Novoland: Pearl Eclipse Episode 4 Recap
> Novoland: Pearl Eclipse Recap
In the aftermath of a fierce battle, assassins converged on Princess Tilan's carriage. Just as the imperial guards were about to be overwhelmed, Fang Haishi charged in on horseback and rescued the Princess, an act that revealed her female identity. After reaching a temporary safe point, Prince Ji Chang and Tilan thanked Haishi for her timely arrival.
Fang Zhuoying noted a minor injury on Haishi and questioned her about the clever ruse of using dust to feign a larger rescue party. Haishi admitted it was only a temporary solution, prompting Ji Chang to urge the group to depart for safety immediately before the assassins could regroup. Despite the successful rescue, Fang Haishi was deeply troubled, fearing the incident would be used to attack Jifeng Pavilion and her master, Fang Jianming.
Fang Zhuoying acknowledged her concerns, explaining that regardless of whether they had rescued Tilan or not, their enemies would have found a way to frame them. Their conversation was interrupted by the arrival of Shaozi, who claimed to be acting on Fang Jianming’s orders. He informed Haishi that her meritorious service had earned her an urgent first mission: to hunt down a rebel within Jifeng Pavilion.
In truth, this was a lie concocted by Fang Jianming to send Haishi away from the capital and protect her from the Emperor’s inevitable wrath. Meanwhile, Emperor Xu was enraged upon learning of Tilan’s arrival, accusing Fang Jianming of overstepping his authority and bringing harm to the princess. He demanded that Jianming's disciples be brought to the palace for punishment. Soon after, Prince Ji Chang and Princess Tilan’s procession arrived at Tianqi.
General Su Ming relayed the Emperor's orders: Tilan was to rest at a courier hostel, while Ji Chang, Tang Qianzi, and Fang Jianming were to proceed to the palace. In the imperial court, Emperor Xu formally welcomed his brother, conferring upon him the title of Lord Chang. With the court dismissed, the brothers shared an emotional reunion.
Ji Chang presented the Emperor with an eagle egg, hoping to raise the finest falcon for him, and fondly recalled a childhood memory of the Emperor secretly giving him cakes for his journey. Emperor Xu, moved, promised to restore Ji Chang's rightful status. As a reward for his service, Tang Qianzi was promoted to Chief Commander of Huangquan Pass. Tilan, left at the hostel, was dismayed to learn she had not been summoned to the palace with the others.
Believing Shaozi's story, Haishi departed on her "mission." However, she quickly grew suspicious of Shaozi's vague answers and deduced that something was wrong in the capital. Refusing to flee, she rushed back to Jifeng Pavilion, arriving just in time to see an unconscious Fang Zhuoying being carried in, followed by a badly injured Fang Jianming. Enraged and blaming her disobedience for the catastrophe, Fang Jianming disowned her and ordered her to leave.
Devastated, Haishi begged to stay one night to care for Zhuoying. Jianming, too weak and distraught to argue, silently acquiesced. Earlier at the palace, Fang Jianming had tried to protect Haishi by claiming she had acted alone and fled. Seeing through the lie, Emperor Xu ordered Fang Zhuoying to receive two hundred strokes of the cane as Fang Jianming was forced to watch. Unable to bear his disciple's suffering, Jianming pleaded to be punished instead.
The Emperor, angered by his defiance, ordered both to be beaten. Zhuoying soon collapsed, and the physician warned that more blows would be fatal. Fang Jianming then volunteered to receive Zhuoying's remaining punishment, a request the Emperor granted. Later, advised by his courtiers, Emperor Xu decreed that Tilan be brought into the palace and enfeoffed as Consort Shurong, with a simple ceremony. Tilan was incensed by the terse and disrespectful decree.
Tang Qianzi advised her to be patient, reminding her that Zhunian's security depended on its alliance with Dazheng. He urged her to emulate her late sister, Princess Zizan, and win the Emperor's heart. On their wedding night, Emperor Xu was mourning, clutching Zizan's memorial tablet. After being told Consort Shurong had been waiting outside for hours, he allowed her in. Following Zhunian custom, Tilan unveiled her face before him.
The Emperor was stunned to see she was identical to Zizan and wore the same sacred Dragon Tail Pendant. His shock quickly turned to violent fury. He accused her of being a "fake" and confined her to Yu'an Palace indefinitely. The next day, the Emperor sent a portrait of the new consort to Jifeng Pavilion, with orders for the heavily injured Fang Jianming to kneel and receive it.
Upon seeing the portrait of Tilan, whose face mirrored Zizan's, Fang Jianming was visibly horrified. That night, as a storm raged, he remained kneeling in the rain, tormented by guilt. He agonized over his past actions during the Prince Yi Rebellion, believing his reckless thirst for vengeance led to the pregnant Empress Zizan's death. Haishi, not understanding the source of his profound anguish, stayed by his side. As dawn broke, Fang Jianming finally collapsed from his injuries and exhaustion.
