Time Flies and You Are Here Episode 31 Recap
> Time Flies and You Are Here Recap
Zhao Xiaoqian married Xie Xiaoman, and a grand procession with a ten-li red dowry arrived at the Commandery Prince's mansion, filling the air with joy. Everyone rejoiced, and even Dengxin'er, Xie Xiaoman's maid, was happily drinking, celebrating Xie Xiaoman's second marriage. Shi Deng'er found Dengxin'er's tipsy remarks adorable. Yan Boyang and Zhong Ziyan diligently entertained guests, genuinely happy for their brother.
Xie Xiaoman's mother bid her farewell, urging her to take care of herself, while the wedding procession carried Xie Xiaoman into the mansion with blessings for everlasting health and happiness. On their wedding night, Zhao Xiaoqian sat apart from Xie Xiaoman. Xie Xiaoman, wanting to consummate their marriage, called him over. Though he lay beside her, he simply told her that since she was now his wife, she had nothing to fear and could do as she pleased.
He then excused himself, claiming to have matters to attend to, and went to take a cold bath. Shi Deng'er, witnessing Zhao Xiaoqian's unusual behavior on his wedding night, questioned Mr. Liangji, who merely shook his head without a word. The next morning, at court, Chancellor Xu sarcastically congratulated Zhao Xiaoqian on his promotion as Prefect of the Capital, expecting him to rise swiftly. Zhao Xiaoqian, maintaining a polite but indifferent expression, acknowledged the congratulations.
Chancellor Xu then questioned Zhao Xiaoqian's decision to forgo a marriage with the prestigious Shen family for a commoner, speculating that he was not interested in contending for the throne. Zhao Xiaoqian, however, revealed his true intentions, stating that his focus was on three major cases: the 200,000 piculs of military provisions at Baichuankou, Li Guangwen's bank, and the accounts of the Jingdong and Jingxi Roads.
When Chancellor Xu challenged him, asking if he feared uncovering uncomfortable truths, Zhao Xiaoqian fearlessly declared that he would investigate regardless of who was involved, and that his ultimate goal was to send Chancellor Xu to hell to pay respects to his ten thousand fallen brothers. Meanwhile, in the East Palace, the Emperor questioned the Crown Prince about flood governance, lamenting his lack of practical knowledge beyond rote memorization.
The Crown Prince suggested relocating civilians, but the Emperor scoffed at the massive costs and the potential for corruption. Empress Cao tried to intervene, but the Emperor, angered, confronted her about the corruption surrounding the Baichuankou and Jingdong and Jingxi Roads cases, accusing her and the Crown Prince of deceiving him. He further criticized the Crown Prince's ignorance, contrasting him with Zhao Xiaoqian's military achievements, and threatened to replace him as Crown Prince.
The Crown Prince retorted that the Emperor only cared about Zhao Xiaoqian, which sent the Emperor into a furious rage, causing him to collapse and faint. Seeing the Emperor unconscious, Empress Cao immediately dispatched a eunuch to inform Chancellor Xu. Upon receiving the news of the Emperor's coma and the Empress's concerns about the Crown Prince's position, Chancellor Xu resolved to eliminate Zhao Xiaoqian to secure the Crown Prince's ascension.
He discussed his plans with his confidants, and Shen Yan, who was present, secretly listened to their scheme. Chancellor Xu revealed that Zhao Xiaoqian, as Prefect of the Capital, was already investigating the corruption cases that implicated the Crown Prince and Chancellor Xu himself.
He stressed the urgency of their actions, stating they must rely on the Empress to handle matters within the palace, ultimately aiming for the Emperor's abdication and the Crown Prince's enthronement, with Chancellor Xu and his allies acting as Imperial Regents. Back at the mansion, Xie Xiaoman, following Dengxin'er's playful advice, attempted to seduce Zhao Xiaoqian by dressing up as a fox spirit. Zhao Xiaoqian, however, remained unresponsive, causing Xie Xiaoman to shyly retreat.
Later, realizing Zhao Xiaoqian was undertaking something significant and trying to protect her, Xie Xiaoman resolved not to let him push her away. She then brought him breakfast she had prepared, insisting he eat it, stating she only cooked for her husband. Zhong Ziyan updated Zhao Xiaoqian on their investigation, reporting that Li Guangwen had been located and was expected to arrive in the capital in two days, personally invited by Li Su.
However, with Xu Huan closely monitoring the city, Li Guangwen, being a former criminal, would have to sneak in. Zhong Ziyan volunteered to personally retrieve him, assuring Zhao Xiaoqian that with Li Guangwen's testimony and the gathered evidence, even the Emperor would have no choice but to act against Chancellor Xu. Soon after, Shen Yan secretly met with Zhao Xiaoqian, confirming the Emperor's unconscious state and Chancellor Xu's impending coup.
Shen Yan detailed Chancellor Xu's plan to deploy imperial guards to secure the city gates and trap Zhao Xiaoqian within the palace. He also revealed his father's willingness to help, provided his safety was guaranteed. Shen Yan outlined their plan to disguise themselves as imperial guards and enter through Wende Gate to reach Zichen Palace. He also informed Zhao Xiaoqian that Empress Cao was holding the Emperor captive in Kunning Palace.
Zhao Xiaoqian instructed Shen Yan to prioritize rescuing the Emperor first to leave Chancellor Xu no room for denial. Shen Yan also advised that their allies would wear yellow scarves on their left arms as identification. Acknowledging the impending life-or-death battle, Zhao Xiaoqian then instructed Zhong Ziyan to meet Li Guangwen outside the city the next day. Once Li Guangwen was secured, Zhong Ziyan was to lead the Su and Xie families to a prepared house outside the city.
He explicitly told Zhong Ziyan that if he did not return within three days, Zhong Ziyan should not wait but return directly to Wujiang Prefecture with everyone. Zhong Ziyan, however, staunchly refused, invoking his oath to die for his country and swearing to be Zhao Xiaoqian's vanguard. He insisted on joining Shen Yan to enter the palace. Unable to convince his loyal friend, Zhao Xiaoqian reluctantly agreed.
Before the families left, Xie Xiaoman pulled Zhao Xiaoqian aside, demanding to know the full truth. Zhao Xiaoqian confessed that he had returned to the capital to overthrow Chancellor Xu and avenge the ten thousand soldiers who died at Baichuankou due to lack of provisions. He warned her that the next day would be a fierce battle, and he might not return alive. Xie Xiaoman, recognizing his righteous cause, declared that she would not leave.
She refused to let him go, insisting that if she were to remarry, she would rather reincarnate as a wooden fish. Zhao Xiaoqian, touched by her unwavering commitment, spent the night with her. Before leaving, he told her that he would return to the city for the night, and if he did not come back by dawn, she should return to Wujiang Prefecture. Xie Xiaoman defiantly proclaimed that he would not be a man if he failed to return.
The next morning, Zhong Ziyan, transporting Li Guangwen in a carriage, was ambushed by guards. Zhong Ziyan quickly instructed Li Guangwen to alight at an upcoming junction while he drove the carriage to distract their pursuers. Meanwhile, at the morning court, the Crown Prince, acting as regent, entered. An imperial edict was announced, stating the Emperor was gravely ill and the Crown Prince would act as regent with Chancellor Xu as his aide.
Grand Secretariat Qin voiced his concern for the Emperor's health, but Chancellor Xu cut him off, stating that the matter of Commandery Prince of Julu must be dealt with first. Zhao Xiaoqian then made his grand entrance. Chancellor Xu immediately accused Zhao Xiaoqian of colluding with the enemy and causing the deaths of over ten thousand soldiers at Baichuankou. He then dramatically appealed to the Crown Prince to order Zhao Xiaoqian's execution, claiming Zhao Xiaoqian sought to usurp the throne.
Many officials echoed the plea for Zhao Xiaoqian's execution. At the same time, in Kunning Palace, Empress Cao confronted the now-awake Emperor. She held an edict of abdication, forcing him to cede the throne to the Crown Prince. The Emperor, realizing her scheme, accused her of a grand betrayal. When he threatened to refuse, Empress Cao arrogantly stated that she would "help" him approve it, reaching for his hand to force his mark on the document.
