Episode 38 recap: Liu Yan was murdered.
Princess Rou Jia Gong Zhu visited the dungeon to see Liu Yan and admitted that she was responsible for all these events. She confessed to forging the fake will and instigating the conflict between the noble families and Liu Chen. Rou Jia Gong Zhu believed that because she and her mother lacked power, her mother was killed, and she was sent to Jiangnan to grow up. Thus, what she desired was not revenge but to attain power.
Rou Jia Gong Zhu also brought a cup of poisoned wine, indicating that it was time for Liu Yan to drink. She asked if Liu Yan had anything to say to Mu Zhuo Hua, assuring him that she would convey the message. Liu Yan warned that if Rou Jia Gong Zhu mentioned Mu Zhuo Hua again, she would snap her neck.
Mu Zhuo Hua sought out Princess Zhen Guo Da Chang Gong Zhu and informed her that Liu Yan had been framed and imprisoned, and only the Que Xie Sword could save him. Zhen Guo Da Chang Gong Zhu weakly pointed to her cane, indicating that the Que Xie Sword was inside. Mu Zhuo Hua quickly took it and hurried to the Dali Temple.
However, Mu Zhuo Hua arrived one step too late, and Liu Yan's body had already been laid out. Mu Zhuo Hua wept bitterly upon seeing Liu Yan's corpse. Rou Jia Gong Zhu declared that Liu Yan was dead, and she was the winner. She questioned whether Mu Zhuo Hua still believed that her chosen path was correct.
A maid informed Rou Jia Gong Zhu that Zhen Guo Da Chang Gong Zhu had been taken away by Mu Zhuo Hua and asked if she should bring her back. Rou Jia Gong Zhu believed there was no need, as Zhen Guo Da Chang Gong Zhu would probably not want to return to her residence.
Rou Jia Gong Zhu stated that the Que Xie Sword had been removed from its sheath and was now useless. She ordered the maid to return the Que Xie Sword to Zhen Guo Da Chang Gong Zhu. Rou Jia Gong Zhu looked outside and noticed Shen Jing Hong watching but said nothing before leaving.
Mu Zhuo Hua regained consciousness and, upon waking up, was reminded of Liu Yan's death, causing him to burst into tears. Liu Chen issued an edict stating that no funeral rites were allowed and Liu Yan had to be buried directly. Mu Zhuo Hua took leave and came to the bamboo forest, where he saw familiar scenes and felt as if he could still see Liu Yan.
Mu Zhuo Hua saw a book on the table, with Liu Yan's half piece of jade pendant tucked inside. Mu Zhuo Hua came to the bamboo forest, and Liu Yan was also there. Mu Zhuo Hua asked Liu Yan not to leave him alone, but then Mu Zhuo Hua woke up and realized it was just a dream.
Mu Zhuo Hua instructed Guo Ju Li to pack up, as they would return to the capital immediately. Mu Zhuo Hua carefully examined the memorial that framed Liu Yan, and the details inside were highly questionable. Mu Zhuo Hua believed that Rou Jia Gong Zhu intentionally did this. First, she used a memorial to cause Liu Yan's death, and then she would take the opportunity to clear his name. At that time, these details would not hold up to scrutiny and would prove that Liu Chen had framed loyal officials, forcing him to abdicate. Rou Jia Gong Zhu's ultimate goal had always been that position.
Zhi Jian believed that even if Rou Jia Gong Zhu was behind these events, the order to kill Liu Yan ultimately came from someone else. Mu Zhuo Hua felt that Liu Yan wanted to protect Liu Chen's throne, so he had to help Liu Yan accomplish what he had not yet finished.
There were discussions and rumors outside, with many people saying that Liu Chen was responsible for Liu Yan's death. The disaster in Huaizhou was severe, and Liu Chen wanted to reduce taxes, but Zhou, an official, disagreed, citing the depleted state treasury. Mu Zhuo Hua thought that the Zhou family was wealthy, so if Zhou truly believed the treasury was empty, he should fill the gap himself and make Zhou lose face.
Mu Zhuo Hua wrote a letter to Shen Jing Hong, asking him to meet at Xiaoyin Palace. Mu Zhuo Hua waited for more than an hour at Xiaoyin Palace, but Shen Jing Hong did not show up. Mu Zhuo Hua was very angry and decided that if that was the case, Shen Jing Hong should not blame him for not valuing their friendship anymore, and he left directly.
The maid informed Rou Jia Gong Zhu about this matter. Rou Jia Gong Zhu went to find Shen Jing Hong and he expressed that only Rou Jia Gong Zhu was worthy of being the emperor, and he would support her.
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