Treasure at Dawn Episode 2 Recap
> Treasure at Dawn Recap
Fu Sheng's father expressed his long-held worries about his son's impetuous nature, which was why he had initially prevented him from practicing medicine independently. He cautioned Fu Sheng to temper his character and approach his medical practice with patience, reminding him that while illness is seen, human lives are on the line.
Despite his concerns, witnessing Fu Sheng's renowned medical skills, especially after he gained a reputation as one of the "four pests" for his life-saving efforts, his father finally relented. After testing Fu Sheng's keen senses with a challenge involving hairs under a cloth and receiving the correct answer, he permitted his son to undertake medical visits, advising him to always remember that "seasoned skills and a kind heart make the core of a physician."
As the investigation into the "Murder of Physicians" case continued, Fu Sheng asserted his right to participate. He argued that as the county clerk, autopsies fell within his duties; that filial piety demanded he find his father's killer; and most importantly, as a suspect, no one was more motivated to uncover the truth and clear his name. County Magistrate Yang granted Fu Sheng three days to prove his innocence but stipulated that someone must constantly oversee him.
Wen Jue, revealing herself as a Lord Envoy but preferring to be called by her name, immediately volunteered for this task, citing her own need for a skilled physician for her father's headache and an existing "unfinished business" with Fu Sheng. Gu Tian, eager to access Fu Sheng’s medicine box in search of a jade plate, also offered his assistance, suggesting Fu Sheng needed a "servant to carry the case."
Wen Jue, however, viewed Gu Tian's over-eagerness with suspicion, remarking that his intentions were likely not honorable. Gu Tian feigned an itch and separated from the group to further his secretive plans. Meanwhile, Ruan Changfeng's men continued their brutal search for the jade plate. They visited the residences of various physicians, where grieving families were mourning their deceased loved ones.
Unsuccessful in finding the plate, Ruan Changfeng heartlessly ordered the complete massacre of these families, stating that since they had seen his face, their lives were forfeit. Gu Tian's subordinates reported Ruan Changfeng's ruthless actions, including the murder of Physician Zhang's entire family and his current frantic search at Physician Liu's residence. Gu Tian rushed to Physician Liu's, only to find the family already brutally murdered. Witnessing the carnage, Gu Tian was filled with rage and despair.
Recognizing Ruan Changfeng's extreme cruelty, he ordered his brother to take their two younger brothers and hide them to ensure their safety. Realizing that the lives of all physicians' families in Shangyi hung in the balance, Gu Tian resolved to take preemptive action against Ruan Changfeng. Fu Sheng, back at his medical hall, discovered a peculiar odor emanating from a basin of medicinal herbs.
He learned from a worker named Liu Ji that his father and other physicians had collectively purchased a large batch of rare herbs at a low price from a merchant in the Eastern Market. However, the herbs' scent changed upon receipt, prompting Fu Sheng's father to gather other physicians to discuss whether their medicinal properties had altered and if they were still safe to use.
Liu Ji also mentioned the merchant's young master had recently been diagnosed and treated by Fu Sheng's father. Suspecting the herbs might have been poisoned, Liu Ji provided Fu Sheng with a sample, leading Fu Sheng to decide on an investigation at the Eastern Market. The following day, Fu Sheng, Wen Jue, and Gu Tian arrived at the Eastern Market. The young master of the merchant caravan explained that his medicinal herbs had been stolen by a group of bandits.
He recounted how, despite his numerous guards, the bandits displayed exceptional combat skills, were well-organized, and their leader wore heavy armor, suggesting they were no ordinary thieves. Gu Tian, recalling the local "four pests," speculated that Zhao Sihu might be involved due to his mounted bandit team. Following this lead, the trio waited on a road known to be frequented by bandits. The "bandits" soon appeared, and rather than negotiating, they immediately attacked.
During the fight, Gu Tian recognized their fighting style and the heavy armor, realizing they were Ruan Changfeng's disguised men. Just as the situation grew dire, the true bandit leader, Zhao Sihu, unexpectedly arrived with his own men, forcing Ruan Changfeng's forces to retreat quickly. Zhao Sihu, an old acquaintance of Fu Sheng, had rushed down from his mountain stronghold upon hearing Fu Sheng was in trouble. Seeing Fu Sheng safe, he was relieved.
Fu Sheng immediately provided acupuncture treatment for Zhao Sihu, and during their exchange, Zhao Sihu was informed that imposter bandits had been operating under his name, engaging in kidnapping and extortion. Outraged, Zhao Sihu ordered his men to seize the fake bandits for interrogation. Before departing, he had one of his men return Fu Sheng's father's medical book, which had apparently been left with him earlier.
As Zhao Sihu left, Gu Tian playfully noted that they now owed him a favor for his role in their rescue. Later, as Fu Sheng and Gu Tian shared a meal, Gu Tian urgently requested to borrow the "Bird Jade Plate." Fu Sheng, surprised that Gu Tian knew of its existence, questioned his motives. Before Fu Sheng could press for an answer, Ruan Changfeng dramatically entered the courtyard, demanding the jade plate.
He brazenly admitted to killing Fu Sheng's father and the other physicians and their families, asserting that these deaths were directly linked to the plate's significance. However, as Ruan Changfeng advanced, Fu Sheng used hidden needles from his medicine box, effectively stunning Ruan Changfeng's men and then Gu Tian, who appeared to be fighting with Fu Sheng. It was then revealed that this entire confrontation was a meticulously orchestrated plan.
Gu Tian had earlier confessed his true intentions to Fu Sheng and Wen Jue: he had initially sought to steal the jade plate after learning of a high reward offered by outsiders and recognizing the plate in Fu Sheng's possession. However, after witnessing Ruan Changfeng's horrific massacres for the plate, Gu Tian realized the gravity of the situation.
He feigned cooperation with Ruan Changfeng to protect innocent lives and had subsequently divulged Ruan's ruthless behavior and his true objective to Fu Sheng. They collaborated, setting a trap to capture Ruan Changfeng before he could leave Shangyi. Ruan Changfeng was then brought before the county office. He admitted to the murders and confirmed that the poisoned herbs, whose altered scent Fu Sheng had observed, were indeed the murder weapon.
However, before signing his confession, Ruan Changfeng produced a token from the Jibei King's Mansion. Upon seeing it, County Magistrate Yang immediately ordered Ruan's release, deferring to the powerful Jibei King and cautioning Wen Jue that her small state of Xichuan could not afford to offend such a formidable power. Fu Sheng, undeterred, boldly accused Ruan Changfeng of stealing poisoned herbs and orchestrating the caravan robberies to dispose of them.
Ruan Changfeng then presented the alleged "poison" to Fu Sheng, who, upon inspection, declared it non-toxic. Ruan Changfeng then clarified his true mission: for years, a mysterious organization had been plotting a rebellion in Jibei. A key figure, an immune physician residing in Shangyi, had stolen something vital from the Jibei Mansion. Ruan Changfeng's "poison" was actually a substance called Quexian, non-toxic to ordinary people but designed to activate a unique poison within the target's body.
He had intended to use it to lure out this specific physician, but he claimed the physician had preemptively poisoned the other doctors to "confuse the public" and hide himself. Fu Sheng realized that his father was the true target, explaining why his internal organs were less affected by the poison than the others, and why his father had gathered the physicians and shared ancient prescriptions before their deaths.
The revelation deepened the mystery, and Ruan Changfeng's subordinate confirmed that his father's actions were ultimately tied to the "Bird Jade Plate" in Fu Sheng's possession. Fu Sheng, seeking further clarity, requested an autopsy of his father. Ruan Changfeng granted it but instructed County Magistrate Yang to keep a close watch on Fu Sheng to prevent him from escaping with the precious item.
County Magistrate Yang, attempting to prevent Ruan Changfeng from taking Fu Sheng away, tried to argue that Fu Sheng was a local citizen and the case remained unresolved. Ruan Changfeng, with a sharp glance, silenced him, implying knowledge of the magistrate's ill-gotten wealth. Panicked, Yang quickly offered Ruan Changfeng large amounts of gold and silver. As an act of friendship, he then offered Ruan Changfeng a cup of tea.
Ruan Changfeng accepted, but upon drinking it, he suddenly collapsed and died, poisoned. County Magistrate Yang, revealing his sinister true colors, declared himself the rightful "king" of this place, vowing to cut off the life of anyone who dared to threaten his source of wealth. In the midst of this chaos, a servant urgently reported that County Magistrate Yang's wife, who had undergone a C-section by Fu Sheng, had not recovered from a high fever and was now unconscious.
The servant revealed that pus and blood were oozing from the incision site and suggested that "Crazy Fu" might be responsible. Enraged by this new development, County Magistrate Yang, forgetting his previous gratitude, accused Fu Sheng of attempting to murder his wife and vowed retribution.
