The Mystic Nine Episode 14 Recap
> The Mystic Nine Recap
Chenpi, imprisoned, endured severe torture under Lu Jianxun, who attempted to mislead him into believing Zhang Qishan had sinister motives. Despite the suffering, Chenpi remained resolute, clinging to the hope that Er Yue Hong and Zhang Qishan would return with the medicine to cure Ya Tou. He defiantly told Lu Jianxun that he knew nothing of any plots and accused Lu Jianxun of lying about Ya Tou's worsening condition.
Lu Jianxun, observing Chenpi's steadfastness, remarked on his youth yet strong will, and threatened him with charges of collaboration with the enemies and treason. Chenpi vehemently denied the accusations, vowing never to betray his master. Alone in his cell, Chenpi's thoughts turned to Ya Tou, imagining his master and Fo Ye finding the life-saving medicine. He resolved to survive to bring Ya Tou the honeyed glutinous rice he had promised her.
Meanwhile, on the train heading back to Changsha, Xin Yue, having insisted on accompanying Zhang Qishan, continued to assert her status, referring to herself as 'Madam' and Zhang Qishan as her husband, a claim rooted in him having lit three Sky Lanterns at the Xinyue Hotel. Er Yue Hong and Ya Tou, surprised to see Xin Yue, were pleased by her affection for Zhang Qishan.
Zhang Qishan had previously given Xin Yue his family heirloom, the Erxianghuan, in an attempt to get her to disembark, but with Ya Tou and Er Yue Hong's intervention and a private conversation with Ya Tou, Xin Yue resolved to stay with him. Zhang Qishan sensed a disturbance on the roof, anticipating trouble. He instructed his men to secure the rear while he moved to the front.
Er Yue Hong, also aware of the escalating danger, told Ba Ye to protect himself and Ya Tou if a fight broke out. As Xin Yue emerged from the restroom, she was accosted by Peng Sanbian, who had learned Zhang Qishan's group was on the train and had infiltrated it. Peng Sanbian expressed his satisfaction at their fateful encounter, mockingly asking if she was trying to kill her "husband" with her "fancy and useless moves."
Xin Yue fiercely resisted, reminding him he was not her husband and threatening that her father would kill him. Peng Sanbian retorted that they were already engaged and intended to "consummate their marriage today" to force her father's hand. Xin Yue's desperate cries for help, including calling out "Husband, save me," and the jingling of the Erxianghuan, alerted Zhang Qishan. Zhang Qishan arrived, engaging Peng Sanbian's henchmen in a fierce battle, impressively fighting against multiple opponents.
Peng Sanbian dragged Xin Yue into a cargo car, intending to assault her. Zhang Qishan, displaying exceptional agility, threw a knife that pierced the door, stopping Peng Sanbian's actions just in time. After rescuing Xin Yue, Zhang Qishan confronted Peng Sanbian, who, in his dying struggle, attempted to kill Zhang Qishan but was ultimately defeated and slain. Zhang Qishan confirmed Peng Sanbian's death, noting that it saved future trouble.
His men reported that the Japanese had allied with Peng Sanbian for the medicine and that other carriages had been infiltrated by Japanese assassins. As the train neared Changsha, Zhang Qishan assured everyone of their safety, though he sent his men to double-check. Ba Ye, however, grumbled about the trip, lamenting his wounds and lost savings while others, like Zhang Qishan, gained a wife. Upon their arrival in Changsha, Xin Yue followed Zhang Qishan to his mansion.
She immediately declared herself "Madam" to the servants, asserting her new status as Zhang Qishan's future wife and even ordering his guards to salute her. She cleverly observed the large Buddha statue, concluding that it was the reason for Zhang Qishan's nickname, Fo Ye. Though Xin Yue knew little about Zhang Qishan beyond his name and nickname, the two candidly shared some details, though Zhang Qishan concealed his family background and the matters of the Nine Gates.
Zhang Qishan learned that Lu Jianxun had seized Chenpi and ordered his men to locate him. When Zhang Qishan tried to arrange a guest room for Xin Yue, she refused, explaining that she was new to Changsha and only knew him. As his fiancée, she insisted on staying in his room. Zhang Qishan, still trying to clarify the misunderstanding from the auction, attempted to apologize for destroying her original engagement with Peng Sanbian.
He offered to explain everything to her father in Peking. However, Xin Yue argued that since Zhang Qishan had lit three Sky Lanterns, he was publicly recognized as her fiancé, and sending her away would deeply shame the Xinyue Hotel. She accused him of wanting to abandon her now that he had obtained the medicine and escaped the Japanese. Zhang Qishan insisted he would send her back in three days, calling her ungrateful.
A maid named Xiao Kui noted that no one had ever dared to speak to Fo Ye with such boldness as Xin Yue. Zhang Qishan's men reported that Chenpi was held in a remote prison for death row inmates. Zhang Qishan, infuriated, led his troops there to retrieve him. He found Chenpi severely beaten but unyielding. The guards told Zhang Qishan that Chenpi was suspected of treason.
Zhang Qishan immediately declared that he was taking Chenpi, warning the guards not to interfere. Lu Jianxun arrived, feigning concern for Zhang Qishan's health and justifying Chenpi's harsh interrogation by claiming concern for Changsha's safety and Chenpi's suspected treason. Zhang Qishan, however, dismissed the treason accusation, stating that he had only arrested Chenpi for minor dock dealings and was surprised by Lu Jianxun's personal interest in such a trivial matter.
With no concrete evidence from Lu Jianxun, Zhang Qishan departed with Chenpi, instructing his men to take Chenpi to a trusted hospital and keep him updated on his condition. Lu Jianxun, despite allowing Chenpi's release, saw the situation as a test of Zhang Qishan and grew suspicious of the relationship between Er Yue Hong and Chenpi.
Back at Er Yue Hong's mansion, Ya Tou, seemingly invigorated by the medicine, spent time tidying old clothes and expressing her desire to go shopping for new fabrics with Er Yue Hong. She assured him the medicine was working, and she felt better each day. Er Yue Hong, grateful for Jiu Ye's guidance in obtaining the medicine, sent a servant to invite Jiu Ye to his manor for lunch.
He welcomed Jiu Ye, expressing gratitude for his help on the Peking trip, and asked him to assess Ya Tou's recovery. Before Jiu Ye could conduct a thorough examination, Er Yue Hong was called away urgently to the opera. Left alone with Ya Tou, Jiu Ye discreetly examined her. He asked her about common symptoms of her illness, which she denied, insisting she felt well.
Although her spirits appeared improved, her physical condition and the blood she coughed up revealed the medicine's ineffectiveness. Jiu Ye gently confronted her, but Ya Tou insisted the medicine was working and that her current problems were temporary. She confessed her reluctance to disappoint Er Yue Hong, who had risked everything, including his life and fortune, to get the medicine. Jiu Ye acknowledged Er Yue Hong's deep love but urged Ya Tou to be realistic and consider alternative treatments.
Ya Tou, however, expressed resignation, believing that if such a precious medicine failed, there was no other hope. She only wished to spend her remaining days quietly by Er Yue Hong's side, as if everything were normal. Jiu Ye explained that while her love for Er Yue Hong was profound, she needed to consider the possibility of Er Yue Hong not wanting to live without her.
This thought visibly distressed Ya Tou, who affirmed that Er Yue Hong must live a long life. Jiu Ye then insisted that although he would not tell Er Yue Hong, Zhang Qishan, who had also sacrificed greatly for the medicine, deserved to know the truth. Ya Tou pleaded with Jiu Ye not to tell Zhang Qishan, fearing that Zhang Qishan, being so loyal, would then inform Er Yue Hong.
Jiu Ye explained that Zhang Qishan's efforts, initially motivated by the mine, had become a mission to save Er Yue Hong's life, showing his deep care and friendship for Er Yue Hong.
