Under the Power Episode 38 Recap, Plot

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The butler informed Wu Shouxu that while Lu Yi returned his gifts, he did not send back Madam Si and Madam Lian, which Wu Shouxu interpreted as a sign that Lu Yi was not entirely unreceptive to his goodwill. Wu Shouxu then proceeded to inspect military provisions that had arrived from the Ministry of War, accompanied by Xu Zhihan. Meanwhile, Lu Yi summoned Yuan Jinxia, asking what she had learned from Madam Si and Madam Lian.

Yuan Jinxia explained that both women were indeed Wu Shouxu's, but their knowledge was limited to internal family squabbles, primarily about women competing for his favors. She revealed that Wu Shouxu’s true favorite was a man named Xu Zhihan, whom they admired greatly.

Yuan Jinxia also shared a significant detail: last Mid-Autumn Festival, Wu Shouxu was in such a good mood at a family feast that he promised to take his women to worship at Mount Putuo by the end of the year. Lu Yi immediately noted the timing, as Wang Zhi had been arrested in September of the previous year, and Mount Putuo was on an island, a dangerous journey due to rampant pirates.

Wu Shouxu’s confidence suggested he was certain of suppressing the pirates even before Wang Zhi’s capture. Connecting this to Wang Mazi’s earlier claim that Wu Shouxu had sent his adopted son to Zhoushan, where Mao Haifeng was also present, Lu Yi concluded that Wu Shouxu seemed to be colluding with the pirates. Yuan Jinxia then playfully asked if Madam Si and Madam Lian should be returned the next day, noting how interested they were in Lu Yi.

Lu Yi, amused, refused, stating it would be disrespectful to send them back so soon. As Yuan Jinxia grew increasingly jealous, Lu Yi deliberately provoked her by saying her face and figure couldn't compare to theirs. Enraged, Yuan Jinxia threatened to keep the women herself. Seeing her undeniable jealousy, Lu Yi pulled her into an embrace, and Yuan Jinxia, flustered, quickly left.

Shangguan Xi was visibly upset, her eyes red, after learning that the Master had ordered all laymen of Southern Shaolin to the coast to fight against the pirates. This command came at the request of Wu Shouxu, who sought reinforcements for the Jiangzhe region. Shangguan Xi expressed concern that Xie Xiao’s father would not approve of him going, especially since he had just returned.

However, Xie Xiao insisted on going, asserting that as a layman of Southern Shaolin Monastery, it was his duty to obey his master’s order and, as a man, to guard his home and defend the country. He promised to write a letter to his father immediately to inform him. They planned to depart the following day, but before leaving, Xie Xiao expressed his desire to say goodbye to Yuan Jinxia.

Meanwhile, Yan Shifan received intelligence that Wu Shouxu’s military strength would significantly increase with the Southern Shaolin reinforcements and the court-supplied army provisions for Yu Dayong’s troops. Yan Shifan decided not to help Mao Haifeng, stating that his cooperation with Mao Haifeng was purely for financial gain, and he would not go against his own people like Yu Dayong.

Yan Feng reported on his investigation into the Xia family’s granddaughter, revealing that after being abandoned by human traffickers, she was sent to a brothel. Yan Shifan ordered him to continue the search to find her before Lin Ling did. Later, Yuan Jinxia saw off Xie Xiao and Shangguan Xi.

Shangguan Xi, with a heavy heart, asked Yuan Jinxia to convey a message to Yang Yue: if she were to unluckily die on the coast, she hoped he would light incense for her at the Pure Brightness Festival, considering it an end to their affection. Xie Xiao found her words demoralizing, but Yuan Jinxia assured Shangguan Xi she would deliver the message. Xie Xiao then jokingly told Yuan Jinxia she would be responsible for his funeral if he didn't return.

Yuan Jinxia warned them to be careful, as pirates were crafty and swords had no eyes on the battlefield, wishing them a safe return. Yang Yue sat alone, looking dejected. Yuan Jinxia approached him and told him that Shangguan Xi and Xie Xiao would be leaving for the coast to fight pirates the next day. She then relayed Shangguan Xi’s message to him.

Yuan Jinxia added a poignant remark that if some people were not met now, they might never be seen again. Yang Yue sighed, reflecting on his past entanglement with Shangguan Xi and wondering what he had been doing these days, questioning if he had forgotten his promise to her. Dong Qisheng, having survived his fall from the cliff, was found by Di Lanye.

She proposed a mutually beneficial plan: Dong Qisheng should capture Lin Ling and offer her to his chief, Mao Haifeng, which would be considered a great merit. Dong Qisheng was curious as to why, and Di Lanye admitted that Lin Ling was her enemy, and she sought revenge. Dong Qisheng, in turn, proposed a condition: Di Lanye must destroy the new batch of army provisions that Wu Shouxu had received for Yu Dayong’s troops.

Di Lanye agreed to the division of labor. Later, under the cover of night, Di Lanye attempted to sneak into the army camp to destroy the provisions but was discovered by patrolling soldiers and forced to flee. The next morning, as Yuan Jinxia was about to eat breakfast, Lu Yi suddenly appeared, took her bun, and remade one for her.

Soon after, Wu Shouxu requested Lu Yi to investigate the destruction of the army provisions at the yamen storage, where more than half had been ruined overnight. Lu Yi and Yuan Jinxia went to the scene, noting the fusty smell. Yuan Jinxia found some powder, which Lu Yi suspected was the cause of the rice spoilage, and he ordered Cen Fu to investigate its origin.

Upon examining the body of a patrolman who had been knocked unconscious without visible injuries, Yuan Jinxia found a familiar silver needle, which Lu Yi identified as Di Lanye’s weapon. Yuan Jinxia was puzzled, wondering why Yan Shifan, being her superior, would order such an act, as Wu Shouxu’s defeat would harm the Yan family's reputation.

Lu Yi explained that it was a case of "dog-eat-dog," stemming from Liao Wenhua's attempt to trick the emperor, which led to the emperor's distrust in Yan Song. Yan Shifan, seeking to eliminate Liao Wenhua, was starting with Wu Shouxu. Still, Yuan Jinxia questioned the destructive method, as it seemed unlike Yan Shifan's usual style. Lu Yi then instructed Cen Fu to investigate whom Di Lanye had recently contacted. Shortly after, Wu Shouxu invited Lu Yi to his study.

In Wu Shouxu’s study, Lu Yi met Wu Shouxu and Xu Zhihan. Wu Shouxu was candid about his precarious situation, stating he had both internal and external troubles and could only be honest with Lu Yi to overcome them. Lu Yi subtly reminded him that regardless of the Yan family's power, the emperor ultimately ruled the country. Lu Yi then suggested that Wu Shouxu take Madam Si and Madam Lian back to his mansion, to avoid any potentially damaging gossip.

Wu Shouxu agreed. As Lu Yi was leaving, Xu Zhihan walked him to the gate and earnestly explained that his concern was not Wu Shouxu’s official post but the welfare of the Liangzhe region. He emphasized Wu Shouxu's extensive experience in training soldiers against pirates over many years, warning that his replacement would cause a large-scale upheaval in the army, setting back years of effort and prolonging the pirate menace.

Lu Yi understood Xu Zhihan's dedication to the people and promised to do his best. Lu Yi then asked Xu Zhihan why he had refused his father Lu Ting’s invitations in the past but agreed to serve Wu Shouxu. Xu Zhihan explained that as a native of Shaoxing, he could not stand idly by while his homeland suffered from pirates. Lu Yi expressed his admiration for Xu Zhihan’s selflessness.

Later, Yuan Jinxia voiced her concern to Lu Yi about Wu Shouxu's possible ulterior motives, but Lu Yi assured her he had everything under control. Lin Ling prepared to go to the herbal medicine shop and asked Yuan Jinxia to check on Yang Chengwan. She explained that Yang Yue had left without a word, causing Yang Chengwan to seclude himself in his room, refusing to open the door to anyone.

Yuan Jinxia immediately went to Yang Chengwan's room, finding him lamenting that Yang Yue couldn't bear setbacks and had changed drastically just from a facial injury. Yang Chengwan wondered if he had put too much pressure on Yang Yue since childhood. Yuan Jinxia candidly told him that Yang Yue actually disliked being a constable and only continued the work to avoid displeasing his father. She explained that Yang Yue found true happiness in the kitchen, cooking.

Yang Chengwan sighed, and Yuan Jinxia, with some persuasive words, managed to cheer him up, and they went to eat together. As Lin Ling was returning from the herbal shop, she was intercepted by men who claimed their master wished for her to treat a patient. When she refused, they forcibly abducted her. Mr. Beggar, worried after Lin Ling did not return from the herbal medicine shop, sought out Yuan Jinxia and Lu Yi.

He revealed that Yan Shifan had once captured Lin Ling in Yangzhou and was, in fact, responsible for the extermination of Lin Ling’s entire family, adding that Yan Shifan’s eye injury was also caused by Lin Ling. Lu Yi decided that he and Cen Fu would go to Yan Shifan's residence to probe, while Yuan Jinxia and Mr. Beggar would search the surrounding area.

Lin Ling was brought before Dong Qisheng, who informed her that he intended to present her, a highly skilled doctor, to his chief, Mao Haifeng, to gain favor. Meanwhile, Lu Yi arrived at Yan Shifan's place and asked if Lin Ling was currently his guest. Observing Yan Shifan’s genuinely surprised reaction, Lu Yi's suspicion regarding him eased considerably. Lu Yi then casually mentioned the destruction of General Yu’s army provisions and the hidden needle found at the scene.

Yan Shifan feigned ignorance. After Lu Yi departed, Yan Shifan angrily ordered Yan Feng to summon Di Lanye and to investigate who had dared to capture Lin Ling, referring to her as “my woman.” Yuan Jinxia and Mr. Beggar, distraught that the lead to Yan Shifan had gone cold, were at a loss. Yang Chengwan, however, advised them that now that Yan Shifan knew of Lin Ling’s disappearance, keeping a close watch on him might still provide a chance to find her.

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