Episode 6 recap: Andehai was beheaded.
Prince Gong was left alone with the Empress Dowager, who warned him that anyone could die except Andehai, and she ordered Xiao Lizi to serve Prince Gong his meal in the palace. Andehai and Prince Gong had never gotten along, and Andehai's prospects looked grim. The Empress Dowager felt that the Eastern Palace Empress and the Emperor favored Prince Gong, but it was her protection that had kept Andehai alive all these years. Now, with this incident, she knew she could only rely on herself.
The Empress Dowager commanded Encheng to go to Jinan with an imperial decree to ensure Andehai's survival. Sheng Qian learned of Prince Gong's confinement, and Encheng rushed to Shandong with the decree. Yan Daren advised him to inform Ding Bao Zhen of this news before Encheng's arrival. Prince Gong knew that his confinement in the palace was a deliberate delay tactic by the Empress Dowager, and both Encheng and Sheng Qian were racing to Shandong.
Prince Gong arrived at the Eastern Palace to meet with the Empress Dowager, who guessed his intentions. She had already obtained the Emperor's secret decree to execute Andehai on the spot. Encheng fell off his horse in his haste but managed to get up and return home before Encheng's arrival. Ding Bao Zhen suspected that Encheng had the Empress Dowager's decree and decided to delay him.
Ding Bao Zhen hosted a banquet for Encheng and discussed their past aspirations. Encheng expressed his willingness to recommend Ding Bao Zhen this time, and Ding Bao Zhen took the opportunity to say that he had long wanted to be loyal to the Empress Dowager. Encheng stated that he came to Jinan this time for Andehai, and Ding Bao Zhen pretended to sigh, saying that it wasn't that he didn't want to release him, but Andehai had violated ancestral teachings and caused the death of a commoner woman, arousing public anger. The woman's family had lodged complaints multiple times, leaving him sleepless at night. He couldn't justify it to the people.
Ding Bao Zhen lied, saying that Andehai needed to be detained for a few more days until he could appease the woman's family, and then he would release Andehai. At this point, Encheng expressed his desire to see Andehai, and Ding Bao Zhen immediately assured him that it was a small matter and would be arranged soon. Encheng believed that Ding Bao Zhen was a wise person who understood the current situation and wasn't stuck in old ways, as rumored outside.
Andehai became restless in his cell, but when he saw Encheng, he was overjoyed and asked if the Empress Dowager wanted to save him. Encheng stated that Ding Bao Zhen had agreed to release him in a few days, but Andehai became angry upon hearing that he would still be kept for a few more days. Encheng could only ask him to endure a little longer and left in frustration.
Encheng had someone follow Ding Bao Zhen, and the subordinate reported that he hadn't left his residence all day. But Ding Bao Zhen's behavior today raised suspicions among Encheng's men, and after discussing their doubts, Encheng began to feel uneasy.
Ding Bao Zhen arrived at the dungeon, while on the other side, Encheng, carrying the Empress Dowager's decree, went to Ding Bao Zhen's residence but didn't find him there. Encheng hurriedly went to the dungeon and discovered that Andehai had been taken away by Ding Bao Zhen half an hour ago.
As Andehai faced death, he proclaimed himself as the Empress Dowager's man, insisting that his fate should be determined by the Emperor and the Empress Dowager. Ding Bao Zhen delayed, waiting for the confidential letter from the capital that had yet to arrive. However, he decided not to wait any longer and ordered the meal to be served. Meanwhile, Encheng received the confidential letter and rushed to a residence with his men.
Andehai realized that his execution was imminent as the meal before him was the last one he would ever have. He pleaded with Ding Bao Zhen for mercy, promising to use his influence with the Empress Dowager in the future to secure promotions and titles for him. Just as Ding Bao Zhen was about to carry out the execution, a decree arrived from the capital. Surprisingly, it was an edict issued by the Emperor himself, demanding that Andehai be beheaded for leaving the palace without permission.
Ding Bao Zhen hastily proceeded with the execution, while Encheng arrived with the Empress Dowager's decree, pleading for Andehai's life. However, in that very moment, the executioner beheaded Andehai. Ding Bao Zhen claimed that he hadn't received the Empress Dowager's decree and acted solely on the Emperor's edict. He explained to Encheng that the rumors circulating among the common people suggested that Andehai was a fake eunuch, which tarnished the reputation of the Empress Dowager. The three-day public display of the body was intended to dispel those rumors.
Seeing this, Encheng left with the unopened decree. Andehai's death shook the court and the people, and it deeply affected the people of Shandong as well. Ding Bao Zhen's integrity and uprightness were admired by all. As a gesture of farewell to Encheng, Ding Bao Zhen accompanied him for several miles. Although Encheng harbored grievances, he acknowledged that Andehai was already dead and advised Ding Bao Zhen to take care of himself in the future, as their paths diverged.
Li Pei Rong remarked that Encheng's ability to find the residence indicated the presence of a mole, and Ding Bao Zhen speculated that this mole was the one responsible for Liu Yubai's murder. After Andehai's death, the people praised the Empress Dowager for her righteousness in eliminating her own kin. Moreover, the rumors about Andehai's identity as a eunuch were debunked, and the Empress Dowager didn't pay too much attention to the public's praise.
Wen Bin arrived in the rain and informed them that there might be issues with the Yellow River embankment due to the heavy rain in the past few days. Wen Bin suggested inspecting the embankment, and Ding Bao Zhen instructed him to send more people to the Hou family forest for inspection. Ding Bao Zhen personally saw off Sheng Qian, who was rushing to the capital for his new appointment, advising him to take steady steps and avoid recklessness as he embarked on his official career.
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