Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty Ⅲ: To Changan Episode 6 Recap
> Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty Ⅲ: To Changan Recap
At Chengfo Temple, women's sorrowful wails pierced the night, terrifying the monks and causing their numbers and the temple's patronage to dwindle. Disciple Changqing, overcome with fear, pleaded with Abbot Guangxiao to invite an exorcist. Guangxiao, however, vehemently refused, asserting that no ghosts existed within the temple walls and attributing Changqing's fears to an "unsettled heart." Yet, even as he spoke, the cries intensified, multiplying as if from multiple women.
Despite the rising panic among his monks, with one even threatening to leave, Guangxiao led them to the Great Buddha Hall. Upon their entry and collective chanting, the cries abruptly ceased. A thorough search of the hall yielded no trace of any woman. A monk speculated that the sounds might emanate from a secret passage connected to the Ghost Market beneath the Great Buddha statue, but Abbot Guangxiao quickly dismissed the idea.
He explained that after Feng Han's rebellion, the government had sealed the passage with massive rocks, preventing any sounds from reaching the surface. He pointed to the cobweb-covered demon murals on the walls as proof of the Buddha's protective power, urging his monks to put their faith in it. No sooner had he finished speaking than the piercing cries resumed. Panicked, the monks fled, ignoring Guangxiao’s attempts to rally them.
Later, six friends gathered at Pei Xijun's residence for a celebratory banquet. Pei Xijun announced four reasons for joy: Fei Jishi's recovery, Lu Lingfeng's appointment as Yongzhou Judicial Official, Su Wuming's position as Criminal Investigation Scholar being confirmed by imperial decree, and Xue Huan becoming the youngest captain in the Tang Empire.
Fei Jishi, while acknowledging the first three, jokingly noted that Lu Lingfeng and Su Wuming, both former Vice Ministers of the Court of Judicial Review, were now holding seemingly "minor positions." Su Wuming promptly countered that an official's true purpose was to serve His Majesty and the people, regardless of rank. The group then engaged in a playful game of renaming the dishes poetically. Pei Xijun renamed a honey-sesame fried pastry "Fallen Flowers Scattered Like Stars."
Xue Huan named a transparent grilled shrimp "Cold Beacon Fire on Radiant Armor." Chu Yingtao renamed a cake "Auspicious Dragon and Phoenix in Crystal Delight." Fei Jishi, with less success, named a chicken dish "Pure Tangy Fragrance that Intoxicates the Heart," much to the others' amusement.
As the evening wore on, Su Wuming complained to Lu Lingfeng that Du Ming was being stingy, only willing to pay him 1,500 coins a month, despite the Princess Royal and Emperor's approval of his scholar position. He also noted that Chu Yingtao, who was being considered for a secret agent role, would receive 2,000 coins. Overhearing this, Chu Yingtao's spirits soared, relieved to have found a purpose and a place in Chang'an. She light-heartedly offered to support Su Wuming.
The next morning, Chu Yingtao and Pei Xijun, having discovered their mutual desire to visit a cosmetics shop, decided to go together. Unknown to Chu Yingtao, Su Wuming and Lu Lingfeng had deliberately staged the salary conversation. Lu Lingfeng later explained to Su Wuming that he did so to help Chu Yingtao, who had no family or friends in Chang'an, develop a sense of belonging, acknowledging her valuable assistance during their perilous journey.
Lu Lingfeng then shared his new initiative: moving the Judicial Official's court to various districts daily to address cases and grievances face-to-face, which he called the "Mobile Court." Su Wuming enthusiastically supported the idea, suggesting they transfer constables Jia, Luo, and Liu from Chang'an County to assist, revealing a surprising synchronicity in their thoughts. At the Meixiu Skincare Shop in Shengye District, renowned for its "Fairy Beauty Powder," customers were frustrated by a three-day wait for new stock.
The owner, Chi Ying, known for her fiery temper, sternly dismissed requests for her secret recipe, instructing her daughter, Wu Yang, to practice a "stern face" to deter such inquiries. The shop's landlord, Yu Gong, visited, returning overpaid rent while subtly proposing a partnership, which Chi Ying firmly rejected, stating she never partnered in business. Shortly after, Chu Yingtao and Pei Xijun arrived. When informed of the wait, Chu Yingtao playfully asked for the recipe.
Before Chi Ying could react, Zhang Kuang, owner of a local fish shop, barged in, falsely accusing the powder of causing pimples on his wife's face. He demanded the recipe or offered to buy the shop for 50,000 coins on the condition that Chi Ying and Wu Yang leave Chang'an. Chu Yingtao, witnessing his bullying, swiftly intervened, single-handedly subduing Zhang Kuang's men and forcing him to retreat.
Grateful, Chi Ying offered them her private stock of the powder, which Chu Yingtao insisted on purchasing. Wu Yang, touched by their kindness and admitting she had no friends, impulsively asked to befriend them. The two women readily agreed, and Wu Yang invited them to visit the Qu River, meeting at Chengfo Temple at 9 AM the next morning. Meanwhile, children in Chang'an were singing a popular new ballad about Empress Wu Zetian's rebirth.
The night watchwoman, Ling Yi, her face strikingly tattooed, angrily warned the children against such talk, threatening them with ghosts. A drunkard named Kuai Wu approached Ling Yi, attempting to flirt. Annoyed, Ling Yi cursed him, declaring that evil spirits would claim his life within seven "zhang". Kuai Wu scoffed, but as he stumbled towards a nearby well, he saw Empress Wu Zetian's face reflected in the water. Terrified, he pleaded for mercy, then tripped and fell into the well.
Briefly dismissing it as a drunken hallucination, he then slipped again and drowned. Chancellor Cui, aware of the circulating Empress Wu Zetian ballad, secretly orchestrated its wider spread. The Princess Royal, learning of Lu Lingfeng's innovative "Mobile Court" and impressed by his courage, decided to pay an incognito visit to Shengye District where the court was first established.
There, Lu Lingfeng, introduced by Su Wuming as the disciple of Master Di, publicly declared his commitment to solving cases directly with the people. As the crowd cheered, the children's ballad drifted near. Chancellor Cui seized the moment to explain its meaning to the Princess Royal, suggesting the people yearned for a strong female ruler like her to inherit Empress Wu's mantle, a clear hint at the throne.
Lu Lingfeng's unique approach was immediately put to the test as citizens approached him with everything from a lost goose to a husband frequenting entertainment districts. Demonstrating his dedication, he dispatched his constables to handle these seemingly minor issues. The new court's success, however, was cut short by news of a dead man found in a well. Lu Lingfeng and his team rushed to the scene.
Su Wuming, examining Kuai Wu's body, noted abrasions on his face and mud in his hair and fingernails, indicating drowning. However, the disturbed crime scene made it impossible to determine if it was suicide, an accident, or murder. He estimated the time of death to be after 11 PM. Xue Huan, anticipating such needs, had already summoned the owner of the local late-night eatery, staff, and Kuai Wu's distraught wife and child to identify the body.
At Chengfo Temple, Chu Yingtao and Pei Xijun waited for Wu Yang, but as 10 AM approached, she had not arrived. Abbot Guangxiao recognized Pei Xijun and, after a slight mix-up, Chu Yingtao, inviting them into the temple to offer incense. They politely declined, explaining they were waiting for a friend. Chu Yingtao grew impatient, threatening to end the new friendship if Wu Yang didn't arrive soon, while Pei Xijun suggested Wu Yang's mother might be strict. Unseen by them, two men watched closely from a hidden spot.
