Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty Ⅲ: To Changan Episode 23 Recap
> Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty Ⅲ: To Changan Recap
In the early morning as Su Wuming’s group pushes a cart towards Ruan’s Restaurant. Chu Yingtao, eager to arrive on time for the generous payment, urges Su Wuming to hurry, but he calmly states they are waiting for someone. Moments later, Lu Lingfeng appears from a street corner, dressed in plain clothes instead of his official uniform, and takes over pushing the cart, playfully noting that Su Wuming looked like he was about to break his back.
Fei Jishi observes this exchange with suspicion, hinting at a secret arrangement between Su Wuming and Lu Lingfeng. Lu Lingfeng, however, explains that he genuinely enjoys poetry and wishes to witness the grandeur of renowned poets like Gao Da and Wang Youbo. He also adds that he wants to spend more time with Pei Xijun.
Su Wuming cautions Lu Lingfeng not to neglect his duties as the Yongzhou Judicial Official, to which Lu Lingfeng cryptically replies that he is "bound by duties" and cannot elaborate, hinting at a deeper reason for his presence. Meanwhile, at Ruan’s Restaurant, owner Ruan Daxiong is meticulously preparing for the poetry gathering. He instructs his staff that only invited poets are permitted to use the main entrance, while all others, including himself, must enter through the rear door.
He firmly enforces this rule, even turning away two wealthy merchants who wish to dine, declaring that the restaurant is closed for the special event, though he invites them to return the next day for complimentary drinks. Manager Hou, the restaurant's manager, explains that Ruan Daxiong has a lifelong passion for poetry, often composing verses himself.
However, despite his efforts, his own "Chang'an Collection" was largely unsuccessful, with Ruan admitting that most copies were either repurchased by his own establishment or used as waste by a rival restaurant, fueling his deep admiration for truly accomplished poets. The Xuanhuo Troupe, led by Sai Mengchang, arrives late after an all-night performance at Linggao Post Station.
Sai Mengchang boasts about their diverse talents, including magic, puppetry, fire-breathing, music, and dance, proudly announcing a new addition: Nu Jiao, whom deputy leader Lang Yehu introduces as a former top courtesan from Chang'an known for her sword dancing. Ruan Daxiong initially expresses skepticism, but Lang Yehu clarifies that she is a "former" courtesan. As the troupe unloads their props and costumes, they are startled to discover a leopard kept in a cage in the backyard.
Ruan Daxiong quickly reassures everyone that the animal is tranquilized and poses no threat. Manager Hou welcomes the troupe, informing them of their month-long residency and offering assistance for any needs. Ruan Daxiong discreetly takes Sai Mengchang aside and offers him a gold ingot, asking him to ensure his own poems are sung during the event. Meanwhile, the restaurant employee, Alang, intercepts Su Wuming’s group at the main entrance.
Fei Jishi tries to assert their status, but Alang quickly identifies them as sushan makers, disparaging Fei Jishi as a "drunkard" and Su Wuming as merely a "scholar who kept failing imperial exams," while acknowledging Lu Lingfeng’s handsome appearance despite his perceived low status as a "cart pusher."
Although Fei Jishi is angered by the disrespect, Su Wuming calmly reminds him that they are not poets and must adhere to the host's rules, especially given the generous payment of ten times the usual rate. Convinced by the prospect of money, Fei Jishi reluctantly agrees, and they proceed to enter through the rear door.
Inside the kitchen, Pei Xijun describes the poets Wang Youbo and Gao Da to Chu Yingtao, praising Wang Youbo’s "extraordinary, handsome" presence and Gao Da’s image as a "humble, refined gentleman." With the sushan preparation underway, Su Wuming suggests that Lu Lingfeng, being a "cart-pushing laborer" unsuited for such "delicate" work, take a stroll. Lu Lingfeng, taking the advice, heads to the backyard and sees the caged leopard again, being briefly questioned by a staff member.
Meanwhile, Wang Youbo and Gao Da finally arrive at the restaurant, receiving an effusive welcome from Ruan Daxiong. Wang Youbo, acknowledging Ruan's generous hospitality, candidly admits he hadn't read Ruan's poems but is so impressed by his thoughtful hosting that he promises to immortalize Ruan in his own poetry collection with the title "A Playful Ode to Ruan Ninety-Eight, Owner of Ruan's Restaurant." This announcement fills Ruan Daxiong with immense joy.
As Ruan sends Alang to greet an eagerly anticipated third poet, Gao Da and Wang Youbo reveal their mutual friend is none other than Leng Ji. While exploring the backyard, Lu Lingfeng encounters his old friend, Leng Ji, a renowned scholar from Nanzhou, who is reciting a poem. Manager Hou, initially mistaking Leng Ji for a beggar due to his worn attire, is mortified upon realizing his identity and apologizes profusely.
Leng Ji, aware that Lu Lingfeng is the Yongzhou Judicial Official, expresses surprise at his presence in the restaurant. Lu Lingfeng, in turn, requests that Leng Ji maintain the secrecy of his identity for the time being. Leng Ji then attempts to introduce Lu Lingfeng to Gao Da, Wang Youbo, and Ruan Daxiong, referring to him as "Lu Wuming" and an old friend.
Ruan Daxiong, however, objects, stating that the banquet is exclusively for poets, and Lu Lingfeng, as a sushan shop servant, is not suitable to join. Despite Lu Lingfeng’s humble offer to withdraw, Leng Ji insists on his inclusion, revealing that Lu Lingfeng "used to be a poet." Ruan Daxiong challenges Lu Lingfeng to prove his literary knowledge.
Lu Lingfeng then engages him in a test of knowledge, citing famous poets before cleverly introducing the fictitious names "Yuan Wuyou" and "Cheng Zixu." Ruan Daxiong struggles to place these names, finally dismissing them as "vulgar." It is Wang Youbo and Gao Da who first grasp the playful pun, which references the idiom "zixu wuyou" (fictitious), prompting Leng Ji’s realization.
Impressed by Lu Lingfeng’s wit, Ruan Daxiong quickly apologizes for his previous rudeness and cordially invites Lu Lingfeng to take a seat, not wanting to appear to lack a "poet's grace." With everyone seated, Leng Ji, taking the seat of honor as the eldest, shares his recent feelings of stiflement in the "remote and desolate southern region," where his poetic inspiration felt limited.
He announces his intention to travel beyond Chang'an to the Western Region to witness its "lonely moon and yellow sand" and compose "sublime poetic pieces." Both Wang Youbo and Gao Da immediately express their eagerness to join this "heroic journey beyond the frontier." Gao Da, in particular, elaborates on his ambition to not only leave behind "great works for future generations" but also to "establish a legacy of achievement" by "joining the army" to defend the borders.
Lu Lingfeng expresses deep respect for Gao Da’s "uplifting remarks." Ruan Daxiong becomes visibly emotional, shedding tears of joy at the prospect of the "three greatest poets" embarking on such a grand endeavor from his restaurant. They all raise a toast to this shared ambition. Leng Ji then formally introduces Gao Da and Wang Youbo to Lu Lingfeng, reminiscing about their youth in Luoyang. In a separate room, the female performers of the Xuanhuo Troupe are preparing.
Sang'er offers to help Nu Jiao with her makeup, suggesting she remove her veil, but Nu Jiao politely declines, stating her past is "all in the past" and forgotten. Abi, another performer, asks Nu Jiao if she encountered many "officials, nobles, and romantic scholars like poets" during her time in singing halls. Baobao openly declares her preference for "handsome" men.
When Xiaopa teases Baobao about her attraction to men, Baobao retorts by accusing Xiaopa of having an affair with the troupe leader. Amidst the banter, Qilang, a male guard, eyes Baobao menacingly and threatens her if she refuses his advances that night. Su Wuming, accompanied by Pei Xijun and Chu Yingtao, enters the hall carrying the exquisitely prepared cherry sushan. Leng Ji, momentarily surprised by their presence, quickly regains his composure and maintains their cover.
Su Wuming greets Leng Ji, reminiscing about their past in Nanzhou and offering the sushan as a display of his newly acquired skill. The sushan is well-received, with Gao Da noting its Shazhou origin and suggesting they sample it there during their journey to the Western Region. Ruan Daxiong then proposes a poetry contest: the songstresses from the Xuanhuo Troupe will perform, singing the works of the poets present.
The poet whose verses are sung the most times will be declared the winner. After some initial hesitation from Wang Youbo, Leng Ji boldly accepts the challenge, as does Gao Da. The performances begin: Sang'er sings a poem by Wang Youbo, quickly earning him the first mark. Next, Abi sings a poem by Gao Da, followed by another performer singing another of Wang Youbo's works, increasing his lead. Xiaopa then performs, surprisingly singing a poem penned by Ruan Daxiong himself.
Ruan Daxiong is flattered, yet also embarrassed, and attempts to withdraw the point. As the contest progresses, Gao Da and Lu Lingfeng try to offer encouragement to Leng Ji, whose poems have yet to be sung, suggesting they simply haven't circulated in Chang'an. However, Wang Youbo, fueled by drink, interjects, sharply telling Lu Lingfeng he has "no right to speak up for him" and openly expresses his frustration to Leng Ji.
He reminds Leng Ji of their past glory in Luoyang, where they "had equal standing in the poetry circles," and laments Leng Ji’s decision to return to Nanzhou, which led to the "Four Poets of Nanzhou" becoming a "laughingstock." Wang Youbo emphatically declares that Leng Ji "lost something far more important than you could imagine." Deeply provoked, Leng Ji dismisses the previous performances as "crude," unworthy of his refined poetry.
He then dramatically vows that if none of his poems are sung during the event, he will "punish myself with three glasses of wine, stop writing poetry thereafter, and never compete with you lot again in the rest of my life." At this climactic moment, Nu Jiao makes her entrance, and despite her veiled face, Leng Ji immediately recognizes her, his emotions visibly stirred.
