The Litchi Road Episode 27 Recap
> The Litchi Road Recap
Nine years ago, Shiqi Niang, a singing girl from Pingkang Fang, and Master Xue fell in love at first sight. The two wanted to escape, but were betrayed by their companion A Qiao. Madam Ding Tong'er sent people to catch Shiqi Niang and Master Xue back. Shiqi Niang knew there was no escape, so she advised Master Xue to forget her and marry a good girl. Master Xue refused to marry anyone but Shiqi Niang.
Shiqi Niang ordered Master Xue to be severely tortured. He would rather die than yield. Shiqi Niang swore to forget Master Xue and gave him the hairpin from her head as a memento. Only then did Madam Ding Tong'er agree to let Master Xue go. Master Xue swore that once he earned enough money, he would come to buy Shiqi Niang's freedom. Madam Ding Tong'er couldn't help but burst into laughter, advising Shiqi Niang to give up early.
Years ago, a man had said the same thing to her, but that man never appeared again. Madam Ding Tong'er had seen countless men who made solemn vows, but none of them came back to redeem the girl they loved. From that day on, Shiqi Niang completely gave up hope. She drowned her sorrows in wine all day long.
Hearing the sound of cicadas chirping outside, she couldn't help but recall the beautiful past of fishing with her father when she was little. Her companions advised her to forget the past. The day she was sold to Pingkang Fang, she was no longer the Shiqi Niang who listened to the summer night cicadas. Li Shande asked Shiqi Niang for help introducing him to the Right Chancellor.
Shiqi Niang flatly refused, even having people snatch away Li Shande's property deed and forcefully kicking him out. It was pouring rain. Li Shande picked up the Yulu Tuan pastries soaked in rain. He had originally intended to take them back for his daughter Li Xiuer to taste, but now they were crushed into pieces. Li Shande recalled all the hardships he had faced since returning to Chang'an. He was heartbroken and in unbearable pain.
Unlike other girls who tried every means to please their guests, Shiqi Niang always used every method to gather all sorts of information from guests, thus earning a considerable amount of money and establishing herself in Pingkang Fang. Shiqi Niang bought the house of the former top courtesan, Li Xiangxiang, which happened to have a view of the Right Chancellor's mansion.
Li Xinxin spent her entire life trying to attach herself to the Right Chancellor, but never achieved her wish until her death. Shiqi Niang knew why the Right Chancellor built his mansion in Pingkang Fang, because Pingkang Fang held unknown secrets. Yu Chengen deliberately had Shiqi Niang make things difficult for Li Shande and snatch his property deed.
This was to push Li Shande to the brink, so that when Yu Chengen gave him the approval document, Li Shande would surely be immensely grateful to Yu Chengen. Seeing that the time was right, Yu Chengen personally went to find Li Shande. Having nowhere else to go, Li Shande went to Leyouyuan alone and talked to the old peony. Yu Chengen came to find Li Shande, gave him the court approval document, and repeatedly apologized to him.
Li Shande was extremely excited and expressed his gratitude to Yu Chengen. Yu Chengen advised Li Shande to go see the Right Chancellor, as he was the key person for his lychee transportation to succeed. Yu Chengen also told him the Right Chancellor's whereabouts for the next day. The Right Chancellor held a high and influential position, and Li Shande was afraid to face him. A Mita encouraged him to be brave.
She also suggested that he hand over the transported lychees to the Right Chancellor, asking the Right Chancellor to give them to Consort Yang. Li Shande thanked A Mita for giving him advice. A Mita seized the opportunity to ask Li Shande to request a new identity for her in front of the Right Chancellor. She wanted to return to Lingnan so that He Youguang would not dare to lay a deadly hand on her. Li Shande readily agreed.
Early the next morning, Li Shande arrived at the Ministry of Justice early. He risked his life to block the Right Chancellor's path and submitted the memorial about transporting lychees. The Right Chancellor told him to leave quickly. Li Shande wanted to introduce the transportation plan in detail. The Right Chancellor dismissed the officials and asked Li Shande to speak slowly.
To make an example of him, the Right Chancellor had the guard on duty that day put on Li Shande's official robe to receive the punishment. Li Shande was worried he couldn't explain clearly and wanted to illustrate it on paper. The Right Chancellor asked him to draw it on the outer wall of the Ministry of Justice. Li Shande wrote and drew furiously, depicting the transportation route from Lingnan to Chang'an and the preservation method.
The Right Chancellor saw that he was dedicated and promised to help him. Li Shande seized the opportunity to propose that A Mita and Yu Chengen help with transporting the lychees. The Right Chancellor made an excuse that Yu Chengen had other matters and agreed to let A Mita assist him in transporting the lychees. One official raised questions in public.
He roughly calculated that transporting lychees from Lingnan to Chang'an would require enormous manpower and financial resources and suggested reporting to the Emperor first. Several officials also stepped forward to second the motion. The Right Chancellor asked for Li Shande's opinion. Li Shande first stated that this was his task, and he also knew that this matter was costly in labor and resources. If the Emperor could withdraw the order, he would naturally be delighted.
The Right Chancellor repeatedly claimed that transporting lychees was not just for Consort Yang's birthday celebration; it concerned the national strength, authority, and dignity of the Great Tang. The Right Chancellor was willing to bear the infamy to complete this matter for the Emperor. The Right Chancellor spoke convincingly, and Li Shande believed him. He guaranteed to transport the lychees back to Chang'an before the first day of the sixth month. The Right Chancellor gave him a silver plaque, reminding him to ensure this matter was handled well.
