The Legend of Mi Yue Episode 38 Recap
> The Legend of Mi Yue Recap
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Mr. Zhonghang and Fan Jia began circulating news of the Jade annulus, intending to inflate its price. Fan Jia expressed concern over potential complications, but Mr. Zhonghang reassured him, emphasizing that the ultimate buyer had to be Mi Yue. Their conversation was overheard by Yong Rui, who was observing from an upper floor. Yong Rui immediately dispatched someone to discreetly follow Mr. Zhonghang. Meanwhile, Zhang Yi, having recently returned from Yi Qu, spoke with Mi Yue.
He relayed that Mi Yue's adopted brother, Xiao Lang, was doing well but that Gongsun Yan was inciting Yi Qu against Qin. He expressed worry that Xiao Lang would be caught between the two if war broke out, and suggested that Dawang should bring him to Qin. Zhang Yi then brought up the matter of the Jade annulus.
He explained that years ago, when the Jade annulus was stolen from Zhaoyang's residence, he was unjustly accused due to his poverty, suffering great humiliation. Now, with some wealth, he wished to acquire the jade, not for its value, but to uncover the true thief and clear his name. He sought Mi Yue's help because his past entanglement with the jade would lead to public criticism if he bought it directly.
He reasoned that as a native of Chu, Mi Yue redeeming her national treasure would be seen as righteous. Zhang Yi had already prepared the necessary funds. Mi Yue, however, felt an ominous premonition about the jade's sudden appearance in Xianyang, but Zhang Yi dismissed her concerns, suggesting it might be an auspicious sign. Elsewhere, Wei Yan urged Mengzhao Shi to spread word that she intended to buy the Jade annulus.
Wei Yan claimed that since the jade was a Chu national treasure, Mengzhao Shi, by publicly stating her intention to redeem it, would display great loyalty and filial piety. This maneuver was designed to draw Wanghou, Mi Shu, into the bidding, as Mengzhao Shi expressed disinterest in approaching Wanghou directly due to their strained relationship. Mengzhao Shi reluctantly agreed to the plan.
Later, Jing Shi informed Mi Shu about the Jade annulus's appearance in Xianyang and Mengzhao Shi's supposed efforts to acquire it. Recalling how her elder brother had chastised her for not supporting Chu during a recent conflict, Mi Shu resolved to acquire the Jade annulus to please him, vowing to act swiftly to gain the upper hand. A rumor began circulating throughout the palace: "Whoever possesses the jade rules the world."
When a servant relayed this to Mi Shu, accusing Mi Yue of harboring ambitions to contend for power, Mi Shu was enraged. She dismissed the servant's words, stating that such talk could cause trouble, especially with Dawang still vigorous and the Crown Prince's position unsettled. However, the underlying implication that Mi Yue was vying for the throne fueled Mi Shu’s determination. She decided she would go to any lengths to outbid Mi Yue.
The competition for the Jade annulus quickly escalated. Mu Xin, representing Mi Yue, arrived at Fan Jia's establishment with 30,000 gold, prepared to buy the treasure. Moments later, Zhenzhu, sent by Wanghou Mi Shu, also arrived, demanding the Jade annulus. A heated dispute broke out between them. Before the conflict could escalate, Mu Supervisor arrived, bearing a decree from Dawang. He confiscated the Jade annulus and ordered both parties to pay 15,000 gold each.
The decree stipulated that the Jade annulus would be displayed one day at Mi Yue's residence and the next at Wanghou's, a decision intended to promote harmony within the palace. Later, as various concubines gathered to admire the newly acquired treasure, Wei Liang Ren praised the Jade annulus's flawless clarity. However, they soon discovered that the beautiful box containing the jade could not be opened, preventing a full appreciation of the artifact.
Mi Yue suggested that the box likely contained a complex mechanism, but its entry point remained elusive. She cautioned against using force, fearing damage to the precious jade and the intricate craftsmanship of the box, which might even contain a self-destruct mechanism if tampered with improperly. Later, Ying Si visited Mi Shu, who expressed her disappointment that the jade, though beautiful, remained inaccessible, likening it to "seeing flowers through a fog."
Ying Si subsequently proposed a challenge: whichever sister could unlock the mechanism of the box would become the sole owner of the Jade annulus, declaring that "jade finds its destined owner." Mi Shu, eager to win, instructed Yong Xiang Ling to summon skilled craftsmen and artisans from both within and outside the palace to help unlock the mechanism. However, their attempts proved fruitless.
Mi Shu grew frustrated, dismissing the craftsmen as greedy and lacking true insight, and even considered smashing the box to retrieve the jade, though she was advised against it. Concurrently, she tasked her servant Yuan Er with covertly observing Mi Yue’s activities, especially concerning any attempts to open the box. Meanwhile, Mi Yue visited Wei Liang Ren, who was suffering from back pain. Mi Yue shared a folk remedy involving a concoction of stone hanging orchid and eucommia tea.
During their conversation, Mi Yue brought up the renowned artisan Gongshu Ban and his ingenious mechanical creations. Wei Liang Ren recalled a type of hidden lock called "Lu Ban lock," made from intricate wooden pieces, which often took the form of animals or objects. She suggested that the Jade annulus's box might be a type of Lu Ban lock, implying its designer was likely a descendant of Gongshu Ban.
Wei Liang Ren further advised Mi Yue to consult ancient texts on strange phenomena, recommending not only "Zhuang Zi" and "Mozi" but, more importantly, the "crown of strange books," "Shan Hai Jing". Inspired, Mi Yue dedicated herself to studying these ancient scrolls for several days. After much effort, she discovered a description of a mythical creature that matched the nine-headed tiger depicted on the Jade annulus's box.
She identified it as the enlightened beast, also known as Jianwu in "Zhuang Zi", a celestial guardian of the nine gates of Kunlun heaven. Realizing that the beast's role was to guard sacred entrances, Mi Yue concluded that its presence on the box indicated its function as a guardian of the divine jade. Knowing the identity of the beast, Mi Yue felt confident that unlocking the box's mechanism would now be much easier.
Learning from Yuan Er that Mi Yue was studying "Shan Hai Jing", "Mozi", and "Zhuang Zi", Mi Shu immediately ordered those same books to be brought to her hall and instructed her own gathered craftsmen to study them in hopes of finding the solution.
