The Vendetta of An Episode 2 Recap
> The Vendetta of An Recap
Xie Huaian's sworn brother, Ziya, was left distraught after witnessing Zhou Mo's death. He struggled to understand the events until he opened a letter Xie Huaian had left for him. In the letter, Xie Huaian explained that Zhou Mo, having joined the Huben Army, was trapped in a life of servitude and could only achieve true freedom through death.
He also revealed that if Xie Huaian successfully reached the capital, the Huben Army would relentlessly pursue Zhou Mo, leaving him no escape from death. Therefore, Xie Huaian's action was, in his view, a way to save him by ensuring his ultimate freedom. Understanding this, Ziya acknowledged the dangers Xie Huaian now faced in Chang'an and hoped for his safety. Meanwhile, in Chang'an, heavy snow fell continuously as Xie Huaian arrived.
He observed Yang Xuan, the Vice Minister of Revenue, standing atop a city gate. After consuming several cups of wine, Yang Xuan recited a long, defiant poem, lamenting the state of the realm and the treacherous officials in power. He declared his intention to die as an old minister, defying the new emperor. With a final statement, he leaped from the gate, dying instantly.
Yang Xuan's student, Bai Guan, rushed to the scene upon hearing his recitations, only to witness her master's tragic fall. Weeping by his corpse, she was confronted by Imperial Guards. Their commander declared Yang Xuan a traitor and, seeing Bai Guan mourning him, accused her of being a traitor as well, ordering her immediate arrest. Xie Huaian, moved by Yang Xuan’s powerful verses, intervened.
He argued that Bai Guan's act of mourning in the bitter snow was commendable and demanded proof for the accusation of treason. The Imperial Guard commander, angered by Xie Huaian’s scholarly challenge, prepared to arrest him too. At that moment, Chancellor Gao appeared. He rebuked the Imperial Guard commander for his insolence and acknowledged Xie Huaian.
Before departing for the palace, Xie Huaian requested that the Imperial Guards not make things difficult for Bai Guan and the deceased, then left his umbrella to shield Yang Xuan's corpse from the snow. After retrieving her master's body, Bai Guan followed his final instructions.
Yang Xuan had confided in her that he was a member of the Huben Army and that his actions, including writing the seditious article and committing suicide, were commanded by them to ensure his family's safety. He urged her to go to a ruined temple east of the city, light a candle before the Buddha statue, and await a Huben guard.
He also warned her never to defy the Huben Army and to do whatever it took to survive for her family. At the ruined temple, Bai Guan met Qingyi of the Huben Army. Qingyi, aware that Bai Guan carried a dagger, easily disarmed her, asserting that such attempts were futile against the Huben Army.
He revealed that he knew she was corresponding with someone important, a person Huben had been hunting for over a decade, and pressed her for details about how they met. When Bai Guan claimed their meeting was by chance, Qingyi subtly threatened Mr. Yu, a kind colleague who worked with her at the Painting Academy, giving her one hour to reconsider.
Qingyi also revealed that he had intercepted one of her messengers, who had then committed suicide, cutting off the trail to the person she corresponded with. Inside the palace, Xie Huaian bowed before Xiao Wuyang, who stood holding a blood-stained sword, having just executed someone. Xiao Wuyang stated that people had recommended Xie Huaian, and he wished to personally assess his capabilities.
He presented Xie Huaian with a pile of imperial examination essays from the 11th year of the dynasty, one of which was Xiao Wuyang's own, and ordered him to identify it within the time it takes for one incense stick to burn. Xie Huaian swiftly identified the correct essay, doing so in about half that time.
When asked how he achieved this feat so quickly, Xie Huaian explained that he discerned regional writing styles, knowing Xiao Wuyang's early education came from Grand Secretary Bai Linian of Wuyue, which influenced his phrasing. He also recognized a specific sentence from a memorial he had previously purchased from the Memorials Office, where expired royal writings were sometimes sold. Xiao Wuyang, though impressed, declared this level of wit insufficient and demanded more.
Xie Huaian then revealed he knew he wasn’t the only one summoned or the first to successfully identify the essay, implying that an earlier successful candidate had been among the three killed by Xiao Wuyang during a recent assassination attempt involving only two assassins. Xiao Wuyang then explicitly stated his mission: to find Yan Fengshan of the Huben Army and the deposed emperor Xiao Wenjing, and bring him both their bodies.
Xie Huaian proposed a condition: he would find the deposed emperor, but Yan Fengshan must be his to kill, revealing his fifteen-year-long burning desire for vengeance against him. Xiao Wuyang initially questioned his audacity, but Xie Huaian clarified that if Xiao Wuyang truly valued the realm and the throne, Yan Fengshan, who had abducted Xiao Wuyang's brother, must be eliminated and kept from seizing imperial power.
Yan Fengshan, who had controlled the court for years and was even called "Emperor Yan" by the people, would surely attempt to retaliate after Xiao Wuyang reclaimed Chang'an. Convinced, Xiao Wuyang agreed, stating that if Xie Huaian succeeded, Yan Fengshan's head would be his, but if he failed, his own head would be forfeit. As Xie Huaian left the palace, he declined the offered carriage and asked the Daizhao Daren to walk with him.
He then revealed that he knew there was no Daizhao Daren with the surname Li among the Imperial Academy scholars allowed in the Inner Court, directly addressing him as Chancellor Gao. Chancellor Gao, impressed by Xie Huaian’s sharp intellect, admitted his identity. Xie Huaian explained he had deduced it from Chancellor Gao's proud demeanor when discussing the Dingtang Sword and the assassins, a level of pride not typically shown by an ordinary expectant official.
Chancellor Gao then acknowledged that he had indeed recommended Xie Huaian to the emperor, affirming his keen judgment, especially in contrast to others like Han Ziling, whom he considered merely a prose writer. Xie Huaian further demonstrated his astuteness by revealing that even the Imperial Guard commander who had harassed him earlier was one of Chancellor Gao’s men, implying Gao orchestrated their initial encounter to test him.
Chancellor Gao admitted this was true, remarking that discovering Xie Huaian was well worth enduring the freezing night. It was later mused that while Han Ziling was highly intelligent, Chancellor Gao’s selection of Xie Huaian meant something, acknowledging Chancellor Gao’s never-failing judgment. Distraught by Qingyi’s threat, Bai Guan immediately rushed to Mr. Yu’s residence. Upon seeing her, Mr. Yu was overcome with despair, repeatedly asking why she had come.
He explained that the Huben Army had explicitly stated that if she appeared that night, he would be ordered to die. Despite Bai Guan’s pleas, Mr. Yu accepted his tragic fate and committed suicide by stabbing himself. Later, Qingyi clarified to his subordinate that Mr. Yu’s death was necessary to instill profound fear in Bai Guan.
He intended to give her two days, confident that she would then write a letter seeking help, which would finally allow him to track down the person the Huben Army had been relentlessly hunting for over a decade. After his meeting, Xie Huaian returned to his old family home, the sight of which triggered a memory of his father tearfully urging him to flee years ago.
This ties into Xiao Wuyang's promise to help the 'Liu family' avenge their past grievances. He entered the house, softly proclaiming, "I have returned." In the basement, he found an injured subordinate, who confirmed that he had successfully completed Xie Huaian’s assigned task. Xie Huaian then proceeded further into the basement and bowed deeply before a man dressed in red robes, addressing him as "Your Majesty," revealing him to be the deposed emperor, Xiao Wenjing.
