The Moon Brightens for You Episode 11 Recap
> The Moon Brightens for You Recap
The Wulin Director, Lin Fang, and his entourage arrived in Cang Wu, where they were met with an immediate show of force by Cao Yang, the Housemaster of Yixuan, and Li Muzhong, the Housemaster of Green-Dragon. The two refused them entry to the inn, claiming it had been fully rented. Lin Fang, however, saw through their intimidation tactics. He decided to play along, taking Zhan Qinghong and Xiao Lan on a leisurely shopping trip for rouge.
He also discreetly tasked Wen You with contacting the local governor, suspecting collusion between the governor and the two hostile factions who had been causing trouble in Cang Wu. While strolling through the streets of Cang Wu, Lin Fang became the center of attention. He and Zhan Qinghong noticed they were being followed but maintained a facade of casual enjoyment. Lin Fang, demonstrating an unexpected knowledge of cosmetics, asked the shop owner for the finest "Ten Shades of Allure" rouge.
He then personally applied a shade called "Crimson" to Zhan Qinghong, gifting her the entire collection. This elaborate performance was intended to mislead Cao Yang and Li Muzhong, who were secretly observing. From a distance, they dismissed Lin Fang as a mere playboy and Zhan Qinghong as a frivolous girl preoccupied with makeup. They also noted Wen You, son of the Prince's assistant, was with them but scoffed at the idea of imperial power holding sway in Cang Wu.
Soon after, Gu Yue, having learned of Lin Fang's initial expulsion, chastised Cao Yang and Li Muzhong for their rashness. He instructed them to invite Lin Fang back to the inn, emphasizing that it would be easier to monitor and make a move against him if he were housed there.
Left with no alternative, Cao Yang and Li Muzhong humbly approached Lin Fang, expressing their apologies for not recognizing him and inviting him to a banquet at the Bihan restaurant as a gesture of goodwill. Lin Fang graciously accepted. Meanwhile, Wen You reported his findings: Cao Yang and Li Muzhong were indeed corrupt local tyrants, involved in various criminal activities, and the governor was complicit, accepting annual bribes from both factions.
Knowing the upcoming banquet was a trap, Lin Fang and his companions decided to "play along" to ensnare their enemies. Zhan Qinghong, excited, showed Wen You the numerous rouges Lin Fang had gifted her, explaining they were part of their ruse. She playfully tried to apply some to Wen You, leading to a lighthearted tussle that ended with them falling onto a bed. As Wen You leaned in closer, Xiao Lan burst into the room, startling them.
Wen You, visibly blushing, quickly excused himself. The night of the banquet arrived, and Lin Fang engaged in witty banter with Cao Yang and Li Muzhong. He then subtly introduced his plan to establish a sub-branch of the Wulin Alliance in Cang Wu, proposing that a highly respected local figure be appointed to oversee it.
This immediately sparked a rivalry between Cao Yang and Li Muzhong, both eager to secure the influential position, and they enthusiastically offered toasts to Lin Fang. Wen You, growing increasingly frustrated by Zhan Qinghong's ready acceptance of drinks, attempted to shield her. However, his efforts only led to both of them consuming more alcohol, eventually earning them a sharp reprimand from Lin Fang for their childish behavior. As they returned to the inn, the group was ambushed by assassins.
Zhan Qinghong valiantly protected Lin Fang, sustaining a wound in the process. The assassins proved to be formidable, but fortunately, General Xiahou Ying arrived just in time to fend them off, forcing the attackers to retreat. Back in the safety of their room, Xiahou Ying sternly rebuked Zhan Qinghong and Wen You for their recklessness at the banquet.
Lin Fang, however, defended them, suggesting that their impulsive actions had inadvertently helped to expose the true nature of the two local factions. Still, Xiahou Ying insisted they learn from their mistakes. Later, a concerned Wen You apologized to Zhan Qinghong for their earlier argument and offered her a precious "Ice-Skin Revitalizing Powder," a legendary medicine known for healing wounds and preventing scars.
Xiao Lan, recognizing the valuable medicine, shooed Wen You out of the room so she could help Zhan Qinghong apply it. Following the assassination attempt, both Cao Yang and Li Muzhong visited Lin Fang, each professing their innocence and offering bribes as a token of their concern. Lin Fang accepted their money, intending to use it to further sow discord between them.
To maintain their façade of carefree visitors, he instructed Zhan Qinghong to take the bribe money and go shopping. Zhan Qinghong happily planned to buy a new outfit for herself, a horse for Uncle Xiahou, and some snacks for Xiao Lan. She also intended to purchase a beautiful fan she had seen to give to Lin Fang. Wen You, upon hearing her plans, playfully demanded his own gift.
Zhan Qinghong teased him but, after some back-and-forth, she decided to bestow upon him a family heirloom: a jade pendant from her mother, carved with a fish motif. Xiao Lan, however, strongly objected, pointing out that a family heirloom was a significant gift for Wen You, while Lin Fang was only getting a mere fan.
Zhan Qinghong explained that it was Wen You's birthday and that the jade, a symbol of good fortune, was given to him because she felt joy and freedom when they were together and wished to explore the world with him. On Wen You's birthday, Zhan Qinghong, dressed in clothes he had previously gifted her, intended to give him the jade pendant after wishing him well.
However, when she entered Lin Fang's room, she found him, Wen You, and a young man named Qiu An in a secret discussion. Qiu An, the current headman of the prestigious Qiu family, was immediately captivated by Zhan Qinghong, dropping his wine cup in surprise. After the meeting, as Qiu An traveled back, he couldn't stop thinking about her, finding her "too adorable."
Overwhelmed by his newfound feelings, he abruptly halted his carriage and decided to return to the inn to confess to Zhan Qinghong. Meanwhile, Zhan Qinghong was in her room, diligently practicing how to present the jade and confess her feelings to Wen You.
Hearing approaching footsteps, she mistakenly assumed it was Wen You and, without looking up, passionately presented the jade and confessed her feelings, only to realize, to her great surprise, that she had just bared her heart to Qiu An.
