Resumo do episódio 7 de Heart of Loyalty
> Resumos de Heart of Loyalty
At a grand banquet hosted by Zhang Yao Zuo, he attempted to humiliate Bao Zheng. Bao Zheng, however, had orchestrated a clever trap. Zhang Yao Zuo, in his arrogance, boasted that he could resolve any issues for Bao Zheng. Bao Zheng then brought up the Yellow River's repeated flooding, which had left many people homeless.
He explained that the Emperor had tasked Kaifeng City Office with raising disaster relief funds, and while they had all donated a year's salary, it was still insufficient. Bao Zheng directly challenged Zhang Yao Zuo, the wealthy Finance Commissioner, suggesting that donating 5,000 taels should not be a problem for someone so committed to helping the people. Caught off guard, Zhang Yao Zuo stammered, acknowledging it was "not a small amount."
Seizing the moment, Bao Zheng encouraged the other officials to follow Zhang Yao Zuo's example. With no dignified way to refuse, Zhang Yao Zuo was compelled to sign the donation list, and the other officials promptly followed, ensuring Bao Zheng and Gongsun Ce successfully secured the necessary relief funds. After the banquet, a servant led Zhan Zhao and Mo Yan towards the back of Zhang's residence, pointing out Official Zhang's study along the way.
As they passed it, Mo Yan feigned a sudden stomach ache, needing to go to the washroom. This was a ruse to sneak into the study and search for incriminating evidence against Zhang Yao Zuo. When the servant attempted to follow Mo Yan, Zhan Zhao intervened, emphasizing the impropriety of a man accompanying a woman to the washroom and reminding him to carefully carry the emperor's painting. Just then, Zhang Feng, Zhang Yao Zuo's godson, emerged, appearing drunk.
He greeted Zhan Zhao and, feigning an urgent need for the washroom himself, tried to take the imperial painting. Zhan Zhao subtly tripped him, and while helping him up, discreetly checked Zhang Feng for internal energy. Zhang Feng, infuriated by his fall, blamed a servant for the ruined painting. Mo Yan, returning from the study, quickly defused the situation by suggesting the painting was damaged by the wind, a story the other servants readily confirmed.
Mo Yan later confided in Zhan Zhao that her search of the study yielded no crucial evidence, as important documents would likely be well-hidden. Zhan Zhao noted that Zhang Feng's build was similar to the green-robed assailant, but he detected no internal energy. Mo Yan, however, suspected that Zhang Feng might be faking his lack of martial arts skill. Zhang Feng reported to his godfather, Zhang Yao Zuo, about the ransacked study, warning him to be cautious.
Zhang Yao Zuo, still fuming over the 5,000 tael donation, revealed that he had been an undercover agent for years, with Zhang Feng acting as his intermediary to a higher authority. Later, Zhang Feng, speaking with a subordinate, mused that if Zhang Yao Zuo needed to be eliminated, it should be done by "someone else's hand." He then instructed the subordinate to deliver a box, seemingly from Zhang Yao Zuo, to Xiao Chen.
Xiao Chen received the package and, upon opening it, discovered a bloody human head inside. Back at Kaifeng City Office, Zhan Zhao, seeing Mo Yan's disappointment from the fruitless search, affectionately promised to buy her pork trotters, making her feel cherished. He then apologized for having removed the arrow from her shoulder despite his earlier promise, to which Mo Yan replied that she didn't blame him. Zhan Zhao vowed never to lie to her again.
Their intimate moment was interrupted by Qin Wei Wei's arrival, causing a shy Mo Yan to quickly retreat. Later, Xiao Chen sternly confronted Mo Yan and Li Xu, chastising them for forgetting their house rules by becoming involved in official and political matters. He ordered them to immediately pack and return to Shuzhong. Li Xu pleaded for one more day, as it was Mid-Autumn Festival, to bid farewell to the Kaifeng City Office residents.
Xiao Chen conceded but insisted they depart by 5 AM the next day. Mo Yan then tried to persuade Xiao Chen to let her stay, defending the good people and officials in Kaifeng City Office against his long-held belief that government service was dangerous and corrupt, a belief rooted in their teacher's death by the government's hands. Xiao Chen accused her of being swayed by emotion, specifically by Zhan Zhao.
Mo Yan vehemently denied it, insisting she merely didn't want to leave the people there. Xiao Chen reminded her that their house rules meant staying away from all government affairs, including "love affairs," declaring that anyone who disobeyed would have to do so "over my dead body." Frustrated, Mo Yan stormed off, calling him unreasonable.
Bai Ying Yu confided in Mo Yan about her lingering sorrow and inability to let go of her father's murder, feeling like a "floating plant on water" without him. Mo Yan expressed regret for not bringing Zhang Yao Zuo to justice. Bai Ying Yu, understanding, urged her not to feel guilty, blaming the "injustice of the world." Mo Yan confessed her fear that Zhan Zhao would forget her after she returned to Shuzhong.
Bai Ying Yu suggested leaving him a keepsake so he would remember her. Meanwhile, Ning Jin, eager to find Mo Yan, went to a street stall making clay dolls where he discovered her attempting to craft one for Zhan Zhao. Ning Jin playfully criticized her creation as "hideous," snatching it and claiming he would keep it since "no one would want it." As they chatted, a group of orphan children stole Mo Yan's money pouch.
She and Ning Jin chased them, but Zhan Zhao intervened, already familiar with the children. They admitted to stealing for food to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival. Zhan Zhao, compassionate despite his strict demeanor, gave them food he had brought, and they returned Mo Yan's pouch. Mo Yan noticed his softheartedness. She then told Zhan Zhao of her impending departure and her desire to give him a gift as a memento, fearing he might forget her.
Ning Jin, fabricating an excuse about attending a palace feast, quickly left with the clay doll. Zhan Zhao, clearly saddened by her leaving, asked for her fragrant pouch, which she gave him. That evening, everyone at Kaifeng City Office celebrated the Mid-Autumn Festival. Gongsun Ce presented Mo Yan with a bottle of medicine, specially prepared at Zhan Zhao's request to alleviate her pain. Mo Yan admired the "nice jade bottle," learning it was also a personal selection by Zhan Zhao.
As Mo Yan was about to toast him, Zhan Zhao was pulled away by other constables for drinks. They exchanged a meaningful glance across the festive gathering. Later, Zhan Zhao took Mo Yan for hangover soup. Mo Yan remarked on its delicious taste, expressing sadness that she wouldn't "get to drink this after I get back to Shuzhong." She then asked Zhan Zhao to look at the lanterns with her one last time.
Zhan Zhao carried her to a high rooftop, where they watched the sky lanterns. Mo Yan, holding his arm, expressed her deep enjoyment, and Zhan Zhao softly confirmed that he would miss her. Elsewhere, Ning Jin, distracted during the palace feast, accidentally dropped the clay doll Mo Yan had made into a lake while drinking alone. He frantically ordered his servants to retrieve it.
Bai Ying Yu sought out Xiao Chen, asking him to teach her how to kill so she could avenge her father. To test her resolve, Xiao Chen challenged her: if she could fill a large water tank with water by hand before dawn, he would teach her to use a dagger; otherwise, she must abandon her quest for revenge. Bai Ying Yu immediately began the arduous task.
Later, under the moonlight, Xiao Chen brought her food, insisting she eat to avoid collapsing from exhaustion. Overwhelmed with emotion, Bai Ying Yu began to cry, and Xiao Chen offered her a handkerchief. Zhang Feng informed Zhang Yao Zuo of Xiao Chen's presence in Kaifeng. Zhang Yao Zuo, recalling Li Xu's false imprisonment and fearing Xiao Chen's retaliation, ordered Zhang Feng to "get rid of him."
However, Zhang Feng secretly dispatched a subordinate to warn Xiao Chen of Zhang Yao Zuo's intent. After finishing his meal, Xiao Chen resumed his training but paused, sensing an intruder, and demanded them to "show yourself."
