Novoland: Pearl Eclipse Episode 5 Recap
> Novoland: Pearl Eclipse Recap
Fang Haishi diligently stayed by her master, Fang Zhu’s, bedside, repeatedly changing compresses and emptying basins of bloodied water until his severe injuries were somewhat stabilized. Seeing Fang Zhu’s frighteningly pale face, Haishi was heartbroken and secretly vowed to eliminate Emperor Di Xu, convinced that otherwise, he would continue to torment her master. Meanwhile, in the imperial court, ministers presented reports to Emperor Di Xu, but he seemed distant, lost in memories.
Princess Ti Lan, hoping to retrieve her pendant, brought lotus cakes to the hall. However, the sight of the cakes only enraged Di Xu, reminding him of a past shared with someone else. He violently knocked the pastries to the ground and, in a fit of rage, began to choke Ti Lan. Her maids’ desperate pleas for mercy brought him back to his senses. Releasing her, he dismissed the situation as "boring" and abruptly departed.
After regaining consciousness, Fang Zhu learned that Fang Haishi had left Jifeng Pavilion alone. Knowing her resolute nature, he immediately suspected she had gone to the palace to assassinate Emperor Di Xu. He rushed to the main hall but found the emperor alone. Unbeknownst to him, Fang Haishi had encountered Princess Ti Lan in the imperial garden and was already with her in a private residence. Through Ti Lan’s maids, Fang Haishi learned of the princess's suffering.
Indignant on her behalf, Haishi remarked that Di Xu should have died during Prince Yi’s rebellion. Ti Lan and her maids cautioned her that such words were treasonous and urged her to be careful. Just as Haishi was preparing to leave, a messenger arrived summoning Ti Lan before the emperor. In the main hall, Di Xu watched Ti Lan approach with a chilling smile. Standing beside him was Fang Zhu, who kept his gaze lowered, unable to look at her.
Di Xu then deliberately declared his intention to bestow Ti Lan upon Fang Zhu. Both Fang Zhu and a horrified Ti Lan immediately knelt in protest. Fang Zhu argued that he could not accept, as Ti Lan was a princess and he had taken a blood oath never to marry. Hiding outside, Fang Haishi was distraught by her master’s words and accidentally made a noise.
When Di Xu demanded the hidden person reveal themselves, she had no choice but to burst in and attempt an assassination. Fang Zhu swiftly intercepted her, forcing her to kneel. In the commotion, one of Ti Lan's maids cried out Fang Haishi's name, revealing their prior acquaintance. Di Xu, who had already heard of Haishi's deeds, seized on this and mockingly changed his plan.
He declared he would now grant Ti Lan to Fang Haishi, to complete what he sarcastically called "a beautiful love story." Furious, Fang Haishi accused Di Xu of defaming the princess without proof and declared her intent to avenge not only Ti Lan but also her master and senior, Fang Zhuoying, for the suffering he had inflicted upon them. Instead of being angered by her righteous condemnation, Di Xu was intrigued.
He instructed Fang Zhu to release her, challenging Haishi to demonstrate her ability to kill him. He confessed his weariness of life and his desire to be killed, noting the fear and resentment he felt permeating the palace. However, Fang Haishi was no match for Fang Zhu, and their brief exchange quickly ended her attempt.
Unable to endure the humiliation, Ti Lan attempted to commit suicide with her hairpin, but Di Xu intervened, berating her for being hypocritical before ordering her to leave. Di Xu chose not to pursue the assassination attempt, instead rewarding Fang Zhu with armor and a horse and Fang Haishi with a spear, calling their confrontation a "martial arts presentation." Before leaving, he cryptically advised Haishi that to kill him, she must first defeat her master.
Once they were out of the palace, Fang Zhu unleashed his anger, rebuking Haishi for her stubbornness. He revealed that he had always opposed her working in the palace precisely because he sensed her lack of submission to Di Xu. Deeply disappointed, Fang Zhu declared Haishi expelled from Jifeng Pavilion. He asserted that Di Xu was his dearest friend, more important than his own life, and that he had sworn eternal loyalty to him.
Haishi countered that she, too, had sworn loyalty—to her master. She refused to leave, challenging him to kill her if he must. Fang Zhu ultimately could not bring himself to harm her and walked away, leaving her to kneel alone in the rain. Later, the eunuch Mu Deqing arrived with an imperial edict: Fang Haishi was to participate in the imperial examinations as a military candidate.
This prompted Fang Zhu to offer her a chance to stay: she must complete a specific mission within ten days. Meanwhile, Chief Stewardess Ju, delighted with Zhe Liu’s embroidery, tasked her with sewing the new Bowmen Commandant’s official robe, revealing the position belonged to Fang Zhuoying. She described him as a heroic man with distinct Hanzhou features.
Despite his recent flogging, Fang Zhuoying was not demoted and was already recovering, though Fang Zhu insisted he prioritize his health over his duties. For her mission, Fang Haishi was sent to assassinate a target who, to her shock, was Uncle Zhao, a Jifeng Pavilion elder she had known since childhood. Uncle Zhao, who had planned to retire, confessed to colluding with spies and, to spare Haishi the difficult task, took his own life.
Deeply troubled, Haishi sought answers from Fang Zhu, arguing that Zhao's confession made no logical sense. Fang Zhu sternly warned her that agents of Jifeng Pavilion must be absolutely loyal to Di Xu and devoid of soft-heartedness. Pained by his words, Haishi reiterated her unwavering loyalty to Fang Zhu, vowing to repay his kindness and protect him from harm. Confused, she declared she would willingly sacrifice her own life if it meant ensuring Di Xu’s survival.
Fang Zhu reminded her that since she chose to stay, she must never again harm the emperor. He cryptically added that on missions, only three words mattered and that she would face hardships far greater than she could imagine, just as he had. Standing by the Jifeng flowers, Haishi then asked her master why he had planted the trees and the meaning of a melancholic poem he had once recited.
