Episode 37 recap: Liu Yan was thrown into prison.
The officials gathered together to discuss how to bring down Liu Yan and felt that the current evidence was not enough. Rou Jia Gong Zhu handed over some documents to the officials, which were records of the palace gates' entries and exits, asking if they were sufficient. These records indicated the day when the late emperor passed away. The officials were delighted upon reviewing the documents and believed that they were definitely enough.
Mu Zhuo Hua stayed by Liu Yan's side and thought that the current situation was fine. At least Liu Yan could rest and take care of his health. Liu Yan asked Mu Zhuo Hua to promise that even if he was no longer around one day, Mu Zhuo Hua would take good care of himself. Mu Zhuo Hua jokingly responded that if Liu Yan was gone, he would find someone younger and visit Liu Yan's grave every day to annoy him.
Liu Yan believed that no one would accompany Mu Zhuo Hua in his mischief. Mu Zhuo Hua insisted that Liu Yan must take care of himself and not give others a chance to harm him. During the court session, the officials listed seven charges against Liu Yan and presented the records of the palace gates as evidence of irregularities surrounding the late emperor's death.
Liu Chen became angry after hearing this, and Mu Zhuo Hua felt anxious but didn't know what to do at the moment. Liu Chen declared that Liu Yan was guilty of heinous crimes and ordered him to be thrown into the dungeon. Palace guards came to arrest Liu Yan, but Zhi Jian and others stopped them from entering.
Liu Yan emerged and left with them. Mu Zhuo Hua learned about the news and hurriedly returned to find Zhi Jian and the others, realizing that the most important thing now was to prove Liu Yan's innocence. Mu Zhuo Hua carefully prepared a memorial and went to see Liu Chen.
Liu Chen asked Mu Zhuo Hua if she had any evidence to support her claim that Rou Jia Gong Zhu had set a trap to harm the empress dowager. Without evidence, he could not believe her words alone. During the court session, a minister reported that troops from Liu Yan's side were approaching the capital, intending to break in and rescue Liu Yan.
Liu Chen was shocked when he learned about the situation and asked his ministers to discuss what should be done. Shen Jing Hong believed that there was someone who could resolve the matter. The troops arrived at the outskirts of the capital, declaring their intention to break into the city and rescue Liu Yan. Shen Jing Hong visited Liu Yan in the prison and hoped that Liu Yan could come forward to appease the soldiers and prevent harm to the people.
Liu Yan found it laughable that Shen Jing Hong would make such a statement. Shen Jing Hong expressed his admiration for Liu Yan, regardless of whether Liu Yan believed it or not. Liu Yan went to the city wall to meet the soldiers and told them that they were soldiers of Nan Chen and not his own troops. He emphasized that they should be defending their homes and country, rather than attacking the capital for his sake.
Liu Yan expressed his gratitude to them but insisted that they should not engage in such actions for his sake. After much persuasion, Liu Yan managed to convince the soldiers to retreat. Upon returning to the prison, Shen Jing Hong thanked Liu Yan and believed that he had preserved the peace of the people.
Liu Yan asked Shen Jing Hong why he had always supported Rou Jia Gong Zhu. Was the current situation what they had intended? The noble families had not been completely eliminated. Although the Sun family had been removed, officials from the Zhou family still held important positions in the court.
Shen Jing Hong explained that Rou Jia Gong Zhu's collaboration with the Zhou family was merely a strategic move. Rou Jia Gong Zhu had promised to eventually eliminate all the noble families. Shen Jing Hong believed that Liu Chen and his allies were being too lenient, which was not suitable for the current political situation.
Liu Yan found it ironic that Shen Jing Hong was criticizing their actions as being lukewarm, while the same actions would be considered enduring humiliation when carried out by Shen Jing Hong and his allies. Shen Jing Hong was at a loss for words upon hearing this.
Rou Jia Gong Zhu approached Liu Chen and expressed her desire to accompany him in seeing Liu Yan off, as Liu Chen was, after all, his uncle. Liu Chen agreed to her request.
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