Legend of Zang Hai Episode 25 Recap, Plot

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> Legend of Zang Hai Recap

Cao Jingxian and Xiang Antu joined forces to steal the Gui Seal from the Marquis’ residence. Cao Jingxian brought along Zhuang Zhifu, whose kneecaps he had broken, to threaten Zhuang Luyin. Zhuang Luyin was ready to fight Cao Jingxian to the death. Cao Jingxian injured his own arm and falsely accused Zhuang Luyin of attempting to kill him, then deliberately went out into the streets shouting. Cao Jingxian, playing the victim, accused Zhuang Luyin before the emperor.

The emperor summoned Feng Zhang and Lü Zongchang, who were present that night, to testify. Fearing to offend either Cao Jingxian or Zhuang Luyin, they lied, saying they had left early and only heard Cao Jingxian’s screams without witnessing the attack. Zhuang Luyin cried out in protest, accusing Cao Jingxian of framing him for treason and crippling Zhuang Zhifu. Cao Jingxian claimed Zhuang Zhifu had embezzled funds to secretly raise troops for Zhuang Luyin. Both sides stuck to their stories.

The emperor was momentarily unsure how to decide. He reprimanded both Cao Jingxian and Zhuang Luyin, temporarily suspended Cao Jingxian’s duties, and accepted Zhuang Luyin’s voluntary resignation, promising not to execute Zhuang Zhifu. Cao Jingxian was unwilling to let things go, but with no leverage, he had to temporarily swallow his anger. He ordered Lu Ran to search for Xiang Antu, but found nothing. Xiang Antu had been missing for two days.

The Eighth Young Master came to ask Zang Hai for news. Zang Hai claimed to know nothing. Two days ago, Xiang Antu had arranged to meet him, but he had to attend Zhuang Luyin’s birthday banquet and sent Guan Feng in his place. However, Guan Feng met Liu Chu instead. Zang Hai had spent the past two days at the Marquis' residence dealing with the conflict between Cao Jingxian and Zhuang Luyin and hadn’t gone to apologize to Xiang Antu.

The Eighth Young Master got no useful information and had to leave with his men. Zang Hai hid Xiang Antu in a secret underground chamber to recuperate and instructed Guan Feng to drug her with a muscle-weakening powder. He asked Liu Chu to help care for Xiang Antu. Zang Hai was convinced Xiang Antu was the murderer who destroyed his family. Xiang Antu protested with all her might.

Zang Hai was half-convinced but believed the matter was somehow connected to Dongxia. Xiang Antu offered to search for the third enemy together with Zang Hai, in the name of the Princess of Dongxia, but Zang Hai firmly refused. Zhuang Zhifu’s wound became infected, and his fever wouldn’t go down. He drifted between lucidity and delirium. Jiang Xiang was extremely worried and sent her maid to fetch a doctor, but the doctor was treating Zhuang Zhixing’s injuries.

Jiang Xiang was furious and forced the maid to bring the doctor to see Zhuang Zhifu. Zhuang Zhixing was gradually recovering. Zhuang Luyin encouraged him to participate in the military imperial examination and strive to become the top military scholar. Zhuang Zhixing lacked confidence, but Zhuang Luyin believed in him. Achieving official rank would help him gain a foothold at court and restore the Zhuang family.

Jiang Xiang, who overheard the conversation between father and son from outside, felt deeply resentful. The next morning, Zhuang Luyin went out early to build connections with the examiners of the military exam. Jiang Xiang learned of this and was furious. Zhuang Zhixing told Zang Hai about taking the exam, and Zang Hai asked Shi Lei to train him diligently. Half a month later, Zhuang Zhixing took the exam.

The first round was a policy essay; the second was a martial contest. Zhuang Zhixing advanced through each stage and made it to the final round, where he would compete with Fang Lei for the title of top military scholar. The final contest began. Zhuang Zhixing and Fang Lei competed in archery and horsemanship. Whoever found the brocade box hidden in the forest first would win.

Both galloped into the woods and split up at a fork in the path to search. Zhuang Zhixing rode deep into the forest and spotted the box from afar. He shot it down, but Fang Lei pinned it to the tree with an arrow. Zhuang Zhixing gave up the box voluntarily, but Fang Lei tried to kill him to silence him. Zhuang Zhixing dodged desperately and sneaked up behind Fang Lei. Fang Lei heard something and turned around.

They both released their arrows at the same time. Zhuang Zhixing was hit and injured. Fang Lei rushed forward to kill him, but Zhuang Zhixing threw a handful of dirt into his eyes. Fang Lei was temporarily blinded, and Zhuang Zhixing seized the opportunity to subdue him. Fang Lei admitted defeat. Zhuang Zhixing took the brocade box back and, living up to expectations, won the title of top military scholar.

Zhuang Luyin prepared a grand banquet at the Marquis’ residence to celebrate. Zang Hai was concerned that Zhuang Zhixing’s illegitimate status would be criticized. Zhuang Luyin decided to officially name Zhuang Zhixing as heir and move his mother Shen Wan’s tomb to the ancestral cemetery, adding her name to the family genealogy. When Jiang Xiang heard that Zhuang Zhixing had won the top rank, she looked at the crippled Zhuang Zhifu and was overcome with tears.

At the banquet in the Marquis' residence, civil and military officials came to offer congratulations and praised Zhuang Zhixing lavishly. Zhuang Zhixing humbly asked for their guidance and support. Zhuang Luyin gifted him the battle robe he had worn through many campaigns and placed high hopes on him. Zhuang Zhixing vowed to glorify the Zhuang family. Zhuang Luyin told him to meet him at the hour of the pig that night, as he had something important to tell him.

Zhuang Zhixing thanked Zang Hai, who believed it was all due to Zhuang Zhixing’s own efforts. Jiang Xiang went to the ancestral hall to pray for Zhuang Zhifu, hoping that the ancestors of the Zhuang family would bless him. She accidentally saw Shen Wan’s spirit tablet and flew into a rage.

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