Episode 31 recap: Mu Zhuo Hua and Liu Yan discovered Rou Jia Gong Zhu's intentions.
Mu Zhuo Hua mentioned that Rou Jia Gong Zhu had the title of "Goddess" among the common people, and Shen Jing Hong had quite a reputation among the lower-class scholars. They had a close and intimate collaboration. Liu Yan thought that Shen Jing Hong played the role of a pawn for Rou Jia Gong Zhu quite well.
Mu Zhuo Hua believed that they were trying to force Liu Yan to leave Dingjing. Liu Yan stated that his elder brother cherished Rou Jia Gong Zhu as his own daughter, and his dying wish was for the country's prosperity and peace. Zhi Jian knelt before Liu Yan, but Mu Zhuo Hua warned him that if he continued to kneel, he would hurt his knees. Liu Yan allowed Zhi Jian to stand up.
Zhi Jian came to see Zhi Mo and expressed his realization that a person could bleed so much when injured. He believed that as an older brother, he should have bled for Zhi Mo instead. Shen Jing Hong hurriedly came to see Rou Jia Gong Zhu upon hearing about the assassination attempt and asked if she was okay.
Rou Jia Gong Zhu said she was not injured and that her subordinates fought with the assailant, recognizing him as Zhi Jian from Liu Yan's residence. Shen Jing Hong was very worried and wondered if Liu Yan was suspicious of Rou Jia Gong Zhu. Rou Jia Gong Zhu stated that Liu Yan could only suspect because there was no evidence at all.
Rou Jia Gong Zhu felt that instead of waiting to be captured, it was better to take the initiative. The Empress Dowager realized that she had made mistakes step by step and could only atone in this way. During the Empress Dowager's funeral, Liu Chen and others were present. Liu Chen held a string of prayer beads, saying that they were given to him by the Empress Dowager, hoping they would bring him safety, but he had never worn them.
Liu Chen expressed that now that his father and grandmother had passed away one after another, he understood the pain of wanting to be cared for by parents but being neglected. Zhen Guo Da Chang Gong Zhu arrived in Dingjin and brought with her the sword bestowed upon her by the founding emperor. Rou Jia Gong Zhu discussed this with Shen Jing Hong, believing that if they had the sword, they could make further progress. She was raised by Zhen Guo Da Chang Gong Zhu, so it might not be impossible for her to obtain the sword.
Rou Jia Gong Zhu thought that the bond between Liu Yan and Liu Chen was very deep, so she had to find a way to drive a wedge between them and plant a seed of doubt in their hearts. Mu Zhuo Hua heard rumors circulating in the town that Liu Chen wanted Liu Yan to go to his fiefdom to keep him in check.
Liu Yan also knew about this news and believed it was Rou Jia Gong Zhu's doing. Mu Zhuo Hua mentioned that he had seen Shen Jing Hong's handwriting before and that he was skilled at imitating others' handwriting. So, it seems that the previous testament was written by Shen Jing Hong.
Mu Zhuo Hua reiterated that Rou Jia Gong Zhu had the title of "Goddess" among the common people, and Shen Jing Hong had a considerable reputation among the lower-class scholars. Their collaboration was truly intimate. Liu Yan thought that Shen Jing Hong, as a pawn, was indeed played well by Rou Jia Gong Zhu.
Mu Zhuo Hua believed that they were trying to force Liu Yan to leave Dingjing. During a court session, a minister mentioned Liu Yan's 10-year stay in Dingjing. Liu Chen stated that they had been discussing these matters since the late emperor's reign. Liu Chen expressed that Liu Yan took up the responsibility of the state in a time of crisis, and thus, he was bestowed the title of Yizheng Wang (Prince of Yi, a title indicating loyalty and contribution).
Rou Jia Gong Zhu met Liu Yan and mentioned that she hadn't congratulated him yet. Liu Yan inquired about Zhen Guo Da Chang Gong Zhu, and Rou Jia Gong Zhu explained that she didn't like visitors and pretended to be sick at home.
Liu Yan expressed that his elder brother cherished Rou Jia Gong Zhu as his own daughter, and his dying wish was for the prosperity and well-being of the country and for their children to be well. Rou Jia Gong Zhu expressed regret that the Second Prince had developed wicked thoughts and betrayed their father's dying wish. Liu Yan remarked that if the Second Prince could realize his mistakes and change, it wouldn't be bad for him to live a wealthy and leisurely life in his fiefdom.
Sun's family was found to be colluding with the magistrate of Zhuang County. Liu Yan brought up these correspondences in the court, and Shen Jing Hong mentioned the abolition of the system of hereditary enfeoffment. Liu Yan stated that these correspondences couldn't prove anything and speculated that someone might be framing them. The matter was left unresolved.
Sun Yun Qian returned and asked his father if he was involved in these matters. Although Mr. Sun denied it, Sun Yun Qian knew his father well and understood that he had indeed been involved. Sun Yun Qian was very puzzled and couldn't understand why they would seek wealth and status when they already had it. Mr. Sun explained that maintaining their aristocratic family was not as easy as it seemed.
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