Episode 24 recap: Mu Zhuo Hua and Liu Yan agreed on three rules.
Sun Yun Yun discussed this matter with the Empress Dowager, with Liu Yan also present. Sun Yun Yun asked Liu Yan for his opinion on the matter. Mu Zhuo Hua commented that Sun Yun Yun's actions were not honorable and questioned how she could ask for others' opinions when her own conduct was questionable. After Liu Yan spoke, he excused himself. Sun Yun Yun called Mu Zhuo Hua over and asked if she knew her wrongdoing, bringing up the issue of changing her registered status. Mu Zhuo Hua realized that hiding the change of status would not be possible and was surprised that it was exposed today. Mu Zhuo Hua stated that she had nothing to say. The Empress Dowager wanted Mu Zhuo Hua to be taken away, but His Majesty and Liu Yan arrived in time.
It turned out that Liu Yan had already informed His Majesty about Mu Zhuo Hua's change of status. At that time, Mu Zhuo Hua's family had already prepared a marriage arrangement for her, but she did not want to marry and instead wanted to become an official through the imperial examination. Therefore, she resorted to changing her registered status to participate in the examination. His Majesty acknowledged Mu Zhuo Hua's talent in taking the examination and wanted to give her an opportunity. That's why he sent her to Jiangnan for disaster relief, where he discovered her abilities. However, while the change of status could be understood to a certain extent, Mu Zhuo Hua was still at fault, so she was to be punished with a three-month salary reduction.
His Majesty also mentioned Sun Yun Yun, stating that due to her family background, she had been appointed as an official in the Household Department. However, despite holding the position for a long time, she still referred to herself as a girl and only performed such tasks. Since she did not want to be an official, she didn't need to rely on the position and should return home to live as a young lady. Liu Yan escorted Mu Zhuo Hua back, and she felt relieved that the matter of changing her registered status had finally passed. She asked Liu Yan why he didn't inform her about what he had discussed with His Majesty earlier.
Liu Yan explained that according to His Majesty's wishes, they had initially planned to handle the matter quietly. It was only because of Sun Yun Yun's commotion today that it was brought to light. Sun Yun Yun packed her things and prepared to leave, deliberately waiting for Mu Zhuo Hua, instructing her maid to inform Mu Zhuo Hua that she had stayed here before due to her own misjudgment. Dealing with so many men every day was not a respectable path in the end.
Mu Zhuo Hua expressed that some people had to go through great hardships to reach their goals, while Sun Yun Yun didn't need to walk such a path and shouldn't look down on others. Mu Zhuo Hua stated that her top priority had always been her official career. Liu Yan came over, acknowledging that he held no significant place in Mu Zhuo Hua's heart, but she didn't need to mention it constantly. Sun Yun Yun became even more frustrated and left directly.
Liu Yan pinched Mu Zhuo Hua's cheek, just as a colleague approached. Mu Zhuo Hua mentioned that she wanted to establish three rules with Liu Yan. Liu Yan understood what Mu Zhuo Hua wanted to say and knew they couldn't be overly intimate in front of others or let their relationship be revealed.
Recently, there have been many scholars being appointed as officials, and Wen Shi Zong came to the Household Department to serve as an observer. Wen Shi Zong saw Mu Zhuo Hua and admitted that he had been biased against her before but now recognized her abilities. He thought that Mu Zhuo Hua was of marriageable age and asked if she had any plans for marriage, wondering how he himself could fit into her plans.
Mu Zhuo Hua quickly replied that she had no such plans and promptly rejected Wen Shi Zong. Liu Yan, who was nearby, overheard the conversation, and Mu Zhuo Hua hurriedly explained to him. Wen Shi Zong approached Mu Zhuo Hua several times, but Liu Yan assured Mu Zhuo Hua that he had a way to make Wen Shi Zong stop bothering her, even if it meant offending him.
When Mu Zhuo Hua came to report to Liu Yan, Liu Yan took the opportunity to scold her harshly in front of the Minister of the Household Department, causing the news to spread. The Crown Prince came to find Liu Yan, questioning why he had praised Mu Zhuo Hua before but now berated her so severely.
Liu Yan replied that young people tend to become arrogant when they achieve some accomplishments. The Crown Prince mentioned how the Empress Dowager and the Empress had been pressuring him to marry and that he didn't want to marry the daughters of noble families. He thought Mu Zhuo Hua was not bad at all.
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