Novoland: Pearl Eclipse Episode 9 Recap
> Novoland: Pearl Eclipse Recap
On the day of the Palace Examination, Di Xu introduced an additional challenge for the candidates. A Sky Pillar, dozens of meters tall, was placed in the center of a pond, with a movable wooden cage at its peak. The candidate who could retrieve the silk book from inside the cage would be declared the year's top scholar, motivating everyone to compete fiercely.
Fang Haishi, still haunted by a childhood drowning trauma, hesitantly participated in the water-based challenge, unaware of others deliberately targeting her. She narrowly avoided falling into the water multiple times. Meanwhile, Di Xu observed Ti Lan, Consort Shurong, appearing distracted and overly concerned about Fang Haishi's safety, which displeased him. He questioned her veiled presence and inattention, to which she cited Zhunian protocol and claimed she was worried about the fierce competition before professing her devotion to him.
During the competition, a candidate named He Chong proposed an alliance with Fang Haishi to eliminate others first. However, he betrayed her, using a hidden poisoned needle to incapacitate her and cause her to fall into the water. Watching from the platform, Fang Jianming, Lord Qinghai, immediately rushed to her aid, his mask falling off in the process.
He pulled the unconscious Fang Haishi from the water, and his identity as the long-thought-dead Lord Qinghai was revealed to the shocked court. Officials inspecting the scene found traces of dark blood, indicating Fang Haishi had been poisoned. Enraged, Di Xu ordered the area and the Imperial Examination Hotel sealed, commanding a full investigation of all candidates and threatening the Grand Examiner, Su Ming, and Minister Chen with severe consequences if the culprit wasn't found.
At Jifeng Pavilion, Chief Stewardess Ju questioned Zhe Liu about the magnolia pattern on a belt she embroidered for Fang Haishi, noting it was unusually delicate. Zhe Liu explained that Fang Haishi's refined appearance and agile physique were better suited to the elegant magnolia than a fierce beast. Intrigued and wanting to confirm a suspicion, Chief Stewardess Ju decided to deliver the belt personally.
Upon arriving, she witnessed a shocking scene: Fang Jianming, disregarding propriety, was sucking the poison from Fang Haishi's shoulder. Utterly devastated, Chief Stewardess Ju left in a daze. Later, He Chong was found to have committed suicide, leaving a note claiming he acted alone out of rivalry with Fang Haishi. With no murder weapon and the main suspect dead, Fang Jianming concluded that someone had sacrificed a pawn to protect the true mastermind.
Di Xu secretly summoned Fang Jianming, who reported that Fang Haishi was out of danger. Acknowledging Fang Jianming's exposed identity, Di Xu ordered him and the entire Jifeng Pavilion to move into Zhaoming Palace, allowing him to live openly. Fang Jianming resisted, but Di Xu dismissed his concerns. The emperor then criticized Fang Jianming for repeatedly taking punishments on Fang Haishi's behalf, noting it was out of character.
Di Xu urged Fang Jianming to honor the betrothal to Chief Stewardess Ju arranged by his father, but Fang Jianming reaffirmed his vow to remain single and serve the nation. That night, a heartbroken Chief Stewardess Ju confided in Zhe Liu, revealing her long history with Fang Jianming. They were betrothed as childhood friends, but he refused the marriage, dedicating himself to the state.
She had waited for years, even becoming Chief Stewardess in the palace, but had failed to win his heart. The next day in court, Di Xu closed the case, declaring He Chong the sole perpetrator. He demoted Su Ming for his negligence as Grand Examiner. He then formally reinstated Fang Jianming's title as Lord Qinghai, granted him a fief, and expanded his authority, ordering him to move into Zhaoming Palace, a residence once belonging to a prince.
Su Ming seethed at Fang Jianming’s restored power. Later, Fang Jianming confronted Su Ming, warning him never to harm his people again. After several days, Fang Haishi regained consciousness. Seeing Fang Jianming by her side, she recalled her semi-conscious state before fainting. Believing she was dying, she saw him as the person she cherished most and, realizing her love for him, had impulsively kissed him. Fully awake now, she finds herself in clean clothes.
As she thanks him, he simply urges her to rest and take her medicine. Meanwhile, Ti Lan, worried about Fang Haishi, was intercepted by Di Xu while trying to send her maid for news. He accused her of meddling, but she insisted her concern was merely friendly gratitude for being saved by Fang Haishi. Disbelieving, Di Xu tested her professed devotion to him by commanding her to serve him that night.
During their audience, Di Xu harshly rebuked her for trying to touch him. In a desperate attempt to please him, Ti Lan offered to impersonate Zizan, his deceased beloved. This enraged Di Xu, who ordered her confined to the South Palace, declaring he never wished to see her face again. As these events unfolded, the members of Jifeng Pavilion began their move into Zhaoming Palace.
