Time Flies and You Are Here Episode 28 Recap
> Time Flies and You Are Here Recap
Zhong Ziyan informed Zhao Xiaoqian that, as they suspected, 300,000 piculs of provisions were destroyed in a fire, with 200,000 piculs being hay, and none of the escorting officials survived, leaving it an unsolved case. Grand Secretariat Qin in the capital is covertly investigating this matter. According to a letter, a year prior, His Majesty had inspected the accounts of Jingxi and Jingdong, discovering that funds meant for military salaries were used by officials to cover deficits.
Zhong Ziyan believed Grand Chancellor Xu was responsible for the treasuries' emptiness and that the Crown Prince was also involved. Zhao Xiaoqian remarked that the Crown Prince was too young to realize he was being manipulated and questioned why Empress Cao would idly watch the heir to the throne become a "pest." Zhong Ziyan explained that Grand Chancellor Xu implicated the Crown Prince for self-preservation, ensuring His Majesty would have no choice but to drop the investigation.
Zhao Xiaoqian then pondered what Grand Chancellor Xu would do if a different person held the title of Crown Prince. As Yan Boyang excitedly learned he ranked 233rd in the imperial examination, he rushed to find Minggu to share the news. He found Minggu and Xie Xiaoman fiercely confronting scholars who were spreading rumors about Zhao Xiaoqian, calling him an "evil spirit" and claiming he sacrificed over ten thousand soldiers for victory.
Xie Xiaoman adamantly defended Zhao Xiaoqian, telling the scholars they knew nothing and were spewing nonsense, leading to her being called a "feisty tramp." Yan Boyang intervened, stopping the fight and chasing the scholars away. Minggu, overjoyed by his success, embraced Yan Boyang. Later, Yan Boyang, Minggu, and Xie Xiaoman celebrated his achievement at a restaurant. Yan Boyang, proud to be a Jinshi, playfully hinted at wanting to marry Minggu. Minggu, however, told him to earn some money first.
Xie Xiaoman teased Minggu about her promise to marry Yan Boyang if he passed the exam. Minggu then advised Xie Xiaoman to stop defending General Zhao Xiaoqian in the streets, as he was now a high-ranking official who wouldn't be harmed by public opinion, but Xie Xiaoman was being called a "feisty tramp." When Minggu asked if Xie Xiaoman knew Zhao Xiaoqian was returning, Xie Xiaoman confirmed everyone at the academy was talking about it.
Minggu felt they had all "parted ways long time ago" with Zhao Xiaoqian. Minggu then told Xie Xiaoman that an old friend from Wujiang Prefecture was coming to the capital and invited her to her store the next night to pick out a garment. As Zhao Xiaoqian returned to the capital, a grand imperial escort drew large crowds, with people whispering and calling him "Living King Yama."
In the throng, Xie Xiaoman tried to call out to him but could not see his face, feeling a growing distance between them. In his carriage, Zhao Xiaoqian discussed the capital's situation with Zhong Ziyan. Zhong Ziyan reported that despite clear military fund embezzlement in Jingxi and Jingdong, no official problems had been detected, Xu Huan was rapidly gaining power, and Grand Secretariat Qin was isolated.
He mentioned Qin's regret over Zhao Xiaoqian's tarnished reputation from Baichuankou, and that rumors portraying Zhao Xiaoqian as an "aggressive warlord" and "reincarnation of evil" were rampant. Zhong Ziyan questioned if it was the right time to challenge Xu Huan, but Zhao Xiaoqian dismissed his concerns, stating he was "seeking fortune through risks."
Zhong Ziyan also informed him that Yan Boyang had passed the imperial examination and their friends knew of his return, prompting Zhao Xiaoqian to order the withdrawal of the spy from the Xie Family. At the imperial court, Grand Chancellor Xu and Shen Shidao exchanged passive-aggressive remarks regarding gifts for Zhao Xiaoqian before Zhao Xiaoqian arrived and greeted Xu curtly.
Presented as "Deputy Commander of the Four Routes of Guanxi, Commander of the Xiongjie Army," Zhao Xiaoqian bowed to His Majesty. His Majesty praised Zhao Xiaoqian for the victory at Baichuankou and promoted him to "Commander of the Pengri and Tianwu Armies of the Four Divisions and Commandery Prince of Julu." Zhao Xiaoqian, however, declined these honors, instead requesting to serve as the Imperial Grand Governor.
His Majesty, surprised, asked his motive, to which Zhao Xiaoqian claimed it was for "pride" as he was "bored of military positions." His Majesty reminded him of the over 10,000 casualties at Baichuankou and the public rumors, questioning how he could seek such a civil post, especially one reserved for the Crown Prince. Zhao Xiaoqian responded by quoting military strategy: "A commander either fights or defends. If they can't defend, they withdraw. If they can't withdraw, they flee.
And if they can't flee, they die. I couldn't withdraw or flee. My only option was to fight the enemy with our very lives." He then told His Majesty to take his time considering the request, as he could wait, before excusing himself. His Majesty observed that Zhao Xiaoqian had "indeed changed." Later, a eunuch informed Grand Chancellor Xu that His Majesty had not approved Zhao Xiaoqian's request for the Imperial Grand Governor position.
Xu's subordinates expressed concern about His Majesty's apparent favoritism towards Zhao Xiaoqian, but Xu remained calm, considering plans to cause trouble for him. Zhong Ziyan warned Zhao Xiaoqian that his actions in court had undoubtedly aroused suspicion, and Grand Chancellor Xu would soon make a move, urging him to be cautious. He also informed Zhao Xiaoqian about an invitation from Yan Boyang for a reunion, which Xie Xiaoman would also attend.
Zhong Ziyan advised that Grand Chancellor Xu was already monitoring them and was aware of Yan Boyang and Xie Xiaoman's presence in the capital, so their best course of action was to "act as usual," a sentiment Zhao Xiaoqian accepted. Later, Zhao Xiaoqian returned to Prince Pu's Mansion.
Upon seeing him, his mother, Princess Consort Pu, immediately admonished him for daring to request the Imperial Grand Governor position in court, fearing it would be perceived as him competing for the throne, risking his life. Zhao Xiaoqian, unfazed, sarcastically noted her quick access to information and asked if the Empress intended to poison him too.
He clarified that he was not there to argue but to offer incense to his deceased brother, stating that his own fate was determined the year his brother died. He defiantly suggested that his mother inform the Empress that if she failed to discipline the Crown Prince, then the matter of replacing the Crown Prince "will no longer be up to her." The next day, Xie Xiaoman, Yan Boyang, and Minggu prepared a meal for Zhao Xiaoqian and Zhong Ziyan.
Xie Xiaoman felt anxious, wondering if Zhao Xiaoqian still remembered her or their past at Yuyangli Village. Soon, Zhao Xiaoqian and Zhong Ziyan arrived. Yan Boyang expressed relief that Zhao Xiaoqian survived being shot by an arrow, and Zhao Xiaoqian, in turn, congratulated Yan Boyang on passing the imperial examination. After a toast, Zhao Xiaoqian inquired about Yan Boyang's family. Xie Xiaoman then cautiously asked about Zhao Xiaoqian's injury from Baichuankou, to which he coldly replied, "I'm fine."
Zhong Ziyan interjected, explaining that the injury wasn't severe but caused his knees to ache on rainy days due to the harsh cold in Baichuankou. Xie Xiaoman, concerned, urged him not to neglect it and asked if he had consulted a physician. Zhao Xiaoqian abruptly changed the topic, asking if Xie Xiaoman was married. He advised her not to delay finding a husband and offered to provide her with an endowment once she did.
Xie Xiaoman was deeply hurt by his words and demeanor. Suddenly, an old man burst into the room, crying out for Zhao Xiaoqian to "pay for my son's life." He vehemently accused Zhao Xiaoqian of being greedy for military merits and callously sacrificing soldiers' lives, leading to his son's death. Zhao Xiaoqian, unfazed, coldly challenged the old man: "If you're able to kill me, I'll pay for his life with mine."
As soldiers dragged the old man away, he continued to curse Zhao Xiaoqian as an "aggressive warlord" and the "reincarnation of evil." Disturbed by the incident, Zhao Xiaoqian abruptly left the gathering. Xie Xiaoman followed him, trying to understand his knee pain and offering her knowledge from Yuyangli Village. Zhao Xiaoqian cut her off, telling her to "stop bringing Yuyangli Village up" and reminding her that there were imperial physicians in the palace, so she needn't concern herself.
Xie Xiaoman, troubled by his coldness and the public rumors, asked why people were calling him an "aggressive warlord" and saying he "covets power." Zhao Xiaoqian dismissed her, stating that "no matter what you say behind my back, in public, you should address me as the Commandery Prince." He warned her that the capital was a complicated place and he had no time for "insignificant peasants" like her, advising her to "take care of yourself."
Hurt, Xie Xiaoman retorted that she would be cautious and did not need his concern. Later that night, in what turned out to be a dream, a drunk Xie Xiaoman lamented Zhao Xiaoqian's return as a high-ranking official, feeling ignored and foolish for still caring for him. She bitterly recalled being the one who left him first and scoffed at his offer of an endowment, confessing that she only wanted to see if he was dead.
Zhao Xiaoqian appeared before her, playfully admitting he visited her in a dream to avoid being hit by her during the day. Xie Xiaoman, overcome with emotion, furiously called him "terrible" and demanded he leave, insisting they should go their separate ways, their paths too narrow for both. She berated him as a "traitor," "heartless," "worse than animals," and a "scoundrel" for proposing to marry her off and offering an endowment.
Zhao Xiaoqian embraced her, tenderly calling her "my woman," assuring her that his pain was "ten times more" when he hurt her, and that he could never forget her. He provocatively challenged her to try and marry someone else, promising to "stop it no matter what" if she dared. He then gently told her to sleep and dream of him "openly taking you as my wife."
The next morning, Zhong Ziyan reported to Zhao Xiaoqian that their investigation confirmed the old man who caused the scene was planted by Grand Chancellor Xu. When asked about his next move, Zhao Xiaoqian declared, "I'm going to request His Majesty to betroth Shen Zhaowen to me tomorrow. The plan goes on." Meanwhile, Xie Xiaoman woke up, realizing her emotional confrontation with Zhao Xiaoqian was merely a dream.
Minggu excitedly informed her that an old friend from Wujiang Prefecture, Li Congwen, had arrived in the capital and urged her to go out with him. Xie Xiaoman and Li Congwen took a stroll, admiring the city's scenery. Li Congwen noted Xie Xiaoman's growth from an "odd job" to a teacher. He hinted that his return this time was "not only to teach," and offered her some rice cakes. He asked about her meeting with Zhao Xiaoqian.
Xie Xiaoman confessed her disbelief in the street rumors about Zhao Xiaoqian's character before his return, having always seen him as a "righteous man." However, she was deeply disturbed by his callous dismissal of the old man, seeing him treat others "like an ant," and wondered if three years can truly change a person so profoundly. Li Congwen encouraged her to seek answers directly from Zhao Xiaoqian, as she refused to believe what others told her.
In the imperial court, a minister raised concerns about the hefty cost of compensation for the nearly 10,000 casualties of Baichuankou. Another minister countered, emphasizing the importance of compensation to maintain troop morale and future willingness to fight. His Majesty then asked Zhao Xiaoqian for his opinion.
Zhao Xiaoqian deferred to His Majesty's judgment on the compensation, but then made a personal request: having passed the age of 20 and been granted a Commandery Prince's Mansion, he sought a Commandery Princess. He formally requested His Majesty's approval to marry Commandery Princess Rong'an, Shen Zhaowen, stating they "grew up together" and he "has deep feelings for her." The court was abuzz, with ministers calling his timing "ridiculous" for seeking marriage right after a major war.
His Majesty did not immediately approve and dismissed most of the court. In Kunning Palace, a eunuch reported to the Empress that Zhao Xiaoqian first sought the position of Imperial Grand Governor, and now had publicly proposed to Shen Zhaowen in court. The Empress was displeased, calling Zhao Xiaoqian arrogant after his victory and regretting not having eliminated him earlier. She instructed the eunuch to tell Grand Chancellor Xu to "deal with it himself."
The eunuch relayed Grand Chancellor Xu's warning that Zhao Xiaoqian was coveting the position of Imperial Grand Governor to replace the Crown Prince, and that he "must be annihilated." The Empress, now convinced of Zhao Xiaoqian's "daunting ambitions" and potential to cause "turmoil," agreed to "eliminate him." The scene concluded with Grand Chancellor Xu, in a separate moment, reflecting on his rise to power: "I keep no one who gets in my way."
