Novoland: Pearl Eclipse Episode 44 Recap
> Novoland: Pearl Eclipse Recap
During a lively evening of drinking and games, Guo quietly ascended to the second floor of the house. As he suspected, he discovered a token from Lord Chang's Mansion hidden in a bag, confirming that their unexpected guests had sinister intentions. He rushed to alert Mrs. Ye, urging her to flee with him under the cover of night. However, Mrs. Ye's slow movements became a hindrance.
In a desperate act of protection, Guo fought valiantly against multiple assailants disguised as imperial soldiers, ultimately sacrificing his life. Mrs. Ye was then forcibly taken away. Meanwhile, Fang Haishi was escorting Lang Huan in a carriage back to the city when they were ambushed by assassins. Despite her efforts to break through the encirclement, she was forced to stop shortly after escaping.
The assassins, sent by Lord Chang, held Mrs. Ye captive and threatened her life, demanding Fang Haishi hand over Dragon Tail. Mrs. Ye, recognizing her daughter's mission to protect the people, chose not to be a burden. Declaring she would not be a coward, she tragically committed suicide before Fang Haishi's eyes. Overwhelmed with grief, Fang Haishi desperately drove the carriage onward, accelerating towards a deep abyss.
Just as they reached the edge, Fang Jianming appeared, swiftly leaping over the assailants. He reached the carriage, grabbed the reins, and with a declaration to protect Fang Haishi, pulled them both into the chasm below, their fates unknown. Upon learning of the failure, Lord Chang was enraged, reprimanding his subordinates for their incompetence. He emphasized that harming Dragon Tail was a grave sin that takes ten lifetimes to atone for.
His subordinate assured him that from that height, Fang Jianming and Fang Haishi could not have survived. Mr. Shi then calmed Lord Chang, pointing out that Emperor Xu was scheduled to present Dragon Tail to the envoys the next day. If Dragon Tail were to die, it would conveniently suggest that Emperor Xu's tyrannical rule had caused him to lose Heaven's favor. Fu Yi entered, confirming Mr. Shi's words.
Lord Chang, pleased to see Fu Yi, then complained about his prolonged absence and the lack of communication from Duoluo, who was now unable to feign an attack on Huangquan Pass, depriving him of a crucial ally. He also expressed concern about Fu Yi bringing Zhang Chengqian back, given his closeness to Fang Haishi. Fu Yi explained that quietly eliminating Zhang Chengqian, a commander, would raise suspicion.
He then revealed that Zhang Chengqian had already been "won over," having been blackmailed with fabricated evidence of collusion with Huku. Fu Yi assured Lord Chang that Zhang Chengqian was under constant surveillance by his loyal followers, ready to be eliminated if he showed any disloyalty. Confident in Fu Yi's arrangements, Lord Chang mused that the people's devotion to Dragon Tail would make them turn against Emperor Xu if he failed to present the revered being.
He concluded that with 50,000 troops, seizing Tianqi City would be effortless. On the fourteenth day of the first lunar month, during the Beginning of Spring night banquet, envoys from seven nations, including Nihualuo and Zhunian, gathered in the Zichen Hall. Outside, Fu Yi's forces, led by his deputy, neutralized the palace guards, falsely accusing Jifeng Pavilion and the Leizhou envoys of plotting a coup.
Announcing they were acting to "clear the emperor's side," they took control of the palace and awaited their moment. Inside the Zichen Hall, Lord Chang sat composedly, observing Emperor Xu, though the madness in his eyes was becoming difficult to conceal. Envoys demanded to see Dragon Tail, accusing Emperor Xu of breaking his word.
Tuangsa, the deputy envoy from Nihualuo, voiced strong discontent, mentioning the unexplained deaths of two Nihualuo envoys in Tianqi and threatening war if Dragon Tail did not appear. Prince Suolan of Zhunian tried to mediate. A flare, signaling Zhang Chengqian's readiness, was seen outside. Lord Chang seized the opportunity to challenge Emperor Xu, toasting him before directly accusing him of lacking virtue, which he claimed was why Dragon Tail had not appeared.
He incited the crowd, suggesting there was no need to wait further. Emperor Xu, staring intently at Lord Chang, felt a profound coldness, never imagining his trusted younger brother would harbor such rebellious thoughts. Emperor Xu, hoping to give Lord Chang one last chance, decided to move the banquet to a side hall to reveal Dragon Tail. Lord Chang remained aggressive until his expression abruptly changed upon seeing Fang Jianming suddenly appear.
Simultaneously, Fu Yi led his rebel forces in a direct charge. However, Zhang Chengqian, who had feigned surrender and secretly allied with Commander Shaozi, had laid a trap. He mockingly returned the gold he had supposedly received from Fu Yi, telling him it was for his burial. Zhang Chengqian's true loyalty was revealed as he and Shaozi led the Imperial Guards in a coordinated ambush, surrounding and crushing Fu Yi's forces.
Despite his plan unraveling, Lord Chang remained defiant, attempting to incite the crowd by insisting that they would not rest until Dragon Tail appeared. However, his words were barely out when Fang Haishi, adorned in an elegant gown, stepped forward. She scoffed at their superficial piety, then touched the crystal tank, which instantly glowed brightly, revealing Lang Huan gracefully swimming within. The envoys immediately knelt in reverence.
Afterward, citing Dragon Tail's natural habitat in the sea and her role in protecting fishermen, they implored Emperor Xu to return her to the sea. Emperor Xu graciously agreed, but on the condition that the seven nations form an alliance with Dazheng, swearing an oath in Dragon Tail's name for eternal peace and non-aggression.
He declared that as long as the Yingge Sea and Jiangnan Sea did not dry, their descendants would never invade Dazheng, and those who broke the oath would forever lose Dragon Tail's blessing. The envoys readily agreed. Seeing the turn of events, a panicked Lord Chang attempted to excuse himself, citing illness. However, Fang Haishi intercepted him, sarcastically declaring him the "protagonist" of the day.
Just then, Zhang Chengqian and Shaozi brought Fu Yi and his captured forces into the hall. Emperor Xu, heartbroken, stated that he would have spared Lord Chang if he had ceased his plans before Fu Yi entered the palace.
Fang Haishi then publicly exposed Lord Chang's numerous crimes: orchestrating two schemes against Nihualuo envoys, including luring Bonen Naji to his assassination and using drugs to control and kill Deputy Envoy Tacron, all to incite conflict; forging imperial edicts; abducting her mother; and secretly mobilizing troops for a coup. She emphasized that all actions were supported by evidence.
Lord Chang vehemently denied the accusations, but Fang Haishi produced incriminating documents, including a note to Puyouma, the forged edict, a badge from the kidnapper, and confessions. The Nihualuo envoy demanded justice, and Prince Suolan of Zhunian offered to hand Puyouma over for punishment. Lord Chang's pleas were in vain, and he descended into a frantic state as Emperor Xu decreed that he be imprisoned and his accomplices be tried by the Tri-ministry of Justice.
After the ordeal, Fang Haishi prepared a bath for Lang Huan, thanking her for her help. Lang Huan, recalling the Dawn Flower poison, offered to help detoxify Fang Jianming. Fang Haishi was overjoyed, but Fang Jianming interjected, insisting that Lang Huan, weakened from her long journey and the day's events, must rest and recover before discussing a cure. Emperor Xu bowed to Lang Huan, expressing profound thanks for her sacrifice for the people and promising to protect her.
Later, Fang Jianming suddenly rendered Fang Haishi unconscious and carried her away. He explained to a surprised Emperor Xu that she was severely fatigued, having gone without food or sleep since leaving Mount Leiyan, and needed rest. Emperor Xu, accustomed to Jianming's unusual ways of showing care, remarked that his "wooden blockhead" of a friend had finally gained some emotional sense.
