The Vendetta of An Episode 5 Recap
> The Vendetta of An Recap
Ye Zheng was on the verge of eliminating Liu Ziyan when Qingyi suddenly appeared, rescuing Liu Ziyan and allowing him to escape. Ye Zheng reported back to Xie Huaian, informing him that Liu Ziyan had fled into Hidden Soldier Alley. Xie Huaian explained that his father had secretly established Hidden Soldier Alley when the Huben Army was founded, using it as a network of hidden bases across Chang'an stocked with food and weaponry.
These bases could also provide travel passes for Huben Army members needing to retreat, and people nearby, if they found the Huben Army in danger, would actively help them evacuate. Ye Zheng offered to pursue Liu Ziyan into the alley, but Xie Huaian cautioned against it, explaining that Liu Ziyan was severely wounded and would not emerge for a while.
He stated that his true objective was to dismantle the entire Huben Army, particularly General Fengshan, and since there was no intelligence placing General Fengshan in Hidden Soldier Alley, a premature attack would be pointless and only alert them. Indeed, Qingyi brought the heavily wounded Liu Ziyan to Hidden Soldier Alley. At the entrance, an old guard recognized them but insisted on the general's rule that all entrants must pay gold. Qingyi complied.
Once inside, Qingyi gave Liu Ziyan pinellia and poria to treat his throat and urged him to rest. Liu Ziyan, weakened but lucid, revealed that the person behind the undertaker, Pu Nichuan, was his nephew, Liu Zhi (Liu Ziwen's son), who had returned to Chang'an seeking revenge for his father. Liu Ziyan warned Qingyi to be cautious, as the Liu family was not to be underestimated.
Qingyi, however, expressed confidence, stating that he had control over someone close to Liu Zhi. When Liu Ziyan questioned Qingyi's attempts to arrange his affairs, Qingyi reassured him that he merely wanted Liu Ziyan to recover while he handled the external matters. He further explained that General Fengshan needed the deposed emperor alive, and Liu Zhi's actions could jeopardize their grand plan.
Qingyi, admitting he was no match for Liu Ziyan in a direct fight, asserted his superior intellect in scheming, boasting that he had already brought someone close to Liu Zhi under his sway. Meanwhile, Xiao Wenjing, traumatized by the brutal events he had witnessed, prostrated himself before Xie Huaian, pledging eternal loyalty and service. Xie Huaian found Xiao Wenjing attempting to calm his mind by copying the Shanglin Ode, just as he did in the Grand Academy when upset.
Xie Huaian observed that Xiao Wenjing’s handwriting hadn't improved and, more importantly, a pageboy like him shouldn't be writing such things, as it could expose them if discovered. Instead, Xie Huaian instructed Xiao Wenjing to write a letter home, posing as his late pageboy, Mo, to reassure his family that he was well and business in the Capital was flourishing.
Xie Huaian then shared details about Mo's life: his wife Yanniang, a kind fisherwoman and excellent cook; their two children, Xiaoman, aged six, and Chudong, aged four; and their modest home and farmland in Huzhou. Xie Huaian lamented that Mo could have lived a simple, happy life, but Xiao Wenjing had ruined it all.
When Xiao Wenjing hesitantly asked where Mo was buried, Xie Huaian, his eyes tinged with sorrow but his voice cold, replied that he was unworthy of knowing. During a brief reprieve, Ye Zheng visited the seamstress with a limp. She jokingly remarked about his persistent staring, asking if it would cook their meal, and teasingly commented on him sitting silently.
Ye Zheng shared that Liu Ziyan was back and that he had severely wounded him with three cuts, though Liu Ziyan ultimately escaped. The seamstress, noticing Ye Zheng’s torn clothes and worrying about his safety, urged him to abandon his quest for revenge, offering her meager earnings as payment for his efforts that night. Ye Zheng assured her he was fine and that he would fulfill his promise.
The seamstress then recounted their first meeting: she, a young seamstress, had followed the skilled assassin Ye Zheng. When he asked her purpose, she presented him with all the silver she had saved over five years of needlework and a portrait of Liu Ziyan. She explained that her mother, also a seamstress, had delivered a cloak to Liu Ziyan's residence on a snowy winter solstice, only to be falsely accused of being a spy.
Liu Ziyan then had her mother hanged at their doorstep, and even her kneecaps were gouged out. Overcome with grief and a desire for vengeance, the seamstress hired Ye Zheng, knowing she couldn't fight Liu Ziyan herself. Ye Zheng, deeply moved by her tragic story and Liu Ziyan’s cruelty, declined payment, only asking her for a smile. Her tearful smile was all the payment he needed, stirring deep feelings within him.
Back in the present, Ye Zheng asked if her words about giving up revenge were out of pity for him, and reiterated that she had already paid for his service and he would fulfill his promise, telling her not to mention payment again. Meanwhile, Bai Wan, Xie Huaian's sister, went to the market. She subtly noticed she was being followed and that unfamiliar faces were monitoring her home.
Upon returning, she remembered an old agreement with her good friend Shen Xiaoqing, Xie Huaian’s junior sister and messenger: if she was ever in danger, she would fly a paper kite in her courtyard. At that moment, Shen Xiaoqing was on her way to visit Bai Wan but, seeing the suspicious men guarding the entrance, she abruptly turned back and rushed to Xie Huaian's hiding place to report the danger.
Unbeknownst to Shen Xiaoqing, Qingyi had orchestrated this, having his men secretly follow her, thereby discovering Xie Huaian's location. Qingyi had already infiltrated Bai Wan’s residence. Knowing about their kite signal, he immediately shot down the kite. Bai Wan remained calm, asserting that she held no value to him. Qingyi agreed, acknowledging she was merely bait. He revealed that he was after the person she had been writing to, confirming that Xie Huaian had returned to Chang'an.
Qingyi gloated that despite their clever tricks, Shen Xiaoqing, their "little messenger," had been under surveillance, and by visiting Xie Huaian’s hideout, she had unwittingly exposed his location. As Shen Xiaoqing reported Bai Wan’s peril, a commotion erupted outside Xie Huaian’s courtyard, confirming that Qingyi’s men had tracked her.
Realizing they were surrounded by the Huben Army, Xie Huaian, with quick thinking, ordered Ye Zheng to pour all the wine onto the walls and set it ablaze when the attackers breached the gates. With only Ye Zheng and Shen Xiaoqing capable of fighting there, and more enemies surging in despite the fire, Xie Huaian decided to ride swiftly to Bai Wan's rescue. He instructed Ye Zheng to fight their way out and rendezvous with Mr. Long.
When Xie Huaian arrived at Bai Wan’s residence, Qingyi, expecting him, smiled. Xie Huaian dismounted swiftly, sending his horse charging at Qingyi. As Qingyi skillfully dodged the horse, Xie Huaian and Bai Wan simultaneously stabbed him with daggers, both striking vital spots. The siblings exchanged a brief, knowing look. However, in that fleeting moment, Liu Ziyan, having launched a surprise attack, stabbed Xie Huaian in the neck. Bai Wan cried out in alarm as Xie Huaian, enduring the pain, urged her to flee.
