Resumo do episódio 18 de Heart of Loyalty
> Resumos de Heart of Loyalty
Ning Jin wanted to take Zhan Zhao to the Huanyi Courtesan House. Zhan Zhao was hesitant, but Xiao Xin appeared, urging them to enter quickly, so Zhan Zhao reluctantly followed him inside. Mo Yan, observing from a distance, witnessed the entire scene. Later, Mo Yan waited for Zhan Zhao to return. When they did, Ning Jin tried to deceive Mo Yan, claiming they had been at Prince Xiao's residence. Mo Yan, knowing this was a lie, observed them intently.
She then approached Zhan Zhao, offering him a shoulder massage, which was actually a subtle form of punishment. She believed Zhan Zhao was deceiving her and withholding information, not being honest. Zhan Zhao attempted to explain himself, stating he was there purely for official business and did nothing inappropriate, but Mo Yan accused him of keeping secrets, drinking, and seeking out other women.
She told him to continue having fun with Ning Jin and not to bother her anymore, then turned and left, leaving Zhan Zhao at a loss for words. The next morning, Zhan Zhao tried to speak with Mo Yan again, but she ignored him, pulling Zhao Yu away to go shopping. Zhan Zhao then joined Ning Jin to continue their investigation. Ning Jin instructed Wu Zi Chu to accompany and protect Mo Yan and Zhao Yu.
Wu Zi Chu ended up carrying their shopping bags. Zhao Yu observed Mo Yan's choices at various embroidery and cloth workshops, realizing that despite her anger, all the fabrics Mo Yan bought were intended for Zhan Zhao. While buying milk tea, Mo Yan spotted Xiao Xin emerging from the Jinsi Embroidery Workshop. Xiao Xin noticed her and tried to invite her to explore Zhongjing with him.
Zhao Yu, however, stepped in, gracefully declining the invitation on Mo Yan's behalf and suggesting that Xiao Xin arrange a suitable time for a joint tour in the future, including herself. As Xiao Xin departed, Mo Yan noticed an Anhua mark on his robe. To investigate Xiao Xin's connection to Anhua, Mo Yan accepted his invitation to his residence as a guest.
At dinner, Xiao Xin spoke frivolously, and Mo Yan tried to subtly inquire about the origin of the Anhua mark on his clothes, but he evaded her questions. Seeing no further opportunity, Mo Yan attempted to leave, but she had consumed drugged wine and collapsed at the door. Xiao Xin then ordered his servants to carry Mo Yan to his bedroom.
Later, Ning Jin questioned Zhan Zhao about his whereabouts the previous night, revealing that Wu Zi Chu, who had been on patrol, had not seen him. Zhan Zhao was forced to confess that he had met with Su Zui, a Song informant disguised as a Liao official named Yelv Pusanu, who was embedded in Liao. Their meeting concerned the investigation into embezzled funds.
Zhan Zhao explained that he had kept this a secret from Mo Yan to protect her from danger. Ning Jin assured Zhan Zhao of his support and capacity to help both him and Su Zui. Meanwhile, Su Zui urgently tried to pass information to Zhan Zhao. However, Zhan Zhao was being tracked by Yelv Chongguang's men, who surrounded their meeting place in a small hut, determined to capture the Song informant.
Zhan Zhao emerged from the hut, attempting to leverage Song's authority against Yelv Chongguang. Yelv Chongguang promised he only wanted the informant and would not harm Zhan Zhao. Zhan Zhao then spotted Ning Jin, cleverly disguised as a Liao soldier, among Yelv Chongguang's entourage. Yelv Chongguang ordered the disguised Ning Jin to search the hut. Inside, Ning Jin quickly exchanged clothes with Su Zui.
As Yelv Chongguang was about to force his way in, Ning Jin emerged, loudly pretending to be Prince Ning of Song, deeply engrossed in chanting the Kshitigarbha Sutra for Empress Dowager Xiao, and accusing Yelv Chongguang of disrespectful intrusion. Faced with potentially offending Prince Ning, Yelv Chongguang had no choice but to retreat with his men. Upon returning to their residence, Ning Jin and Zhan Zhao learned from Zhao Yu that Mo Yan was missing.
Ning Jin recalled seeing Xiao Xin's men looking for Mo Yan earlier, suggesting she had been taken by him. Worried for Mo Yan's safety, Zhan Zhao immediately rushed to Prince Xiao's residence. Mo Yan, having awakened, was desperately trying to fend off Xiao Xin, who intended to violate her. Zhan Zhao burst in, incapacitated Xiao Xin, and blinded him in one eye as a severe warning before carrying Mo Yan away.
Mo Yan, feeling like a constant source of trouble, expressed her desire to return to Song. Zhan Zhao, however, gently but firmly told her not to leave, reminding her that they hadn't even married yet, and promised to protect her from any further harm. Unseen, Su Zui watched the couple, a look of recognition on his face as he observed Mo Yan.
To further his schemes, Yelv Chongguang publicly executed a Liao soldier, falsely claiming he was the Song spy, thereby protecting Su Zui. He then gave a secret letter to Madam Fang, the owner of the Jinsi Embroidery Workshop, instructing her to deliver it to her master, Grand Tutor Pang, revealing Madam Fang as his crucial contact in Song.
Yelv Chongguang outlined his plan to eliminate Ning Jin's group by dividing them: he would assign Wu Zi Chu to the Calvary Camp to "exchange martial arts" with Liao soldiers, create an opportunity for Zhan Zhao to pursue Madam Fang, and arrange for Zhao Yu, Ning Jin, and Mo Yan to participate in a hunting expedition. The next morning, Mo Yan presented Zhan Zhao with a new, handmade outfit. He tried it on, finding a needle left in the fabric.
Mo Yan quickly bit off the thread, creating an intimate moment between them before Zhan Zhao departed. Later, Mo Yan learned that Yelv Hongji had arranged for Zhao Yu to select horses at the riding hall for the hunting party, so she accompanied Zhao Yu. At the riding hall, Xiao Guan Yin attempted to claim the horse Zhao Yu had chosen.
However, a messenger from Yelv Hongji arrived, summoning Xiao Guan Yin to a banquet and effectively preventing her from joining the hunt. Xiao Xin, still enraged by his injured eye, eagerly volunteered to lead Zhao Yu, Ning Jin, and Mo Yan in the outer hunting areas, seeking an opportunity for revenge against the Song visitors. Yelv Hongji, anticipating Yelv Chongguang's malicious intentions, decided to personally hunt a fierce tiger, inviting Yelv Chongguang to join him.
This strategic move aimed to draw Yelv Chongguang away from Zhao Yu's group and disrupt his plans. Xiao Xin led Zhao Yu, Ning Jin, and Mo Yan deep into the forest. After some time, Ning Jin suggested they rest due to Zhao Yu's fatigue. Mo Yan discovered tiger fur, confirming the presence of dangerous predators in the area, and Ning Jin went to ask Xiao Xin about returning to camp before nightfall.
While they were resting, Mo Yan and Zhao Yu noticed Xiao Guan Yin hiding nearby. Initially reluctant to explain her presence, Xiao Guan Yin eventually admitted she was there to protect Zhao Yu, albeit maintaining a disdainful attitude towards the Song people. Zhao Yu playfully threatened to inform Yelv Hongji about Xiao Guan Yin's unauthorized presence. Startled and fearing her brother's displeasure, Xiao Guan Yin fled but accidentally slipped and fell off a cliff.
Zhao Yu instinctively grabbed her hand, refusing to let go as Xiao Guan Yin slid further. Mo Yan quickly secured Zhao Yu with a vine and exerted all her strength to pull both women to safety.
