Novoland: Pearl Eclipse Episode 45 Recap
> Novoland: Pearl Eclipse Recap
Fang Haishi awoke in Zhaoming Palace, where Fang Jianming had specifically requested her presence. He had also thoughtfully instructed his staff not to wake her, believing she needed rest after her ordeal. Upon her arrival, Fang Jianming offered her favorite osmanthus candies, which Fang Zhuoying had just sent along with a letter. Fang Zhuoying’s letter detailed recent events in Hanzhou. Duoluo had once again stirred up trouble, leading a small force to attack the Right Tribe.
Tragically, Tara was killed by an arrow while protecting Fang Zhuoying. To avoid further bloodshed among his Huku people, Fang Zhuoying challenged Duoluo to a one-on-one wrestling match. He ultimately defeated Duoluo, expelled him from the grassland, and became the new Lord of Left Pudun, Duohan, finally securing peace between the tribes. Fang Jianming remarked that Fang Zhuoying, always a sharp sword, had finally been unsheathed, and the grassland was his true destiny.
With Hanzhou stable, Lord Chang apprehended, and the Leizhou tribes allied with Dazheng, peace had been restored. Fang Jianming explained that he had initially sent Fang Haishi to the palace as a desperate measure, fearing Lord Chang would harm her if he were to die. Knowing her love for freedom, he now assured her she could go wherever she pleased. To her surprise, he then confessed his love and asked to accompany her, promising to follow her wherever she went.
He acknowledged he had lost the right to say such things when he sent her away, but heaven had given him a second chance at life, and he begged for an opportunity to replace their unhappy memories with joyful ones. Moved to tears, Fang Haishi, who had waited so long for these words, accepted his confession.
Fang Haishi then laid down her terms: he must never hide anything from her again, always share his thoughts, and take her with him everywhere, even into life-threatening situations. She also wanted to grow old with him and have children. Fang Jianming agreed to everything. Still wary of his reserved nature, Fang Haishi insisted he write down his promises and seal it with his signature and fingerprint.
He readily agreed, writing a pledge to never fail her in this life, and they sealed their commitment with a kiss. Later, Emperor Xu observed Fang Jianming's improved health, attributing it to Fang Haishi's love. He granted Fang Jianming's request to resign once all matters were settled.
The Emperor outlined a plan: he would publicly announce Lord Qinghai’s death and issue a secret edict to Fang Haishi, instructing her to escort Lang Huan back to the sea and remain there to "cultivate," thus removing both Lord Qinghai and Consort Chunrong from the public eye and allowing them to live a secluded life. However, Emperor Xu lamented that with his departure, he would be truly alone, with no family or trusted brothers left.
The Emperor’s immediate concern was how to deal with Jichang. Reports from the Imperial Prison indicated Jichang was speaking deliriously and might have gone insane. Despite ministers' demands for execution, Emperor Xu hesitated, as Jichang was his last blood relative. He proposed soft confinement, but Fang Jianming warned him that Jichang, a master of deception, remained a hidden danger and that leniency for his many crimes would undermine public trust.
Meanwhile, Suolan, the Prince of Zhunian, delivered fresh fruits to the palace for the Emperor and his sister, Ti Lan. Touched by his sincerity, Emperor Xu permitted him to extend his stay. In the Imperial Prison, Jichang discovered a hidden note in his food, warning him to remain silent to protect his family, hinting at a wider conspiracy. The next morning, Suolan urgently sought an audience, revealing a shocking secret from his father: the man in prison was an imposter.
The real Jichang had accidentally drowned in Zhunian shortly after arriving. Terrified servants had found a look-alike to replace him. Suolan presented a drunken servant's confession and stated that witnesses and the real Jichang's remains were en route to Dazheng. When confronted, the imposter frantically begged for mercy, insisting he was the Emperor's brother. Fang Jianming, cautious, dispatched his secret guards to Zhunian to investigate further.
Fang Haishi proposed a quicker way to find the truth: have Lang Huan read the man's memories. That night, Lang Huan touched Jichang and saw his past as a poor boy sold by his mother and rigorously trained to impersonate the prince. The man was confirmed to be an imposter. Fang Haishi was tasked with delivering poison to Jichang, a merciful end. Jichang scorned their hypocrisy, claiming his low birth forced him to seek power.
Fang Haishi countered that nobility is about character, not birth, citing her own mother, a humble fisherwoman who sacrificed her life for her people—a nobility he could never comprehend. She later admitted to Fang Jianming that while she expected to feel satisfaction in avenging her mother, she only found the man pitiful. She also questioned why Emperor Xu, though furious, chose to keep the imposter's identity a secret. Fang Jianming explained it was to protect the pregnant Ti Lan.
A public investigation could implicate Zhunian, threatening Ti Lan’s position as consort and casting doubt on the legitimacy of her unborn child, especially if it were a prince. For their sake, the Emperor had to swallow the insult. They also decided to postpone investigating Tang Qianzi, who had accompanied the real Jichang, to avoid alerting other conspirators. Fang Jianming reassured Haishi that he would always be there for her, promising to understand and cherish her completely.
Later, Emperor Xu convened the court to reward the Huangquan Battalion for their role in suppressing the rebellion. Commander Zhang Chengqian was promoted to General Mingwei, and troopers Ren Yong, Xiao Wu, Wu Yang, and Guo Dacheng were made staff officers, all receiving generous rewards.
