Riverside Code at Qingming Festival Episode 11 Recap
> Riverside Code at Qingming Festival Recap
Following the closure of Wu's Restaurant, Zhao Ban'er continued to crave their steamed buns. Zhao Mo'er recalled that Sun Bo often ran errands in the Yanglou Street area, where Wu's Restaurant was located. Thinking Sun Bo must have known the Wu siblings well, and remembering Sun Bo's childhood fascination with fireworks, Mo'er suspected Sun Bo might be connected to the Hat Demon incidents. Zhao Buyou showed Zhang Zeduan's painting to Gu Zhen.
Gu Zhen interpreted the painting, noting how Sun Bo and Chunxi were solely focused on each other amidst the surrounding chaos of the Hat Demon incident. He saw this as evidence of their affair and a conspiracy to murder Kang Qian, suggesting they used the Hat Demon as a diversion so they could meet while bypassing the surveillance Kang Qian had arranged. Gu Zhen recalled that Wu Qiao had inquired about Sun Bo while she was imprisoned.
Zhao Buyou visited Wu Qiao in prison, initially offering legal assistance. When he informed her that Sun Bo had confessed to all the crimes, Wu Qiao became agitated and denied his involvement, offering all the money from her steamed bun shop to Zhao Buyou if he would represent Sun Bo. Zhao Buyou encouraged her to share what she knew about him.
Wu Qiao recounted their shared childhood in Yanglou Street, describing how Sun Bo's family lost their fortune after his gullible father sold their ancestral home cheaply during the Hat Demon rumors, subsequently gambling and drinking away their remaining wealth. She detailed the tragic death of his parents: his mother drowned his father after he got drunk and then committed suicide, leaving Sun Bo an orphan. Wu Qiao used to steal steamed buns for him.
Sun Bo had left suddenly and only recently reappeared. She also confirmed knowing Chunxi from Yanglou Street and explained Chunxi's plight: five years prior, Lady Zhang had forcibly taken her family's house at a low price, had her parents beaten to death, enslaved Chunxi, and later arranged her marriage to Kang Qian. Despite this, Wu Qiao revealed that Chunxi and Sun Bo were childhood sweethearts, betrothed from birth, and deeply in love.
Mo'er and Ban'er searched for Sun Bo at his supposed residence but could not find him. Zhao Buyou and Wan Fu arrived with officers. Xiao Yi, who had delivered messages, was questioned and accused of being an accomplice. Xiao Yi stated Sun Bo had returned briefly but hadn't said where he was going, leaving his savings with Xiao Yi as if he wouldn't return. Zhao Buyou and Wan Fu decided to search Kang Qian's house for Sun Bo and Chunxi.
Ban'er insisted that Sun Bo is a good person, and she and Mo'er urged Zhao Buyou to help him, worried about who might capture him. Zhao Buyou suggested being arrested by Kaifeng Court might be preferable. Lady Zhang entertained Wen Yue, who noticed preparations for a gathering. Lady Zhang revealed she was hosting difficult associates. She offered Wen Yue expensive wine, suggesting they drink a few cups, each with a topic about men.
For the first cup, she asked about Zhao Buyou. Wen Yue firmly stated Zhao Buyou is hers and knows their history. She challenged Lady Zhang to speak about her own man, the source of her influence. Lady Zhang agreed, recounting a parable about a magistrate and a wild horse, tamed by a girl using an iron whip, hammer, and dagger. She observed that while the man was powerful, the girl was perceived as crueler.
Lady Zhang reflected that men, regardless of age, are selfish, and women often bear the brunt of men's actions simply to survive, proposing a toast to that magistrate. Returning home, Zhao Buyou found his father, Zhao Li, missing. Neighbors confirmed he had gone to the bathhouse. Zhao Buyou found Zhao Li there, confused because he could not find his clothes or money, thinking someone was playing a trick on him.
After Zhao Buyou settled the bill, Zhao Li warned him not to reveal the details of the order he was working on to the authorities, explaining that someone had whispered this warning to him while he was bathing. Realizing the deadline for the order was tomorrow, Zhao Buyou became visibly worried. For the second cup, Lady Zhang introduced the topic of killing, asking Wen Yue how it felt. Wen Yue described it as a disgusting, nauseating experience.
Lady Zhang inquired why she killed if it felt so unpleasant. Wen Yue replied that to survive in a world overrun by "monsters," she had to protect herself, proposing a toast to the helplessness faced by women. Lady Zhang then turned to the topic of being loved, dismissing mutual love as a fleeting youthful fancy compared to enduring hardship together.
She voiced her strong aversion to traditional roles for women, asserting that she forged her own path and eliminated men who attempted to constrain her with affection, implying they were "buried" in her garden as fertilizer. Officials arrived at Chunxi's residence to arrest her for her husband's murder. However, officers from the Imperial Guard Department intervened with a warrant, stating they were taking custody of Chunxi as they were also investigating the Hat Demon case.
Despite protests and confusion, the Imperial Guard escorted Chunxi away, leaving the Kaifeng Court officials, including Wan Fu, empty-handed. Wan Fu reported this outcome. Gu Zhen informed Zhao Buyou that he had been ordered to leave for Chenliu immediately on urgent business, requiring him to cease his involvement in the Hat Demon case investigation. He noted that the orderer's deadline was also tomorrow.
Gu Zhen revealed that Lady Zhang was associated with Zou Mian, and many powerful individuals involved in her profitable schemes were meeting at the Zhang Mansion tomorrow, their meeting prompted by the disruption caused by the Hat Demon incident. When Zhao Buyou learned that the Imperial Guard had taken Chunxi, he recognized the perilous position this put Wen Yue in.
He understood Lady Zhang now had the upper hand, and without Chunxi as leverage, he could not secure Wen Yue's release, fearing Lady Zhang would harm her. Rushing to the Zhang Mansion, he was stopped by guards. Wan Fu arrived to assist but was also denied entry. Zhao Buyou expressed his despair at losing the means to protect Wen Yue.
Wan Fu attempted to console him, claiming Kaifeng Court was capable, but conceded that even Gu Zhen couldn't force their way inside. Lady Zhang told Wen Yue she felt a kinship with her from the start but resented seeing someone similar to herself possess a happy marriage and family, which she lacked. She implied she poisoned the wine they drank. Wen Yue was then apprehended and taken away within the mansion. Wen Yue and Chunxi were imprisoned together.
Lady Zhang confronted them, labeling them "miserable lovebirds." She questioned Chunxi about Sun Bo's location, believing they had a secret way to communicate. Chunxi denied knowing where he was now that she was captured. Lady Zhang showed the key found on Chunxi, guessing it led to their meeting spot. She taunted Chunxi, suggesting Sun Bo was heartless for leaving her. Chunxi defended Sun Bo, saying she owed him everything while he owed her nothing.
Chunxi tearfully recounted Kang Qian's abuse and how Sun Bo planned to rescue her and start a new life in a distant village, blaming Lady Zhang for ruining their plans. Lady Zhang dismissed their relationship, claiming men are driven by desire, a notion Chunxi refuted, insisting their connection was pure. Lady Zhang then wondered aloud if Sun Bo would attempt to rescue Chunxi.
She turned her attention to Wen Yue, revealing her complex feelings of liking and wanting to kill her. She menacingly stated she planned to turn Zhao Buyou into "new flower fertilizer." The deadline for the order arrived. Zhao Buyou made preparations for a rescue attempt. Zhao Li gave him strict instructions to bring Wen Yue back safely. Mo'er and Ban'er assisted Zhao Buyou, seemingly preparing a device near a window, actively working to make it effective.
Qin shopkeeper, Commander Liu from the Imperial Guard Department, and other associates of Zou Mian gathered at the Zhang Mansion to confront Lady Zhang about the financial losses incurred due to the Hat Demon rumors, which had significantly lowered property prices in Yanglou Street and nearby areas. Qin shopkeeper angrily threatened to report her to Zou Mian. Lady Zhang dismissed his complaints, highlighting the immense wealth she had already generated for them.
She boldly revealed that she knew Qin shopkeeper had many enemies and claimed she killed him on behalf of his own son, Master Qin, who desired his death, terrifying the other attendees. Despite the shock, Lady Zhang proposed a new, highly profitable scheme: intentionally create more Hat Demon incidents in other districts to manipulate land prices, allowing them to buy low and sell high after the Imperial Guard conveniently resolves the "crisis."
Commander Liu praised the ambition of this plan but expressed uncertainty about finding someone capable of creating the Hat Demons. Lady Zhang revealed her plan to Commander Liu: she was using Chunxi as bait because Chunxi's lover, Sun Bo, was the Hat Demon maker, having spread the news of Chunxi's capture to draw him out. Sun Bo then appeared, having been captured and brought in. Lady Zhang mockingly welcomed him and displayed Chunxi, who was restrained.
Sun Bo demanded Chunxi's release. Lady Zhang insulted Chunxi and ordered her physically punished, while Sun Bo was held back. Sun Bo offered his own life in exchange. Lady Zhang stated she wanted his expertise, not his life, demanding he make more Hat Demons capable of flight. When Sun Bo questioned her motive, Lady Zhang ordered further harm to Chunxi. Sun Bo quickly capitulated, agreeing to make the Hat Demons without further questions.
Lady Zhang then ordered Sun Bo to humiliate himself by licking something from the floor like a dog, which Sun Bo reluctantly did under duress. Lady Zhang further degraded him, calling him a disobedient dog. As Lady Zhang tormented Sun Bo, a large contingent of Kaifeng Court officers arrived at the Zhang Mansion gates. When questioned by the guards, the officers declared they were there on official business to apprehend a Hat Demon reportedly causing trouble inside, demanding entry.
Simultaneously, inside the mansion, Mo'er and Ban'er were seen fanning a pot containing what appeared to be crab meat soup near a window or vent, actively working to make the distraction device effective. Wen Yue was bound and confronted by a man preparing torture implements. He informed her Lady Zhang instructed him to make her uncomfortable. He reminisced about his time as a pirate, favoring the swift brutality of a tri-edged dagger for killing.
Before he could begin, Zhao Buyou and Wan Fu forced their way into the room. Zhao Buyou declared the torturer defeated. The man scoffed at Zhao Buyou and contrasted the current situation with the "more dignified" methods he used as a pirate, specifically mentioning a tri-edged dagger that resulted in swift, bloody death. The scene concluded with the standoff. A narrator provided an explanation about the role of reporter/journalist in the Song Dynasty, enabled by advancements in printing. They described how the emergence of mass-produced, affordable books led to tabloids publishing court secrets and gossip, breaking official control over information and establishing journalism as a profession.
