Episode 1 recap: # Wang Kun Wu Takes on New Role, A Shu's Thieving Scheme Backfires
In the first episode, during the prosperous era of the Deyong dynasty, a special institution called the Sifang Guan is established to manage visitors from all over the world. Yu De Shui serves as the head, overseeing two divisions: the Eastern and Western Courtyards. An Xiu Yi, a decisive leader from an official family, heads the Eastern Courtyard, while the recently appointed Wang Kun Wu has been transferred from the military to lead the Western Courtyard.
Another key figure is the formidable Yu Chi Hua, the beloved daughter of E Guo Gong, who has never been pampered. Additionally, the Sifang Guan hires Yuan Mo as an advisor, who inspects the city gates even during her off hours. Under Yu De Shui's guidance, Wang Kun Wu officially begins his role at the Western Courtyard, assisted by Ji Ming Li and Shen Bai Lian. On his first day, he requests the official seal, but Ji Ming Li informs him that it is not in his possession.
At the city gate, Yuan Mo issues travel permits when a woman casually steals a few garments from the market, disguises herself, and even manages to steal a travel document. The owner, Kudi Le, is aware of the theft but doesn’t rush to reclaim his items. Yuan Mo observes the situation and tricks the woman into handing over the travel document. Just as she is about to be questioned, Wang Kun Wu arrives at the city gate to collect the permits, and the woman hides.
An Xiu Yi receives word that military equipment has gone missing from the Honglu Temple and immediately orders the city gates closed, allowing goods to enter but not exit. Kudi Le, having acquired the stolen equipment, goes to Ruyi Building to deliver silver notes to Yuan Mo, hoping to expedite his shipment out of the city. Yuan Mo, coincidentally there with Wang Kun Wu, pushes Kudi Le's request onto Wang Kun Wu.
The mysterious woman visits Ruyi Building for entertainment and manages to swap outfits with a courtesan. When she leaves, she encounters Yuan Mo, who is carrying two jars of wine, and demands her travel document. Yuan Mo asks her to follow him to retrieve it.
Wang Kun Wu pretends to be drunk while Kudi Le prepares the travel document. Kudi Le pricks his finger to use Wang Kun Wu’s fingerprint. After Kudi Le departs, Wang Kun Wu plans to follow him, but Yu Chi Hua, suspecting him of wrongdoing, intervenes. Wang Kun Wu leaves behind some money, having no time to explain.
At the city gate, Kudi Le is checked by An Xiu Yi, who fears the discovery of his contraband. He signals his men to attack, but Wang Kun Wu arrives just in time to save the bewildered An Xiu Yi, causing chaos and scattering goods everywhere. Kudi Le realizes he has been exposed and hastily escapes on horseback. Yuan Mo, noticing soil from the outskirts on the jar Kudi Le gifted her, takes the woman to the mountain god temple, where they find Kudi Le acting nervously. He burns several papers in a room before trying to flee, but Yuan Mo knocks him out with a drugged powder.
Wang Kun Wu arrives soon after and laments that Yuan Mo didn’t keep evidence of Kudi Le’s actions. He realizes that Yuan Mo has already seen through his plan against Kudi Le. Just as he revives Kudi Le with the jar of wine, Yu Chi Hua from the Jingzhao Prefecture appears.
The guards apprehend Kudi Le, holding a knife to his throat. He steps forward to commit suicide, and Wang Kun Wu, unable to explain himself, goes back with the Jingzhao Prefecture for questioning. After Yu Chi Hua leaves, the woman hiding in the temple uses itching powder on Yuan Mo, demanding a residence permit for An Cheng within three days, revealing her name as A Shu.
Wang Kun Wu is released without charges, but An Xiu Yi believes he has severed her leads. Yu De Shui orders a temporary halt on the arms smuggling investigation. An Yuan Dao, a junior official from Honglu Temple, begins to investigate further, noting that some military equipment is still missing and instructing the Sifang Guan to cooperate with the Jingzhao Prefecture to find leads within three days. Yu De Shui then imposes the same demand on both the Eastern and Western Courtyards.
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