Resumo do episódio 19 de Legend of Two Sisters in the Chaos
> Resumos de Legend of Two Sisters in the Chaos
Earlier, Xue Rong, having learned that Fu Yuzhan and Zhang Yongyao had gone to the epidemic zone, dispatched Imperial Guards to patrol the area and assist the victims. Wang Daqian confessed to Fu Yuzhan that he was forced to write the false letters that accused the Fu family of instructing the Magistrate of Xingzhou, Wu Yang, to embezzle dam repair funds. He claimed he was captured, tortured, and forced by an unknown martial artist, who then tried to kill him.
Wang Daqian managed to escape and hid in the epidemic zone, feigning illness, begging Fu Yuzhan not to reveal his hiding place. Fu Yuzhan instructed him to make copies of the incriminating letters. News of Fu Yuzhan finding Wang Daqian quickly reached the culprits, who immediately dispatched assassins. As Fu Yuzhan, Zhang Yongyao, and Wang Daqian made their way back to the yamen, they were ambushed by a group of black-clad attackers. Zhang Yongyao sustained injuries while protecting Fu Yuzhan.
Fortunately, Xue Rong arrived in time with the Imperial Guards, forcing the assassins to retreat. However, in the ensuing chaos, Wang Daqian seized the opportunity to escape. Fu Yuzhan emphasized the critical importance of Wang Daqian's testimony for the case, and Xue Rong ordered a city-wide search for him. A doctor informed them that Zhang Yongyao's wound was deep but had not damaged any bones, requiring a period of rest to prevent future complications.
Fu Yuzhan expressed her gratitude to Zhang Yongyao for risking his life to save her. Zhang Yongyao humbly stated that he acted to protect the witness and ensure justice for the people of Xingzhou. Xue Rong later visited Zhang Yongyao and, citing the scarcity of medicine in Xingzhou after the floods, ordered Imperial Guards to escort him back to the capital for recovery and urged him to return to service quickly.
Fu Yuzhan received disturbing news that Wu Yang, the Magistrate of Xingzhou, had committed suicide in custody. With Wang Daqian still missing and the five-day deadline set by Xue Rong expired, Fu Yuzhan grew anxious. Just then, Jinzhan arrived with a breakthrough: Wu Yang’s account books. Jinzhan explained that she and Jiang Shao had visited Wu’s home and discovered Wu Yang had instructed his young son to memorize a sequence of numbers and locations.
When cross-referenced with information from other arrested officials, these turned out to be the complete records of corruption. Jiang Shao was still organizing the remaining books, which Jinzhan believed would clear the Fu family's name. Fu Yuzhan presented the account books to Xue Rong.
The books meticulously detailed Wu Yang's years of corruption, including the amounts embezzled and the names of implicated officials such as Minister of Revenue Liu Qing, Councilor of the Ministry of Works Zhang Zhao, and Minister of War Yan Chong. Xue Rong was furious at the audacity of these "worms" who dared to deceive him.
He acknowledged the crucial role the account books would play in rooting out these corrupt officials and expressed regret for his past harshness, which Fu Yuzhan understood was necessary for a monarch. Meanwhile, Jinzhan, hoping for a private outing with Jiang Shao, sent him a book containing a hidden note inviting him to meet at the eastern gate of the government office at dusk the next day. As Qingge delivered the book, Chai Zhenzhen also arrived with pastries.
Chai Zhenzhen, noticing the empress's maid delivering a book, intentionally spilled water on Jiang Shao to send him away to change clothes. She then secretly retrieved and read Jinzhan's note, expressing her possessiveness over Jiang Shao and her anger at the Empress for daring to arrange a secret rendezvous. The following evening, Jinzhan waited at the appointed location only to see Jiang Shao arrive with Chai Zhenzhen. Chai Zhenzhen, feigning a sudden dizzy spell, leaned into Jiang Shao’s embrace.
Witnessing this intimate moment, Jinzhan was heartbroken. Earlier, Jiang Shao had accompanied Chai Zhenzhen to mourn her parents on the seventh day after their passing, explaining that he did so on Xue Rong's behalf and that she and her brother would need to rely on each other. Princess Royal was informed of Yan Chong’s arrest, caused by Wu Yang's account books found by the Empress and Fu Yuzhan.
She was angered by the turn of events but remained confident that Yan Chong would not implicate her. As Xue Rong prepared to return to the capital, he entrusted Jiang Shao with the care of Chai Zhenzhen, as she could not enter the palace with him. Chai Zhenzhen expressed her deep loneliness and fear in the capital, lamenting the loss of her parents and wishing she could return to her humble home where her family resided.
She tearfully asked if she could stay at Jiang Shao’s mansion, offering to be his servant and clean his house. Jiang Shao, out of compassion, agreed to let her stay in the guestroom but insisted she was a guest and should not do chores. However, Chai Zhenzhen insisted on cooking and doing laundry, finding comfort in contributing and feeling like family with Jiang Shao. He eventually relented, albeit with some hesitation, mentioning a "troublemaker" he worries about.
Upon his return to the capital, Xue Rong publicly condemned Minister of War Yan Chong, Minister of Revenue Liu Qing, Councilor of the Ministry of Works Zhang Zhao, Military Administrator Wang Ke, and Magistrate of Xingzhou Wu Yang for their widespread corruption, embezzlement, and deceit against the throne. He sentenced them all to immediate execution. Conversely, Prince Wei Fu Yanxin was declared innocent and reinstated to his former position.
When a minister raised objections, citing letters between Fu Yanxin and Wu Yang despite the account books, Xue Rong produced a forged letter implicating the protesting minister in corruption. He explained that these letters were written by the same forger who had mimicked the minister's handwriting, thus proving that the letters against Prince Wei were also fabricated. The other officials, convinced, voiced no further objections. Princess Royal visited Zhang Yongyao while he was recovering.
Upon seeing Fu Yuzhan arrive, she promptly departed. Fu Yuzhan inquired about Zhang Yongyao’s health and attempted to discuss their engagement, implying it did not need to be forced. Zhang Yongyao, however, interrupted her and firmly stated that their engagement still held. Seeing his condition, Fu Yuzhan decided not to press the matter further and left. Sometime later, Princess Royal visited Jiang Shao’s mansion and found Chai Zhenzhen alone.
Chai Zhenzhen introduced herself as "Jiang Zhenzhen" from Xingzhou, explaining that Jiang Shao had taken her in out of pity. Princess Royal, who was already aware of a missing Ms. Chai from Luocheng, subtly probed Zhenzhen about her origins and family, growing increasingly suspicious of her true identity. She left some pastries and departed. Upon his return, Jiang Shao recognized the pastries as Princess Royal's, realizing she had discovered Chai Zhenzhen. He immediately went to inform Xue Rong.
Acting proactively, Xue Rong summoned Princess Royal. He informed her that he had long severed all ties with the Chai family, signaling that he would not protect Chai Zhenzhen. Princess Royal confirmed her suspicions about Chai Zhenzhen’s identity and reminded Xue Rong of the late emperor’s decree, which forbade any member of the Chai family from entering the capital.
The following day, Chai Zhenzhen's identity was publicly confirmed, leading to a heated debate among the ministers about the validity of the old decree. Minister Cao Han proposed a solution: if Chai Zhenzhen were to marry and adopt her husband’s surname, she would no longer be considered a Chai, thus circumventing the decree. Chai Zhenzhen seized the opportunity and requested Xue Rong to grant her a marriage.
Xue Rong was surprised when she expressed her desire to marry Jiang Shao, suggesting she consider other noblemen in the capital. However, Chai Zhenzhen was adamant, insisting that marrying Jiang Shao would be his compensation to her. Xue Rong, left with no choice, placed the decision in Jiang Shao's hands. Chai Zhenzhen then asked Jiang Shao if he would marry her. Jiang Shao gently declined, explaining that marriage requires deep love, and he already had someone he deeply cared for.
Chai Zhenzhen, her suspicions aroused, pressed him, asking if the woman was the "Fu" in the palace, referring to Empress Jinzhan. Jiang Shao ambiguously replied, "yes and no." When Jinzhan initially heard that Chai Zhenzhen was getting married, she was happy and began asking her stewardess to compile a list of eligible noblemen. However, her joy turned to dismay when Xue Rong informed her that Chai Zhenzhen wished to marry Jiang Shao.
Xue Rong then suggested that Jinzhan speak with Chai Zhenzhen herself. Jinzhan confronted Chai Zhenzhen, questioning her desire to marry someone who did not love her, arguing that it would condemn Jiang Shao to a lifetime of unhappiness. Chai Zhenzhen retorted, challenging Jinzhan's authority to interfere in her and Jiang Shao's personal matters.
