Novoland: Pearl Eclipse Episode 20 Recap
> Novoland: Pearl Eclipse Recap
The air in Jincheng Palace was heavy as Emperor Di Xu sat in quiet fury, while Consort Ti Lan stood before him, attempting to appease him with desserts. Ti Lan, who had hoped to subtly intercede on behalf of Zhunian, only further enraged Di Xu with her perceived attempts to read his mind. He harshly dismissed her, ordering the Zhunian envoy, Puyouma, to immediately leave Tianqi without any customary farewell.
Even Fang Jianming's calm suggestion for proper diplomatic protocol, arguing that Puyouma, despite being annoying, was still an envoy requiring a formal departure, failed to sway the Emperor, who insisted Fang Jianming handle the matter himself. Meanwhile, at the Fabric Office, Zhe Liu diligently managed her new role as the manager, meticulously overseeing the embroidery work. Director Shi of the Imperial Manufactories showed her great respect, acknowledging her as the palace’s sole blind embroiderer and praising her judgment.
He entrusted her with the important task of selecting new spring cloth, noting that the Fabric Office was finally regaining its former vibrancy, and sternly instructed his staff to offer Zhe Liu their full support. Fang Zhuoying visited the Fabric Office, claiming to bring radishes for Xiaobai, a rabbit, but his true purpose was to check on Zhe Liu.
He confessed he had gone to great lengths to prepare the radishes, drying them to avoid any dew, a gesture that touched Zhe Liu. He then openly asked to be her friend, hoping to visit frequently. Zhe Liu, discerning his warm-hearted nature, gladly agreed. During their conversation, Fang Zhuoying noted the unusual dampness in the wind, a contrast to the expected dry weather, and mentioned his ancestral home was by the seashore, though he grew up in the capital.
Soon after, Fang Zhuoying joyfully reunited with his junior sister, Fang Haishi, as her military convoy approached Tianqi City. Fang Haishi playfully expressed her envy over his recent promotion to Imperial Corps Commander, a fourth-rank position. Fang Zhuoying, however, assured her that her own merits in the attack on Lanzi City had already earned her widespread renown, predicting her promotion to at least a fourth-rank position, possibly even a general.
The next day, Fang Haishi, dressed in her official robes, presented herself before Emperor Di Xu. He commended her newfound maturity after months of hardship. He then officially conferred upon her the title of General of Cloud-Banner, a sub-third rank, along with significant rewards, recognizing her achievements in killing Huku's old Lord of Left Pudun, allying with Jiaman, and reclaiming Lanzi City. The court ministers were astonished by the rapid promotion.
Fang Haishi, however, humbly declined the awards, emphasizing that the victory was a collective effort of the entire Huangquan Battalion. Di Xu praised her humility, likening her to Fang Jianming. Fang Jianming, who had remained impassive, subtly requested the Emperor to reconsider, stating that Fang Haishi was too young for such swift advancement. Yet, Di Xu insisted on giving her further opportunities, seeing her as a formidable talent, leaving Fang Haishi no choice but to accept.
Following the promotion, Emperor Di Xu announced a grand banquet to honor the returning generals. The celebratory atmosphere was suddenly broken by a cracking sound. Ji Chang's beloved pet falcon egg, which he constantly carried, had fallen and shattered, drawing suppressed laughter from the officials and visibly annoying Di Xu. Amidst the commotion, Fang Haishi discreetly observed General Tang Qianzi subtly tapping his fingers, seemingly conveying a silent signal.
Back at Zhaoming Palace, Fang Jianming angrily disciplined Fang Haishi, striking her palm for accepting the promotion. He warned her that ascending too quickly as a woman in the court would expose her to immense danger. Fang Haishi, enduring the punishment, clarified that her acceptance was not due to greed but a desire to achieve a status that would allow her to stand "side by side" with him.
She then shared her suspicions about General Tang Qianzi, recalling his strange signaling in court and suggesting he might be an informer planted by Su Ming. She also revealed that she had twice seen Duoluo, the new Lord of Left Pudun, whose face was a near-perfect match for Fang Zhuoying's, save for hair and eye color. She expressed her fear that this resemblance, combined with Su Ming's past acquaintance with Fang Zhuoying, could be exploited.
As Fang Haishi leaned closer while speaking, Fang Jianming grew uneasy and backed away, scolding her for becoming "unrestrained" after her time at the border. Fang Haishi rejected the accusation, candidly confessing that her fervent desire to see him was her sole reason for returning. Her continued approach caused Fang Jianming to flee in distress.
Later, while meditating, he was haunted by a vivid dream of marrying Fang Haishi, only for her to be struck by an arrow and perish on their wedding day. Later, Fang Zhuoying led Fang Haishi through the palace grounds, showing her various halls. They stopped at the Fabric Office, where he introduced her to Zhe Liu. Fang Haishi offered Zhe Liu gifts from the north and gently inquired about her blindness.
Zhe Liu explained her eyes were tragically damaged during a poisoning incident at the Fabric Office, an event from which she was the sole survivor. Haishi voiced her suspicion that the incident was a deliberate act of murder to silence witnesses and vowed to find the culprits, a sentiment Fang Zhuoying shared. Haishi then connected the incident to Tang Qianzi's peculiar finger-tapping gesture, believing it could be a clue. Meanwhile, Ti Lan sat anxiously in her palace.
Her maid, Bizi, expressed concern for her health and cautioned her against impersonating the deceased Empress Zizan, reminding her that Zizan was an untouchable subject for the Emperor. Soon after, Fang Haishi arrived with gifts. However, Ti Lan, fearing that her troubled relationship with Di Xu might endanger Haishi, instructed Bizi to decline the visit, feigning illness. Haishi entrusted a snow lotus to Bizi, asking her to convey her well-wishes to Ti Lan.
Later that evening, Ti Lan, disregarding her maid's warnings, entered Jincheng Palace dressed in the style of the late Empress Zizan, approaching a seemingly inebriated Emperor Di Xu. Upon seeing Ti Lan in Zizan's attire, Di Xu's demeanor shifted from intoxication to explosive rage. He furiously accused her of impersonation, screaming that she only shared Zizan's face but their dispositions were "different as clouds and mud."
He bitterly stated that Zizan truly understood and loved him, even advising him against his own envoys due to her father's greed. He then seized Ti Lan, forbidding her from using his personal name, and in a fit of violent fury, tore her clothes and forcefully assaulted her, his mind consumed by memories of Zizan.
