Episode 3 recap: Mu Zhuo Hua encounters Princess Rou Jia.
Mu Zhuo Hua noticed that Liu Yan was feeling unwell and hurried over to help him apply pressure to acupoints for relief. Liu Yan took Mu Zhuo Hua to see Yun Xiang Yue's body and asked her to assist with an examination. Mu Zhuo Hua was a bit afraid as she had never examined a corpse before, but she knew she had to do it. Guo Ju Li was waiting outside while Zhi Mo observed her. Guo Ju Li kept eating and asked Zhi Mo if she wanted some, but Zhi Mo refused. Guo Ju Li found it strange that Zhi Mo clearly wanted some but wouldn't admit it.
Mu Zhuo Hua conducted the examination and asked Liu Yan about the events leading up to Yun Xiang Yue's poisoning. Liu Yan explained that initially, Yun Xiang Yue seemed normal, but suddenly started coughing up blood and blood began seeping from all over her body. She died shortly afterward. Mu Zhuo Hua checked Liu Yan's pulse and asked about his medical history. Zhi Jian mentioned that Liu Yan had previously been poisoned by Yuan Luo Hua.
Mu Zhuo Hua was extremely surprised because there is no antidote for Yuan Luo Hua. Zhi Jian mentioned that Liu Yan had taken Xue Chen Dan, which is capable of neutralizing any poison. Mu Zhuo Hua realized that she had sensed two different energies within Liu Yan's body, which corresponded to these two substances. She took a piece of Yun Xiang Yue's clothing and smelled it, confirming that the substance used wasn't a poison but a revival powder. However, when ingested, it would cause a surge of qi and blood. Women have delicate meridians and cannot withstand such a surge, resulting in the bursting of their meridians and death.
Mu Zhuo Hua concluded that the person behind this plot had a deep understanding of Liu Yan's condition. They knew that ordinary poisons would be neutralized by Xue Chen Dan, so they used this substance to disrupt the balance of Liu Yan's two energies and cause him to be poisoned. Mu Zhuo Hua remarked that the ingredients for making revival powder are extremely rare and the process itself is difficult, resulting in significant losses. Only the Imperial Medical Institution would have the resources and capability for such a grand operation.
Mu Zhuo Hua believed that Yun Xiang Yue dressing up as a maidservant was a spontaneous decision, but the fact that someone could accurately administer poison on the maidservant's clothes indicated that she had a strong suspicion. Zhi Jian mentioned that the maidservant had already committed suicide out of fear. Mu Zhuo Hua learned that this person had been silenced and became extremely worried about his own safety. Mu Zhuo Hua and Guo Ju Li returned home, realizing that the days ahead would not be so peaceful.
Zhi Jian found out about Mu Zhuo Hua's background. Liu Yan remarked that it was remarkable for Mu Zhuo Hua to be able to study diligently under such circumstances. The steward busily directed the household staff and expressed a desire for a mistress so that he wouldn't have to shoulder all the responsibilities alone with his old bones.
Mu Zhuo Hua and Guo Ju Li went out for a stroll. Guo Ju Li asked Mu Zhuo Hua why she didn't seek wealth or beauty and inquired about her aspirations. Mu Zhuo Hua expressed a hope that when she needed assistance, Liu Yan would lend her a hand. The Emperor, accompanied by the royal entourage, ascended the city wall. The surrounding commoners were jubilant, and the Emperor was grateful to have Liu Yan by his side. The Emperor talked about his daughter, Princess Rou Jia, with a touch of emotion, as they hadn't seen each other for several years.
Princess Rou Jia returned and announced that she would no longer leave, which delighted the Emperor. Guo Ju Li heard people referring to Princess Rou Jia as a divine maiden and asked Mu Zhuo Hua the reason. Mu Zhuo Hua explained that Princess Rou Jia had established charitable organizations to help the poor and needy, and thus, everyone was grateful to her. Mu Zhuo Hua mentioned that she had met Princess Rou Jia before when she was young. Princess Rou Jia had visited the Mu family to express gratitude to Mu Zhuo Hua's father for helping the disaster-stricken people. Mu Zhuo Hua said that she could also be of assistance, and Princess Rou Jia admired her ambition.
Guo Ju Li went to buy sugar-coated haws, and Mu Zhuo Hua saw Zhou, the housekeeper, coming with people to apprehend her. Coincidentally, Mu Zhuo Hua encountered Princess Rou Jia playing lantern riddles. She joined in, had a conversation with Princess Rou Jia, and caught Zhou by surprise. Zhou didn't expect Mu Zhuo Hua to know Princess Rou Jia and didn't dare to act recklessly. Princess Rou Jia knew that Mu Zhuo Hua was using her but didn't mind, as long as Mu Zhuo Hua could solve problems. Princess Rou Jia mentioned that there would be a poetry gathering at the Wen Zheng Tower and invited Mu Zhuo Hua to attend.
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