Novoland: Pearl Eclipse Episode 42 Recap
> Novoland: Pearl Eclipse Recap
Zhe Liu spent day and night in the embroidery room, diligently working on an underrobe for Fang Zhuoying. She imagined tailoring it for him, using the measurements she held dear in her heart. Her aunt, Su, worried about her health and urged her to rest, but Zhe Liu insisted on finishing the garment. The next morning, Princess Tara arrived at the clothing shop to pick up the underrobe and was very pleased with the craftsmanship.
Tara confided that her husband, Duohan, often gazed towards Zhongzhou with sorrow, as his beloved was in Dazheng, unable to be with him. Hearing this, Zhe Liu retreated to her room and wept. As the wedding day arrived, Fang Zhuoying, known as Duohan'ersa in Hanzhou, married Princess Tara as planned. He remained somber and preoccupied throughout the ceremony. Later, on their wedding night, Tara presented him with the underrobe.
He was stunned to recognize the familiar embroidery, which sparked his suspicion about the embroiderer's identity. Meanwhile, Ji Chang received intelligence that Fang Zhuoying had not only driven Duoluo out of Lanzi City but had also married the daughter of the Lord of Right Pudun. With Jiaman now allied with Huku’s Right Tribe to usurp the throne of the Lord of Left Pudun, Ji Chang grew concerned.
Without Duoluo available to stage a diversionary attack at Huangquan Pass, he feared his forces were insufficient to confront Jifeng Pavilion and the imperial guards. As envoys from the Leizhou tribes began sailing towards Dazheng, Di Xu ordered the deployment of 100,000 capital troops to the southwest to bolster defenses. His ministers protested, warning that weakening the capital's security was risky, citing Prince Yi's rebellion, which had exploited a similar vacuum.
Undecided, Di Xu consulted Fang Jianming, who supported the deployment but proposed a countermeasure: immediately recalling 50,000 soldiers from the Huangquan Battalion to defend Tianqi City. Di Xu approved the plan. Fang Haishi visited Zhaoming Palace, where she saw luminous pearl powder but did not understand its purpose. She spoke with Fang Jianming, reaffirming her commitment as Madam Pearl to protect the people, regardless of his personal attitude towards her.
She planned to ask Di Xu for a decree to negotiate with the Leizhou tribes herself, fearing that ill-intentioned parties might harm the envoys to incite war. Suddenly, they were interrupted by news that the envoys Puyouma and Bonen Naji had vanished from their residence. Fang Jianming ordered his secret guards to conduct a discreet search. The two envoys had actually snuck out to drink at Huixian Restaurant. While intoxicated, Bonen Naji was attacked by assassins in the backyard.
Jifeng Pavilion officers, dispatched by Jianming, arrived just in time to rescue him from a well. Fang Haishi rushed to Yu'an Palace to inform Di Xu. Hearing the news, Di Xu, who had been staying with Ti Lan, left for the main hall. Ti Lan’s maid, Bizi, complained about the late-night interruption, but Ti Lan sharply rebuked her. Though Bonen Naji was saved, Fang Jianming suspected the attack was a plot to provoke conflict between Dazheng and Nihualuo.
Di Xu, sensing a scheme, instructed Jianming and Haishi to cooperate with him in staging a performance for the court the next day. In court, Puyouma demanded that Dazheng either hand over the assassin or face war. Di Xu had Fang Jianming present the investigation's findings. Jianming revealed that Puyouma had instigated Bonen Naji to sneak out to the restaurant, then lured the inebriated man into a backyard ambush.
Jianming turned the tables, demanding that Puyouma, as Zhunian's envoy, produce the assassin. Enraged, Puyouma denied everything, claiming Bonen Naji had insisted on going. Di Xu declared they would wait for Bonen Naji to awaken and reveal the truth. Puyouma was shocked, having believed him dead. Di Xu explained that with Madam Pearl's divine intervention, Bonen Naji had survived the drowning attempt and was now recuperating. With the facts laid out, Jianming requested Puyouma's imprisonment.
Panicked, Puyouma looked to Ji Chang for help. Di Xu decided to confine Puyouma to the residence and ordered Zhunian to send a new envoy. Fang Haishi then suggested increasing security at the residence for the incoming envoys. When Di Xu asked who should oversee it, Jianming recommended Ji Chang for his familiarity with Leizhou customs. Ji Chang reluctantly accepted. Afterwards, Ji Chang sent a secret message, stating that the "seed he planted can now bloom."
Later, Fang Haishi visited the recuperating Bonen Naji, accompanied by Nihualuo’s Deputy Envoy. During the visit, the Deputy Envoy suddenly attacked her. Fang Jianming threw himself in front of her, taking the blow and falling unconscious. Physician Li was summoned and explained to Di Xu that while the wound was not fatal, Jianming's pre-existing poison, though suppressed by luminous pearl powder, had severely weakened him, causing the coma. He assured the Emperor that Jianming would awaken soon. When Fang Haishi learned from Physician Li that her master was poisoned, she rushed to confront Di Xu for answers.
