Royal Nirvana Recap, Plot, Synopsis, Total Episodes

Royal Nirvana Synopsis

Xiao Dingquan, the Crown Prince, lost his mother and sister when he was a boy and was not close to his father.

The experiences of his early years have left him desperate for family love, and he is always trying to keep his only family members around him.

Xiao Dingquan is a man who both loves and fears his father, hoping for his father's affirmation but fearing the embarrassment of having his hopes dashed.

Lord Qi and his father-in-law, Li Bozhou, have repeatedly created chaos, not only by persecuting the people Xiao Dingquan cherishes but also increasing the misunderstanding between Xiao Dingquan and his father.

The Prince's teacher, Lu Shiyu, had hoped that Lu Ying would replace him as the Prince's solid support, but by mistake, Lu Wenxi, Lu Ying's daughter, met the Prince by chance and had a crush on him.

After his close ones are killed one after another, Xiao Dingquan, who is deeply influenced by Lu Shiyu's Confucianism, is determined to fight against the villain's conspiracy.

After her father and brother were killed, Lu Wenxi became a female official in the crown prince's palace, and helped him solve many cases, so that her father and brother's injustice was cleared and the treacherous villains were brought to justice.

Xiao Dingquan and Lu Wenxi's feelings for each other deepen as they work together. They are brave enough to stand by each other for the sake of peace and security.

Royal Nirvana Recap

Episode 1 Recap

In the fourth year of Jian'an, Xiao Dingquan was named the Crown Prince, yet he found himself disfavored by Emperor Xiao Ruijian. His formidable maternal uncle, Wu Dehou Gu Silin, and his revered tutor, Minister Lu Shiyu, offered him strong support, which only fueled the Emperor's suspicion and suppression.

Despite Xiao Dingquan's deep reverence for his father and commitment to his duties as both a subject and a son, the Emperor continually distanced himself, openly allowing Qi Wang, his eldest illegitimate son, to covet the position of crown prince. On a day of heavy snowfall, Xiao Dingquan was meditating at a temple, having dreamt about the past. A monk advised him that if he could stay away from "dream-thought," he would overcome his troubles and achieve enlightenment.

His attendants, however, urged him to hurry as others had already left. Suddenly, Gu Fengen arrived with urgent news: Lu Shiyu, along with other ministers, was currently at court, admonishing the Emperor. Lu Shiyu stated that Xiao Dingquan had completed his three-year mourning for the late queen and was now over twenty, yet remained uncrowned and unmarried, an unprecedented situation in their nation's hundred-year history.

Furthermore, Lu Shiyu pressed the Emperor to send Prince Qi to his designated fiefdom, as Qi Wang's prolonged stay in the capital was causing public unrest. The Emperor, however, remained impassive, telling Minister Lu to leave the palace. Despite Gu Fengen's warnings about giving Prince Qi an advantage and recalling a critical incident from three years prior, Xiao Dingquan felt compelled to act.

He defied the order not to meddle with politics and went to deliver handwarmers and cloaks to Lu Shiyu and the other officials. Minister Lu rebuked Xiao Dingquan for his interference, emphasizing that while their admonishment was their duty, the crown prince's intervention was meddling with state affairs. Xiao Dingquan explained that the Emperor considered the ministers' advice a serious matter and did not wish them to feel disheartened.

He stated his intention to submit a written plea for forgiveness for his own perceived disloyalty and urged the officials to depart, warning that their continued presence would only make him appear unfilial and disloyal to his father. The officials finally departed. After their departure, Xiao Dingquan shed his outer robe and knelt in the snow, submitting a formal plea for forgiveness, acknowledging his perceived overreach as Crown Prince. The Emperor, however, remained indifferent.

Inside, Queen Zhao's attendant reported to her how Minister Lu and the others, who had ignored the Emperor's decree, had complied with the Crown Prince. She wondered what the Emperor must be thinking. Meanwhile, Qi Wang, sitting with the Emperor, voiced his fear that if "Prince III" (Xiao Dingquan) were crowned, he would be forced to leave the capital. The Emperor simply stroked Qi Wang's head and dismissed him to pay respects to his mother.

Later, Qi Wang approached Xiao Dingquan with a cloak, coldly asserting it was a gift from the Emperor, and despite Xiao Dingquan's initial refusal, he mockingly draped it over him before turning away in disgust. Qi Wang taunted Xiao Dingquan, saying that to refuse the "royal gift" would be defiance, but to wear it would render his plea for forgiveness insincere. Determined to show sincerity, Xiao Dingquan remained kneeling in the thin garment, shivering.

His attendant, Wang Shen, unable to bear his suffering, gently covered Xiao Dingquan's red and bare feet. The Emperor, observing from afar, remained indifferent to Xiao Dingquan's suffering, noting that he was "not cold." Qi Wang returned to Zhao Guifei, scoffing at Xiao Dingquan's attempts to appease both his father and Lu Shiyu, predicting he would ultimately lose everything.

Zhao Guifei expressed her satisfaction that, despite the clear ministers' efforts, the Emperor had still not crowned Xiao Dingquan, while her own son, Prince Qi, had been crowned and married three years prior and remained in the capital, contrary to custom. News then arrived that Wu Dehou Gu Silin had entered the palace, greatly unsettling Zhao Guifei. Wu Dehou Gu Silin presented himself before the Emperor.

The Emperor initially assumed Gu Silin was there to intercede for Xiao Dingquan, lecturing him about the Crown Prince's need for self-restraint and avoiding certain matters. Gu Silin clarified that his visit was not for the Crown Prince, but to deliver critical intelligence: his son had received a secret report indicating that 100,000 enemy troops were amassed in northern Xinjiang, intending to invade. The Emperor was incensed, accusing Governor Li Ming'an of delaying the military intelligence.

Although an attendant mentioned heavy snow might have caused delays, the Emperor decreed that Li Ming'an be stripped of his salary and reprimanded. Gu Silin then proposed that Li Ming'an, a scholar leading troops, might jeopardize the nation, and offered himself to lead the army to northern Xinjiang. He expressed concern that his status as a maternal relative holding military power might spark rumors, similar to three years ago, harming the Emperor's authority and even implicating the Crown Prince.

The Emperor, recognizing the gravity of the situation and acknowledging Gu Silin's irreplaceable experience, promised: "As long as you do not fail the country, I will not fail you, Gu Silin." Outside, Gu Silin helped the exhausted Xiao Dingquan to his feet, consoling him that his suffering was due to Gu Silin's own fault, and assured him that everything was now fine.

Unbeknownst to them, Governor Li Ming'an's military report had reached the palace much earlier but was deliberately suppressed by Chen Jin, the head eunuch, who had conspired to ensure Gu Silin would volunteer for the command. This calculated move would allow the Crown Prince, who had knelt in the snow for hours, to finally have his capping ceremony.

Soon after, news of Wu Dehou regaining military power and the Emperor's decree for Xiao Dingquan's capping ceremony in three days reached Zhao Guifei and Qi Wang, much to their dismay. Meanwhile, in Sichuan, Royal Minister Lu Ying conversed with his eldest daughter, Lu Wenxi. He informed her that Minister Lu Shiyu had written to him, stating that the Emperor had agreed to Xiao Dingquan's capping ceremony, and Qi Wang would soon depart for his fiefdom.

Lu Shiyu had also recommended Lu Ying for the position of imperial minister in the capital, necessitating their imminent departure. Lu Wenxi, noting her father's unfinished work in the Tea-Horse trade, deduced that the Crown Prince's capping ceremony was linked to Wu Dehou's military deployment. Lu Ying cautioned his daughter to be more circumspect in the treacherous political waters of the capital.

Though the situation seemed favorable for the Crown Prince, Lu Ying mused that the "unfavored" Crown Prince might not be as free as the crane in her painting, which, despite its graceful appearance, was a raptor capable of challenging an eagle.

Lu Wenxi, in turn, reflected on how the vast and free rivers and mountains of Sichuan would be lost to them, and how she would not merely observe but personally experience the Crown Prince's future loves, hates, gains, losses, and struggles within the confines of the royal palace. Preparations for Xiao Dingquan's capping ceremony were underway.

Gu Fengen tried to rouse the still melancholic Xiao Dingquan, who lamented that he couldn't see off his uncle, Gu Silin, without an imperial decree. As security was tightened around Danfeng Gate for the important national ceremony, Zhang Shangfu from the Shangfu Department inspected the Crown Prince's ceremonial attire. She noticed the jade belt was missing and went to search for it. She then covertly overheard Qi Wang conspiring with Wu, a palace maid.

Qi Wang had written a denouncement scroll, which contained accusations of disloyalty and unfilial behavior, referencing an incident three years prior when Xiao Dingquan, through his cousin Gu Fengen, used a fake military report to force open the palace gates and see his dying mother. Qi Wang instructed Wu to throw this scroll from an upper floor during the capping ceremony. Shocked, Zhang Shangfu accidentally dropped a gold belt she was holding, alerting Qi Wang and Wu.

Fortunately, two other maids passed by, diverting attention. Wu quickly produced the "missing" jade belt, claiming she had merely misplaced it. Back in the Crown Prince's palace, a terrified Zhang Shangfu discovered a small gold plate missing from the gold belt she had dropped. As an old acquaintance of the late Queen and one who had received kindness from Xiao Dingquan, Zhang Shangfu hesitated, contemplating revealing the conspiracy.

However, Qi Wang arrived unexpectedly, sent by the Emperor to escort Xiao Dingquan to Danfeng Gate. With Qi Wang present, Zhang Shangfu remained silent, offering only a trivial compliment about Xiao Dingquan's hair. Qi Wang then subtly reminded Zhang Shangfu of an incident years ago where she broke the late queen's jade hairpin.

He pointedly claimed that "he" had helped her conceal it from the late queen, not Xiao Dingquan, thereby implicitly asserting himself as her benefactor and warning her to remain silent. After this veiled threat, Qi Wang led Xiao Dingquan away.

Episode 2 Recap

Xiao Dingtang, after Xiao Dingquan had departed, revealed a sinister smile. He returned a lost golden token to Zhang, the head maid of the Shangfu department, cautioning her with veiled threats. Zhang, intimidated, could only nod in agreement. Later, Xiao Dingtang discussed his worries about Zhang with a confidante, noting that as the late queen's maid, Zhang had been treated kindly by the queen.

His confidante expressed concern that Zhang might risk her life to protect her former mistress, but Xiao Dingtang confidently stated Zhang would not speak. Shortly before the ceremony, Xiao Dingquan courteously thanked Xiao Dingtang for his efforts in preparing for the capping ceremony, to which Xiao Dingtang responded that it was his honor to serve. The solemn capping ceremony for Xiao Dingquan then began.

Emperor Xiao Ruijian, after delivering the commencement address, bestowed upon Xiao Dingquan the style name Mincheng, urging him to uphold his duties as a son and a ruler. Just as the ceremony reached a crucial point, Xiao Dingquan unexpectedly interrupted. He had already sensed something amiss when Zhang had deliberately broken a hairpin earlier while styling his hair, and had privately learned the details of the plot from her.

He announced to his father and the assembled ministers that Qi Wang, Xiao Dingtang, had also prepared a special gift for him, which he wished for everyone to witness. He then addressed Zhang, asking if her deliberate breaking of a hairpin earlier that day was a silent message, urging her to speak the words she couldn't utter in front of Prince Qi.

Zhang confessed that Prince Qi had instructed a maid from her department to use an incident from three years ago to denounce Xiao Dingquan during the capping ceremony. She warned him to be prepared but admitted she hadn't clearly seen the maid involved. As Xiao Ruijian questioned what Xiao Dingquan wished to show him, a commotion broke out. A guard announced that someone had fallen from the tower.

It was quickly identified as Zhang, the head maid of the Shangfu department. Xiao Dingquan was stunned, recognizing her as his late mother's former maid, and wondered why she would do such a thing. A scroll that had been thrown down was then read aloud. It claimed that Xiao Dingquan intended to throw a seditious item during the capping ceremony to frame Xiao Dingtang, and that Zhang, torn between loyalties, chose death as an atonement.

Xiao Dingquan was shocked, realizing that Xiao Dingtang had left him such a trick. He realized the gravity of the situation and immediately ordered Gu Fengen to ascend the tower and apprehend the maid carrying the scroll. However, the maid, Wu, had already escaped, leaving the tower deserted. The truth was, Wu, attempting to throw the denunciation document, was stopped by the righteous Zhang Shangfu. Enraged, Wu pushed Zhang off the tower and then threw the document down.

Chancellor Li Baizhou seized the opportunity to denounce Xiao Dingquan, declaring the incident appalling and questioning the Crown Prince's virtue and fitness for the throne. He formally requested the ceremony be halted. Meanwhile, Wu, having escaped, was told by a servant that Prince Qi had instructed her to quickly hide the scroll.

Back at the ceremony, Lu Shiyu, distraught by the accusations against his student, pleaded with Xiao Ruijian to allow the ministry of justice to thoroughly investigate the case, punish the culprit, and clear the Crown Prince's name. Xiao Dingquan, for his part, stated he had nothing to say at that moment. Xiao Ruijian decided to suspend the capping ceremony and ordered Li Zhongkui to escort Xiao Dingquan back to his palace.

However, a guard then reported that Zhang, the maid who fell, was still alive, albeit barely. Hearing this, Xiao Dingquan regained a glimmer of hope. He reiterated his request, alongside Lu Shiyu, for a thorough investigation, which the Emperor agreed to. Xiao Dingquan then truthfully recounted the entire story.

Xiao Dingtang fell to his knees, feigning a wronged expression, claiming that the whole situation was due to his continued presence in the capital and pleaded with his father to allow him to leave, to avoid further trouble. Xiao Dingquan, however, spoke up to keep him, stating that he already carried too many accusations and did not wish to add "unfriendly to brother, falsely accusing kin" to them.

Gu Fengen, in the meantime, led his men to search the Shangfu department by roster, ensuring no one escaped. Wu, who was attempting to burn the scroll in a locked treasury, was nearly caught when Gu Fengen's men tried to break down the door. Before they could enter, Lady Jiang, who oversees all royal family affairs, appeared. She reminded Gu Fengen, an outsider, not to overstep his authority.

When Gu Fengen challenged her, Lady Jiang produced an imperial decree, stating she was ordered to take charge of the search. Later, Lady Jiang reported to Xiao Ruijian that all eighty-seven people in the Shangfu department had been apprehended, and despite a thorough search, neither the maid nor the scroll mentioned by Xiao Dingquan had been found.

Xiao Dingquan was astonished, realizing his father's blatant partiality in appointing Lady Jiang, a known confidante of Zhao Guifei and Xiao Dingtang, to lead the search. Xiao Ruijian then questioned Xiao Dingquan, asserting that without witnesses or evidence, he could not simply believe his words or expect the world to. Xiao Dingquan, with tears in his eyes, explained that he hadn't informed his father earlier precisely to prevent this situation.

He questioned how his father would treat him if Zhang never awoke, and whether he would protect him as he did Xiao Dingtang. He recalled the pain of being unable to see his dying mother three years prior, when Xiao Ruijian refused to open the palace gates for him, forcing Gu Fengen to fabricate a military report to gain entry, only for Xiao Dingquan to arrive moments after his mother had passed away.

Xiao Dingquan expressed his deep sorrow and asked his father where he truly stood in his heart. Xiao Ruijian merely patted his shoulder and coldly commanded him to plead guilty at the morning court the next day. This time, Xiao Dingquan refused to compromise. He revealed to his father and brother that after Zhang informed him of the plot, he had personally created a replica scroll by imitating Xiao Dingtang's handwriting and instructed Zhang to replace the original with it.

Therefore, the scroll burned by Lady Jiang was his replica, and the original, bearing Xiao Dingtang's actual handwriting, had been hidden by Zhang. He confidently stated that Gu Fengen was already searching for it and expressed his belief in Zhang's integrity, despite her apparent betrayal, sensing she must have had untold difficulties. Xiao Dingquan challenged Xiao Dingtang to wait and see if he could produce the original at the next morning court. Suddenly, word arrived that Zhang had regained consciousness.

Xiao Ruijian, seeing Xiao Dingquan and Xiao Dingtang's conflicting claims, ordered Zhang to be brought before them for personal interrogation. To Xiao Dingquan's shock, Zhang denied that anyone had harmed her, claiming she had jumped herself. Xiao Dingquan pleaded with her to reveal the truth, promising her protection for her department, but Zhang remained silent, even telling Xiao Dingquan to shut up.

When pressed further by Xiao Ruijian about who instructed her to go to Danfeng Gate, Zhang continued to claim she ascended it herself and jumped voluntarily. Desperate, Xiao Dingquan asked her to reveal the location of Prince Qi's original scroll. Zhang, apologizing to her former mistress, then bit her tongue, committing suicide. Xiao Dingquan frantically urged his father to save her, but Xiao Ruijian coldly remarked that saving her would only allow her to expose Xiao Dingquan's "scandals."

Overwhelmed, Xiao Dingquan was then forced to concede and reluctantly agreed to plead guilty at the morning court. Despite Zhang's apparent betrayal, Xiao Dingquan, driven by his inherent kindness, believed she had a hidden reason for her actions. Suddenly, a realization struck him. He declared to Gu Fengen that he knew where the original scroll was hidden, and the two immediately set off to find it, unaware that Lady Jiang and Wu were also desperately searching for the same item.

Episode 3 Recap

Xiao Dingquan took Gu Fengen to his late mother's former palace, reminiscing about a time when young Xiao Dingquan found Maid Zhang crying over a broken jade hairpin. He compassionately offered to hide it for her, promising the Queen would not know. His mother, the Queen, eventually discovered the hidden hairpin. She told her young son that he was still small, and that she might not find it when he grew up.

Addressing Maid Zhang, the Queen said she would not punish her, but hoped Maid Zhang would return the kindness should Xiao Dingquan ever face a similar plight. In the present, Xiao Dingquan, guided by these memories, searched the hiding spot and found a scroll, which brought tears to his eyes. Just as Xiao Dingquan and Gu Fengen were about to leave, Emperor Xiao Ruijian arrived with Xiao Dingtang.

Xiao Dingquan, after a brief hesitation, presented the scroll to the Emperor, only for it to be revealed as a blank sheet of paper. The Emperor angrily tossed the blank paper aside, ordering Xiao Dingquan confined to his palace for reflection and to confess his sins before the officials the next day. Xiao Dingtang, witnessing Xiao Dingquan's predicament, gloated, mockingly advising Xiao Dingquan to stop acting childishly to avoid angering their father.

As Xiao Dingtang confidently walked away with the Emperor, Xiao Ruijian suddenly slapped him, leaving Xiao Dingtang stunned before the Emperor departed in anger. Xiao Ruijian then instructed his guards to release Xiao Dingtang after the morning court. Later, Emperor Xiao Ruijian privately conversed with Li Chongkui, admitting that he knew both his sons were lying. He explained his actions by stating that Xiao Dingtang was his first son, while Xiao Dingquan was primarily his subject.

He then tasked Li Chongkui to advise Xiao Dingquan the next morning, urging him to behave well and not be as imprudent as he had been today, clarifying that these words should be presented as Li Chongkui's own insight, not the Emperor's direct order. Meanwhile, Lady Jiang and Wu were searching for the scroll. Wu, fearing she knew too much and would be silenced, attempted to escape. Lady Jiang pursued her and witnessed a palace servant brutally strangling Wu.

In her final moments, Wu realized she had been used by Xiao Dingtang. The servant claimed to be acting on Xiao Dingtang's orders. Lady Jiang, who had previously received a message from Xiao Dingtang's faction assuring her that the Crown Prince finding the scroll would not matter as Xiao Dingtang had a plan, began to question if Xiao Dingtang had been lying to her and why she had been involved.

As night deepened, Xiao Ruijian, unable to sleep, looked at the portrait of the late empress. His gaze softened as he murmured, reminiscing about young Xiao Dingquan playing on the stone lions, and how his son used to run from him, even denying his own name. He recalled how Xiao Dingquan would call for his mother and uncle instead of asking for his forgiveness, leading him to wonder if he was already less important than them in his son's heart.

At the same time, Li Chongkui brought Xiao Dingquan food, urging him to eat. He relayed the Emperor’s sentiment, suggesting that despite the harsh words, the Emperor still cared for him. He advised Xiao Dingquan to simply bow his head and admit guilt the next day, assuring him that the matter would then pass, and the Emperor would not make things difficult. Xiao Dingquan, feeling a flicker of warmth, questioned if these words truly came from the Emperor.

The next day, Xiao Dingquan arrived at the grand hall. Reflecting on the Emperor's perceived promise of protection, he removed his outer robes, dressed in plain clothes, and knelt to confess. He took full responsibility for the events of the capping ceremony, claiming he had fabricated a denunciation against Prince Qi because Prince Qi had not gone to his fief after his marriage and capping ceremony as per ancestral rites.

He further distorted the truth, asserting that he had ordered Maid Zhang to throw this denunciation before the public, but Maid Zhang, out of loyalty to the late empress and fear of retaliation, chose to die, causing chaos and terminating the ceremony. Xiao Dingquan concluded his confession by accepting his immense guilt without refutation. Xiao Ruijian, maintaining an expressionless facade, declared that Xiao Dingquan's actions disqualified him from the capping ceremony, which was now canceled.

He further decreed a forfeiture of two thousand acres of land and three years of salary for the Crown Prince. However, Li Baizhou immediately argued that this punishment was too light and would not be convincing to the world. He then seized the opportunity to accuse Lu Shiyu of dereliction of duty and shaking the foundation of the state, demanding his dismissal and prosecution.

Xiao Dingquan interjected, stating that the matter was his own and had nothing to do with Minister Lu. However, Li Baizhou continued his tirade, accusing Xiao Dingquan of unfilial conduct and framing a royal brother, asserting that such a person was unfit to be the future ruler. He demanded Xiao Dingquan be punished according to national law, claiming that not doing so would imply Prince Qi's guilt, which would be unacceptable to the court and the world.

Caught in a difficult situation, Emperor Xiao Ruijian ultimately decided to send Xiao Dingquan to Zongzheng Temple for introspection, awaiting his final punishment. He sternly reminded everyone that the hall was a place of national law, and he would not show partiality to anyone, even the Crown Prince, if they broke the law. Deeply disappointed by his father's words, Xiao Dingquan declared he would go to the temple on his own.

Unable to bear Xiao Dingquan's injustice, Lu Shiyu passionately pleaded for a joint investigation by the Ministry of Penalty, Dali Temple, and the Censorate to thoroughly examine the case. He reaffirmed his belief in the Crown Prince’s benevolent character and offered to die for it, if necessary, to clear Xiao Dingquan's name, regardless of the investigation's outcome. Li Baizhou, however, mocked Lu Shiyu's pledge, highlighting the severity of framing a Crown Prince and the collective punishment it entailed.

He urged Xiao Dingquan to accept his fate and move to the temple, promising to prove his innocence if a joint investigation was approved. Xiao Dingquan, his patience exhausted, accused Li Baizhou of being disrespectful by interrupting him while he was reporting to the Emperor in the solemn setting of the hall. He then firmly declared that he had already yielded and conceded much, and there was no need for the three departments to intervene.

With confidence, he announced that he possessed both human and material evidence, and commanded them to be brought forward. At Xiao Dingquan's words, a commotion erupted in the hall as Wu, carrying a scroll, appeared alongside the palace servant who had seemingly strangled her. It was revealed that this servant had been deliberately arranged by Xiao Dingquan and Gu Fengen, and Wu had not died.

Wu, now identifying herself as a maid of the Shangfu department, firmly declared her true allegiance, confirming she was there at the Crown Prince’s bidding. Seeing Wu alive, Xiao Dingtang's face drastically changed. Xiao Dingquan proceeded to unequivocally recount the true events. He explained that Prince Qi had ordered Wu to fabricate the official denunciation to defame him at the ceremony. Maid Zhang had accidentally discovered this plot and, out of loyalty to the late empress, secretly informed Xiao Dingquan.

Xiao Dingquan revealed that it was not he who pushed Maid Zhang, but that she was pushed from the gate, and the scroll was thrown to the Emperor and the world to scapegoat him. Li Baizhou immediately dismissed Xiao Dingquan's account as "Nonsense," questioning how he could overturn the facts with merely a maid from nowhere. Xiao Dingquan, however, challenged Li Baizhou's confidence, pointing out that Wu was now present and ready to reveal all the inside information she knew.

He asked the Chancellor if he dared to take that risk. Xiao Dingtang, still attempting to deny his involvement, stammered that the scroll could not have been written by him. Xiao Dingquan, with unshakeable conviction, offered to present the evidence right then and there. He challenged Xiao Dingtang to a test of public trust, urging the commander to open the scroll publicly for all to see the truth.

Panicked, Xiao Dingtang blurted out that the scroll he had given was not meant to be incriminating, effectively incriminating himself by admitting his involvement with a scroll. Exasperated, Emperor Xiao Ruijian ordered Xiao Dingtang to explain himself to the world. Assistant minister Du immediately interjected, stating that while framing the Crown Prince was a serious offense punishable by collective punishment, Prince Qi, as a royal member, held privilege and his case must be decided solely by the Emperor. He subtly shifted focus, implying that the Chancellor, Li Baizhou, might not share such privilege if found culpable in the broader scheme.

Episode 4 Recap

Emperor Xiao Ruijian grants Crown Prince Xiao Dingquan full authority to handle the recent scandal. Xiao Dingquan addresses the assembled officials, questioning their dedication and reminding them that the scandal, if fully revealed, would forever tarnish the imperial family's reputation. He states that all present, including himself, are accountable. He then names Prince Qi, Xiao Dingtang, as the primary culprit who should be confined to Zongzheng Temple for reflection and await punishment.

As royal guards move to escort Xiao Dingtang, who desperately pleads with his father, Xiao Dingquan intervenes. He points out that the maid Wu's testimony has not been fully verified and suggests an alternative possibility: Lady Zhang, who had taken all the blame, might have harbored malicious intentions, seeking revenge and sowing discord between the imperial brothers, which ultimately led to the incident.

The Chancellor, Li Baizhou, quickly agrees with the Crown Prince, condemning Lady Zhang's actions and suggesting she deserves severe punishment. While acknowledging some culpability, Xiao Dingquan commits to self-reflection and urges Prince Qi to cultivate himself and be cautious. He pointedly asks Prince Qi if he understands the conduct befitting a subject, to which Prince Qi expresses gratitude for the instruction. Emperor Xiao Ruijian commends the Crown Prince's handling of the situation.

Grand Tutor Lu Shiyu then proposes that Prince Qi, having already completed his capping ceremony, should proceed to his fief, as his prolonged presence in the capital enabled opportunists to cause trouble. The Emperor agrees, instructing the Ministry of Rites to arrange Prince Qi's departure after the Spring Exam results are announced. Xiao Dingquan also requests clemency for the rest of the Shangfu Department staff, as they were unaware of the true conspiracy, and the Emperor grants it.

Later, Emperor Xiao Ruijian confronts Xiao Dingtang with a blank scroll, causing Xiao Dingtang to realize he was tricked into exposing his own deception. The Emperor scolds Xiao Dingtang, informing him that Wu, the maid who fell, is severely injured and unable to speak, and that he has entrusted her fate to the Crown Prince. He sternly warns Xiao Dingtang to behave before leaving the capital, reminding him that the Crown Prince had just spared his life.

Meanwhile, Crown Prince Xiao Dingquan visits Wu and reveals a cruel truth: Lady Zhang, the woman Wu pushed, is her biological mother, a fact Wu had never known. Xiao Dingquan points out that even unknowingly, Lady Zhang had been Wu's teacher and guardian since childhood. He questions Wu's motivations for such an act.

He informs Wu that her mother, Lady Zhang, having taken all the blame to protect her, is now condemned to be torn apart limb from limb by five wagons on the street. Xiao Dingquan declares that Wu, for the crime of matricide, deserves the same fate and will not be pardoned or forgiven.

However, he chooses not to kill her, instead condemning her to live with the excruciating knowledge of her actions, transforming her heart into a living hell, which he deems the ultimate punishment. He then instructs a servant to ensure Wu is cared for, wishing her a long, healthy life free from illness. Gu Fengen, intrigued, asks Xiao Dingquan when he discovered the truth about Wu and Lady Zhang. Xiao Dingquan explains that often, silence speaks louder than words.

He realized the truth during the imperial interrogation when Lady Zhang chose to face dismemberment rather than name the real culprit, concluding that only a mother would make such a sacrifice. He reveals he had known about Wu's relationship with Lady Zhang, who was a close friend of his late mother, for a long time.

Gu Fengen questions why Xiao Dingquan would risk offending the Emperor for them, to which Xiao Dingquan replies that a reprimand for him is minor, but for them, it is a matter of life or death. He then sets off to "plead guilty." Later, Xiao Dingquan overhears Xiao Dingtang pleading with Emperor Xiao Ruijian, expressing his reluctance to leave the capital. The Emperor reminds Xiao Dingtang that as a prince, he must adhere to the national system.

Feeling out of place, Xiao Dingquan leaves and encounters Grand Tutor Lu Shiyu. Lu Shiyu gently scolds Xiao Dingquan for not informing the Emperor of his plans in advance, emphasizing the importance of trust between a father and son, and a monarch and his subject. Xiao Dingquan, however, laments that if he could have spoken to his teacher, he would have done so first, hinting at his deeper trust in Lu Shiyu than in his own father.

He attempts to prolong their conversation, but Lu Shiyu, mindful of his status as an external official, politely declines further unofficial visits. Emperor Xiao Ruijian's guards locate a partially burned scroll hidden in the rafters of the Shangfu Department.

Upon opening it, the Emperor reads the new inscription, which declares innocence of calumny, commitment to integrity between monarch and subject and fulfilling affection between father and son, and wishes for peace for the country and its people, concluding with a reference to the Crown Prince's capping ceremony. Pondering the rewritten scroll, Emperor Xiao Ruijian remarks that he sometimes cannot discern whether his Crown Prince is shrewd or naive.

Despite the recent tumultuous events, Xiao Dingquan successfully completes his capping ceremony. The triennial Spring Exam commences, with Grand Tutor Lu Shiyu serving as the chief examiner, assisted by Chancellor Li Baizhou and Commander Li Chongkui. As they inspect the examination rooms, Lu Shiyu discovers a broken linoleum panel on the ceiling.

Noting the impending rain and snow, he immediately orders it to be repaired and for other areas to be thoroughly checked for similar damage, demonstrating his concern for the examinees. Li Baizhou praises Lu Shiyu's dedication to the candidates, seeing them all as his students, and remarks on the nine-day ordeal of composing by day and resting by night in these small rooms. Among the candidates is Gu Fengen, who registers under his own name.

Li Chongkui greets him, playfully asking why he, an earl, would personally take the exam, to which Gu Fengen retorts that if he didn't, Li Chongkui would take his place. Lu Shiyu formally addresses the critical nature of the talent election, humbly requesting the support of Li Baizhou and Li Chongkui. Li Baizhou, in turn, defers to Lu Shiyu's extensive experience as chief examiner.

Later, Crown Prince Xiao Dingquan is jesting with Prince Zhao, Xiao Dingkai, whom he regards as a child. Xiao Dingkai enthusiastically pulls Xiao Dingquan along to see the Emperor, only to find Zhao Consort and Prince Qi, Xiao Dingtang, dining with Emperor Xiao Ruijian. The atmosphere grows tense. Zhao Consort seizes the opportunity to advocate for Prince Qi's continued stay in the capital.

She cites the need for repairs at Prince Qi's residence and suggests he remain to partake in the Crown Prince's upcoming wedding festivities, hoping to bring good fortune, especially since Prince Qi's wife has not yet conceived a child after three years of marriage. She then feigns ignorance and, with an air of well-meaning, proposes Zhang Luzheng's eldest daughter as a suitable bride for the Crown Prince, citing her virtues and readiness for marriage.

Xiao Dingquan politely acknowledges Zhao Consort's "worldly wisdom and humanity" but firmly asserts that national and family laws supersede personal desires. He emphasizes the ancestral system requiring princes to depart for their fiefs after marriage, highlighting the duties of the imperial family to serve the people in return for their support. As for the Crown Princess, he reiterates that the choice rests solely with the Emperor.

He concludes by proposing that Prince Qi temporarily reside at the courier station in Qi land until his residence is fully repaired, requesting his brother's understanding. Zhao Consort and Prince Qi are visibly chagrined. That night, Xiao Dingquan visits Lu Shiyu, bringing a new calligraphy piece for his teacher to name. He mentions Lu Shiyu's upcoming birthday, which falls during the Spring Exam, and promises a proper celebration afterward.

Lu Shiyu, however, subtly shifts the conversation, expressing a longing for his hometown dishes: Zizania latifolia, water shield thick soup, and weever, reminiscing about Zhang Jiying who resigned from office after missing these tastes. Xiao Dingquan immediately understands the hidden meaning and discovers a letter of resignation on Lu Shiyu's desk. Lu Shiyu confirms his intention to retire to his hometown after the Spring Exam, feeling his duty complete with the Crown Prince's capping and Prince Qi's impending departure.

He reassures Xiao Dingquan that he has arranged for Lu Ying, the Imperial Minister, to return to the capital to assist him. Xiao Dingquan is heartbroken. He burns the resignation letter and tearfully pleads with Lu Shiyu to stay, asserting he won't let his teacher leave. He explains his decision not to report Prince Qi's previous conspiracy earlier, admitting he wanted to gauge his father's true intentions.

He shares his realization that the Emperor's apparent favoritism towards Prince Qi is actually a political strategy to restrain the Crown Prince, especially given Wu Dehou's return to Changzhou with significant military power. Xiao Dingquan foresees a difficult path ahead and desperately asks Lu Shiyu not to abandon him. He also senses Lu Shiyu's underlying worries, despite the Emperor's attempt to use Li Baizhou to balance Lu Shiyu's influence, noting Lu Shiyu's personal presence at the exam hall.

Lu Shiyu confirms he has ordered strict searches to prevent fraud. Xiao Dingquan suggests Gu Fengen feign illness to withdraw from the exam, but Lu Shiyu rejects the idea, emphasizing Gu Fengen's youth and future opportunities. Lu Shiyu, looking out at the cold, impending weather, describes the arduous lives of scholars who, after years of study, must endure days in small, drafty examination rooms. He concludes by telling Xiao Dingquan that he, after all, is not a scholar, and thus may not fully comprehend the immense hardships faced by the exam candidates.

Episode 5 Recap

Under a beautiful spring snow, Lu Wenxi, daughter of Lu Ying, arrived in the capital ahead of her father as instructed, to deliver a birthday gift to Lu Shiyu. Her elder brother, Lu Wenpu, who resided in the capital, was preparing for the imperial examination. Lu Wenxi cheerfully helped him dress, hoping he would excel. She reminded him to take his number plate, which was essential for entry, and learned that examination papers would be distributed inside.

She also mentioned their father's impending arrival, anticipating double happiness if Lu Wenpu passed the exam. Lu Wenpu, teasing his sister, noted how noisy she had become and playfully questioned if she was an impostor. Before Lu Wenpu left, Lu Wenxi again urged him to ride slowly, concerned about the slippery ground.

Meanwhile, Gu Fengen was also ready for the examination, despite having the option to rely on his family's influence for advancement, he was determined to earn his own merit. Xiao Dingquan found Gu Fengen swotting, reminding him that he wasn't ordered to live there and questioning his preparation. An attendant then revealed that Xiao Dingquan himself had stayed up all night to complete his calligraphy homework for the Emperor, which angered Xiao Dingquan, who scolded the attendant for being unruly.

Gu Fengen then interjected, jokingly telling Xiao Dingquan not to scare the attendant, recalling how Xiao Dingquan used to call the attendant "sister" when they were younger. Gu Fengen also asked about last year's wine, hoping to share it upon his return. Xiao Dingquan initially considered advising Gu Fengen to postpone the exam, even proposing to tell him to feign illness.

However, an attendant intervened, stating that Gu Fengen was young and had another chance in three years, and that Xiao Dingquan, "after all, is not a scholar," implying he wouldn't understand the difficulty. Remembering Lu Shiyu's words, Xiao Dingquan swallowed his reluctance and simply wished Gu Fengen "Good luck." After bidding farewell to his teacher, Lu Shiyu, Xiao Dingquan departed.

As Lu Shiyu saw him out, an old man named Zhao, unbeknownst to Lu Shiyu, covertly entered the room, stole Lu Shiyu's keys, and took the imperial examination questions. As Zhao nervously prepared to leave, he unexpectedly encountered Li Baizhou. Li Baizhou's subordinate didn't see Zhao clearly when asked by Li Baizhou. The imperial examination commenced with strict checks against cheating. Examiners issued candles and paper to examinees as they entered their individual rooms.

Later, an examinee, Dizi No. 27, was caught cheating with a crib sheet. A guard reported this to Li Baizhou. Shocked, Li Baizhou ordered all examinees to be summoned and undergo a thorough search, requiring them to remove their outer garments and shoes. A protesting examinee was forced to comply. Lu Shiyu intervened when Li Baizhou suggested an exemption for Gu Fengen, who was hesitant to remove his expensive clothing.

Lu Shiyu firmly ordered that Gu Fengen, like all others, must comply and remove his garments. Xiao Dingquan, upon hearing of the situation from his attendant, was told that Gu Fengen would suffer if he invited trouble, as the exam would last nine days and had just begun. The attendant suggested Xiao Dingquan need not be overly concerned for Gu Fengen.

After the initial search for crib sheets, Lu Shiyu intervened when Li Baizhou was about to dismiss the other examinees, pointing out another grave finding: a leaked test paper. Li Baizhou was furious, recognizing that he and Lu Shiyu were the only ones who knew the questions beforehand. He declared that not only the examinees, but also they themselves, might not "go back" unharmed. Lu Shiyu then discovered yet another copy of the leaked exam.

Inquiries revealed the three implicated examinees were Lu Wenpu (Tianzi No. 60), Xu Changping (Xuanzi No. 2), and Gu Fengen (Tianzi No. 48). News of this major "exam paper leak" reached Attendant Wang, who learned that even the commander didn't know the questions. This crisis led to an imperial decree locking down the examination hall and confining both Li Baizhou and Lu Shiyu inside.

Later, it was revealed that an examinee who had bribed a guard with silver to bring in a crib sheet, confessed that the same guard had been instructed by the Chancellor, Li Baizhou, to deliberately report the cheating, initiating the full search. The critical matter of the leaked examination paper quickly reached Emperor Xiao Ruijian, who worried about the scandal and the implications, especially since only Li Baizhou and Lu Shiyu knew the questions.

He learned that the suspected examinees had been sent to the Ministry of Penalty. Chen Jin reported that despite the paper being sealed and checked by the commander, the incriminating crib sheets were found in the examinees' rooms "after" they had left, and all suspects denied the charges. Xiao Ruijian was particularly troubled to hear that Xiao Dingquan had visited Lu Shiyu at the examination hall the night before the exam.

He expressed his frustration that Xiao Dingquan "doesn't know to avoid arousing suspicion." With Gu Fengen being Xiao Dingquan's cousin, and Lu Wenpu being the son of Lu Ying (Lu Shiyu's recommended student), Xiao Ruijian recognized that both Xiao Dingquan and Lu Shiyu were deeply entangled in the scandal. He decided to personally supervise the case and instructed Chen Jin to warn Xiao Dingquan to remain in the palace and not interfere, or face severe punishment.

Meanwhile, Lu Wenxi, having learned of her brother's predicament, hurried to the Ministry of Penalty, wearing a veil. She requested to see Assistant Minister Du Heng, but the guards, performing their duties, refused her entry, stating that Assistant Minister Du was not easily accessible. As Lu Wenxi despaired, Xiao Dingquan arrived swiftly at the Ministry of Penalty.

Noting his distinguished demeanor and military horses, Lu Wenxi discerned his extraordinary identity and implored him to relay a message to Assistant Minister Du Heng. Upon learning that she was Lu Wenpu's sister and considering Lu Wenpu's status as a suspect, Xiao Dingquan firmly rejected her plea. Undeterred, Lu Wenxi grasped a guard's blade with her bare hand, asserting her unwavering belief in her brother's innocence and that he would never cheat.

She challenged Xiao Dingquan, asking if he had no one he would protect without reason or power. Xiao Dingquan initially responded that he truly did not. Lu Wenxi countered that he had both reason and strength, surely he could help. Xiao Dingquan then questioned why she wore a veil indoors, to which she replied that he was, after all, a male stranger.

In the dark and damp Ministry of Penalty prison, Lu Wenpu, Xu Changping, and Gu Fengen shivered from the cold. Xiao Dingquan entered, sitting solemnly as he interrogated them about how they obtained the exam questions and smuggled them into the hall. Gu Fengen, seeing Xiao Dingquan's serious demeanor, ceased his jovial manner and claimed ignorance about the crib sheet's origin. Lu Wenpu also vehemently denied cheating.

Xiao Dingquan questioned Lu Wenpu, whose father was the head of censors and came from a literary family, stating he did not wish to resort to torture. Lu Wenpu insisted on his innocence. Xiao Dingquan then ordered the guards to bring out the three men for torture, a move that distressed Lu Wenxi, who had suddenly appeared in the cell. Lu Wenpu recognized his sister and was infuriated by her presence.

Lu Wenxi urged her brother to pin the blame on Lu Shiyu, claiming that Minister Lu, as their father's teacher, wanted Lu Wenpu to pass and had therefore given him the questions beforehand. She argued that even if it wasn't true, everyone would believe it, and he couldn't clear his name. She further stated that "His Grace" had promised a commuted sentence if Lu Shiyu was implicated.

Lu Wenpu angrily retorted that his family would never engage in such "filthy things" or "live in disgrace," maintaining that "a clean hand wants no washing." He demanded Lu Wenxi go home and never mention Minister Lu's name again, or he would disown her. Lu Wenxi tried to explain that it was Xiao Dingquan who had coerced her into saying those words to gain entry.

Gu Fengen, observing the scene, accused Xiao Dingquan of being ignominious for manipulating a sister to extract a confession. Xiao Dingquan, in turn, scoffed at Gu Fengen's defiance despite his arrest. He then questioned Xu Changping, who formally stated his identity and charge. Xiao Dingquan informed Lu Wenpu that his "interrogation" had only just begun, implying real torture was coming, and expressed hope that Lu Wenpu's bones would be as hard as his words.

After his test of Lu Wenpu's character, Xiao Dingquan ordered the three examinees to be taken out for official interrogation by Du Heng. Lu Wenxi, anxious for her brother, insisted on following them. In her distress, she blurted out "Your Royal Highness." Xiao Dingquan, surprised, asked how she knew his identity. Lu Wenxi explained that the horses ridden by his guards were military horses—fast, trained, and bearing a distinctive mark.

She concluded that only the Crown Prince could mobilize such imperial guards at his young age. Xiao Dingquan, impressed by her perceptiveness, confirmed that they were indeed his imperial guards and noted her knowledge, which Lu Wenxi attributed to her father having been the censor of the tea-horse trade. Du Heng then arrived to report that the other examinees had confessed. It became clear that Lu Wenpu, Gu Fengen, and Xu Changping had not been tortured.

Instead, other individuals involved in the fraud had been severely beaten and confessed that they were hired to smuggle crib sheets into the examination hall and deliberately draw attention to themselves. In the examination hall, Li Baizhou, seeing Lu Shiyu, mocked the situation, remarking on the irony of their roles as supervisors leading to such an embarrassing predicament. He implied that the upcoming imperial interrogation would quickly extract confessions from the scholars.

After Li Baizhou departed, Lu Shiyu, who had already given Zhao permission to leave, suddenly called out, stopping him. He then confronted Zhao, reminding him that only he and the Chancellor knew the test paper's content, yet Zhao held the key to his room, hinting at suspicion.

Episode 6 Recap

Crown Prince Xiao Dingquan interrogated the initial group of cheaters, who confessed that Chancellor Li Baizhou had deliberately allowed them to bring crib sheets into the exam and then orchestrated a search of the exam hall. While Xiao Dingquan understood Li Baizhou's scheme, he acknowledged that this evidence only pointed to the use of crib sheets and the search, not a direct leak of the exam questions.

Du Heng, an official from the Ministry of Penalty, expressed his frustration, noting that it was difficult to prove someone was guilty, but almost impossible to prove innocence. He explained that only the Chancellor and Minister Lu Shiyu knew the exam paper, and if the true instigator of the leak remained unknown, both examiners, Li Baizhou and Minister Lu, along with all implicated individuals, would face severe punishment.

Xiao Dingquan knew Li Baizhou's character well, believing the Chancellor had already planned his escape by shifting all blame onto Minister Lu. Meanwhile, Minister Lu Shiyu questioned Zhao, an official who had served in the Ministry of Rites for over twenty years. Minister Lu remembered that Zhao's wife's surname was Xu, immediately connecting Zhao to the cheating examinee, Xu Changping.

Confronted, Zhao nervously admitted that Xu Changping was his wife's nephew, and driven by a desire for his success, he had stolen the exam questions. However, Zhao claimed he had no knowledge of how Gu Fengen and Lu Wenpu became involved. Minister Lu found this suspicious, recalling that the exam papers were perfectly sealed before the examination, showing no signs of tampering.

Zhao then confessed to copying the test onto white linen paper, re-sealing it, and burning the original to eliminate traces. Minister Lu was stunned by the extent of the deception, realizing the paper had been entirely replaced. Considering Zhao's age and long service, Minister Lu, unable to bring himself to immediately detain him, allowed Zhao to leave. Upon leaving, Zhao immediately went to see Li Baizhou. It was revealed that Li Baizhou had caught Zhao stealing the exam questions.

Li Baizhou then coerced and enticed Zhao, threatening him with the capital crime of stealing the papers, to forge copies of the questions using white linen paper and seals provided by Li Baizhou, instructing him to hide the authentic exam papers at home. This gave Li Baizhou a powerful hold over Zhao, whom he then forced to falsely accuse Minister Lu Shiyu before the Emperor, warning Zhao that otherwise, he, his wife, and Xu Changping would not survive.

Simultaneously, Xiao Dingquan learned from Xu Changping that Zhao had stolen the exam questions and still held the originals at home. Realizing the urgency, Xiao Dingquan knew he had to retrieve the authentic papers before the imperial court could search Zhao's house, as Zhao would undoubtedly blame Minister Lu Shiyu, making it impossible for Minister Lu to clear his name.

Lu Wenxi, present at the time, offered to go, stating Zhao's home was not far from hers and she could ride a horse. But Xiao Dingquan dismissed her, ordering imperial guards to go instead. As Xiao Dingquan prepared to dispatch his guards, Prince Qi Xiao Dingtang, who had been tipped off by Li Baizhou, appeared to obstruct him. Xiao Dingtang proudly declared he was there on the Emperor’s orders to protect the Crown Prince, effectively blocking his movement.

Shortly after, the Emperor himself arrived, angrily reprimanding Xiao Dingquan for his clandestine actions and explicitly warning him against meddling in the case, lest Minister Lu suffer the consequences. The Emperor then sent his own guards to search Zhao's home. In the ensuing imperial interrogation, Zhao's familial connection to Xu Changping was brought to light.

Zhao, under duress from Li Baizhou, lied to the Emperor, claiming that Minister Lu Shiyu had discovered him stealing the papers and then instructed him to take them home, intending to pin all blame on Zhao should the plot be exposed. Zhao further alleged that Minister Lu had ordered him to find someone to ghostwrite three exam papers, the drafts of which were supposedly hidden in Zhao's home.

Minister Lu found himself in an indefensible position, admitting to oversight but denying leaking papers to Gu and Lu. The Emperor then summoned Gu Fengen, Lu Wenpu, and Xu Changping. Gu Fengen, in a heated moment, protested the unfairness, asking if the Emperor had already determined Minister Lu's guilt. The Emperor dismissed his words and ordered Gu Fengen to be severely whipped.

Xiao Dingquan, watching from behind, was enraged by the injustice inflicted upon his teacher and cousin but was restrained by his father. Xiao Dingtang, witnessing Xiao Dingquan's distress, barely concealed a cold smirk. Just then, the drafts allegedly from Zhao's home were presented to the Emperor. Upon examining them, the Emperor’s expression shifted, and he ordered an immediate halt to Gu Fengen's whipping. Confused murmurs spread through the court.

Xiao Dingquan, composed, then posed a hypothetical scenario: what if the Emperor were holding a private correspondence between Xu Changping and Xiao Dingtang, and the original exam questions were found at Prince Qi's residence? Xiao Dingtang looked utterly bewildered, unable to fathom how the questions could be in his palace. He was unaware that Xiao Dingquan, foreseeing such a move, had already orchestrated a counter-scheme.

Earlier, Xiao Dingquan had entrusted Lu Wenxi with the authentic exam papers, instructing her to deliver them to Princess Qi. Lu Wenxi, posing as a maid from Denghua Palace, claimed that Prince Qi's guards had retrieved the papers from Dong Palace's men, and Prince Qi wanted the Princess to keep them safe. Princess Qi, being naive and believing they were from her husband, dutifully accepted and stored them away. Indeed, the Emperor was holding a letter.

It instructed Xu Changping to transform the exam questions into an essay and discreetly place crib sheets in the examination rooms of Gu Fengen and Lu Wenpu. Xu Changping, trembling, confirmed that Xiao Dingtang had written the letter. It dawned on Xiao Dingtang that Xiao Dingquan had anticipated his and Li Baizhou’s plot, having arranged with Zhao and Xu Changping to lay a trap within their own scheme, to protect his people.

Xiao Dingquan, with an unperturbed gaze, confronted Xiao Dingtang. He pointed out the suspicious "coincidence" of Zhao, who had served Minister Lu for over twenty years, being "caught" by Li Baizhou while stealing the exam papers, questioning how Li Baizhou and Xiao Dingtang could have overlooked such an obvious setup. Xiao Dingquan then openly admitted to forging the letter found by the Emperor, claiming he had spent an entire night copying Xiao Dingtang's handwriting, honed from his teacher's calligraphy skills.

He also stated that the forged drafts were consistent with the crib sheets found earlier, presenting solid evidence. Zhao then dramatically reversed his previous testimony, confessing that Chancellor Li Baizhou had coerced him into framing Minister Lu Shiyu. The Emperor’s face grew darker.

To protect Xiao Dingtang, Li Baizhou stepped forward, attempting to shoulder all the blame himself, claiming he had provided the white linen paper and seals for the forgery, and had given the original paper to Princess Qi, all without Prince Qi's knowledge. However, with the overwhelming evidence, including the testimony that Princess Qi believed the papers came from her husband, Xiao Dingtang's complicity could not be denied.

Enraged, the Emperor ordered the Ministry of Penalty to arrest Li Baizhou, and Xiao Dingtang was also destined for severe consequences. Xiao Dingtang was left speechless, having suffered a bitter defeat. Xiao Dingquan turned and walked away, reminding Xiao Dingtang of his past warning not to harm his people and stating that if he hadn't harbored ill intentions, none of this would have happened.

Xiao Dingquan and Lu Wenxi then visited Gu Fengen, Lu Wenpu, and Xu Changping in the prison. Lu Wenxi confirmed Princess Qi's high chignon and her own use of the name Wenjin, her brother's name, when delivering the papers. Zhang Shaoyun, the son of Minister of Penalty Zhang Luzheng, also barged in. Unaware of Xiao Dingquan's identity, he loudly taunted the imprisoned examinees, particularly Gu Fengen, mocking his royal connection and Lu Wenpu's father's position.

He disrespectfully attempted to lift Lu Wenxi's veil, wanting to see her face and commenting on her sister's beauty. Xiao Dingquan quickly stepped in front of Lu Wenxi, declaring her "his person." Just then, Du Heng arrived with an imperial decree for Gu Fengen to return home to recover from his injuries and remain there until the case was settled. Du Heng then swiftly took the boisterous Zhang Shaoyun away, ordering Minister Zhang to discipline his son.

Gu Fengen, though grateful for Xiao Dingquan's intervention, politely asked him to remove his hand from his sister. After leaving the prison, Xiao Dingquan saw Lu Wenxi off. She, still wearing her veil, blushingly rode away like a shy deer, unwilling for him to see her face. Xiao Dingquan watched her retreating figure, pondering if she left due to his presence as a stranger or if her makeup was ruined from the day's events. He mused that Lu Ying had such a daring daughter, who would likely cause trouble in the future, all the while filled with a burgeoning fondness for her.

Episode 7 Recap

All examinees were released from the examination hall. However, Minister Lu Shiyu discovered an empty examination room that had no number, which immediately raised his suspicion. Simultaneously, the Emperor carefully examined two documents: one was Lu Shiyu's authentic handwriting, and the other a forgery. He noticed the remarkable similarity between them, realizing that the skill to produce such a flawless imitation was akin to that of Lu Shiyu himself.

The Emperor was also informed about the strange empty room found between Tianzi No. 40 and Tianzi No. 41 at the examination site. This anomaly meant that all subsequent rooms, from Tianzi No. 41 to Xuanzi No. 10, had been shifted back by one position from their original arrangement. Xiao Dingquan eagerly went to see Lu Shiyu, only to be struck by his teacher with a ruler.

Lu Shiyu finally understood that Xiao Dingquan’s visit on the eve of the imperial examination was a calculated move to divert him, allowing Zhao Sou to steal the exam papers, thus drawing Xiao Dingtang and Li Baizhou into a trap. What truly grieved Lu Shiyu was that Xiao Dingquan had used the calligraphy skills he had painstakingly taught him for forgery.

Furthermore, all of Lu Shiyu’s efforts to instill moral principles in his student seemed in vain, as Xiao Dingquan had used fame and fortune to entice examinee Xu Changping and Zhao Sou into his elaborate scheme. Lu Shiyu expressed his disappointment, saying that a crown prince should not resort to such deceitful tactics, which would only invite insidious ministers and lead to being exploited by them.

He reminded Xiao Dingquan that the monarch’s virtue is the cornerstone of a nation, and if the crown prince's conduct is not upright, the country would be unstable and its people would suffer. He lamented that using conspiracy would render all literature and art spiritless and invertebrate, and the same applies to people. Xiao Dingquan argued that being pure and innocent was too difficult, claiming he was just trying to protect his teacher and his cousin Gu Fengen.

Lu Shiyu countered that a gentleman must guard against both the harm inflicted by villains and the harm inflicted upon oneself when fighting them. He concluded that his theory of righteousness was far more challenging than mere tactics. Lu Shiyu advised Xiao Dingquan to learn from the Emperor in this regard, revealing that he could discern Xiao Dingquan’s forgery and that the Emperor, with his insight, surely could too. Lu Shiyu's resolve to leave was strengthened by this incident.

He solemnly advised Xiao Dingquan to take care of himself after his departure. Distraught, Xiao Dingquan cried and repeatedly apologized, begging his teacher to stay, even offering to endure more beatings. Lu Shiyu, on the verge of tears himself, dropped the ruler. During this emotional moment, a servant brought a meal featuring Lu Shiyu’s hometown dishes, noting it was Lu Shiyu's birthday.

Xiao Dingquan used the occasion to express how he had lost his mother, his sister, and Wu Dehou, and could not bear to lose his teacher as well. He pleaded with Lu Shiyu to stay long enough to witness his marriage and the birth of his heir. That evening, Xiao Dingquan went to pay his respects to the Emperor and was surprised to find Li Baizhou already there, realizing Li Baizhou had not been arrested by the Ministry of Penalty.

A sense of unease washed over him, but he entered the study nonetheless, where he saw Lu Shiyu’s authentic writing and his own forged copy laid out on the Emperor’s desk. Recalling Lu Shiyu’s words, he suspected his father had seen through his elaborate scheme, but there was no turning back. He feigned ignorance. The Emperor, with a cold smile, ordered the original examination seating chart to be brought forth, along with a revised chart showing the actual seating arrangements.

He explained that an empty room existed because the canopy in Tianzi No. 40 was leaking due to snow, rendering it unusable. Li Baizhou had then ordered the room numbers to be re-hung, shifting all subsequent room assignments. The Emperor recounted that Xiao Dingtang’s letter to Xu Changping had instructed him to place the pre-prepared crib sheets in Tianzi No. 48 and Tianzi No. 60.

However, due to the actual shift in seating, the papers would have ended up in Tianzi No. 49 and Tianzi No. 61, thus implicating Gu Fengen and Lu Wenpu. The Emperor further explained that three men had confessed to having the papers delivered to the original room numbers but were caught off guard by the last-minute change, causing the crib sheets to fall into Gu Fengen’s hands. This revelation cleared Gu Fengen and Lu Wenpu of any wrongdoing.

The Emperor then questioned Xiao Dingquan’s actions in the Ministry of Penalty, which had further complicated the situation. Xiao Dingquan’s hands trembled as he realized Li Baizhou had deliberately ordered the papers to be placed first and then manipulated the room numbers to frame others. The Emperor, infuriated, acknowledged Li Baizhou’s malicious intent but chastised Xiao Dingquan for his own role in setting the trap and, more critically, for forging Lu Shiyu’s handwriting.

He stated that this forgery was irrefutable evidence that, if revealed to the public, would brand Xiao Dingquan as a morally corrupt individual who framed a prince and a minister. Xiao Dingquan was speechless. The Emperor's anger escalated, warning that if Li Baizhou pressed the issue in court the next morning, the charge could lead to Xiao Dingquan being removed from his status.

He reminded Xiao Dingquan that Li Baizhou had served as an official for over thirty years, far longer than Xiao Dingquan had been alive, and that he was no match for such seasoned politicians. The Emperor lamented that only he understood the complexities of the situation, but his understanding was of no use. The Emperor then declared that someone had to take responsibility for the matter.

He revealed he would not punish Xiao Dingquan because someone had already taken the blame for him. To Xiao Dingquan’s shock, the Emperor explained that Lu Shiyu had claimed full responsibility for the exam leak, stating he was the instigator. Lu Shiyu had also realized that the forged document was written by Xiao Dingquan, and had then meticulously created his own perfect forgery to replace Xiao Dingquan’s.

The Emperor concluded by revealing that he had ordered the Ministry of Penalty to arrest Lu Shiyu. Xiao Dingquan cried and knelt before his father, pleading for Lu Shiyu’s life. He confessed that he alone had orchestrated everything and that Lu Shiyu was completely innocent. To save his beloved teacher, Xiao Dingquan offered a desperate bargain: he would ensure Xiao Dingtang remained in the capital, believing this would appease Li Baizhou and prevent him from pursuing the matter further.

The Emperor looked at Xiao Dingquan with profound disappointment, feeling his heir was utterly undeserving, willing to abandon his status and dignity for an external minister. The Emperor reflected silently that Xiao Dingquan’s greatest weakness was his attachment to what little he had left, making him too persistent and prone to greater suffering when those things were eventually lost, much like holding a torch against the wind inevitably leads to getting burnt.

Tears streamed down Xiao Dingquan’s face as he explained that he had few close relatives left. Lu Shiyu was the only teacher his grandfather had left him, a mentor who had been by his side for fifteen years. Xiao Dingquan swore that he would sacrifice everything to protect his teacher.

Given the gravity of the situation, the Emperor tacitly accepted Xiao Dingquan’s "deal," allowing Lu Shiyu to resign from his official post and return to his hometown, no longer involved in court affairs. As guards arrived to escort Lu Shiyu away, he calmly told his wife, "They come to pick me up. Don't panic." Later, Xiao Dingquan, though heartbroken, visited his teacher, bringing him local delicacies. He found Lu Shiyu admiring a painting of Sichuan’s mountain and lake landscape.

Xiao Dingquan praised the painting’s "novel and delicate" colors and "graceful" aura but noted its "weak vigor of strokes," which Lu Shiyu confirmed was painted by the daughter of Imperial Censor Lu Ying for his birthday, as she wanted him to see the beautiful scenery of his hometown. Xiao Dingquan acknowledged Lu Shiyu's insight, stating he envied his teacher for being able to see such beauty firsthand.

Aware that this was likely their final meeting, Xiao Dingquan offered his blessings for Lu Shiyu’s "good and safe trip," wishing him youthful companionship and an early return to his hometown. Lu Shiyu, understanding the implications, asked if the Emperor had given Xiao Dingquan a dilemma and what would happen to Prince Qi and the Chancellor. Xiao Dingquan, overcome with emotion, could only struggle to respond.

Episode 8 Recap

Xiao Dingquan, choked with emotion, finally agreed to his teacher Lu Shiyu's return to his hometown, understanding that Lu Shiyu knew everything about the recent exam scandal. After their poignant conversation, Xiao Dingquan found himself alone, crouching on a street corner, overcome with tears. His cousin Gu Fengen approached, feeling deeply guilty for his role in the imperial examination and believing his participation had caused all the recent turmoil.

Xiao Dingquan, however, did not blame him, only pleading with Gu Fengen to stay by his side, for he could not bear the loss of another loved one. To bring an end to the complicated affair, Xiao Dingquan was forced to lay all blame for the misdeeds on Zhao, the old clerk. Meanwhile, Earl Anping Zhao Yong, Xiao Dingtang's maternal grandfather, arrived in the capital and met with Xiao Dingtang and Li Baizhou. Surprisingly, Xu Changping was also present.

It was revealed that Xu Changping had secretly been working for Li Baizhou, and the clever "mislabelling" scheme in the examination hall was his brainchild. Li Baizhou greatly admired Xu Changping's intelligence. Despite the praise, Xu Changping remained composed. He later made a clandestine visit to Zhao in prison to bid him farewell.

Kneeling, Zhao addressed Xu Changping as the descendant of his late master, stating that he had done all he could and urged Xu Changping to take care of himself on the challenging path ahead. The day for the announcement of examination results arrived. Gu Fengen, eager to see his name on the list, pestered Xiao Dingquan to accompany him. Xiao Dingquan, still burdened by the recent exam-related unpleasantness, was initially reluctant.

However, his demeanor changed dramatically when Gu Fengen mentioned that Lu Wenpu would be bringing his sister, Lu Wenxi, to view the list. Suddenly energized, Xiao Dingquan eagerly headed out. Gu Fengen, as expected, found his name among the successful candidates. But Xiao Dingquan's attention was elsewhere; he was solely preoccupied with finding Lu Wenxi. When he discovered she had not come to the announcement, he playfully chased Gu Fengen in mock anger.

In contrast to Gu Fengen's success, Zhang Shaoyun, the son of the Ministry of Justice Minister Zhang Luzheng, who mistakenly believed himself brilliant but was in fact incompetent, failed the exam. Gu Fengen privately quipped to Xiao Dingquan that Zhang Shaoyun passing would have been truly laughable. Feeling humiliated and the subject of ridicule, Zhang Shaoyun lashed out at the successful Lu Wenpu, ordering his men to push him into a pond.

Xiao Dingquan, witnessing this bullying, promptly pulled the drenched Lu Wenpu out. Undeterred, Zhang Shaoyun continued to boast loudly that his sister was destined to be the Crown Princess, a plan orchestrated by Wu Dehou himself. Enraged by this blatant disrespect and the spreading of rumors, Xiao Dingquan swiftly kicked Zhang Shaoyun into the water, making him just as soaked.

Unaware of the incident at the announcement, Lu Shiyu, who had not yet departed the capital, received news that Wu Dehou intended for one of Minister Zhang Luzheng's daughters to marry Xiao Dingquan. Lu Shiyu sighed, understanding Wu Dehou's underlying motive: to prevent Zhang Luzheng from aligning with Li Baizhou, as Zhang was the only one among the Six Ministers not yet under Li Baizhou's influence.

He realized that Xiao Dingquan desperately needed to secure Zhang Luzheng's loyalty, otherwise, all six key ministerial positions would fall under the sway of Li Baizhou. Lu Shiyu expressed his concern that such a marriage would be detrimental. Unsure of the truth regarding the proposed marriage and knowing Zhang Luzheng was also a student of Lu Shiyu, Xiao Dingquan went to his teacher's home to seek confirmation. To his surprise, he found Lu Wenxi there, helping to dry books.

He watched, captivated, as her delicate bare arms and back shimmered in the sunlight. When Lu Wenxi realized she was being observed, she quickly pulled down her sleeves, blushing with embarrassment. Understanding her modesty, Xiao Dingquan conversed with her from behind a screen. The screen displayed a landscape painting she had created, and they found much common ground, conversing with great enthusiasm. Though Xiao Dingquan never saw her face directly, he was deeply charmed by her.

Listening to her describe the beautiful scenery, he found himself yearning to explore those landscapes with her one day. After much deliberation, Lu Shiyu concluded that Zhang Luzheng's daughter was unsuitable to become Crown Princess. He believed that while Zhang Luzheng was capable, he lacked virtue, and as the future Emperor's father-in-law, he would only become an obstacle for Xiao Dingquan.

Lu Shiyu revealed that he already had a more fitting candidate in mind: Lu Wenxi, the daughter of Lu Ying. He had already submitted a memorial to the Emperor, recommending Lu Wenxi as Crown Princess. Looking out the window, Lu Shiyu observed Xiao Dingquan and Lu Wenxi conversing like soulmates, a beautiful scene that brought a subtle smile to his lips.

Later, Xiao Dingquan, still considering the marriage proposal, remarked that if Lu Shiyu did not approve of Zhang's daughter, then it must be Lu Wenxi whom his teacher had in mind.

Episode 9 Recap

Lu Wenpu arrived home covered in mud. His father, Lu Ying, who had just returned to the capital, was displeased with his son's disheveled state. Lu Wenpu claimed he had clumsily fallen into a pond while checking the exam results, fearing his father's concern. Soon after, his sister, Lu Wenxi, also came home, eagerly greeting her father. However, Lu Ying's response was distant, and he quickly dismissed both of his children. Li Baizhou was a guest in Lu Ying's home.

While outwardly praising Lu Ying's children, he deliberately brought up the incident where Zhang Shaoyun pushed Lu Wenpu into the pond. Li Baizhou used this to remind Lu Ying of his long-standing grievance with Zhang Luzheng, who had caused Lu Ying's five-year exile to a desolate frontier, hindering his career while Zhang Luzheng prospered.

Lu Ying tried to dismiss these old matters, but Li Baizhou pressed on, claiming that Xiao Dingquan and Lu Shiyu were the true instigators behind the exam leak, making Lu Wenpu an innocent victim. He questioned why such a major scandal had been quietly resolved, with only Lu Shiyu submitting his resignation, suggesting a cover-up by Xiao Dingquan and Lu Shiyu. He then informed Lu Ying that the Crown Prince was rumored to be marrying Zhang Luzheng's daughter.

He warned that if Zhang Luzheng became the Crown Prince's father-in-law, it would severely impede Lu Wenpu's future career, rendering any support from Li Baizhou futile. Li Baizhou then revealed the true purpose of his visit: Prince Qi, Xiao Dingtang, wished to take Lu Wenxi as a concubine and had sent Li Baizhou with a betrothal gift of expensive "sparrow tongue sprouts" tea, valued at over a million Qian.

Li Baizhou explained that his own daughter, Prince Qi's Princess, who had been devoted to Prince Qi for three years, desired a helper, implying Lu Wenxi would be that person. He appealed to Lu Ying's "parental love," stressing that the older generation had a responsibility to protect the younger generation from hardship. Lu Ying, caught off guard, requested a few days to consider the proposal.

Later, Lu Wenxi brought Xiao Dingquan's cloak home, prompting her brother, Lu Wenpu, to interrogate her about its owner after noticing an unfamiliar incense scent on it. Their younger brother, Lu Wenjin, identified the cloak's scent as being on Lu Wenxi. Lu Wenpu then recalled a handkerchief from a previous occasion, which Lu Wenxi also claimed as her own. The siblings playfully bickered, with Lu Wenxi teasing Lu Wenpu for being "silly" and getting pushed into the water.

Lu Ying observed this lively scene, his brow furrowed with worry as he pondered how to respond to Li Baizhou and Prince Qi's proposal. Li Baizhou reported to Prince Qi, Xiao Dingtang, about his visit. He explained that Lu Ying harbored deep-seated sorrow: when Lu Ying was banished, his wife, who had just given birth to their youngest son, followed him to the desolate frontier and tragically died of illness within two years.

This profound loss led Lu Ying to never remarry, dedicating all his affection to his children, which Li Baizhou identified as Lu Ying's primary weakness. Li Baizhou emphasized that Lu Ying was a formidable opponent, and the most effective strategy was to "make him family" – a permanent solution to prevent him from forming an alliance with Xiao Dingquan and to secure Lu Wenpu as an ally for Prince Qi.

He further suggested that Prince Qi's mother, Zhao Guifei, should subtly approach the Emperor about the concubine matter. Li Baizhou deliberately withheld this plan from Prince Qi's Princess, his own daughter, to avoid her jealousy. Lu Wenxi had planned to meet Xiao Dingquan at Xiangguo Temple. Though her brother Lu Wenpu initially expressed concern, Lu Ying permitted her to go, albeit with a maid and without riding a horse.

Lu Wenpu, having observed the handsome young man at the Ministry of Justice and the examination hall, and noting Jia Yibo's deference, suspected him to be the Crown Prince in disguise. He deduced that the cloak was for a man and the Xiangguo Temple was a royal temple, concluding that Lu Wenxi was going there to meet him.

Alarmed by this realization, Lu Wenpu confronted his father, asking if the rumors of Lu Shiyu recommending Lu Wenxi as Crown Princess were true and expressing concern that Lu Wenxi might have taken them seriously. Lu Ying was shocked to learn the depth of his daughter's connection with the Crown Prince. At Xiangguo Temple, Xiao Dingquan, who had arrived early for a Qingming offering, mentioned finding solace in temples, a sentiment echoed by the late Empress.

A monk noted Xiao Dingquan's prolonged waiting, to which Xiao Dingquan replied he was "waiting for someone." Instead of Lu Wenxi, Lu Ying appeared, introduced himself as the newly appointed Imperial Censor, and respectfully returned Xiao Dingquan's cloak, apologizing for his daughter's "ignorance" and "offense." He then stated he had a favor to ask. Meanwhile, Lu Wenxi, who had been on her way, was intercepted by her father.

Lu Wenpu, following their father's instructions, sternly told Lu Wenxi to go home and cease all contact with "that distinguished person," asserting that their father's decision was for her own good and that the person was not her "Mr. Right." Lu Wenxi, dejected, had no choice but to comply. After his conversation with Lu Ying, Xiao Dingquan was visibly angry and irritable, much to Gu Fengen's confusion.

Gu Fengen reminded him not to concede opportunities to Prince Qi and that he had a lecture to attend before accompanying the Emperor to the detached palace for Qingming. That evening, when Xiao Dingquan went to pay his respects to the Emperor, he found Prince Qi, Xiao Dingtang, serving tea to their father, with Zhao Guifei also present.

The Emperor, full of paternal affection, praised Xiao Dingtang's refined tea skills and the quality of the tea, which Xiao Dingquan recognized as "sparrow tongue" from An Pingbo. Feeling unwelcome, Xiao Dingquan was invited to sit. He then offered his own tea for his father and brother to "taste." Zhao Guifei, dismissively, refused to try "her own stuff." As the Emperor drank the tea prepared by Xiao Dingquan, he immediately spat it out.

Xiao Dingquan then knelt, explaining that this was official tea sourced from An Pingbo, intended for exchanging horses with border citizens. He added that Lu Ying, the former Censor of Tea and Horse Administration in Chuan Shu and current Imperial Censor, was waiting outside the hall to provide a full explanation to His Majesty.

Meanwhile, Zhao Guifei tried to interject, bringing up Prince Qi's desire for a concubine due to his three-year marriage remaining childless, suggesting Lu Ying's daughter as a suitable candidate, especially as the Crown Prince himself was soon to take a wife.

Episode 10 Recap

The Crown Prince and the Emperor understood that the affair of Tea-Horse trade was of paramount importance, intrinsically linked to the nation's strength and destiny. Royal Minister Lu Ying reported to the Emperor that he was responsible for preparing the warhorses for the Changzhou war. Since Changzhou was close to Sichuan, the horses were directly sent from Sichuan to the front lines.

However, An Pingbo Zhao Yong's envoy Fuchun, operating under the pretext of collecting official tea, had extensively plundered the local populace's teas, causing widespread grievances, leading to locals selling their children. Fuchun then leveraged the royal family's name to sell these forcibly collected civilian teas at exorbitant prices in the capital, fetching 400,000 to 500,000 "kuai" per "kuai", with all proceeds going into his private coffers.

The teas he dispatched to Sichuan, however, were stale, damaged, and short on weight, which angered the border residents and severely hindered the horse trade policy. Royal Minister Lu pleaded guilty for the situation, and moved to impeach An Pingbo. The Emperor's countenance grew solemn, realizing he had been kept entirely unaware of such a grave situation. He demanded to know why this information had not reached him.

Royal Minister Lu explained that since the beginning of the year, he had repeatedly submitted memorials to the Central Secretariat, but they had all gone unanswered, effectively disappearing. He added that upon returning to the capital three days prior, fearing further obstruction, he had not visited old friends or returned to his private residence, but instead organized copies of all his memorials at a guesthouse for the Emperor's reference.

Suspecting Li Baizhou's involvement in suppressing these documents, the Emperor's anger flared. Royal Minister Lu cautiously stated that due to the lack of response to his repeated petitions, he had resorted to requesting the Crown Prince to relay the most recent message on his behalf. The Crown Prince admitted to privately meeting Royal Minister Lu and delivering his memorial, pleading guilty for the crimes of privately meeting a minister, incompetence, and delaying military affairs.

The Emperor dismissed the Crown Prince, ordering him to leave, and then inquired about the current shortage of warhorses on the frontier, to which Royal Minister Lu confirmed a ten percent deficit for the number requested by Marquis Wude. Following this, the Emperor commanded Li Baizhou and Minister Huang Ci from the Ministry of Revenue to present themselves with the suppressed memorials.

At the palace gate, Royal Minister Lu encountered Li Baizhou and explicitly informed him that he would not allow his daughter Wenxi to marry Xiao Dingtang. Royal Minister Lu firmly stated that his children were neither chips nor pawns in state or court affairs, and certainly should not become such for his sake, rejecting Li Baizhou's previous suggestion. Li Baizhou expressed his displeasure but soon realized the true gravity of the situation upon seeing the furious Emperor.

When confronted by the Emperor about the unaddressed memorials and dereliction of duty, Li Baizhou defended himself by citing an overwhelming workload, including the two recent spring examinations, an ongoing investigation into a paper leak, and Minister Lu Shiyu's memorial to resign. He claimed these distractions led to the backlog, including Royal Minister Lu's official documents. The Emperor, exasperated, instructed Zhang Luzheng to promptly resolve the spring examination case.

Just then, Zhao Yong arrived at the palace gate, pleading guilty with his upper body bared and bound. Li Baizhou swiftly interceded for Zhao Yong, stating that the veracity of Royal Minister Lu's allegations was still unknown, and while he felt equally grieved if they were true, he urged the Emperor not to believe one-sided accounts for now.

He then suggested that determining guilt could wait, and the immediate priority was to allocate funds to purchase tea and horses, emphasizing the critical state of the war as military horses were not fully assembled. Minister Huang Ci, kneeling beside them, panicked. He explained that due to extensive flooding in the south and severe drought in the north the previous year, tax revenues were significantly lower than usual, less than 70% of previous years.

Combined with essential court expenses and the army's salaries, as well as the Crown Prince's two costly capping ceremonies last month, the treasury was in a severe deficit, unable to afford the colossal sum required for horses. The Emperor, interrupting him, told him not to make excuses and demanded to know how much the treasury could produce. Minister Huang stated that despite his utmost effort, he could not produce a single extra coin.

The Emperor, understanding Minister Huang's helplessness, did not explode in anger but resolved to personally secure the necessary funds to rectify the situation, declaring that he would clean up his own mess. The Emperor, aware of Zhao Yong's immense wealth, then deliberately proceeded to Zhao Guifei's palace. There, Zhao Guifei, dressed in plain attire, nervously pleaded guilty on her father's behalf and offered to donate all of Zhao Yong's family assets for the nation's use.

The Emperor reacted with sarcasm, noting that he had to beg them for mere scraps after they had already plundered the national funds. Zhao Guifei made a dramatic and emotional appeal, emphasizing her long service to the Emperor for twenty-three years and her family's loyalty, begging him not to publicly punish her father to protect Xiao Dingtang's reputation, as he still had to live among people outside.

She then brandished a dagger, declaring her willingness to sacrifice her own life to take Zhao Yong's responsibility. As she did, her maids and Xiao Dingtang rushed to restrain her, with Xiao Dingtang also offering to take the punishment. The Emperor, disgusted by their theatrical display, sternly ordered them to stop. To preserve the royal family's dignity, the Emperor decreed that Zhao Yong should await punishment at home.

He also punished Xiao Dingtang for misbehavior in front of him, deducting half a year's salary and forbidding him from the imperial harem without permission. Zhao Guifei and Xiao Dingtang gratefully bowed in thanks. Later, Xiao Dingtang conveyed the Emperor's decree to Zhao Yong, clarifying that Zhao Guifei had pledged "all" assets but implying it might not be the full amount.

Zhao Yong, upon learning that his daughter had unilaterally pledged all his family's assets, was utterly heartbroken, lamenting that losing his wealth was like losing his life.

Unbeknownst to Zhao Yong, some palace eunuchs observed that the Emperor had been anticipating Royal Minister Lu's return since the spring examinations, having orchestrated the events to compel Zhao Yong to surrender his vast wealth to address the national deficit, as Zhao Yong's personal corruption alone wouldn't cover the required funds for warhorses, whereas Zhao Yong's half-life's worth of assets would be enough for more than a "ting" of military horses.

Meanwhile, Xiao Dingquan, eager to please Wenxi, was meticulously concocting a fragrance of plum blossom with ingredients like Hejiaochen, clove, tulip, Lachamo, musk, Dingfen, and whitish honey, with the help of Gu Fengen. Gu Fengen, however, voiced his concerns. He pointed out that Royal Minister Lu, despite his integrity, had a propensity for offending people, which could lead to unforeseen troubles.

He worried that Lu Ying's actions might inadvertently implicate Xiao Dingquan and Wenxi, drawing him into the crime of private communication and private meetings, and accused Xiao Dingquan of being naive like Royal Minister Lu. Gu Fengen playfully teased Xiao Dingquan about his affections for Wenxi, noting that the fragrance was clearly intended for her, while assisting with the delicate preparation. Xiao Dingquan acknowledged the difficulties faced by both his uncle and the Emperor.

Gu Fengen advised Xiao Dingquan to learn from Xiao Dingtang how to "coax" the Emperor. He reiterated that Li Baizhou was a "ruffian" who had been offended by Royal Minister Lu, foreseeing more trouble ahead that could implicate Xiao Dingquan's intended Crown Princess, Wenxi. Separately, after Xiao Dingtang conveyed the Emperor's decree, Zhao Yong returned home, crying about his lost wealth. Li Baizhou sternly reprimanded him, asserting that losing money was better than losing his life.

Li Baizhou also prepared to win over Zhang Luzheng, his former schoolmate but rival of Lu Ying, by preparing a generous gift. Royal Minister Lu, determined to shield his daughter from the imperial disputes, decided to send Wenxi out of the capital.

Lu Wenpu, while helping with the preparations, questioned his father, asking why, if he didn't intend for Wenxi to marry Prince Qi, he wouldn't allow her to be with the Crown Prince, indicating his awareness of their mutual affection. Wenxi spent a sleepless night, her heart heavy with memories of Xiao Dingquan, feeling profound sorrow and powerlessness.

The next morning, as Lu Wenpu prepared to escort her out of the capital, he assured her of his support, promising to take care of her and find a way forward. To Lu Ying's utter dismay, Li Baizhou arrived, delivering an imperial decree stating that the Emperor had granted a marriage, commanding Wenxi, the daughter of the Royal Minister, to become Xiao Dingtang's secondary consort (concubine).

Li Baizhou stated that this was the Emperor's decision, and though Royal Minister Lu previously believed his children were not pawns, his daughter was now highly distinguished, "worth "zhaowan"" (an immense fortune). Li Baizhou smugly declared that from now on, they should get along, as it was what the Emperor desired. Lu Ying was left dumbfounded and in a terrible dilemma.

Unaware, Wenxi was already en route out of the capital with Lu Wenpu when they were intercepted by imperial guards. The guards announced the Emperor's imperial oral decree, stating that Royal Minister Lu's eldest daughter, Miss Lu, was to be Prince Qi's secondary consort, and that the decree had already been sent to the Ministry of Rites. They ordered her to return home to await the official document. Lu Wenpu was aghast at the news of his sister being forced into marriage with Xiao Dingtang, and promised Wenxi he would find a solution immediately.

Episode 11 Recap

Lu Wenxi found herself under the watchful eyes of Xiao Dingtang's men after the imperial decree ordered her to become Prince Qi's concubine. Distraught, her brother Lu Wenpu attempted to reach her but was blocked by guards. Wenpu rushed to seek help for his sister. Since Crown Prince Xiao Dingquan was under house arrest, his cousin Gu Fengen stepped forward to take on the task.

Wenpu informed Gu Fengen that Prince Qi was to marry his sister, and if the decree was issued by the Ministry of Rites, it would be too late. Gu Fengen assured Wenpu he would speak with the Emperor, confidently stating he would be more effective than Xiao Dingquan. Gu Fengen entered the imperial presence and, addressing the Emperor as "Uncle," asked if he had indeed ordered Lu Ying's daughter to become Prince Qi's concubine.

He pleaded with the Emperor to revoke the decree, citing Lu Ying's distress and loyalty. The Emperor, however, dismissed his concerns, stating that marriage was a joyous occasion and questioning why Gu Fengen would perceive it as "cold-hearted." He further implied that even if Wenxi were not to marry Prince Qi, she would never be given to Xiao Dingquan. Moments later, Xiao Dingquan himself entered, kneeling before his father. He confirmed he was there specifically for Lu Wenxi.

The Emperor, clearly displeased, cast a memorial from Xiao Dingquan's tutor, Lu Shiyu, before him. The memorial recommended Lu Ying's daughter as Crown Princess, but the Emperor had marked it as "inappropriate" and rejected it the previous day. Xiao Dingquan, in anguish, questioned why everything he loved seemed destined for his older brother, Prince Qi. He desperately pleaded with his father not to let Wenxi marry Prince Qi, even if he could not marry her himself.

When pressed for a reason, Xiao Dingquan could only offer his love for her, giving a vague answer about having both met and not met her. The Emperor cut him off, declaring his disinterest and ordering him to maintain his composure. Observing the Emperor's unyielding stance, Xiao Dingquan realized there was no hope for a direct appeal. Xiao Dingquan then instructed Gu Fengen to discreetly inform Prince Qi's wife, the Princess, about the impending marriage.

Gu Fengen found the Princess lamenting her perceived betrayal, feeling like a fool, and fearing replacement by a newcomer. He emphasized that once the Ministry of Rites issued the decree, it would be irreversible. Enraged, the Princess immediately set off for the Ministry of Rites. Following Xiao Dingquan's strategy, Gu Fengen then secretly urged Prince Qi's guards to report the Princess's outburst to their master, hoping this would create an opportunity for Xiao Dingquan to meet the Lu family.

At the Ministry of Rites, Minister He Daoran was about to stamp the decree for Prince Qi's concubine when the Princess stormed in. She angrily accused He Daoran of underhanded dealings, questioning how he could act behind her father Li Baizhou's back. He Daoran defended himself, explaining he was merely following an imperial decree. The Princess tore the decree to shreds and then threatened to smash the national stamp, condemning its use for such "filthy things."

Both He Daoran and Assistant Minister Zhang were terrified and tried to calm her, reminding her of the national importance of the stamp. Just then, Xiao Dingtang arrived. The Princess, in tears, confronted him, accusing him of being ungrateful and reminding him of his passionate marriage pledges, which she dramatically presented in writing. She then threatened to seek a divorce and even to hang herself.

Xiao Dingtang intervened, eventually revealing that the marriage had been arranged by her own father, Li Baizhou. The Princess was utterly stunned and devastated, vowing to seek justice for herself. The officials at the Ministry of Rites, witnessing the chaos, decided to wait for a new imperial decree before proceeding. Li Baizhou was furious when he learned of his daughter's dramatic scene at the Ministry of Rites.

He realized that the plan for Xiao Dingtang to take a concubine was now ruined, and Zhao Yong's substantial sum of money, intended for the marriage, had been effectively thrown into the national treasury for nothing. Consequently, Zhao Guifei had to intervene. She tearfully appealed to the Emperor, expressing her deep sorrow and asking him to revoke the imperial decree for the marriage.

The Emperor, who admitted he had anticipated this outcome, agreed to revoke the decree but stated he would not return Zhao Yong's money, wryly suggesting Zhao Guifei add vinegar to her tea. With the marriage decree revoked, Xiao Dingquan immediately went to visit Lu Ying. He sincerely expressed that he was not seeking a Crown Princess but a beloved wife, a "soulmate," promising to protect her with all his might.

Lu Ying, however, for his daughter's well-being and to keep her out of political strife, revealed that he had already betrothed Wenxi to an old friend's son, guaranteeing her a stable and peaceful life away from the capital. He informed Xiao Dingquan that Wenxi had already left to complete the marriage. Xiao Dingquan, visibly heartbroken, asked for the groom's identity, but Lu Ying respectfully declined to reveal it, stating he would only do so if ordered by the Emperor.

An attendant arrived to urgently call Xiao Dingquan back to the palace, reminding him that as a royal, his duty to the state and himself superseded personal matters. Lu Ying reiterated that Wenxi, being of "frail constitution and unremarkable character," should not be a cause for concern for the Crown Prince.

As Xiao Dingquan departed, he expressed his profound admiration for Wenxi, whom he had never truly seen, comparing her to a beautiful landscape, and openly envied the man who would eventually behold her beauty. Hidden behind a screen, Wenxi listened to his words, tears streaming down her face, recalling his silent plea to "Please wait for me." The next day, Lu Wenxi went alone to pray, her heart heavy with conflicted emotions. She remembered her father's counsel.

While he admired Xiao Dingquan as a "clean and young man," a beacon of hope for the dynasty, he warned her that the court was far more corrupt than she knew, and maintaining purity came at an immense cost. He explained that if she married the Crown Prince, all his efforts, and those of her brother, would be twisted into partisan struggles, turning their contributions into political liabilities.

He told her that finding a soulmate was a "good thing," but sometimes, "forgetting him" was the only true happiness. Wenxi was torn between her feelings and her father's pragmatic, self-sacrificing wisdom. Later, an attendant informed Xiao Dingquan that Wenxi had gone to Changzhou, to the household of Prefectural governor Li. This Prefectural governor Li was not only an old friend of Lu Ying and his wife was Wenxi's godmother, but he was also a close confidant of the Emperor.

The attendant emphasized that due to this complicated relationship, the Emperor would never approve of a marriage between Xiao Dingquan and Wenxi, and advised the Crown Prince to let go of his regrets. Yet, Xiao Dingquan responded, "No regret. It has not come to an end yet." Meanwhile, the Emperor, preparing to depart for the detached palace for a military inspection, received reports about new weapons and decided to visit the Tiance Army camp first, despite his usual schedule.

General Lv prepared for the Emperor's arrival, and as the imperial procession, including the Crown Prince and Prince Qi, arrived, General Lv, in heavy armor, offered a military salute. The Emperor graciously accepted, eager to inspect the new arrowheads.

Episode 12 Recap

The annual archery competition was about to begin, with His Majesty, accompanied by Xiao Dingquan, Xiao Dingtang, and other princes and ministers, arriving at the detached palace. His Majesty, pleased, announced that the winner would receive any reward they desired. Xiao Dingtang eagerly anticipated the contest, while Xiao Dingquan’s thoughts were also stirring with purpose. Earlier, His Majesty had been discussing the new arrowheads, noting their improved resilience and sharpness, making them more effective against enemy armor.

He stressed the importance of both warhorses and arrows in the ongoing conflict. While he chose not to participate himself, he declared, "Today I brought my sons, let them represent me." Xiao Dingquan, reflecting his scholarly training, initially declined to aim at His Majesty's "exclusive targets" (Jun Hu), citing a passage from the Book of Archery (She Yi) and expressing reluctance to overstep.

His Majesty, however, remarked that Xiao Dingquan’s caution, though refined by his tutor Lu Shiyu, might cause him to miss crucial advantages. Xiao Dingquan maintained he dared not take such an advantage. Later, Gu Fengen observed that Xiao Dingquan remained steadfast in his feelings for Wenxi, urging him to be realistic. Xiao Dingquan insisted, "Why should I? I love her not because of this."

Gu Fengen pressed further, reminding him that the Changzhou prefectural governor was intended to counterbalance his uncle, Gu Silin, and questioned if His Majesty would allow Xiao Dingquan to marry the prefectural governor's nominal daughter. Xiao Dingquan rebuked Gu Fengen for his audacious remarks, then affirmed his determination to win the archery competition, declaring, "I must win." Xiao Dingquan went to pay his respects to His Majesty but was told by a commander that His Majesty was playing chess.

Curious about his opponent, Xiao Dingquan was asked to return later, indicating the private nature of the meeting. Inside, His Majesty was in deep conversation with Li Ming'an, the prefectural governor of Changzhou, who had returned from northern Xinjiang. His Majesty revealed his "difficulties that he couldn't utter to anyone" except Li Ming'an. He detailed Changzhou's strategic importance as a northern fortress, key for both offense and defense.

He explained that Li Ming'an, as the prefectural governor, would control all provisions, funds, and chariots, and even Changzhou's armymen would fall under his jurisdiction if they marched south. His Majesty made it clear that Li Ming'an's dispatch was intentional. Li Ming'an affirmed his understanding. His Majesty acknowledged the difficulty of controlling Changzhou from the capital but stressed that only Gu Silin could lead the army effectively given the ongoing conflict.

Therefore, he needed Li Ming'an and Gu Silin to "cooperate effectively." His Majesty warned Li Ming'an, "If you fail me, I won't forgive you. If you fail the country, god will punish you." Li Ming'an pledged to do his utmost, especially during wartime. Li Ming'an then inquired if His Majesty had brought him back for reasons beyond General Gu Silin. His Majesty quoted a poem, then directly named Li Baizhou, the chancellor, stating, "I need him to be more obedient."

To achieve this, Li Baizhou could not retain control of his army. The plan was for Li Ming'an to take the Tianchang Guard to Changzhou for separate training, which would weaken Li Baizhou and make Gu Silin cautious. This, he explained, was his primary reason for summoning Li Ming'an.

His Majesty characterized Li Baizhou as "not a fuel-efficient lamp," noting that as former head of the Ministry of War, Li Baizhou commanded several key units among the capital's twelve bodyguard squads, with Lü Han's Tianchang squad being particularly formidable, "like a fishbone getting stuck in the throat." Meanwhile, Li Baizhou was being entertained by Lü Han and his men, who expressed gratitude for their ample provisions.

Lü Han informed Li Baizhou of recent political shifts, including Gu Silin's return to Changzhou, the Crown Prince's capping ceremony, and Li Ming'an's arrival in the capital. Li Baizhou expressed his difficulty in discerning His Majesty's intentions, especially the unusual choice to hold the archery competition at the detached palace after years of absence. Li Baizhou cautiously probed Lü Han, asking if he would accept a transfer to Changzhou or a civilian role in the Ministry of War.

Lü Han vehemently refused both, asserting his desire to remain serving Li Baizhou and guarding the city gate. Li Baizhou reassured him, promising not to let him go anywhere, and instructed him to "just refuse" if the Emperor were to propose such a transfer, believing that Lü Han's refusal would make him "sceptical." Li Ming'an, however, voiced his concern to His Majesty: as chancellor, Li Baizhou possessed the authority to reject imperial decrees.

If Li Baizhou opposed the Tianchang Guard's departure, Li Ming'an feared he "can't take Tianchang squad with me." His Majesty’s eyes gleamed coldly. While he acknowledged the potential for mutiny if a general were summarily executed, he advised against impulsiveness.

He reminded Li Ming'an of their long history as "fellow chess players" and his style: if Li Baizhou proved unyielding, His Majesty would offer him and his army "the same grace," an irresistible inducement "to make them surrender without a fight." He mused, "What kind of grace would that be?" After bidding farewell to His Majesty, Li Ming'an encountered Xiao Dingquan, who was surprised to see him. Xiao Dingquan, keen to know about Wenxi, asked about Royal Minister Lu's daughter.

Li Ming'an directly informed him that he had met Wenxi on his journey and that "she went to Changzhou first." This news visibly distressed Xiao Dingquan, who frowned. Li Ming'an sighed inwardly, recalling His Majesty's recent instruction that the prince "can't win the archery" this time. As night fell, Zhao Wang Xiao Dingkai was at a temple when he chanced upon an unfinished painting. He found the calligraphy "great" and sensed that "the calligraphy girl is not an ordinary one."

His subordinate jested that he always associated good things with girls, even suggesting it might be a balding old man, prompting a bet between them. Zhao Wang recited the incomplete poem on the scroll: "The cloud caps the river. People with lost souls still await summoning. How many people. . ." Just then, a veiled Wenxi appeared, demanding, "I didn't finish the painting yet. Please give it back to me."

As she lifted her veil, revealing her beautiful face, Zhao Wang was captivated, realizing he had won his bet, remarking, "Greenstone moss. The fair lady comes in the rain. I win." He was instantly smitten by her beauty and artistic talent. The next morning, preparations for the archery competition were underway. In the stable, men were seen hurriedly placing sharp horseshoe nails into a saddle.

Lü Han, having fortified his resolve with his troops, declared his intention to refuse any imperial order to leave the capital, leading his soldiers onto the field. As participants gathered, His Majesty commenced the event, emphasizing that "the war is not over" and that "the civil and military practice is the national policy." He explained that the gathering of princes and ministers was both a feast and a competition.

Declining to participate himself, His Majesty announced, "let my sons go on stage." He then commanded General Lü Han to "check the targets on my behalf." Xiao Dingquan’s attendant expressed confidence that Xiao Dingquan would win, remarking that "This year you will win." Xiao Dingquan, realizing Gu Fengen wasn't with him, inquired about his whereabouts and was told he had already gone ahead.

An attendant's suggestion for Xiao Dingquan to wear soft armor was quickly shut down by an aide, who sternly warned that wearing armor before the Emperor without special decree constituted treason. His Majesty then directed, "Crown prince, you go first." As Xiao Dingquan galloped onto the field, Li Baizhou observed, musing on Li Ming'an's sudden return from Changzhou. Xiao Dingquan drew his bow and shot, hitting the bullseye. However, his horse was suddenly startled, bucking wildly and nearly unseating him.

Fortunately, Xiao Dingquan's skill allowed him to regain control, escaping injury. Despite the scare, Xiao Dingquan smiled confidently at a stunned Xiao Dingtang. Gu Fengen then discreetly showed Xiao Dingquan two sharp iron nails found in his saddle, which clearly explained why the horse had been startled. Gu Fengen, who had spent the previous night sleeping in the stable, revealed that Lü Han's men were responsible, and he suspected Xiao Dingtang was the mastermind.

Gu Fengen, who smelled of hay and horseshit, urged Xiao Dingquan to win, reminding him of his sacrifice. Next, Xiao Dingtang took his turn, also hitting the bullseye with every arrow, making it difficult to declare a clear winner between the two princes. His Majesty, thoroughly entertained, brought out the promised rewards. He remarked on their neck-and-neck performance, noting the rare excitement, and asked if the rewards suited their tastes.

Xiao Dingtang readily accepted, but Xiao Dingquan, after a moment, declined the material prizes. Instead, he publicly requested a different kind of "grace"—he wished to ask His Majesty for a person. Before Xiao Dingquan could specify, Li Ming'an unexpectedly interjected, stating that his daughter was betrothed to an old friend's son and had already gone to Changzhou for the wedding.

He also clarified that he had no son of his own, implicitly hinting that Wenxi, as a "nominal daughter," was out of reach. Undeterred, Xiao Dingquan firmly repeated, "I need to ask you for someone." His Majesty, perhaps feigning amusement, commented on Xiao Dingquan's sleepless nights and his yearning, playfully asking who he took after for being "such a spoony." He then instructed Xiao Dingquan to drink his wine and return to the competition, promising to discuss his request later.

Capitalizing on Xiao Dingquan's bold move, His Majesty turned to Li Baizhou, stating that just like the Crown Prince, he also "wanted someone." Pointing towards the distant Tianchang Guard, he declared, "I want them." Li Baizhou, immediately understanding the implication, directly questioned, "Your Majesty want to mobilize the troops?"

Episode 13 Recap

The Emperor expressed his desire to transfer Lv Han's Tianchang squad to Changzhou, to be led out of the capital by Li Ming'an. Li Baizhou had anticipated this move and immediately voiced his strong objections. He argued that the capital and Changzhou were thousands of miles apart, making troop movement too far and supplies too lengthy, which was not a sustainable strategy. He suggested instead to recruit soldiers from the local populace around Changzhou.

The Emperor, visibly displeased, refuted Li Baizhou, stating that he was not seeking counsel but had already drafted the imperial decree, making his decision final. Li Baizhou, seeing the Emperor's resolute stance, boldly declared his intention to exercise his right to seal and reject the imperial decree. The assembled officials exchanged uneasy glances, not daring to utter a sound. Meanwhile, at a distance, Lv Han gathered his officers and instructed them all to wear armor under their clothes.

He declared that regardless of the day's outcome regarding the troop transfer, they must absolutely refuse to leave the capital. " Listen to me," Lv Han commanded, "If you don't want to be separated from your family and die in the wildness, then follow me today." His subordinates pledged their obedience to the general. Lu Wenxi, following her father's instructions, informed Lu Shiyu of Li Ming'an's return to the capital.

It was then that Lu Shiyu learned of Lu Wenxi's affections for Xiao Dingquan. He tried to comfort her, saying that things could still be influenced, and the Emperor's decision was not irreversible. He promised to speak with Lu Ying to persuade him not to so stubbornly obstruct the young couple's relationship. Lu Wenxi, however, had made up her mind. "

My family is more important," she stated, confirming her decision to accompany Prefectural Governor Li Ming'an to Changzhou in a few days. Seeing that her mind was set, Lu Shiyu could only reluctantly agree. However, he entrusted her with an important task: to deliver a lost seal to its rightful owner before she left the capital. " It's not a little case," Lu Shiyu emphasized. " You need to go in person. Give it to the owner in person.

I am worried the owner will regret for the rest of his life if he loses it." As Lu Wenxi was about to inquire about the owner's identity, a visitor arrived, and Lu Shiyu requested her to wait a moment. The Emperor then summoned Lv Han, seeking his opinion as a military commander on whether he was willing to lead his troops to Changzhou.

At the same time, the archery finals commenced, with Xiao Dingquan and Xiao Dingtang galloping towards their targets. Lv Han, riding to answer the Emperor's summons, brushed past Xiao Dingquan. In that fleeting moment, Xiao Dingquan caught a glimpse of a golden flash at Lv Han's waist, the reflection of armor hidden beneath his clothing. Knowing that wearing armor before the Emperor was tantamount to treason, Xiao Dingquan immediately recognized Lv Han's ill intent towards his father.

Abandoning his pursuit of victory against Xiao Dingtang, he abruptly turned his horse to chase Lv Han. As Lv Han neared the Emperor, Xiao Dingquan, desperate, drew his bow and aimed an arrow at Lv Han. The onlookers panicked, mistakenly believing Xiao Dingquan intended to harm the Emperor. At this critical juncture, the Emperor also drew his bow. Both father and son released their arrows almost simultaneously.

Xiao Dingquan's arrow wounded Lv Han, while the Emperor's arrow struck Xiao Dingquan's horse, causing him to fall. It was only then that everyone clearly saw Lv Han and his subordinates were secretly wearing armor, solidifying the evidence of their intended rebellion. Prince V, seeing Xiao Dingquan on the ground, inquired about his well-being, but Xiao Dingquan ignored him and ordered Lv Han's capture for treason. Meanwhile, Lu Shiyu was meeting his guest, who turned out to be Xiao Dingkai.

Xiao Dingkai presented a piece of calligraphy he had copied, crafted from Lu Shiyu's historical memorials, seeking the former minister's appraisal. He even expressed his desire to become Lu Shiyu's student. Lu Shiyu politely declined, explaining that he was old, had laid down his brush for years, and did not wish to mislead anyone's future.

He suggested that if Xiao Dingkai wished to pursue a noble path in literature, he should ask the Emperor to find him an eminent teacher from among the contemporary masters. Xiao Dingkai, undeterred, stated he would continue to work harder and visit again. Lu Shiyu then changed the subject, inquiring why Xiao Dingkai had not attended the archery competition, as he had in previous years.

Xiao Dingkai, with a gentle smile, replied that he was an insignificant figure, merely a "prop," and believed his presence would only be a "liability." Lu Shiyu pondered this, sensing an unseen depth beneath Xiao Dingkai's mild demeanor. Lv Han was brought before the Emperor. He looked to Li Baizhou, but instead of defending him, Li Baizhou sternly rebuked Lv Han, accusing him of harboring rebellious intentions, a crime punishable by death.

Li Baizhou feigned ignorance of the instigator and demanded to know who put him up to it. In reality, Li Baizhou had met with Lv Han the previous night, subtly prompting him to resist the transfer even if it meant rebellion. Li Baizhou's shrewd calculation was to provoke Lv Han into enraging the Emperor. If the Emperor ordered Lv Han's execution, the remaining Tianchang army would become agitated, potentially leading to a mutiny, thus precluding their transfer to Changzhou.

However, the Emperor's reaction took Li Baizhou by surprise. After a moment of contemplation, the Emperor did not condemn Lv Han. Instead, he claimed that he himself had permitted Lv Han to wear armor, stating it was a temporary mobilization, and apologized for Xiao Dingquan's accidental injury to the general.

Lv Han was deeply moved by the Emperor's words and immediately declared his willingness to obey the Emperor's command, expressing his desire to transfer to the ministry instead of leading his troops to Changzhou. Li Baizhou's face darkened considerably at this unexpected turn. Since Xiao Dingquan had veered off course, Xiao Dingtang was declared the winner of the archery competition. The Emperor bestowed upon him the prize: a jade belt, an insignia traditionally reserved for the Crown Prince.

The assembled officials whispered amongst themselves. Xiao Dingtang was overjoyed, while Xiao Dingquan, feeling utterly forsaken, sat on the ground, his eyes brimming with tears. He did not realize that this was a carefully orchestrated maneuver by his father. By awarding such a significant prize to Xiao Dingtang, the Emperor aimed to appease the infuriated Li Baizhou and stabilize the court, a perfectly executed strategy, though it came at Xiao Dingquan's emotional expense.

The Emperor had reflected earlier that to secure Lv Han and his army without a fight, he needed to offer them "grace of the same importance," a reason "that he can't refuse." He had also explicitly stated that "This time the crown prince can't win the archery." After Xiao Dingquan was injured, a eunuch delivered the Emperor's horse to him, explaining that the Emperor thought he lacked the strength to return and that the untamed, non-Central Plains horse required caution.

In Lu Shiyu's garden, Lu Wenxi was examining the seal, which was engraved with the characters "Mincheng." At this moment, Xiao Dingkai encountered Lu Wenxi. He was both surprised and delighted, engaging her in a lively conversation. During their talk, they both deduced each other's identities. Xiao Dingkai expressed his heartfelt admiration for her calligraphy and humbly requested her to create a painting for him. Lu Wenxi, however, politely declined, stating, "I can't draw the same painting again."

As Xiao Dingkai prepared to leave, Lu Wenxi inquired if he knew anyone named "Mincheng." Xiao Dingkai's smile froze. After a brief pause, he slowly replied that the person he knew by the style name "Mincheng" was his elder brother, Xiao Dingquan. Lu Wenxi immediately understood Lu Shiyu's intention and now wished to avoid meeting Xiao Dingquan. Later, Lu Shiyu confided in his wife about his "private intentions" for Lu Wenxi.

He explained that he had watched Lu Wenxi grow up like his own daughter, and admitted to having a selfish motive. He worried about the Crown Prince's increasing difficulties and the even harder times ahead. He believed that Xiao Dingquan needed someone who understood him by his side to help him endure, ensuring he wouldn't collapse under the pressure.

Back at his residence, Li Baizhou erupted in a furious tirade against Lv Han, chastising him for agreeing to the Emperor's demands. Meanwhile, Xiao Dingtang gleefully admired the jade belt bestowed by the Emperor, overjoyed. Li Baizhou was beside himself with rage. He lamented that his elite troops, which he had cultivated for over a decade and cherished like his own eyes, had been so easily exchanged for "an ordinary belt."

The Emperor, he fumed, was truly a step ahead, clearly determined to strip him of his military power. He realized that transferring the Tianchang squad to Changzhou was a strategy to control Gu Silin, a "kill two birds with one stone" move that cost the Emperor nothing and that he had failed to foresee.

Episode 14 Recap

After the Emperor's decision to transfer his troops, Li Baizhou, resigned to the situation, expressed his frustration, acknowledging that the Emperor was determined to reclaim control of his military, especially the elite forces he had cultivated for over a decade. He saw the transfer of Li Ming'an's army to Changzhou to "control Gu Silin" as a clever, cost-free move that "kills two birds with one stone."

He then instructed Zhao Yong to ensure that news of Xiao Dingtang receiving the jade belt was published in the newspaper before the upcoming court test, while also strictly forbidding the release of any information, particularly soldier rosters, about the troops. He warned Zhao Yong that failure would result in severe consequences, including being sent to Changzhou and facing a mysterious death.

Meanwhile, Gu Fengen complained bitterly to Xiao Dingquan about the Emperor, feeling that using a mere "jade belt" was a pretext to reclaim military authority and send Li Ming'an's army to counterbalance his father, Gu Silin, which he found excessive. Gu Fengen also speculated that the Emperor's actions were reminiscent of how he "squeezed Crown Prince Min out." Xiao Dingquan, though visibly distressed, reprimanded Gu Fengen for his disrespectful remarks, urging him to mind his language within the palace.

Xiao Dingquan was primarily concerned about Lu Shiyu learning of the day's events. He tasked Gu Fengen with instructing the head of the office of transmission, who was a student of Gu Fengen’s uncle, to delay publishing any news of the incident in the next day's newspaper until after the court test. As expected, the office of transmission did not publish any news regarding the archery competition.

Xiao Dingtang was displeased with the bland newspaper, but Li Baizhou remained composed, having anticipated Xiao Dingquan's attempt to suppress the information. Li Baizhou had Zhao Yong secretly print a different version of the newspaper that featured news of the Emperor’s troop transfer. This unauthorized newspaper was widely circulated, causing widespread speculation about the Emperor's intentions and the shifting political landscape.

Later, Li Baizhou, speaking to Xu Changping, acknowledged that the Emperor’s guilt and shame towards Xiao Dingquan would make him more prone to suspect the Crown Prince, believing that Xiao Dingquan would eventually "fail him." Li Baizhou also ensured that this "explosive" version of the newspaper reached the Emperor. Unaware of this, Xiao Dingquan was paying his respects to the Emperor when he noticed his father's agitated expression.

Misinterpreting the cause of the Emperor's anger, Xiao Dingquan preemptively confessed to ordering the office of transmission to withhold yesterday's news, claiming full responsibility for everything in the newspaper. It was only when the Emperor angrily threw the privately printed newspaper before him, revealing its inflammatory content about troop movements, that Xiao Dingquan realized he had been framed again. Xiao Dingquan was at a loss for words.

To protect Gu Fengen's upcoming court test, he reaffirmed his responsibility for instructing the office of transmission not to publish news of yesterday's events. However, he adamantly denied authorizing any public dissemination of the troop transfer news. Yet, the Emperor’s suspicions had been stoked; he accused Xiao Dingquan of deliberately obstructing the transfer of Tian Changwei to Changzhou, thereby assisting Gu Silin.

Xiao Dingquan vehemently denied this, stating that he "would die rather than have such a rebellious heart," and urged Li Chongkui to investigate the capital for another version of the newspaper, noting that movable-type printing allowed for two versions to be easily made. But his pleas fell on deaf ears, as all of this was orchestrated by Li Baizhou to manipulate the Emperor and alienate him from Xiao Dingquan, ultimately benefiting Xiao Dingtang.

The Emperor quickly turned hostile, concluding that Gu Fengen must be involved. He ordered the arrest of both the head of the office of transmission and Gu Fengen, explicitly stating that Gu Fengen would not be allowed to participate in the court test. Xiao Dingquan desperately pleaded with his father. At that moment, Xiao Dingtang, dressed in plain clothes and holding the jade belt, dramatically entered.

He knelt and humbly requested the Emperor to reclaim the gifted belt and punish him, claiming his "low status and great favor" were causing instability. He declared that he was the Emperor's subject first, then his son, and that he would die rather than "sabotage the Emperor's plan." This act was clearly at Li Baizhou's behest. The Emperor glared at his two kneeling sons.

Just then, Li Ming'an urgently reported that Tian Changwei's roster was missing and would take "more than two months" to recompile, effectively delaying the army's transfer to Changzhou. Li Ming'an even asked if "desperate measures" should be taken. The Emperor was enraged, noting that killing "him" now would be pointless. He ordered Xiao Dingquan to remain in the palace to write a self-criticism, with his return to the capital to be decided later.

He told Li Chongkui to inform Li Baizhou that he need not accompany the imperial entourage, but should return to the capital to prepare for the court test. The Emperor then took Xiao Dingtang with him, leaving Xiao Dingquan behind. Xiao Dingquan, in despair, clutched at his father's robe, begging for forgiveness and trust, but the Emperor left without a backward glance.

He tossed the jade belt to Xiao Dingquan, telling him to take it to the mausoleum and await further imperial decree on his return. Elsewhere, Gu Fengen, now in possession of the altered newspaper, went to Lu Shiyu's residence but only found Lu Ying. Gu Fengen expressed his distress over the Emperor’s actions, noting that exchanging "military power with a jade belt" was unheard of, and lamented Xiao Dingquan's precarious situation.

He informed Lu Ying of his intention to investigate the origin of the false newspaper and asked Lu Ying to protect Xiao Dingquan should he encounter trouble. Lu Ying vowed to do his best, though he hoped the situation would not worsen to that extent. Unbeknownst to them, Lu Wenxi overheard their conversation.

Lu Ying later spearheaded a joint petition with other imperial censors, urging the Emperor to "fulfill his promise" and send Xiao Dingtang to his fief to stabilize the court. Meanwhile, Li Baizhou, Zhao Yong, and Xu Changping celebrated their success. Zhao Yong credited Xu Changping with the idea for the privately printed newspaper. Li Baizhou marveled at Xu Changping's ability to discern the Emperor's will without ever having met him, finding it "creepy."

Xu Changping modestly attributed it to "sheer luck." Zhao Yong then voiced concerns about the "jinx," referring to the censorate, potentially causing problems for Xiao Dingtang. Li Baizhou dismissed this, believing the censorate's petition to banish Xiao Dingtang would only make the Emperor more wary of Xiao Dingquan. However, Xu Changping then asked Zhao Yong if he had destroyed the evidence related to the private printing.

Zhao Yong revealed that he had not, having spent "tens of thousands of money" to hire many workers who were still printing copies. Shocked by Zhao Yong's carelessness, Li Baizhou immediately ordered all unissued newspapers to be burned, printing plates destroyed, and all workers arrested, emphasizing that the censorate must not discover this.

Gu Fengen, following a lead, arrived at the printing house to find it in ruins, with only "ashes still warm" and no evidence left, realizing he had arrived too late. He questioned his subordinate about the number of copperplates and workers involved and the number of copies they could print. Gu Fengen himself noted that despite all official departments already receiving their newspapers, the printing operation had continued, which seemed odd.

Hidden from Gu Fengen's view, Lu Wenxi also arrived at the scene, having learned of the situation after overhearing Gu Fengen and her father. She had come to find evidence to clear Xiao Dingquan's name, but also found the site already cleared. The observation about the continued printing despite widespread distribution suggested a larger operation was at play than just the initial distribution, a point on which Lu Wenxi seemed to agree or ponder further.

Episode 15 Recap

Lu Wenxi's sharp observations uncovered crucial clues at the Jinshi press, which Gu Feng'en then used to track down compelling evidence. Li Baizhou's subordinate reported that although they had dealt with the Jinshi press personnel and materials, the massive quantity of gazettes ordered by An Pingbo (Zhao Yong) had led the Jinshi press to outsource some work to another printing house. Gu Feng'en, titled Jia Yibo, discovered this outsourced operation in full swing and arrested everyone involved.

The subordinate expressed concern that while the arrested individuals likely didn't know enough to implicate Grand Chancellor Li (Li Baizhou) directly, the situation would escalate if it reached the Emperor. Li Baizhou, recognizing the gravity of the situation, immediately dispatched someone to summon Chen Jiusi from the Censorate. He also commanded all private bodyguards from Prince Qi's mansion and his own residence to detain Gu Feng'en until after the court test, ensuring the evidence would not reach the Emperor. "

If you can't stop him at the city gate," Li Baizhou declared, "stop him at the palace gate of the temporary palace." Gu Feng'en, intending to present the evidence to the Emperor, was intercepted by a group of guards before he could enter the palace gates. He initially assumed they were Li Baizhou's or Xiao Dingtang's men.

However, the guards displayed Imperial Bodyguard tokens and announced an imperial decree to arrest both Gu Feng'en and the head of the Office of Transmission for disrupting the imperial court. Gu Feng'en, identifying himself as an earl and the Emperor's nephew, challenged them, questioning what rewards their master had promised them, whether it was wealth, women, or the power to run rampant. The Imperial Bodyguard leader replied that his master had promised him nothing and that he simply followed orders.

Forced to comply, Gu Feng'en entrusted his evidence to the guards, specifically requesting that it be delivered to the commander-in-chief and that he protect the nation's foundation. Unbeknownst to Gu Feng'en, the guard secretly handed the evidence to Xu Changping, who was waiting nearby in a palanquin. The Emperor had not only ordered Xiao Dingquan to write a self-criticism but also to guard the mausoleum.

This decision caused apprehension among his ministers, who speculated that the Emperor intended to remove the crown prince from his status. Li Chongkui, the commander-in-chief, suggested reconsidering the mausoleum assignment, but the Emperor silenced him. Just then, Lu Shiyu, despite having retired, arrived to plead with the Emperor. Lu Shiyu immediately addressed the rumor, asking if the Emperor truly intended to discrown Xiao Dingquan, reminding him that Crown Prince Min was sent to the mausoleum before he was discrowned.

The Emperor coldly told Lu Shiyu that as a retired official, he should not meddle in politics. Lu Shiyu conceded that Xiao Dingquan might have erred or committed a crime but urged the Emperor to investigate thoroughly and punish him according to national law. He attempted to present two gazettes—one "clean" and one "detestable"—but the Emperor refused to look, stating he would deal with it after returning to the capital.

Lu Shiyu then suggested the Emperor's harshness stemmed from Xiao Dingquan's trespass three years prior to see his dying mother, the late Empress, asserting that Xiao Dingquan had no intention to harm the Emperor. The Emperor, questioning if Lu Shiyu believed he held grudges for so long, then asked how Lu Shiyu would discipline his own son for such an act.

Lu Shiyu, deeply saddened, recounted the profound regret and heartbreak he felt after his own son’s death, admitting he had pushed him too hard. He implored the Emperor, for the sake of father-son kinship, not to repeat his mistake, for "only parents and children are not optional or chosen in life." The Emperor seemed briefly moved but quickly regained his icy composure, declaring he would never regret his decisions.

Xiao Dingquan, who had overheard the conversation from a nearby terrace, dropped his writing brush, his heart sinking into despair. The Emperor ordered Lu Shiyu to be escorted out. Lu Shiyu, before leaving, boldly questioned if the Emperor was punishing Xiao Dingquan to appease the army. The Emperor became enraged. Fearing for his teacher, Xiao Dingquan knelt, pleading for his father to let Lu Shiyu go and affirming his willingness to remain at the palace and accept all punishment.

He tearfully urged his teacher to leave and live peacefully, acknowledging that he should not have forced him to stay. The Emperor, with a sneer, remarked that in Xiao Dingquan's heart, his teacher was clearly more cherished than his father. Later, as the Emperor was preparing to depart, Xiao Dingquan, confined to his room, spoke through the closed door to his father.

He confessed his fear, uncertain how he could continue as crown prince, and questioned if his father’s true intent was to "kill his heart." He vulnerably admitted his deep affection for Wenxi, stating that being the crown prince had felt truly good for the first time because it allowed him to meet and feel worthy of her.

He lamented that he had once hoped his father might show mercy and allow their union, believing he would then fight with all his might against Xiao Dingtang. However, with Prefectural Governor Li (Li Ming'an) now involved with the Tianchang squad, he understood his father would never consent to their union, and Grand Censor Lu (Lu Ying) would no longer dare to associate with him. He concluded that he no longer dared to hope for her protection or his own.

He repeated his anguished question, "Does father want to kill my heart?" and asked what he truly meant to his father. After a long silence from outside the door, Xiao Dingquan learned from a servant that the Emperor had not, in fact, left; Li Ming'an was currently in the imperial chariot with him.

Earlier, foreseeing his own obstruction from entering the temporary palace, Gu Feng'en had prepared a second set of evidence and entrusted it to Lu Wenxi, instructing her to find a way into the temporary palace and deliver it to Li Ming'an. He had told her that Prefectural Governor Li would listen to her, and if he couldn't get away, she should inform her father of the outcome.

Lu Wenxi successfully completed her mission, having disguised herself as an internal palace staff member from Denghua palace sent on an errand by Princess Qi, using a pass to enter the palace unchallenged. She then delivered the privately printed gazettes and the confession from the press leader to Li Ming'an, who subsequently presented this evidence to the Emperor. This evidence, exposing Zhao Yong and the deeper conspiracy, caused the Emperor to realize he had misjudged his son.

Remembering Xiao Dingquan's heartfelt plea, his heart softened, and he ordered an investigation into Lu Wenxi's birthdate, with the intention of arranging a marriage between her and the Crown Prince. Li Ming'an, who had a deep friendship with Grand Censor Lu (Lu Ying), recognized Lu Wenxi and advised her to return to her father immediately to inform him that the Crown Prince was safe and to avoid any rash actions.

However, Lu Wenxi suddenly realized she had lost a pouch containing Xiao Dingquan's personal seal. She rushed back to find it, only to see Xiao Dingquan emerging, holding the lost pouch. Filled with mixed emotions, she quickly asked him to keep it. Xiao Dingquan, not recognizing her, dismissed the pouch as an item someone had dropped to gain favor and had it thrown away.

As a result of this delay, the palace gates closed for the night, trapping Lu Wenxi inside and preventing her from delivering the message to her father. Outside the palace, Lu Ying and several censors were in fervent discussion, preparing a joint petition to the Emperor to demand justice for the Crown Prince. Their anger was palpable, but Lu Shiyu arrived and cautioned them.

Presenting such a memorial with their names now, he warned, would only bring further trouble to the Crown Prince. As the Emperor's chariot departed the detached palace, onlookers noted that Xiao Dingquan was not among the retinue returning to the capital, confirming widespread fears that he remained confined within the palace. Lu Ying and the other censors were left to ponder their next move.

Episode 16 Recap

Xiao Dingquan, dozing in the imperial chariot alongside his father, is haunted by a vivid memory from three years prior: the tragic death of his mother, the Empress. Simultaneously, a group of censors led by Lu Ying gathers, expressing grave concern that the Crown Prince is being held under house arrest at the detached palace. They are determined to seek justice for Xiao Dingquan and secure Prince Qi's departure from the capital before it is too late.

After discussion, they resolve to make their remonstrance at Wu hour, first quarter, immediately following the court test. To maintain secrecy, Lu Ying instructs everyone to stay in their offices but dispatches Censor Li and Censor Chen to monitor the Danfeng Gate, with Censor Chen volunteering due to his nearby residence. Lu Ying reiterates that their objective is solely to uphold justice for the Crown Prince, cautioning against mentioning the detached palace to avoid an adverse outcome.

Unbeknownst to the censors, Censor Chen is Li Baizhou's informant. He swiftly relays their plans to Li Baizhou. An aide of Li Baizhou expresses worry, noting only two hours remain until the censors' planned action. Li Baizhou, unfazed, orders paper and brush prepared. He then sends his aide to persuade the Ministry of Rites official, promising him a high position if he cooperates.

Meanwhile, the Emperor watches the sleeping Xiao Dingquan, recalling his past favoritism towards Prince Qi, a memory that still causes Xiao Dingquan deep pain, particularly the moment Prince Qi received a jade belt during his capping ceremony. Minister He of the Ministry of Rites then arrives, confessing that a court test paper was damaged by rats and its seal broken. He expresses concern that rescheduling the test would provoke the censors, especially since their monthly report is due.

He implores the Emperor to change the test papers and requests the commander-in-chief's presence for supervision. The Emperor agrees, granting one and a half hours for new papers to be printed and sealed. He also orders the new scholars to wait inside Danfeng Gate, prohibiting any movement until his arrival. In the chariot, the Emperor gently advises Xiao Dingquan to rest, revealing that the court test has been rescheduled.

Censor Chen, having been promised a bright future by Li Baizhou, continues to wait at Danfeng Gate with Censor Li. When Censor Li spots the imperial carriage and suspects a change in the test schedule, he attempts to return to the yamen. However, Censor Chen, under the guise of taking over, allows his confederate to attack Censor Li and knock him unconscious, ensuring the censors remain uninformed. Within the palace, the Emperor's attitude towards Xiao Dingquan perceptibly softens.

He plans a rare family meal with Xiao Dingquan and Gu Fengen, hinting at good news regarding the Lu family. Xiao Dingquan, oblivious to the impending disaster, beams with hopeful anticipation. Unaware of the rescheduled test, Lu Ying and the other censors proudly march into the palace to present their remonstrance. Wenxi, disguised as a palace attendant, witnesses her father's determined advance.

Recalling Li Ming'an's instruction for her to tell her father that "everything is fine, don't be impulsive," she realizes the catastrophic implications of her delay in delivering the message, a delay caused by her earlier search for Xiao Dingquan's lost seal. She desperately tries to warn her father but is blocked by palace guards. Inside, Xiao Dingquan joyfully serves tea to the Emperor, a rare moment of father-son warmth.

This peace is abruptly shattered by Li Baizhou, who arrives to report that Lu Ying and the censors are at Chuigong Palace, protesting on behalf of the Crown Prince and disrupting the court test. He implicates Gu Fengen in the protest as well. Enraged, the Emperor accuses Xiao Dingquan of instigating the chaos. When Xiao Dingquan struggles to defend himself, the Emperor swiftly directs his suspicion towards Lu Shiyu.

Prince Qi, present at the scene, strategically paints the protest as a direct challenge to the Emperor's authority, subtly shifting blame to Lu Shiyu's students. In a fit of fury, the Emperor orders Xiao Dingquan to strip off his jade belt and crown, and immediately be confined to a sealed carriage, destined for the mausoleum. Lu Shiyu, who was preparing to leave for his hometown that very day, learns of Xiao Dingquan's predicament and bravely confronts the Emperor.

He invokes the late Emperor's profound trust, recalling how he was entrusted to guide the five-year-old Crown Prince into a loyal, filial, benevolent, and dignified gentleman. Lu Shiyu recounts his unwavering dedication of fifteen years, noting Xiao Dingquan's consistent attendance at lessons, a stark contrast to his own occasional absences. He implores the Emperor to consider the far-reaching impact of his decision, emphasizing that a ruler's virtue sets the standard for all subjects.

To protect Xiao Dingquan and the censors, Lu Shiyu dramatically takes full responsibility for the protest, declaring, "Today's events, I instigated. My crime is like mountains, death cannot atone. However, I ask Your Majesty to discern the smallest detail (to find out the truth). Crown Prince, I'm leaving." He then commits suicide before the Emperor. At that moment, Xiao Dingquan shatters his confinement, rushing out, his eyes red and hair disheveled, consumed by grief.

He tries to summon a doctor, but Lu Shiyu weakly waves him off. With his dying breath, Lu Shiyu acknowledges his own violation of his principles through this sacrifice, expressing deep shame. He then admires Xiao Dingquan's unique calligraphy style, reciting a profound verse: "Gold from Lishui, Jade from Kunlun. Cast in Lishui by mistake, Jade broken in Kunlun. If things aren't broken, how to tell beauty from ugliness? If people aren't broken, how to speak of good and evil?"

He names this style "Jincuodao" before succumbing to death in Xiao Dingquan's arms. Faced with the irreversible sacrifice of Lu Shiyu and the unyielding protest of the censors, the Emperor is forced to retract his orders. He instructs Li Chongkui to recall his men and bring Xiao Dingquan back.

Profoundly changed by his teacher's death, Xiao Dingquan, with newfound resolve, takes back his crown and clothing, stating, "A gentleman dies without losing his cap, let alone just going to the mausoleum." He then directly challenges the Emperor, warning that he will show no mercy if his loved ones are harmed. He asserts his authority as Crown Prince, declaring that as long as he is not formally deposed, all remain his subjects.

He states that he will not immediately investigate the leaked gazette or the manipulated court test delay and the student strike, implying he will proceed with his departure from the capital as ordered. However, he reveals his true intent: his Zhanshi Department and Liangchunfang Department will initiate discussions to reopen the investigation into the death of Lady Zhang during his capping ceremony—a move he deems "reasonable and justified."

He defiantly questions the Emperor, asking if he believes the Crown Prince will leave the capital before the truth of that case is fully revealed, before those involved face deposition, imprisonment, or even death. He concludes with a chilling declaration that "to do something, it's really much easier" now.

Meanwhile, Wenxi, witnessing the tragic events, collapses in uncontrollable grief, blaming her momentary negligence for the devastation that has fallen upon Lu Shiyu's family, her own Lu family, and the Gu family, as well as the Crown Prince. Elsewhere, Li Baizhou remains unfazed, telling his subordinate that the fire is not yet out, and they must "add more firewood" to their schemes.

Episode 17 Recap

Zhang Luzheng, the Minister of Penalty, came before His Majesty to request permission for his department to escort his late teacher, Lu Shiyu, back to his residence. His Majesty granted this. Zhang Luzheng then confessed that as the head of the Ministry of Penalty, he had failed to prevent the recent disorder and threats to the Emperor.

Although the Censorate and scholars had admonished the Emperor, Zhang Luzheng offered to resign, stating his wish to avoid becoming a "sinner of our country." His Majesty, understanding that Li Baizhou's machinations were aimed at weakening the Crown Prince, Xiao Dingquan, issued a decree. He affirmed that Xiao Dingquan was loyal and filial, and thus would not be ordered to leave the capital.

The actions of the loyal advisers were deemed unintentional faults, with only the "initiator" to be punished, acknowledging the sincerity of the scholars. Regarding Prince Qi, Xiao Dingtang, His Majesty decreed that due to ongoing warfare and military rectifications, Prince Qi would be ordered to inspect the troops in the capital for "tempering" before ultimately "going back to his fief."

That evening, a grief-stricken Xiao Dingquan returned to his private quarters, where he called for alcohol, seeking solitude despite his attendant Wang's attempts to console him. He repeatedly insisted he was fine, then drunkenly plunged into a pool, seemingly desperate to forget the day's painful events. That night, Xiao Dingquan was consumed by one of the darkest moments of his life.

He recalled his teacher's words: "The ruler is heaven, the subject is earth; the father is heaven, the son is earth." Yet, he was deeply confused, wondering where man stood between heaven and earth. Meanwhile, Zhang Shaoyun was at home, discussing the day with his father, Zhang Luzheng. Zhang Shaoyun was puzzled by his father's apparent dual loyalty, noting that he had accepted gifts from the Chancellor, Li Baizhou, yet also defended the Crown Prince.

He suggested aligning with Xiao Dingquan, especially since Prince Qi was leaving, and proposed marrying his sister to the Crown Prince to elevate their family to a status akin to Gu Silin's. Zhang Luzheng scoffed, calling his son foolish and remarking that it was fortunate he hadn't pursued a political career, as he would surely have fallen prey to others' schemes. Just then, Li Baizhou arrived, prompting Zhang Luzheng to hastily greet him.

Li Baizhou, in an angry tone, accused Zhang Luzheng of disloyalty, implying that after accepting gifts, he should not have spoken on behalf of others. Zhang Luzheng humbly explained that his actions were for Prince Qi's own good, reasoning that the Crown Prince would never forgive Prince Qi after Li Baizhou had forced Lu Shiyu to his death. Li Baizhou retorted that Lu Shiyu's demise was self-inflicted and arrogantly asserted his own power to protect Prince Qi.

Zhang Luzheng then revealed his true apprehension: the rumor that Lu Ying might become the Crown Prince's father-in-law. He worried that such an alliance would severely endanger him. Li Baizhou dismissed this fear, stating that Lu Ying's recent crimes made any such elevation impossible. He mentioned that the commander in chief's men had already retrieved Lu Ying's household register. Zhang Luzheng, still probing, asked if this was for the registration of the Crown Princess.

He then reiterated his difficult position, citing his existing conflicts with Lu Ying and the Crown Prince's inevitable future power. Later, Concubine Zhao, upon learning of Xiao Dingtang's military assignment, tearfully pleaded with His Majesty. She argued against sending Prince Qi to Jingjiwei, suggesting Changzhou to be under Gu Silin's command instead. His Majesty, however, was furious, smashing his writing brush. He recognized that Concubine Zhao's father, Zhao Yong, and Li Baizhou were behind the recent events.

He lashed out, questioning if they thought the Crown Prince was easily manipulated, and reminded them that Xiao Dingquan was a "suckling tiger," a rightful heir with the full backing of ancestral law, rites, public opinion, and his maternal uncle Gu Silin's two hundred thousand soldiers. He highlighted the Crown Prince's deep affection for Lu Shiyu, noting that after twelve years and eight thousand visits, this was the first night Xiao Dingquan had not come to pay his respects.

His Majesty warned that if Prince Qi did not leave, the Crown Prince would expose all their misdeeds, ensuring they would "die with his teacher." Overwhelmed, Concubine Zhao fell silent. His Majesty then clutched his chest in distress and collapsed, prompting his attendants to quickly administer medicine. Upon regaining consciousness, with only Xiao Dingtang kneeling outside, His Majesty, still raging, demanded to know the true mastermind behind the events, vowing to arrest and execute them.

He then angrily ordered Xiao Dingtang to go immediately to the Xiaoqi squad, which was led by his father-in-law, and forbade him from re-entering the palace, as his presence now vexed him. The next morning, Li Baizhou, who had reportedly stayed awake all night, presented His Majesty with confessions from several Censorate officials. The Emperor sarcastically commented on the speed of Li Baizhou's "confession" writers.

Li Baizhou replied that the gravity of the matter, involving the Crown Prince, imperial relatives, and the Ministry of Rites, demanded swift action. He confirmed that the confessions "all say Lu Ying is the initiator" who had "caused troubles deliberately," and that "His Royal Highness has nothing to do with it." His Majesty, reflecting on his earlier appointment of Zhang Luzheng, mused that it was "my mistake" to have chosen him as "minister of discipline."

He suggested that Lu Ying's family might also be complicit. Pondering the severity of disrupting national ceremonies, His Majesty asked Li Baizhou if they truly needed to proceed to such lengths. Li Baizhou stressed that such disruption was akin to destroying the imperial temple, deeply affecting the dignity of the royal family. Convinced, His Majesty issued a decree, ordering the Ministry of Penalty to arrest the Lu family members.

At Lu Shiyu's mansion, Lu Wenxi, still feeling unwell, was keeping a sorrowful vigil for her teacher. Officials from the Ministry of Penalty suddenly arrived, demanding to know if "royal minister Lu's daughter" was present. Lu's wife protested the unfairness of extending punishment to women and children, but the officials insisted on searching the premises. Realizing the danger, Lu's wife quickly urged Lu Wenxi to escape through the back door. Though distraught, Lu Wenxi was persuaded to flee.

Inside the mourning hall, Lu's wife bravely confronted the Ministry of Penalty officials, reminding them that their superior, Zhang Luzheng, was a former student of Lu Shiyu, and passionately asked if they intended to prevent her late husband's soul from returning home by desecrating his funeral. At that moment, Xiao Dingquan arrived, his eyes filled with a frosty resolve. He sternly ordered Zhang Luzheng's men to immediately cease disturbing his teacher's wife.

Entering the mourning hall, Xiao Dingquan draped Lu Shiyu's cape over the coffin. Memories of his teacher's gentle demeanor and lessons on calligraphy, particularly that "all literature and art can't be used for conspiracy," flooded his mind. He recalled Lu Shiyu's desire to retire after the spring exam and his request for a piece of his calligraphy.

Overwhelmed, Xiao Dingquan picked up a ruler, striking his palm repeatedly, a futile act of self-punishment for a loss that could not be undone. Meanwhile, outside, Lu Wenxi, still on the run from the Ministry of Penalty guards, was cornered, but then suddenly rescued by Xiao Dingkai, who assured her she was safe. Lu Wenxi, crying bitterly, realized that her temporary negligence had doomed the Lu family, the Gu family, and the Crown Prince. In her distress, she expressed only one desire: to go home.

Episode 18 Recap

Still at Lu Shiyu's residence, Xiao Dingquan was consumed by sorrow for his teacher. Madam Lu, discerning his grief, gently reassured him, yet also inquired if he could extend his protection to Lu Wenxi, sensing that the Ministry of Penalty was targeting her. Xiao Dingquan confirmed her suspicions and immediately rushed to the Lu family mansion. He found the residence in disarray, its interior resembling a ruin. Inside, he shielded young Lu Wenjin from the Ministry of Penalty soldiers.

Soon after, Zhang Shaoyun, unaware of Xiao Dingquan's true identity, brazenly entered and ordered his men to arrest Xiao Dingquan. Although Xiao Dingquan attempted to take Lu Wenjin away, an official clarified that they were acting on an imperial decree. Unable to defy the Emperor's command, Xiao Dingquan entrusted his own guards with the protection of Lu Wenxi and Lu Wenjin, then proceeded to the Emperor.

Before the Emperor, Xiao Dingquan, now sober, immediately challenged the arrest of Lu Ying's children, emphasizing that Lu Ying had not yet been convicted. He criticized the blatant conflict of interest in allowing Zhang Luzheng, who harbored a deep-seated enmity towards Lu Ying, to preside over the case, branding it an obstruction of justice. The Emperor sternly forbade his intervention, hinting that Xiao Dingquan was swayed by personal feelings for Lu Wenxi.

The Emperor then presented Xiao Dingquan with two characters, "貞" (loyalty) and "謬" (absurdity), demanding he choose one as Lu Shiyu's posthumous title. He explained that if Lu Ying were not identified as the chief plotter, then Lu Shiyu would be held accountable, in which case "謬" would be a merciful posthumous title. Xiao Dingquan realized the agonizing choice he faced: he had to sacrifice Lu Ying's entire family to preserve his beloved teacher Lu Shiyu's honor.

The Emperor, with a subtle smile, remarked that he was merely granting Xiao Dingquan the power of final judgment for his teacher, questioning if such a decision was truly so difficult for him. Ultimately, Xiao Dingquan chose "貞," thereby sealing the fate of the Lu family. The Emperor, accepting his choice, declared that this posthumous title would be immutable for eternity and sternly warned Xiao Dingquan against regret or future pleas.

Meanwhile, Xiao Dingkai tried to comfort a visibly distressed Lu Wenxi, offering her cheese and milk, highlighting its soothing and restorative qualities. He offered her his own place as a temporary refuge and then sent her to Li Ming'an's residence. There, Madam Li voiced her worries about Lu Wenxi's predicament. Li Ming'an informed Lu Wenxi that he had received an imperial decree commanding his immediate return to Changzhou.

He promised to rescue Lu Wenjin and then take both him and Lu Wenxi along. Lu Wenxi's expression darkened as she grasped the dire implications for her father, Lu Ying, and elder brother, Lu Wenpu. She desperately pleaded with Li Ming'an for their rescue. Li Ming'an, turning away in despair, explained his profound friendship with Lu Ying, stating he would not "stand by" if he had the power to "help him," but he was currently powerless.

Understanding his constraints, Lu Wenxi told him she would not burden him further, wiped away her tears, and departed, returning to the desolate Lu mansion to retrieve her unfinished painting of two cranes. Later, Li Ming'an confided in Madam Li that he allowed Lu Wenxi to leave because she was resolute and would not be dissuaded.

He also elucidated his inability to intercede for Lu Ying; having just assumed command of the Tianchang Guards, any attempt to persuade the Emperor would be construed as "threatening the emperor with military force," a perilous accusation he sought to avoid. He concluded that the Emperor needed to make an example to "set the constitution straight," and thus, as the head of the Censorate, Lu Ying was destined to bear the responsibility.

The announcement of Lu Shiyu's posthumous title at his residence brought Madam Lu to tears. Gu Fengen, already in agony from being stripped of his academic achievements and disqualified from lifelong exams, arrived drunk to mourn his teacher, furiously demanding to know who had caused Madam Lu's distress. Xiao Dingquan arrived, taking responsibility for the situation and expressing his profound shame. He eventually had Gu Fengen, who continued to rage and blame him, escorted away.

Later, as Xiao Dingquan was being transported in his sedan chair, Lu Wenxi, disguised as Lu Wenjin, intercepted him. She asked to speak with him and presented her unfinished painting, a silent plea for intervention. Remaining inside his sedan, Xiao Dingquan commented on the painting's "novel and delicate" colors but critically noted its "unsatisfactory" vigor and that it was "not good enough for the Imperial Household," advising her to "practice your technique more."

Lu Wenxi, recalling their first encounter and his previous assertion that he had no one he would protect without reason or power, desperately asked if she could still hope for his promised help. Xiao Dingquan, his voice conveying a chilling finality, replied, "Sorry, I am powerless. And I have no will." He then referenced Lu Shiyu's posthumous title, stating that the Emperor had recognized his teacher as a loyal minister, thereby confirming his choice and its consequences.

He added that he could not fulfill Madam Lu's request to protect Lu Wenxi, blaming himself for this failure. Understanding his decision, Lu Wenxi knelt, calling herself "ignorant and shameless," asking for forgiveness and stating, "I understand," before walking away.

As she departed, Xiao Dingquan, visibly collapsing within his sedan, reflected on his helplessness and the painful choices forced upon him, the Emperor's words echoing in his mind that all he possessed was granted by the Emperor, and that his "personal feelings" for Lu Shiyu had led him to abandon his "so-called justice."

Episode 19 Recap

After Crown Prince Xiao Dingquan's explicit refusal to intervene, Lu Wenxi stood distraught on a bridge, clutching a painting. The melancholic scene mirrored her internal turmoil, as she despaired that despite risking her life for him, he would not save her family. Overwhelmed by anger and hopelessness, she desperately threw the painting into the river, collapsing to the ground and sobbing uncontrollably. Prince Xiao Dingkai then appeared beside her, gently draping a cloak over her.

Unseen by them, Xiao Dingquan stood in the darkness nearby. He hesitated, wanting to comfort her, but upon hearing her tearful pleas for her father and brother, he retreated, unable to face her. Ultimately, he did not reveal himself, but instead retrieved the painting from the river, carefully placing it in a cabinet for safekeeping. Back in his room, Xiao Dingquan found his trusted maid, Kouzhu, attending to a deeply intoxicated Gu Fengen.

Kouzhu assured him that Gu Fengen merely needed sleep, adding that Gu Fengen had muttered in his drunken state, "Crown prince, it's not your fault. We don't blame you." Xiao Dingquan sighed, then led Kouzhu outside, confiding that he had an important task for her. Meanwhile, Xiao Dingtang's princess was despondent over his imminent departure from the capital, wondering when, or if, he would ever return.

She gently held his hand, vowing to serve Consort Zhao well and to follow him to his fief, no matter the distance, if he were truly banished, proclaiming, "In short, no matter where, I will go with you." Xiao Dingtang was touched, telling her, "Ah Chuo, marrying you. . . I've long been aware of this. You can leave with peace of mind."

However, her tender facade quickly dissolved as she fiercely warned him against philandering while away, threatening, "If you leave here and hang around with the women, I'll. . ." Xiao Dingtang retorted, "It's the army. No women there, okay? Let alone the men." She continued her tirade, demanding to know what he was thinking and pinching him painfully. A servant interrupted, announcing a palace maid with a pair of earrings.

Xiao Dingtang instantly recognized the earrings as Maid Chen's and, alarmed, ordered the maid to be brought in. The servant described her as "young and pretty," further igniting his wife's suspicions, who again demanded to know which hand he had used to handle the earrings, causing Xiao Dingtang to squirm under her wrath before he scurried off. Kouzhu, identifying herself as "Maid Chen from Baoben palace," appeared before Xiao Dingtang.

She explained she carried a message from her master, Crown Prince Xiao Dingquan, demanding that Xiao Dingtang and Li Baizhou secure the release of Lu Wenjin. She warned that if they failed or if the Crown Prince's involvement became known, Xiao Dingquan would ensure the Ministry of Justice reopened the capping ceremony case, regardless of Xiao Dingtang's location. As a "deposit," she presented Xiao Dingtang with one of his own lost earrings.

She also promised that if the task was completed, Xiao Dingquan would gift Xiao Dingtang "the person he had in mind." Xiao Dingtang, recognizing the gravity of the threat, assured Kouzhu that he understood. His princess, overhearing parts of the conversation, furiously berated him from another room, declaring that he also wanted "another person" and that all men were "not one of them good."

Xiao Dingtang immediately consulted Li Baizhou, who surmised that Xiao Dingquan sought their help because only he and the Emperor held enough influence to change the outcome. Li Baizhou further noted the Emperor's unwavering stance, citing Gu Fengen's recent dismissal from office as proof. Li Baizhou agreed to coordinate Lu Wenjin's release and urged Xiao Dingtang to instruct Zhang Luzheng to expedite the conclusion of the case.

Satisfied that Lu Ying's fate was sealed—death, despite his son's release—Xiao Dingtang felt a sense of relief, confident he could now leave the capital. Li Baizhou then noticed a mark on Xiao Dingtang's neck, which the prince attributed to his wife's anger. The following morning, Gu Fengen awoke from his stupor, despairing over the loss of his official rank and the shame it brought. Kouzhu or a servant prepared his robes and tea.

Gu Fengen, still grappling with his indignation, argued with a servant who commented on the costliness of his soiled silks, clinging to his past academic achievements and proclaiming them to be "more valuable." Though reluctant to face the Emperor, he was urged on by Xiao Dingquan. When he finally knelt before the Emperor, Gu Fengen humbly confessed his imprudence and lack of self-discipline, accepting his punishment with deep regret.

The Emperor, however, cut him short, adding sternly that if Gu Silin, Gu Fengen's father, were present, he would have "broken his legs." Gu Fengen responded meekly, acknowledging the Emperor's "love" for him, while Xiao Dingquan subtly tried to communicate with Gu Fengen, drawing the Emperor's immediate disapproval. The Emperor then presented a policy essay for Xiao Dingquan and Gu Fengen to review, a brilliant piece by the newly appointed third-rank scholar, Xu Changping.

Xiao Dingquan praised the essay for its profound understanding of classics and sound arguments, noting he "Can be a third party." Xu Changping was then called in. The Emperor, impressed by his youth, good looks, and hometown of Yueyang, remarked that selecting him as a scholar was "out of sheer luck."

He noted that Xu Changping was the only one who didn't cause trouble during the previous court test, despite a past personal grievance with the Crown Prince, leading him to question Xu's motives. Xu Changping humbly responded, attributing the successful resolution of their past conflict to the Crown Prince's wisdom and broad perspective, stating he held no grudge.

He added that he believed the Crown Prince was "so smart to know what I am thinking about" and that he had "nothing to fear." The Emperor, pleased, commended Xu Changping's eloquence and quick wit. He then appointed Xu Changping as Cheng Zhi, replacing the mourning Secretarial Director, and encouraged Xiao Dingquan to interact frequently with Xu Changping, believing he would be "more helpful for him than others."

Xu Changping pledged his utmost dedication, a sentiment echoed by Xiao Dingquan, who stated he was "looking forward to it." Xiao Dingquan then subtly attempted to speak on behalf of Lu Wenpu, but the Emperor quickly dismissed him, stating, "No need to rush his matter, he's next." The Emperor then ordered Xu Changping to draft a decree. The Imperial decree was swiftly issued, sentencing Lu Ying and Lu Wenpu to immediate execution.

News of the sentence reached Li Baizhou, who, conversing with Zhang Luzheng, remarked on the unfortunate fate of Lu Ying's son and praised Zhang Luzheng's handling of the case, which was deemed "proper." Zhang Luzheng, however, worried about accusations of personal vendetta. Their conversation also revealed political maneuvering around vacant positions, with Li Baizhou expressing a preference for "his own men" for key roles like the head of the six ministries (Minister of Personnel).

At this point, a subordinate reported to Li Baizhou that Lu Ying's eldest daughter was outside the Ministry of Justice, seeking to see her father. Li Baizhou, surprised she had truly gone there, immediately ordered his carriage. Unbeknownst to them, the Emperor, still speaking to Xiao Dingquan, mused on the hopes of parents for obedient children, stating, "What parents want most is for their children to be more obedient."

He then issued a chilling command to a subordinate: if Xiao Dingquan proved disobedient, Zhang Luzheng was to "execute that woman on the spot," referring to Lu Wenxi. Outside the Ministry of Justice, Lu Wenxi struggled as Prince V, Xiao Dingkai, attempted to restrain her. A subordinate quickly alerted Zhang Luzheng, who emerged to find Xiao Dingkai holding the struggling woman draped in his cloak. Xiao Dingkai attempted to disguise her as his "mentally unstable" maid, apologizing for the disturbance.

However, Lu Wenxi cried out, "I don't want to see the last farewell at the execution ground!" forcing Xiao Dingkai to silence her, telling her, "Shut up! Do you want to drag me to my death?" Zhang Luzheng, though suspicious, played along, remarking on the prince's presence for a mere maid, but then indicated he couldn't disregard the imperial decree without seeing her face. Just as Xiao Dingkai hesitated, Xiao Dingquan arrived.

Xiao Dingkai, relieved, said there was "no need" for her to reveal her face. But Xiao Dingquan, stepping forward, declared, "No need to see her face. This person I recognize. She is Lu Ying's eldest daughter."

Episode 20 Recap

After Xiao Dingquan publicly revealed Lu Wenxi's identity as Lu Ying's eldest daughter, Zhang Luzheng was about to apprehend her. However, Xiao Dingquan intervened, stating that arresting her there would be undignified. He proposed to have her tied and sent to the Ministry of Penalty later. Zhang Luzheng, unable to argue, watched as Lu Wenxi remained hidden in Xiao Dingkai's cloak, her eyes resolute, signaling her refusal to flee.

Xiao Dingquan then prepared to leave, rejecting Xu Changping's invitation to view new brush and ink at the National Academy. As Xiao Dingquan departed, Gu Fengen sighed, admitting he found it increasingly difficult to understand his cousin's intentions. Back in his residence, Xiao Dingquan carefully retrieved Lu Wenxi's painting, its beautiful landscape stirring his heart. He had devised a plan to save Lu Ying: request the Emperor to grant him a marriage.

A grand ducal wedding often brought about a national amnesty, which could spare Lu Ying and his son. When Xiao Dingquan proposed this to the Emperor, he was initially displeased, suspecting Xiao Dingquan was there to plead guilty and interfere with the matter despite his previous promise. Xiao Dingquan clarified he was there to request a marriage, seeking a princess.

He expressed his admiration for Zhang Nianzhi, the virtuous eldest daughter of Minister Zhang Luzheng, whose age was suitable for marriage, as suggested by the Imperial Concubine in Denghua Palace.

Xiao Dingquan explained that this marriage was his solution to both uphold the Emperor's order and save Lu Ying, arguing that only a national amnesty resulting from his marriage to Zhang Luzheng's daughter could temporarily save Lu Ying and prevent the collusion of the Ministry of Official Affairs and Ministry of Punishment with the Chancery. The Emperor, calling him "bold, stupid, and naive," demanded a sufficient reason for his request.

Xiao Dingquan simply stated, "Because I love her," even though he admitted he had never met her. The Emperor did not immediately reject the request, deciding instead to announce his decision at the morning court the next day. Xiao Dingquan bowed, promising to serve the Emperor and the country diligently if his request was granted. In the prison, the imperial decree arrived, condemning Lu Ying and his eldest son, Lu Wenpu, to immediate execution.

Their eldest daughter would be enslaved, and the youngest son exiled. Lu Wenpu, his eyes brimming with tears, combed his father's hair, remarking that he felt no regret, as at least Lu Wenjin had escaped and Lu Wenxi was safe, though her whereabouts were unknown. Lu Ying, tearfully, confessed his fear of his children blaming him, but Lu Wenpu comforted him, smiling bravely as they prepared to face their fate together, their hands tightly clasped.

Soon, Lu Ying and Lu Wenpu were escorted to the execution ground. Zhang Luzheng watched with schadenfreude, while his son, Zhang Shaoyun, unexpectedly ran up to Lu Wenpu to apologize for a past incident. Zhang Luzheng, enraged by his son's defiance, chased him away. A commotion then arose as Xiao Dingquan arrived, under imperial decree, to supervise the execution. As time passed, sweat beaded on Xiao Dingquan's face.

He anxiously awaited news from the morning court, but no announcement came even after the session ended. Preparing for the worst, Xiao Dingquan instructed Gu Fengen to keep an eye on the crowd and prevent Lu Wenxi from witnessing the tragic scene. Indeed, Lu Wenxi was frantically rushing towards the execution ground, stumbling and falling along the way.

Suddenly, Li Ming'an appeared, bearing surprising news: Lu Ying and Lu Wenpu had not been executed but were sent back to the Ministry of Penalty. Overwhelmed, Lu Wenxi collapsed. She was unaware that this reprieve came at the cost of Xiao Dingquan's marriage to Zhang Luzheng's daughter.

Li Ming'an further explained that Lu Wenxi and Lu Wenjin had been pardoned, and Lu Ying and Lu Wenpu's immediate execution had been commuted to a stay of execution, to be carried out after autumn. He pondered Xiao Dingquan's actions—was it bold, foolish, clever, or naive? He concluded that without the Crown Prince's intervention, Lu Ying would have surely died.

He also revealed that the Emperor's decision to sanction the marriage was to prevent the ministries from colluding with the Chancery, viewing it as a test for the Crown Prince against the Chancellor. Lu Wenxi, safe at Li Ming'an's residence, was overjoyed to find Lu Wenjin unharmed. However, remembering Xiao Dingquan's cold dismissal of her pleas earlier, she felt utterly disheartened, unaware of the immense sacrifice he had made. She recalled his words: "Sorry. I am powerless and heartless.

It is I who am ignorant and shameless. I understand. From today on, Young Master Xiao is a stranger." That evening, during a meal with the Emperor, Zhao Guifei, and Xiao Dingkai, Xiao Dingtang requested an audience from outside. The Emperor initially refused, but Zhao Guifei pleaded on his behalf. Xiao Dingquan then rose, admitting he had summoned Xiao Dingtang.

The Emperor, understanding Xiao Dingquan's intentions, instructed him to personally tell Xiao Dingtang to leave the capital by dawn the next day. Standing in the corridor, Xiao Dingtang sarcastically remarked that Xiao Dingquan must be enjoying his departure. Xiao Dingquan, expressionless, countered that everyone carries pain and regret, and Xiao Dingtang was not alone in his misfortune. He then recited a poem, "Willow branches, green and low, Yang flowers, whirling high and fast.

All the willow branches broken, all the flowers scattered, tell me, travelers, do you return?" When Lu Wenjin asked what "departure" meant, Lu Wenxi explained it was "forgetting each other in the martial world," a contrast to "mutual support" which was "being together." She added that people break willow branches to plead with their loved ones not to leave, or at least not for too long, because they simply wish to stay with their family, not for any fortune.

She confirmed that she and Lu Wenjin would also be leaving. Meanwhile, in prison, Lu Wenpu comforted Lu Ying, trusting that Prefectural Governor Li Ming'an would care for his siblings. He lamented not being able to see them one last time. Li Ming'an, preparing to take Lu Wenxi and Lu Wenjin to Changzhou the next day, discussed the imperial politics with his wife.

He speculated that the Emperor's decision to marry the Crown Prince to Zhang Luzheng's daughter indicated his exasperation with Li Baizhou, using this alliance as leverage against the Chancellor. However, Li Ming'an found the Crown Prince's motives perplexing: his mentor Lu Shiyu and Lu Ying had just fallen, yet he immediately allied with Lu Ying's old enemy. He concluded that while the Emperor's heart was hard to predict, the Crown Prince's intentions were even more inscrutable.

He stressed the importance of keeping Lu Wenxi and Lu Wenjin completely disassociated from the Crown Prince, fearing that any involvement could jeopardize his own position, and left Lu Ying's ultimate fate to destiny.

Episode 21 Recap

As Xiao Dingtang prepared to leave the capital, he bid farewell to Lady Jiang, entrusting his mother to her care. Lady Jiang assured him she would. Soon after, Lady Jiang reported back to Zhao Guifei, who was visibly distressed by her beloved son's departure. Her mind was elsewhere, and she lost her appetite. A maid attempted to encourage her, "The fish is delicious. It's from grandpa, right? You should eat some." Zhao Guifei then expressed her concern, "It's cold outside.

Did he wear enough?" to which a maid replied, "Not much." When Xiao Dingkai attempted to comfort his mother, he was sharply rebuked, simply hearing, "Behave." He stood by her side, looking upset and wronged. Lu Wenxi and Lu Wenjin departed the capital with Li Ming'an. Xiao Dingquan, having dispatched Gu Fengen to secretly escort them, watched as they passed through the city gates. Gu Fengen, observing Xiao Dingquan's dispirited state, playfully suggested he go see them off himself.

Xiao Dingquan sighed, explaining he had promised the Emperor that he would never again have any connection with Lu Wenxi, lamenting that if she couldn't stay, they should simply forget each other. Unbeknownst to Xiao Dingquan, Lu Wenxi was a resolute woman. Mid-journey, she secretly disembarked the carriage. She tenderly advised her younger brother, Lu Wenjin, to "listen to madam, behave, and not make troubles for them."

She encouraged him to "study well" and "practice your calligraphy more," hoping he would write as beautifully as his brother when they next met. Lu Wenjin, upset by her departure, asked, "Sister, why do you leave me?" Lu Wenxi explained her unwavering resolve: "Because I don't understand. I will go back to find brother and dad. And we will pick you up together. Our family will never be separated again." She instructed Wenjin to wait for Madam Li.

Little Lu Wenjin, weeping, begged her to wait and asked why she broke willow branches. Lu Wenxi replied, "Because some people don't understand. We don't need any fortune. We just don't want to be separated from our family. So we want to keep them stay with the willows. Even if they have to leave, it won't be too long." She promised to return quickly, even "on horseback." Shortly after, Madam Li discovered Lu Wenxi was missing.

Her servants only found Lu Wenjin, who was crying, "Where is sister? She left me." Madam Li immediately ordered a widespread search, but to no avail. Xiao Dingkai, also a son of Zhao Guifei, struggled to gain his mother's affection, unlike his older brother, Xiao Dingtang. In an effort to please her, he intentionally consumed fish and shrimp, foods he was allergic to, simply because they were Xiao Dingtang's favorites.

Lady Jiang, who always held a soft spot for Xiao Dingkai, noticed his red rashes and brought him medicine from the palace late at night. When he asked her to apply it, she chided him gently for eating things he shouldn't and suggested he have his younger sisters do it. He also lamented, "Anyway, minister Lu died. Who will I write it to?" At this moment, a servant announced that a "prefectural governor Li's servant" was seeking an audience.

This servant was, in fact, Lu Wenxi, disguised as a man, having nowhere else to turn, she sought refuge with Xiao Dingkai. Xiao Dingkai was utterly astonished to see Lu Wenxi in disguise. She knelt before him, pleading for his help to enter the palace. Xiao Dingkai immediately recognized her, asking, "Sister, you have left the capital with prefectural governor Li, right? Why are you dressed up like this? You run back behind their back?"

Lu Wenxi, having overheard a conversation between Li Ming'an and his wife, revealed that while her father and brother were temporarily spared from execution, their ultimate fate hinged on the struggle between the Eastern Palace and Li Baizhou. She explained, "I want to serve in the Eastern Palace," believing that entering the Eastern Palace was the only way to help them. Xiao Dingkai vehemently chastised her, exclaiming, "Ridiculous!" and asked if she understood the implications.

He tried to suggest other solutions, such as appealing to the Emperor or seeking help from prefectural governor Li. But Lu Wenxi stated, "You helped me a lot. I don't want to cause you any troubles again," and insisted on her plan. Xiao Dingkai flatly refused, saying, "I am not afraid of being implicated, but I absolutely disagree." He confessed, "Because I want to call you sister, not sister in law." He further probed her, "You are very smart.

You are here to see me tonight, also because you know this right?" Lady Jiang, having witnessed the entire exchange from the shadows, emerged after Xiao Dingkai had Lu Wenxi settled in a guest room. Xiao Dingkai grumbled, rebuking Lady Jiang for teasing him about Lu Wenxi, "Don't make fun of me, lady. I have said I don't want to be sandwiched between them. You think it's so easy to send a living person into the Eastern Palace?"

Lady Jiang then offered a solution, explaining that as she was responsible for selecting the female officials to serve the Crown Princess at the upcoming wedding, it wouldn't be difficult to send Lu Wenxi into the Eastern Palace. She further pointed out the advantages, noting Lu Wenxi's knowledge of the Tea and Horse Road affairs and her family's connections, suggesting that if Lu Ying were rescued, prefectural governor Li would be forever indebted to Xiao Dingkai.

However, Xiao Dingkai remained unwilling, questioning the benefit for him since he would be leaving the capital after the wedding. Lady Jiang playfully teased him, "I said it wrong. You are not grown up. You are still a child," and then left for the palace, instructing a maid to apply medicine for Fifth Prince. Despite Yanzuo Palace being fully repaired for his impending marriage, Xiao Dingquan was determined not to move back.

The Emperor inquired about his well-being, even offering incense for his insomnia, to which Xiao Dingquan demurred, though he did joke that Gu Fengen was now the one with insomnia. The Emperor then pressed him, "You want to move back or not?" regarding his wedding location, Yanzuo or Baoben Palace. Xiao Dingquan tactfully replied, "You should make the decision for me," and the Emperor deferred the decision to a court discussion the day after tomorrow.

Gu Fengen discussed the matter with Xiao Dingquan, pointing out that while the Eastern Palace, also known as Dongfu Palace, might not have a pleasant name, it was "half the court after all." He warned Xiao Dingquan that if he returned to the palace, his days of staying out all night would be over.

Gu Fengen elaborated on the practical difficulties, explaining that it would become "so difficult" for Xiao Dingquan to ride horses, view paintings, or meet with outside ministers at night if he were confined within the inner palace. Xiao Dingquan firmly stated, "I can't go back." Within the palace, maids gossiped about the Crown Prince's potential return to Yanzuo Palace, wondering if he would willingly move. They speculated that despite the palace being ready, he might not use it.

One maid's comment on her "eating what" (likely referring to jealousy) was overheard by Kouzhu. Enraged, Kouzhu declared, "It doesn't matter that you gossip about me. As the maid, how dare you to gossip about the crown prince? Even about the state affair." She ordered the maid to be beaten and sent to the garment department, stating, "Crown Princess is coming. We should set the rules straight."

To dissuade Lu Wenxi from her dangerous plan, Xiao Dingkai asked Lady Jiang to test her on palace etiquette, believing that if she failed, she would abandon the idea of entering the palace. Xiao Dingkai specifically asked Lady Jiang to quiz her on rules like "who should show the courtesy when the imperial concubine and the Crown Princess meet," aiming to make her give up. Lady Jiang agreed.

Lu Wenxi proved to be exceptionally knowledgeable, answering all of Lady Jiang's questions flawlessly. When asked if the Crown Prince would return to the palace after his wedding, Lu Wenxi confidently asserted, "No. He won't." Impressed by her sharp intellect, Lady Jiang decided to take her into the palace immediately, telling her, "What are you waiting for? Get changed and go to the palace."

Xiao Dingkai was agitated by this turn of events, but Lady Jiang reassured him with a smile, promising, "I will return her to you." On their way to the palace, Lady Jiang, impressed by Lu Wenxi's intellect, encouraged her to elaborate on why she believed the Crown Prince would not return to the palace.

Lu Wenxi articulated that Dongfu Palace, being a residence outside the main imperial complex, offered greater flexibility for the Crown Prince to interact with ministers and conduct affairs. She argued that if the Emperor truly intended to leverage the Crown Prince against Li Baizhou, he would grant him this freedom, as "if the emperor wants to keep the chancellor at bay, he needs to help the crown prince to give him the freedom."

Lady Jiang nodded in approval, stating, "Keep it." They soon arrived at Donghua Gate, the east entrance of the imperial palace. Lady Jiang noted that this was the gathering point where the Crown Prince and Li Baizhou were scheduled to meet with the Emperor to discuss the Crown Prince's post-wedding residence.

While observing the ministers arriving, including the unperturbed Chancellor Li Baizhou, Lady Jiang observed Lu Wenxi and mused to herself that she reminded her of a former female historian named Gu Sese, who had left due to illness. Lady Jiang pointed out the chancellor and other participating officials to Lu Wenxi, explaining their roles in the upcoming discussion.

She then instructed Lu Wenxi to lower her head and told her that they were waiting to witness the outcome of the discussion. Lady Jiang concluded, "If your answer is right, your name will be. . ." implying Lu Wenxi's future in the palace depended on the accuracy of her prediction.

Episode 22 Recap

The Ministry of Revenue's Minister Huang presented the budget for Xiao Dingquan's wedding to the Emperor, stating that the extensive seven-year renovation of Yanzuo palace had already depleted the national treasury, making further generous spending impossible. Minister Huang then suggested that the Crown Prince should use this occasion to move back into the palace. Xiao Dingquan countered that Yanzuo palace had just been completed, and furnishing it anew would be a massive and luxurious expense.

When Minister Huang proposed moving existing furniture, Xiao Dingquan scoffed, calling it "robbing Peter to pay Paul" and questioning if it served any purpose beyond making the imperial household seem impoverished. Li Baizhou then interjected, arguing that the Crown Prince residing outside the palace and frequently meeting with external officials would invite reproach.

He produced records of officials visiting Xiao Dingquan, including the Imperial Astronomer's Assistant Minister just the day before, which had resulted in an accusation memorial being sent to the chancery. Xiao Dingquan attempted to explain that these visits were related to wedding preparations, such as the preparatory ritual or conveying congratulations, and claimed he hadn't even let some officials enter.

He tried to explain his meeting with the Imperial Astronomer's Assistant Minister regarding wedding day weather, but Li Baizhou cut him off. The Emperor, despite his irritation with Li Baizhou's persistence, seemed to acquiesce to the argument for the Crown Prince's return to the palace. Lady Jiang, having overheard the discussion, observed the strong winds outside and the Emperor's apparent decision.

As she held deep grievances against Li Baizhou, she subtly instructed Wenxi to go to Yanzuo palace to ensure nothing went awry. Wenxi, understanding the implicit command, arrived at the palace, still under renovation. Posing as an official from the Shanggong Bureau, she ordered the workmen to stop due to the strong winds and check for fire hazards, effectively clearing the site. She then secretly entered, using incense to ignite fabrics and start a fire.

The blaze quickly spread through Yanzuo palace. News of the fire reached the Emperor, Xiao Dingquan, and Li Baizhou. Minister Huang urged immediate firefighting, but the Emperor, clearly wishing to prevent Xiao Dingquan from moving back, cited the strong winds and ordered everyone to withdraw, claiming it was too dangerous. Once the area was clear, Wenxi escaped.

Outside, a sudden rain shower made her fear her efforts were in vain, but a timely lightning strike intensified the fire, consuming the palace. Lady Jiang then observed to Wenxi that "heaven's will" seemed to be on her side. Xiao Dingquan watched, wondering about the unknown assistance he had received. With Yanzuo palace in ruins, reconstruction would take at least three months, making it impossible for Xiao Dingquan to move back before his wedding.

Li Baizhou insisted on a thorough investigation, suggesting someone might have deliberately obstructed the wedding. However, the Emperor dismissed it as a natural disaster, a "thunder fire," mentioning that Xiao Dingquan himself had inquired about thunderstorms and placed "lightning-attracting" objects near the eaves (specifically under the "chiwen"), an action he compared to a past fire in Fenghua palace.

Xiao Dingquan offered to submit an apology letter for the palace's destruction, but the Emperor forbade it, not wanting to issue a confession decree himself. The Emperor decreed that the welcoming ceremony would proceed at Baoben palace, ensuring Xiao Dingquan would remain outside the main palace. He then ordered Li Baizhou to suppress any further memorials regarding the Crown Prince's external associations.

Meanwhile, Zhao Yong complained to Li Baizhou that Lu Ying, who had narrowly escaped death, could expose their past misdeeds. He urged Li Baizhou to ensure Lu Ying died in prison. Li Baizhou, however, advised caution and decided to wait until after the Crown Prince's wedding before taking further action. Lady Jiang then allowed Wenxi to enter Dong palace under the name Gu Abao. Lady Jiang tested Wenxi on palace geography, official ranks, and etiquette.

Wenxi flawlessly recited palace names, the duties of the six divisions, and the proper courtesies, even noting that a Consort would bow to the Crown Princess. Lady Jiang remarked that Prince Qi's biological mother would have had to bow to Wenxi if Wenxi had become Crown Princess. Wenxi, with a hint of sadness, only responded with "strangers since then." When asked about the wedding ceremony's kneeling protocols, Wenxi correctly stated that the Crown Princess would bow to the Crown Prince.

Lady Jiang, impressed, reaffirmed her decision to bring Wenxi into the palace. Wenxi later encountered Xiao Dingkai, who was admiring osmanthus trees, reminiscent of his late mother. Wenxi shared a story about her own harmonious sibling relationship, which left Xiao Dingkai melancholic. He expressed a longing for family unity, contrasting it with his own lack of close fraternal bonds and lamenting that his own brothers would not give him sweets like Wenxi's did.

Xiao Dingkai, who had developed feelings for Wenxi, then accidentally discovered Xiao Dingquan's private seal on her. Wenxi explained she had promised Lu Shiyu to return it to its owner, but also acknowledged it had indirectly caused much suffering. Gently, Xiao Dingkai advised her that it wasn't too late to reconsider her path in the palace, telling her that the "Xiao Lang" (referring to Xiao Dingquan) before her "shouldn't be strangers."

Wenxi, however, replied that she couldn't and didn't want to turn back. Later, outside, Xiao Dingkai's attendant handed him a message from the Emperor, instructing him to tell his father that everything was fine and not to be impulsive. Xiao Dingkai mused that his brother's actions were "what goes around comes around." Zhang Nianzhi prepared for her wedding, with her younger siblings Zhang Shaoyun and Zhang Songzhi chattering around her.

Her father advised her to be a dutiful wife in the palace but also to care for herself. Her brother and sister excitedly talked about her "brother-in-law," the Crown Prince, and playfully debated the etiquette of "Qingqi" versus "Gaoqi" for the wedding date. They also discussed the Crown Prince's strained relationship with his father and the recent fire in Dong palace, making Zhang Nianzhi feel anxious about her future, given the complicated political situation.

Finally, Xiao Dingquan instructed an attendant to put away a painting that had been prepared for him. He wanted it not too close, so he wouldn't see it, but also not too far, so he wouldn't forget it.

Episode 23 Recap

The long-awaited wedding day of Xiao Dingquan arrives. Lady Jiang, as the Senior Maid, guides Lu Wenxi to serve the Crown Princess. Outside, Zhang Shaoyun, the Crown Princess's brother, catches sight of the palace maids and exclaims, "All beautiful girls!" When asked who he finds most attractive, he points to Lu Wenxi, standing before his elder sister, remarking, "I think that one looks the best. Is she my sister's maid? Can I see her often?"

An attendant quickly pulls him away, reminding him that these women belong to the Crown Prince and are not for him to admire. Inside, Zhang Nianzhi, the bride, appears distraught, tearfully telling her father, Zhang Luzheng, "Dad, no. I don't want to go to the palace. I am scared." Zhang Luzheng urges her to compose herself, emphasizing that their family's fate rests entirely on her. Her brother, Shaoyun, attempting to comfort her, promises, "Don't be scared.

If brother-in-law bullies you, I will protect you." Xiao Dingquan arrives in his carriage to greet his bride. Zhang Luzheng and Zhang Shaoyun kneel to welcome him. Shaoyun, still ignorant of the Crown Prince's true identity, initially dismisses him as an ordinary person before recognizing him as the man he had repeatedly provoked. He panics and, despite his father's attempts to silence him, desperately pleads with Xiao Dingquan, "I have offended you more than once. I should be beheaded.

This matter doesn't concern my sister. Please don't be angry with her. . . She never left home since childhood. She is scared now. I beg you, please treat her well." Xiao Dingquan orders him to stand back and not disrupt the ceremony, and Zhang Luzheng apologizes profusely for his son's misbehavior, promising severe punishment.

As the wedding procession moves into the palace, Zhang Nianzhi nervously asks Lu Wenxi, now known as Maid Gu, "Maid Gu, have you seen the Crown Prince?" Lu Wenxi confirms she has. The Crown Princess then inquires, "Maid Gu, do you know what kind of person the Crown Prince is?" Lu Wenxi, stunned, deflects by stating the formal truth, "Sorry. I can do nothing. And I don't want to.

His Highness is going to marry the eldest daughter of the Minister of Justice." During the intricate wedding ceremony, a maid clarifies that the Crown Princess is the Prince's main wife, an equal in status, and therefore, both the Crown Prince and Crown Princess should show equal respect, with the Prince kneeling and bowing back to the Crown Princess. Later, as Lu Wenxi assists with the hair-joining ritual, her hand trembles, and the scissors fall.

Lady Jiang immediately scolds her, "Maid Gu! How dare you! Retire!" and orders her to leave. In the bridal chamber, Xiao Dingquan asks Zhang Nianzhi her name and assures her, "Don't be afraid. I will be nice to you. You are my wedded wife. It has nothing to do with who your father is or who your brother is."

Zhang Nianzhi gently takes his hand, telling him that the maid who had just left had said he was a very gentle person. She relays the maid's description: "He is handsome. Also has a pleasant voice. . . He writes good calligraphy. Very talented. He is attentive. And considerate. She told me Your Highness is my husband. Also my sovereign. Your Highness will definitely protect me. I'm not afraid. With Your Highness here, I am not afraid of anything."

Her innocent beauty and these familiar words leave Xiao Dingquan momentarily speechless. Meanwhile, Lady Jiang punishes Lu Wenxi for her mistake by making her stand guard outside the bridal chamber all night. Lady Jiang comments on Lu Wenxi's trembling hands, asking if she still harbors resentment or lingering concerns.

Through the red paper window, Lu Wenxi watches the silhouettes inside, her heart filled with an unutterable sadness, knowing that the man within was once meant to be hers, but now she has to give him away. The next morning, as palace servants prepare the royal couple for their audience with the Emperor, Lu Wenxi helps Xiao Dingquan fasten his belt. He confronts her, asking if she was the maid who described him to the Crown Princess. She admits it.

He questions how she knew what kind of person he was. Lu Wenxi replies that she doesn't truly know him, but as a woman, she simply articulated "what kind of husband a woman wants" to comfort the Crown Princess. Xiao Dingquan gazes at her, remarking, "Where have we met before? Your voice and. . ." Lu Wenxi, keeping her emotions hidden, explains that she once offended him at the detached palace, which might be why he finds her familiar.

When he asks her name, she replies, "My surname is Gu," concealing her true identity. On the distant Changzhou battlefield, Gu Fengen's older brother, Gu Chengen, and his men are engaged in a brutal fight. Overwhelmed by the enemy, Gu Chengen orders his subordinate, Yang (Yang Du Yu), to ride his horse and seek immediate reinforcements from Prefectural Governor Li in Changzhou. Back at the palace, after court, Xiao Dingquan visits Zhang Nianzhi.

He recites a love poem, "The room is full of beauties, but my eyes are only for you," and tenderly paints her eyebrows. Zhang Nianzhi, unfamiliar with poetry, asks Lu Wenxi if she understood the Crown Prince's words. Lu Wenxi, feigning slight uncertainty, explains the poem's meaning, mentioning it might be from "Shaosiming," which in ancient times oversaw offspring.

Zhang Nianzhi confesses that her father only allowed her to read "female principles" and that she doesn't understand much of what the Crown Prince says, asking Lu Wenxi not to laugh at her. Soon, an urgent military intelligence report from Changzhou arrives, and Xiao Dingquan departs abruptly. Confused by his sudden departure and having only heard "military horse," Zhang Nianzhi asks Lu Wenxi what was said. Lu Wenxi reassures her that the Crown Prince will handle court matters. Determined to understand her husband better, Zhang Nianzhi then asks Lu Wenxi to teach her the poem.

Episode 24 Recap

When urgent military intelligence arrived from Changzhou, Gu Fengen immediately rushed into the palace, desperate to know the fate of his father and brother. He learned that both Wu Dehou and the deputy general had gone deep into enemy territory, the army failed to break through, and now, his father Gu Silin and brother Gu Chengen were missing.

Gu Fengen, distraught, demanded to go to Changzhou himself, but the Emperor refused, sternly telling him, "Jia Yibo, you can't intervene in politics." Gu Fengen protested, "They are my dad and brother. How can I stand by?" The Emperor then ordered Xiao Dingquan to keep a close eye on Gu Fengen, warning that if Gu Fengen defied the imperial decree and disturbed military morale by leaving, Xiao Dingquan would share the punishment. Xiao Dingquan reluctantly agreed.

The Emperor, deeply troubled, pondered how the war had declined so despite the nation's full support. A subordinate reported that warhorses were the cause of the battlefield woes, leaving the Emperor puzzled about what could have gone wrong with them. Indeed, the warhorse issue was tied to Li Baizhou and Zhao Yong. Zhao Yong, driven by greed, had brazenly ordered his men to sell warhorses in the market in broad daylight.

Zhou Congxian, a minor official from Ducha, intervened, citing an imperial ban on wartime horse sales and the penalty of banishment. Though Zhou Congxian's men couldn't apprehend the sellers, they sketched their portraits and began a city-wide search. When Li Baizhou learned of this, he was furious, scolding Zhao Yong for risking everything for "little money."

Zhao Yong defiantly reminded Li Baizhou that they were both implicated and questioned why Li Baizhou hadn't dealt with Lu Ying sooner, as Lu Ying knew too much and was a threat. Li Baizhou’s eyes glinted with murderous intent upon hearing Lu Ying’s name. Gu Fengen, still consumed by worry for his family, felt frustrated that Xiao Dingquan, bound by the Emperor's decree, would not permit him to leave for Changzhou.

Believing Xiao Dingquan feared implication, Gu Fengen accused him of being fickle and self-serving, then stormed off to vent his anger by practicing swordsmanship. That night, Xu Changping appeared and began to provoke Gu Fengen, suggesting that Jia Yibo should indeed go to Changzhou for the Crown Prince.

Xu Changping recounted the illustrious military careers of Gu Fengen's grandfather, father, and brother, emphasizing that the Gu family's glory was earned through their own blood and sacrifice on the battlefield, not from the late queen's influence. He sarcastically noted that people often forgot these achievements, preferring "affairs and stories about women in the palace."

Gu Fengen, holding a sword to Xu Changping’s throat, was warned by Xu Changping that without military exploit, the Gu family would have nothing, and without the Gu family, the crown prince would lose his standing. Xu Changping concluded that, since Gu Fengen could no longer achieve civil rank, going to Changzhou was his only path to secure the Gu family’s future, or their bloodline would truly be in danger.

Gu Fengen, though wary of Xu Changping’s intentions, found these words deeply resonant. Meanwhile, Lu Wenxi was teaching the Crown Princess to read poetry. The Crown Princess struggled, and Lu Wenxi explained a line from the poem, "King, why are you worried?" Just then, Xiao Dingquan entered, smiling, took the Crown Princess's hand, and rested his head on her lap. Lu Wenxi, feeling awkward, turned away.

A servant then reported that Gu Fengen had left towards Chunming Gate, prompting Xiao Dingquan to sigh, realizing his cousin wouldn't stay put. As Xiao Dingquan prepared to ride out to intercept him, Wang rushed in with urgent news: someone was attempting to harm Lu Ying and his son in prison. Alarmed, Xiao Dingquan quickly wrote a note and instructed Lu Wenxi to deliver it personally to Zhang Luzheng to save her father and brother.

He provided her with his personal pass and instructed a palace attendant to accompany her since she didn't ride well. Lu Wenxi, understanding the gravity of the situation, immediately set off. However, upon arriving at Zhang Luzheng's mansion, she learned he had an unexpected shift at the chancery. Without time to waste, Lu Wenxi, ignoring her attendant’s caution, rushed directly to the prison. There, she discovered her father and brother had narrowly escaped death.

Zhang Shaoyun had already intervened by shouting and scaring off their attackers, and Zhang Luzheng soon arrived to ensure Lu Ying and his son received medical attention and were moved to a safer location, emphasizing that no one could harm them now that they were under his protection. Having entrusted Lu Wenxi with her family's rescue, Xiao Dingquan rode off to stop Gu Fengen. He found Gu Fengen’s horse had inexplicably gone lame.

The cousins confronted each other, and Xiao Dingquan, after an argument, began to physically fight Gu Fengen. Afterwards, they sat together on the city wall. Gu Fengen recalled his youthful promise to assist Xiao Dingquan in becoming a wise ruler. He explained that since he had been deprived of his civil rank, he now had to earn military merits in Changzhou to fulfill his promise and solidify Xiao Dingquan's position.

Moved by Gu Fengen's determination, Xiao Dingquan decided to secretly allow him to leave, even gifting him his own royal horse. When Wang questioned how he would explain the missing royal horse to the Emperor, Xiao Dingquan dismissed it, stating, "Even people are gone, the horse is not a big deal." The cousins parted ways, hoping for a future reunion. Meanwhile, Zhao Yong and Li Baizhou, upon hearing of Lu Ying's survival, had to devise a new scheme.

Royal Consort Zhao subtly suggested to the Emperor that a polo match be held to commemorate the new Crown Princess, given that the dragon boat festival had been suspended for years. The Emperor agreed. Xiao Dingquan frowned, distressed, as he had just given his royal horse to Gu Fengen and was unsure how to explain its absence, especially when the Emperor asked if he had tamed "that horse."

To ease her husband’s worries, the Crown Princess sought Zhang Shaoyun’s help in finding a horse resembling the royal horse. Zhang Shaoyun, ever obedient to his sister and comically timid in front of Xiao Dingquan, listened intently to the Crown Princess's request and then assured Xiao Dingquan that he had asked You Ming to find a solution.

Episode 25 Recap

Young master Zhang Shaoyun, who had been inquiring about purchasing Fan horses, was at a horse betting event when he was approached by a man who claimed to have overheard his inquiries. The man explained that he was connected to Fan horse sellers and always had such horses available, despite the government's strict scrutiny. Zhang Shaoyun, convinced, went with the man and selected a horse he liked, intending to present it to Xiao Dingquan.

Xiao Dingquan tried the newly acquired horse, remarking that it looked "exactly the same" as his own royal horse, so much so that "even the horse's mom can't recognize it." Zhang Shaoyun, feeling proud, was gently rebuked by the Crown Princess, who told him, "Finally you can do it well. But you can't show off because of it."

When asked by Xiao Dingquan where he got the horse, Zhang Shaoyun vaguely claimed to have "borrowed it from a friend," implying his gambling acquaintances. Xiao Dingquan then invited the Crown Princess to ride with him to test the horse's weight-bearing capacity, but she, claiming she "can't ride a horse" and being timid, insisted that Maid Gu (Lu Wenxi) go in her stead. On horseback, with Xiao Dingquan holding her, he noticed her fear, asking, "You are afraid of me."

He then abruptly dismounted, leaving Lu Wenxi to control the horse alone. She deftly managed the situation, drawing comments from maids who were surprised, saying, "Maid Gu, you said you can't ride a horse right? But actually you are such a good horserider." Lu Wenxi, feeling awkward, explained that she had "played polo several times in the palace" and suggested the horse still needed taming before they went back. Xiao Dingquan then inquired about her well-being.

When Zhang Shaoyun went to pay for the horse, the sellers revealed their scheme, demanding far more than initially agreed. They claimed the initial quote was based on a different "horse race in casino" rule and now demanded 30 Guan for the single horse. They then held him accountable for "reserving" ten other horses, demanding a total of 300 Guan. When Zhang Shaoyun tried to flee, the sellers threatened to take him to the Crown Prince's palace.

Fearing his brother-in-law's anger, Zhang Shaoyun was forced to sign an IOU. He then tearfully confided in the Crown Princess, who, frustrated by his lack of discretion, instructed Lu Wenxi to retrieve money from her makeup kit to pay the debt. Lu Wenxi, feeling the situation was suspicious, cautiously advised the Crown Princess to "reconsider" and perhaps inform Xiao Dingquan.

However, the Crown Princess, worried about her brother causing trouble for Xiao Dingquan, especially with the prince busy and the Dragon Boat Festival approaching, insisted on resolving the matter quietly, saying, "I only trust you." She then asked Lu Wenxi to accompany Zhang Shaoyun the next day to settle the debt and retrieve the IOU, reminding them not to tell Xiao Dingquan. Lu Wenxi, despite having other duties, agreed.

Later that night, Attendant Wang summoned Lu Wenxi to Xiao Dingquan's quarters, interrupting her thoughts. Xiao Dingquan, already aware of the situation, asked her directly, "Where have you been with Zhang?" Lu Wenxi, bound by her promise to the Crown Princess, responded, "I can't say it." Xiao Dingquan, unfazed, stated that he knew Zhang Shaoyun had received the money, implying his network of "informers everywhere in this palace." He then calmly inquired, "You advised my princess about this, why?"

Lu Wenxi candidly explained her concerns, stating, "I know a little about the court system. Dealing with horses is a felony. I am worried Zhang will damage your reputation." Xiao Dingquan, seemingly acknowledging her point, then pressed, "Since you know it, why don't you tell me?" Lu Wenxi asserted her loyalty, explaining, "My master is the princess. I will step over the line if I tell you behind the princess' back. It's a betrayal. So you will believe a betrayer?"

Xiao Dingquan then revealed his true reason for summoning her, stating, "You are right. But I don't believe you not because of this." He revealed that he had spoken with Minister Zhang, who confirmed he "didn't receive my letter on the night royal minister Lu was in trouble." Instead, the letter was found "in your place," having been "detained" by Lu Wenxi and not delivered.

When Lu Wenxi struggled to provide an explanation, Xiao Dingquan accused her, noting her unusual familiarity with "everything about the horse and horse trade" for a maid, and concluded she must have intended to "scheme royal minister Lu." He declared, "You want to murder royal minister Lu, I won't keep you. I can't trust my princess to people like you." He then ordered Attendant Wang to "send her back to the palace and leave it to Lady Jiang."

As Lu Wenxi was being dismissed by Attendant Wang, who told her to "pack up your things. You will leave early tomorrow," she saw her father, Lu Ying, entering Xiao Dingquan's chamber cloaked. Overcome with emotion and tears, she internally resolved, "I can't leave," vowing to stay and rescue her family and brother.

Inside, Xiao Dingquan began to question Lu Ying, acknowledging the national policy that "Fan horses exchanged by the official's tea will be used as war horses" and that some had previously entered the capital for the commander's and prince's personal use. Lu Ying clarified that "five years ago, the war began, and the emperor decreed that all new horses for imperial and local forces would come from the Central Plains," with "Fan horses sent to the front line."

Xiao Dingquan then asked about the origin of Fan horses in the central region, to which Lu Ying explained it was "smuggling," where individuals "avoid the government and smuggle tea to exchange for horses," which are then sold "in the central regions."

When Xiao Dingquan questioned if "severe punishment won't work," Lu Ying highlighted the immense profits, explaining that horses costing "4 or 5 Guan" through official tea exchange could be sold for "40 or 50 Guan" internally, making it impossible to stop. He then revealed that "it's all the courtiers and officials in the dark," which Xiao Dingquan confirmed.

Xiao Dingquan already suspected a wider conspiracy, commenting to Lu Ying about An Pingbo (Zhao Yong)'s ubiquitous profit-making schemes and noting, "An Pingbo is not alone. They have accomplices." He declared his intent to hold all responsible accountable, regardless of their powerful family connections, asserting, "Frontline soldiers are fighting hard. And these people are undermining the foundation of the country. So ridiculous. You should bring him into justice. Tomorrow you should catch him on the spot.

If you can make this happen, you will be a hero of our country." Meanwhile, Chancellor Li Baizhou and An Pingbo (Zhao Yong) had approached Prefect Zhou, with Li Baizhou pretending to be concerned about the recent incident at the market where "someone who dealt with Fan horses. . . hurt your constables." Prefect Zhou confirmed the incident and admitted to having found the culprit, but found it "a little tricky."

Li Baizhou then revealed the target: Zhang Shaoyun, urging Zhou to act. Though Zhao Yong questioned whether "Zhang Shaoyun is so valuable," Li Baizhou dismissed him as "worthless," clarifying, "I have said I would hit the yellow bird with him. It all depends on tomorrow morning." Unbeknownst to them, Xiao Dingquan was fully aware of their machinations, telling Lu Ying that this was a "mantis stalking the cicada" scenario, and their target was "not just Zhang Shaoyun."

He confessed that he had intentionally used "himself as bait" to draw them out, and "now he is in my trap." Lu Ying, concerned, warned him that "Fan horses are war horses" and advised against taking risks. Xiao Dingquan indicated that action would be taken "after the polo" and promised Lu Ying, "I will implore the emperor to give you the opportunity to atone for your crime," asking for Lu Ying's full cooperation in return.

Lu Ying readily agreed, deeming it his duty. Having overheard Xiao Dingquan's intentions to help her father, Lu Wenxi, tearful and determined, resolved to stay. The next morning, as a maid announced, "The carriage is waiting for you outside," Lu Wenxi was nowhere to be found. Maid Chen, who was supposed to attend Xiao Dingquan, was inexplicably still asleep, a rare occurrence.

When Xiao Dingquan questioned Lu Wenxi, she revealed her trick: she had "blackened the paper with ink and paste it on the window" and "drove some orioles away," making Maid Chen oversleep. Xiao Dingquan, intrigued, then asked if she had "figured it out" regarding her failure to deliver the letter.

Lu Wenxi confessed that she hadn't given the letter to Minister Zhang, not to harm her father or for the reasons Xiao Dingquan suspected, but because she believed "royal minister Lu is safe," and so she "didn't need to give him the letter." She then boldly declared that she didn't want to leave because she "used to love you very much." Xiao Dingquan skeptically remarked, "I thought only my opponent today would make you say so."

Lu Wenxi then pleaded to stay, promising, "I will be helpful to you. I am familiar with the horses and horse trade. I can help you even if I will bring you many troubles." She asked if he was unwilling to take the risk, highlighting her potential usefulness. Xiao Dingquan, however, dismissed her, stating, "A girl. Protect yourself well. Don't tell such lies if you are not sure. . .

I don't think you are eligible to stay here for another day." When Lu Wenxi declared her love, Xiao Dingquan, after a moment of intense scrutiny, waved away the surrounding maids. He then seized her neck, drawing her close as if to kiss her. Seeing her fear and resistance, he released her, coldly advising her, "A girl. Protect yourself well. Don't tell such lies if you are not sure." He then dismissed her, saying, "You go.

I'll take care of it." Just as Lu Wenxi left, the Crown Princess arrived outside, wondering why Xiao Dingquan was not yet ready to "go to the palace." Maid Chen also arrived, ready to assist Xiao Dingquan, casting a hostile glance at Lu Wenxi as she passed. The polo match commenced, with the Emperor and Xiao Dingquan competing energetically. Afterwards, Imperial Concubine Zhao subtly inquired about Jia Yibo (Gu Fengen), asking, "Why I can't see Jia Yibo today?

He usually follows you and makes trouble, is he still angry?" Xiao Dingquan directly informed the Emperor, "He left, your Majesty. I sent him away. I sent him the horse you gave me." He added that Imperial Concubine Zhao already "knows this, so we don't need to beat around the bush." The Emperor, first angered, questioned, "You gave your horse to him? So this is. . . You have gone against my decree. Why do you deceive me?"

Xiao Dingquan replied, "Your Majesty, I deceive you because of the traitor." Simultaneously, Zhang Shaoyun and Lu Wenxi arrived at the meeting spot to settle the debt. Zhang Shaoyun, seeing Lu Wenxi, joked, "My sister told you to follow me, right?" They found the sellers waiting. One seller expressed impatience, noting, "They are late." Another guard questioned "Why the maid?" but was told, "His Royal Highness ordered us to catch the seller. That's all."

Zhang Shaoyun asked where the horses were and why only one person was present. Lu Wenxi wanted to see the horses, and the seller offered to show her "just in the rear." Zhang Shaoyun instructed Lu Wenxi, "Don't move around before I come back."

Episode 26 Recap

After being kicked into the water by Xiao Dingquan, Zhang Shaoyun was pulled out by Xu Changping. Grateful for the rescue, Zhang Shaoyun felt indebted to Xu Changping, saying, "I, Zhang Shaoyun, am a grateful person. I will surely reward you greatly." This fostered a trust that led him to confide in Xu Changping about his intention to buy horses. Soon after, sellers approached Zhang Shaoyun, and he, unaware of any deception, proceeded with a horse purchase.

As Zhang Shaoyun and the sellers finalized their contract with handprints, two factions of imperial guards suddenly appeared. One group, sent by Li Baizhou from Jingjidao, declared, "Caught red-handed with the evidence" and "Imperial criminal," intending to arrest Zhang Shaoyun. The other group, from Donggong Palace, targeted the horse sellers, calling them "traitors to the country." Lu Wenxi, a maid at Donggong, found the situation unsettling.

Upon inspecting the contract, she discovered that Zhang Shaoyun was listed as the seller, not the buyer. Zhang Shaoyun, who had gambled away the 300 Guan he received from the Crown Princess the previous night, confessed that he had been convinced by the sellers to resell the horses for 400 Guan, hoping to make a 100 Guan profit. Lu Wenxi, frustrated by his foolishness, called him "Idiot" and "Good for nothing," then angrily tore up her copy of the contract.

However, another copy had already been delivered to the Emperor. Meanwhile, Xiao Dingquan presented a warhorse to his father, the Emperor, questioning why a horse meant for battle had appeared in the capital. He implied this indicated a sophisticated smuggling operation, suggesting further investigation would expose the mastermind behind the sellers.

Zhang Luzheng used the opportunity to report that Lu Ying, the former Imperial Tea and Horse Censor, had narrowly escaped an assassination attempt, hinting at a major conspiracy involving Li Baizhou and Zhao Yong. The Emperor, his face dark with displeasure, angrily silenced Consort Zhao when she tried to intervene, ordering her to be sent back to her palace.

Unperturbed, Li Baizhou calmly reported that he too had heard of horse sales and had discovered that the culprit was Zhang Shaoyun, a student of the imperial college. Xiao Dingquan was inwardly startled, realizing Zhang Shaoyun had unwittingly sabotaged his plan. He silently cursed Zhang Shaoyun's incompetence. The Emperor, fully aware of the truth, was deeply disappointed that Xiao Dingquan, despite his efforts, had been outmaneuvered by Li Baizhou.

He ordered Xiao Dingquan to reflect on his failures, and had both Zhang Luzheng and Zhang Shaoyun imprisoned. Kneeling in despair, Xiao Dingquan opened a gift the Emperor had promised him for the polo match, only to find it was an imperial decree sending Gu Fengen to Changzhou. He sighed, realizing it was too late.

The Crown Princess, distressed by her brother's wrongdoing, knelt outside, pleading with Xiao Dingquan to divorce her, admitting, "I am ignorant and caused Your Highness great trouble." Disregarding the Emperor's command confining him to Donggong, Xiao Dingquan rushed out to her, shielding her from the harsh sun with his sleeve, and brought her back inside. He comforted her, assuring her that her family's status and crimes had nothing to do with her, and he would not blame her.

He told her, "You are a woman of my Xiao family, you are mine," and that her simply staying with him was enough to help him. The Crown Princess smiled and placed Xiao Dingquan's hand on her abdomen, revealing she was pregnant with his child. However, Xiao Dingquan's demeanor changed drastically. He stated, "We cannot have [it]," leaving the Crown Princess repeatedly asking, "Why?" Outside the door, Lu Wenxi overheard their conversation about the pregnancy and burst into tears.

Elsewhere, the Emperor received a military report from Changzhou, announcing Gu Fengen's death in battle. Overwhelmed by grief and rage, he cried out and collapsed unconscious. Xiao Dingquan rushed to his father's side, relieved to find the Emperor was not in critical condition thanks to Xu Changping's timely medical intervention. The Imperial Doctors confirmed that Xu Changping, with precise acupuncture, had saved the Emperor from a sudden syncope caused by phlegm obstructing his airway.

Xiao Dingquan, though initially concerned his father's collapse was due to anger at him, was then heartbroken to learn the devastating news of Gu Fengen's demise. The Emperor, now recovered, informed Xiao Dingquan that the battle was lost due to a severe shortage of horses. Xiao Dingquan then recalled Lu Wenxi's earlier report that some of the horses involved in Zhang Shaoyun's transaction were less than five years old.

He conveyed this crucial detail to his father, explaining that starting five years ago, new warhorses for the military had no longer been Fan horses, yet these young horses, clearly military stock, were supposed to be sent to the front lines. He implored the Emperor for another chance to thoroughly investigate, vowing to uncover the "nation's parasites" and honor the fallen soldiers. The Emperor, in turn, advised Xiao Dingquan on the arduous nature of being a Crown Prince.

He emphasized that the position "cannot tolerate foolish people, cannot tolerate cowardly people, and even less can it tolerate incompetent people." He warned that if the matter of the horse shortage remained uninvestigated, many, including Gu Silin, Lu Ying, Zhang Luzheng, Zhang Shaoyun, and even Xiao Dingquan himself, would be held accountable.

Episode 27 Recap

The Emperor explained to Xiao Dingquan that someone must be held responsible for the recent defeat, listing Gu Silin, Lu Ying, Zhang Luzheng, Zhang Shaoyun, and even Xiao Dingquan himself, as those who could not be absolved if a thorough investigation wasn't conducted. He told Xiao Dingquan that his perceived safety was only due to the Emperor's backing, and though the Emperor would punish him, others dared not truly harm him.

The Emperor then clarified Xiao Dingquan's position, stating, "We are father and son in private. We are the emperor and minister in public. You are the crown prince." He warned that if Xiao Dingquan failed this time, he would be powerless and unwilling to save him publicly. The Emperor questioned if Xiao Dingquan could still bear the immense responsibility and danger that came with his privilege.

Xiao Dingquan affirmed his understanding and commitment, promising not to disappoint the Emperor and to bear the responsibility. The Emperor then told Xiao Dingquan, "I believe you can." Upon returning to Baoben Palace, Xiao Dingquan found Princess Consort still awake, having waited for him all night, while Lu Wenxi slept on the couch. He softly apologized to Princess Consort for his earlier hurtful words about not wanting their child.

He confided that his distant relationship with the Emperor made him anxious about fatherhood, fearing his child would eventually mirror his own relationship with his father. However, the Emperor's words last night helped him realize that despite past grievances, all he truly desired was his father's encouragement. He now hoped their child would understand him even if he made mistakes, and promised that their child would be the luckiest in the world.

He decided they must never tell their child about his initial reluctance, instead always assuring him his father had deeply anticipated his arrival. After seeing Princess Consort to her room, Xiao Dingquan returned and found Lu Wenxi, telling her to "stop acting a role." He promised to decide her future once the current case was settled.

The Emperor, feeling unwell, decided to temporarily move to the detached palace, appointing Xiao Dingquan as regent to manage all state affairs during his absence. The imperial decree stated that, according to ancient precedent, a crown prince either leads the army or oversees the state when the emperor is away.

The decree further instructed Xiao Dingquan to work diligently, gain more experience, and not disappoint the Emperor, with the chancellor and other talented officials remaining in the capital to assist him. A minister, Xu, playfully questioned Xiao Dingquan's mood regarding the regency, then excused himself to join the Emperor, stating he would not risk offending the "Crown Prince Regent." Another minister praised the chancellor as the nation's pillar, whose assistance would ensure seamless governance.

When a minister complimented a Shangshu, Zhang, as "also the elite minister," Zhang humbly demurred, prompting a pointed remark about whether he lacked talent, virtue, or perhaps "a good son." The decree specified that Xiao Dingquan would decide all routine matters, but life-and-death or military affairs required consultation with the Emperor at the detached palace to ensure free airing of views.

Before departing, a minister attempted to brief Xiao Dingquan on pending state affairs, but Xiao Dingquan interrupted, stating he had his own important matters to attend to. The minister cautioned him to "be careful" during his first regency. Recalling the Emperor's stern warning, Xiao Dingquan declared his immediate intention to personally interrogate Zhang Shaoyun regarding the horse smuggling case.

Meanwhile, Xiao Dingtang was in the military camp, refusing to join others in the festival celebrations, referring to himself as a "sinner." When his Princess sent pomegranate flowers, he recognized it as a message that the pomegranate trees at home were blooming, intensifying his homesickness and desire to return to the capital. He recited a poem lamenting his distant location lacking carriages and horses but abundant in fallen red blossoms.

Taking advantage of the ongoing military reforms, Xiao Dingtang ordered his men to covertly move warhorses out of the capital late at night, claiming they needed to be renumbered. An official from the capital guards intercepted them, questioning the unusual night transfer and threatening to detain the men and horses for breaking into barracks without orders. Xiao Dingtang identified himself as the prince in charge of the army and asserted it was his order to renumber the horses.

When the official presented an order from the Crown Prince Regent, Xiao Dingtang arrogantly dismissed it, stating he only recognized an imperial decree and served the Emperor directly, not a regent. Zhao Yong paid off his two horse-selling subordinates, instructing them to leave, but they were ambushed and killed shortly after. Zhao Yong, displaying a ruthless disregard for human life, remarked that they "live to make money for me" and "after they die, they will make my land fertile."

In prison, Zhang Shaoyun cried out for his father under torture, observed with pity by Lu Wenpu and Lu Ying from their cells. In the palace, Xiao Dingquan was playing a strategic board game with Princess Consort, who, finding it too challenging, asked Lu Wenxi to play in her stead. Lu Wenxi playfully reminded Xiao Dingquan that such games were officially banned.

As they played, they discussed the horse smuggling case, specifically the unusual renumbering of horses and the Emperor's refusal to issue an imperial decree for further investigation. Xiao Dingquan mused on why the smugglers would risk a felony by dealing in warhorses unless they possessed a formidable "trump card." Lu Wenxi, through her clever play, unexpectedly defeated Xiao Dingquan, who playfully conceded that she had "crossed Hangu pass."

He teased her about where she learned such a banned game, to which she replied it was common knowledge to alleviate boredom in the palace. After the game, Xiao Dingquan called for Youming, prompting Princess Consort to comment that he seemed upset and that Lu Wenxi should have allowed him to win. Xiao Dingquan ordered the confiscation of Zhao Yong's property.

Enraged by the loss of his wealth, Zhao Yong complained to Li Baizhou and other officials, accusing the Crown Prince of acting absurdly, unfairly punishing Zhang Shaoyun, and searching his home, which he viewed as a threat to all of them, as they were "on the same boat." Li Baizhou, while outwardly humble, encouraged the assembled officials to uphold their duties and curb the Crown Prince's "wayward" actions, urging them to uncover the true mastermind behind Zhang Shaoyun.

He then subtly distributed large sums of money to several ministers and assistant ministers. Despite some initial reluctance, these officials, already deeply entangled with Li Baizhou, were compelled to accept the illicit funds. That night, Assistant minister Du visited Zhang Shaoyun in prison. Observing Zhang Shaoyun's severe injuries, Assistant minister Du instructed him that during the upcoming trial, if questioned about the horses' origin, he must claim they were stolen from the Xiaoji cavalry.

Zhang Shaoyun, seemingly protesting or recalling a different instruction, responded, "No. This is the crown prince's order." The next day in court, Zhang Shaoyun confessed under questioning that he had stolen the horses from the "imperial guards, Xiaoji cavalry." Xiao Dingquan, accepting this confession, ordered an investigation of the Xiaoji cavalry. However, a minister interjected, suggesting that for true impartiality, all military garrisons, including the crane squad and critically, Xiao Dingquan's own Donggong imperial guards, should also be investigated.

Xiao Dingquan agreed to this comprehensive search. Li Baizhou, confident in his plan, opted to remain in court to await the results. The initial reports confirmed that the Xiaoji cavalry and Changhe cavalry's horse counts matched their rosters. However, a messenger from the Donggong palace, after a noticeably long delay, reported that ten warhorses were missing and their numbers did not align with the records. This revelation caused a stir, with ministers expressing "great surprise" that "the backyard catches fire."

They blamed Xiao Dingquan for attempting to shift responsibility to the Xiaoji cavalry and recalled an incident where a palace maid from Donggong had allegedly destroyed evidence during an earlier arrest. Xiao Dingquan, understanding the gravity of the situation, offered no objection when a minister proposed to adjourn the court until the next day. After the session, Xiao Dingquan confronted Li Baizhou, stating, "Chancellor.

So the trump card you left for me is here," indicating he had unraveled Li Baizhou's scheme. It was at this moment that Xiao Dingquan realized Assistant minister Du, also known as Du Heng, was secretly aligned with Li Baizhou. Later, Assistant minister Du, who was on night shift, asked Li Baizhou if there were any further instructions.

Li Baizhou, implying his personal involvement in the next phase, stated he had to go "in person" for the night's task, noting that he had not yet fully played his "trump card."

Episode 28 Recap

As night fell and the dew thickened, Xiao Dingquan stood alone on the corridor when the Crown Princess approached and draped a cloak over him. He gently embraced her, reassuring her that there was nothing to worry about. The Crown Princess, ever virtuous, expressed her concern for him, suggesting that if he was tired, he could confide in her. He dismissed her worries, stating he was fine.

She then advised him to have Maid Gu accompany him to the Ministry of Justice, remarking that he and Maid Gu seemed more congenial. Xiao Dingquan quickly clarified that there was no private affection between him and Lu Wenxi, but the Crown Princess, undeterred, stated she wouldn't mind if he harbored feelings for Lu Wenxi. He firmly denied it. Later that night, Li Baizhou summoned Lu Ying, who was currently held as a criminal.

Li Baizhou explained that among the recently smuggled warhorses, some were less than five years old—the same batch Lu Ying had managed earlier in the year as the Censor of Tea & Horse. He alleged that these warhorses were illegally acquired by the Crown Prince to equip his personal guards and were then stolen by Zhang Shaoyun. Li Baizhou pressed Lu Ying to testify in court the next day, framing the Crown Prince as a traitor.

Lu Ying was enraged and refused to cooperate, but Li Baizhou then revealed that Lu Wenjin, Lu Ying's younger son, was under the care of Governor Li (implying Prince Qi's influence), and further threatened Lu Wenxi's safety, forcing Lu Ying to comply. Shaken from Li Baizhou's threats, Lu Ying returned to his cell, still trembling with anger at Xiao Dingquan's perceived shamelessness, and was surprised to find Xiao Dingquan waiting.

Xiao Dingquan expressed remorse for Lu Ying's suffering, asserting his duty as Crown Prince to be responsible for all people. He shared his suspicion that many horse handlers in the Xiaoji cavalry had gone missing, indicating foul play, and revealed he had sent his Donggong guards to investigate their homes.

Despite the uncertain outcome of the investigation, Xiao Dingquan asked Lu Ying to testify truthfully in court the next day—not to perjure himself on his behalf, but to report that the horses were indeed warhorses and to demand a thorough investigation into their disappearance. He emphasized that this was necessary to honor the fallen soldiers and protect the nation, even if it meant he would bear the initial blame.

Lu Ying, deeply moved by Xiao Dingquan's unwavering commitment to justice despite the severe personal consequences, agreed to his request. Lu Wenxi, disguised as a maid, tried to remain unnoticed, lowering her head to avoid being recognized by her father and brother, during their emotional exchange. As she later accompanied Xiao Dingquan out of the prison, he confessed his deep longing to see his father but also his fear of facing him and disappointing him.

He shared his emotional burden with her, admitting he couldn't show such vulnerability to the Crown Princess. Lu Wenxi, understanding his grief for his late mentor Lu Shiyu and his determination not to let his teacher down, silently pledged her support and asked to accompany him to court the next day. The following day in the imperial court, Xiao Dingquan began by apologizing to the assembled officials for his subordinates' mistakes and promised to plead guilty to the Emperor.

He revealed that some of the warhorses Zhang Shaoyun smuggled were under five years old, which was significant as such "Fan horses" had been banned from the capital for five years. Li Baizhou, confident of victory, quickly had Lu Ying summoned to identify the horses, which were waiting outside the hall. After careful inspection, Lu Ying confirmed that the horses were indeed warhorses meant for the front lines.

This revelation caused a stir, with many suggesting the matter be reported to the Emperor in the detached palace. Li Baizhou, however, urged Lu Ying to sign his statement immediately. Zhang Luzheng vehemently protested Lu Ying's testimony, questioning his ability to identify specific horses among thousands. Xiao Dingquan interjected, reminding Zhang Luzheng of Lu Ying's renowned expertise, which even the Emperor praised. Zhang Luzheng accused Lu Ying of personal revenge, but Xiao Dingquan silenced him for his misconduct.

Li Baizhou then promptly proposed that as Zhang Shaoyun's father, Zhang Luzheng was a party to the case and must recuse himself. Left without support, Zhang Luzheng angrily left the hall, and Lu Ying signed the document. Just as officials reported that the investigation into the horse handlers had yielded nothing, deepening Xiao Dingquan's predicament, and Li Baizhou's allies prepared to rush to the detached palace to inform the Emperor, one of Xiao Dingquan's men arrived with new information.

He reported that in the early morning, acting on Xiao Dingquan's decree, his men had intercepted several individuals leading thirty horses from Xishan granger, clearly attempting to frame the Crown Prince. These individuals were identified as Xiaoji cavalrymen, and the horses were confirmed to be warhorses. Xiao Dingquan immediately recognized this as a transparent attempt to consolidate the false accusation against him. Lu Ying was quickly brought to identify these new horses and confirmed they were indeed warhorses.

Li Baizhou, having just praised Lu Ying's unparalleled ability to identify horses, was caught in his own words and had no logical basis to object. Since the Xiaoji cavalry fell under Xiao Dingtang's command, Xiao Dingquan immediately ordered Youming to arrest Prince Qi and bring him to the Emperor. When officials raised concerns about arresting a prince without firm evidence, Xiao Dingquan declared this was his "awareness," challenging anyone with similar conviction to stop him.

He then sent another messenger to verify that his own Donggong guards had not been compromised. Shortly after, Xiao Dingtang was brought before the Emperor, distraught and claiming innocence, begging his father for help. Li Baizhou, seeing the Emperor's displeasure, swiftly shifted blame, announcing that An Pingbo, Zhao Yong, was responsible for everything, claiming the two horse smugglers were buried in Zhao Yong's residence.

The Emperor, enraged, quickly issued a decree for Zhao Yong's arrest, noting that Prince Qi himself wouldn't have the audacity for such a grand scheme and instructing the Crown Prince to continue the investigation. Du Heng, who had not joined Li Baizhou's faction in their hasty departure for the detached palace, approached Xiao Dingquan, expressing deep regret for his past betrayal and kneeling to beg for forgiveness.

Xiao Dingquan, acknowledging Du Heng's remorse and remembering that Du Heng, like Lu Shiyu, had watched him grow up, forgave him but warned him there would be no second chance. He told Du Heng to choose his loyalties wisely. Later, the Crown Princess, worried about her younger brother, Zhang Shaoyun, approached Xiao Dingquan, tearfully pleading for his life. She reasoned that although her brother might be reckless, he meant no harm, and soon he would be an uncle. Seeing her distress, Xiao Dingquan relented and nodded in agreement.

Episode 29 Recap

Xiao Dingquan had Lu Wenxi tidy his belt while Kou Zhu watched from a distance, her heart burning with jealousy. Xiao Dingquan then instructed Kou Zhu to return to the palace and send for a doctor for the Princess. He sternly warned her against speaking nonsense in front of the Princess, threatening to send her away if she dared. Kou Zhu denied it, but Xiao Dingquan insisted that she was the one talking out of turn.

In the court, Li Baizhou ordered Zhao Yong and Zhang Shaoyun to be brought forward for questioning. Zhang Luzheng questioned Zhao Yong about the bodies of horse traffickers found buried in his mansion, but Zhao Yong feigned ignorance, claiming he knew nothing. As Xiao Dingquan prepared to proceed with the interrogation, Li Chongkui arrived with an imperial decree.

The decree stated that due to Zhao Yong's age and his status as a royal relative, Xiao Dingquan was forbidden from torturing him. Zhao Yong, emboldened by the emperor's protection, laughed mockingly, reminding Xiao Dingquan of their old connection and the emperor's favor. Undeterred by the decree, Xiao Dingquan continued the trial. He declared Zhang Shaoyun guilty of colluding in military horse trafficking. According to the law, Zhang Shaoyun was to receive eighty lashes and beheaded.

Zhang Luzheng, despite his pain, accepted the verdict, acknowledging his son's actions as an unforgivable capital offense. Xiao Dingquan confirmed that this judgment would be sent to the emperor for final approval. Zhang Shaoyun was then given eighty lashes and imprisoned to await the imperial decree, crying out for his father and brother-in-law. Xiao Dingquan then turned his attention to Zhao Yong.

He admonished Zhao Yong, calling him a "dog" who avariciously accumulated wealth and dared to bark at his master, ordering him to kneel and answer. Despite Li Chongkui's renewed reminder of the emperor's prohibition on torture, Xiao Dingquan ordered Zhao Yong to be severely beaten during the interrogation, stating he would personally plead guilty to the emperor for defying the decree.

Under the heavy blows, Zhao Yong confessed that the two dead traffickers were his servants and that he had sent men to a casino to lure Zhang Shaoyun into buying horses. When pressed about the source of the warhorses, Zhao Yong initially claimed they were stolen from the Eastern Palace Guards, prompting Xiao Dingquan to order his mouth to be slapped. After more torture, Zhao Yong's mouth was full of blood and he had lost teeth.

He desperately begged for mercy, claiming he genuinely knew nothing and even tried to shift blame to Prince Qi before retracting. When asked about the total number of corrupted horses, their current location, and their intended purpose, Zhao Yong again claimed complete ignorance. Xiao Dingquan then ordered finger clamps to be applied, which caused Zhao Yong to faint from the excruciating pain.

Xiao Dingquan commanded that Zhao Yong be revived and the interrogation resumed after he received medical attention, reiterating the Emperor's concern that Xiao Dingquan might accidentally kill the criminal. Li Chongkui again reminded Xiao Dingquan not to abuse torture. After the trial, Zhang Luzheng approached Xiao Dingquan, serving him tea. He inquired about his son's condition, noting that his own subordinates would have shown leniency during the flogging. He apologized for Zhang Shaoyun's misconduct, admitting his son needed a lesson.

Zhang Luzheng then cautiously asked if the memorial submitted to the emperor, declaring Zhang Shaoyun's capital offense, was merely a formality. Xiao Dingquan affirmed its seriousness, stating it was genuine and had already been delivered to the emperor, meaning Zhang Shaoyun's fate now rested solely with imperial decision.

Zhang Luzheng pleaded for his only son's life, but Xiao Dingquan sternly reminded him of the thousands of soldiers who had died due to military horse smuggling, many of whom were also only sons. He declared his commitment to impartiality, refusing to give anyone grounds for gossip or to allow the true culprits to escape, urging Zhang Luzheng to say no more. Later, Zhang Luzheng visited his son in prison, deeply distressed by his badly beaten state.

As he left the cell, he encountered Li Baizhou, who attempted to subtly influence him, remarking on his sudden change of character to emulate Lu Ying. Zhang Luzheng, however, asserted his unwavering loyalty, proclaiming he was no betrayer and would sacrifice his own life for the country and the Crown Prince, thereby dismissing Li Baizhou's overture.

In the palace, the Princess expressed her distress to her father, Zhang Luzheng, about Zhang Shaoyun's severe condition despite Zhao Yong's arrest, but Zhang Luzheng vaguely hinted that Zhao Yong was not the Crown Prince's true objective. Later, the Princess voiced her worries about Zhang Shaoyun to Xiao Dingquan, who assured her of his well-being. Zhang Luzheng also arrived to offer his congratulations to the Princess, reiterating his son's recovery and urging her to prioritize her health.

Still concerned, the Princess asked Xiao Dingquan if Lu Wenxi could visit Zhang Shaoyun and bring him clothes and medicine. Xiao Dingquan permitted Lu Wenxi to take medicine, but suggested Zhang Shaoyun would not need clothes at that moment. Lu Wenxi visited Zhang Shaoyun in prison, finding him grievously injured and just regaining consciousness after a coma. She offered him water, which he was too weak to drink himself.

Zhang Shaoyun recognized Lu Wenxi and, noting the Princess's needlework on the clothes Lu Wenxi brought, thanked his sister. He then pleaded with Lu Wenxi not to reveal his true state to the Princess, a request Lu Wenxi confirmed the Crown Prince had also made. From an adjacent cell, Lu Wenpu, Lu Wenxi's brother, spoke to her, giving her some medicine and advising her to use it for her own injuries.

Zhang Shaoyun, still in immense pain, then asked Lu Wenxi if he would still be able to become an uncle, referring to the Princess's unborn child. Lu Wenxi quickly left the prison, careful not to let her brother see her face. As Lu Wenxi departed the prison, she was met by a eunuch offering a carriage to return to the palace, and Lady Jiang also appeared, offering her a ride.

Lady Jiang then presented Lu Wenxi with a dose of Eupatorium chinense (華澤蘭), claiming it was an ingredient mistakenly omitted from the Princess's prescription. Lu Wenxi identified Eupatorium chinense as a symbol of childbearing. Lady Jiang, however, clarified that as a medicine, it was used to stop menstrual bleeding and postpartum stasis, making it highly detrimental to pregnant women.

When Lu Wenxi questioned if this was intended for the Princess, Lady Jiang revealed that the medicine was, in fact, for Lu Wenxi herself. Lady Jiang proceeded to explain the precarious political situation: the Crown Prince was relentlessly pursuing the Chancellor, even defying the emperor. She emphasized that Lu Ying's testimony had transformed Zhang Shaoyun's foreign horse trade into military horse smuggling, which had made Zhang Luzheng desperate to save his son.

Zhang Luzheng was now fully allied with the Crown Prince, determined to force Zhao Yong to expose the Chancellor. If the Crown Prince succeeded, and an imperial grandson was born, a general amnesty would be declared, saving Zhang Shaoyun, and Zhang Luzheng would ascend to the position of the next chancellor. Lady Jiang then warned that Zhang Luzheng was narrow-minded and already bore a grudge against Lu Ying, a resentment now magnified by his son's imprisonment.

She gravely cautioned that even with an amnesty, Zhang Luzheng would ensure that Lu Ying and Lu Wenpu would not leave prison alive. She reminded Lu Wenxi that it was actually Zhang Luzheng who had attempted to kill her father and brother, and Zhang Shaoyun had accidentally witnessed the incident. Lady Jiang concluded that the only way to safeguard Lu Ying was to prevent the Princess's child from being born.

Back in Bao Ben Palace, Lu Wenxi prepared the medicine for the Princess. The Princess consumed her medicine along with some preserved apricots and then inquired about Zhang Shaoyun's condition. Lu Wenxi reassured her that he was fine, though the Princess mused that Zhang Shaoyun was foolish, which was why he found himself in such a predicament. Later, after the Princess had fallen asleep, Lu Wenxi sought out Xiao Dingquan.

She questioned him about Zhang Shaoyun's ultimate fate, noting that the "execution in the fall" was the final deadline, and pressed him on how long he could maintain the secret. Xiao Dingquan sensed her challenging tone, and Lu Wenxi quickly apologized, admitting she was merely a poor speaker. Xiao Dingquan then showed Lu Wenxi his hands, scarred from childhood beatings for poor calligraphy, and mentioned using badger fat for the wounds.

He clarified that this was not a warning but rather a "bribery." He then reiterated that a general amnesty would follow the birth of the imperial grandson, and until that time, Lu Wenxi must absolutely keep all external matters hidden from the Princess. As Lu Wenxi turned to leave, the Princess suddenly appeared behind her, having overheard their conversation. She demanded to know about the "execution in the fall" and what they were hiding from her. Immediately, she was overcome with severe abdominal pain and began to bleed, prompting Xiao Dingquan to urgently call for the doctor.

Episode 30 Recap

The Crown Princess regained consciousness after her miscarriage. Consumed by grief and a sense of betrayal, she declared her desire to die, feeling that Xiao Dingquan's past assurances had been nothing but lies. An attendant attempted to comfort her, reminding her that matters of progeny are destined and urged her to recover for the future. Xiao Dingquan offered to let her see her father, Zhang Luzheng, but she tearfully refused, stating she didn't want to see anyone.

From outside, Zhang Luzheng expressed his concern for his daughter, who was distraught that without a royal grandson, there would be no general amnesty, thus sealing Zhang Shaoyun's fate. Later, an imperial doctor reported that the medicinal soup given to the Crown Princess had been tampered with; it should have been sour but was bitter. Maid Gu and other palace maids who had prepared the decoction were identified.

Xiao Dingquan, furious, ordered everyone involved to be arrested for immediate interrogation, demanding thorough searches and torture if necessary, without fear of severe consequences. He then headed to the Ministry of Justice himself. At the Ministry of Justice, Xiao Dingquan confronted Zhao Yong, who had awakened from his injuries. Zhao Yong, now referred to as An Pingbo, initially feigned having no appetite, but Xiao Dingquan pressed him, revealing that he knew the chancellor was the true manipulator.

He offered An Pingbo a chance to live if he would expose Li Baizhou and the location of the warhorses. When An Pingbo remained silent, Xiao Dingquan threatened further torture. Xiao Dingquan explained that An Pingbo was merely a pawn, and even if he protected Xiao Dingtang (Prince Qi), Prince Qi's fate was in Xiao Dingquan's hands, not Li Baizhou's.

Xiao Dingquan threatened to make captured Xiaoji cavalrymen testify against Prince Qi, implicating Li Baizhou and An Pingbo while leaving Prince Qi seemingly untouched. Realizing his predicament, An Pingbo broke down, admitting he truly didn't know the exact number or hiding places of the warhorses. Believing him, Xiao Dingquan demanded only that An Pingbo name Li Baizhou at the next trial. An Pingbo then wrote and signed a confession.

While observing the interrogation, Zhang Luzheng saw his injured son, Zhang Shaoyun, nearby. He knelt before Xiao Dingquan, begging for his son's life, noting that Xiao Dingquan had shown clemency to An Pingbo and asserting his son's innocence. However, Xiao Dingquan remained unyielding, stating that Zhang Shaoyun was not the only innocent party implicated. Wang reported that Maid Gu had been interrogated for almost two hours but refused to confess. Xiao Dingquan dismissed Wang and went to Maid Gu himself.

Despite her battered state, with lacerations and blood, her eyes remained firm. Xiao Dingquan accused her of planning to deceive him, then ordered more torture. Maid Gu eventually admitted to having considered harming the Crown Princess but insisted she never acted on it, instead burning the herb and injuring her arm. Xiao Dingquan did not believe her. Just then, Kou Zhu arrived with a packet of Eupatorium chinense, claiming it was found in Maid Gu's quarters.

Maid Gu was stunned, realizing she was being framed, but refused to defend herself, knowing Xiao Dingquan would not believe her. She challenged his perception of power, noting that common people are more fragile and vulnerable than those in high positions, and their lives easily crushed. Xiao Dingquan retorted that she was not one of the fragile. Maid Gu adamantly refused to confess.

Xiao Dingquan, exasperated, ordered her food and drink cut off, declaring that if she didn't confess by noon in two days, she would be "crushed into pieces." Later that night, the Crown Princess, despite her fragile health, came to plead for Maid Gu. She cited Maid Gu's detailed observations about Xiao Dingquan's habits as proof of her loyalty and argued that a truly guilty party would have been more careful.

She suggested simply sending Maid Gu back to the Shanggong division. Xiao Dingquan tried to comfort her, offering to teach her a poem Maid Gu had taught her, and urged her to rest. However, the Crown Princess asked if he was lying to her again about Maid Gu's fate. Xiao Dingquan replied that as a ruler, he faced many unavoidable and more important matters.

Meanwhile, Zhang Luzheng gave Zhao Yong's signed confession to Li Baizhou in exchange for his son's safety. Li Baizhou promised to do his best to protect Zhang Shaoyun. After Zhang Luzheng left, Li Baizhou instructed Du Heng to ensure Zhao Yong's death during the upcoming trial, which would eliminate Xiao Dingquan's key witness and allow them to blame Xiao Dingquan for killing a royal relative.

Du Heng sighed, wishing he could undo the moment he accepted Li Baizhou's first bribe, the hilsa herring. Li Baizhou, undeterred, told Du Heng he would provide him with a copy of the account book the next day, effectively tying him to the conspiracy. The following day, an attendant informed Xiao Dingquan that the Emperor had sanctioned the interrogation and would summon him later for an explanation regarding the Crown Princess. Zhao Yong was brought to court.

To everyone's surprise, he recanted his confession, claiming sole responsibility for the thirty warhorses and implicating no one else. Enraged, Xiao Dingquan ordered severe torture. Despite a subordinate's warning about the severity of the punishment, Xiao Dingquan insisted. During the torture, Zhao Yong coughed up blood and died in court. The attendant confirmed he would not revive. During this time, Maid Gu, enduring her confinement, received a secret delivery of food from Chang'an, an eunuch from Baoben Palace.

Chang'an explained that his master, Xiao Dingkai, had sent the food, specifically milk to soothe her chronic illness. He conveyed Xiao Dingkai's offer to help her escape the palace. However, Maid Gu refused, stating that fleeing would forever confirm her guilt in poisoning the Crown Princess, and eventually implicate Xiao Dingkai. She urged him not to get too deeply involved and to remember to tell Xiao Dingquan if necessary. Shortly after, Xiao Dingquan entered Maid Gu's cell.

He spotted the food, offering a bitter smile but not pursuing the matter. He drank wine, lamenting his overall failure, which had tragically implicated his wife and child. He expressed his desire to know why Maid Gu had come to him, and who had instigated her. Maid Gu stubbornly refused to answer, only reiterating her innocence regarding the poisoning.

Xiao Dingquan sighed, explaining he was on his way to the detached palace to "report his work," which was in fact to plead guilty to his father. He grimly concluded that by the time he returned, he likely would not see her again.

Episode 31 Recap

Xiao Dingquan exited the room, instructing his attendants that the criminal held within, Lu Wenxi, was to be executed at noon the following day and for the order to be formally documented. Inside her chamber, Wenxi wept uncontrollably, feeling utterly helpless. Earlier, before his departure, Xiao Dingquan had spoken, seemingly to Wenxi, stating he was heading to the detached palace to report his work, but acknowledged it was, in fact, a summons to plead guilty.

He mused that it might take a few days, and after his return, he might not see her again, as he needed to provide an answer to everyone, regardless of her identity. He expressed regret, explaining that as the monarch, he had no choice. Wenxi, in her solitude, wondered about her own identity, pondering "Who am I?" Meanwhile, an anxious Zhang Luzheng sought out Li Baizhou.

Earlier, Du Heng had paid Li Baizhou a visit, offering what sounded like veiled congratulations for his "dream coming true" before excusing himself, suggesting they would not see each other again until the Emperor's return. Zhang Luzheng then confronted Li Baizhou, expressing concern for his son, Zhang Shaoyun, who was implicated. Li Baizhou attempted to reassure him, claiming he would ensure Zhang Shaoyun's safety before the Emperor.

However, Zhang Luzheng dismissed this, revealing that the crown prince had met with Zhao Yong before they did, instructing Zhao Yong to implicate Li Baizhou. Although Zhao Yong had been executed, Zhang Luzheng asserted that he had left a confession for the crown prince, detailing all of Li Baizhou's misdeeds. Upon hearing this, Li Baizhou's smile vanished, and he immediately ordered his men to intercept Xiao Dingquan’s procession to seize the alleged confession.

However, Li Baizhou's forces were ambushed by Li Chongkui's men. Xiao Dingquan emerged unharmed, revealing that there was no confession from Zhao Yong. He explained that Zhao Yong's hand injuries prevented him from writing, and Zhang Luzheng, having stood outside the prison, couldn't have seen clearly. This elaborate ruse was designed to provoke Li Baizhou's impulsive nature and expose his true intentions.

Addressing Li Baizhou's captured men, Xiao Dingquan observed that their master's anxiety and unchanging nature had led to this situation, with an official clarifying that their attempt to assassinate the crown prince constituted treason. He offered them a choice: face consequences for treason or reveal the extent of Li Baizhou's forces. With solid grounds for arrest, Xiao Dingquan apprehended Li Baizhou. Li Baizhou defiantly resisted, questioning their authority without an imperial decree.

An official countered, asserting that the regent's order was sufficient to arrest a traitor. Suddenly, Zhang Luzheng burst in, accusing Li Baizhou of maintaining private armies, plotting rebellion, and attempting to murder the crown prince. Du Heng also appeared, expressing concern for the crown prince, confirming his support. Li Baizhou, furious, accused Du Heng of slandering him without evidence and poisoning Zhao Yong on the crown prince's orders to frame him.

He insisted that Zhao Yong had already confessed in court that all crimes were his alone and demanded evidence, questioning Xiao Dingquan if he only had a blank piece of paper as proof. Xiao Dingquan scornfully declared that he had never witnessed such shamelessness. Li Baizhou, enraged, demanded an audience with the Emperor. To his shock, the inner room's doors opened, revealing the Emperor seated within, who announced that he had heard everything.

The Emperor initially questioned the lack of evidence but then, on Xiao Dingquan's suggestion, dismissed the need for a full judicial inquiry and ordered Zhao Yong to be brought in as a witness. Zhao Yong, alive and visibly angry, confronted Li Baizhou, declaring he would have died at Li Baizhou’s hands had it not been for Du Heng’s intervention. Du Heng, who had advised Zhao Yong to choose the winning side and align himself with the crown prince, watched on.

Li Baizhou, his hope fading, fell to his knees as Zhang Luzheng watched, secretly delighted. With the truth exposed, the Emperor granted Xiao Dingquan full authority over the matter. Li Baizhou closed his eyes in despair, realizing his complete defeat. Following the interrogation, both Li Baizhou and Zhao Yong provided confessions. The investigation uncovered over a thousand military horses Li Baizhou had embezzled and nearly a thousand private soldiers he had secretly raised near the capital, confirming his rebellious intentions.

Xiao Dingquan presented their confessions to the Emperor, who, upon reviewing them, remarked that not only Li Baizhou and Xiao Dingquan’s father-in-law, Zhang Luzheng, but even he himself had been thoroughly outmaneuvered by the crown prince's intricate strategy. Xiao Dingquan, feeling a profound sense of relief, knew he had finally met his father's expectations.

The Emperor, emotional, confessed that he had been harsh with Xiao Dingquan due to his role as crown prince, believing such rigorous training was necessary to prepare him for governing the nation. He then entrusted the full reins of power to Xiao Dingquan once more, expressing his renewed belief in his son. Meanwhile, Kouchu entered Wenxi's secluded room, holding a white silk sash.

She coldly informed Wenxi that the crown princess had not suffered a miscarriage; Xiao Dingquan had only intended to frighten her. Driven by her own animosity towards Wenxi's closeness to the crown prince, Kouchu declared her intention to eliminate Wenxi. As Kouchu ordered palace servants to strangle Wenxi, the crown princess arrived just in time, saving her. Moved, Wenxi confessed to the crown princess that she had not intended to harm her.

Instead, fearing others might, she had added ginseng to the preserved apricots, which caused the abdominal pain, and secretly instructed the imperial doctor to falsely declare a miscarriage, acting under what she believed to be Xiao Dingquan's command. Soon after, Xiao Dingquan personally took Wenxi away for "interrogation." During this, he offered her preserved apricots, urging her to eat.

He revealed his knowledge of her instructing the imperial doctor to spread false news of the miscarriage, cleverly bluffing the doctor into revealing Wenxi's involvement. Xiao Dingquan explained that her predicament, along with Zhang Shaoyun's and Zhang Luzheng's, had all been part of his elaborate scheme to draw out Li Baizhou.

He admitted that even the medicine found in Wenxi's room had been placed there by Kouchu under his orders, all to make the deception appear flawless to the palace mole feeding information to Li Baizhou. Upon learning of Li Baizhou’s complete defeat, Wenxi was overwhelmed with emotion, crying and laughing simultaneously. Xiao Dingquan, observing her distraught face, gently wiped her tears with his handkerchief.

He explained that both princes and commoners often act out of necessity, with something more important than themselves at stake. Having "taught her a lesson," he declared them "even now," but Wenxi felt otherwise. After Xiao Dingquan departed, Wenxi emerged from her room to find Kouchu anxiously waiting outside. Wenxi reassured Kouchu that she had not spoken ill of her to the crown prince and would soon be leaving the palace.

Elsewhere, Zhang Luzheng, still concerned for his son's safety, approached Commander Li Chongkui. He pleaded with the commander to intercede with the Emperor on behalf of his son, now that Li Baizhou had been identified as the true traitor. However, Commander Li Chongkui was unwilling to help, and Zhang Shaoyun was led away.

Episode 32 Recap

In the Ministry of Penalty's prison, a servant informed Zhang Shaoyun it was time to "go." Zhang Shaoyun, believing he was being led to his execution, bade a tearful farewell to Lu Wenpu, even asking him to tell a maid he loved her at first sight. The servant then clarified that Zhang Shaoyun was being released and could "go home," much to his joyous relief.

Before leaving, Zhang Shaoyun earnestly promised Lu Wenpu that he would ask his father, Zhang Luzheng, and his brother-in-law, Crown Prince Xiao Dingquan, to save Lu Wenpu and his father. Nearby, former Chancellor Li Baizhou was now a prisoner, sharing a cell block with Lu Ying. Lu Ying taunted Li Baizhou, saying his reputation as a "master manipulator" had become a joke, as his title could change from chancellor to criminal overnight.

Li Baizhou, though chained, smirked, recognizing Lu Ying's voice. Li Baizhou, in turn, ranted about his illustrious career, highlighting his noble birth compared to "poor commoners who ate porridge and studied by candlelight." He refused to hate himself, proclaiming his son-in-law, Xiao Dingtang, would become emperor and his grandson the Crown Prince.

Lu Ying attempted to reason with him, but Li Baizhou remained defiant, challenging Lu Ying by saying he had never agreed to Li Baizhou's proposals, but this time he would have to acknowledge him. Zhang Luzheng prostrated himself before Xiao Dingquan, thanking him for saving Zhang Shaoyun. Xiao Dingquan told Zhang Luzheng to rise, explaining that Zhang Shaoyun had been "taken advantage of by others" and his severe punishment was expiation.

The Crown Prince's memorial, approved by the Emperor, secured Zhang Shaoyun's release. Xiao Dingquan then advised Zhang Luzheng to properly discipline his son in the future and to be both "resolute and prudent." He then tasked Zhang Luzheng with organizing all evidence and archives related to Li Baizhou's case with Assistant Minister Du, the Dali Temple, and the Censorate, giving them ten days.

After Xiao Dingquan left, Zhang Luzheng cast a sinister gaze at a Tea-Horse trade book on the desk. Later, Xiao Dingquan invited Lu Ying to his chambers, expressing gratitude for Lu Ying's contributions to the investigation into the warhorses. He promised to clear Lu Ying and his son's names and asked Lu Ying to remain in the capital to continue assisting him after his release.

Lu Ying, however, respectfully declined, stating his wish to return to his hometown in Huating after picking up his daughter and younger son from Changzhou. Xiao Dingquan pointed out that Changzhou was north of the capital, while Huating was south, making it an illogical "direct" route, prompting Lu Ying to admit he was rejecting the offer. Lu Ying denied harboring resentment but admitted to being deeply disappointed with the royal family.

Xiao Dingquan then revealed Censor Chen Jiusi's confession, which explicitly stated that Li Baizhou had orchestrated the court exam delay to incriminate Lu Ying and others. Despite this revelation, Lu Ying's disillusionment persisted, and he reiterated his desire to leave the capital and return home. Xiao Dingquan, saddened but resolute, apologized on behalf of the Emperor and himself, acknowledging Lu Ying's heartbreak.

Lu Wenxi, who had been secretly listening from outside, later retrieved Xiao Dingquan's private seal, which she had been safeguarding. Zhang Luzheng submitted his findings, recommending Li Baizhou be charged with rebellion, a crime punishable by the extermination of his entire clan. Xiao Dingquan deemed such a punishment too brutal, especially for a case handled during his regency, fearing it would invite future criticism. He therefore decreed that only Li Baizhou's immediate family—his father, mother, and wife—should be executed.

Additionally, Xiao Dingquan ordered Zhang Luzheng to release Lu Ying and his son. Zhang Luzheng hesitated, suggesting they seek the Emperor's permission first. Xiao Dingquan firmly reminded him that he was currently the regent, emphasizing that this was his decree, not a request, despite Zhang Luzheng's past grievances with Lu Ying. That evening, Xiao Dingquan spent time with the Crown Princess. He shared his wish for a daughter, fondly recalling his own deceased younger sister.

The Crown Princess suggested Xiao Dingquan take Lu Wenxi as a concubine, believing her cleverness would be an asset. Xiao Dingquan refused, stating that clever people made him tired and kept him from sleeping. The Princess then proposed marrying Lu Wenxi to Zhang Shaoyun or even Xiao Dingkai, but Xiao Dingquan rejected these ideas as well, finding them ridiculous. They shared a laugh, unaware that Kou Zhu, standing outside, listened with growing jealousy.

Meanwhile, at home, Zhang Shaoyun pleaded with his father, Zhang Luzheng, to release Lu Ying and his son, explaining how Lu Wenpu had cared for him in prison and that he couldn't be ungrateful. Zhang Luzheng, furious that his son was advocating for his adversary, angrily dismissed him. Later that night, Lu Wenxi visited Xiao Dingquan to inform him of her decision to leave.

She told him she would seek a transfer to Li Palace, a more remote part of the imperial complex, through Lady Jiang. Xiao Dingquan tacitly agreed, noting it was "better" that they wouldn't see each other again. As Lu Wenxi departed, she quoted a saying about profound feelings being great but forgetting each other being lucky, reflecting on her own situation by saying "better to forget each other in the deep palace."

Lu Wenxi then visited Xiao Dingkai, happily elaborating on her plans to return to her hometown with her father and brother, engaging in farming, planting, and reading. Xiao Dingkai expressed melancholy at her departure, noting her plans left no room for him. After bidding farewell, Lu Wenxi waited for Xiao Dingquan to leave his desk before secretly placing the brocade pouch containing his private seal on it.

In prison, Li Baizhou remained defiant, still deluded by his glorious past and his son-in-law's future as emperor. While handling state affairs, Xiao Dingquan discovered the brocade pouch on his desk. Before he could open it, Assistant Minister Du Heng rushed in with an urgent report.

Du Heng revealed that Zhang Luzheng, misinterpreting or maliciously twisting the Crown Prince's decree, had included Lu Ying's entire family as part of Li Baizhou's wife's clan, thus designating them for execution, which was scheduled for midday. Horrified, Xiao Dingquan immediately ordered Du Heng to intercept Zhang Luzheng and stop the execution at once, commanding Zhang Luzheng to return to him.

Episode 33 Recap

Du Heng, under Xiao Dingquan's command, galloped to the execution ground but arrived too late; the executioner had already beheaded Lu Ying and his son. At the same time, Wenxi was bidding farewell to the Crown Princess, who was reluctant to see her go. Wenxi taught her to recite poetry, explaining the lines: "Thou come and go without saying. Since you come without saying, why do you still say nothing before you leave? Thou ride circle wind with cloud flag.

Sadly so far, nothing is sadder than live parting. What is sadder than the departure?" As Wenxi spoke the last line, she felt a sharp pain in her heart. She stared blankly into the distance, unaware that her father and brother had met their end. Just then, Zhang Luzheng rushed in to see the Crown Princess, begging for help.

He claimed that he had mistakenly listed Lu Ying and his son, Lu Wenpu, among Li Baizhou's wife's family to be executed. He pleaded for the Crown Princess to intercede for him, knowing the Crown Prince would be furious. Zhang Luzheng justified his actions, explaining that he did it to protect the Crown Prince.

He believed that the original Crown Princess candidate was Lu Ying's daughter, and that if Xiao Dingquan reinstated Lu Ying and took Lu Ying's daughter as a concubine, it would be dangerous for the Crown Prince, as Xiao Dingquan already trusted Lu Ying more than him. The Crown Princess, realizing her father's grave mistake, rebuked him for unjustly killing innocent people for his selfish motives.

Overhearing this devastating news, Wenxi was consumed by immense grief; her veins bulged, and she tightly gripped a chair to steady her trembling body. In her heart, she thought, "Sadly so far, nothing is sadder than live parting." As Zhang Luzheng begged the Crown Princess, Xiao Dingquan stormed in, enraged. He confronted Zhang Luzheng, accusing him of having secretly replaced the execution list with altered names even before it was sent to him, stating the handwriting was not an afterthought.

He declared that Zhang Luzheng had used him to kill Lu Ying under the guise of helping his princess, a shameless act that even Li Baizhou would envy. Xiao Dingquan, reminding Zhang Luzheng that he was still the regent, prepared to have him executed, telling him, "You just need to die for once just like Lu Ying." The Crown Princess tearfully implored Xiao Dingquan to spare her father, offering to take her own life after giving birth to their child.

Xiao Dingquan, still furious, asked if she wanted their child to become like him, with a grandfather and mother branded as sinners. He then left with a grim face, ignoring the weeping Crown Princess and the terrified Zhang Luzheng. In that moment, Wenxi felt her heart die and decided to remain to avenge her father and brother, thinking "I won't go now." Later that night, Zhang Luzheng remained kneeling outside the Prince's residence.

Attendant Wang urged him to go back, telling him the Crown Prince would not see him, as he had refused even the Crown Princess. Attendant Wang criticized Zhang Luzheng, reminding him that he and Lu Ying were peers under the same teacher, questioning why he had been so heartless. Zhang Luzheng mumbled that it would have been better if they had different teachers. Attendant Wang then advised Xiao Dingquan against punishing Zhang Luzheng.

He argued that Lu Ying and Lu Shiyu were both gone, and given the unpredictable political climate, Xiao Dingquan could not afford to lose Zhang Luzheng's influence. Xiao Dingquan felt profound sadness, looking out at the night where the Crown Princess still knelt and Wenxi stood silently nearby. He thought of the woman he once loved, wondering where she was, if she was peaceful and well, and if she knew he could never repay what he owed her.

He did not realize that woman was right beside him. Xiao Dingquan was looking at a landscape painting by Wenxi when she entered his room. He quickly put the painting away. Wenxi calmly stated that she had left something and wished to retrieve it. Xiao Dingquan, not giving it much thought, permitted her. Wenxi slowly picked up the satchel containing his private seal.

Her heart felt dead; she had initially intended to leave it as a memento, but now she had decided not to leave at all. She then informed Xiao Dingquan that the Crown Princess was not feeling well and she wished to attend to her for a few more days. Just then, Xiao Dingquan received news that the Emperor had returned to the capital. He realized he had been delayed due to his melancholy.

The Ministry of Rites had only received the decree the previous night and couldn't inform him because he had closed his doors and refused to see any officials. He quickly prepared to greet his father, instructing his attendant to take good care of the Crown Princess. Arriving late, Xiao Dingquan apologized for his absence. The Emperor, surprisingly jovial, praised Xiao Dingquan for his successful regency, remarking that he had made no mistakes during his first time.

He stated that he would leave the remainder of Li Baizhou's rebellion case to Xiao Dingquan. Xiao Dingquan respectfully requested the Emperor to revoke his regency, citing that the Emperor had returned and he, as "the former star," dared not infringe upon the "imperial seat." However, the Emperor insisted that Xiao Dingquan continue to handle the case, as he was most familiar with it, and added that he himself was still recovering and wished to rest a few more days.

Xiao Dingquan assented. After their meeting, Xiao Dingquan subtly questioned Xu Changping about the Emperor's sudden return. Xu Changping revealed that the Emperor, while in a hot spring bath with Qi Wang the previous night, had felt "bored" and decided to return. Qi Wang had asked if he could also return to the capital, but the Emperor neither agreed nor refused, simply patting Qi Wang's head. Xiao Dingquan's smile vanished as he heard this.

Feeling the gravity of the situation, Xiao Dingquan decreed that Li Baizhou would be executed at noon that day, without seeking the Emperor's permission. Despite an official's advice to ask for the Emperor's consent since he was now back, Xiao Dingquan asserted his authority as regent. Thus, Li Baizhou and Zhao Yong received their due punishment, as people shouted for the execution of the corrupt official.

Upon learning of her father's death, Qi Wang's princess wept hysterically, vowing never to forgive Xiao Dingquan and challenging Xiao Dingquan, asking if he thought the Emperor would spare him. Later, the Emperor summoned Li Baizhou, only to discover he had been beheaded. The Emperor was greatly displeased, stating that while he had temporarily delegated authority to the Crown Prince, since he was back in the palace, the Crown Prince should have consulted him before making such a critical decision. He remarked that "yesterday," when he was in the detached palace, and "today," when he was present in the capital, were not the same.

Episode 34 Recap

Zhao Guifei felt utterly desolate, lamenting that her husband no longer paid her attention, her son Xiao Dingtang was far away from the capital, and her father, Zhao Yong, had been stripped of his title and sent back to his hometown. She expressed her sorrow, stating that both her husband and her eldest son were absent, and even An Pingbo (Zhao Yong) was gone.

She lamented that her father's fate ultimately depended on the Crown Prince's mercy, which she deeply resented. Seeing his mother's profound sadness, Xiao Kaibai was also dejected. He suggested that with her birthday approaching, she could invite the Crown Princess to their palace for a cordial chat, hoping to mend the strained relationship with the Eastern Palace. Zhao Guifei had nearly forgotten her own birthday.

She was touched by the gift Xiao Kaibai had prepared for her, but her thoughts still lingered on Xiao Dingtang. Meanwhile, the Emperor was scrutinizing the records of Zhao Yong's confiscated property. He noticed a significant discrepancy in the funds and grew suspicious.

An official explained that Zhao Yong's assets had already been partially donated, and the Crown Prince had then ordered a portion to be allocated to comfort and compensate the families of deceased soldiers, showcasing the court's benevolence and solidarity. The official added that his Ministry of Household had already informed the Ministry of War and offered to consult the Crown Prince for any modifications if the Emperor wished to use the funds.

The Emperor, however, dismissed the idea, telling the official to forget it. Later, Imperial Concubine Song complained to the Emperor about not receiving funds for new jewelry, suggesting that her needs were less important than the Crown Prince's "important matters." The Emperor impatiently told her to wait. Xiao Dingquan had caught a cold. Wenxi, disguised as Maid Gu, was sent by the Crown Princess to inquire about his well-being.

Xiao Dingquan mentioned his own inability to visit the Crown Princess and asked for her understanding. Wenxi then relayed the message that the palace had sent word that Zhao Guifei's birthday banquet was scheduled for the next day, and the Crown Princess sought his guidance on whether to attend. Xiao Dingquan then handed Wenxi a new prescription from Doctor Wu for the Crown Princess, emphasizing that she must take the medicine strictly on time and avoid anything cold or blood-activating.

He instructed Wenxi to tell the Crown Princess not to attend the Denghua Palace banquet, as a meeting with Princess Qi at this time would be awkward for both parties. He assured Wenxi that he would have Maid Chen prepare a gift to send instead. Finally, he asked Wenxi to inform the Crown Princess that he would find a way to temporarily not pursue Minister Zhang's fault in front of the Emperor.

Wenxi listened with a mixture of shock and suppressed anger. Later, the Emperor was deeply disturbed by the news of Lu Ying's death. His suspicions intensified when he learned that once defiant officials like Huang Ci were now obedient to the Crown Prince. He wondered if the Crown Prince and others were concealing something from him.

He recalled that during the Crown Prince's regency, there was a booklet containing a list of bribery amounts that the Crown Prince had kept and not included in the official files. Feeling that he had "overtrusted" the Crown Prince, the Emperor ordered Xiao Dingquan to visit him the next day. Elsewhere, the Crown Princess was cheerfully applying nail dye to Wenxi's fingers.

She explained that the dye contained alum, making it unsuitable for pregnant women, but that Wenxi could use it. The Crown Princess talked excitedly about her baby, due in winter, imagining it would be "the luckiest child in the world." Wenxi, however, was gripped by profound inner turmoil, caught between the Crown Princess's genuine kindness and the burning hatred for Zhang Luzheng, who had caused her family's devastation.

The next day, Wenxi approached Xiao Dingquan, asking if he could spare some time to visit the Crown Princess that evening. She clarified that it wasn't the Princess's request but that she believed the Princess had something important to tell him. Xiao Dingquan agreed.

Wenxi also informed him that despite his earlier advice, the Crown Princess had decided to attend Zhao Guifei's birthday banquet anyway, and Xiao Dingquan did not stop her, only instructing Wenxi to accompany her and ensure no trouble arose if Princess Qi was present. That evening, as Wenxi was preparing medicine for the Crown Princess, Lady Jiang quietly entered. Addressing Wenxi as Maid Gu, Lady Jiang sternly advised her to leave the palace, stating that her transfer documents were ready.

Lady Jiang questioned Wenxi's motives for staying, asking if she intended to retaliate against the Crown Prince or the Crown Princess, and warned her that this was no longer a place for her, nor was it the right time for her to remain. Wenxi, however, calmly stated she was not afraid. Lady Jiang then called her "Miss Lu" and reiterated that she would send the transfer documents the next day, urging Wenxi to prepare herself.

Suddenly, the Crown Princess emerged, having overheard the entire conversation. With tears streaming down her face, she confronted Wenxi, referring to her as "Miss Lu" and recognizing the mourning rope tied around her wrist. The Crown Princess painfully realized that Wenxi was the Crown Prince's original fiancée, and she had inadvertently taken Wenxi's rightful place. Overwhelmed by grief, she confessed that her own father, Minister Zhang, had harmed Wenxi's family.

The Crown Princess fell to her knees, weeping inconsolably, and begged for Wenxi's forgiveness, on her own behalf and on behalf of Minister Zhang. She pleaded with Wenxi not to leave, promising to speak with the Crown Prince to find a solution. Wenxi was distraught, lamenting that no one could fix their tragic situation. Later that night, Xiao Dingquan formally greeted the Emperor, expressing his respect for not having seen him in days and inquiring about his health.

The Emperor, however, cut him short, asking directly about the investigation into Zhao Yong's confiscated assets. Xiao Dingquan confirmed that he had indeed found a "booklet with bribery list." When the Emperor demanded to see it, Xiao Dingquan confessed that he had already burned it. The Emperor erupted in fury, accusing Xiao Dingquan of excessive audacity, of using such evidence to "win over people's hearts," "control his subordinates," and questioned who he was trying to "buy" or "protect."

Xiao Dingquan vehemently denied these accusations, stating his purpose in coming was to implore the Emperor to order a thorough and impartial investigation into Lu Ying's case by the three judicial offices. The Emperor, however, rebuked him for "abusing power and deceiving the monarch" and then attempting to "make excuses."

As the Emperor seemed about to utter a damning word, Xiao Dingquan desperately begged him not to, revealing that his actions stemmed from his deep fear of hearing that very word. Meanwhile, at Zhao Guifei's birthday banquet, the Crown Princess was cheerfully holding and amusing the Sixth Prince, Liulang. When Zhao Guifei inquired about Princess Qi, a servant mentioned she had already left. The Crown Princess suggested that Princess Qi might have felt unwell, which led to her early departure.

Wenxi (Maid Gu) arrived with the anti-miscarriage medicine. Zhao Guifei offered the Crown Princess some fresh milk, mentioning it was a rare delicacy in the palace. Wenxi, however, immediately intervened, reminding everyone that Doctor Wu had strictly forbidden the Crown Princess from consuming anything cold. The Crown Princess then took her medicine.

Episode 35 Recap

The Emperor admonished Xiao Dingquan, stating that he would be held accountable for Lu Ying's case and instructing him to hand over the seal during the next morning's court session. The Emperor further criticized Xiao Dingquan for his excessive affection for the Crown Princess, reminding him that he was soon to be a father and should act with more maturity. Xiao Dingquan humbly accepted the reprimand, acknowledging his fault.

Just as their conversation ended, an urgent message arrived: the Crown Princess had collapsed. Both the Emperor and Xiao Dingquan were stunned, and Xiao Dingquan rushed immediately to Denghua Palace. Upon his arrival, Xiao Dingquan found the Crown Princess and Liulang, the Sixth Prince, both vomiting blood, showing severe symptoms of poisoning. Amidst the chaos, Wenxi noticed a bowl of milk, recalling that it could serve as a temporary antidote for poisoning.

She moved to give it to the Crown Princess, but seeing the young Liulang also in dire condition, she hesitated, torn between the two. In her distress, Liulang called out "Sister," and a vision of her own brother, Wenjin, flashed before her eyes. Ultimately, Wenxi chose to give the only available milk to Liulang. Shortly after, attending physicians arrived and diagnosed the Crown Princess with white arsenic poisoning.

They promptly administered acupuncture to induce vomiting, but it was to no avail. As the Crown Princess neared her end, Xiao Dingquan reached her side, calling her "Nianzhi." She weakly raised a finger towards Wenxi and whispered something to Xiao Dingquan, who leaned in to hear. She then confessed that she had lied to him, mentioning that the plum blossom fragrance was now ready for use. Xiao Dingquan held her tightly, but she soon passed away.

Overwhelmed with grief, he mourned the loss of his wife and their unborn child, lamenting that he had kept her waiting. Meanwhile, Liulang, having received the milk in time, was out of danger. Xiao Dingkai rushed to the scene. Lady Jiang, visibly distressed, informed him that the Crown Princess had been poisoned after taking her pregnancy medicine.

She added that the Crown Princess had pointed to Maid Gu, implicating Wenxi as a prime suspect, noting that only she had handled the medicine and visited the kitchen. Enraged and distraught, Xiao Dingquan grabbed Wenxi by the throat, demanding to know who she truly was and who had sent her. Wenxi struggled, trying to convey that the Crown Princess wanted to tell him something about the baby moving, but he was consumed by fury.

Just as the situation grew critical, Li Chongkui, acting on the Emperor's orders, intervened, striking Xiao Dingquan unconscious to prevent him from acting impulsively. Xiao Dingkai later found Wenxi, who was overcome with despair and self-reproach. She confessed to Xiao Dingkai, believing she was responsible for the Crown Princess's death because she chose to give the milk to Liulang. She agonized over the impossible choice, feeling guilty regardless of her decision. Xiao Dingkai, however, tried to reassure her.

The subsequent investigation by imperial physicians revealed that the pregnancy medicine itself was problematic, solidifying the accusations against Wenxi. With a full pursuit underway, Xiao Dingkai attempted to help Wenxi flee through Xuanwu Gate. Wenxi, however, was resolute, refusing to leave without clearing her name.

Realizing her determination, Xiao Dingkai reluctantly shared a pet name with her, advising her to keep her identity secret, especially from his third brother (Xiao Dingquan), and suggesting that the name might save her life in a desperate situation. Wenxi committed the name to memory before jumping into a nearby lake. Spotting her, Xiao Dingquan immediately followed, pulling her from the water and ordering her apprehension.

Returning to Imperial Concubine Zhao's palace, Xiao Dingkai was met with his mother's furious rebuke. She chastised him for nearly implicating their entire family by getting involved with "a mere maid." Imperial Concubine Zhao expressed relief that the evidence against Wenxi seemed solid, preventing her own involvement, and ordered Xiao Dingkai to stay away from the palace for a few days to avoid further complications. The next morning, the court session proceeded under a tense atmosphere.

Ministers whispered amongst themselves, speculating about the previous night's dramatic events, including the deployment of the Crown Prince's guards within the palace, a highly unusual occurrence. No one dared to mention the poisoning or Xiao Dingquan's regency status, indicating the gravity and sensitivity of the situation. Some mused about whether the removal of "roadblocks" meant more joy or sorrow for the Crown Prince.

Back in Denghua Palace, Xiao Dingquan remained by the Crown Princess's body, his grief profound as he mourned the loss of their baby. When Wenxi was brought before him, she collapsed in sorrow upon seeing the Crown Princess's peaceful face. She cried out, denying any part in the poisoning and pleading with Xiao Dingquan to personally investigate the case to find justice for the Crown Princess.

Xiao Dingquan, still struggling to reconcile his trust with the accusations against her, harshly questioned her, demanding to know her true name and her real purpose for being by his side. Wenxi, heartbroken, began to speak.

Episode 36 Recap

Xiao Dingquan, still consumed by grief and rage over the Crown Princess's death, demanded to know the identity of her murderer from Wenxi. He pressed her for her true name, but she merely offered the surname "Gu." He coldly accused her of murder and of attempting to protect someone by feigning suicide. Wenxi challenged him, asking if her personal plight was less significant than the Crown Princess's tragedy.

Xiao Dingquan vehemently retorted that her struggles and very life were nothing in comparison to his beloved wife's, and she was unworthy of his direct interrogation. He then summoned Zhang Luzheng, the Crown Princess's father, to take charge of the "criminal." Wenxi desperately pleaded with Xiao Dingquan not to abandon her again, arguing that Zhang Luzheng, as a direct relative, could not deliver a fair judgment.

However, Xiao Dingquan countered that Zhang Luzheng's personal connection would make him immune to deception, allowing him to conduct a thorough and unwavering investigation—an opportunity he specifically granted him. Zhang Luzheng wasted no time in his interrogation. Wenxi staunchly denied poisoning anyone, stating she had guarded and tasted the medicine diligently. She then pointed out that Prince VI was also poisoned but had not consumed the medicine, suggesting it was not the source.

Instead, she claimed both the Crown Princess and Prince VI had eaten sweet pastry. Zhang Luzheng dismissed this, citing Li Chongkui's earlier finding that the sweet pastry was harmless, with only the medicine being toxic. Wenxi argued that the chaotic circumstances of the banquet would have allowed someone to easily swap the sweet pastry or even poison the medicine after she had left or after the Crown Princess had already shown symptoms.

Zhang Luzheng, recalling Xiao Dingquan's earlier assessment of Wenxi as "cunning and eloquent," prepared to use harsher methods. While Xiao Dingquan lay feverish from his plunge into the pond, attended by Attendant Wang and Kouzhu, Wenxi faced relentless torture from Zhang Luzheng. Unyielding, she remained silent until he threatened to disfigure her. She then unveiled her theory: the individuals from Denghua palace stood to gain the most from the Crown Princess's demise.

Had the Crown Princess given birth to an imperial grandson, Zhang Luzheng's position as chancellor would have been cemented, and Xiao Dingtang's return to the capital permanently blocked. With the Crown Princess dead, however, the chancellorship remained open, creating an opportunity for Xiao Dingtang to advance his own loyalists. Wenxi emphasized that only by exposing the true culprit could Zhang Luzheng achieve his aspirations and safeguard Xiao Dingquan.

She specifically accused the palace maid who served the sweet pastry during the banquet, promising to identify her. Zhang Luzheng, though hesitant about the severe repercussions of searching Denghua palace without explicit imperial sanction, eventually decided the potential gains for himself outweighed the risks. Wenxi was then taken to prison, where she found a familiar grasshopper made of straw, a poignant memento of her deceased brother. Overwhelmed, she wept, reminded of her family's unjust fate.

Zhang Shaoyun, visiting her secretly, misinterpreted her profound sorrow as physical pain from torture. Wenxi cryptically told him that he, and indeed everyone, would eventually learn her true identity. Later, Xiao Dingquan met with the Emperor, who sharply criticized his recent conduct, noting his neglected studies and the temporary nature of his regency. The Emperor proposed He Daoran as his new lecturer, intending for him to fill Li Baizhou's former position and guide Xiao Dingquan in self-cultivation.

Xiao Dingquan, expressing remorse for his previous defiance, submitted a memorial offering to relinquish his seal and requested a few days for the Ministry of Justice to thoroughly investigate the Crown Princess's death, emphasizing the maid's suspicious actions. Before the Emperor could fully respond, Zhao Guifei burst in, distraught, accusing Xiao Dingquan of humiliating her by having her Denghua palace surrounded by his men.

The enraged Emperor rushed to Denghua palace, finding Zhang Luzheng and his forces, with all the palace maids assembled. The Emperor questioned Zhang Luzheng about invading forbidden grounds without an imperial decree. Zhang Luzheng confirmed he acted under Xiao Dingquan's direct order, asserting that a regent's decree held the same weight as an imperial decree, and that their mission was to investigate the Crown Princess's case.

Zhang Luzheng then reported to Xiao Dingquan that 'Maid Gu' claimed to have seen the murderer, though she admitted she hadn't seen the culprit's face clearly, and might not be able to find her. She pleaded for this one chance to continue the investigation, to which Xiao Dingquan decided to trust her. Xiao Dingquan then publicly declared that the order to search Denghua palace was indeed his.

The Emperor, infuriated, demanded that Xiao Dingquan withdraw his men, but Xiao Dingquan defiantly reiterated that a regent's decree was equal to an imperial decree. Exasperated, the Emperor accused Xiao Dingquan of being reluctant to give up the power of the regency, then grabbed his collar, pushing him onto the throne, and demanded to know his true intentions. The Emperor further questioned him whether he would act arbitrarily because of a "villain's slander."

With tears in his eyes, Xiao Dingquan spoke of the unbearable pain of losing his mother, sister, wife, and child, all his beloved ones, and his desperate need to uncover who had sabotaged his life. He responded that he would not forgive the culprit and that his actions were for himself, so that when he woke from future nightmares, he would only feel regret and pain, not the lingering resentment of an unresolved injustice.

He confessed his lifelong desire to be a good son, a good courtier, a good husband, and a good father, but stated that "overnight," someone had ruined it all, and he needed to know who. He declared his willingness to face any punishment from national or family laws. Meanwhile, Wenxi, with Supervisor Jiang's assistance, instructed all the palace maids to extend their hands.

She spotted Maid Sun, whose vibrant red nail polish she distinctly remembered seeing on the maid who had served the sweet pastry. Maid Sun, realizing she was exposed, panicked and attempted to flee, prompting Zhang Luzheng to order her immediate capture. Wenxi accused Maid Sun of poisoning the Crown Princess and scapegoating her.

Episode 37 Recap

As Maid Sun frantically ran into a room, clutching a packet of poison to end her life, Li Chongkui swiftly apprehended her and sent her to the Ministry of Penalty. Under torture, Maid Sun quickly confessed that Princess Qi had ordered her to harm the Crown Princess. However, Maid Sun also revealed that Princess Qi had left the palace early on the day of the birthday banquet.

Li Chongkui reported this to the Emperor, who lamented that if Princess Qi had not left, he could have eliminated both the Crown Princess and Princess Qi in one stroke. Hearing the Emperor's lament, Zhao Guifei immediately tearfully pleaded her innocence and that of Prince Qi. The Emperor, however, coldly dismissed her, questioning why she was so quick to admit guilt. He then confronted Maid Sun directly, asking who truly instructed her. Maid Sun, under duress, confirmed Princess Qi's orders.

However, Zhao Guifei, desperate, intervened, claiming the Crown Prince was deliberately framing her and Prince Qi. The Emperor cut her off, refusing to acknowledge her plea and reaffirming that Maid Sun's fate would be decided by national law. After further deliberation, the Emperor sent word to Princess Qi through Li Chongkui, instructing her to "behave in the future," a subtle warning and a sign that she would not be punished.

The Emperor, still pondering how to stabilize the court, received a secret military report from Changzhou. He learned that Gu Fengen had arrived in the army some time ago but was kept by Gu Silin without any prior consultation. This greatly angered the Emperor, who saw Gu Silin's actions as a sign of disrespect and a challenge to his authority.

The report further detailed how local officials believed Gu Silin was not afraid of battle but rather "using the enemy to elevate himself" and "greedy for glory and clinging to power," implying he was prolonging the conflict for personal gain. The Emperor's suspicions then turned to Xiao Dingquan, recognizing a similar pattern of defiance in the "uncle and nephew."

Considering the political landscape, the Emperor decided against punishing Princess Qi, fearing it would weaken Prince Qi's faction and upset the delicate balance of power among his sons. He then summoned Zhang Luzheng, offering condolences for the death of his daughter, the Crown Princess, who had been married into the imperial family for only half a year.

The Emperor assured Zhang Luzheng that the funeral arrangements would be handled with utmost care and that the culprits would be severely punished according to the law. However, the Emperor then subtly coerced Zhang Luzheng by bringing up the deaths of Lu Ying and his son, forcing Zhang Luzheng to scapegoat Wenxi for the Crown Princess's murder to exonerate Princess Qi. Despite knowing Wenxi's innocence, Zhang Luzheng reluctantly agreed to protect himself.

That evening, Xiao Dingquan, still recovering from a recent illness, paid his respects to the Emperor, only to learn that an imperial decree had been issued to execute Wenxi. Xiao Dingquan was stunned and questioned the decision, but the Emperor fiercely rebuked his doubts, ordering him to relearn the principles of filial piety and the way of a subject.

He also stripped Xiao Dingquan of his right to attend court the next day, commanding him to study etiquette and the code of conduct under He Daoran after handing over his seal. Following the Emperor's command, Zhang Luzheng arrived at the prison to execute Wenxi. Wenxi was shocked, unable to comprehend how she could be condemned when Maid Sun, the actual perpetrator, had been apprehended.

She confronted Zhang Luzheng, questioning his decision to betray his own daughter and bully the weak by displaying her coerced confession. Zhang Luzheng coldly informed her that she would be dismembered publicly the next day, adding that the Ministry of Penalty had "reduced her pain." Wenxi defiantly cursed him as a cowardly wretch. As several burly men pressed a sack over Wenxi, threatening to suffocate her, Zhang Shaoyun unexpectedly arrived at the prison with medicine for her.

Upon seeing his father attempting to kill Wenxi, he became distraught, rushing in to restrain Zhang Luzheng and ordering the guards to release her. Zhang Luzheng, furious at his disobedient son, reminded him that Wenxi was accused of killing his own sister, the Crown Princess. Just as Wenxi was on the verge of death, Xiao Dingquan arrived, called upon by Zhang Shaoyun, who desperately appealed for his help, proclaiming Wenxi's innocence.

Ignoring Zhang Luzheng's protests, Xiao Dingquan intervened, forcefully asserting his authority and declaring that he was taking Wenxi. He then brazenly challenged Zhang Luzheng, stating that a man who could betray his own daughter would certainly betray a son-in-law or a son. Meanwhile, in Changzhou, Gu Fengen was undergoing a brutal transformation. The city had been unexpectedly attacked by enemy forces, who bypassed the northern camp and killed over a thousand guards.

Despite pleas for reinforcement and the lack of enemy backup, Colonel Yang refused to engage in battle, appearing to be afraid. Gu Fengen, no longer a carefree scholar, was actively leading search parties for fallen comrades in dangerous territory, confronting the enemy head-on, proving himself a brave and resolute warrior amidst the "baptism of fire." Later, Wenxi awoke to find her branded scars exposed, with Xiao Dingquan sitting nearby.

She shyly covered her wounds, insisting again that she was not the murderer of the Crown Princess and mentioning that she found the person who has her confession. Xiao Dingquan, seemingly unaffected, left the room. Outside, he encountered Du Heng. Xiao Dingquan explained that his own residence was inconvenient for a confidential discussion, and then directly asked Du Heng if he would still choose to stand with him, acknowledging that he was "not a strongman this time."

The next day was the Crown Princess's funeral. Officials repeatedly urged for the ceremony to begin, as Xiao Dingquan was late to appear, causing delays and uncertainty among the attendees. Finally, at the last moment, he arrived, his face etched with grief. He requested that an item be placed in the coffin with his deceased wife, remembering her gentle voice and smiling face.

As Xiao Dingquan grieved, elsewhere, Lu Wenxi, facing the direction of the Crown Princess's palace, solemnly kowtowed, remembering the kind Crown Princess who had treated her like a sister. In a profound internal monologue, Xiao Dingquan reflected on his Confucian upbringing, which dismissed religious beliefs as illusions. Yet, in his deep sorrow, he found himself seeking solace in Buddhist mercy, pondering concepts of love, desire, illusion, and reincarnation.

Despite understanding the endless compassion and suffering, he still longed for rebirth and reunion, hoping to fulfill the "empty promises" he had made to his beloved. As the Emperor's summons arrived, Xiao Dingquan resolved to "finish this life first," accepting his duties despite his immense personal grief.

Episode 38 Recap

Xiao Dingquan brought Lu Wenxi to face the Emperor, openly declaring his intent to continue the investigation into the Crown Princess's death and requesting that Imperial Concubine Zhao assist in the inquiry at Zongzheng Temple. The Emperor, who believed Xiao Dingquan had no interest in such power struggles, expressed surprise, to which Xiao Dingquan responded that he was willing to engage as the Emperor wished. The Emperor pointedly asked if Lu Wenxi, a mere maid, was so important to him.

Xiao Dingquan, feigning agreement, claimed he wanted to throw her into the Taiye Pond. However, he then argued that her confession to the Ministry of Justice, obtained under torture and showing "many fire wounds," was invalid according to national law. He further demanded maid Sun of Denghua palace be brought for questioning, deeming her a "useless pawn" for his purposes, and asked if the Emperor had reviewed his memorial regarding Imperial Concubine Zhao.

The Emperor challenged him, asking if he believed he could win this "game." Xiao Dingquan conceded he was not skilled at chess but asked if the Emperor would grant his request should he win. The Emperor, reflecting on governance, stated that playing politics, strategy, and maintaining the overall situation were paramount, implying that sometimes sacrifices were necessary for the "overall situation."

Xiao Dingquan then directly reiterated his request for Imperial Concubine Zhao to go to Zongzheng Temple to assist Dazongzheng with the investigation. The Emperor grew angry, reminding Xiao Dingquan that Imperial Concubine Zhao was his stepmother, and questioning whether she was an imperial concubine or a suspect in regicide. He concluded that Xiao Dingquan had already lost. The Emperor then issued an imperial decree.

The decree stated that Maid Gu (Lu Wenxi) of Baoben palace had murdered the Crown Princess, confessed, and was to be sentenced to death. Crown Prince Xiao Dingquan was accused of complicity for covering her up, but due to being deceived and showing repentance, he was to go to Zongzheng Temple for introspection instead of being treated as an accomplice.

Xiao Dingquan refused to accept the decree, and as regent, declared he would "reject it," stating he needed neither the Emperor's forgiveness nor understanding. The Emperor scornfully noted that Xiao Dingquan was still relying on the authority the Emperor had granted him. Xiao Dingquan then joined forces with officials from the Ministry of Justice, the Censorate, and Dali Temple (the three interdependent judicial departments) to push the case forward.

The officials appeared before the Emperor, stating they were there to take maid Sun and thoroughly investigate the Crown Princess's death, acting on the Crown Prince's order. The Emperor accused Xiao Dingquan of colluding with the three departments. Xiao Dingquan denied collusion, explaining that they were simply acting in accordance with national law.

He detailed how Zhang Shaoyun, the Crown Princess's brother, filed the lawsuit, which was then processed through the Zhanshi department and Zuochun palace to the Ministry of Justice. Since the Minister of Justice's own son was the plaintiff, the minister had to recuse himself, allowing a deputy to proceed. The other two departments were then legally bound to review the case. Xiao Dingquan insisted that every step was "reasonable and legal."

The Emperor sarcastically "praised" Xiao Dingquan for his regency, remarking that he was doing "very well." Xiao Dingquan replied that it was the first time he had received a compliment since becoming regent. The Emperor questioned if Xiao Dingquan truly intended to defy his father and the family for a woman. Xiao Dingquan reminded the Emperor that he himself had once said that institutions and parenthood were distinct matters.

Xiao Dingquan then revealed a prepared seal, warning that if he stamped it, the case would be handed over to the "outer court" for public trial, effectively escalating the matter beyond the imperial family's purview. He claimed he was merely asking the Emperor what course of action he should take. The Emperor, seeing this as a challenge, remarked that Xiao Dingquan wanted to become "the second Li Baizhou."

Ultimately, the Emperor relented, ordering Li Chongkui to personally escort Imperial Concubine Zhao to Zongzheng Temple. Imperial Concubine Zhao pleaded with the Emperor, but he coldly departed. Li Chongkui then informed her that Dazongzheng was the late emperor's brother, Xiao Dingquan's granduncle, and Wu Dehou's uncle, suggesting she might have a hard time clarifying herself to him.

He then added a poignant remark, wondering how wonderful it would be if his own mother, younger sister, wife, and son had been given a similar chance to clarify themselves. Later, Lu Wenxi opened the box containing Xiao Dingquan's seal, only to find it empty. She immediately realized that Xiao Dingquan had never intended to hand the case to the outer court, but merely used it as leverage against the Emperor.

Xiao Dingquan admitted that Imperial Concubine Zhao was his father's concubine and his brother's mother, and he did not wish to harm her. Lu Wenxi commented that Zongzheng Temple sounded "more terrible than the Ministry of Justice." Xiao Dingquan concurred, describing it as "spooky and dark," and then, in a dark jest, suggested she jump into the pond again so he could "enjoy your sinking."

Lu Wenxi, still shaken, then said that Dazongzheng was an upright man who would not be partial, and reminded him that she too would be going there. Meanwhile, outside Changzhou city, enemy forces were attacking. Li Ming'an, having repeatedly sought aid without response, risked his life to personally confront Yang Sheng, General Gu Silin's aide, questioning why no reinforcements had been dispatched.

Yang Sheng dismissed the situation, claiming the city had enough provisions and Li Ming'an should merely hold his position, asserting this was his own judgment, not Wu Dehou's. Li Ming'an then revealed an imperial decree for supervising the battle. Yang Sheng, however, declared himself the commander in chief there, stating that as a soldier, he only recognized the war situation, not imperial decrees. At this moment, Gu Fengen rushed in, addressing Li Ming'an as "Uncle" and trying to calm him.

Li Ming'an then understood Yang Sheng’s true intention: to wait until Li Ming'an's Tianchang camp was depleted, allowing Gu Silin's forces to claim sole victory. Yang Sheng ordered Gu Fengen, whom he called an "adjutant," to be beaten for forty times for entering without permission. Li Ming'an stopped the punishment, warning them to consider the nation's predicament and that of the Crown Prince. He then left.

The Emperor, still without news from Changzhou, wondered if a decree from Xiao Dingquan would be more effective. Back on the city wall, Li Ming'an issued a grim order for all soldiers to guard the gate at all costs, with violators facing execution. Later, Xiao Dingquan received a secret message from Dazongzheng, his granduncle, summoning him to Zongzheng Temple. Upon arriving, he was surprised to find Xiao Dingtang and Xiao Dingkai already there.

Xiao Dingtang questioned Xiao Dingkai's unauthorized return from the frontier, where he was assigned to safeguard, and asked about their mother's well-being, to which Xiao Dingkai responded he did not know. Soon after, the Emperor himself arrived. The three princes, unsure of the reason for their summons, followed him inside. The Emperor explained that Zongzheng Temple was responsible for all imperial family penalties, and the Crown Princess's death was a serious family matter that all his sons should hear.

He then ordered maid Sun and Lu Wenxi to be brought before him for interrogation. Maid Sun, under the Emperor's direct questioning, initially implicated Imperial Concubine Zhao as the instigator in the Crown Princess's poisoning. Imperial Concubine Zhao immediately denied the accusation, calling it a lie. The Emperor pressed Sun, warning her that lying would result in the extermination of her clan. Maid Sun then changed her testimony, claiming it was Lu Wenxi who coerced her, not Imperial Concubine Zhao.

She sensationally added that she had personally witnessed the Crown Princess kneeling and crying before Lu Wenxi on the night of the banquet, a claim that Maid Su also saw. The Emperor directly confronted Lu Wenxi about her relationship with the Crown Princess. Xiao Dingquan interjected, calling Sun's claims absurd.

The Emperor angrily rebuked Xiao Dingquan, criticizing his personal intervention in the case, suggesting it implied fear of Lu Wenxi committing suicide and that the Crown Prince was acting inappropriately despite "confession, evidence, and testimony." He implied for the sake of "decency," they should not speak too plainly about Xiao Dingquan's true motives for defending Lu Wenxi. Lu Wenxi, however, steadfastly denied coercing Sun or being instigated by Xiao Dingquan, pleading for the truth to be recognized.

The Emperor, accusing her of disrespect, ordered her immediate execution. Xiao Dingquan protested, arguing that Dazongzheng should be the one to interrogate the case, not the Emperor. Dazongzheng, who had been trying to enter, was stopped and informed that he was "already not" Dazongzheng, as the Emperor had removed him from office, and that the Emperor himself would temporarily fill the vacancy according to family law.

The Emperor then handed a sword to Xiao Dingquan, ordering him to execute Lu Wenxi personally. The Emperor asserted this was to clarify Xiao Dingquan's "attitude and position" and to settle the case. Xiao Dingquan, distraught, threw the sword to the ground and refused, stating, "I am not a butcher. I won't do such things. I won't agree on your conclusion." He questioned why an innocent person should be sacrificed for the "overall situation" while others were spared.

The Emperor, infuriated, said, "Since he disagrees, he should reject the decree and prove it. He is so eager to be the second Li Baizhou. Okay, I can help him." Xiao Dingquan then declared that as the Chancellor, he would reject the imperial decree. The Emperor, in a rage, commanded Xiao Dingquan to summon his "adherents," including his uncle and cousins, to witness his manipulative methods.

Xiao Dingquan denied having adherents, stating he had returned Jinbao (likely a symbol of authority) that morning and offered to explain any misunderstanding. The Emperor walked away, declaring he would wait for Xiao Dingquan and his supporters. Tearfully, Xiao Dingquan maintained that neither he nor Lu Wenxi was guilty, believing the Emperor knew the truth. The commander then reminded Xiao Dingquan that the Emperor simply wished to see his "attitude and position."

Episode 39 Recap

Emperor Xiao ordered a sharp sword to be delivered to Xiao Dingquan, who then slowly, with steps heavy as if burdened by a thousand catties, approached Lu Wenxi. As everyone watched in anticipation, Lu Wenxi closed her eyes in despair, awaiting her final moment. Instead of striking her, Xiao Dingquan raised the sword and merely severed a lock of her hair, then knelt before his father, pleading for Lu Wenxi's life.

Displeased by his son's indecisiveness, the Emperor subjected Xiao Dingquan to family law. Xiao Dingquan was severely whipped, his back bleeding, before he fell to the ground, weak and injured. Later, Xiao Dingtang attempted to curry favor with his father, but the Emperor instructed him to return to his battalion immediately, unseen by the court officials.

Unbeknownst to them, a crowd of officials had already gathered outside Zongzheng Temple and were surprised to see Xiao Dingtang, who had been sent back to his fief, among them. They questioned why Prince Qi had returned when he had left the capital in disgrace, wondering if it was an imperial decree. They also asked why the Crown Prince had not emerged.

Li Chongkui dismissed their concerns, stating the case was settled and not their business, but the officials demanded a clearer explanation. Meanwhile, Xiao Dingquan lay on a divan, gravely wounded, while Lu Wenxi meticulously cared for him. He woke up, still in pain, and acknowledged his clumsiness and mistake in judgment, admitting that the punishment was deserved and even light.

At the same time, Gu Fengen, to alleviate Li Ming'an's urgent predicament, took his troops to burn the enemy's grain supply. His men had scouted the location, finding it lightly guarded, and decided to proceed despite concerns about Yang Yong's reaction. Gu Fengen and his men successfully set fire to the granary, a defiant message to Li Ming'an, but were subsequently surrounded by enemy forces during their retreat.

Upon hearing of Gu Fengen's unauthorized action, Yang Yong was furious but firmly refused to send aid, stating he would not rescue Gu Fengen without a direct order, even when a subordinate warned of potential repercussions like those involving General Cheng'en. Amidst their confinement, Lu Wenxi found a moment of solace, observing a rainbow in the sky and smiling amidst her hardships.

Back at court, the Emperor spoke with Xu Changping about paternal discipline, comparing it to a kind mother punishing a child for their own good. He then tasked Xu Changping with drafting an imperial decree to elevate Imperial Consort Zhao to the rank of Empress. The Emperor expressed hope that this, too, would be a blessing for his son. Later, Xiao Dingtang encountered Xu Changping and attempted to recruit him, offering him a position in his own residence.

Xu Changping politely declined, subtly indicating his loyalty by stating, "The former star is still in the sky. Your Highness, how can you talk about the future?" When Lu Wenxi stepped out to pour water, she was almost abducted. Xiao Dingquan, despite his injuries, rushed out to protect her, only to be confronted by Li Chongkui, who had arrived with an imperial decree. Xiao Dingquan gripped Lu Wenxi's hand tightly, refusing to let anyone harm her.

He pleaded with Li Chongkui, acknowledging his own mistakes but begging for mercy for Lu Wenxi. However, Li Chongkui firmly stated that he must avoid suspicion and could not intervene, before taking Lu Wenxi away. As she was led off, Xiao Dingquan defiantly commanded her, "Without my permission, you are not allowed to die!" Outside, Xiao Dingtang was overseeing arrangements for the coronation ceremony, discussing the appropriate music and formalities with officials.

He gloated to Li Chongkui about Lu Wenxi being a regicide and having slandered the new Empress, proclaiming that her virtue must remain unimpeachable. When Xiao Dingquan emerged and heard Xiao Dingtang mention "the Queen," he was shocked, asking, "Queen?" Realizing what had happened, he furiously struck Xiao Dingtang to the ground. Despite his rage and efforts, Xiao Dingquan was powerless to prevent Lu Wenxi from being taken away as Li Chongkui cited the imperial decree.

Zhao Guifei stood at the palace gates, reflecting on her own rise. She understood that her elevation to Empress was the Emperor's calculated move to strengthen Xiao Dingtang's position as a counterweight to Xiao Dingquan, especially after the demise of powerful figures like Li Baizhou and Zhao Yong.

Dressed in her phoenix coronet and robes, Zhao Guifei was officially crowned the new Empress during a solemn ceremony where the decree acknowledged her long service and virtuous conduct since the Emperor's private residence. Xiao Dingquan, however, was overcome with grief, crying out in anguish to his father, "Unfair! She killed my mother, my sister, my wife! Why not punish her? Why do you let her live in my mother's palace? Is this your royal way?

What have I done wrong that you must humiliate and trample me so?" His desperate pleas echoed, feeling his father's actions were unjust. During her escort by Li Chongkui and Xiao Dingtang, Lu Wenxi used her eloquence to appeal to Li Chongkui's sense of justice and compassion. She reminded him of his own humanity and the injustice of her situation, imploring him to save Xiao Dingquan by asking if he didn't know the truth and questioning his conscience and compassion.

Moved by her words, Li Chongkui ordered his men to stop, despite Xiao Dingtang's angry protests about how he would explain this to the Emperor. Li Chongkui released Lu Wenxi, who then immediately rushed back to find Xiao Dingquan.

Episode 40 Recap

On the distant Changzhou battlefield, Gu Fengen and his troops found respite in a valley after being relentlessly pursued by enemy forces all day. Suddenly, a large army appeared in the distance. Gu Fengen immediately ordered his men to hide. After careful reconnaissance, he realized that this enemy force intended to bypass their main position and attack Beida camp.

Recognizing the urgency, Gu Fengen quickly led his men to report back, engaging in a fierce skirmish with the enemy along the way. Despite being outnumbered and having no clear path forward, Gu Fengen ordered an ambush, commanding his men to prepare their crossbows and fight valiantly. Back in the capital, a physician attended to Xiao Dingquan's wounds. Despite the excruciating pain, Xiao Dingquan remained silent, only expressing his frustration by angrily smashing objects.

The physician, finding himself helpless, eventually withdrew. Xiao Dingquan then retrieved a leather belt and, without explanation, firmly bound his wrist to Wenxi's. Shortly after, Li Chongkui arrived with a military order to deal with Wenxi. To his astonishment, he found Xiao Dingquan and Wenxi with their hands tightly clasped. Li Chongkui sighed, expressing his confusion over Xiao Dingquan's actions, and tried to persuade him to prioritize overall interests, as a man of resolve must endure momentary pain.

Xiao Dingquan, however, declared firmly, "No, just because of her. Tell him, tell the whole world, she is my woman. No one can harm her without my permission." Later, Kou Zhu, a palace maid from the Eastern Palace, attempted to deliver clean clothes to Xiao Dingquan, but the guards refused her entry, stating that even if she sent them in, he couldn't wear them.

Kou Zhu pleaded to see him just once, crying out to Xiao Dingquan, but the guards eventually forced her to leave. Meanwhile, Li Chongkui presented Xiao Dingquan's blood-soaked clothes to the Emperor, who merely cast a cold glance before tossing them aside. That night, the imperial city was illuminated by vibrant fireworks, a stark contrast to Xiao Dingquan's bleak mood as he rested his head on Wenxi's lap, finding his only comfort and reliance in her presence.

Xiao Dingquan then asked Wenxi why she had chosen to stay in the capital and embroiled herself in so many troubles, especially after once planning to leave. Wenxi responded with a bitter smile. Xiao Dingquan's voice was deep as he urged her to tell him the truth that night.

Wenxi gently touched Xiao Dingquan's hair, murmuring that she truly wanted to get closer to him, really wanted to obtain him, but it always felt out of reach and she could never get close enough. She confessed that those deep affections and longings had gradually faded away, worn down by the passage of time and events.

Xiao Dingquan listened and believed her, concluding that since they couldn't "live together in adversity" nor "forget each other in the deep palace," they should simply "sink together." On the Changzhou front, the battle raged, with the army, under Gu Silin's command, launching a concerted attack that completely shattered the enemy forces.

Li Ming'an's critical situation was resolved, and he expressed his profound gratitude to Gu Silin for his timely and decisive intervention, praising his formidable leadership and the awesome power and great merit of Marquis Wude. He lauded Gu Silin for seeing through the enemy's feigned attack on the city and annihilating their main force, and also thanked Yang Sheng for holding his troops and creating a pincer attack.

Li Ming'an informed Gu Silin that Consort Zhao had been officially made Empress. Gu Silin’s hand instinctively tightened on his sword hilt, but he calmly replied that it was good news and that he would submit a memorial of congratulations. Li Ming'an also lauded Yang Sheng as a capable student of Gu Silin, to which Gu Silin responded that he would convey the compliments and apologized for any offense Yang Sheng might have caused, describing him as upright.

Meanwhile, Yang Sheng apprehended Gu Fengen, who was disheveled and distraught, for acting independently without orders. Gu Fengen, upon seeing Yang Sheng, demanded to see his father. Xiao Dingquan remained bound to Wenxi, playfully trying to set up a bird trap, a method he claimed Gu Fengen taught him. He teased Wenxi about her moving her hand, while she playfully questioned the efficacy of their repeated attempts.

Eunuch Chen arrived with another imperial decree, stating that if Wenxi was not handed over, Xiao Dingquan would not be allowed to leave his courtyard. Xiao Dingquan feigned helplessness due to his bound hands, suggesting Eunuch Chen try to untie them himself. When Eunuch Chen asked what he should report to the Emperor, Xiao Dingquan impishly instructed him to report that the "offending subject" was not defying the decree but sincerely self-reflecting, which Wenxi affirmed.

Xiao Dingquan then roguishly asked Eunuch Chen to help him set up the bird trap. Exasperated, Eunuch Chen tossed the trap cover aside and left. Xiao Dingquan and Wenxi laughed together, their faces close, creating a tender and intimate moment. Xiao Dingquan reaffirmed that Wenxi was his woman and no one would harm her while he was there. Meanwhile, Du Heng was demoted to an 8th-rank sub-prefect in Zhangzhou for supporting the Crown Prince.

Upon learning of this, Xiao Dingquan was deeply distressed, believing he was responsible for Du Heng's misfortune. Du Heng visited Xiao Dingquan before his departure that very day. He reflected on his own career, admitting he wasn't a truly honest or upright official, nor an upright subject, offering no benefit to the nation but with faults towards the respected. He confessed he was truly not a gentleman, but indeed a villain.

He still felt regret over this outcome, which he called a "villain's regret" for not suffering for his own misdeeds, a sentiment he only now understood.

He expressed his profound sympathy for Xiao Dingquan’s difficult situation and, as he bade farewell, urged the Crown Prince to rally and stay strong, even for his own selfish reasons, so that Du Heng would not carry this regret, not about villain or gentleman but merely a mortal's private desires and feelings, to his grave in the distant, unfamiliar lands of Zhangzhou. After Du Heng left, Xiao Dingquan, still bound to Wenxi, playfully suggested she write his homework for him since he couldn't, and he would teach her how to write.

Episode 41 Recap

His Majesty assigned He Daoran to teach Crown Prince Xiao Dingquan and give him homework. However, Xiao Dingquan spent his time teaching Wenxi calligraphy, subtly having her complete his assignments. His Majesty soon noticed this and dispatched Xu Changping with a ruler to punish Xiao Dingquan. Xu Changping reluctantly complied, striking Xiao Dingquan’s palms sixty-six times. Xiao Dingquan grimaced in pain, then chided Wenxi for not writing diligently enough to prevent his punishment. Wenxi was speechless in her defense.

Meanwhile, Yang Sheng captured Gu Fengen and his men, binding them. He interrogated them, demanding to know if they had disobeyed orders by leaving the camp or had fled the battle. Yang Sheng declared his intention to behead them all. Gu Fengen watched in agony as his subordinates were executed one by one. Believing he too would face the blade, he was surprised when Yang Sheng spared him.

Confused, Gu Fengen asked about his father, Gu Silin, but Yang Sheng coldly informed him that this was Gu Silin’s instruction: Gu Fengen was to return to the capital and not waste time on the battlefield. Gu Silin’s true intention was for his son to assist the Crown Prince, especially now that Concubine Zhao had been named empress, leaving Xiao Dingquan in a precarious position.

Yang Sheng conveyed Gu Silin’s message, saying that since Gu Fengen could neither achieve scholarly honor nor wield a spear effectively, he was useless to both country and family, making his life akin to death. His Majesty instructed Xu Changping to meticulously prepare for the capture sacrifice ceremony, revealing that he had summoned Gu Silin back to the capital, planning a special "welcome" for the victorious general.

During this conversation, His Majesty mused about the historical figures Shen Sheng and Chong’er, both sons of Duke Xian, noting that Chong’er’s mother, Hu Ji, had a brother who was an admiral. He implied that Chong’er succeeded because he had a strong uncle, subtly referencing Xiao Dingquan and Gu Silin.

Xu Changping then asked if Wu Dehou (Gu Silin) was indeed returning, to which His Majesty confirmed he was on his way back for a report and to discuss future battles. His Majesty added that with the new empress, Gu Silin would return to offer congratulations, and the royal banquet would include all princes. He stated that Xiao Dingquan could attend if he wished, but his previous decision regarding the Crown Prince would remain unchanged.

Xiao Dingquan, still teaching Wenxi calligraphy, grew frustrated when she struggled, calling her "stupid" and asking, "Why can't you work hard?" Wenxi retorted that she knew she was "stupid" and questioned why he forced her, asking why he didn't just write himself. He insisted she was his "only student" for his "unique" calligraphy. As they continued, Xu Changping arrived.

He remarked on a classical text, "Transcription of Xingshi," where Wangdao, Wang Xizhi's uncle, hid a precious calligraphy scroll in his sash to preserve it. Xu Changping likened this to Xiao Dingquan's attachment to Wenxi, suggesting Xiao Dingquan would hide her in his own sash if she were small enough.

Xu Changping asserted that His Majesty already knew about Xiao Dingquan’s actions, including how he intentionally made it evident by having Wenxi write for him, implying Xiao Dingquan had already received His Majesty's "reply." Xu Changping then directly questioned Xiao Dingquan, asking if he genuinely favored Wenxi so much that he would remain confined forever rather than surrender her.

Xiao Dingquan affirmed this, acknowledging the widespread palace rumors that portrayed him as a love-struck fool who defied His Majesty for Wenxi. Xu Changping, however, suggested that it was Wenxi's "sash" that "hid" Xiao Dingquan, indicating that the Crown Prince was unwilling to face the world. He then revealed the critical news: General Gu Silin was returning victorious from the front lines, but no imperial decree had been issued for his return.

This meant Gu Silin had returned privately, out of concern for Xiao Dingquan. Xu Changping explained that Li Chongkui and imperial guards would welcome Gu Silin at Chunming Gate, an ominous sign of a "White Vengeance" banquet. He implied that His Majesty expected Xiao Dingquan to make a choice, to "let her sink alone" if he was not truly devoted. Outside the city, Li Chongkui and Xiao Dingtang greeted Gu Silin.

Li Chongkui quickly informed the general that His Majesty had prepared a banquet and advised him to change, subtly declining to accompany him due to his "unqualified" status, stating another person would. Xiao Dingtang then appeared, telling Gu Silin that His Majesty had sent him to welcome the general home. He urged Gu Silin, still in his armors, to proceed quickly to Yan'an palace.

Li Chongkui had already detained Gu Silin's personal guards, confirming the "White Vengeance" nature of the event. Bound to Wenxi, Xiao Dingquan was in turmoil. He looked at her sleeping face, tightly gripping her hand. Wenxi, lying on the couch, heard the approaching footsteps of guards outside, knowing her precarious fate without Xiao Dingquan's protection. At Yan'an palace, Gu Silin arrived.

Prince V (Xiao Dingtang) informed him that His Majesty was changing and would arrive soon, and that the new empress would also attend. Gu Silin immediately inquired about the Crown Prince's whereabouts. Xiao Dingtang tried to reassure him that Xiao Dingquan was "unwell" but would arrive shortly, adding that it was a "family feast," so formalities between monarch and minister could be overlooked. His Majesty then made his entrance.

His Majesty informed Gu Silin that he had granted Xiao Dingquan's absence due to illness. Gu Silin expressed concern and requested to visit Xiao Dingquan, but His Majesty urged him to stay and drink a toast to the new empress. Gu Silin deflected, stating he had already celebrated with the empress in the past at the royal residence.

His Majesty insisted on his "seasonal new wine," but Gu Silin firmly refused, invoking his promise to the late empress to protect Xiao Dingquan and asking again for the Crown Prince's location. Just then, Xiao Dingquan arrived, apologizing for his delay. His Majesty told him to sit down, dismissing his concern about preparations as "details."

Xiao Dingquan then gestured to Chen Jin, who departed to oversee the arrangements, leaving Wenxi to face her uncertain destiny alone, the words "let her sink alone" echoing in her mind.

Episode 42 Recap

At the imperial banquet, Crown Prince Xiao Dingquan sat among the Emperor, Gu Silin, and the new Empress. The Empress offered him lotus root slices, noting his usual aversion to alcohol and advising him to drink less. The Emperor, however, remarked that people change. Gu Silin soon noticed Xiao Dingquan's severely reddened hands and asked who had injured him. The Emperor quickly interjected, stating that Xiao Dingquan was disobedient and deserved the punishment.

To de-escalate the tension and protect his uncle, Xiao Dingquan immediately took responsibility, admitting he had neglected his studies and deserved the beating. The Emperor then sarcastically suggested that with Gu Silin present, the Crown Prince would surely be more diligent, before offering Gu Silin another drink. Meanwhile, palace guards escorted Lu Wenxi away.

As she looked at the distant birds, admiring the cloudy mountains and vast rivers like a painting, she recited a poem about finding liberation only in the presence of gods, Buddha, and nature. She then recited another about enduring hardship and forgetting toils, her mind troubled by her uncertain fate. After the banquet, once everyone had dispersed, a visibly intoxicated Xiao Dingquan approached the Emperor.

He returned an imperial item, which the Emperor instructed him to keep, but then pleaded for Lu Wenxi's release, asking for her to be "bestowed" upon him. The Emperor questioned his sobriety, but Xiao Dingquan insisted, stating he would endure further beatings until Lu Wenxi's calligraphy improved, connecting it to his previous punishment.

He admitted knowing she was a grave sinner, but when the Emperor pressed him for a reason, comparing it to his past act of protecting a maid, Xiao Dingquan passionately confessed his love for her. Amused, the Emperor scoffed at his "lovestruck" son, then cruelly instructed Xiao Dingquan to kneel and beg the new Empress for forgiveness, as Lu Wenxi had offended her.

The Empress, moved by Xiao Dingquan’s desperate plea, spoke up for him, but the Emperor ignored her, sternly ordering Xiao Dingquan to kneel and implore his "mother." Unable to address the former Consort Zhao as his mother, Xiao Dingquan initially hesitated and turned to leave. However, realizing Lu Wenxi's life hung in the balance, Xiao Dingquan swallowed his pride. He returned to the Emperor and Empress, kneeling and abandoning all dignity to beg for her. His pleas were eventually granted.

Just as a guard was strangling Lu Wenxi in a secluded area, Xiao Dingkai, Prince V, rushed in, ordering them to release her. He declared he was also acting on an imperial decree and tried to take her away. Moments later, Xiao Dingquan arrived. He checked Lu Wenxi’s breathing with a trembling hand, relieved to find she was still alive. As he carefully lifted her, he remembered the Crown Princess's dying words, urging him not to harm Lu Wenxi.

Under Xiao Dingquan's care, Lu Wenxi slowly regained consciousness. She asked him where she was and if she was "home," and then questioned why he hadn't abandoned her. Xiao Dingquan confessed his bewilderment, pressing her for answers about why the Crown Princess had knelt to her that night, and her true identity. Lu Wenxi remained tight-lipped, only revealing that her surname was Gu and she was from the Shanggong division.

Frustrated by her evasiveness, Xiao Dingquan left, after revealing her location by quoting a poem about washing clothes. Lu Wenxi realized she was in the laundry department, a place of menial labor. Before leaving, Xiao Dingquan instructed his guard to keep a close watch on her. Back in the palace, Xu Changping was waiting for Xiao Dingquan.

He presented the Crown Prince with numerous trinkets from palace maids, who, having heard rumors of Xiao Dingquan’s devotion to a maid, wished to express their affections. Xiao Dingquan refused the gifts, but Xu Changping humorously admitted he had already accepted and consumed the accompanying tokens of gratitude. Xu Changping then recounted a conversation he overheard between the Emperor and Gu Silin.

He revealed that after the banquet, the Emperor had insisted on playing chess with a newly sobered Gu Silin and had discussed both the upcoming hostage sacrifice ceremony and the appointment of the next chancellor. Xiao Dingquan was surprised by the connection between these two significant matters. Xu Changping, though hesitant to reveal more, hinted that Xiao Dingquan’s troubles were far from over, suggesting he would soon face not just physical pain but also severe headaches.

Meanwhile, Zhang Luzheng visited Qi Wang Xiao Dingtang. Upon learning of his presence, Qi Wang's wife, Princess A'zhuo, who was Li Baizhou’s daughter, became enraged. She confronted Zhang Luzheng, pouring a basin of water over his head and angrily accusing him of causing her father’s death. Qi Wang quickly intervened, comforting his distraught wife and asking Zhang Luzheng to leave, stating they would discuss the matter another day.

In the laundry department, Lu Wenxi was subjected to bullying by other palace maids who resented her, gossiping about her clumsiness and privileged status. They deliberately poured dirty water over her head, but Lu Wenxi endured the abuse silently. During morning court, the Emperor announced the victory in Changzhou and Gu Silin's return. He then declared that Xiao Dingquan would preside over the hostage sacrifice ceremony.

Despite Xiao Dingquan's protests of his inexperience in such national ceremonies, the Emperor insisted, ordering him to prepare the "reward and penalty draft," pointedly suggesting that if he struggled, the maid (Lu Wenxi) could help him. A few days later, when the Emperor demanded to see the draft, Xiao Dingquan admitted he hadn't written it, citing the gravity of the task and his reluctance to overstep his bounds in such a critical national policy. He accepted the charge of defiance.

The Emperor then punished him by ordering him to attend lectures, questioning if he was "playing truant again." Unbeknownst to Lu Wenxi, Xiao Dingkai's subordinates ensured she received special care in the laundry department, a fact noted with resentment by the other maids. In her solitude, Lu Wenxi clutched Xiao Dingquan’s private seal, which she treasured, missing him and pondering her bitter fate.

Separately, during Xiao Dingquan’s forced attendance at lectures, his teacher gave him a lost item, asking him to personally return it to its rightful owner, emphasizing that the owner would regret its loss forever.

Episode 43 Recap

In the laundry department, Wenxi toiled over the clothes, her hands growing raw from the cold water. Her mind drifted to happier days, recalling her brother playfully teasing her that her hands would be hideous if soaked in water and tremble when practicing calligraphy, and her father's loving defense, declaring, "I want to see who will make my daughter touch the cold water." Now, far from that warm memory, other palace maids, envious of her, confronted her.

They accused her of carrying a love token and demanded she hand over a precious pouch. " Frisk," one ordered, "You can talk. . . A keepsake." During the struggle, Wenxi fought fiercely, retrieving the pouch from the burning charcoal, but in her desperation, she overturned the hot coals, injuring several maids and setting half a room ablaze. The head maid, hesitant to punish Wenxi outright due to her connection to Xiao Dingquan, had her bound and brought before him.

Xiao Dingquan, appearing cold, confronted Wenxi about the incident. " You are such a troublemaker. Why?" he asked. The head maid reported, "She threw the charcoal and injured people of laundry department. And burned half a room. It's said for a keepsake. Someone saw she fornicated with an eunuch. And the eunuch gave her the keepsake. She refuses to hand it over." Xiao Dingquan pressed Wenxi, asking, "Is that the one that gave you the cheese? What are you planning?

Take it out." He warned her, "You probably don't know the maid with adultery will be flogged to death." Wenxi remained silent, only stating, "None of his business. From beginning to end, I am too thick-faced and have the wishful thinking. He returned it back to me." Angered, Xiao Dingquan ordered her to be taken away. " Have her flogged," he commanded, but struggled to say the words "flogged to death" and eventually conceded, "Forget it."

Just then, Xu Changping arrived, interceding on Wenxi's behalf, advising Xiao Dingquan, "You can't punish her until she recovers from injury." Xu Changping then spoke privately with Xiao Dingquan, questioning his unhappiness over disciplining a maid, and asking if he wanted to be a "role model" like He Daoran.

He warned Xiao Dingquan that if he did not comply with the Emperor's will regarding the hostage sacrifice ceremony, Gu Silin might find it difficult to return to or leave the capital. Xu Changping proposed a bet: "If I win, you should transcribe my draft. And send it to the emperor tomorrow, ok?" The subject of the bet was, "The maid's keepsake. It's related to you."

Xiao Dingquan found the idea "Absurd" and asked what Xu Changping would do if he lost. Xu Changping confidently asserted he would not lose, stating, "Since then, I've been watching." Skeptical but intrigued, Xiao Dingquan later went to visit the unconscious Wenxi in secret, hoping to discover the contents of the pouch. Unbeknownst to him, Kouzhu witnessed his visit, fueling her resentment, and she later ordered a servant to "Throw the flower."

The next morning during court, the Emperor discussed the budget for the hostage sacrifice ceremony and asked Minister Gu about rewarding soldiers, suggesting they "should invite them all" who had taken credit. He then specifically mentioned that Gu Fengen should also return to attend. Xiao Dingquan, however, spoke against Gu Fengen's inclusion, stating, "Lieutenant Gu Fengen can't be rewarded, I think he should be punished."

He then presented his own draft for the ceremony's arrangements, adding, "Your Majesty order me to preside over the reward and punishment. I did some investigation. This is the draft. You should check it." The Emperor approved, granting Xiao Dingquan the authority to make decisions. Another minister proposed He Daoran as acting chancellor. Elsewhere, Wenxi continued to endure cruel treatment in the laundry department.

Other maids dragged her out, forcing her to work alone, calling her a "Bitch" and mocking her. " The superiors don't punish you. But we will," they declared, holding her head underwater. A kind maid, unable to bear it any longer, rushed to seek help. She encountered Zhang Shaoyun and told him Wenxi was in trouble, asking him to call the Crown Prince.

Zhang Shaoyun, believing it would be too late for the Crown Prince to arrive, immediately intervened himself, shouting, "Stop! The crown prince told me to come here. I will report you to my brother in law if you dare to come over." Later, Zhang Luzheng came to visit Xiao Dingquan. Xiao Dingquan, seeing him, was reminded of the tragic death of the former Princess Consort and felt a surge of hatred.

Zhang Luzheng knelt tearfully, expressing his profound gratitude for the recent imperial decree that saw him temporarily appointed as chancellor. Xiao Dingquan dismissed his thanks, stating he merely followed the Emperor's order and that it was "just an acting position." He then pointedly asked Zhang Luzheng why he had refused Prince Qi's (Xiao Dingtang's) request to marry his second daughter.

Zhang Luzheng, with a solemn expression, declared, "Even if I kill my own daughter, I won't let her marry the imperial family," stating, "This is all I can do for my kids." Xiao Dingquan, for once, acknowledged this as a genuine sentiment from Zhang Luzheng.

He then issued a stern warning, stating that while he usually forgave people once but not twice, Zhang Luzheng now had "one last chance," and that any further transgression by him, his son Zhang Shaoyun, or their entire clan would not be tolerated. After his rescue, Zhang Shaoyun excitedly informed Wenxi, "My father is the chancellor!" Hearing of her enemy's rise to power, Wenxi's heart sank with renewed sorrow. Soon after, Zhang Luzheng took his son away, scolding him.

When Xiao Dingquan learned that Wenxi had once again been abused in the laundry department, he ordered her punishment to be suspended, stating, "It's just suspended. Send for a doctor. If she dies in my palace, I will be held to account." He then instructed, "Save one vacancy in study for me," intending to transfer her. Kouzhu, however, confronted him, protesting, "Personnel arrangement is my job." Xiao Dingquan reprimanded her, reminding her of their long relationship.

But Kouzhu, fueled by resentment, later spoke to other maids, subtly ordering them to beat Wenxi to death. " The crown prince is benevolent," she mused, "She is very fragile," then added, "Flog her waist" to ensure a fatal blow while making it appear as if she died from legitimate punishment. Fortunately, the kind maid who had sought help earlier warned Wenxi of Kouzhu's murderous intent. " They are coming.

I heard that they would beat you to death," she revealed, clarifying, "It's Maid Chen. She kept telling people to bully you." She urged Wenxi to hide. Wenxi, already carrying paper, a pen, and Xiao Dingquan's private seal, managed to escape.

As Kouzhu organized a quiet search, ordering, "After you find her, take her back immediately and flog her to death," Wenxi used the tools at hand to imitate Xiao Dingquan's handwriting and draft an order, stamping it with his seal. Under the cover of night, she appeared at Xiao Dingtang's residence. A guard announced, "You have a visitor, from Baoben palace." Xiao Dingtang was surprised by the late visit and asked the maid, "You are the maid of Baoben palace. Why are you here so late?" He then muttered, "I guess it right. She works for you."

Episode 44 Recap

Xiao Dingtang immediately recognized Lu Wenxi as an internal attendant from Baoben Palace. He questioned her presence, asking, "You are the internal attendant of Baoben palace. Why are you here so late?" Lu Wenxi calmly revealed she had guessed correctly, confirming that Kouzhu was his person. She then made an impertinent request: to take Kouzhu's place and serve Xiao Dingtang, asking him to "remove Kouzhu."

She explained her ambition, citing her father's words, "One who can fight an eagle doesn't fight with a titmouse," implying she aimed for bigger targets than someone like Kouzhu. Meanwhile, Crown Prince Xiao Dingquan was startled awake by a nightmare, covered in cold sweat. Kouzhu was by his side, comforting him and reassuring him that everything was alright.

Xiao Dingquan apologized for his harsh attitude earlier that day, taking full responsibility, and Kouzhu told him to rest, promising to wait outside. Back with Lu Wenxi, she pressed her case with Xiao Dingtang. She exposed Kouzhu's past actions, revealing that Kouzhu had framed her by planting herbs in her room when the Crown Princess had a miscarriage, claiming it was "upon the Crown Prince's decree."

Lu Wenxi further explained that she had received the same medicine from Lady Jiang, who was, at the time, instructed by Xiao Dingtang's former chancellor, Li Baizhou, thereby implicating Xiao Dingtang's network in the scheme. Xiao Dingtang reacted with anger, calling her claims "Nonsense" and "How dare you!" . Lu Wenxi argued that Kouzhu was too self-interested and ineffective, asking why Xiao Dingtang bothered to keep her.

Xiao Dingtang eventually expressed concern that her actions, even if aimed at a "titmouse," would damage his reputation, but he seemed convinced by her ambition, believing she truly could "capture the eagle." As Lu Wenxi left, Xiao Dingkai was waiting outside. He expressed his feelings for her, recalling their first meeting half a year prior, and offered to take her away to Changzhou or anywhere else to escape the palace's troubles.

Lu Wenxi responded wistfully, "No matter how fast the horse is, can it take me back to the past?" She then urgently requested another horse from Xiao Dingkai, stating she couldn't wait until dawn.

When Xiao Dingkai asked why the "fourth tum" (watch), she explained that at the fourth tum, Xiao Dingquan would still be asleep and hadn't left, while waiting until the "fifth tum" when the palace gates opened would be too late as he would be engaged in court duties or lectures. Lu Wenxi, on the horse provided by Xiao Dingkai, sped back to Baoben Palace.

She was briefly stopped by Commander You but managed to pass by vaguely mentioning a secret order from the Crown Prince concerning the chancellor. Back inside, she met the kind palace maid Xixiang. As planned, Xixiang loudly raised an alarm, leading to Lu Wenxi's capture by other palace guards. Kouzhu, upon hearing the commotion, rushed over. Kouzhu angrily confronted Lu Wenxi, calling her a "bitch" and asking why she didn't leave as she promised.

Kouzhu, her eyes burning with jealousy and anger, explained that she had thought Lu Wenxi would leave the palace, and she could not tolerate Lu Wenxi being by Xiao Dingquan's side. Lu Wenxi retorted, questioning Kouzhu's relentless persecution despite her already reduced status in the laundry, asking if she wasn't afraid of Xiao Dingquan's wrath.

Kouzhu confidently asserted her long-standing relationship with Xiao Dingquan, stating she had served him for fifteen years and knew he would always forgive her, implying Lu Wenxi meant little to him. Lu Wenxi calmly dismissed Kouzhu's confidence, observing that "In this world, everyone can change" and that despite knowing Xiao Dingquan for only half a year, she understood him better than Kouzhu did. Lu Wenxi then provoked Kouzhu, saying, "We can try. But you won't see the result."

While Kouzhu continued to torture Lu Wenxi, Xixiang, following Lu Wenxi's instructions, secretly entered Xiao Dingquan's bedchamber and deliberately dropped a hidden note onto the floor. At dawn, as Xiao Dingquan was being roused by Wang Weng to prepare for his morning visit, Wang Weng picked up the note. Wang Weng was disgusted by Kouzhu's actions and rushed with Xiao Dingquan to the laundry.

Confronting Kouzhu, Wang Weng furiously slapped her, questioning her blatant disregard for Xiao Dingquan's previous order to suspend Lu Wenxi's punishment due to her frail health (referring to "Gu's" weak body). Kouzhu defiantly claimed Lu Wenxi had attempted to escape and that she acted privately to avoid disturbing the Crown Prince. Wang Weng scoffed at her excuses, angrily asking Kouzhu if she expected Lu Wenxi not to run, but to "just wait to be beaten to death."

He then dramatically revealed that Kouzhu had "forgotten something" during her quick departure to the laundry – the note he now held. The note, written in Xiao Dingtang's recognizable handwriting, explicitly ordered Kouzhu to eliminate the Crown Princess ("A slight flaw in white jade. . . should be removed when the time is right"). Xiao Dingquan was present during this revelation. Kouzhu appeared stunned, realizing she had been abandoned by Xiao Dingtang as a pawn.

After some time, Lu Wenxi recovered and, accompanied by Xixiang, went to confront Kouzhu, who was now confined. Kouzhu glared at Lu Wenxi with intense rage. Lu Wenxi, however, remained composed, having seen through Kouzhu's machinations. She directly accused Kouzhu of deliberately instigating the Crown Princess to attend Consort Zhao's birthday banquet, which then created the opportunity for the poisoning.

Kouzhu, seeing her true face exposed, offered no resistance, only silently wept, seemingly overwhelmed by the unexpected turn of events and the realization that Xiao Dingquan had truly punished her. Lu Wenxi emphasized her actions were not driven by personal vendetta but a quest for justice, seeking "atonement for all the sinners." She pressed Kouzhu about Xiao Dingquan's reaction, suggesting that if she hadn't taken action, he might never have learned the truth.

Kouzhu's despair was evident as Lu Wenxi affirmed, "This time, I can see the result." As they left, Xixiang introduced herself to Lu Wenxi as Shen Xixiang, and Lu Wenxi, in turn, stated her surname was Gu.

Episode 45 Recap

Knowing Kou Zhu's time was short, Wenxi brought her a clean set of clothes and urged her to adorn herself to see Xiao Dingquan one last time. Kou Zhu gave a sad smile, dressed meticulously, and offered to comb Xiao Dingquan's hair. Xiao Dingquan appeared detached. Kou Zhu had accompanied him for fifteen years, from a young child to a mature youth, but never expected to say goodbye in this way.

As Kou Zhu combed his hair, Xiao Dingquan reminisced about his childhood, recalling how besides Lady Zhang, Kou Zhu was the only one who could manage his hair because he used to move around so much. He recalled her giving him "twisted knots" and then lamented that Lady Zhang was gone and he missed her. Xiao Dingquan then gently asked if Kou Zhu had anything to say to him.

Kou Zhu commented on his developing white hairs, but Xiao Dingquan pressed her, saying he thought she would speak of something else. Tearfully, Kou Zhu confessed her deep transgressions, explaining that Xiao Dingtang held her entire family hostage, leaving her no choice but to obey his every command. Xiao Dingquan dismissed this as an excuse, not a valid reason.

What Kou Zhu found most unbearable, however, was that despite accompanying Xiao Dingquan for the longest time and being the closest to him, his true heart had been given to another. She questioned why he would give "the clothes" (a metaphor for his heart/trust, referring to the clean clothes Wenxi had given her earlier) to the newcomer.

She warned Xiao Dingquan not to trust "her" (referring to Wenxi) too much, stating that although she, Kou Zhu, had schemed against many, Xiao Dingquan had withheld his true self from her, and he should not give "her" (Wenxi) the chance to hurt him either. Xiao Dingquan, though visibly pained, simply acknowledged their fifteen years together and stated that he would consider her words to be "good words from a dying person".

Although Xiao Dingquan felt unbearable, he had to let Kou Zhu die. Kou Zhu, feeling she had no other options, chose to hang herself among several methods, ending her humble life. Xiao Dingquan instructed for something to be allowed for her to take with her. Meanwhile, in Changzhou, Li Ming'an and his wife were enjoying the market with young Lu Wenjin. They encountered Gu Fengen, who bitterly complained about Commander Yang Sheng hindering military operations.

Li Ming'an defended Commander Yang Sheng, reminding Gu Fengen that despite Commander Yang Sheng's harsh words and bad temper, his reputation among the enemy was as formidable as Gu Fengen's own father's. Gu Fengen recounted how Commander Yang Sheng's hesitation and fear of battle led to an enemy leader escaping during a chase, a claim Li Ming'an quickly dismissed as nonsense.

Gu Fengen recounted how he himself wanted to chase the enemy leader into the woods, but Commander Yang Sheng stopped him, questioning if he was sure there were no ambushes. Commander Yang Sheng also tied them up for leaving the barracks without permission. Li Ming'an further explained that Commander Yang Sheng's caution was justified, reminding Gu Fengen of the upcoming captive offering ceremony in the capital, which even the Emperor and the Crown Prince approved.

Gu Fengen then noticed young Wenjin, who innocently mentioned his sister was at home. Madam Li quickly interjected, explaining that Wenxi was simply too comfortable at home and preferred not to go out. Before parting ways, Gu Fengen bought a high-quality musk sachet, acknowledging that Changzhou, being near the production region, offered superior quality to the capital.

He then presented the sachet to Li Ming'an as a gift, thanking him and calling him "uncle," to which Li Ming'an playfully remarked on the change in address. Li Ming'an then told Gu Fengen it was getting late and he should return to camp. Back in the palace, Wenxi was resting, her injuries slowly healing. Xiao Dingquan entered, and Wenxi quickly feigned sleep.

Recognizing her act, Xiao Dingquan unceremoniously lifted her and carried her away on his shoulder, drawing the attention of other palace staff. He deposited her onto a bed and ordered a medicinal soup for her. As Wenxi grimaced at the bitter taste, Xiao Dingquan mischievously forbade anyone from offering her candied fruit, openly enjoying her discomfort. Wenxi, feigning helplessness, pouted and pulled at Xiao Dingquan's robe, asking him to stay and reiterating that she hadn't hidden any love letters.

Yielding, Xiao Dingquan had a table brought to her bedside and resumed his work, while Wenxi lay with her eyes closed. Wenxi expressed her gratitude to Xi Xiang for remaining with her. Later, Zhang Shaoyun arrived, carrying flowers to express his affections for Wenxi. He was scared away, however, by the appearance of Xiao Dingquan.

Soon after, Xiao Dingquan was speaking with Zhang Luzheng, the Chancellor and Zhang Shaoyun's father, who was assisting him in presiding over the captive offering ceremony. Xiao Dingquan acknowledged Zhang Luzheng's competence. He also advised Zhang Luzheng to take time to properly manage his son, Shaoyun, noting his age and lack of achievements, suggesting it was time for him to start a family. Wenxi's injuries had mostly healed, and she was now serving in Xiao Dingquan's study.

Ostensibly intending to punish her, Xiao Dingquan instead played a prank, secretly placing a caterpillar in her hand. Startled, Wenxi threw the insect, accidentally landing it on Xiao Dingquan's head. The two then engaged in a playful chase and laughter around the room. When Wenxi tried to escape, Xiao Dingquan pulled her back and passionately kissed her lips. Her heart pounded, and she shyly ran off. Their intimate shadows were observed and chuckled at by the inner maids guarding outside.

Wenxi, blushing, later lied to an inner maid that she was "stung" (referring to a past experience with an insect). Xiao Dingquan, still in high spirits from their playful antics, was speaking with Commander You about the logistics of palace passes and security.

However, his mood quickly soured when Commander You casually mentioned that seven days prior, a young inner court official (eunuch) had used Xiao Dingquan's handwriting/letter to exit the palace late at night, and had insisted on retrieving the decree that accompanied it. Xiao Dingquan, recalling that his private seal had been sent for hardening about ten days ago and was still with the goldsmith and silversmith workshop, realized he hadn't issued any passes himself.

He pressed Commander You for details about the eunuch's appearance, and Commander You, though unable to recall specifics, mentioned finding it strange that the eunuch had unusually delicate hands. Connecting this to events seven days ago, Xiao Dingquan instantly deduced that the "eunuch" was none other than Lu Wenxi.

His face darkened with a mixture of anger and betrayal as Eunuch Wang, unaware of the full implication, voiced concerns about the audacious crime and capital punishment involved in forging a decree to leave the palace. As Eunuch Wang frantically tried to stop him, Xiao Dingquan, now enraged, hurried towards the closing palace doors, his expression grim.

Episode 46 Recap

Lu Wenxi felt a profound sense of loss after Xiao Dingquan stopped appearing in Baoben Palace. Prying into the matter with Attendant Wang, she learned that Xiao Dingquan had moved back to Yanzuo Palace due to the upcoming hostage sacrifice ceremony. Attendant Wang, initially dismissive, eventually revealed the Crown Prince's whereabouts and schedule, mentioning he would be busy all day with ceremonies and a feast, making it unlikely for him to return to Baoben Palace.

Alone, Wenxi spent her days and nights embroidering cranes, pouring her longing into each stitch, hoping to create something better than a "hideous purse" she had once made. Finally, after a long wait, Xiao Dingquan surprisingly appeared in her room, holding the embroidery she had made. He told her he "skipped the wine" and found the day's ceremony "great." Wenxi, startled, asked why he was there, and he confirmed the embroidery was her handiwork.

Xiao Dingquan examined her embroidery, remarking on its "bad craftsmanship," then pulled her hand closer. He noticed the vivid red dye on her fingernails, which the Princess Consort had applied, and which Wenxi claimed would last until winter. Xiao Dingquan retorted that her nails lasting so long was her "misjudgement," and questioned how a eunuch could have red nails. He then accused her directly, revealing his knowledge of her forging his handwriting for a decree.

He recited lines from the "transcription from Xingshi," pointing out she was "such a good improvising learner" by using those characters. He also demanded an explanation for the letter from Prince Qi to Maid Chen and how she obtained his imperial seal. Despite his accusations, Xiao Dingquan admitted he had no solid evidence, as she would have destroyed the forged documents and he couldn't find the seal.

He stated he wouldn't torture or kill her, even though it would be easy, knowing that if she didn't want to speak, torture would be useless. Xiao Dingquan then produced her palace background record, indicating her name as "Gu Se" and her birth year. He informed her that this name had been removed from the palace registry and instructed her to leave the palace by morning. Wenxi knelt, desperately pleading, "I am wrong, guilty. You can punish me.

But please don't drive me away. I have no wherelse to go." Xiao Dingquan, unmoved, merely remarked that the "bite" she previously described wasn't as painful as she made it out to be, referencing a past incident. As he left, he advised her to pack her belongings, warning that waiting would only make the situation "more mortifying." Wenxi, stripped of her outer robe, continued to kneel outside his door.

An attendant then noticed Xiao Dingquan's hand and asked what was wrong with it, just as Xu Changping arrived. Suddenly, Xu Changping arrived at Baoben Palace. Noticing Xiao Dingquan's mood, he wryly commented, "When I complain, I meet disdain. Your Royal Highness. Why are you always in a bad mood when I see you?" Xu Changping explained that he was now unemployed since secretary Ding You had returned.

He immediately came to report, despite the risk of malfeasance if he didn't do so within ten days. When Xiao Dingquan sarcastically asked if he wanted to join Wenxi in kneeling, Xu Changping retorted that he wouldn't dare to trifle with his future superior. During this conversation, Xiao Dingquan, referencing a past animal bite, said to Xu Changping, "You said it wouldn't bite."

Xu Changping then formally introduced himself as the new Head of Zhanshi Department, appointed by Imperial Decree to accompany Xiao Dingquan. Xiao Dingquan was surprised by this news, asking "Why it's you?" Xu Changping explained that with the Fang department withdrawn, Xiao Dingquan needed someone for paperwork, and perhaps the Emperor simply believed he was competent. Xu Changping then revealed the deeper implications of the Emperor's recent decisions, such as dismissing the chancellor and the general.

He stated that the Emperor's actions were meant to gauge Xiao Dingquan's and Gu Silin's stances after the queen's canonization and to understand Xiao Dingquan's true desires, including what he valued most. Xu Changping bluntly admitted that he was sent to "monitor" Xiao Dingquan, causing Xiao Dingquan to exclaim, "How dare you!" Xu Changping retorted by using a metaphor of an "old disease" ulcerating, asking if Xiao Dingquan was still preoccupied with minor grievances like "an animal's bite."

He clarified that Xiao Dingquan could refuse his appointment, but the Emperor would simply send another, less trustworthy person. Xu Changping openly declared his ambition to get promoted, stating, "I just want to get promoted. So I don't want to offend you. And I don't want to offend the future master." Xiao Dingquan stared at Xu Changping, pointing out that Xu Changping had already offended him by siding with Li Baizhou during the spring imperial examination.

Xu Changping, however, calmly replied that Xiao Dingquan would not have recognized his capabilities otherwise. He assured Xiao Dingquan that he would serve diligently, as his appointment was from the Emperor, and asked Xiao Dingquan to "have mercy" on him in the future for a "happy cooperation." As Xiao Dingquan grappled with these revelations, Lu Wenxi, who had been kneeling outside all this time, became utterly exhausted.

She collapsed, whispering her longing for her "Dad" and "Brother," and wondering if she could endure until her red-dyed nails faded. Lu Wenxi remained kneeling outside all night. The next morning, as Xiao Dingquan prepared for his morning visit to the Emperor, she still refused to leave. Despite his indifference, she stumbled after him, confessing to forging his handwriting for the decree.

She admitted that "that night," she imitated his handwriting using the "transcription of Xingshi" and went to Prince Qi's residence to obtain the letter, which she then used to resolve Kouchu's matter. Wenxi insisted that Maid Chen was indeed Prince Qi's agent and had tried to kill her, urging Xiao Dingquan to investigate.

When Xiao Dingquan ordered his attendants to prepare his horse, unmoved, Wenxi continued, revealing that she had promised Prince Qi to replace Maid Chen because she couldn't reach Xiao Dingquan for help at the time. She then revealed that Lu Shiyu had given her the imperial seal, which Xiao Dingquan had forgotten at his residence during their time at the detached palace.

She claimed she tried to return it but he refused, so she kept it, and it was because of this seal that she had fought with the palace maids from the laundry department. When asked about the seal's whereabouts, she claimed to have thrown it into a ditch outside the palace, fearing discovery. Xiao Dingquan dismissed this as a lie, and told her to leave. Desperate, Wenxi then blurted out, "I am not Maid Gu."

Xiao Dingquan paused, asking, "You are. . ." Wenxi confessed that she was the "daughter of a sinful minister" who entered the palace after her "father and brother were sent to the prison." She admitted to "begging Madam Jiang to allow me to personate" the true Maid Gu, who had fallen ill before Xiao Dingquan's wedding, simply because she "wanted to work for" him. Xiao Dingquan reacted with disbelief, calling her actions "outrageous" and demanding to know her true intentions.

Wenxi, however, insisted she was telling the truth and would be obedient if only he would "Don't drive me away," lamenting that she had "no where to go" and "no home now." Xiao Dingquan, still seemingly unmoved, ordered his attendants to "send her back" and "pack up things and go." Just then, a maid (Xixiang) called out, "Sister A'bao! Sister A'bao!" Xiao Dingquan froze and turned back abruptly.

A flashback revealed a past conversation where Xiao Dingkai told Wenxi to remember the pet name "A'bao," explaining it was derived from a poem ("Gu from 'looking back', Bao from 'pearl jade'") and would "spare your life" in dire circumstances, but refused to elaborate why. This name, "A'bao," was also the pet name of Xiao Dingquan's late younger sister. The use of this name deeply affected Xiao Dingquan.

The following morning, amidst chatter among his brothers and other officials wondering why he was absent from his duties, suggesting he might be with a "new woman" or (as speculated by Xiao Dingtang) wondering about his newfound allegiance to Xu Changping, Xiao Dingquan finally arrived late for the morning greeting. His brother, Xiao Dingtang, pointedly asked about his tardiness, noting that even their "Parents are here, too."

Xiao Dingtang then informed him that everyone, including the Emperor, had already eaten, as they couldn't wait. Xiao Dingquan inquired about his father's whereabouts, and was told the Emperor had left due to an upset stomach, having "no appetite." Another official advised Xiao Dingquan to be punctual for his essential duty of "Checking the breakfast and greeting your parents," especially given the current circumstances.

Later, during breakfast with the Queen, the Emperor was still upset about Xiao Dingquan's absence, lamenting that Xiao Dingquan hadn't paid respects to the Queen since a meal with his uncle. The Queen tried to intercede on Xiao Dingquan's behalf, suggesting he was not a child anymore and would come around.

The Emperor, however, retorted that the Queen had become accustomed to her role, while the Queen countered by saying it was difficult to be his son, always facing his displeasure. The Queen clarified that Xiao Dingquan had been late because he drank too much the previous night and had sought her help, fearing the Emperor's anger. The Emperor then gave Xiao Dingquan some food, telling him not to be late again. Xiao Dingquan acknowledged, "I got it."

Episode 47 Recap

Although Xiao Dingquan did not send Wenxi away, he subjected her to torture, leaving her bloody and incapacitated. He entered the room coldly to question her, demanding to know why Minister Lu Shiyu had entrusted his private seal to her. Wenxi explained that she had obtained Xiao Dingquan’s seal at the detached palace and, fearing exposure, had since thrown it into the river. Xiao Dingquan sighed, indicating he no longer wished to speak with her.

Wenxi collapsed to the ground, only asking that he not blame Xiuxiang, who had acted out of loyalty to her. Xiao Dingquan then offered Wenxi a pot of poisoned wine. Wenxi smiled sadly, remarking that she had no desire to live and would rather die. She drank the wine and closed her eyes weakly. Xiao Dingquan spared Xiuxiang, who rushed into the room, only to find Wenxi dressed in white and unconscious.

Meanwhile, Xiao Dingtang sat with the new queen, sharing porridge and chatting. The Emperor, on the other hand, was doting on a new favored consort, A'wu, completely absorbed in her company. Xu Changping met with Xiao Dingquan, cautioning him to exercise extreme patience before Gu Silin's peaceful departure from the capital, urging him to avoid anything that could give others cause for criticism. The Censorate received an anonymous impeachment against Gu Silin, accusing him of indulging and fostering enemies.

Upon hearing this, the Emperor was enraged, believing someone was stirring up trouble and disrupting the court. Soon after, Zhang Luzheng informed Xiao Dingquan of the matter. Given that Gu Silin was on the verge of leaving the capital, Xiao Dingquan suspected Xiao Dingtang's involvement. The Emperor ordered Li Chongkui to investigate the source of the impeachment. However, Li Chongkui went to interrogate the recently pardoned war prisoners instead, which greatly displeased the Emperor.

Consequently, the Emperor considered detaining both Gu Silin and Gu Fengen as a precautionary measure. Xu Changping analyzed the situation for Xiao Dingquan, suggesting that the Emperor was likely testing Gu Silin to see if he intended to pass on his military authority to Gu Fengen. Therefore, Xu Changping advised Xiao Dingquan to quickly summon Gu Fengen back to reassure everyone. Early the next morning, Xiao Dingquan went to see his father. The Emperor invited him to breakfast.

Just then, He Zhongcheng burst in, announcing that he had compared thousands of archived memorials from active officials the previous night and discovered that the anonymous impeacher was Chen Jiusi once again. Noting Chen Jiusi's consistent troublemaking, He Zhongcheng had already referred him to the judiciary department. The Emperor frowned, unaware that Xiao Dingquan had orchestrated this. The previous night, Xiao Dingquan had met with He Zhongcheng, informed him of the truth, and ordered him to investigate the matter thoroughly.

When the Emperor asked He Zhongcheng how he had obtained the information, He Zhongcheng did not implicate Xiao Dingquan. Instead, he claimed he had failed in his duty as the head of imperial censors and deserved to be punished along with the culprit. The Emperor smiled faintly, knowing full well that Xiao Dingquan was involved. He deliberately ordered Xiao Dingquan to eat all the breakfast.

Xiao Dingquan dared not disobey, stuffing himself until he returned to his chambers and began to vomit. Xu Changping later questioned Xiao Dingquan on why he would try to save a little but lose a lot by provoking such a situation, but Xiao Dingquan remained unfazed. Meanwhile, Wenxi was not dead. It turned out she had consumed medicinal wine, not poison, which caused her to fall into a coma for two days.

This prolonged unconsciousness also meant she felt no pain when her wounds were dressed. Xiuxiang informed Wenxi that her palace registration had been removed, which surprised her. At that moment, Xiao Dingquan entered. Despite his harsh words, he commanded her to remove her clothes, then personally tended to her wounds with evident concern. He told her that since she was no longer registered in the palace, her presence there constituted a capital crime of trespassing.

He warned her that she was alive only because he was taking an immense risk to protect her. He declared that from that day forward, she must obey his every command and follow him everywhere. If he lost sight of her and she were killed, he would not utter a single word in her defense. Wenxi then asked what would happen if he went to the palace. Xiao Dingquan replied that she would have to beg for good luck.

Episode 48 Recap

Xiao Dingquan applied medicine to Wenxi’s wounds, sternly informing her that since her palace registration was revoked, she must follow him everywhere. He warned that if he couldn't see her and she was killed, he wouldn't utter a word. If she found this impossible, she should leave immediately. Wenxi then asked what would happen if he went to the palace. He told her to simply "beg for good fortune."

Wenxi thanked him, but Xiao Dingquan redirected her gratitude to the late Princess Consort, explaining that the Princess Consort had begged him not to hurt her. For the Princess Consort's sake, he would keep Wenxi until the dye on her fingernails faded, after which she could leave. Hearing this, Wenxi began to cry, remembering the Princess Consort joyfully dyeing her nails and promising the color would last until winter, indelible.

Xiao Dingquan asked if it hurt, and Wenxi confirmed that it did. Xiao Dingquan met with Xu Changping to discuss the spring exam scandal. He brought up Xu Changping, a 23-year-old examinee from Yuezhou, and his involvement in exam-cheating. Xiao Dingquan reminded Xu Changping that he had offered him the original exam paper and a position if Li Baizhou didn't interfere.

He then revealed that Xu Changping had betrayed him, stating that he had placed one paper in Xu Changping's Xuanzi room No. 2 as a test. If Li Baizhou had truly been behind it, there would have been two papers. It became clear that Xu Changping had leaked their plan to Li Baizhou.

Xiao Dingquan declared that keeping Xu Changping, whether as his principal secretary or the emperor's attendant, was the most foolish mistake he had ever made and anticipated a formal resignation letter. Meanwhile, Wang, Xiao Dingquan's attendant, sensed the Crown Prince's true feelings. He confronted Xiao Dingquan, suggesting that keeping Wenxi was not for the Princess Consort's sake, but because Xiao Dingquan himself couldn't let her go.

Wang advised against driving one person out and keeping another, asserting that Xiao Dingquan couldn't deceive him. He respectfully reminded Xiao Dingquan that as an old attendant of the late Empress, he had always been respected, yet Xiao Dingquan, even as a child, never truly heeded his counsel. Xiao Dingquan reiterated his directive: if he was not present, they could deal with Wenxi as they pleased.

Without her palace registration, Wenxi changed into a skirt and adorned her temples with flower ornaments, preparing to comb Xiao Dingquan's hair. He commented on her unexpectedly improved skill. Wenxi explained that she used to comb her father's hair. Xiao Dingquan then provocatively questioned her parents, reminding her that her "best father in the world" was dead, causing Wenxi to struggle with her emotions. He then left to visit Liangdi, leaving Wenxi to stand by.

The next morning, while Wenxi served him during his morning ablutions, Xiao Dingquan snatched a purse she had embroidered. He scoffed at the crane design, calling it a "clumsy quail." Angered, Wenxi snatched the purse back, prompting Xiao Dingquan to playfully roll on the bed, feigning an inability to dress himself. The Emperor summoned Gu Silin, informing him that he was to depart the capital after the Mid-Autumn Festival.

The Emperor then instructed Li Chongkui to deliver a plate of pomegranates to Xiao Dingquan, noting their digestive benefits. Upon arriving at the Crown Prince’s residence, Li Chongkui was surprised to see Wenxi dressed in civilian clothes, finding it highly inappropriate. After Li Chongkui departed, Xiao Dingquan, who couldn't eat pomegranates due to rashes, instructed an attendant to count them and distribute them among his concubines, emphasizing that they were "sharing the imperial favor."

Wenxi, astonished to learn of the number of concubines, was asked by Xiao Dingquan if she too wanted a pomegranate, to which she replied that she too would get rashes. Later, Zhang Shaoyun visited Wenxi, who was embroidering. He praised her craftsmanship. When Wenxi referred to her embroidery as a "quail" (echoing Xiao Dingquan's previous insult), Zhang Shaoyun vehemently disagreed, praising it as a beautiful crane. Noticing Xiao Dingquan outside, Wenxi deliberately offered the purse to Zhang Shaoyun.

Xiao Dingquan, his face cold, then entered. Wenxi quickly stepped forward. Xiao Dingquan ordered the curtains drawn and instructed Wenxi to undress, alarming Zhang Shaoyun, who was powerless to intervene. However, Xiao Dingquan merely had Wenxi bare her shoulders to apply medicine. He criticized her for giving her belongings to others and for her persistent faults. Wenxi clarified that she had asked Zhang Shaoyun not to visit her again. That night, Xiao Dingquan went to visit Gu Silin.

The servants claimed Gu Silin was not home, but Xiao Dingquan noticed someone bringing water into the room, revealing his uncle was intentionally avoiding him. Meanwhile, Wang went looking for Xiao Dingquan. Wenxi, attempting to cover for him, said Xiao Dingquan was sleeping. Wang, insistent on delivering an urgent report, entered the room, only to find Xiao Dingquan absent. Wenxi, realizing her deception was exposed, lowered her head.

Wang, who harbored deep disapproval for Wenxi, believing her to be a manipulative "vile maid," struck her across the face. Later, during a wine game, a participant recited a poem with lines: "Black iron melts, the phoenix comes out, the gold bell hangs, the casted bronze mirror, will you look when the beauty turns around?" Concurrently, Wang arrived at Gu Silin's residence, claiming to be there by imperial decree.

Gu Silin's servant repeated that Gu Silin was not present, and Wang was informed that "Wu Dehou is out now." Wenxi was subsequently offered something by Wang, which she politely declined.

Episode 49 Recap

Xiao Dingquan intervened as Wang attempted to brutally punish Wenxi. Although Xiao Dingquan knew Wang was deliberately trying to harm Wenxi, he managed the situation diplomatically, dismissing Wang after ensuring Wenxi would not be severely beaten. Wang, understanding Xiao Dingquan's resolve to protect Wenxi, reluctantly complied. After the crisis, Xiao Dingquan lightheartedly teased Wenxi, remarking on her skill at lying, yet failing to deceive Wang.

Wenxi retorted that she couldn't lie effectively in front of either Wang or Xiao Dingquan himself. Xiao Dingquan then mentioned the imperial pomegranates, noting that while Liangdi received only four seeds, Wenxi had consumed five. Wenxi defiantly declared it was "not enough." Xiao Dingquan jokingly offered to apply medicine to her beaten bottom. She shyly turned away, but Xiao Dingquan mischievously smiled and walked away. Wenxi, embarrassed, buried her face in the quilt.

Xu Changping sent a secret message to Xiao Dingquan, prompting him to prepare for an urgent departure from the palace. Recalling Wenxi's recent brushes with danger, he decided to take her along, urging her to quickly get ready. He playfully compared her sluggishness to Liu Ruyi, who supposedly died of laziness, then softened and allowed her to apply some makeup. Wang, observing Xiao Dingquan's favoritism towards Wenxi, secretly ordered a small, uncomfortable sedan chair for her.

Xiao Dingquan, despite his apparent irritation, was clearly drawn to Wenxi's beauty, though he jokingly threatened to beat her to death if she continued to be slow. Xiao Dingquan arrived at Gu Silin's residence to find his uncle suffering from a recurring leg ailment. He helped Gu Silin with a foot bath. Gu Silin gently chided him for visiting, noting that his old injury reliably predicted changes in weather.

Xiao Dingquan wanted to know why his uncle had refused to see him. Gu Silin explained that the Emperor was wary of their meetings. Xiao Dingquan brushed aside the political implications, stating that he was there not as Crown Prince, but simply as a nephew visiting his uncle. As Xiao Dingquan washed Gu Silin's feet, he inquired about Gu Fengen, his cousin, and was relieved to hear he was still well.

Xiao Dingquan leaned on his uncle's knees, cherishing the rare moment of familial affection. He expressed a desire to protect Gu Silin, lamenting the loss of his mother, sister, and wife. Meanwhile, outside the mansion, Xu Changping approached Wenxi, asking how she had managed to stay by Xiao Dingquan's side after her previous predicament. Wenxi, no longer a palace maid, claimed ignorance, suggesting that perhaps Xiao Dingquan valued pure emotion or kinship more than practical considerations.

Later that night, Xiao Dingquan and Wenxi were returning to the palace. He insisted she remain hidden inside the sedan, not showing her face. Wenxi complained that being confined to the sedan all day was no different from being in the palace. Xiao Dingquan offered her some snacks from outside.

Wenxi, catching the scent of osmanthus, expressed a wish to see the water lanterns at Jinmingchi, but Xiao Dingquan dismissed the idea, quoting the saying that "girls and servants are the most difficult to behave to." Soon after, he unexpectedly presented her with a large branch of osmanthus, which he admitted stealing from a garden wall. He playfully “threatened” her not to give the quail purse she had embroidered to anyone else.

As they shared a laugh, Xiao Dingquan’s expression suddenly turned grave when he heard children in the market singing a nursery rhyme: "Black iron melts, phoenix comes out, gold bell hangs, the casted bronze mirror, will the beauty turn around?" Meanwhile, the Emperor awoke from a nightmare, disturbed. His new queen attended to him, noting his poor sleep and offering him medicine she had personally administered. Still unsettled, the Emperor ordered consort Song to attend him.

Elsewhere, Xiao Dingquan's attendants confirmed that the unsettling nursery rhyme had spread throughout the inner city and could not be suppressed. In a fit of anger and frustration, Xiao Dingquan accidentally cut his hand. Wenxi noticed and quickly bandaged it. She cautiously asked if his distress was due to the rhyme, reciting "Gold bell hangs, bronze mirror cast" for him. Xiao Dingquan, grim-faced, explained the grave implications of the rhyme, connecting "Jian" (mirror) to the Emperor's taboo name.

He declared that a major event was imminent. Simultaneously, the new queen discussed the nursery rhyme with Lady Jiang. Lady Jiang clarified that the tune was not new but predated even the Crown Prince. She recounted how the Emperor, as the Prince of Su, had a close relationship with Gu Silin.

The Gu family, through Gu Yushan's daughter (Gu Silin's sister), had originally intended her for Crown Prince Min but had her married to the Emperor, helping him depose Crown Prince Min and seize the throne. Lady Jiang explained that Crown Prince Min's name was Duo, meaning "bell," and the Emperor's personal name was Jian, meaning "mirror." Crown Prince Min, the "bell," was tragically forced to hang himself, and the Emperor, the "mirror," ascended to power.

However, it was widely known that the Emperor's reign was intrinsically linked to the Gu family's influence. Lady Jiang worried that with Gu Silin's unauthorized return to the capital, the Emperor would interpret this popular rhyme as Gu Silin deliberately reminding him of the past and exerting pressure, which was an intolerable offense. Xiao Dingquan was deeply worried about his uncle. Tomorrow was the Mid-Autumn Festival, the day Gu Silin was supposed to depart from the capital.

Xiao Dingquan was uncertain if he could leave safely. Wenxi attempted to reassure him, believing that the chancellor would uncover the instigator and that the wise Emperor would discern the truth. However, Lady Jiang, in her conversation with the new queen, speculated that given the anonymous impeachment and Jia Yibo's refusal to return, the Crown Prince might mistakenly believe the Emperor intended to retain Gu Silin in the capital.

Episode 50 Recap

Song Gui Ren visited a temple, praying for the Emperor's good health and that she would always be with him, as well as hoping to give birth to a princess. Her attendant questioned her unusual wish, suggesting a prince would secure her promotion, but Song Gui Ren insisted she only cared about being with the Emperor, deeming promotion his decision, not a matter for Buddha. She revealed that the Emperor preferred a princess.

During her return, her carriage was delayed by officials, highlighting her comparatively low status. It was during this outing that she heard a controversial nursery rhyme. Meanwhile, Xiao Dingtang complained to the Empress about Song Gui Ren having broken a mirror gifted to the Empress by the Emperor, yet acting as if she were the wronged party.

The Empress, however, dismissed the incident, stating that a broken mirror, much like a rift in a relationship between husband and wife or ruler and minister, could never be truly mended once shattered. She then instructed her attendants to send gifts for the Mid-Autumn Festival and inquired about sending clothes to the Emperor, who was in the back garden. As the Mid-Autumn Festival family feast commenced, the Emperor noticed the absence of Gu Silin.

Unbeknownst to him, Xiao Dingquan had instructed Wenxi to discreetly inform Gu Silin, referred to as Wu Dehou, not to attend the palace that night, assuring him that he would handle any repercussions himself and advised Gu Silin to leave the capital early the next morning. Xiao Dingquan then reported to the Emperor that Gu Silin's old knee injury had relapsed, preventing his attendance. Dazongzheng, overhearing, passionately defended Gu Silin, condemning those who slandered brave generals fighting on the battlefield.

He declared his intention to leave, but the Emperor appeased him by confirming Gu Silin's illness and that he had indeed sent medicine to him. Dazongzheng, seemingly satisfied, then took his seat. With the moon obscured and no fireflies, the Empress suggested they play a wine order game to entertain everyone. Song Gui Ren enthusiastically agreed, but Xiao Dingquan's expression darkened, anticipating trouble.

The Emperor established the rules for the game: a drum would beat while a flower was passed, and the person holding the flower when the drum stopped would perform. Xiao Dingtang, by signaling the drummer, ensured the flower landed in Xiao Dingquan's hands. Despite his reluctance, Xiao Dingquan sang a celebratory song for the Emperor's longevity: "Jade stone lantern, gold stone reed, Qin guard girl dances in rows, wishes my lord a long life."

The Emperor was pleased, though Xiao Dingtang sarcastically remarked that Xiao Dingquan must have practiced. The flower then passed to Song Gui Ren. The Emperor expressed doubt about her talent, but Song Gui Ren insisted on proving herself. She began to dance gracefully while reciting the contentious nursery rhyme: "Black iron melts, phoenix comes out, gold bell hangs, bronze mirror cast, will the beauty turn around or not?" Instantly, the Emperor's face contorted with rage, his eyes glowing ferociously.

The family feast abruptly ended. A terrified Song Gui Ren fell to her knees, crying that she had only heard the rhyme outside. The Emperor, however, ignored her pleas, even her desperate promise to bear him a prince, and furiously ordered her dragged away for punishment. She was taken away without understanding the true depth of her transgression. Meanwhile, Wenxi reflected on the day's events, concluding that "things are like the moon, wax and wane.

We even have rains in Mid-Autumn Festival. In this world, nothing goes as we want." The Emperor, still seething, questioned his family and officials if they had heard the rhyme. While some denied or feigned ignorance, Dazongzheng defiantly retorted that the rhyme merely stated facts, questioning why it was forbidden. The Emperor angrily silenced him. As the Emperor continued to press others like Prince Zhao, he conspicuously avoided questioning Xiao Dingquan.

Yet, Xiao Dingquan stepped forward, admitting, "It's me," and took full responsibility for the day's events. He passionately justified his actions, decrying the unfairness of generals fighting on the front lines while sycophants slandered them at court, and lamenting the Emperor's lack of discernment. Enraged, the Emperor called Xiao Dingquan a "brat" and ordered him to be flogged with the court rod. Despite a heavy downpour, the punishment proceeded.

Xiao Dingtang, observing from afar, gloated, noting that it was "lucky" for both Xiao Dingquan and them that the prince was being punished, mocking his brother's apparent weakness. Meanwhile, Zhang Luzheng was tasked with investigating the rhyme's origins. He was appalled to find his own son, Zhang Shaoyun, singing the very rhyme—"Black iron melts, phoenix comes out, gold bell rings"—with courtesans, who praised his talent and predicted his success in the upcoming imperial exams.

A furious Zhang Luzheng dragged his son home by the ear, threatening him with a severe beating if he dared to lie. As they arrived, Xiao Dingtang appeared, subtly taunting Zhang Luzheng about forgiving his son's misdeeds, while pointedly mentioning that "someone did make a big mistake" today and was "almost beaten to death." Xiao Dingquan was carried back to Baoben Palace, severely injured from the flogging.

Despite his grave condition, he tightly gripped Wenxi's hand, pulling her closer and protecting her when Attendant Wang tried to remove her and even suggested tying her up. The doctors confirmed he needed convalescence and could not move. As Wenxi worriedly asked if he was in pain, Xiao Dingquan softly murmured "Mother," his vulnerability starkly apparent.

Xiao Dingtang continued to press Zhang Luzheng, hinting that the "willingness to believe" of the Emperor was key, and questioning who might be behind his own visit to Zhang Luzheng that night, echoing Xiao Dingquan's earlier cynical observation about intentions and outcomes.

Episode 51 Recap

As cold rain fell, Xiao Dingtang visited Chancellor Zhang Luzheng. He acknowledged Zhang Luzheng's recent promotion, expressing concern that all he had built could be ruined. He then stated his true purpose: to rescue Zhang Luzheng from a precarious situation and to request a favor. He wanted to marry Zhang Luzheng's second daughter as his concubine, a request he had made before.

Zhang Luzheng appeared to consider the proposal, asserting his loyalty to the Emperor and promising to follow the imperial will, which Xiao Dingtang took as agreement, urging him to prepare his daughter's horoscope for the marriage. Meanwhile, Zhang Shaoyun, Zhang Luzheng's son, suspected his father might do something to harm his brother-in-law, Xiao Dingquan.

His father reassured him he would not, but then, without warning, Zhang Luzheng knocked his son unconscious and had him confined to prevent him from interfering with his plans. The Emperor, deeply disturbed by the nursery rhyme incident, lay ill. The Empress watched over him, but in his delirium, he repeatedly called out "Qingqing," a term of endearment for the late queen, Xiao Dingquan's mother.

When the Emperor finally awoke, the Empress confirmed he was conscious and expressed her fear for his health, urging him to take care. The Emperor, however, was cold and dismissive. He inquired about Commander Chongkui and his eldest son, learning they were both out of the palace. When he asked about the Crown Prince, he was informed that Xiao Dingquan was fine and had returned. Finding the conversation uninteresting, the Empress departed, again advising him to rest.

At Baoben Palace, Xiao Dingquan slowly regained consciousness, severely injured and having been unconscious for a long time. Wenxi, who had been diligently keeping vigil by his side, was overcome with tears, taking responsibility for his suffering. Xiao Dingquan, mustering a weak smile, teased her for being clumsy and only knowing how to embroider quails. He then soberly reflected on the past, saying he had caused her much hardship, and perhaps now they were "even."

Wenxi tearfully disagreed, insisting that so many things could not simply be made even. She lay beside him, weeping, and he tenderly comforted her, gently pressing his forehead against hers. Despite his severe injuries, Xiao Dingquan insisted on changing into clean clothes and having Attendant Wang prepare his carriage for morning greetings. Attendant Wang, deeply worried, tried to dissuade him, but Xiao Dingquan was resolute, revealing to Wenxi that his unwavering determination was for the sake of Gu Silin.

He also sent a message to Gu Silin, urging his uncle not to let personal feelings interfere with state affairs. The Emperor, emerging from his chambers in the morning, saw Xiao Dingquan kneeling, pale and injured, offering greetings. Though the Emperor pretended not to notice, his heart understood that Xiao Dingquan was making this sacrifice to ensure Gu Silin's safe departure from the capital.

Considering the circumstances, the Emperor initially decided against further punishment for Xiao Dingquan, intending to let the matter drop and implying Gu Silin should leave the city. However, just as Xiao Dingquan was being helped away from his father's presence, Chancellor Zhang Luzheng and Minister He Zhongcheng appeared before the Emperor.

He Zhongcheng, a straightforward man, loudly questioned the Emperor's authority to illegally punish the Crown Prince the previous night and demanded an investigation by the ministry of justice to clear Xiao Dingquan's name. Unbeknownst to He Zhongcheng, Zhang Luzheng had been deliberately instigating him at the instruction of Xiao Dingtang, aiming to make the Emperor suspect Xiao Dingquan of forming factions. The Emperor's anger, which had just begun to subside, flared up again.

He accused Xiao Dingquan of staging a "battered-body trick" and gathering "adherents." He then ordered Gu Silin to return to the capital and confined Xiao Dingquan in Baoben Palace, replacing all the guards. He Zhongcheng vehemently defended himself, asserting his loyalty to the state and not to any individual. Zhang Luzheng, playing his part, gravely stated that a thorough investigation was necessary. The Emperor, with a chilling smile, decided that the investigation would begin with the case of Lu Ying.

As Xiao Dingquan was escorted away, Xiao Dingtang watched with satisfaction. He then went to see Zhang Luzheng, expecting his full cooperation. To his surprise, Zhang Luzheng politely declined the marriage proposal, explaining that due to the Emperor's decision to investigate Lu Ying's case, he felt it was in his daughter's best interest to reconsider.

Xiao Dingtang, though taken aback by the refusal, acknowledged Zhang Luzheng's "care about his daughter" and was still pleased with the overall situation, seeing it as a victory over the Crown Prince. With the new imperial decree, Kong Hewei guards surrounded Baoben Palace, prohibiting entry or exit for any registered palace personnel. Attendant Wang was in a frenzy, while Wenxi calmly continued embroidering cranes beside the injured Xiao Dingquan.

She offered to renounce her status as a palace person to bypass the restrictions or to speak with the Commander. Xiao Dingquan, needing to protect himself for Gu Silin's sake and wary of Zhang Luzheng's true intentions, decided he needed Wenxi's help. Despite Attendant Wang's concerns about Wenxi's unclear background and connection to Prince Qi, Xiao Dingquan insisted that she was the only one he could rely on.

He dictated a letter to Wenxi, who diligently practiced the calligraphy to imitate his hand. The letter stated that he would no longer pursue Zhang Luzheng for his past mistakes, and assured him, "I will take care of myself; don't worry about me." He instructed Wenxi to add a message for Zhang Luzheng: that he would "prove the case" himself to prevent any future trouble. Wenxi, confused, asked what case he would prove.

Xiao Dingquan explained that he would claim he was "muddle-headed" and "mislabelled" Lu Ying and his family as traitors linked to Li Baizhou. By doing so, he would ensure that the case, now in his hands, would "never be mentioned again." Upon hearing this, Wenxi was filled with despair, understanding that Xiao Dingquan was sacrificing any chance of avenging her father and brother. He then made her promise not to give her embroidered quails to anyone else.

Episode 52 Recap

Wenxi listened to Xiao Dingquan's words, realizing he would not avenge her father Lu Ying and his son. Her heart filled with anger and disappointment, and she could not help but shed tears, yet she had no choice but to clench her teeth and deliver the message. She went to the riverside and dug out the crown prince's private seal that she had buried. Her emotions were in turmoil, for this time, Xiao Dingquan had once again let her down.

She recalled Xiao Dingquan's instructions: "Forget all the unhappiness. We will never talk about it again. Tell them I am fine. After this, I will find a way to settle the case to prevent future troubles." In her mind, the despairing thought, "Tell Zhang Luzheng, I will never investigate; the case is in my hands," replayed, confirming her fear that he would not truly pursue justice.

She desperately hoped that this time, he was not lying and would uphold justice for the innocent, despite her doubts. Meanwhile, Xiao Dingtang and his princess were affectionate towards each other. Xiao Dingtang commented on the roundness of the moon. His princess, addressing him as "Husband," told him she had made up her mind when they married: she would follow him everywhere and be with him for her entire life. Xiao Dingtang said he knew.

The princess then suggested, "I don't want to be in the capital. Let's go to the fief" to live peaceful and stable lives. Xiao Dingtang, however, was ambitious and insisted on contending for the position of crown prince. He asked, "Sister, what are you talking about?" The princess replied that they couldn't stay in the capital forever, and she was afraid of what might happen in the future. Xiao Dingtang assured her, "You just miss your father badly. Don't worry.

No more troubles. And I will stay in the capital with you." The princess then pondered, "What a good moon. Other families are watching at it like us, right?" To which Xiao Dingtang replied, "I don't think so. Not everyone is as happy as we are." The Emperor summoned Gu Silin, known as Muzhi, back to the capital. Gu Muzhi knelt, declaring, "Your Majesty, I am sinful. You should punish me."

The Emperor, however, told him to rise and sit, stating, "My son is unfilial. It's my fault. You have nothing to do with it." The Emperor sighed, explaining that he had initially intended to forgive Xiao Dingquan out of fatherly love and filial affection, but he was angered when Xiao Dingquan allied with court officials to coerce him, which led to stricter punishment. The Emperor confessed, "To be honest, I was angry last night.

I thought about beating him to death." Gu Muzhi replied, "I can understand." The Emperor continued that his anger was not just for himself, but "Also because of his mother." Gu Muzhi again affirmed his understanding. The Emperor further explained that when he saw Xiao Dingquan call him "father," he was reminded of the crown prince's childhood, and he thought he should forgive him, as "He is my son after all." Gu Muzhi respectfully agreed.

But then the Emperor revealed, "But this morning, he tried to coerce me with chancery and judiciary departments." Gu Muzhi started to speak, "Your Majesty, the crown prince," but the Emperor interrupted, "Muzhi, what will you do if your son Gu Fengen takes the army to your camp?" Gu Muzhi remained silent, unable to answer. The Emperor continued, "He settled Lu Ying's case during his regency. It was a total fiasco.

I tried to investigate it but I know the chancellor should account for 70% responsibility." The Emperor concluded, "You are right. The chancellor should assist the emperor and set a good example for all the ministers. The chancellor should possess good virtue and capability. I picked the wrong chancellor."

Gu Muzhi pondered the Emperor's intentions, but the Emperor then directly stated, "I call you here because I am afraid you are worried that this and what happened yesterday has something to do with the crown prince. You can go after the case is settled." Gu Muzhi thanked the Emperor for his understanding. At this moment, Zhang Luzheng ordered his men to send Zhang Shaoyun back to the countryside.

When a servant reported that Zhang Shaoyun had woken and was eating, Zhang Luzheng initially wanted him brought to him, but then quickly changed his mind, ordering him to be sent away immediately, to the countryside, and never to return. He sternly instructed his men to keep a close eye on Zhang Shaoyun and break his leg if he tried to run, adding that they needn't report to him anymore.

Zhang Luzheng murmured, "God bless him," hoping his son could escape this ordeal. Zhang Shaoyun, however, refused to leave. As the servant reported this, a visitor arrived—Wenxi, whom the servant identified as being from the Eastern Palace. Zhang Shaoyun's companion, who was his sister, pointed out Wenxi, teasingly asking, "That's the girl you like, isn't it?" Shaoyun initially denied it, saying, "How come?" but then, admitting it, asked his sister, "Sister, how did you know?"

His sister replied, "We have been brother and sister for so many years. I know you so well. See. She looks pretty, huh?" Wenxi, identifying herself not as a maid but a messenger, explained that Xiao Dingquan had sent her with an order. When Zhang Luzheng asked if she brought the crown prince's decree, she replied there was no need, as the crown prince wanted her to convey a message verbally and a letter.

Wenxi conveyed the message, instructing Zhang Luzheng, on behalf of the crown prince, to consider the larger picture of ruler and subject. She declared that when the time came to address Lu Ying's unjust case, Zhang Luzheng should confess his guilt and resign from office. Zhang Luzheng was terrified, trembling, completely unaware that Wenxi had deliberately altered Xiao Dingquan's original message, which (as stated in the secret letter) was to no longer pursue Zhang Luzheng's past mistakes.

When he asked if the crown prince really said so, Wenxi replied by referencing the letter, twisting its instruction of "never mention it again" to imply his immediate compliance, and added, "The crown prince is wise. Please do as the emperor tells you. Don' t harbor any evil ideas." After Wenxi finished delivering her altered message and took her leave, Zhang Shaoyun excitedly chased after her, calling her "Maid Gu," wanting the embroidered purse he had seen on her waist.

He reminded her she had promised to give it to him after she finished it and asked her to promise not to give the quail on it to anyone else. Wenxi, remembering Xiao Dingquan's heartless decision, readily gave him the purse, saying, "I can give you." Zhang Shaoyun was overjoyed, promising to cherish it and carry it with him "wherever I go." He then rushed to show his father, "Dad, Dad, Dad, see, what I have got."

Wenxi had no desire to return to Baoben Palace. She sat outside, distraught and sobbing uncontrollably. Back at Baoben Palace, Wang Gong urged Xiao Dingquan not to wait for her, explaining that "She can go out but can't come back." Xiao Dingquan asked Wang Gong to open the curtains, desiring to look at the moon, even just for a while, remarking that he last saw such a beautiful moon in Zongzheng Temple, and expressing his belief that Wenxi would return.

Just then, Xiao Dingkai approached Wenxi, draping a cloak over her shoulders. Wenxi, tears blurring her vision, looked up and asked, "Prince V, why are you here?" Xiao Dingkai explained he had intended to dine with his eldest brother (Xiao Dingquan), but his brother wanted to be alone with his wife that night and sent him away. He then asked Wenxi why she was there. Wenxi, heartbroken, replied, "I can't go back."

Seeing her distress, Xiao Dingkai, knowing there was nothing to ask, offered her solace, saying he had a room ready for her. At this moment, Zhang Luzheng felt he was at a dead end with the crown prince. He decided to agree to marry his second daughter to Xiao Dingtang. He sent a servant to deliver his daughter's horoscope birthday details to Xiao Dingtang, pleading for him to send the betrothal letter soon.

When the servant delivered the information to Xiao Dingtang, the prince, upon hearing the servant quietly mention "Chancellor's horoscope birthday," impatiently demanded, "Louder. Why so stealthy?" and then, "You are fed up with living? So loud." He then asked who gave the information, and the servant replied it was from the chancellor's family, requesting him to send the proposal letter as soon as possible.

After several days, Wenxi, known as A'bao, finally returned to Baoben Palace to personally attend to Xiao Dingquan's bath. However, she no longer smiled charmingly at him; her demeanor was as cold as ice, as if she were facing a stranger. Indeed, a man had chilled her heart to this extent, and Wenxi realized she needed to awaken to reality. Earlier, in the court, officials gossiped about the political situation and the temper of He Shizhao.

The Emperor, aware of the gossip, inquired if Gu Muzhi had been informed not to come to court that day to avoid further trouble with the censors. A servant confirmed that the crown prince had been told the previous night that the guards would be withdrawn. Another servant reported that Xiao Dingquan could stand, though Doctor Wu advised against movement or speech due to his injuries.

The servant also expressed worry that Xiao Dingquan insisted on bathing despite his back wound. Xiao Dingquan defiantly stated he could afford the medicine and wasn't afraid of scars, emphasizing his need to bathe before attending court, saying, "I haven't taken the shower for days. I can't go to levee like this. Smell it." When a servant seemed to feign a cold, he added, "A gentleman would rather die than remove his cap," to maintain his dignity.

Now, as Wenxi helped him, Xiao Dingquan noticed her return, saying, "You. . . Come back?" Wenxi, with a hardened gaze, simply offered, "Allow me. . ." Xiao Dingquan asked where she had been. She replied that she had stayed at an old friend's home, clarifying it was a man, which prompted Xiao Dingquan to ask, "What man?" As she tended to his wound, he flinched, asking her to be gentle, to which she coolly responded, "Bear with."

He commented that she seemed like a different person after a few days away. Wenxi asserted, "No. I am still the same." Xiao Dingquan then asked what she meant by her earlier words about things coming around. Wenxi said she believed he knew better than anyone. She further observed that no matter what happened in court, he would always have countermeasures and an escape route.

She reflected on how her father, like herself, admired the crown prince, seeing him as an exception among the corrupt. Wenxi then exposed Xiao Dingquan's machinations, asking if he had ordered her to write the letter to Zhang Luzheng only so she could be made a scapegoat if something went wrong. She also questioned if his earlier calligraphy lessons were for the same purpose, recalling when he had insisted on teaching her the calligraphy.

Xiao Dingquan was speechless, unable to defend himself, feeling Wenxi had truly changed. He simply said she had talent. Wenxi retorted that he had not yet seen her true talent. Xiao Dingquan reiterated that she had changed, but Wenxi insisted, "But not me." Staring intently at him, she pleaded, "Please, even if you have scars, you should be a young and clean man."

As Wenxi's sleeve became wet and she wrapped it with a tie, Xiao Dingquan suddenly looked up, a sense of déjà vu washing over him. He stared at her blankly, asking, "We have met before right? Your voice and. . . Not only in the detached palace. Who are you?" A servant then rushed in, reminding him, "Your Royal Highness. We are running late."

Episode 53 Recap

During a grand court assembly, the Emperor first admonished Xiao Dingquan to behave and cultivate his virtue, citing passages from "illustrious virtue of great learning," before directly asking him if he understood the issue at hand. He then raised the long-standing case of former royal minister Lu Ying, demanding an explanation from both Xiao Dingquan and Zhang Luzheng. Xiao Dingquan nervously admitted his uncertainty regarding whether Lu Ying and his son were indeed part of Li Baizhou's wife's clan.

Zhang Luzheng, the chancellor, also stammered, prompting the Emperor's fury. The Emperor then declared that Lu Ying, though guilty of violating national ceremony, had died unjustly before his case could be fully investigated, despite a general amnesty granted during the Crown Prince's marriage. He pressed Xiao Dingquan and Zhang Luzheng to explain the charge that led to Lu Ying and his son's execution, implying the severity of killing an unconvicted official.

Both remained evasive, with Xiao Dingquan again stating he was "not sure" about Lu Ying's familial ties to Li Baizhou. The Emperor decided to send investigators to Huating to uncover the truth and ordered the imperial secretary to draft a decree. However, when informed that the secretary was on leave for ten days, the Emperor suggested waiting.

This delay was vehemently opposed by He Shizhao, who accused the Emperor of attempting to "cover someone up" and allowing a loyal official's death to go unpunished. He Shizhao, leading the entire Censorate, demanded the judiciary departments investigate Lu Ying's case. When Zhang Luzheng accused him of coercing the Emperor, He Shizhao countered by producing Li Baizhou's five-generation pedigree, declaring it undeniable evidence and asking the Emperor who he was trying to protect now.

Faced with this irrefutable proof, the Emperor pressed Zhang Luzheng for an explanation regarding the pedigree. Zhang Luzheng then confessed, admitting he had indeed mislabeled Lu Ying and his son as part of Li Baizhou's wife's clan. He claimed, however, that changing the pedigree and causing their deaths was not his original intention, but that he acted "under Xiao Dingquan's instruction." Zhang Luzheng then presented a letter, stating it was from the Crown Prince, instructing him to keep silent.

This shocking revelation caused an uproar in the court, with He Shizhao condemning Xiao Dingquan's "filthy" actions and questioning his fitness as the country's foundation. Xiao Dingquan initially denied writing the letter, but upon seeing it, he recognized his unique seal.

His mind raced as he recalled past encounters, connecting fragmented memories—the voice, the detached palace, the seal given by Minister Lu, the maiden who was the daughter of a criminal official and was knowledgeable about horses—and realized that "Maid Gu" was none other than Lu Wenxi, Lu Ying's daughter. He was bewildered by her actions, observing that she had "changed." Despite the Emperor's demands for an explanation, Xiao Dingquan remained silent, offering "nothing to say."

He then defiantly removed his crown and left the court. As he departed, the Emperor implored him to remain "young and clean," even with scars, and Xiao Dingquan silently vowed, "Please, wait for me." In his absence, He Shizhao urged the Emperor to severely punish Xiao Dingquan and dethrone him.

Meanwhile, back at Baoben Palace, Wang Weng, fearing the fallout from the court, tried to bind Lu Wenxi, intending to send her to the Ministry of Justice or Konting Guard for severe torture. Lu Wenxi, weary and resigned, questioned where she could possibly go, stating she was more afraid that Xiao Dingquan would let her go rather than not. Xiao Dingquan burst in, commanding Wang Weng to release her.

He ordered everyone out, insisting on questioning her himself, though his tears betrayed his true intentions. As he untied her, he recalled his envy for the person who would one day truly see her. Lu Wenxi, perhaps trying to distance herself or protect him, coldly claimed to have loved him but was met with Xiao Dingquan's harsh reply that he didn't believe she deserved another day. She then provocatively asked him, "Who are you?"

asserting he was "nothing, compared with her." She pleaded not to be driven away, but Xiao Dingquan, tormented, mused about being abandoned by her again. He reached out to touch her, then tenderly began to comb her dishevelled hair, adorning it with his deceased mother's golden hairpin. As he worked, he spoke of his own past pain, his mother's maid, and the physical agony he endured.

He confessed his internal struggle, admitting that while he couldn't bring himself to write the decree or use his seal due to "him" (referring to the true instigator), he "did plan to abandon you if necessary." He pondered whether he would feel regret or indifference in such a scenario, noting that she was not the only one he had abandoned or failed.

His emotional confession was interrupted by Wang Weng, who burst in, frantically calling for the Queen's spirit to protect the Crown Prince. Soon after, Li Chongkui arrived with an imperial decree. Wang Weng desperately tried to shield Xiao Dingquan, offering himself to be killed in his place. As the guards seized him, Xiao Dingquan, with profound emotion, cried out to Lu Wenxi, "These are my sincere words." He was then taken away under imperial order.

Episode 54 Recap

The Emperor summoned Gu Silin to the palace, and the two men reminisced about their experiences on the battlefield, expressing profound regret for the passing of time. The Emperor acknowledged that his achievements were built upon the Gu family's loyalty and sacrifice, recalling his solemn oath on Mountain Nan that he would never betray Gu Silin or the Gu family.

He confirmed his promise to make Gu Silin's sister, Gu Siqing, his Empress and her son the Crown Prince, assuring Gu Silin that he never forgot this pledge. The Emperor then addressed Xiao Dingquan's serious crime, stating that the Crown Prince had provided "ironclad evidence" himself, even daring to mention "discrown" in court. He explained that he had to give an account to the world and protect Xiao Dingquan from falling into the hands of others like He Shizhao.

Therefore, he decided to confine Xiao Dingquan for several days and tasked Li Chongkui with the investigation. Gu Silin expressed concern that entrusting Xiao Dingquan to the Konghe Yamen (yamen of imperial guards), where Crown Prince Min had been confined, might incite suspicion and "improper ideas" among officials. However, the Emperor maintained that with Li Chongkui overseeing the process, he could control the severity of the investigation, and suspicion was preferable to losing the ability to protect his son.

Changing the subject, the Emperor remarked that parents always worry endlessly for their children. He noted that Gu Fengen was 23 or 24 and still unmarried, and since Gu Silin's other son, Cheng'en, had no children, his lineage seemed desolate. Out of concern for the loyal Gu family, the Emperor suggested that Gu Fengen return from Changzhou to marry and live peacefully with his wife for a couple of years.

Gu Silin, understanding the underlying implications of the Emperor's suggestion, knelt and expressed gratitude for this "great kindness" on his son's behalf. Meanwhile, Li Chongkui arrived at Baoben Palace with his men to collect evidence, specifically Xiao Dingquan's handwriting. He also intended to arrest Wenxi, claiming she was an accomplice for leaving the palace on Xiao Dingquan's instructions.

Xiao Dingquan, imprisoned, defiantly told Li Chongkui that if the Emperor wanted him as a "living pawn," he would not allow Wenxi to be implicated, implying he would take his own life. He questioned if Li Chongkui understood the desire to protect someone "even if you don't have enough power." Li Chongkui seemed moved by Xiao Dingquan's words, reflecting on "skepticism, shame, and compassion," and deciding that "witnesses need to be people."

He ordered his men to withdraw without arresting Wenxi. However, a hidden handscroll was discovered in a secret compartment. Wenxi, observing this, remembered Xiao Dingquan asking her to paint "double cranes." She couldn't help but sob, tears streaming down her face, overwhelmed by the realization that Xiao Dingquan had always cherished this feeling.

Li Chongkui later reflected to himself that he, too, had promised to protect someone – the Censor-in-Chief – and that he understood wanting to protect someone despite lacking power. Wenxi, watching Li Chongkui and his men leave, internally resolved not to apologize, forgive, compensate, or regret, as too much had transpired for such sentiments. She recited a poignant poem about longing. A palace attendant then approached Wenxi, telling her that everyone had left and she should depart as well.

The attendant informed her that Xiao Dingquan had arranged for her to go anywhere she wished, including Changzhou. Wenxi left in a sedan chair. Xiao Dingquan watched her carriage disappear, acknowledging to himself that he would still think of her in the future, despite claiming otherwise, and felt a sense of relief that she would not become "another nightmare" for him. Separately, the Emperor summoned Zhang Luzheng.

Zhang Luzheng, prostrating himself, cried out that he had spoken the truth, but the Emperor remained unyielding. At Xiao Dingtang's residence, Xiao Dingkai inquired about Xiao Dingtang's involvement with Chancellor Zhang regarding Xiao Dingquan's situation. Xiao Dingtang, startled, dismissed his servants and pressed Xiao Dingkai about what he knew.

Xiao Dingkai feigned innocence, claiming that as Zhang Luzheng was being taken away by the Department of Justice, he asked Xiao Dingkai to relay a "horoscope" to Xiao Dingtang, saying he would understand. Xiao Dingtang recognized this as a coded message from an "old fox." Xiao Dingkai continued to tease his elder brother, feigning concern about his wife learning of the "horoscope," hinting it might belong to Zhang Luzheng's "second daughter."

An attendant then arrived to summon Xiao Dingtang to the palace. Before leaving, Xiao Dingtang warned Xiao Dingkai not to reveal their conversation, or Xiao Dingkai would also face serious consequences. In the palace, the Emperor angrily confronted Xiao Dingtang, asking if he had met with ministers in private after the Mid-Autumn Festival. Xiao Dingtang admitted he had met Zhang Luzheng.

The Emperor revealed that Zhang Luzheng, after being questioned, had implied that the framing of Xiao Dingquan was the Emperor's intention. Enraged that Xiao Dingtang's actions made him bear a "bad name," the Emperor slapped Xiao Dingtang, who then broke down, confessing that he had conspired with Zhang Luzheng because he resented Xiao Dingquan for disrespecting the Emperor during the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Later, Attendant Chen informed Xiao Dingkai that the Emperor had ordered him to take over as the chief interrogator for Xiao Dingquan, replacing Li Chongkui. Xiao Dingkai hesitated, citing Xiao Dingquan's status as his elder brother and the Crown Prince. Attendant Chen reassured him that his role was merely to "keep an eye on him" and prevent any incident. Xiao Dingkai respectfully waited outside Xiao Dingquan's cell, inquiring about his meals.

He noted that Xiao Dingquan had not eaten all day and offered to prepare something to his liking, especially sweets, which he knew Xiao Dingquan preferred. He then respectfully excused himself, promising to return the next day, and asked Attendant Chen about Li Chongkui's whereabouts. Meanwhile, Li Chongkui, having received an imperial decree, left the city to take charge of the Capital Garrison, ordering his men to deliver a message to Changzhou within three days.

A subordinate noted that the city gates were closed immediately after Li Chongkui's departure, speculating it was to prevent communication between Li Chongkui's retinue and the Capital Garrison. Gu Silin, in turn, understood that the Emperor's actions, including the closing of the city gates, were due to his wariness of Gu Silin himself. In the Changzhou army camp, Yang Duyun strictly enforced military discipline, executing several soldiers for gambling and drinking. He then discovered a lingering fragrance in the camp.

Upon investigation, the smell was traced to Gu Fengen's armor. Gu Fengen explained that the aroma was not incense he deliberately used but from fragrant materials sent by the Prefectural Governor of Changzhou, Li Mingan, which had permeated his armor after being placed in his uniform case upon his return from the city.

Yang Duyun, dismissing Gu Fengen's explanation and accusing him of insubordination and disrespect for military law, ordered him to be tied up, starved, and held until General Gu (Gu Silin) returned to decide his punishment.

Episode 55 Recap

Xiao Dingquan remained in a state of deep despair, refusing to eat despite repeated attempts by his attendants to offer him food. His brother, Xiao Dingkai, came to his chambers to persuade him, finding Xiao Dingquan alone in a corner, pale and haggard.

Even with Xiao Dingkai's earnest pleas, including a warning that his defiance would be seen as rebellion by the Emperor and a reminder of Wu Dehou's precarious situation, Xiao Dingquan remained unmoved, declaring that only the "butcher" should worry about the "pig's" fate. When a new attendant arrived with an imperial decree to care for him, Xiao Dingquan sent everyone away, stating he was tired.

Observing his stubbornness, someone remarked that Xiao Dingquan seemed to be playing a "living pawn" in a larger game. Meanwhile, in the military camp, a soldier attempted to give water to Gu Fengen, who had also refused sustenance for three days. Corporal Yang discovered this act and severely punished the soldier with eighty lashes. Soon after, Li Ming'an arrived with an imperial decree ordering Gu Fengen's return to the capital.

However, he found Gu Fengen unconscious and too weak to travel, acknowledging that Corporal Yang's harsh treatment was a desperate measure to keep Gu Fengen incapacitated and thus unable to travel, implicitly protecting him from a more direct threat. Consequently, Li Ming'an decided to remain in the military camp until Gu Fengen recovered enough to make the journey. Back in the capital, Xiao Dingkai reported Xiao Dingquan's continued refusal to eat for four or five days to the Emperor.

The Emperor, aware of the approaching Double Ninth Festival, chastised Xiao Dingkai for his failure. He then sent a plate of fresh mandarin oranges to Xiao Dingquan, declaring them a royal gift that must be consumed. The Emperor also sent a grim message: he would personally preside over Lu Ying's case on the Double Ninth Festival, and Xiao Dingquan should eat to ensure he could endure the impending interrogation.

Xiao Dingkai, disturbed, lamented that no festival could save Xiao Dingquan, while another commented that the Crown Prince's predicament was due to his "good cousin" and "good uncle." It was also revealed that Gu Fengen had not yet departed for the capital. The Emperor, for his part, contemplated how everything Xiao Dingquan possessed had been bestowed by him, questioning who Xiao Dingquan could truly protect. Alone, Xiao Dingquan defiantly vowed to return everything the Emperor had given him.

That night, as Xiao Dingquan sat leaning against a wall, he brusquely ordered an approaching figure to leave, assuming it was a servant. To his surprise, it was Lu Wenxi. She had been brought there by Xiao Dingkai. She gently peeled a mandarin orange and offered it to him, urging him to take care of himself, and Xiao Dingquan finally ate. As she prepared to leave, Xiao Dingquan, visibly affected, tried to hold onto her sleeve, but she pulled away.

Xiao Dingkai, seeking to make her stay, pleaded with her to consider Xiao Dingquan's pitiful state. Lu Wenxi, however, maintained a distant demeanor, stating that his current situation was of no concern to her. She only stopped when Xiao Dingkai revealed that the Emperor would personally try Lu Ying's case on the Double Ninth Festival, a revelation that clearly impacted her. Gu Fengen's health began to improve.

Li Ming'an diligently administered his medicine, emphasizing the need for recovery to reach the capital by the Double Ninth Festival, which he noted was also Xiao Dingquan's twenty-first birthday. Back with Xiao Dingquan, Lu Wenxi had ultimately chosen to stay, much to Xiao Dingquan's delight. He asked her directly why she hadn't left, to which she coolly replied that the city gates were closed, preventing her departure, and that she would leave once they reopened.

When Xiao Dingquan playfully suggested she feed him more, she politely declined, maintaining a careful distance, unwilling to engage in any ambiguous ties with him. The Double Ninth Festival arrived, marking both the Emperor's scheduled trial of Lu Ying's case and Xiao Dingquan's birthday. Lu Wenxi lit numerous water lanterns for him, creating a poignant scene. Xiao Dingquan, deeply moved, confided in her, expressing his sorrow that the Emperor had never remembered his birthday, always favoring his elder brother.

He fondly recounted how only his uncle and Gu Fengen had ever truly celebrated with him and provided him with genuine family warmth. He declared that his uncle was supremely important to him, and if he could not protect him, living would be an unbearable torture. As the Emperor's personal interrogation of Xiao Dingquan began, the Crown Prince unexpectedly took full responsibility for everything, confessing to instigating Lu Ying's murder and orchestrating the ballad case.

When the interrogator questioned the authenticity of his confession, citing a lack of vigor in his handwriting, Xiao Dingquan retorted that forty-eight lashes the night before could easily affect one's penmanship. He firmly stated that the seal and style name on the document were his, confirming his full admission of guilt.

Xiao Dingquan then directly challenged the Emperor, who had been secretly observing the proceedings, asking what Gu Fengen's absence from the capital had to do with him, and whether his father would only be satisfied after subjecting him to every torture device in the room. Enraged by Xiao Dingquan's defiance, the Emperor intervened, rebuking him for his insolence and commanding that he be seated to endure the planned torture, in the very place where Xiao Dingquan's uncle had tragically died.

Episode 56 Recap

The Emperor subjected Xiao Dingquan to ruthless torture, demanding to know why he had spread disloyal speech and defied him within the Control Crane Guard yamen. Xiao Dingquan defiantly retorted, asking why the Emperor had unjustly killed his uncle, Lu Ying, why he only taught Big Brother tea ceremony, and ultimately, why he gave birth to Xiao Dingquan at all. In response, the Emperor angrily questioned why Xiao Dingquan continued to defy him.

Just as the confrontation escalated, Gu Silin burst in, stopping the torture instruments. He rushed to Xiao Dingquan, asking if he was alright. Xiao Dingquan, recovering, assured the Emperor he was fine. The Emperor, in a cold tone, asked Gu Silin why he was there. Gu Silin declared he was there to celebrate the Crown Prince's birthday. The Emperor was surprised.

Xiao Dingtang quickly chimed in, confirming it was indeed the Crown Prince's birthday, suggesting the Emperor must have forgotten due to being occupied with state affairs. Gu Silin emphasized the importance of the Crown Prince's birthday, urging the Emperor to show caution and mercy. He reminded the Emperor of a previous case involving Xiao Duo, in which Gu Silin himself had participated in the trial.

Gu Silin then offered to send Gu Fengen to the capital, suggesting Gu Fengen could bear the punishment for the Crown Prince's transgressions, and pleaded for mercy on this significant day, the Double Ninth Festival. Xiao Dingtang, angered by Gu Silin's defense of Xiao Dingquan, accused Gu Silin of breaking into the Control Crane Guard yamen and injuring a prince, calling it a grave crime.

Gu Silin retorted that a prince breaking the law was guilty like commoners, and no one was above the law, especially before the Emperor who was investigating the case. He then declared that if he found evidence that someone else was responsible for Lu Ying's case and the disloyal words in the Mid-autumn festival, that person would also face justice. Xiao Dingtang dismissed Gu Silin's words, accusing him of acting domineeringly as if he were in Changzhou.

The Emperor, observing the scene, commented that Xiao Dingquan was truly Wu Dehou's cherished nephew. After the Emperor and Xiao Dingtang departed, Gu Silin tenderly helped Xiao Dingquan put on his shoes and socks, asking if it hurt. Xiao Dingquan, distraught, expressed his fear for Gu Fengen's future, lamenting that without civil titles and military merits, his cousin would have no means of support. He feared the Emperor's wrath and felt he needed to plead guilty himself.

Gu Silin embraced him, reassuring him that both he and Gu Fengen would be fine. Xiao Dingquan then questioned if his uncle had uncovered information indicating the disloyal speech wasn't orchestrated by the Emperor, asking what his uncle planned to do. Gu Silin hinted that Prince Qi (Xiao Dingtang) might believe he was safe, but revealed that according to recent intelligence, a large enemy army was gathering in the Yin side of Mount Huianxue, threatening Changzhou.

He explained that if he couldn't return to the front lines, the fate of Changzhou would be uncertain, and the originator of the nursery rhyme case would bear huge responsibility. Gu Silin framed his actions as helping the Emperor make a choice between the Crown Prince and Prince Qi, a choice the Emperor had made before to become ruler, and now it was Xiao Dingquan's turn to make a choice.

He firmly declared his willingness to "step through blood" for Xiao Dingquan again, just as he had for the Emperor in the past. He urged Xiao Dingquan to simply "wear it" (referring to the shoes, symbolically taking his rightful place). Xiao Dingquan, however, questioned whether his uncle's importance, despite being all he had left, superseded the teachings of saints and his respected teacher, and the dignity and duty of a monarch.

Gu Silin repeatedly called him by his full name, Xiao Dingquan, in a serious tone, emphasizing the gravity of the situation. The Emperor then turned to Xiao Dingtang, probing whether he was behind the disloyal speech, urging him to confess for leniency and warning him of Gu Silin’s investigative prowess if he didn’t. Xiao Dingtang swore his innocence, and the Emperor, seemingly relieved, accepted his denial, though he mused that someone was trying to threaten him by involving Xiao Dingtang.

Xiao Dingtang then pleaded to be allowed to go to his fief, expressing concern about making his father difficult. Suddenly, a barefoot Xiao Dingquan burst into the chamber, vehemently demanding that Xiao Dingtang return to his fief. He warned of a dire crisis unfolding in Changzhou and the danger faced by Li Ming'an. The Emperor, shocked by Xiao Dingquan's behavior and appearance, ordered shoes for him.

Xiao Dingquan insisted that Xiao Dingtang, as a married prince, should have gone to his fief long ago, and further demanded that Gu Fengen be allowed to return to Changzhou immediately, as Li Ming'an alone couldn't secure it.

The Emperor accused Xiao Dingquan of collaborating with Gu Silin, but Xiao Dingquan retorted that his surname was Xiao, not Gu, and affirmed that his duty as Crown Prince, and as a son who serves the realm, was more important than his personal affections. Meanwhile, in Changzhou, Li Ming'an faced his subordinates, who seemingly resented his command over provisions, raising concerns about potential unrest.

Li Ming'an questioned if they wanted to "do the same thing to me" as a previous incident, referring to burning. His subordinate assured him that as ministers, they would obey orders. Back in the palace, Xiao Dingtang continued to provoke Xiao Dingquan, questioning his previous confession and motives. Xiao Dingquan, frustrated and unable to fully defend himself due to the secret of protecting Wenxi and his letter to the chancellor, could only appear distraught.

The Emperor, still seeking answers, asked Xiao Dingquan why he had killed Lu Ying, and if he had written the letter and used his seal. Unable to speak, Xiao Dingquan teared up. The Emperor, exasperated by Xiao Dingquan’s conduct, declared he found it difficult to believe him and announced he would revisit the Lu Ying case later. He then ordered Xiao Dingquan to be sent back.

In a desperate plea, Xiao Dingquan knelt, asking if his requests would be granted if he were no longer the Crown Prince, and then implored his father to abolish him as Crown Prince. He tied his personal fate to the security of the realm, saying if he was abolished, Gu Fengen and Gu Silin could return to Changzhou, which Li Ming'an couldn't defend alone.

The Emperor, furious, ordered him to be locked up in a side palace, forbidden from leaving or communicating with anyone. Just as Xiao Dingquan was being forcibly removed, Lu Wenxi stepped forward, interrupting the escalating crisis. The Emperor recognized her as someone he had met before. Lu Wenxi confessed that she had written the incriminating letter, explaining that the Crown Prince had uniquely taught her his calligraphy, specifically the "Xingshi transcription."

She insisted that she wrote it of her own volition, not under duress from Xiao Dingquan. When pressed about the seal, she claimed to have stolen it a long time ago after the Crown Prince had accidentally lost it at the detached palace; she tried to return it but failed and kept it. Xiao Dingtang sarcastically interjected, commenting "Truly, like master, like servant. . ."

Lu Wenxi continued her story, stating that after many things, she harbored resentment towards the Crown Prince and betrayed him for a new master. She then added that after the Crown Prince discovered her actions, he dismissed her court registration, which only intensified her resentment. She then declared that her act of framing the Crown Prince with the letter was done under the instruction of "that person."

When the Emperor demanded to know the instigator, Xiao Dingtang questioned the Emperor's anxiousness. Finally, Lu Wenxi explicitly named "the chancellor." Meanwhile, in his prison cell, Chancellor Zhang Luzheng was in utter despair. His son, Zhang Shaoyun, secretly visited him, bringing clean clothes that his sister had prepared. Seeing his son, Zhang Luzheng broke down, calling him a "fool" for not having fled to their hometown already. Zhang Shaoyun, in tears, explained he couldn't leave his father.

Back at the palace, the Emperor pressed Lu Wenxi further, asking why Zhang Luzheng would instruct her to frame the Crown Prince. She claimed not to know, suggesting that perhaps he believed anyone could be a monarch, and then offered physical proof for her accusations. She volunteered to go to jail, requesting that the Emperor interrogate her in person.

The Emperor questioned why Xiao Dingquan would try to cover for someone who claimed to have betrayed him, to which Lu Wenxi replied she had never understood the Crown Prince, and that perhaps the Emperor didn't either. Without further ado, the Emperor ordered her to be sent to the Ministry of Justice. Xiao Dingquan cried out in protest, begging the Emperor not to send her, and demanding to go with her.

The Emperor, exasperated, ordered Xiao Dingquan to be locked in a side palace, forbidden from leaving or communicating with anyone. As she was being led away, Lu Wenxi told Xiao Dingquan that she had stayed at Daxiangguo Temple twice and had not left, and explicitly stated she would return.

Xiao Dingquan desperately tried to stop her, proclaiming that she was "his," the one he had been waiting for all this time, but his pleas were in vain as she was taken away.

Episode 57 Recap

Wenxi found herself imprisoned in the Ministry of Penalty's jail. From her cell, she coldly observed Zhang Luzheng in the adjacent one. Zhang Luzheng, who had panicked earlier upon learning His Majesty himself would preside over the interrogation, still remained oblivious to Wenxi's simmering hatred. Wenxi calmly informed him that the imperial order used to frame Xiao Dingquan was actually her own handiwork, a fact already confirmed by His Majesty.

Furthermore, Xiao Dingquan's personal seal had been discovered on Zhang Shaoyun. Wenxi revealed that she had intentionally placed the seal in a purse and gifted it to the smitten Zhang Shaoyun, manipulating his affection. Zhang Luzheng, who once served in the Ministry of Penalty and prided himself on his legal expertise, initially scoffed at Wenxi's claims, believing his profound knowledge of the law would protect him.

Wenxi, however, pressed on, highlighting that with both "witness and evidence" now present, Zhang Luzheng was facing the same "taste of grievance" he had inflicted upon others. Still defiant, Zhang Luzheng vowed to defend himself before His Majesty. Wenxi advised against it, reminding him of his betrayal, even of the Crown Princess.

She urged him to confess for the sake of his good children, the Crown Princess and Zhang Shaoyun, suggesting it would allow him a final shred of dignity as their father. Enraged, Zhang Luzheng demanded to know her identity. Wenxi did not directly answer but stated that while she had not killed his daughter, she would sincerely apologize to the Crown Princess when they met again.

In return, she demanded that Zhang Luzheng sincerely apologize to her "dearest and loved ones" for the "bone-crushing pain" and "skinning pain" he had caused, asserting that every day he lived was "torture and purgatory" for her. Soon after, guards arrived to escort Zhang Luzheng for interrogation. Brought before His Majesty, Zhang Luzheng was confronted with Wenxi's earlier confession about authoring the fake letter.

Zhang Luzheng tried to argue that with the "witness and evidence" in place, His Majesty's options were limited regarding the Crown Prince's alleged crime. However, His Majesty reiterated Wenxi's earlier words, implying Zhang Luzheng should confess for his children. Overwhelmed, Zhang Luzheng finally confessed. He admitted to secretly altering Li Baizhou's wife's family tree behind the Crown Prince's back, which had led to Lu Ying's death, and fabricating the decree to frame the Crown Prince.

His Majesty sternly condemned Zhang Luzheng, declaring he would be recorded as the foremost traitor in history. An official then meticulously recorded Zhang Luzheng's confession, detailing his wrongful killing of Lu Ying and his son, and his subsequent plot to order "Maid Gu" from Baoben Palace to steal the Crown Prince's seal to forge documents and frame him.

As Zhang Luzheng prepared to sign his confession, the echoes of Wenxi's words resonated in his mind, reminding him of the stark difference between being a chief criminal and an accessory, and the devastating consequence of "extermination" for his entire clan. Desperate to save his family, Zhang Luzheng changed his testimony, claiming he had been "instigated." When pressed, he implicated Xiao Dingtang, Prince Qi. His Majesty questioned Zhang Luzheng about meeting any minister secretly after the Mid-Autumn festival.

Zhang Luzheng admitted that on Mid-Autumn night, Prince Qi had visited his residence and assured him that spreading the disloyal speech was His Majesty's true intention. Zhang Luzheng confessed his foolishness in believing this and, while accepting his own death, pleaded for mercy for his family.

He specifically requested that his youngest daughter be spared, revealing that her horoscope had already been sent to Prince Qi and that a proposal letter should have been prepared, thus exempting her from punishment, just as the former Chancellor's daughter had become Princess Qi. Meanwhile, at Prince Qi's residence, Xiao Dingtang frantically searched for a book containing the horoscope of Zhang Luzheng's second daughter.

When his servant explained it had been put away, Xiao Dingtang, in a fit of panic, ordered all the books to be burned immediately. His Princess entered, alarmed by the smoke and destruction, questioning his actions. She then revealed that she possessed the very horoscope he sought. She confronted him about preparing a proposal letter for another woman without her knowledge.

Xiao Dingtang tried to explain, claiming he only meant to "stabilize Zhang Luzheng" to accuse the Crown Prince, but "it's different now." He pleaded with her, asking if she wanted to see him die. The Princess accused him of lying, stating that even if she burned the horoscope, he could simply write another. She refused to burn it and threatened to take the evidence to His Majesty for justice.

Furious, Xiao Dingtang warned her that she would ruin his life and ordered his guards to seize her. A struggle ensued as the Princess fiercely resisted, determined to bring the evidence to the Emperor. Just as Xiao Dingtang and his Princess grappled over the horoscope, His Majesty unexpectedly arrived at the residence.

He severely chastised Xiao Dingtang for spreading disloyal speech, falsely attributing it to the emperor, and fabricating documents—all while His Majesty was punishing Xiao Dingquan, on Xiao Dingquan's birthday, no less. With tears in his eyes, His Majesty realized he had always wronged Xiao Dingquan. Overwhelmed, Xiao Dingtang finally knelt, admitting his guilt. He tearfully pleaded with His Majesty, his "dad," not to abandon him, asking for one last chance and insisting he simply did not want to leave him.

His Majesty, deeply disappointed, called Xiao Dingtang both "stupid" and a "coward," stating that his pardon was secondary; it depended on whether the Crown Prince and Gu Silin would forgive him. He then voiced a chilling thought: could Xiao Dingquan's earlier warnings about Changzhou being in grave danger also be true? Indeed, at Changzhou, amidst a heavy fog, Li Ming'an and Corporal Yang noted the eerie silence.

Initially dismissing strange sounds as river noise, they soon realized the ominous truth. " No, the sound is strange," one observed, followed by the cry, "Torch!" They quickly cast torches into the river, revealing enemy forces. The alarm was raised: "They are attacking!" Back in the capital, His Majesty received urgent news of the enemy's attack on Changzhou.

Recognizing the gravity of the situation and unable to care for his beloved eldest son at this moment, he remarked that if Gu Fengen could reach Changzhou in time and secure the city, Xiao Dingtang might still have a slim chance of survival; otherwise, he could not help him.

He immediately issued several urgent decrees: to open the Chunming Gate, dispatch Li Chongkui to Changzhou with utmost haste, instruct the Gu family father and son (Gu Silin and Gu Fengen) to return to the military camp immediately to take charge, and ordered Prince Qi's residence to be sealed. Meanwhile, Gu Fengen was seen with Madam Gu, who urged him to hurry as he prepared to depart. He mentioned wanting to celebrate Xiao Dingquan's birthday.

Madam Gu remarked that returning was good, implying a return to former times, but Gu Fengen stated, "It's different now. One year older," perhaps reflecting the heavy responsibilities and changes that had occurred. As he left, Gu Fengen rushed towards Changzhou, unaware that the enemy's warhorses had already entered the city, signaling an unavoidable catastrophe.

Episode 58 Recap

Huddled gloomily in Baoben Palace, Xiao Dingquan refused to wear his shoes or remove the shackles on his wrists. Servants urged him to sit up from the cold floor, reminding him that it was unseemly, but he remained defiant. A guard was ordered to keep a close eye on him. Shortly after, the Emperor entered, finding Xiao Dingquan still kneeling. Xiao Dingquan implored his father to abolish him.

The Emperor, however, set aside his usual stern demeanor, saying he was merely thirsty for tea and wished for his son to keep him company. This was a rare moment, as Xiao Dingquan confessed he had never brewed tea with the Emperor alone. The Emperor extended a hand, pulling Xiao Dingquan up. As they sat together, the Emperor reminisced about teaching Xiao Dingquan the tea skill when he was a child, specifically how to use the tea whisk.

Xiao Dingquan gently corrected him, stating it was his eldest brother, Prince Qi, who had taught him, adding that he had to practice it alone for a long time since Minister Lu never bothered to instruct him. The Emperor admitted he had also spoken with Prince Qi about the Mid-autumn festival incident, expressing regret over past wrongs.

He then shifted the conversation, asking Xiao Dingquan why he hadn't clarified his innocence and instead took all the blame, suspecting Xiao Dingquan believed the Emperor had orchestrated the plot with Prince Qi. Xiao Dingquan responded that suspicion between monarch and minister only leads to chaos, and that he feared the consequences of a minister suspecting the emperor. The Emperor reassured him, saying that for this night, they would speak only as father and son.

Xiao Dingquan confessed that he was an accomplice in the scheme, but the Emperor dismissed his statement as an act, calling his performance too real. The Emperor acknowledged the difficulty of balancing loyalty and filial piety, admitting that Xiao Dingquan had given his loyalty to him but his filial devotion to someone else (Gu Silin).

He expressed understanding of Xiao Dingquan's suffering and apologized for his own actions as a father, though not as the Emperor, claiming Xiao Dingquan could not understand his position from his current standing. The Emperor then made a surprising revelation, stating that Xiao Dingquan was not meant to be the crown prince, and Prince Qi was not meant to be the eldest son. He inquired if Gu Silin had ever spoken to Xiao Dingquan about this secret.

Without elaborating further, the Emperor stroked Xiao Dingquan's head, his eyes moist with tears, reiterating his awareness of Xiao Dingquan's pain and the harsh realities of being born into the imperial family. He then personally demonstrated the intricate steps of the tea-making process, a rare display of paternal affection that deeply moved Xiao Dingquan. As Xiao Dingquan diligently practiced, he expressed newfound confidence in his tea-making, believing he could now master the art of tea foaming.

However, the Emperor's sudden tenderness was quickly revealed to be a calculated move. While feigning fatherly concern, he tasked Xiao Dingquan with comforting Gu Silin and persuading him to return to Changzhou immediately. Xiao Dingquan's nascent smile vanished as he realized his father was manipulating him to appease Gu Silin. Heartbroken, he poured out the tea, expressionlessly donned his shackles once more, and resigned himself to fulfilling his father's command to persuade his uncle.

A palace official offered him more comfortable shoes, but Xiao Dingquan refused, opting to keep the shackles. The Emperor reiterated his expectations for Xiao Dingquan's conversation with Gu Silin, stating he feared Gu Silin might not listen, and gave him two "shichen" (four hours) before he would be retrieved. Meanwhile, the situation in Changzhou was dire. Li Ming'an, the prefectural governor, was confronted by his officers regarding the invading enemy forces.

He ordered the army provisions to be burned to prevent them from falling into enemy hands and to free up his men for defense, despite a military officer's previous orders to guard the provisions. He, along with his three hundred men, prepared to fight to the death against overwhelming odds.

Li Ming'an's wife, understanding the gravity of the situation, instructed soldiers to follow Earl Jiayi, entrusting the city's lives to him, stating she had never expected peace or survival since coming to Changzhou with her husband. Gu Fengen and his men were also seen battling the enemy, attempting to secure the city gates with wagons. Li Ming'an, witnessing the fierce fighting, lauded the soldiers as "real soldiers," lamenting the "shortsighted and good-for-nothing noblemen."

When Xiao Dingquan arrived, Gu Silin instantly understood that his nephew had confessed everything to the Emperor. After a brief attempt by a subordinate to enforce formality, Xiao Dingquan confirmed that he had indeed spoken to the Emperor. Gu Silin pressed him, asking what he had told the Emperor that would still result in Xiao Dingquan being sent in shackles.

With tears streaming down his face, Xiao Dingquan explained that although he was Gu Silin's nephew in private, as the Crown Prince, he had to uphold justice for the nation, even if it meant betraying his uncle. Gu Silin was deeply disappointed, remarking that he had expected more from the nephew he had tried so hard to protect, lamenting that Xiao Dingquan only knew how to cry and didn't understand the complexities of power.

Xiao Dingquan, in turn, voiced his disappointment in his uncle, saying Gu Silin was not the man he had imagined. Still troubled by the Emperor's cryptic words, Xiao Dingquan questioned his uncle about the hidden truths related to their family. He directly stated that the Emperor had told him he was not supposed to be the Crown Prince and Prince Qi not the eldest son, pressing Gu Silin about the secret concerning his mother.

Gu Silin then revealed the long-held family secret: Xiao Dingquan's mother, then Princess Su, had been pregnant with the Emperor's first legitimate son. However, during the first month of the fourth year of the late emperor's reign, while visiting the imperial guards, she was traumatized by the sight of Crown Prince Min's suicide, leading to a miscarriage. This tragedy alienated the Emperor from her.

After Prince Min's death, a critical ballad circulated in the capital, further infuriating Prince Su (the current Emperor) and leading him to order a city-wide arrest of the singer, which angered the late emperor. Consequently, the late emperor died without officially naming Prince Su as Crown Prince. Prince Su became depressed and further estranged from Xiao Dingquan's mother, taking a woman from the Zhao family as a concubine, who later bore Prince Qi, Dingtang.

It was only due to the insistence of Xiao Dingquan's maternal grandfather, the Grand Chancellor, that his mother conceived Xiao Dingquan. Gu Silin recounted a desperate argument between the Emperor and Xiao Dingquan's mother, where she accused him of abandoning their child to favor the Gu family's influence and questioned if his birth was merely for the Gu family's power to endure. Gu Silin concluded by saying, "So you are born."

Upon hearing this agonizing truth, Xiao Dingquan burst into uncontrollable sobs, barely able to stand. He felt his entire life had been defined by tears and bitterness. Leaning into his uncle's embrace, he lamented his tragic existence, realizing that he had been born with the weight of these burdens, "with shackles," and that he should not have existed at all. Gu Silin expressed profound apologies from himself and his family for Xiao Dingquan's plight. Xiao Dingquan, however, thanked his uncle for finally revealing the truth, while Gu Silin continued to lovingly address him as "A'bao."

Episode 59 Recap

Xiao Dingquan, still in tears, decided to send his uncle, Gu Silin, back to Changzhou to fight the enemy. Gu Silin looked at his nephew, disappointed that the once spirited Crown Prince had become so disheartened, now living a pathetic life. Xiao Dingquan insisted that his decision was not for himself, but for the common people, out of compassion. Gu Silin gave a bitter laugh, asking about the common people, for the realm was not currently under Xiao Dingquan's rule.

He argued that if Xiao Dingtang was not overthrown now, he would surely become the master of the world. Gu Silin recalled the Emperor's promise twenty years ago on Mount Nan, that Xiao Dingquan would be the favored son of heaven, loved by many, not the way he was now. Xiao Dingquan, however, maintained that his birth was an error, but the people were innocent and should not bear his faults.

Unable to persuade his uncle, Xiao Dingquan issued an order, demanding Gu Silin reach Changzhou within a day and a half. Gu Silin, incredulous, questioned if he was expected to kneel to receive the order, and mentioned his age, saying he was no longer young enough to travel such a distance overnight as he once did to see the Crown Prince.

Xiao Dingquan then threatened his own safety, stating that if the inner city were to fall, Gu Silin would never see him again. Distraught, Xiao Dingquan confessed he had no other ways to thank his uncle or to find other solutions. Gu Silin, however, assured him that the inner city would not fall, as he had left Feng'en inside who knew what to do. Gu Silin, with a bow, mounted his warhorse and galloped away.

Xiao Dingquan then informed the Emperor that Gu Silin had departed for Changzhou, bringing a sigh of relief from the Emperor. With a numb expression, Xiao Dingquan presented a blood petition for his own removal as Crown Prince. He declared that if Gu Silin failed to arrive in Changzhou on time, he would accept being a rebel and a traitor.

However, if Gu Silin arrived as ordered and the Emperor did not severely punish Xiao Dingtang, he would not let the matter rest, demanding fair judgment for Prince Qi's crimes. The Emperor was shocked, realizing that the Crown Prince would not be merciful this time. Soon, Gu Silin arrived in Changzhou to find the battlefield devastated, a terrible mess.

Li Ming'an, though severely wounded, had survived and glared at Gu Silin from his stretcher, while Gu Silin returned a look of disdain. An official informed Gu Silin that Li Ming'an had arrived only a few hours before him. Gu Silin then inquired about his own son, learning that he was resting at Prefectural Governor Li's residence.

This caused Gu Silin to threaten to discipline his son, though he then dismissed it, attributing it to the son's weakness and Yang Sheng's responsibility. An official praised Gu Silin's bravery, stating he could defeat the enemy and lift the siege in half a day, earning great merit. Gu Silin responded that he only sought no punishment.

Meanwhile, back at the palace, the Emperor stood before the portrait of the late queen, lamenting that everyone always said Xiao Dingquan resembled his uncle. Only now did he realize that, among his sons, Xiao Dingquan was the one most like him, yet he wondered why it had taken him so long to see it and how they, as father and son, had reached such a distant point.

During the morning court, the Emperor announced his decision on the case of Lu Ying. He stated that he had personally visited the Ministry of Penalty and ascertained the truth. The Minister of Penalty then announced that Chancellor Zhang Luzheng, holding a long-standing grudge against former Censor Lu Ying, had, while serving as Minister of Penalty, vented his private grievances in public during Li Baizhou's case.

Zhang Luzheng had forged the family registry of Li Baizhou's wife, a woman named Lu, and abused his power to wrongfully kill Lu Ying and his eldest son Wenpu. Criminal Zhang had confessed to these crimes and would be executed soon. He Zhongcheng, a royal minister, immediately questioned why the Crown Prince's earlier self-incrimination was not being addressed.

The Emperor stated that the Crown Prince had been misled by Prince Qi, and that there was already a confession to this effect. He Zhongcheng further protested that the Crown Prince's confession in court was witnessed by everyone present. The Emperor then declared that Prince Qi, having married and being a princely vassal, should have gone to his fief long ago according to national law.

He issued a decree: Xiao Dingtang's princely title was revoked, he was demoted to Prince of Guangchuan, and he was ordered to leave the capital for his fief the very next morning, forbidden to return for life. The Emperor further proclaimed that the Crown Prince was innocent and well-disciplined, wrongfully defamed, and that Prince Qi had misled and deceived the legitimate heir. The Emperor stated he could not shirk his own responsibility and felt deeply ashamed.

Xiao Dingquan then requested full authority to handle all subordinates involved in Zhang's case, excluding Prince Qi, which the Emperor granted. In the Ministry of Penalty prison, Zhang Luzheng informed Lu Wenxi, with a sneer, that even though she had dragged him down to hell, she would not escape unpunished, as the Emperor would never forgive her.

Lu Wenxi acknowledged her fate but still hoped that Xiao Dingquan would visit her, even if it were to bid her farewell in the very place they first met. Outside the prison, Zhang Luzheng’s second daughter, Zhang Song, was pleading to be let in to see her father and brother, whose life was at risk. Xiao Dingquan arrived and allowed Zhang Song to enter. Inside, Zhang Song confronted Xiao Dingquan, asking if he intended to kill her father and brother.

Zhang Luzheng acknowledged his failure to the Crown Prince, stating he had nothing to say.

Xiao Dingquan then conveyed a message through Zhang Song to her father: if Zhang Luzheng would withdraw his confession and claim that Zhang Shaoyun had stolen the private seal, that he himself had forged the order using a transcription, and that Lu Wenxi had merely sent a message from the palace, then Zhang Song would marry Xiao Dingtang unharmed, and Zhang Shaoyun would be exiled to military service.

Zhang Luzheng, realizing this could save his children, had no choice but to agree. Zhang Luzheng asked Lu Wenxi why she insisted on dying, implying this deal could save her from the death penalty. Lu Wenxi retorted that she did not want to die but was not afraid of death, believing that only with Zhang Luzheng gone would her brother not have to live a life of misery like her.

Zhang Luzheng accused her of still harboring hopes of being rescued. Lu Wenxi, confronting Zhang Luzheng, stated that "what goes around comes around," and urged him to sincerely apologize to her loved ones when the time came. Zhang Luzheng then questioned why the retribution had fallen upon "them" (Lu Wenxi and her family). Zhang Luzheng was subsequently executed soon. Zhang Shaoyun was exiled to military service. Lu Wenxi’s death sentence was commuted to exile in Changzhou.

A messenger informed Lu Wenxi that the Crown Prince had done his best for her. When asked where she was going, the messenger replied, "Changzhou. It's decided." As she was led away, she received a final message from Xiao Dingquan, conveyed by the messenger: "Years pass, the earth is vast and sky high. If fate allows, there will be a day to meet again. He asks you to wait for him."

Episode 60 (Ending) Recap

Xiao Dingtang, defeated, was confined to his mansion. His Princess remained by his side, affirming her unwavering loyalty. She had packed their belongings, ready to accompany him to his fief. An official arrived with Zhang Songzhi, announcing her as a duke's concubine. Xiao Dingtang was bitter, having no desire for a new wife, but his Princess, with compassion, allowed Zhang Songzhi inside.

However, as the gate opened, Xiao Dingtang, consumed by desperation, broke free, mounted a horse, and galloped to the palace gate, pleading to see his Emperor and Empress. Guards blocked Xiao Dingtang, citing an imperial edict that forbade him from entering the palace before his departure to the fief. The Empress emerged, heartbroken, and pleaded with the guards to allow her a final farewell with her son, but the guards cited palace protocols.

Xiao Dingquan then appeared, sternly telling his older brother to stop being childish and return. Xiao Dingtang cried out, asserting that once the gate closed, he would never see his mother again, asking why Xiao Dingquan didn't just kill him. Xiao Dingquan retorted that Xiao Dingtang was spoiled, and refused to relent, even slapping Xiao Dingtang. Despite being hit, Xiao Dingtang showed no anger, continuing to plead pitifully for another chance.

Xiao Dingquan finally softened, no longer interfering, and allowed Xiao Dingtang and the Empress to bid farewell. He then strictly ordered his brother to be taken back, stating, "For the last time. No delay. And no crying." The Empress, despite the cold, wrapped a hand-made cotton jacket around Xiao Dingtang, expressing regret that she hadn't made it warmer.

As the palace gate was about to close, Xiao Dingquan, observing the heartbreaking scene, recalled his own last painful farewell with his mother three years ago on a snowy night. He remembered her gentle questions and how she knew, even then, that they would never meet again. He reflected on how he cherished her beautiful, unchanging smile, and the lesson, "So don't cry when you leave someone."

With a final, agonizing farewell, the Empress retreated inside, lamenting that without her son, the palace was no longer a home. Xiao Dingtang, equally distraught, cried out for his mother as the gates closed. Xiao Dingquan, left in the snow, mused on the relative lightness of death compared to separation, wondering if he would ever see his loved ones again when the gates reopened.

After the emotional farewell, Xiao Dingquan decided not to return to the Eastern Palace but to seek solace at a "friend's home." There, he found Lu Wenxi, separated by a screen. He playfully urged her to stop pretending not to see him. Wenxi questioned if she was still destined for exile to Changzhou, but Xiao Dingquan revealed the Emperor had granted him the power to decide her fate, saving her from that punishment.

He confessed how deeply he missed her, explaining that he had come to get her himself since she hadn't returned as promised. Their conversation was filled with longing and playful banter. Wenxi joked about her disheveled state after days in the Ministry of Justice, while Xiao Dingquan asked about his lost seal, which she claimed to have left at their teacher's place.

She then teased him, telling him not to "gild his own lily," before he explained the profound meaning behind his name, Xiao Dingquan, and his style name, Mincheng, which the Emperor bestowed upon him during his coming-of-age ceremony. He elaborated that "Ding" and "Quan" signify a leader who serves as a pillar for the nation, earning the praise of the people through righteous conduct.

Wenxi, however, playfully dismissed his serious explanation, saying that such deep admiration was not appropriate in their current setting. Xiao Dingquan then asked for her name. Wenxi began to say she would tell him everything, but Xiao Dingquan stopped her, listing the many loved ones he had lost – Minister Lu (his teacher), his mother, younger sister, Nianzhi, and his teacher. He admitted, "I'm afraid after you tell me, I will be alone," expressing his fear of further loss.

He assured her he could wait if she wasn't ready to share, promising it wouldn't be like last time. Wenxi suggested waiting until tomorrow as she had just come from prison, but Xiao Dingquan, unable to bear further separation, declared, "I can't wait till tomorrow. I don't want to miss you again." He then stepped from behind the screen, took her hand, and they shared a passionate kiss in the falling snow, unwilling to miss each other any longer.

An imperial decree proclaimed Gu Fengen, ennobled as Earl of Jiayi (Jia Yibo), as a loyal and talented defender of the frontier. For his efforts in securing the nation, he was ennobled as the Marquis of Heyang and appointed Vice Governor of Changzhou. Soon after, joyful military intelligence arrived from Changzhou, reporting a decisive victory. The Emperor, pleased, shared the good news with Xiao Dingquan, who became emotional, shedding tears of relief and pride for the Gu family army.

The Emperor, witnessing his tears, playfully remarked on Xiao Dingquan's "naivety." However, the celebration was cut short by another urgent military report: Wu Dehou (Gu Silin), on his way back from the victorious campaign, was ambushed and tragically died for the country. The devastating news shocked the Emperor, while Xiao Dingquan, overwhelmed by grief, coughed up a mouthful of blood and collapsed, prompting the Emperor to immediately call for a doctor.

That night, Xiao Dingquan confided in Lu Wenxi, his voice heavy with grief. " Tomorrow morning, I will go to Changzhou," he told her, explaining that the Emperor had commanded him to escort Wu Dehou's coffin and console the bereaved families of the fallen soldiers. Overcome, he cried, "My uncle died. No one loves me, cherishes me, and protects me." He expressed deep regret for his coldness during their last meeting, fearing his uncle might have resented him.

He tragically concluded, "He dies now. It's the punishment from the god." Wenxi gently comforted him. The next day, Xiao Dingquan departed. His loyal attendant, Wang Weng, stood by the road to see him off. Xiao Dingquan offered a reassuring smile and promised to return from Changzhou quickly, urging Wang Weng to go back. Wang Weng, with a heavy heart, bid him to "take care." However, this journey would stretch on for eight long months.

Eight months passed, but Xiao Dingquan did not return. Lu Wenxi, now visibly pregnant, spent her days gazing at a landscape painting. In her heart, she conversed with him, saying she no longer had worries and looked forward to exploring the beautiful scenery of "cloudy mountains and vast rivers" with him. She gently accused him of breaking his promise this time and expected him to compensate her in the future.

Gazing at the painting, she reflected on their shared dream, concluding her thoughts with a heartfelt plea for him: "Please wait for me." In the tranquil scene, two white cranes soared through the sky, their forms echoing Xiao Dingquan and Lu Wenxi, forever bound in love and companionship.