Episode 24 recap: A Mai and Shang Yi Zhi returned to Shengdu.
The Emperor informed the eunuch that he had caught a cold and instructed the Crown Prince to handle all affairs in the palace. He requested to meet Shang Yi Zhi upon his return. Shang Yi Zhi's cousin came to see him and urged him to join their side, promising to protect their lives. The Crown Prince informed Shang Yi Zhi that the Emperor was feeling unwell and asked him to receive him in his father's place.
The Emperor's eunuch informed him that there were spies watching Shang Yi Zhi as well. The Emperor initially believed they were sent by the Crown Prince but the eunuch revealed that it was the doing of Prince Kang. The Emperor was disappointed in his second son's lack of honesty and ordered the eunuch to spread the word that he was unwell and that the Crown Prince would oversee all palace affairs until Shang Yi Zhi's return.
The Crown Princess brought some snacks to the Crown Prince, and their son came to play with him for a while. The Crown Prince held the flower rope given by Yu'er and told him that such playthings were detrimental to one's ambitions. The Crown Princess informed him that Yu'er had already practiced writing twenty pages of characters and suggested that he relax for a moment. The Crown Prince remarked that a doting mother spoils her child, to which Yu'er responded by telling him not to speak ill of his mother.
Prince Kang found Shang Yi Zhi and wanted to have a chat with him. Prince Kang began by reminiscing about their childhood to establish a closer bond between them. He informed Shang Yi Zhi that he had come to make a deal with him, prompting Shang Yi Zhi to inquire about the nature of the deal.
Prince Kang revealed that he knew he was the person the Emperor was seeking and that the Emperor was preparing for battle in Shengdu. He assured Shang Yi Zhi that if he helped him, he would ensure his future prosperity and wealth. Shang Yi Zhi did not agree to Prince Kang's proposal, and after he left, A Mai informed Shang Yi Zhi that Prince Kang was trying to win him over.
Realizing Prince Kang's intentions, Shang Yi Zhi believed that Xu Jing's words were indeed accurate. The people around the Crown Prince informed him about Prince Kang's secret meeting with Shang Yi Zhi. Shang Yi Zhi told them that he knew what they were planning and asked for their advice.
They advised the Crown Prince to remain calm for the time being and wait for the right opportunity. They feared that Shang Yi Zhi might consider Prince Kang as his support and were unsure how to handle it. Some believed that Shang Yi Zhi was an intelligent person who wouldn't make such a choice.
Shang Yi Zhi returned home and met his mother, Princess Shenghua, who was delighted to see him back. She expressed her gratitude to Mu Bai for taking care of Shang Yi Zhi and also met A Mai. Shang Yi Zhi told his mother that A Mai should rest after the long journey, so he instructed the servants to take A Mai to the guest room. However, Shang Yi Zhi insisted that A Mai didn't need to go to the guest room and should rest in his own room.
Shang Yi Zhi informed Princess Shenghua that his intention in returning was to form an alliance with the Crown Prince. He believed that the Crown Prince was a virtuous man, and once he helped the Crown Prince ascend to the throne, he would be able to protect Princess Shenghua. The Emperor had commanded the Crown Prince and Prince Kang to welcome Shang Yi Zhi, but Shang Yi Zhi felt it was appropriate to pay his respects to the Emperor first.
Prince Kang wondered how the Crown Prince, who had previously wanted to kill Shang Yi Zhi, could now be so friendly. Shang Yi Zhi asked him what he meant, and Prince Kang explained that if he were in the Crown Prince's position, he wouldn't be so forgiving after a single glass of wine.
As they were talking, Yu'er arrived. The Crown Prince asked Yu'er to recite the lesson he had just learned. Yu'er forgot halfway through and asked Prince Kang to teach him. Prince Kang told him that his own knowledge was inferior to Yu'er's and declined to help. The Crown Prince then recited the poem that Yu'er had partially recited. Before leaving, Prince Kang said he would invite Shang Yi Zhi for a drink another day.
The Crown Prince asked Shang Yi Zhi why he chose him, and Shang Yi Zhi expressed his belief that the Crown Prince could become a wise ruler. Shang Yi Zhi told the Crown Prince that if he didn't return safely to Yuzhou this time, then all the promises he had made would be in vain. After thinking for a moment, the Crown Prince asked A Mai if he would be willing to be Yu'er's tutor.
The Crown Prince felt that Yu'er had more face in front of the Emperor than he did. Shang Yi Zhi nodded in agreement, indicating that A Mai accepted the proposal. Shang Yi Zhi and A Mai went to the Ministry of War to inspect the roster of the Northern Garrison, but they were stopped. The guard informed them that they needed Minister Du's authorization. Shang Yi Zhi then held a sword to Minister Du's neck, forcing him to write the authorization.
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