Left Pudun arrived with a contingent of men to receive Su Ming. During the ensuing skirmish, an arrow struck Fang Zhuoying's mask, revealing his face. The Lord of Left Pudun was stunned by Fang Zhuoying's uncanny resemblance to him, as was Su Ming. Recovering quickly, the Lord harbored murderous intent, but Fang Zhuoying produced Princess Hongyao's badge, forcing everyone to hesitate.
They could only watch as Fang Zhuoying galloped away. Afterward, the Lord of Left Pudun ordered his men to track down and capture all of Su Ming's remaining followers in the city. Separately, Ti Lan was summoned to Di Xu's sleeping quarters. Expecting to be asked to serve him, she was surprised when Di Xu threw a stack of imperial reports at her, ordering her to read them aloud.
Ti Lan immediately knelt, protesting that it was a capital crime for a member of the harem to engage in state affairs. Her unexpected fear intrigued Di Xu. Under his persistent command and implicit pardon, Ti Lan complied, reasoning that a wise emperor like him would never harm the innocent. Upon learning of the Fabric Office tragedy, Fang Zhuoying rushed back to Tianqi City, pushing his horse to exhaustion.
He was relieved to see Zhe Liu, but his relief instantly turned to despair when he realized she had been blinded by the poison. Deep in mourning for Chief Stewardess Ju, Zhe Liu excused herself to tend to funeral arrangements. Fang Zhuoying was deeply saddened, especially watching Zhe Liu stand in the hall with her aunt's belongings, weeping. He realized the heavy burden of the Fabric Office, along with the wishes of the deceased embroiderers, now rested solely on her. Zhe Liu vowed to master Chief Stewardess Ju's blind embroidery technique, restore the Fabric Office, and remember her aunt forever.
