Time Flies and You Are Here Episode 32 (Ending) Recap
> Time Flies and You Are Here Recap
Chancellor Xu Huan stood before the court, pressing the Crown Prince, Xiaoze, to order Zhao Xiaoqian’s execution, accusing him of coveting the throne and colluding with foreign enemies. Despite the growing pressure from the officials, Xiaoze hesitated, unable to bring himself to condemn his brother. Seeing Xiaoze’s indecision, Chancellor Xu Huan overstepped his authority and commanded his guards to arrest Zhao Xiaoqian. Zhao Xiaoqian, however, was prepared.
He stepped forward to impeach Chancellor Xu Huan, presenting a detailed appeal that accused him of embezzling military funds, colluding for personal gains, and harming loyal officials. He specifically mentioned corruption in Jingdong and Jingxi Roads and the theft of military provisions from Baichuankou. As his star witness, Li Guangwen, a former secretariat, was brought forth to confirm Xu Huan’s crimes.
Chancellor Xu Huan dismissed the accusations as slander and immediately ordered Li Guangwen’s seizure, then threatened Zhao Xiaoqian with execution for insubordination and treason. He revealed a captured Zhong Ziyan as a hostage, stating that if Zhao Xiaoqian did not comply, Zhong Ziyan would be executed. Zhong Ziyan, remembering his oath to serve as Zhao Xiaoqian’s vanguard, bravely urged him not to give in, recalling the countless brothers who starved to death at Baichuankou due to stolen provisions.
He implored Zhao Xiaoqian to fight for their justice. Ignoring Zhong Ziyan’s pleas, Chancellor Xu Huan ordered Zhao Xiaoqian’s immediate execution. In the ensuing struggle, an assassin ambushed Zhao Xiaoqian from behind. Zhong Ziyan, without hesitation, jumped in front of Zhao Xiaoqian, taking the fatal blow and collapsing to the ground, spitting blood. Zhao Xiaoqian cradled his dying friend, desperately calling for an imperial physician.
In his last moments, Zhong Ziyan spoke of his lifelong quest for justice due to the inherent unfairness in the world, believing his death in the imperial court would make him a martyr. He urged Zhao Xiaoqian to prioritize the state and Baichuankou. Enraged by Zhong Ziyan's death, Zhao Xiaoqian fiercely fought back, slaughtering Xu Huan's soldiers on the spot.
He then held his sword to Xu Huan’s throat, reciting the names of numerous soldiers who died because of Xu Huan’s greed. He formally requested the Crown Prince to launch a thorough investigation into Xu Huan. At this critical moment, the Emperor arrived, accompanied by Shen Yan, revealing his feigned illness and shocking everyone. He questioned the chaos in the court, indicating his full awareness of Xu Huan’s machinations.
Li Guangwen then presented a comprehensive confession detailing 146 specific crimes committed by Xu Huan, including corruption, embezzlement, and seizing state assets. The Emperor confronted Xu Huan, acknowledging his thirty years of service but declaring that even a single one of his crimes was enough to annihilate his entire clan. Xu Huan, with no recourse, confessed and begged for mercy. The Emperor, however, was resolute.
He ordered Xu Huan’s arrest, the confiscation of his property, and a full investigation into all his associates, tasking Chancellor Qin with overseeing the matter. Xu Huan was dragged away, his power crumbled. Meanwhile, the Emperor turned his attention to his wife, Qiongniang, the Empress, and their adopted son, Xiaoze. He expressed his heartache that his own family would conspire against him.
The Empress, attempting to shield Xiaoze, took full responsibility for all the crimes, claiming she was misled and that Xiaoze was an innocent party caught in her schemes. Xiaoze tried to defend her, but she sternly rebuffed him, saying she was not his biological mother. The Emperor, addressing Qiongniang, spoke of their long marriage and his decision not to execute her.
Instead, he banished her from the imperial palace to live a life of monastic cultivation, reflecting on her misdeeds, and declared that they would never meet again. She thanked him for his grace, and as she was led away, Xiaoze cried out for his mother. The Emperor then questioned Xiaoze’s hesitation to execute Zhao Xiaoqian earlier and his continued affection for the Empress despite her grave crimes.
Xiaoze stated that Zhao Xiaoqian was his elder brother, and the Empress, regardless of her actions, was still his mother. Seeing the genuine benevolence in Xiaoze’s heart, despite his weakness, the Emperor encouraged him to strengthen himself and govern with kindness and integrity for the welfare of the people. Zhao Xiaoqian later encountered Qiongniang as she was leaving the palace. She claimed he had won and avenged his deceased brother, asking if he was satisfied.
Zhao Xiaoqian clarified that his return was not for personal revenge, but to assist a wise ruler and ensure his loved ones lived in a peaceful and prosperous era. The Crown Prince, Xiaoze, then approached Zhao Xiaoqian, asking if the rumors of Zhao Xiaoqian viewing him as a rival and seeking to replace him were true. Zhao Xiaoqian reassured him, calling him his younger brother and promising never to harm him.
He advised Xiaoze to make his own righteous decisions, unswayed by external influences, to discern right from wrong, protect the good, and prevent evil. Zhao Xiaoqian subsequently reported to the Emperor that all his assigned tasks were complete: Xu Huan faced justice, his associates were arrested, and their properties confiscated. The Emperor noted that while the court was now clean, it was also depleted of talent. Zhao Xiaoqian suggested new imperial examinations to recruit capable individuals.
When asked what he desired for himself, Zhao Xiaoqian declined any official court positions, choosing instead to be stationed at Baichuankou to guard the borders. He expressed confidence that without Xu Huan’s negative influence, Xiaoze would mature into a capable ruler.
Before his departure, Zhao Xiaoqian requested two favors: a posthumous title for Zhong Ziyan and a noble title for Zhong Ziyan’s mother, and an imperial edict to officially name his concubine, Xie Xiaoman, the Commandery Princess Consort, so she could accompany him to Baichuankou for the rest of their lives. The Emperor granted both requests. The Emperor then asked Zhao Xiaoqian if he blamed him for past events and would no longer call him "father."
Zhao Xiaoqian maintained his formal address as a subject to both the Emperor and the Crown Prince, a response that visibly pained the Emperor. An imperial edict was subsequently issued, appointing Zhao Xiaoqian as Commander of the Palace Command and Military Commissioner of the Four Circuits of Guanxi, dispatching him to the borders. It posthumously granted Zhong Ziyan the title of Chengwulang and ordered his noble burial.
Xie Xiaoman was granted the title of Duchess of Wuguo and Commandery Princess Consort of Julu. Later, Zhao Xiaoqian sat alone on the palace steps, contemplating his loss. In his grief, he imagined Zhong Ziyan appearing beside him, reassuring him that he had no regrets about their journey together and urging him to return home, as Xie Xiaoman would be waiting.
Before leaving the capital, Zhao Xiaoqian, Xie Xiaoman, Yan Boyang, and Minggu visited Zhong Ziyan's tomb to bid him a final farewell. One year passed. In Wujiang Prefecture, Minggu and Yan Boyang were happily married and expecting their first child, diligently managing their family business, Su Chang Chi. At Baichuankou, Zhao Xiaoqian had embraced his role as a general, leading military drills.
He used the excuse of recuperating from a "sprained waist" due to excessive training to enjoy sweet moments with his Commandery Princess Consort, Xie Xiaoman. Their attendants, Shi Deng'er and Dengxin'er, often observed their affectionate interactions, with Shi Deng'er playfully commenting on Zhao Xiaoqian’s captivated state whenever he saw his wife, wishing for such a devoted man in her own next life. Zhao Xiaoqian and Xie Xiaoman lived a blissful life together at Baichuankou.
