Novoland: Pearl Eclipse Episode 22 Recap
> Novoland: Pearl Eclipse Recap
In the serene setting of a fishing village by the sea, Fang Haishi found a stark contrast to the often-gloomy capital. She shared her thoughts with Fang Jianming, gazing at the full moon and asserting that its unchanging presence over millennia proved the existence of eternal things in the world. Fang Jianming, however, countered that nothing is truly eternal, likening the concept of eternity to a mere human attachment.
Despite his philosophical disagreement, Haishi declared her desire to cling to such attachments. During their stay, Haishi’s mother generously offered Jianming a new quilt and had Haishi share a bed with her. Meanwhile, in the distant capital, Emperor Di Xu seethed with anger upon receiving a secret memorial. The document accused Fang Jianming of harboring a Huku spy, presenting seemingly conclusive evidence.
Di Xu was furious that Jianming had chosen this critical moment to leave the capital with Fang Haishi for leisurely travels. He recalled how Jianming had insisted on bringing Fang Zhuoying back from the Red Plain battle despite objections, noting that this secret memorial now directly targeted Jifeng Pavilion. Di Xu had to suppress the news himself, lamenting the difficult position Jianming had put him in.
His agitation was evident when he summoned Eunuch Mu to change a perfectly new candle, threatening him with severe punishment. Separately, Princess Ti Lan, still awake past midnight, looked at the Dream Catcher from Haishi, hoping it would truly banish her nightmares. She inquired about the well-being of her pet, Xiaoguai, and was pleased to hear it was living happily with Zheliu's pet in the cotton nest she had made.
The next morning, Haishi’s mother presented her with new clothes, a tradition she upheld every year. Haishi soon learned that Jianming had risen early and gone to gather seafood. At the beach, Jianming, unfamiliar with catching seafood, became the target of ridicule from local children who called him "stupid." When Haishi arrived, Jianming confessed that leaving the capital made him realize how relentlessly he had been working, and he cherished this rare relaxation.
In contrast to Haishi, who grew up in a fishing village, Jianming revealed that his younger days were spent in the palace, though he often snuck out with the Emperor to explore cities and scenic spots, admitting to a somewhat unruly past. Their efforts to find seafood proved fruitless, leading them to the bustling market. Haishi took charge of bargaining for an array of seafood, skillfully negotiating the price down to half.
Back at home, during dinner, Haishi's mother lavished praise on Jianming, playfully suggesting he join her on a fishing trip. Haishi protested, reminding her mother that Jianming was an imperial official, but her mother dismissed the title, asserting that out of his official robes, he was just an ordinary person. She served Jianming a special oyster soup, declaring it to be highly beneficial for men. That evening, Haishi’s mother had a heartfelt conversation with Jianming.
She described Haishi as a "poor child" who had endured much hardship and earnestly requested Jianming to take good care of her in the capital, to which Jianming solemnly promised. The following day, Haishi went to buy supplies to fix a leaking roof, while her mother left to assist a neighbor. Moments later, Haishi received alarming news that her mother had been abducted. Rushing to the scene, Haishi confronted the assailants alone, fighting multiple attackers.
The abductors, revealed to be Su Ming’s men, demanded Haishi write a false confession implicating Fang Jianming in harboring a Huku spy in exchange for her mother’s life and gold. Just as the situation grew dire, Fang Jianming arrived, having anticipated the ambush despite their attempts to remove his sentries. In the ensuing struggle, an assailant dragged Haishi off a cliff into the sea. Without hesitation, Jianming leaped after her.
In the water, the merfolk Lang Huan appeared, rescuing Haishi and gently returning her to Jianming. Haishi later awoke on shore under Jianming's care. He playfully chided her for breaking her promise not to play the hero. An attendant confirmed one assassin had been captured alive, and Jianming ordered him taken back to Tianqi for interrogation. After bidding her mother farewell, Haishi promptly returned to the capital with Jianming.
Back in the capital, Jianming noted that Emperor Di Xu had suppressed the secret memorial. He discussed the situation with a subordinate, remarking that since no one in the capital had ever seen Duoluo, the new Lord of Left Pudun of Huku, the resemblance between him and Fang Zhuoying was a "double-edged sword" that required extreme caution. Upon his return to the palace, Di Xu greeted Jianming with sarcasm.
Jianming explained that he had hoped his absence would expose hidden spies, and the capture of the assassins was a fortunate turn of events. Dismissing these as excuses, Di Xu gave him three days to get the truth from the assassin, warning that if he failed, Fang Haishi would bear the punishment. The captured assassin, unable to withstand the interrogation, agreed to confess, but only to Fang Jianming.
In exchange for a promise of a protected life, the assassin revealed the mastermind was Lord Chang, Ji Chang. Di Xu, listening from behind a screen, dismissed this as ridiculous, insisting it was a plot by Su Ming to mislead them. Jianming, however, suggested summoning Ji Chang to the palace, arguing it was necessary for both the Emperor and Ji Chang himself to prove his innocence.
Di Xu initially refused, but Jianming persisted that Ji Chang's status as his only brother made it imperative to clear his name. Concurrently, Zheliu delivered new robes she had made for Jianming. She privately showed him peculiar cloth strips found in the late Chief Stewardess Ju's room, suspecting they were fabricated intelligence connected to her aunt’s death. Jianming advised her not to get involved, promising to investigate himself and warning her of the hidden dangers in the capital.
Afterward, Fang Zhuoying expressed his guilt over Zheliu’s blindness, which he blamed on his absence during a past mission, and fiercely vowed to protect her. Soon, Eunuch Mu summoned Ji Chang to the palace for a "fraternal reunion." As the captured assassin was escorted through the palace, he managed to grab a ceramic shard. Upon seeing Ji Chang, the assassin dramatically accused him of being his master.
When Di Xu burst in and warned the assassin not to harm his brother, the cornered man ignored pleas to confess and tragically slit his own throat. Overwhelmed, Ji Chang fainted from shock. After recovering, Ji Chang tearfully reaffirmed his loyalty, emphasizing their bond as the only surviving siblings from the Prince Yi Rebellion. Deeply moved, Di Xu issued a decree for a nationwide search for all royal clan members scattered by the conflict.
Despite ministers' protests about potential imposters, Di Xu stood firm, while Fang Jianming remained silent, calling it the Emperor's "family matter." The decree led to an influx of claimants, most of whom were frauds. A subordinate reported to Jianming that a woman named Chu Linlang, claiming to be Consort Nie's daughter and Ji Chang's sister, had arrived at the Ministry of Rites with great fanfare. Jianming, remarking that such displays were easily orchestrated, decided to deal with it later.
