Overlord Episode 33 Recap
> Overlord Recap
At the morning court, the Emperor expressed his desire for harmony among his people and urged his sons, Prince Zhao and Prince Jun, to diligently assist the Crown Prince in governing the Tang dynasty. Just as Li Qingliu was about to reveal the secret of the poisoned paper, Prince Zhao stepped forward and accused Concubine De of treason.
He stated that since Concubine De entered the Palace, she had committed many murders, targeting royal family members including Empress Dugu and her daughter Princess Huayang, Li Qingliu’s biological mother Cui, and the Crown Prince. Prince Zhao presented evidence, including a poisoned paper used on the Crown Prince and malm found with Concubine De’s Shence Army, proving her involvement in damaging Prince Jun’s mausoleum. Mr. Pang tried to intervene, claiming Prince Zhao was suffering from serious sickness and talking gibberish.
However, the Emperor insisted Prince Zhao continue. Concubine De then unexpectedly arrived and admitted that all of Prince Zhao's accusations were true, leaving the Emperor in disbelief. Many ministers called for Concubine De's death, Prince Zhao's demotion to a commoner, and Mr. Pang's dismissal and exile.
Yuan Zai, however, argued that Prince Zhao's confession of Concubine De's crimes could be considered atonement, and that Concubine De’s crimes required thorough investigation to ensure a just verdict, proposing she be imprisoned in the Court of the Imperial Clan. The Emperor agreed, ordering the confiscation of Concubine De’s property and the apprehension of her remaining henchmen.
Prince Zhao was temporarily stripped of his title and demoted to a commoner, and Counselor Pang was imprisoned in the Court of Judicial Review, with his mansion sealed and entrusted to the Crown Prince. Li Qingliu and Long Aoyi visited Concubine De in the Court of the Imperial Clan’s dungeon. Long Aoyi showed Concubine De a white fancy carp and directly asked if she had killed Feng.
Concubine De defiantly admitted to the murder, boasting about the countless lives she had taken and asserting her superior status even in death compared to "two bastards from the jianghu." She rationalized her actions by stating that she needed power for the Pang family to enjoy eternal wealth, and anyone who opposed her, like Li Qingliu, or seduced her son Zhao, like Long Aoyi, deserved to die.
Despite Concubine De's confession, Long Aoyi felt uneasy, noting Concubine De's unfamiliar gaze at the fancy carp and her lack of reaction to Feng’s name, which made Long Aoyi suspect that Concubine De was merely a scapegoat. Li Qingliu took Long Aoyi to pay respects at Cui’s tomb. There, he swore an oath that he would only marry Long Aoyi in this life and would protect her forever.
He suggested they return to Silver City to mourn Feng, but Long Aoyi remained unconvinced that Concubine De was the true culprit behind Feng’s death. She pointed out that Concubine De had spoken clearly about the deaths of Cui, Empress Dugu, and Princess Huayang, yet showed no recognition when Feng’s name was mentioned, and it had only been half a year since Feng’s death, making it unlikely she would genuinely forget.
Long Aoyi believed there was still an unknown person behind the events. Unbeknownst to them, Concubine De had made a pact with Yuan Zai: she would assist him, and in return, he would help Prince Zhao ascend to the throne. Viewing Concubine De as a mere pawn, Yuan Zai feared she might expose their secrets and gave her a bottle of poison. Meanwhile, Wu Lin brought food to Prince Zhao, who had not eaten for three days.
Wu Lin mentioned encountering Eunuch Zhai from Prime Minister Yuan’s mansion, which immediately alarmed Prince Zhao, who rushed to see Concubine De. By the time he arrived, Concubine De had already consumed the poison. In her dying moments, Concubine De urged Prince Zhao not to show mercy to Li Qingliu and Long Aoyi, instructing him to align with Yuan Zai to bring down Li Qingliu. She made Prince Zhao swear to avenge her.
Overcome with grief, Prince Zhao swore before his dying mother that Li Qingliu must die, and he would not spare Long Aoyi. After Concubine De’s death, the Emperor canceled the morning court, a decision that brought great satisfaction to Yuan Zai. The Emperor summoned Li Qingliu, lamenting the unhappy lives of his women, including Cui and Concubine De, and regretting his absence during their deaths.
Li Qingliu offered his condolences, and the Emperor expressed hope that Cui would not blame him now that her name had been cleared. Long Aoyi then visited Prince Zhao to offer comfort. Prince Zhao, still grieving, rejected her “pretense” and ordered her to leave. As she prepared to depart, Long Aoyi inquired if he had ever seen any fancy carp items on Concubine De.
Enraged, Prince Zhao accused her of helping Li Qingliu kill his mother and then seeking his mother’s relic. Confused by his accusations, Long Aoyi was then forcibly kissed by Prince Zhao. During her struggle, the pillow she used to fake her pregnancy fell out, revealing her deception. Realizing her lie, Prince Zhao desperately pleaded with Long Aoyi to leave Li Qingliu and Chang’an, promising to help her find her enemies and seek revenge if she would return to his side.
Disappointed, Long Aoyi turned to leave, but Prince Zhao threatened to expose her fake pregnancy to the Emperor. Undeterred, Long Aoyi declared that their bond as Longzhu Gang brothers was severed. Back at Prince Jun’s mansion, Long Aoyi and Li Qingliu discussed Concubine De’s death, suspecting Yuan Zai had made her a scapegoat. They concluded that the person behind Concubine De must wield greater power than her, leading Li Qingliu to task Yan Bin with investigating Yuan Zai.
As Li Qingliu comforted Long Aoyi and checked for injuries after her encounter with Prince Zhao, he questioned if Prince Zhao would actually expose her fake pregnancy. Long Aoyi dismissed the threat as Prince Zhao’s "childishness," reminding Li Qingliu of Prince Zhao's former friendship with her master.
Suddenly, imperial guards arrived with a decree from the Emperor, ordering Long Aoyi's arrest for faking pregnancy, colluding with palace staff, and attempting to corrupt the royal bloodline, to be rigorously interrogated by the Court of Judicial Review. Long Aoyi calmly assured Li Qingliu she would return soon and was led away. Meanwhile, a heavily intoxicated Prince Zhao stumbled through the streets. He spotted Zhao Jin, an official whom he blamed for harming his mother.
Driven by grief and a thirst for revenge, Prince Zhao drew his sword and brutally killed Zhao Jin. At the Court of Judicial Review, Du Changfeng subjected Long Aoyi to torture. He demanded she confess to approaching Prince Jun through fake pregnancy, attempting to corrupt the royal bloodline, and interfering in court affairs through Qinglong Firm. Long Aoyi refused, sarcastically commenting on Du Changfeng’s repetitive accusations.
Ignoring his subordinate’s warning about her status as Prince Jun’s wife, Du Changfeng ordered more severe torture, citing the Emperor’s command for a strict interrogation. Outside the palace, Li Qingliu knelt, seeking an audience with the Emperor, but was turned away. He then sent a letter to the Emperor, highlighting many doubts in Long Aoyi’s case. As Li Qingliu continued his vigil, a servant expressed concern for Long Aoyi’s life, urging him to speak to the Emperor.
