Episode 8 recap: # Long Beina's Tragic Death and A Shu's Imprisonment
In Episode 8, Wang Kun Wu and An Xiu Yi compete in a willow-shooting contest, with six months' salary at stake. As the event unfolds, Yu Chi Hua brings Mu Yi Kuan to watch, suggesting it turn into a contest between the East and West Courtyards. In the first round, Mu Yi Kuan successfully hits a pigeon, scoring a point for the West Courtyard.
Long Beina takes a shot but misses. When it's Yuan Mo's turn, who knows nothing about shooting, it becomes a comedic scene. He nearly hits Yu Chi Hua with a poorly thrown knife and accidentally cuts his own finger while trying to throw another. Feeling embarrassed, Yuan Mo is about to back down when Wang Kun Wu steps in. Spotting the hidden knife in Wang Kun Wu's sleeve gives Yuan Mo the courage to continue, ultimately leading the West Courtyard to victory by a point.
Unsatisfied, Long Beina takes out a dagger and throws it at a pigeon. Mu Yi Kuan intervenes, insisting there's no need to harm animals out of frustration. This angers Long Beina further, who feels insulted by Mu Yi Kuan’s lower status. He grabs Mu Yi Kuan by the collar, ready to retaliate, but is stopped by Yu Chi Hua.
Yu Chi Hua demands an apology. Initially dismissive, Long Beina reluctantly apologizes when An Xiu Yi discreetly reveals Yu Chi Hua's family background. Later, Long Ge investigates and discovers that the pigeon Long Beina shot was dosed with a unique powder used by Yanzhe. A Shu, who was present, seems to resemble someone Long Beina had previously injured. Long Beina insists on a thorough investigation of A Shu's identity after the exam.
On exam day, the Sifang Academy helps maintain order. As Mu Yi Kuan shows his admission ticket, Long Beina ambushes him from behind, mocking Mu Yi Kuan's status and claiming that even if he comes in first, it won't matter. Bai Suqin advises Mu Yi Kuan not to stoop to the level of someone so uncouth.
A Shu arrives at the exam venue with snacks. When it's Yuan Mo's turn, A Shu insists he must pay off a debt of 200 wen to eat. The hot weather forces Yuan Mo to give in.
On the way home, A Shu feels he’s being followed and tries to hide. Long Beina intercepts him from the other side, demanding to know A Shu's true identity. However, A Shu, despite Long Beina's martial prowess, manages to teach him a lesson. In the end, Long Beina is struck with a poison dart, and A Shu demands a monthly payment of one guan from him before leaving confidently.
Mu Yi Kuan leaves the exam venue and, while accompanying Bai Suqin at the market, remembers he has urgent matters to attend to. He asks Bai Suqin to wait with her maid Hong Ye. Meanwhile, An Xiu Yi and Long Ge discover that Long Beina has already succumbed to poison in the street. A Shu is immediately captured, and Yu De Shui tries to deceive Long Ge about the situation, feeling troubled about how to report it. An Xiu Yi suggests handing A Shu over, but Yuan Mo argues that A Shu wouldn't harm anyone. Wang Kun Wu proposes assisting the Jingzhao Prefecture in a thorough investigation, while An Xiu Yi believes the West Courtyard should avoid any implication. Yu De Shui agrees to let the East Courtyard take over.
Ji Mingli suggests secretly gathering clues to exonerate A Shu. Yu Chi Hua and An Xiu Yi interrogate A Shu, who denies killing Long Beina. Long Ge plans to use underhanded tactics, but An Xiu Yi stops him, worried it might harm Yu Chi Hua.
Yuan Mo begins searching for clues on the street. Wang Kun Wu learns from the coroner that Long Beina's fatal injury was a blow to the back of the head, indicating that someone deliberately set A Shu up. Yuan Mo asks Yu Chi Hua for help in meeting A Shu, but Yu Chi Hua ends up locking Yuan Mo in the same prison to avoid breaking any rules. Yuan Mo prepares some perfume for A Shu and inquires about why A Shu had trouble with Long Beina.
A Shu replies that he wanted to make money quickly to pay off debts. Yuan Mo and Wang Kun Wu discover that Long Beina has no academic records. Yu De Shui informs them that Long Beina had already been promised a government position. Yuan Mo recalls how Long Beina mocked Mu Yi Kuan before the exam and begins to suspect Mu Yi Kuan.
Mu Yi Kuan clarifies that he was at Hongwen Academy at the same time. Wang Kun Wu then asks about A Shu's background, but Yuan Mo isn't fully aware of it either.
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