Riverside Code at Qingming Festival Episode 22 Recap
> Riverside Code at Qingming Festival Recap
Laoba grieved deeply after his wife's death. Despite being offered food and encouragement to take care of himself, he was heartbroken. He asked Ban if his wife had suffered before she died. Ban reassured him that she had not suffered at all. Laoba recalled his wife's wish to make lily bulb noodles for Ban and found solace in the thought that she hadn't suffered. Susu tearfully asked Ban if she had returned alone.
She recounted a dream where her mother visited, giving her advice on eating well, not just sweets, not getting undressed when sweating, and avoiding too much cold water. Susu then expressed her fear that her mother would never come back. Ban tried to comfort her, insisting her mother would return, but Susu cried, saying she missed her mother. Ban later entrusted Susu to Mrs. Lan, who lived alone.
Ban felt irresponsible for this decision, but Wen Yue reassured her, pointing out that Mrs. Lan was more experienced and wished to adopt Susu, which was a positive outcome. Wen Yue reminded Ban that she was still young herself and shouldn't be too hard on herself. Ban agreed that Mrs. Lan would not be lonely with Susu and that their close proximity meant Susu could visit anytime.
Ban reflected that family is defined by love, not just blood ties, and exists wherever there is love. Wen Yue commended Ban for having grown up. Zhao Buyou brought his father, Zhao Li, to the Reception Hall for Envoy, hoping to find Envoy Cui to get information about Luan Hui. Knowing his father could understand foreign languages, Buyou asked him to listen to any foreign speech and report what was said.
However, Zhao Li claimed he had forgotten everything because he hadn't spoken to foreigners in years. Buyou initially told his father to go home, but Zhao Li insisted on staying, curious to look around. Buyou instructed his father to hide, promising to take him home later. Wen Yue brought Wu Mei to Sparrow Lane to stay at Xi's house, mentioning that Xi was Ban's close friend living nearby.
Wu Mei expressed her gratitude, but Wen Yue thanked her for saving Ban and invited her to visit whenever needed. Wen Yue gave Wu Mei fresh vegetables, noting how unreal everything seemed after being in darkness. Wen Yue acknowledged Wu Mei's fear that it might be a dream, reassuring her she would adapt and live an ordinary life free from past hardships. Wu Mei wondered what an ordinary life was, and Wen Yue told her she would discover it gradually.
Wen Yue met Xi, who warmly welcomed Wu Mei as a friend of Ban's. Xi offered to help Wu Mei to her house. Seeing Wu Mei safely taken care of by Xi, Wen Yue felt reassured and departed. Zhao Buyou directly questioned Envoy Cui about Luan Hui, hinting he knew about secrets concerning Envoy Cui's barrels. Envoy Cui feigned ignorance and stated he was busy loading ships to return home overnight.
Zhao Li then stepped forward, and Envoy Cui immediately recognized him, commenting on their resemblance, though Zhao Li quipped that he was more handsome. Buyou accused Envoy Cui of sneaking around and engaging in illegal activities. He warned Envoy Cui that the Kaifeng Court had surrounded the area and he would not be allowed to return home unless he confessed.
Under pressure, Envoy Cui admitted to meeting Mr. Luan Hui, who paid him triple the amount for one of his barrels because he was preparing for his journey home. Waiting officers called Luan Hui "Mr. Luan" and told him they needed him to clarify some unclear text in his account book, implying he was being taken to the Kaifeng Court. Ban recounted to Wen Yue the story of He Huan, who had been imprisoned with her.
He had told her his family, who were boat builders by Taihu Lake with the surname Su, had been attacked by villains who killed his parents and caused his sister to go missing. Hearing this, Wen Yue immediately suspected He Huan might be her long-lost brother. She went to the Welfare Center to find him. A young girl there led her to his room, where Wen Yue spotted a wooden Mahoraga figure.
He Huan returned to his room, and Wen Yue inquired about the Mahoraga figure. He Huan explained his sister made it for him but didn't color it, prompting Wen Yue to reveal she had made a similar uncolored Mahoraga figure for her own brother. He Huan then recounted the tragic night his parents were killed by villains, how the Mahoraga broke when he tried to intervene, and how he was knocked unconscious.
He woke to find his parents dead and his sister missing, having been missed by the fleeing murderer. He described his difficult years as a wanderer before coming to East Capital, where Headmistress Chi at the Welfare Center took him in to care for the children. Seeing the orphans reminded him of his own childhood struggles, and he resolved not to let them suffer as he had. Wen Yue, along with Mo'er and Ban, promised to visit frequently.
The siblings shared emotional memories of their childhood by the river. Wen Yue acknowledged the abruptness of their reunion, brought about by Ban, believing it was a reunion orchestrated by their parents' spirits. He Huan called Wen Yue "Sister," confirming their identities, and Wen Yue referred to him as "Zheng." He expressed his desire to raise the Welfare Center children now that Headmistress Chi was gone, and Wen Yue fully supported his plan.
To make up for not having a proper wedding, Zhao Buyou arrived at Wen Yue's umbrella shop with a brightly decorated carriage, dramatically announcing he was there to pick up his wife. Onlookers remarked that it looked like a wedding procession. Zhao Buyou declared that he saw his wife anew each day, making every day a new wedding day for them. The crowd applauded and wished them well. Wen Yue happily joined him in the carriage to go home.
Upon their arrival, the family, consisting of Zhao Buyou, Zhao Ban'er, Zhao Mo'er, and Zhao Li, had each prepared a dish to welcome Wen Yue. Zhao Buyou explained that each dish represented a family member: the "Youdunzi" pancake for him, Spicy Fried Duck with Broad Bean Paste for Ban'er, Cuttlefish for Mo'er, and "Fengqili" Pear for his father. He added that the entire meal, titled "A Lifetime with You," symbolized their commitment to always being there for Wen Yue.
Zhao Li remarked that with Wen Yue home, their family was finally complete. The family of five joyfully shared their reunion dinner, toasting to being together. He Huan arrived urgently at the Zhao household, explaining that he had gone to Wen Yue's umbrella shop and then came there when he couldn't find her.
He informed them that the authorities were taking over the Welfare Center and moving the children to a welfare house, leaving him nowhere to go but to seek refuge with them. Upon Wen Yue introducing him as her brother, the entire Zhao family warmly welcomed him. Zhao Mo'er immediately offered his room to He Huan, explaining part of it was for storage but He Huan could use the rest.
He Huan hesitated, not wanting Mo'er to give up his room, saying he was used to sleeping anywhere from his refugee days. Mo'er insisted, as staying in the dormitory was convenient for his work. Later, Zhao Buyou noticed Wen Yue seemed troubled despite reuniting with her brother. He asked why she wasn't happy. Wen Yue expressed unease, feeling that everything had been too smooth recently—finding evidence against the Zou family, locating Chi Liaoliao, and finding her brother by chance.
It felt unreal, too perfect. Zhao Buyou suggested her past hardships made her paranoid and that good times had finally arrived, citing a proverb about fortunes changing. Still feeling unsettled, Wen Yue confessed she felt uneasy. Zhao Buyou promised to work harder and buy a new house to make her feel more secure. Zhao Buyou dressed in a new outfit and headed out to set up his litigation stall, accompanied by He Huan, who offered to help.
He Huan inquired about Judge Dong Qian, having read about his reputation as a just and capable official. He Huan revealed that he and Wen Yue were from the same area, the Taihu Boatyard, where Dong Qian had served as the county magistrate. He wondered if their family might have been spared if they had befriended him then. Zhao Buyou downplayed Judge Dong's influence, stating he was just a local official who had to follow orders.
He Huan asked Buyou to share more about Judge Dong when he had the chance. Buyou, who had been an archive keeper and had little direct contact with Judge Dong, promised to ask around. Buyou then encouraged He Huan to look at the morning market stalls. Meanwhile, Wen Yue was helping with the move from the Welfare Center to the welfare house.
Helping another child search, Wen Yue found Shiliu hiding in Chi Liaoliao's room because she didn't want to go to the welfare house. Shiliu explained that He Huan wanted them to go, and everyone, including Chi Liaoliao, had to listen to him. Shiliu further disclosed that Chi Liaoliao listened to He Huan the most, even wearing clothes and eating foods she disliked because He Huan preferred them.
Wen Yue, sensing something was amiss with He Huan, discovered a long dress and hairpin in Chi Liaoliao's room that were identical to her own. This made her understand Chi Liaoliao's previous statement about living in Wen Yue's shadow and being doomed. It became apparent that He Huan had been trying to mold Chi Liaoliao to resemble Wen Yue. A feeling of unease settled upon Wen Yue.
Later, He Huan returned home and presented gifts: a belt for Zhao Buyou and a yellow dress for Zhao Ban'er. Both Zhao Buyou and Zhao Ban'er were delighted with their presents and expressed their gratitude and praise for He Huan. Wen Yue observed this interaction.
When Wen Yue commented on his efforts to bond with the family after being away for so long, He Huan said he felt he was causing trouble and wanted to contribute, implying others didn't like him as much as she did, though he quickly asserted that the children at the Welfare Center liked him. Zou Mian of the Manufacturing Bureau arrived by boat near the suburbs of East Capital.
That night, he summoned Liu, who was in charge of the Ministry of Justice, to his boat. Zou Mian humbly bowed and pleaded with Liu to help rescue his youngest daughter, Ziyin, from prison, claiming she was framed. He offered a chest of gold for the favor. Liu explained that the case had already been brought before the Emperor, and no one in the capital dared to get involved.
To emphasize the importance of his request, Zou Mian showed Liu a piece of yellow silk cloth, explaining it symbolized a past connection between his master and the Emperor, and that his master never bowed to anyone except in the Emperor's presence. By bowing to Liu, Zou Mian was showing the utmost respect, akin to bowing before the Emperor himself. Despite this gesture, Liu maintained he was powerless and advised Zou Mian to look elsewhere for help.
After Liu left, Zou Mian discussed the security measures taken to keep his secret visit confidential but worried about potential delays. He stressed that he had come personally for Ziyin and would spare no expense to secure her release, urging his subordinate to proceed quickly. Late that night, Zhao Buyou found Wen Yue still awake, carving a new Mahoraga figure.
She explained she was making it for Zheng because the one she made for him as a child, which he had kept all these years, was worn out. Buyou commented on their deep sibling bond. Wen Yue later presented the new figure to Zheng. She spoke about never forgetting their family life at the boatyard and the hardships she endured afterward to survive.
She emphasized that they were the only blood relatives remaining and needed to protect their new home and live well for their parents' sake. Zheng promised to listen to his sister.
