Novoland: Pearl Eclipse Episode 30 Recap
> Novoland: Pearl Eclipse Recap
Following the confrontation at the wedding, the fake princess's true identity was revealed as Nie Ruoling, the illegitimate daughter of the Fenyang Commandery Prince, Nie Jingwen. Questioned by Fang Jianming and Di Xu, she explained that her father was the brother of the late Emperor's consort, making Nie Ruoling a cousin to both the real Princess Yanling, Chu Linlang, and Lord Chang. This familial connection accounted for their striking resemblance, which she used to infiltrate the palace for revenge.
While she admitted to manipulating Su Ming for his network of spies, she defiantly refused to name her true mastermind. Instead, she accused Di Xu of being a usurper who murdered her family and deserved to pay with his life. With her final words, Nie Ruoling pulled out a hairpin and killed herself, cursing Di Xu that she would return as a vengeful spirit to haunt him for eternity.
Shortly after, Fang Haishi arrived with Zhou Youdu, disturbed by the tragic scene. Meanwhile, Eunuch Cui, a spy, was caught by Fang Zhuoying while attempting to flee the palace with a junior eunuch. At the subsequent hearing, Shi Lin, the Head of Imperial Manufactories, cowardly begged for his life, blaming his own negligence. Disgusted by this, Eunuch Cui took full responsibility for his actions. Di Xu ordered Fang Zhuoying to take them for rigorous interrogation.
Feeling exhausted, Di Xu later found solace with Ti Lan, who had come to Jincheng Palace to check on him. At Huixian Restaurant, Fang Haishi drank with Zhou Youdu, still troubled by Nie Ruoling's suicide. She couldn't understand why someone so many had died to protect would choose to end her own life, concluding that those in power are ruthlessly decisive, unswayed by the love or protection of others.
As Zhou Youdu helped the intoxicated Haishi leave, they were met by Fang Jianming, who, unbeknownst to her, had been waiting in the rain despite his severe injuries and the poison in his system. As he carried her back to Zhaoming Palace, a semi-conscious Haishi asked if he would be as detached towards her as he was to Chief Stewardess Ju or the princess, wondering if he would even notice if she died.
Fang Jianming assured her he would protect her, concealing the depth of his affection from her. After putting Haishi to bed, Fang Jianming returned to his room and finally collapsed from his injuries and the poison, remaining unconscious for three days. When he awoke, he found Haishi nursing him. She quickly updated him on the events of the past few days, confirming the successful elimination of all Su Ming’s remaining spies and networks in the capital.
Overwhelmed with emotion, she rushed out on the pretext of fetching his medicine. The imperial physician had previously warned her that due to years of accumulated internal injuries compounded by the severe poisoning, Fang Jianming likely did not have many years left to live, even if the poison was fully purged. Elsewhere in the palace, Lord Chang, Ji Chang, was recovering well under the physician's care.
Upon waking, he delivered a moving speech to Di Xu, reaffirming his loyalty and subtly clearing himself of any suspicion. His well-known reputation for being frivolous and short-sighted had long made him an object of amusement, causing most to underestimate his true ambitions. With the capital's unrest settled, Lord Duoluo of Huku was enraged by the loss of his commanders and Su Ming.
He decided to lead an attack personally and instructed his men to notify his contacts within Tianqi City, vowing to take the heads of Fang Jianming and Di Xu. Back in the palace, as Haishi brought Jianming his medicine, she asked how he had uncovered Nie Ruoling's deception.
He explained that Su Ming mistakenly thought he and Di Xu would see the "Princess" as their only hope, but Jianming knew the real Chu Linlang would never have sought a marriage alliance. The definitive clue came from Nanny Liu, his secret informant, who found medicine residue Nie Ruoling had buried. It was for asthma triggered by peony flowers, a weakness that could expose her. This discovery forced them to rush their plot, leading to their downfall.
During a rainy night, Ti Lan asked Di Xu about the late Zizan. He described her as a strong and courageous woman, admitting he often wondered if she was ever afraid of anything. Ti Lan gently suggested that Di Xu himself was Zizan's greatest fear, as a loving wife would dread seeing her husband suffer. Realizing the truth in her words, Di Xu later went to Zizan's former palace alone.
He sealed away her cherished Dragon Tail pendant and instructed that her portrait and memorial tablet be removed, declaring that from now on, Zizan would live on only in his heart. Zhou Youdu visited Fang Jianming, candidly admitting his love for Haishi. He confessed that despite all his efforts, her heart belonged entirely to Jianming.
He recounted how he'd once thought Jianming heartless, but after witnessing him wait in the rain, poisoned and injured, just to take Haishi home, he understood the depth of Jianming's feelings. Jianming expressed his fear that his short lifespan would only bring Haishi sorrow, but Zhou Youdu argued that even a single day with the person she loves would be more precious to Haishi than a long life without him.
Conceding defeat to Haishi's devotion, Zhou Youdu declared he would step aside, wishing only for her happiness. At the same time, Fang Zhuoying visited Zhe Liu, casually mentioning the spies' connection to Huku. Zhe Liu earnestly asked to see the embroidered fabrics used for coded messages, hoping to find a clue about her aunt's identity, but Zhuoying, not understanding her urgency, simply told her not to worry.
