Weaving a Tale of Love Episode 5 Recap
> Weaving a Tale of Love Recap
Kudi Liuli, appearing as a woman for the first time in eleven years, walked through the bustling streets of Chang'an, overwhelmed by the vibrant city's sights and sounds. She noticed a public notice on a pillar, stating that a lost package was being held by Pei Xingjian at the School of the Four Gates.
Seeking directions, she asked a flower vendor, who instructed her to walk straight through Chonghua Ward, past the West Market and the Ruyi Dyeing Shop, before turning east at the next intersection. The names Chonghua Ward and Ruyi Dyeing Shop resonated deeply within her. Unconsciously, Kudi Liuli found herself standing before the old Kudi family residence in Chonghua Ward. She thought about how eleven years had passed and wondered if her grandfather, Kudi Yenzhong, was well.
Kudi Yenzhong, upon seeing her, immediately recognized her but was visibly frightened. He spoke to her, urging her not to acknowledge him. He claimed she had mistaken him for someone else and advised her against seeking a reunion, stating that peace was a blessing and forcing the issue would only harm herself and others. Kudi Liuli, understanding the implications of revealing her identity, replied that after her mother's death, she had no relatives left and would not disturb unrelated people.
Just then, Shanhu, Kudi Yenzhong's wife, returned home and, unaware of Kudi Liuli's true identity, rudely dismissed her from their doorstep, accepting Kudi Yenzhong's quick lie that she was merely asking for directions. With a heavy heart, Kudi Liuli tearfully departed, feeling like an orphan with no true home. As she wandered, Kudi Liuli was overcome by a vivid hallucination of her mother, who promised to make her favorite osmanthus cake.
Regaining her composure, she followed her memories to the Ruyi Dyeing Shop. Inside, she immediately recognized a unique piece of fabric that her mother had woven. The shop owner, An Silang, who was her uncle, came out to greet her. He noted her "barbarian" features and was struck by her resemblance to his late sister. Kudi Liuli, recalling her grandfather's fear of implication, skillfully deflected his growing suspicion.
She praised the fabric as a rare gem, exquisitely crafted and practical, and attributed it to the legendary Master An, the "best embroiderer under heaven," who she claimed had a long history with the shop. Touched that someone still remembered his sister after eleven years, An Silang invited Kudi Liuli into the inner courtyard to see more of his sister's original designs. Stepping into the familiar courtyard, Kudi Liuli was flooded with poignant memories of her childhood.
She recalled her mother promising to embroider a wedding dress for her when she grew as tall as she was. Seeing the red lines marking her height on a pillar from years past, Kudi Liuli added a new mark, tears streaming down her face as she silently lamented, "Mom, you promised to embroider the wedding dress for me. Mom, why did you break your promise?" The embroiderer Ni, noticing Kudi Liuli's distress, asked what was wrong.
Fearing her identity would be exposed, Kudi Liuli quickly composed herself, claiming a sudden family emergency and promising to return another day. Ni, however, had already connected Kudi Liuli's tears and resemblance to Master An. She reported her suspicions to An Silang, who rushed out, calling "Liuli!" Kudi Liuli turned, and the two embraced in a tearful reunion. An Silang was overjoyed, noting how she had grown taller than her mother.
He insisted she come home, expressing deep regret for sending her to the Wu Mansion years ago, which had caused her so much suffering. Kudi Liuli, still cautious, agreed but made him promise not to reveal her true identity to anyone else. Back at the shop, Kudi Liuli recounted her difficult eleven years, crediting Weng and Shun for protecting and caring for her.
She then expressed her desire to travel to West State, her mother's hometown and a place her mother described as the most comfortable in the world. An Silang, concerned for her safety on such a perilous journey without an official passport, suggested she wait a month or two while he organized a caravan to escort her. In the meantime, he proposed she adopt the alias "Yuer" and work as a painter in his shop, living with Ni.
Ni, who greatly admired Master An, eagerly welcomed "Yuer," considering it a blessing to live and work with her. Kudi Liuli gladly accepted. In a private meeting, Li Zhi, disguised as "Ninth Master," met with Pei Xingjian. Li Zhi began by praising Pei Xingjian's poetic talent, especially the ingenious hidden message within his poem.
However, Li Zhi soon grew serious, confronting Pei Xingjian about his long poem satirizing the Tang imperial examination system, which he had openly displayed at the Drunken Fragrance Tower. Li Zhi warned him of potential official repercussions and asked if he feared punishment. Unperturbed, Pei Xingjian asserted that he wrote the poem precisely to provoke public discussion and involve the authorities, believing it would ultimately accelerate reform. He stated, "If the government intervenes, more people will pay attention.
In this way, the reform of the imperial examination can be promoted. If so, I would love it. Why should I be afraid?" He then elaborated on the system's flaws: the lack of anonymity in exams leading to bias influenced by candidates' reputations and family power, and the monopoly of elite families over universities. He proposed solutions such as concealing names on exam papers.
He also highlighted the disparity between the "Ming Classics" (Mingjing) examination, which merely required rote memorization, and the "Jinshi" examination, which tested talent and effort through poetry and political essays, advocating for the latter to be prioritized in reforms. Li Zhi, impressed, exclaimed "Good!" and proposed they drink heartily, "When drinking with a bosom friend, a thousand cups will still be too little. Today I will drink with you. No drunk, no home."
A pressing family emergency forced Li Zhi to cut short his meeting with Pei Xingjian, though he promised to resume their discussions in five days. Meanwhile, at the Wardrobe Service, Zhuo Jinniang fumed over Xiaodouzi's absence, two days past his reporting date. She sent Deng Qiniang to the Mortuary to investigate. Deng Qiniang returned with news that Xiaodouzi had fallen ill, argued with Sun Decheng, got drunk, and disappeared.
Sun Decheng and the Mortuary staff believed he had gone to the Wardrobe Service, while Zhuo Jinniang suspected Sun Decheng was deliberately withholding him. Sun Decheng, having successfully orchestrated Kudi Liuli's escape, inwardly vowed to stall for time, praying to Master An's spirit to bless Liuli with a safe, happy life away from the palace and to protect her from following her mother's tragic path.
The palace was in turmoil as Emperor Li Shimin's health rapidly declined, culminating in him coughing blood. Concubines and Cairen Wu gathered outside the Buddhist Hall, anxiously awaiting news. Chamberlain Gao informed them that the Emperor had been experiencing chest pain for days but forbade anyone to speak of it. The Crown Prince, Li Zhi, had been by his father's side constantly, and now Doctor Zong was treating His Majesty.
Prince Cao, Li Ming, arrived and questioned Chamberlain Gao about the palace rule stating that concubines without heirs would be sent to Ganye Temple after the Emperor's death, hinting that "man can conquer nature." Inside, Li Shimin, feigning strength, assured his concubines he was fine and merely did not wish to worry them. Li Ming then formally requested to stay and attend to the Emperor, offering to relieve the Crown Prince.
His mother, Cairen Wu, supported his plea, expressing concern for Li Zhi's overwork. However, Li Ming corrected her, stating his true concern was for the Emperor's safety. Li Zhi, puzzled by his brother's words, then looked on as the scene ended.
