Overlord Episode 25 Recap
> Overlord Recap
Long Aoyi gradually recovered her health after consuming the rare ginseng. However, Grand Tutor Pang had already discovered that Prince Zhao stole the precious herb and learned of Long Aoyi's close connections to two princes. Concerned that Long Aoyi could become a liability, Pang planned to collaborate with Du Changfeng to eliminate her, only to realize that the primary conspirator behind the attacks on Long Aoyi was someone else. Du Xiaoxian visited Prince Zhao’s Mansion, hoping to see Long Aoyi.
Prince Zhao, however, adamantly denied Long Aoyi's presence, advising Du Xiaoxian to mind her own affairs. Du Xiaoxian’s maid reminded her of Du Changfeng’s instruction to keep Long Aoyi’s injury and whereabouts a secret. Du Xiaoxian, fearing that Prince Jun might find Long Aoyi and rekindle their relationship, affirmed that her engagement to Li Qingliu was unchangeable and Long Aoyi could not steal her position as Princess Jun.
She also pondered what Li Qingliu would think if he knew Long Aoyi was staying at another man's mansion. Meanwhile, Xiaoqin, accompanied by other Longzhu Gang members, attempted to enter the mansion. Wu Lin blocked them, claiming the mansion was not open to everyone and that Prince Zhao was not home. Xiaoqin, seeing Du Xiaoxian exit, questioned Wu Lin's honesty. When Prince Zhao appeared, Xiaoqin directly asked if her master was inside.
Prince Zhao feigned ignorance, saying he did not know Long Aoyi's whereabouts and implying that the Longzhu Gang had eyes and ears everywhere. He then ordered Wu Lin to escort them out, stating that creating a scene at his mansion would be disrespectful. Later, Yan Bin confirmed to Li Qingliu that Long Aoyi was indeed at Prince Zhao’s Mansion. Li Qingliu immediately went there with a gift of ginseng from the northeast.
Prince Zhao questioned Li Qingliu’s late-night visit, but Li Qingliu stated his clear intention to see Long Aoyi. Prince Zhao, however, continued to deny Long Aoyi's presence, claiming he only took in a wounded maid, not Long Aoyi. He then rebuked Li Qingliu, asking why he sought Long Aoyi now, after getting engaged to Du Xiaoxian. Prince Zhao accused Li Qingliu of wanting to ruin the reputations of two women.
Li Qingliu offered the ginseng, which Prince Zhao rejected, stating his mansion had plenty. Unable to gain entry, Li Qingliu waited in his carriage, keeping vigil outside the mansion from dusk until dawn. Inside, Long Aoyi continued to battle a high fever, mumbling Li Qingliu’s name in her sleep, much to Prince Zhao’s distress. Prince Zhao urged Physician Qin to cure her at all costs. The next morning, Physician Qin emerged from the mansion.
Li Qingliu stopped him, inquiring about the patient. Physician Qin reported that the patient was stable, out of critical danger, and had regained consciousness, much to Li Qingliu’s relief. However, he refused to disclose anything further, adhering to Prince Zhao’s strict instructions. Yan Bin, observing the situation, suggested Li Qingliu return, as Prince Zhao was clearly blocking him, but Li Qingliu refused, stating he couldn't leave while Long Aoyi’s condition remained uncertain. Prince Zhao remained by Long Aoyi's bedside.
Although relieved by her improved condition, he was annoyed to have heard her murmur Li Qingliu's name during her fever. Knowing Li Qingliu was still waiting outside, he presented Physician Qin with a generous gift, explicitly instructing him to maintain confidentiality about Long Aoyi's condition. He specifically mentioned that anything said during her delirium was nonsense and should be forgotten. Physician Qin, feigning an old man’s forgetfulness, agreed.
Upon awakening, Long Aoyi expressed her profound gratitude to Prince Zhao for saving her life, confiding that in Chang’an, only he and Second Master Lyu were her true friends. When Prince Zhao asked about the Buyu Pavilion and the attackers, Long Aoyi confirmed that the assailants were the same individuals who had killed her mentor, Feng. She explained that her mentor often offended people with her sharp tongue, but not to the extent of being assassinated.
As for herself, she had many enemies, but few knew she was in Chang'an. To protect Prince Zhao from imperial entanglements, she withheld the information about a white jade carp being related to the royal family and falsely claimed she visited Buyu Pavilion because her hands were itching for a gamble. She then revealed her intention to stay in Chang’an to uncover clues and planned to summon her brothers for assistance.
Long Aoyi's explanation for visiting the casino did not fully convince Prince Zhao. He informed her that he had already sent messengers to Silver City to summon her brothers, and they should be arriving soon. He also arranged for Xiaoqin to come care for her. Xiaoqin arrived tearfully, expressed relief, and promised never to leave Long Aoyi’s side again. Prince Zhao then took Wu Lin to Buyu Pavilion to investigate further.
The veiled owner recognized Prince Zhao and invited him into a private room. She was revealed to be Princess Shengping, Prince Zhao’s fourth sister, who playfully chided him for breaking royal rules by visiting a gambling house. Prince Zhao, in turn, questioned her about Long Aoyi, explaining that Long Aoyi was attacked shortly after leaving her establishment.
Princess Shengping recalled Long Aoyi looking for a white jade carp and expressed surprise at the attack, firmly denying that anyone from Buyu Pavilion or her staff would be involved. Noticing Prince Zhao’s deep concern, she pressed him on his relationship with Long Aoyi. Prince Zhao confessed his feelings for Long Aoyi.
Princess Shengping, amused by the prospect of two royal brothers vying for the same commoner, revealed that she had heard Li Qingliu and Long Aoyi were close business partners in Silver City. Despite her amusement, she gravely warned Prince Zhao about the severe consequences of a prince loving a commoner.
She explained that while a prince might be exempted from punishment due to his status, a commoner like Long Aoyi would face severe penalties, perhaps even death, if implicated in a scandal. If he truly loved Long Aoyi, Princess Shengping advised him to let her go rather than keep her by his side and expose her to such dangers. Meanwhile, Li Qingliu was summoned to the palace by the Empress Dowager.
Unfamiliar with the palace’s intricate layout, his carriage was stopped by guards as he inadvertently approached a forbidden area. Fortunately, Second Master Lyu arrived just in time to prevent a confrontation, explaining that the area was the heavily guarded burial hall of Noble Consort Dugu, who, upon her death two years prior, was posthumously elevated to Empress by the Emperor due to his deep affection.
Second Master Lyu also revealed a significant piece of information: Noble Consort Dugu was a close friend of Li Qingliu’s mother, Concubine Cui. Second Master Lyu then personally guided Li Qingliu to the Empress Dowager’s chamber. Inside, Du Xiaoxian was already presenting the Empress Dowager with Persian pearls. The Empress Dowager, overjoyed to see her grandson, who had grown into a handsome young man reminiscent of his father, warmly welcomed Li Qingliu.
She immediately brought up his arranged marriage with Du Xiaoxian, recalling how even the Emperor was initially reluctant about his own betrothal. She then offered to intervene and reject the marriage on Li Qingliu’s behalf if he had any objections. Li Qingliu, outwardly, suggested that Du Xiaoxian’s gentle and virtuous nature would make her a good wife, though the Empress Dowager found such "virtuous" demeanors common among palace women.
Princess Shengping soon arrived, bringing a new "Potted Tree" plant that instantly brightened the mood. The Empress Dowager introduced the vivacious Princess Shengping to Li Qingliu, describing her as a mischievous but beloved granddaughter. Impressed by Li Qingliu’s reputation as a Sichuan embroidery master, Princess Shengping asked him to make her a Sichuan-style dress. Li Qingliu, finding her candid and refreshing compared to other palace women, readily agreed. After leaving the Empress Dowager’s chamber, Li Qingliu pulled Princess Shengping aside.
He expressed his desire to learn more about his deceased mother, Concubine Cui, as he grew up without her. Princess Shengping, however, stated that she was too young at the time to remember many details about Concubine Cui and rarely heard her mentioned. Li Qingliu then recalled his earlier accidental detour near Noble Consort Dugu’s burial hall and the revelation that she was his mother’s friend.
He probed further, questioning why Noble Consort Dugu, the Emperor’s beloved consort, died so young. Princess Shengping immediately interrupted him, her demeanor shifting to extreme caution. She warned him to pretend he never asked that question and to never mention it to anyone else in the palace, emphasizing that doing so could "harm both himself and others." She suggested letting "bygones be bygones" and that he would discover the truth when the time was right.
Later, outside the palace, Yan Bin informed Li Qingliu that there was still no news from Prince Zhao’s Mansion. Yan Bin insisted that Li Qingliu should bring Long Aoyi back to his own residence, expressing concern that she and Prince Zhao might develop feelings for each other given their proximity. However, Li Qingliu rejected this, arguing that Prince Zhao’s Mansion was currently the safest place for Long Aoyi.
He explained that as a newcomer to Chang’an, with an unexpected princely title and an uncertain political landscape at court, he was not in a stable position. Keeping Long Aoyi with him would only expose her to more danger. He firmly stated that her safety was his paramount concern, far outweighing his own feelings for her.
Back at Prince Zhao’s Mansion, Prince Zhao, eager to please, presented Long Aoyi with a dish of pork hock, which he proudly announced he personally prepared using the secret recipe from Kaitai Restaurant in Silver City. Long Aoyi was touched by his gesture. When Prince Zhao tried to mention Li Qingliu, Long Aoyi firmly cut him off, declaring that she and Li Qingliu were now on separate paths and she no longer wished to speak of their past.
Soon after, Xiaoqin excitedly reported that the Longzhu Gang members—Skinny, Gengzi, and Fatty—had arrived in Chang’an and were staying at an inn. They planned to meet the following morning along with the branch leader and more brothers to help with new business. Despite Prince Zhao’s insistence that she rest, Long Aoyi, keen on her recovery, asked Xiaoqin to help her walk for exercise. Long Aoyi then reunited with Gengzi, Skinny, and Fatty at the mansion.
While overjoyed to see her, they expressed their dismay over the attack she suffered and the perceived dangers of Chang'an, suggesting they return to Silver City to join forces with Master Weng. Long Aoyi, however, was resolute in her decision to stay, believing the mastermind behind her attack and her mentor’s death was in Chang'an. She emphasized that they must establish themselves honorably in Chang'an before they could effectively uncover the culprit.
Prince Zhao, still present, offered to cover the cost of renting several shops he had found for the gang. Long Aoyi politely declined, asserting that they now had sufficient funds and would not take advantage of his kindness. Later, Li Qingliu discussed Long Aoyi’s injury with Second Master Lyu. He asked if Second Master Lyu had any information regarding the attack or any recent gang conflicts in Chang’an.
Second Master Lyu reported that Chang'an’s strict curfew meant criminal activities were rare, and the Jinwu Guards had not received any reports of such incidents. He expressed regret for not protecting Long Aoyi when she came to him earlier, but Li Qingliu dismissed this, assuring him it was not his fault. Li Qingliu then informed Second Master Lyu that Long Aoyi was recovering at Prince Zhao’s Mansion.
Second Master Lyu expressed surprise, clearly aware of Li Qingliu’s past relationship with Long Aoyi. Li Qingliu, however, justified the situation by stating that Prince Zhao’s Mansion was heavily guarded, and given his own recent engagement, it was "more reasonable" for Long Aoyi to stay there. In another part of Chang’an, the owner of a pork hock shop and his employee visited the Longzhu Gang's new warehouse to purchase low-priced ingredients.
They were initially intimidated by the gang members, including Fatty and Skinny, but were astonished to find the prices were less than half the market rate. They expressed their deep gratitude to "Master Long" for such generous terms. Back at Prince Zhao’s Mansion, Long Aoyi was seen engaging in light exercise in the backyard to aid her recovery. Suddenly, Concubine De approached from the opposite side, her presence carrying an air of malevolence.
