Resumo do episódio 3 de Heart of Loyalty
> Resumos de Heart of Loyalty
At the Kaifeng City Office, Zhan Zhao reported that a green-robed man had committed murder and planted evidence to steal an account book. He also noted that Wu Zi Chu and Li Xu were involved, but the identity of their true master remained unknown. Zhan Zhao emphasized the urgency of finding the real account book to prevent further bloodshed.
Official Bao believed that due to Bai Bao Zhen's suspicious nature, the real account book was likely still within the Bai's residence. He also anticipated that those who held the fake account book, including the green-robed man, would soon realize their deception and head to Gusu to claim the real one. Zhan Zhao immediately volunteered to travel to Gusu to retrieve the account book.
Mo Yan also offered to go, but Zhan Zhao expressed concern, stating he preferred to act alone and that Mo Yan still needed to complete her patrolling duties. Mo Yan insisted, highlighting her martial skills, which she claimed were only slightly inferior to his, and arguing that two people would be safer and more effective. Official Bao ultimately sided with Mo Yan, deciding that both should go to Gusu together for mutual support.
He then privately expressed his deep concern to Zhan Zhao and Mr. Gongsun about the complicated case involving Li Xu, the green-robed man, and Imperial Bodyguards, urging Zhan Zhao to be extremely careful. Zhan Zhao promised to fulfill his mission and keep Mo Yan in check, but Official Bao corrected him, saying he should "look after her."
As they prepared to depart, Mo Yan declared her confidence in successfully retrieving the account book and challenged Zhan Zhao to a race, proposing that whoever reached Gusu first and secured the account book would be its rightful keeper. Mo Yan rode ahead, but her enthusiasm waned upon reaching a desolate stretch filled with graves. Spooked, she struggled to make her horse move forward and then tried to persuade Zhan Zhao to lead the way when he caught up.
Seeing the late hour and the unsafe path, Zhan Zhao suggested they rest for the night. Meanwhile, in a grand pavilion, a mysterious man, revealed to be Prince Ning Jin, received an update from Wu Zi Chu about Kaifeng City Office personnel heading to Gusu. Prince Ning Jin then dispatched two Imperial Bodyguards to deliver a warning to Zhan Zhao, urging him to abandon his mission.
By a campfire, Mo Yan struggled to start a fire, so Zhan Zhao invited her to share his. She asked if he heard the cicadas, recounting a superstition that their chirping meant they were vengeful ghosts crying out for justice. She questioned if he feared ghosts, having killed before. Zhan Zhao calmly stated that those who died by his hand were not innocent, so he held no fear.
Noticing her unease, Zhan Zhao skillfully flicked stones to dislodge the cicadas from the trees. Impressed, Mo Yan asked him to teach her, and he patiently guided her through several attempts. She then requested to learn some simple self-defense or escape techniques, reasoning it would prevent her from being a burden. Zhan Zhao eventually agreed and demonstrated a close-quarters move, which ended with an awkward proximity, prompting him to swiftly conclude their training for the day.
Later, Mo Yan discovered that most of her Chongyang cakes had fallen from her bag, leaving only two pieces. She offered one to Zhan Zhao, who, seeing her limited supply, gave her his grilled bun in return. Mo Yan remarked that the grilled bun tasted like one her fifth brother used to make.
She explained her family background, mentioning her five older brothers and one third sister, known as the 'Shu Six Heroes,' who were renowned warriors of the martial arts world. After their teacher's early passing, they had raised her, teaching her medicine, martial arts, feng shui, and taking her on adventures. She sadly noted that her sixth brother had died on the battlefield.
Mo Yan revealed that she had secretly left the mountain, despite her family's protection, to forge her own path in the martial arts world and become the "renowned Seventh Evil of Shuzhong." She then asked Zhan Zhao why the "Southern Hero" chose to serve in the Kaifeng City Office. He replied simply that he was there "to make up for a mistake" and refused to elaborate further.
That night, Zhan Zhao was plagued by nightmares, reliving a traumatic childhood memory of a boy named Wang Xiao Liu falling into the sea, amidst visions of numerous dead bodies. He desperately tried to save the boy but found himself falling into the water as well, watching his younger self drift away, before jolting awake.
The next morning, Mo Yan returned with wild fruits, playfully chiding Zhan Zhao for being petty, as he slept with his bag clutched tightly, preventing her from stealing his buns when she was hungry. Zhan Zhao offered to buy her noodles at a nearby tea house. While there, Mo Yan eyed some pastries for sale but declined, claiming she wasn't hungry, implying she lacked the money.
Their journey was interrupted by a sudden downpour, forcing them to take refuge in an abandoned hut. Zhan Zhao offered Mo Yan his dry outer garment to change into, standing guard at the entrance. After she changed, Mo Yan saw that Zhan Zhao was completely drenched and offered to stand guard while he changed. He refused, stating there was no shelter outside. He then told her to find food in his bag and dry her clothes by the fire.
To her surprise, Mo Yan discovered red bean cake and lardy cake inside, realizing that Zhan Zhao had discreetly bought them for her earlier at the tea house. She mused that despite his seemingly stiff demeanor, he was quite thoughtful. Upon finally reaching Gusu, Zhan Zhao detected that they were being followed.
He ensured Mo Yan was settled into one of the best guest rooms at an inn, which they had randomly chosen between Tianzi Room 1 and Tianzi Room 2. Then, he left alone to confront their tails. Two men appeared, identifying themselves as agents of Prince Ning Jin. They warned Zhan Zhao to leave Gusu immediately and cease investigating the Li Xu case, threatening severe consequences if he did not comply.
Zhan Zhao feigned agreement, stating that Official Bao had also advised caution, and acknowledging that since Prince Ning Jin was involved, it was a matter concerning the imperial family. He claimed to understand the principle of "abandoning the chariot to save the king," implying he would back down. However, Mo Yan had overheard the entire exchange. Furious, she confronted Zhan Zhao, accusing him of being a corrupt official ready to sacrifice Li Xu to protect Prince Ning Jin.
When the Imperial Bodyguards threatened Mo Yan, Zhan Zhao pulled her away, explaining that his words were merely a "stalling tactic." Mo Yan remained unconvinced, vehemently arguing that he intended to abandon her brother for "that scum Ning Jin," and went on to accuse all officials, including Official Bao, of corruption and collusion. Incensed, Zhan Zhao ordered her to "shut up" and not insult Official Bao.
Mo Yan defiantly declared she would speak her mind, even against the Emperor if he erred, and vowed that Zhan Zhao would not get his hands on the account book, storming off. Later, Mo Yan scaled a wall to observe the Bai's residence. She witnessed Bai Ying Yu playing the zither, only to be harshly interrupted by the Second Madam.
The Second Madam pressured Bai Ying Yu to marry Mr. Sima from the prominent Sima family in Jiangnan, despite Bai Ying Yu's strong refusal. Bai Ying Yu reminded her that her late father had already rejected the match and asserted she would never marry, vowing to observe filial mourning for her father.
The Second Madam scornfully dismissed Bai Ying Yu as a spoiled girl, warned her that times had changed, and threatened to "teach her a lesson," leaving Bai Ying Yu in tears. Mo Yan commented on Bai Ying Yu's perceived weakness. Suddenly, Zhan Zhao appeared, chastising Mo Yan with a proverb about minding one's own business. He attempted to discuss their earlier misunderstanding, but Mo Yan, still angry, cut him off, reiterating her intent to get the account book herself.
That night, Zhan Zhao instructed Mo Yan to rest, stating they would visit the Bai's residence together the next day. Undeterred, Mo Yan secretly planned to secure the account book herself. She approached Zhan Zhao with a bottle of "good wine" as an apology, but it was secretly laced with a sleeping drug. Zhan Zhao, however, anticipated her trick and subtly swapped his cup. Noticing the change, Mo Yan found a pretext to swap the cups back.
After Zhan Zhao drank and appeared to fall into a deep slumber, Mo Yan slipped into the Bai's residence. She located the account book hidden in a secret compartment. Just as she was about to leave, Zhan Zhao appeared, revealing that the drug had no effect on him. He admonished her for her unauthorized actions, stating the account book was not safe with her and demanding she hand it over. Mo Yan refused, and they struggled over the book.
During their tussle, they heard sounds, and Zhan Zhao pulled Mo Yan into hiding as two masked figures entered the room. The masked men, who Zhan Zhao identified as Prince Ning Jin's Imperial Bodyguards, discovered them. Zhan Zhao engaged the two masked men in combat, while Mo Yan, seizing the distraction, snatched the account book from Zhan Zhao. In the ensuing struggle, one of the masked men pursued Mo Yan, resulting in the account book being torn in half.
The commotion alerted the Bai's residence guards, forcing all four to flee. Mo Yan attempted to pursue the masked men for her half of the account book, but Zhan Zhao stopped her, emphasizing the danger of chasing them when the situation was unclear and multiple factions were involved. As they made their escape, Wu Zi Chu intercepted Zhan Zhao and Mo Yan, informing them that Prince Ning Jin wished to see them. Mo Yan insisted on accompanying Zhan Zhao.
At their meeting, Prince Ning Jin greeted Zhan Zhao, acknowledging his reputation but pointedly asking why he brought "a little girl" with him. Mo Yan immediately corrected him, stating she was a detective. Prince Ning Jin then demanded they leave the account book and depart Gusu. Mo Yan defiantly refused, stating he would have to take it "over my dead body." Prince Ning Jin called her "sharp-tongued" and summoned his guards to surround them.
Zhan Zhao apologized for Mo Yan's outspokenness, explaining her mountain upbringing and lack of formal etiquette, and reiterated his orders from Official Bao to return both Mo Yan and the account book safely. Prince Ning Jin dismissed Official Bao's authority and threatened to seize the account book by force. After a tense standoff, Prince Ning Jin changed his tactic. Acknowledging Zhan Zhao's formidable skills and the potential repercussions if he were harmed, he proposed a Go match as a wager.
He suggested that since they each held half of the account book, the winner of the game would claim both halves. Zhan Zhao objected, stating that the account book was not a trivial matter to be gambled away. Prince Ning Jin, angered by the refusal, threatened to wipe out the Kaifeng City Office with a single word. At this, Mo Yan boldly accepted the challenge. Prince Ning Jin declared that he would play against both of them simultaneously.
If either Zhan Zhao or Mo Yan lost, they would surrender their half of the account book and leave Gusu. If both managed to defeat him, he would hand over his half. As Wu Zi Chu prepared the Go boards, Prince Ning Jin offered Mo Yan the black pieces, stating he wouldn't take advantage of a woman. He then offered Zhan Zhao the black pieces for his game as well.
Before starting, he instructed Wu Zi Chu to check on the white fungus and lotus seeds soup in the kitchen, emphasizing it should be well-cooked and not gritty like a previous occasion.
