Resumo do episódio 11 de Who Rules The World
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Bai Fengxi was ambushed by a group of black-clad assailants who declared their intention to kill her. Before the fight could escalate, Hei Fengxi appeared, forcing the attackers to retreat. Bai Fengxi noted that these attackers did not seem to be from the Soultaker Sect, and Hei Fengxi promised to investigate the matter thoroughly. He told her he had rushed over upon hearing of her plight and suggested they go to House of Jade.
Meanwhile, Prince Chang was furious to learn of the assassination's failure. His subordinate explained that Bai Fengxi possessed exceptional martial arts and was saved by someone who appeared to be Prince Yongping. Disbelieving, Prince Chang was informed that Bai Fengxi resided in Pagoda Tree Alley. He immediately ordered more men to be sent, declaring that Bai Fengxi must not be allowed to live, and insisted on joining the operation himself.
Uncle De watched Prince Chang's ruthless resolve, silently lamenting that after more than two decades, Queen Baili remained as heartless as ever, still refusing to acknowledge Prince Chang. He recalled a scene from Prince Chang's childhood where Baili, after marrying the King, dismissed the young Prince Chang as clumsy and frail, suggesting he be nominally mothered by a palace maid.
This memory fueled young Prince Chang's determination to become the Heir and inherit his father's legacy, believing it would force Baili to acknowledge him. At House of Jade, Hei Fengxi assured Bai Fengxi that his Fountain Abode network was already investigating her master's whereabouts. He then ordered food, suggesting she dine with him as he assisted her.
During their meal, when a bug landed on Bai Fengxi’s shoulder, Hei Fengxi reached out to catch it, and Bai Fengxi reflexively grabbed his hand. This caused him to blush profoundly and his pulse to race, prompting him to abruptly excuse himself, feigning drunkenness. Bai Fengxi, amused by his reaction, secretly found his smile charming. Later, on her way back home, Bai Fengxi was once again cornered by the same black-clad assailants.
Annoyed and unwilling to fight, she tried to disengage, only to encounter Prince Chang in an alley. While she found him vaguely familiar, she couldn't place him. Prince Chang, dagger hidden, intended to strike but hesitated when Bai Fengxi failed to recognize him, deciding to observe her further to determine if she was truly ignorant or merely pretending. Bai Fengxi, however, had already surmised that Prince Chang wanted to eliminate her to conceal his illness.
Knowing she had martial siblings to protect, she chose to feign ignorance rather than provoke him further. During a morning court session, the King of Yong discussed Jizhou's intent to return the Empyrean Token and the upcoming Six States banquet in the Imperial City, seeking advice on who to send as Yong's representative. Minister Wang suggested Prince Chang, as the eldest, should represent Yong.
Another minister, however, argued that Prince Chang was not the legitimate son, and Prince Lanxi, though legitimate, was frail. He proposed Prince Ju as the most suitable candidate. The King then asked Prince Ju if he was willing to go to the Imperial City, to which Prince Ju readily agreed. Later, Queen Baili explained to Prince Ju that this assignment was a consequence of his past foolish actions, which had disappointed the King.
She advised him to use the trip to clear his head, stating she would handle matters in Yongzhou. Prince Ju expressed concern about missing the upcoming royal examination, which he saw as a significant opportunity, but Baili dismissed it as an ill-timed venture for him. Subsequently, Feng Qiwu met with Feng Lanxi to discuss the royal examination. She revealed that she had visited Senior Secretary Pei Youshuo, her former teacher and a long-time friend of her father, securing his support.
She presented Feng Lanxi with a list of three highly talented candidates recommended by Pei Youshuo, emphasizing the importance of consolidating his influence in court now that he held the title of Prince Yongping. Feng Lanxi noted the absence of Feng Shiying's name.
Feng Qiwu assured him that as her brother and a member of the Feng family, Feng Shiying was already firmly on his side, and Pei Youshuo would personally ensure the three recommended candidates also pledged their loyalty to Feng Lanxi. Ren Rusong's subordinates reported to Feng Lanxi on Bai Fengxi's activities in Yongzhou, noting a potential incident at House of Jade where Prince Chang was also present and seemed unwell.
Feng Lanxi deduced that the black-clad assailants were Prince Chang's men. Prince Chang continued to trail Bai Fengxi. Noticing his presence, Bai Fengxi approached him, teasingly asking if he was seeking compensation for being left alone the previous night. Prince Chang attempted to trick her with a fabricated story of a fatal illness, claiming a physician had advised him to consume a "bloody steamed bun" for survival, and asked her for help.
Bai Fengxi, however, promptly checked his pulse and debunked his story, assuring him he was perfectly healthy. Instead of the "bloody steamed bun," she offered him a regular bun, which he accepted. The simple gesture evoked a poignant flashback of his late mother giving him a bun, leaving him momentarily lost in thought. Still uncertain if Bai Fengxi was truly ignorant or pretending, Prince Chang instructed Uncle De to rent a nearby courtyard to keep her under constant surveillance.
Meanwhile, the King of Yong decreed that the royal examination would take place on the ninth of the month, with Senior Secretary Pei Youshuo, Duke Liang Yan Shizhang, and Minister Wang Liangde as joint invigilators. It was widely understood that this arrangement favored Prince Ju, as Duke Liang's daughter, Yan, a female official under Queen Baili, was widely expected to marry Prince Ju.
Feng Lanxi, however, found Queen Baili's decision to send Prince Ju away from Yongzhou at this critical time suspicious. He instructed Ren Rusong to convey a warning to Feng Qiwu to exercise extreme caution during the royal examination to prevent any missteps. Huang Chao, on his way to the Six States banquet with the Empyrean Token, was ambushed merely twenty li outside the Imperial City.
Emperor Chunxi immediately dispatched General Dong Shufang for rescue, but they arrived too late to prevent the token from being stolen. Upon hearing the news, Feng Lanxi surmised that the Empyrean Token was a fake, and Huang Chao had deliberately staged the attack to lose it. He explained to Ren Rusong that returning a fake token would only lead to trouble for Huang Chao, whereas losing it on the way would grant him a legitimate reason to investigate.
With the Emperor's decree, Huang Chao could now conduct investigations across the Six States with official authority, effectively making him a formidable force with Yu Wuyuan's counsel. In the Imperial City, Huang Chao bravely faced Emperor Chunxi and the other state heirs. He reported the attack and the loss of the Empyrean Token, clarifying that the assailants were cavalry, not martial artists, which sparked immediate accusations among the other heirs.
Volunteering to atone for his "failure," Huang Chao offered to investigate the matter himself, requesting a decree for easier action across the Six States. Emperor Chunxi, impressed, granted his request and bestowed upon him an Imperial Sword, allowing him to act with supreme authority. Yu Wuyuan confronted Huang Chao, expressing his anger at the altered plan.
He reminded Huang Chao that their original strategy involved martial artists stealing the token to spare Jizhou from disaster, not General Lin Lancang impersonating an assassin. Huang Chao, acknowledging Yu Wuyuan's desire for peace among the states, stated that such harmony was no longer possible. He emphasized that the Emperor's new decree made his path clearer, and challenged Yu Wuyuan to join him to see if diplomacy could truly avert conflict and unify the world.
Yu Wuyuan, realizing he had been maneuvered, agreed to accompany Huang Chao to the Six States, but only after they made a detour to Mount Wu. Before the royal examination, Minister Wang presented candidate Song Sihan to Queen Baili, referring to him as a significant gift for Prince Lanxi. On the day of the examination, Senior Secretary Pei Youshuo, Duke Liang Yan Shizhang, and Minister Wang Liangde presided.
During the inspection, a candidate named Wang Hui was caught attempting to smuggle notes in his inkstone. Pei Youshuo, emphasizing the examination's crucial role in selecting national talent and shaping individual destinies, ensured strict adherence to rules. Six candidates were found to have smuggled notes and were handed over to the Ministry of Justice before the examination papers were unsealed and the tests began. Feng Lanxi was summoned to an audience with the King and Queen Baili.
The King highlighted Baili's recent efforts praying and arranging matters for him after his near-drowning, urging Feng Lanxi to express his gratitude. Baili then observed Feng Lanxi's improved health and his new title as Prince Yongping, suggesting it was an opportune time to arrange his marriage. The King agreed, prompting Baili to propose her niece, Jing, as a suitable match.
Feng Lanxi respectfully declined, stating that as he had recently been granted his title and had yet to achieve significant accomplishments, a premature marriage would invite criticism from court ministers. Queen Baili probed further, suspecting his affections lay with Feng Qiwu. Feng Lanxi admitted to a good working relationship with Feng Qiwu, clarifying that his interactions were purely for the benefit of Yongzhou and devoid of personal feelings.
He reiterated his intention to defer marriage until he had established a solid foundation, leaving the final decision to his father. The King then said he would consider the matter. News of this exchange quickly reached Feng Qiwu. She understood that Queen Baili's questions were a deliberate attempt to test Feng Lanxi's allegiances and was satisfied with his artful response, which preempted any suspicion from the King.
Internally, Feng Qiwu acknowledged the political nature of her alliance with Feng Lanxi, affirming her primary loyalty to her family. Meanwhile, Zhong Li reflected on the subtle yet significant changes in Feng Lanxi since his near-drowning. He noted that Feng Lanxi, though still kind to his subordinates, had become noticeably more approachable and often smiled, a welcome transformation.
Hei Fengxi arranged for Zhong Li to deliver a large quantity of supplies, including charcoal, quilts, and food, to Bai Fengxi's residence, but he chose to wait for her at the alley entrance. Her martial siblings were overjoyed by the unexpected bounty. When Bai Fengxi met Hei Fengxi, she questioned why he didn't enter the courtyard.
He explained that as the acting leader of her sect, she was the one who needed to gain the loyalty of her followers, and the supplies were meant to help her earn their goodwill, not his. Bai Fengxi, impressed by his foresight, praised his ability to manage the vast Fountain Abode so effectively.
Hei Fengxi further informed her that his network had received intelligence indicating that her master, Bai Jiande, might have traveled to Mount Wu, a report he had already verified. This meant Bai Fengxi and her companions would likely need to extend their stay in Yongzhou. Anticipating the harsh southern winter, he had thoughtfully provided the supplies to ensure their comfort. Bai Fengxi, touched by his thoroughness and numerous favors, asked how she could repay him. Hei Fengxi dismissed it as a minor matter, playfully noting that her serious demeanor was uncharacteristic.
