Under the Power Episode 11 Recap, Plot

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While praying for a successful mission and enough silver to find her biological parents, Yuan Jinxia is overheard by Lu Yi. He questions if she is an orphan, to which she replies that it's not a secret, explaining how she got lost as a child, spent time in a brothel, and was later adopted by her current mother.

She then boldly asks Lu Yi to use the extensive intelligence network of the Embroidered Uniform Guards to help her locate her birth parents. Lu Yi initially states he cannot engage in personal work while on duty, but then ambiguously suggests that rules are man-made and can be changed.

A hopeful Yuan Jinxia presses him, but Lu Yi only says he will "see how I feel," leaving her to happily declare she will wait for him to be in a good mood to ask again. Inside the women's bathhouse, Yuan Jinxia joins two women from the troupe. One of them expresses admiration for Lu Yi, under his stage name Lu Shisan, praising his attractive appearance and talent. Yuan Jinxia playfully offers to act as a matchmaker.

Suddenly, a small stone, secretly thrown by Lu Yi from the adjacent men's bath, hits Yuan Jinxia, startling her. She quickly changes her tune, claiming that Lu Shisan might be difficult to "tame" and that she heard he already has someone in his heart. This only fuels the other women's suspicions, and they tease Yuan Jinxia, suggesting that "she" might be the one Lu Shisan loves.

Yuan Jinxia emphatically denies any such feelings, calling the idea "asking for death," but her strong reaction only convinces the other women she is trying to deter them. After bidding farewell to Sha Xiuzhu, Xie Xiao reveals to Shangguan Xi the true reason he decided to stay: Yuan Jinxia. He explains that as a child, Yuan Jinxia, whom he called "Prawn," protected him from bullies, leading him to secretly vow to grow strong enough to protect her in return.

He recounts feeling distressed seeing Lu Yi order her around and being moved when she injured her shoulder protecting him. Having reflected, Xie Xiao declares his decision to protect Yuan Jinxia for the rest of his life, a pronouncement that brings a look of deep sadness to Shangguan Xi's face. While Yuan Jinxia relaxes in the women's bath, Lu Yi waits outside.

He is approached by Changsheng, who asks if he has seen the troupe Master, a question that sparks Lu Yi's suspicion. Meanwhile, the Master confronts Yuan Jinxia in the bath, holding a blade to her neck. He accuses her of sneaking into his room, stealing a letter, and following him to Langyuan to take his orchids, demanding to know her true identity. Yuan Jinxia attempts to lie her way out, comically blaming her "naughty hand" for her actions.

Suddenly, Lu Yi intervenes, striking the Master down. Yuan Jinxia, realizing her state of undress, quickly covers herself, much to Lu Yi's amusement. When another woman enters the bath area to retrieve a brooch, Lu Yi swiftly covers the unconscious Master with his outer garment and pulls Yuan Jinxia into a close embrace in the spring, creating the illusion of intimacy. The woman, witnessing this, scolds Yuan Jinxia for having lied earlier about Lu Shisan having a sweetheart.

Once the woman leaves, Yuan Jinxia quickly disentangles herself from Lu Yi, and they share a charged moment, their eyes meeting. Lu Yi then playfully asks if she has "seen enough," prompting a flustered Yuan Jinxia to turn away. He tosses his jacket to her, instructing her to get dressed so they can attend to their duties. Lu Yi and Yuan Jinxia transport the troupe Master, Wu Jinhua, to Yangzhou prison for interrogation.

Initially defiant, Wu Jinhua claims ignorance regarding Yun Zheyue and demands evidence. Lu Yi confronts him with a note found in Yun Zheyue's puppet, which stated, "This is the last time I will be your replacement singer," and reveals he knows the Master's real name is Wu Jinhua, identifying him as Yun Zheyue's senior brother. Wu Jinhua then agrees to speak but denies murdering Yun Zheyue. He recounts their past as fellow disciples under the Chunxi Troupe's Old Master.

He explains that when the Old Master sought a successor, he discovered Yun Zheyue attempting to poison his tea, a betrayal that enraged him. In retaliation, Wu Jinhua admits to poisoning Yun Zheyue's throat, leaving him voiceless. However, Yun Zheyue later regained his ability to sing even better than before by using a replacement singer. Wu Jinhua expresses his resentment, having watched Yun Zheyue achieve fame with "The Best Perfume" while he remained in the background.

He notes that Yun Zheyue died strangely shortly after his rise to prominence, attributing it to retribution. When questioned about the mysterious phenomena at Langyuan, Wu Jinhua confesses to purchasing the Chunxi Troupe and having a fengshui master rearrange the building, hanging wind chimes to dispel spirits, as he was plagued by nightmares and a failing voice after Yun Zheyue's death.

However, this only exacerbated the issue, leading to nightly sounds of singing and visions of Yun Zheyue's demise during stormy weather, causing the troupe members to flee. Lu Yi, while appearing to agree to spare Wu Jinhua if his story holds true, privately expresses skepticism to Yuan Jinxia, dismissing the Master's claims as fantastical. He explains that the strange occurrences at Langyuan are likely natural phenomena intensified by thunder and lightning, not supernatural events.

He further observes that Wu Jinhua's soft hands prove he couldn't have been the one to kill with needles, though he acknowledges someone else could have carried out the act. Consequently, Lu Yi instructs Yuan Jinxia to re-interrogate Wu Jinhua for additional clues, while Cen Fu is tasked with investigating individuals in Yangzhou skilled in using needles. Xie Xiao boldly informs his father that he intends to marry Yuan Jinxia.

His father reacts with fury, reminding him of his long-standing engagement to Shangguan Xi, who diligently manages all affairs of the Wu'an Sect. Xie Xiao, however, is resolute, declaring that his decision is final and he came only to inform, not to seek approval. He even suggests entrusting all sect responsibilities to Shangguan Xi and leaving with Yuan Jinxia. He believes Shangguan Xi, who understands him better than anyone, will wish him happiness.

His father vehemently refuses, asserting that Shangguan Xi is the only daughter-in-law he will ever recognize, given her immense sacrifices for the sect. Despite Xie Xiao's argument that a forced marriage would harm both him and Shangguan Xi, his father remains unyielding and orders him out. Unbeknownst to them, Shangguan Xi stands just outside the door, heartbroken by the conversation. Meanwhile, Yuan Jinxia reflects on Lu Yi's insights about Langyuan, particularly his dismissals of spirits and man-made illusions.

She distinctly remembers hearing a child singing "The Best Perfume" there, prompting her to question the identity of this "fake spirit" and the child. Separately, Shangguan Xi recalls a perilous incident from their past when she and Xie Xiao were attacked in Gusu. Xie Xiao had risked his life to save her, a moment that cemented her resolve to protect him for life. Later, Xie Xiao approaches Shangguan Xi, asking her to accompany him to propose to Yuan Jinxia.

He explains his fear that Yuan Jinxia might be apprehensive about his prior engagement and hopes her presence will demonstrate the purely platonic nature of their relationship. Shangguan Xi, noting that Xie Xiao isn't heartless but has simply found his true love now that he has matured, agrees to help him. Yuan Jinxia bravely returns to Langyuan and hears a child singing "The Best Perfume."

She questions the child, who reveals that a "lady" taught him the song, which surprises Yuan Jinxia, as she had expected a man. When she attempts to press for more details, the child becomes frightened and cries. His mother quickly arrives, apologizing and explaining that her son, Xiao Bao, frequently wanders to this desolate place, and she doesn't know who taught him the song. She then admonishes Xiao Bao for playing in an "unclean" area.

Yuan Jinxia later shares her findings with Lu Yi. She proposes that if Wu Jinhua's testimony was true and the replacement singer remained hidden, their investigation might have been misdirected by focusing solely on a male suspect. She reveals that her research into the Chunxi Troupe's past shows only three women: an elderly kitchen worker and two students. While one student performed "The Best Perfume" with Yun Zheyue, the other student has no records, "as if this person never existed."

Lu Yi acknowledges her deduction, stating that while the identity of the killer and the mastermind isn't difficult to predict, the mastermind is currently untouchable. Despite this, he admits to knowing who the killer is but lacks concrete evidence. To draw out the culprit, Lu Yi suggests they stage another play, a theatrical act to "call the spirits out" and "draw the snake from its cave."

That night, Lu Yi hosts a gathering, inviting guests including Mr. Wei and Di Lanye, under the pretense of watching a new play he conceived. The stage is unusually decorated, and Lu Yi explains he wishes for their comments. Among the guests, Constable Yang attempts to engage a melancholic Shangguan Xi, offering her snacks and expressing concern for her well-being. However, Shangguan Xi remains visibly distressed, her attention fixed on the stage.

On stage, Yuan Jinxia and Xie Xiao, dressed as Taoist priests, begin a ritualistic performance. They appear to be waiting for an expected thunderstorm, noting the stillness despite the forecast. Lu Yi then informs Mr. Wei that he recently encountered a Taoist priest who demonstrated an "outstanding talent" for "calling the spirits out." As the ritual intensifies, thunder and lightning begin to flash. Yuan Jinxia and Xie Xiao chant an invocation for the dead to appear.

Suddenly, a melancholic voice begins to sing from backstage. A startled Mr. Wei demands to know who is singing, and the voice replies, "Yun Zheyue," shocking the audience, who wonder whether it is a person or a ghost.

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