Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty Episode 27 Recap
> Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty Recap
Lu Lingfeng expressed concern to Su Wuming, believing that Governor Gao Zhongyi of Luozhou, a confidant of the Princess, had summoned Su Wuming to Luoyang on the Princess's orders. He warned that this would inevitably entangle them in the power struggle between the Princess and the Crown Prince. Su Wuming, however, revealed that he heard the Emperor intended to become the Taishang Huang, a retired emperor.
He felt that only the Crown Prince's successful ascension to the throne could ensure the stability of the Tang Dynasty and the well-being of its people. Lu Lingfeng, acknowledging Su Wuming's determination, pledged to stand by him, saying he would sacrifice his life for the country. Su Wuming's disciple, Xue Huan, also eagerly agreed to join them on their journey. Meanwhile, Pei Xijun probed Su Wuming, asking why he hadn't asked Yingtao to stay when she departed the previous night.
She suggested Yingtao held deep feelings for him and was saddened by his lack of retention, reminding him that Yingtao’s father had entrusted her to him before his death. Su Wuming hesitated, admitting it would indeed be a pity if Yingtao were to spend her life wandering. Pei Xijun then revealed Yingtao was still waiting, pointing her out to Su Wuming.
Approaching them, Yingtao clarified she wasn't waiting to join their journey, but to question why Su Wuming had kept secret her father's pretense as prefectural governor, a concealment that risked Su Wuming's own life. Su Wuming assured her he would always bear the responsibility for his actions.
He also affirmed that Yingtao’s father, through his "Records of Worshippers of Tuo God," which had freed Ninghu from the oppression of the Tuo God worshippers, had truly earned the title of a Great Prefectural Governor of Tang. As Yingtao prepared to leave, Su Wuming, after a brief pause, called out, halting her by feigning his old horse was unable to carry him and asking to ride hers instead.
Yingtao, finding his awkwardness endearing, readily agreed to the exchange, noting that his unique character made him even more appealing. With Yingtao now officially joining them, the group proceeded towards Luoyang. Upon their arrival in Luoyang in May, Xue Huan marveled at the city's beauty, though Su Wuming cautioned against the "Double Fifth" (fifth day of May), which was considered an ominous day with many taboos.
Lu Lingfeng, who had left Luoyang at age five, found the city familiar but could only recall painful childhood memories. As they walked through the streets, Yingtao admired the beautiful attire of the local women. Suddenly, a woman collapsed with a terribly disfigured and rotten face, a gruesome sight Lu Lingfeng observed. At the Prefectural Governor's Residence, an attendant informed a surprised Su Wuming that he had been appointed Administrator of Luozhou.
He then met Governor Gao Zhongyi and Resident Regent Li Yue. Governor Gao explained that the appointment originated directly from the Princess, who urgently required Su Wuming's investigative skills. He revealed that a hundred days prior, a beauty product called the "Face Flower" had appeared in Luoyang, promising eternal youth but instead causing users' faces to turn into skulls after 81 days. The Princess herself had used the flower, and her deadline was imminent.
Su Wuming's immediate and crucial mission was to find the culprit and an antidote to save her life, a task requiring utmost secrecy to prevent widespread chaos. Su Wuming recalled that the "Encyclopedia" described the Face Flower as originating from the Arab Empire. Subsequently, Xin Huaishen, Minister of Supervision, reported that the seller, a woman from Tokhara staying at Paradise Inn, had committed suicide before Military Advisor Xing could apprehend her, infuriating Governor Gao.
Su Wuming, upon seeing the official document, indignantly refused the appointment, labeling it an "informal official" title that undermined the imperial court's authority. Li Yue attempted to mediate, suggesting the appointment was a testament to the Princess's trust and inviting Su Wuming to a welcoming feast with Persian wine. Su Wuming awoke in the Administrator's Residence, discovering that Lu Lingfeng had changed his clothes to the official robe while he was in a drunken stupor.
He furiously accused Lu Lingfeng of attempting to ruin his reputation by making him accept an "informal official" position. However, Fei Jishi, who had been in Luoyang for a few days, corroborated the strangeness of the Face Flower case and urged Su Wuming to prioritize human lives over his reputation, aligning with Lu Lingfeng's stance.
Yingtao, conversely, agreed with Su Wuming, stating that the greedy noblewomen deserved their fate and he shouldn't compromise his principles for them, though Pei Xijun quickly interjected that human lives were paramount. When Xue Huan announced that Xing Ying, Minister of Justice, sought an audience, Su Wuming angrily refused, reiterating his rejection of the Administrator title and any "informal official" position.
Xue Huan's spirited defense of Su Wuming caused Xing Ying to reconsider his initial contempt, though he still ordered his subordinates to monitor the Administrator's Residence. Lu Lingfeng recognized Xing Ying as a former subordinate from the Imperial Guards, now a Minister of Justice in Dongdu, but declined to meet him, contemplating how he would explain his own current status.
Later, Su Wuming sought solace at Detective Di's Memorial Temple, reaffirming his master's teachings of integrity as a person and an official, and vowing never to accept an "informal official" post. There, he encountered Niu Su, a young beggar who lived in the temple and claimed to be Detective Di's last disciple.
After Su Wuming offered him some money, Niu Su, now convinced of Su Wuming’s connection to Detective Di, pleaded for guidance in solving the Face Flower case, as many locals had visited the temple seeking divine intervention for their dying family members. This plea, coupled with Yingtao finding him and recounting the tragic story of a poor girl who spent all her family’s money on the Face Flower only to suffer a gruesome death, made Su Wuming waver.
Yingtao implored him to set aside his personal principles for the greater good and investigate the case. Su Wuming agreed to investigate but firmly maintained his refusal to reside in the Administrator's Residence. Ignoring Lu Lingfeng's teasing about his stubbornness, Su Wuming, accompanied by Lu Lingfeng, set out to find an inn. After searching for a considerable time and rejecting several inns, including the "Gale Inn" and "Rosefinch Inn" for various symbolic reasons, they finally arrived at Paradise Inn.
Lu Lingfeng found the name ominous, but Su Wuming explained its auspicious meaning of "longevity." The landlady, Hu Shisi, enthusiastically welcomed them, openly flirting with Lu Lingfeng. She presented them with one large room, but when they requested two, she explained there was only one guest room available upstairs.
She then revealed that a room in the back courtyard could not be used because it contained the body of the Tocharian woman who had sold the Face Flower and had committed suicide by poison. Due to the taboo against moving bodies on the "Double Fifth," the corpse remained, despite Military Advisor Xing having locked the room.
Su Wuming acknowledged he had deliberately sought out Paradise Inn, hoping to uncover clues, but was surprised to find the culprit’s body still present. He also noted they had been discreetly followed by officials, likely sent by Xing Ying, who seemed more interested in their movements than in guarding the body. As night fell, Su Wuming instructed Lu Lingfeng to lower him from a window with a rope into the courtyard to examine the body and search the room.
He then ordered Lu Lingfeng to go and drink with Hu Shisi. Lu Lingfeng initially resisted but eventually agreed, while Su Wuming playfully teased him about Hu Shisi's obvious interest. Meanwhile, Xing Ying was informed of Su Wuming and Lu Lingfeng's departure from the Administrator's Residence and their subsequent arrival at Paradise Inn, prompting him to rush there with his men.
In the tavern, Hu Shisi continued to flirt with Lu Lingfeng, pouring him Gaochang wine and commenting on his "strong yangqi," as Lu Lingfeng observed the inn's peculiar patrons and sensed a pervasive "heavy yinqi."
