Legend of Zang Hai Episode 20 Recap, Plot

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> Legend of Zang Hai Recap

Zang Hai first sent a visiting card to Prince Yongrong. The next day, he braved the rain to visit the prince’s residence. A long line of officials waiting for an audience had already formed, but one by one, they left in disappointment. Prince Yongrong had someone collect Zang Hai’s birth date and eight-character horoscope, then sent the Court of Imperial Banquets Assistant, Shen Yong, to fetch him. The waiting officials whispered among themselves.

Zang Hai followed Shen Yong to the front hall. Prince Yongrong, having heard about his deeds at the imperial mausoleum, thought he must be a fierce and terrifying figure. To his surprise, Zang Hai was handsome and refined, with a remarkably favorable fate. Prince Yongrong suspected someone had tampered with his birth data. Zang Hai hurried to explain that he was just an ordinary man.

He presented a set of Zhenyou Tongbao ancient coins as a gift, which Prince Yongrong liked, though he questioned Zang Hai’s true intentions. Zang Hai didn’t want to follow in Chu Huaiming’s footsteps—he only sought Prince Yongrong’s protection. The prince offered him guidance on the spot and gave the ancient coins to Shen Yong. Shen Yong claimed Zang Hai was a friend and accepted the gift, though he didn’t understand its value. He asked Prince Yongrong to authenticate the coins.

Prince Yongrong then gave Shen Yong a string of prayer beads, explicitly stating it was an exchange, not a bribe. He invited Shen Yong and Zang Hai to a banquet at Zhenlou and told Shen Yong to provide Zang Hai with formal attire suitable for duty. Shen Yong took Zang Hai to the banquet at Zhenlou and introduced him to the officials from various regions.

Prince Yongrong soon arrived and ceremoniously introduced Zang Hai to the guests, who all tried to curry favor with him. Being the emperor’s younger brother, Prince Yongrong asked the officials to do their utmost to assist the emperor. Prince Yongrong believed the position of Director of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau was unlucky. Kuai Duo had died unexpectedly, and Chu Huaiming had also perished in an accident. He advised Zang Hai to change posts, but Zang Hai deflected.

Curious, he inquired about Kuai Duo’s death. Prince Yongrong explained that Kuai Duo’s entire family had been killed by bandits. Zang Hai suspected they were murdered by enemies. Prince Yongrong didn’t want to discuss it further, but Zang Hai pressed on. Someone recalled that Minister of Revenue Zhao Bingwen had once submitted a memorial urging the emperor to severely punish bandits, and shortly after, the bandits were eradicated.

Not wanting to dampen the mood, Prince Yongrong changed the subject, and Zang Hai fell silent. Prince Yongrong urged Shen Yong to bring out the courtesan to perform. The girls appeared, beautifully dressed, their faces veiled with only their eyes showing. They sang and danced, mesmerizing Prince Yongrong and the officials. After the performance, the lead dancer presented Prince Yongrong with a jar of Zhenlou’s mulberry wine.

The prince suggested a treasure competition, where the winner would be rewarded with a cup of the wine. Zang Hai learned from Shen Yong that Prince Yongrong liked to appraise treasures during night banquets. Any item he fancied, he would keep and then reward the donor with a lavish gift. Someone offered the hat worn by a Yin soldier.

Prince Yongrong was curious about its origin, and Zang Hai stepped forward to explain that the Yin soldiers were summoned by a specific object. The prince was shocked to hear it was the Gui Seal, the very artifact that had caused his father’s death. Prince Yongrong took out the ancient coin set Zang Hai had given him, showering it with praise and declaring he would reward Zang Hai.

The lead dancer offered Zang Hai a cup of mulberry wine, wishing him success in his official career. Zang Hai realized the dancer was Xiang Antu. He downed the wine in one gulp, which made him cough violently. Prince Yongrong couldn't help teasing him. The prince soon got drunk and left early. Xiang Antu poured wine for Zang Hai and asked him to return the Zhesan coin. Just as Zang Hai was about to explain, she had already left.

When he tried to follow, Shen Yong arrived to drink with him, so he had to sit back down. Shen Yong revealed that he had given Prince Yongrong a sobering pill, and the prince would wake soon. Zang Hai's heart skipped a beat. Xiang Antu sneaked into Prince Yongrong’s quarters, calling out to him several times, curious about the Gui Seal. The prince was dead drunk. She secretly took the Zhesan coin, but unexpectedly, the prince woke and stopped her.

Zang Hai arrived just in time to defuse the situation. He grabbed the coin from Xiang Antu and handed it to the prince, claiming the coin had been left behind on the table. Prince Yongrong believed him, and Zang Hai used the opportunity to send Xiang Antu away. Just as Zang Hai was about to leave, the prince called him back, saying he vaguely remembered a woman whispering something in his ear.

Zang Hai didn’t know how to respond, but luckily, Liu Chu arrived in time. She wanted to surprise the prince and presented her newly learned dance. The prince introduced her to Zang Hai, and Liu Chu pretended not to know him. Zang Hai, unable to handle alcohol, soon became drunk. He returned home in his carriage late at night, only to find Liu Chu inside.

Zang Hai suspected that Prince Yongrong was the third enemy, but Liu Chu thought it impossible. On the night Zang Hai’s family was murdered, Prince Yongrong had been hosting a night banquet on a pleasure boat and only docked at dawn. He was the first to see the flames in the sky, leading to the discovery of Kuai Duo’s family massacre.

Gao Ming had informed Liu Chu in advance, and she had arrived at Zhenlou just in time to help Zang Hai. The next morning, Gao Ming brought porridge to Zang Hai. Zang Hai eliminated Prince Yongrong from suspicion and decided to pursue a lead through Zhao Bingwen.

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