Novoland: Pearl Eclipse Episode 8 Recap
> Novoland: Pearl Eclipse Recap
During the imperial examination's commentary section, which required candidates to critique current politics, Fang Haishi presented her essay, "On Pearl Tax." Her work vividly depicted the horrific exploitation in Yuezhou, where local officials, misusing the emperor's name, coerced villagers into desperate measures, even sacrificing children to lure merfolks for their tears-turned-pearls. She condemned the ruler's misrule as more devastating than raging waves.
The Grand Examiner, Su Ming, was enraged, denouncing the essay as impertinent and suspecting it was part of a larger scheme to frame Jifeng Pavilion. However, Di Xu, upon reading it, surprisingly praised Fang Haishi's profound ideas and sharp intellect, despite noting her "woman's handwriting," and personally awarded her first place. Later, in court, Emperor Di Xu unleashed his fury upon the high-ranking officials.
He reminded them that the pearl tax was originally instated after Prince Yi's rebellion to help the nation recover, intended as a voluntary barter system. Instead, officials had multiplied the tax tenfold or even a hundredfold, burning villages, chaining men, women, and children to be sold into slavery, and forcing villagers to use their own children as bait for merfolk. Di Xu admitted that without Fang Haishi's commentary, he would have remained oblivious to this widespread corruption.
He immediately ordered Associate Justice Yao Jie to travel to Yuezhou to investigate the pearl tax corruption. Consequently, Prefect of Yuezhou, Lyu Ke, and Prefect of Baiyi Bay, Ding Zhiwei, were stripped of their positions and sent to the Imperial Prison for neglecting their duties and deceiving the emperor. Fang Haishi's success made her a figure of public discussion. Fang Jianming was summoned by Di Xu, who questioned why he hadn't reported the pearl tax corruption earlier.
Fang Jianming explained that he had been secretly investigating for years, gathering evidence against corrupt officials and tracking the illicit pearl trade, and was now ready to bring the culprits to justice. Di Xu, suspecting Fang Jianming's ambition, ordered him to join Yao Jie in Yuezhou. However, Fang Jianming refused, asserting that his primary duty was to protect Di Xu in Tianqi during the sensitive period of the Imperial Examination, having already dispatched Fang Zhuoying to handle the Yuezhou investigation.
Di Xu, though exasperated by Fang Jianming's defiance, conceded his loyalty, admitting that Fang Jianming was the only person he could truly trust. Di Xu's attention then fell upon a peculiar pouch tied to Fang Jianming's waist, which he found ugly and strange, wondering if a man had embroidered the "centipede-like" pattern. Fang Jianming, however, defended the pouch, stating that it looked good to him and revealing that it was made by Fang Haishi.
Later, Fang Haishi visited Jifeng Pavilion and complained to Fang Zhuoying about the noisy and foul-smelling examination hall, describing the other male candidates as "pigs in a stinky mud pit." She contrasted them sharply with Fang Jianming, whom she praised as a graceful and elegant scholar. Fang Zhuoying confirmed his upcoming trip to Yuezhou for the pearl tax investigation and agreed to deliver some gold and a letter to Fang Haishi's illiterate mother.
He also disclosed that Fang Jianming had been secretly investigating the pearl tax corruption ever since bringing Fang Haishi back, aiming to restore peace to her hometown. Fang Jianming, having reviewed Fang Haishi's "On Pearl Tax," expressed his deep satisfaction. With the archery and riding test approaching, he offered her his own old thumb ring as encouragement.
Though he offered to get her a new one, Fang Haishi insisted on keeping the old one, valuing it immensely as anything from him was precious to her. That night, Fang Haishi dreamt of riding a horse with Fang Jianming, a vision that filled her with a sense of bashful connection. On the day of the martial arts examination, Fang Haishi faced an unexpected challenge when her horse became startled and began to buck wildly.
Recalling Fang Jianming's advice on mastering a horse by understanding its temperament and maintaining one's own composure, she remained calm. She managed to soothe the frantic animal and flawlessly complete the test. Her exceptional performance once again earned her the top rank and garnered her numerous admirers among the other candidates, who vowed to serve under her command.
With the final Palace Examination looming, Fang Jianming anticipated further attempts to harm Fang Haishi and resolved to be present to ensure her safety. Meanwhile, having heard that Ti Lan's Dragon Tail pendant was damaged, Fang Haishi acquired a blessed bead bracelet from Baiyun Temple and bought a small rabbit, entrusting Fang Zhuoying to deliver both gifts to Ti Lan.
Thinking all girls might like rabbits, Fang Zhuoying then purchased another one, which he secretly delivered to Zhe Liu, observing her joyful reaction from a distance. Upon Fang Zhuoying's return, Fang Haishi noticed a sweet fragrance about him and playfully snatched a pomegranate flower cake from his grasp. His desperate attempts to retrieve it and his blushing face led Haishi to correctly deduce he had a crush. In the palace, Ti Lan's demeanor had brightened since receiving the rabbit.
Though she wished to send a return gift, her maid advised against it due to palace rules. Ti Lan also sought the expertise of Zhe Liu from the Fabric Office to select new embroidery patterns. Later, Emperor Di Xu discovered the rabbit and the bead bracelet in Ti Lan's palace. He confronted her, and seeing through her evasions, correctly deduced that Fang Haishi was the sender.
He accused Ti Lan of the serious crime of secretly communicating with an outside official. Ti Lan, while admitting to violating palace rules, steadfastly refused to betray Fang Haishi’s identity, offering her own life as atonement. Intrigued, Di Xu declared that Ti Lan would accompany him to the Palace Examination, issuing an ultimatum: if Fang Haishi failed to secure the top position, she would be killed.
Meanwhile, Su Ming covertly instructed He Chong to assassinate Fang Haishi during the examination using a poisoned ice needle designed to melt on impact, leaving no trace. At Jifeng Pavilion, after Fang Zhuoying intercepted a message revealing ongoing collusion, Fang Jianming prioritized Fang Haishi's safety and decided to personally attend the Palace Examination. As the auspicious moment arrived, Di Xu, with Ti Lan by his side, set off for the exam at Shuangping Lake.
