Episode 23 recap: Xie Wei and Zhang Zhe were negotiating.
Jiang Xue Ning was administering medicine to Zhang Zhe when Xie Wei suddenly walked in. He informed Zhang Zhe that he had submitted a petition to the court, requesting recognition for Zhang Zhe's achievements. Xie Wei also reported to the emperor about the Duke Dingguo's desertion during the battle and hoped that Zhang Zhe could serve as a witness. However, Zhang Zhe clearly told Xie Wei that all of this was orchestrated by Xie Wei, even stating that he himself was just a pawn in Xie Wei's game. He questioned whether the person standing before him was truly the imperial tutor or someone with a different agenda. Xie Wei then asked Jiang Xue Ning to leave, allowing him and Zhang Zhe to have a private conversation.
Upon seeing Jiang Xue Ning's reluctance to leave, Xie Wei warned her that he couldn't guarantee what she might witness if she refused. Zhang Zhe reassured Jiang Xue Ning and urged her to trust him, prompting her to reluctantly depart.
Once Jiang Xue Ning had left, Xie Wei encouraged Zhang Zhe to ask any questions he had. Zhang Zhe candidly revealed the truth about Xiao Bao and the impersonation of Xue Dingfei, demanding an explanation from Xie Wei. He felt that the entire plan spoken of by Xie Wei was nothing more than a deception, and it seemed that Xie Wei did not intend to let him leave Tongzhou alive.
In response to Zhang Zhe's inquiries, Xie Wei countered by asking whether Xiao Bao and the fake Xue Dingfei were protecting him. In times of chaos, one must utilize all available resources. While he acknowledged the identities of Xiao Bao and the fake Xue Dingfei, he was merely exploiting them. Xie Wei mentioned how many court officials were involved in Feng Mingyu's transportation of gunpowder to Tongzhou. If Zhang Zhe believed that reporting him to the court upon returning to the capital would benefit the country, then he should go ahead. However, regarding Jiang Xue Ning, Xie Wei hoped that Zhang Zhe would treat her wholeheartedly. Otherwise, he didn't mind killing Zhang Zhe once and for all.
After speaking these words, Xie Wei left the room. Upon seeing Xue Yuan displaying his power outside the door, Xie Wei couldn't help but confront him. Upon returning to his own room, Xie Wei instructed Yan Ning, who had entered afterward, not to engage in conflict with Xue Yuan. Yan Ning expressed concern that Xue Yuan's visit to the military camp was to destroy evidence related to the stolen military equipment, as the evidence directly implicated the Xingwu Guard. Xie Wei instructed Yan Ning to quickly deliver that evidence to Zhang Zhe.
Xue Yuan, within the Yan Family Army, overheard someone mentioning the name Xue Dingfei. Curious, he discreetly inquired about Xue Dingfei's identity and discovered that he was an undercover agent arranged by Xie Wei within the rebel forces. Xue Yuan also had someone check the scar behind Xue Dingfei's ear to confirm that he was indeed his son. Once the confirmation was made, Xue Yuan instructed his subordinates not to reveal this information for the time being.
Xie Wei summoned the fake Xue Dingfei to his room and interrogated him about why he hadn't followed his orders to eliminate Zhang Zhe. The fake Xue Dingfei explained that he had confirmed Zhang Zhe's true identity as a person from Du Junshan. He was concerned that killing Zhang Zhe would raise suspicions from the Prince, Xie Wei. Upon hearing this, Xie Wei reminded the fake Xue Dingfei that when the Prince of Pingnan brought him in, it was merely to use him as a substitute for the real Xue Dingfei. If he chose to join Xie Wei and was willing to do so, he could keep that identity as long as he desired. However, if he didn't want that role anymore, he could leave at any time. The fake Xue Dingfei assured Xie Wei that he was willing to do whatever Xie Wei arranged because, for him, survival was the priority.
Jiang Xue Ning sought out Zhang Zhe and pleaded with him not to report Xie Wei's actions to the court, as she believed Xie Wei was a good person. Zhang Zhe, upon hearing Jiang Xue Ning's words, made it clear that as long as Xie Wei didn't engage in actions that harmed the court, he would follow Jiang Xue Ning's request because he trusted her.
After leaving Zhang Zhe, Jiang Xue Ning went to see Xie Wei once again. Xie Wei couldn't help but rebuke her, questioning why she cared so much about Zhang Zhe. If he hadn't arrived on time, she would have likely been buried alongside him. Jiang Xue Ning defiantly responded that regardless of Xie Wei's motives, he couldn't allow him to indiscriminately kill innocent people.
Jiang Xue Ning's birthday was approaching, so Xie Wei instructed the fake Xue Dingfei and Xiao Bao to make preparations. Xiao Bao presented the prepared gifts to Jiang Xue Ning, but since she refused to accept them, Xie Wei ordered him to discard all of them.
Following Xie Wei's instructions, Yan Ning handed over the evidence of the military equipment case to Zhang Zhe. Upon returning from Zhang Zhe, Yan Ning couldn't help but sigh, believing that with Xie Wei and Zhang Zhe in the court, Yan Mu's grievances would certainly be resolved. However, Xie Wei told Yan Ning that he and Zhang Zhe were not allies.
Comments(Episode 23)