Episode 13 recap: Pu Lan Ting received a pomegranate made of jade.
Yang Shang De performed in the old street. Two officials, under the order of Empress Dowager Cixi, came to check if Yang Shang De's health had improved. Huang He Xiang lied to the officials, saying that Yang Shang De had left. After the officials left, she hurried to the pear garden and advised Yang Shang De not to go on stage to perform. However, Yang Shang De told her that the tickets had already been sold and there was no reason not to sing.
The two officials noticed that Huang He Xiang's expression was off. When Huang He Xiang went to find Yang Shang De, they secretly followed. They saw Yang Shang De singing on stage and immediately ordered their subordinates to drive away the audience and smash the theater.
Back in the palace, the two officials complained to Empress Dowager Cixi, but she scolded them. Empress Dowager Cixi told them that if Yang Shang De could perform on stage, it meant that it was a world of peace and prosperity in music and dance. They should not cause trouble. She then ordered the eunuchs to deliver a decree to Yang Shang De. If he was ill, he should rest at home. If he was not ill, he should come to the palace and perform for her.
Yang Shang De thought that Empress Dowager Cixi had allowed him to perform, but Pu Lan Ting told him that the old Buddha meant that if he wanted to perform, he could only perform for her. Otherwise, he should not perform. Although the old Buddha did not punish Yang Shang De, Pu Lan Ting felt that it would be a pity if Yang Shang De didn't perform and wasted his skills, especially since he needed this craft to support his family.
After hearing Pu Lan Ting's words, Yang Shang De became somewhat annoyed and said that he would rather not perform and not sing for the Empress Dowager. He believed that he could find another way to make a living. After returning to the pear garden, he disbanded the theater troupe and distributed the money he had earned over the years among everyone.
To make a living, Huang He Xiang decided to open a steamed bun stall, and Li Tian Shun volunteered to help her when he saw her kneading the dough. After the bun stall opened, Wu Xiu Zhen also came forward and worked with Huang He Xiang.
Pu Lan Ting visited the bun shop and tasted the buns made by Huang He Xiang. He couldn't help but give a thumbs up in praise and named Huang He Xiang's buns "Fragrant Concubine Buns."
Li Tian Shun looked at Huang He Xiang's steamed bun stall and felt that doing business outdoors was not a long-term solution. He suggested that Huang He Xiang find a storefront. Huang He Xiang felt hesitant and said that she didn't have enough money. Li Tian Shun, Pu Lan Ting, and others voluntarily offered to contribute money to her.
Yang Shang De said that he would no longer perform, but he had become accustomed to life on stage. When he was alone at home with nothing to do, he couldn't resist the urge to practice. When Huang He Xiang returned home and saw her exhausted, he felt guilty and took the initiative to bring her hot water to wash her feet.
Pu Lan Ting knew that Cui Gonggong was selling stolen items from the palace, and the jade pomegranate might be in his possession. Pu Lan Ting instructed Mingyue to wait at the palace gate. After Cui Gonggong left the palace, Mingyue approached him and asked if he had anything to sell. She assured him that she could handle it and keep it a secret. Cui Gonggong was looking for a reliable person to sell his items, so he randomly took two things and tested Mingyue. Once he was sure there was no problem, he showed her the jade pomegranate and asked her to help him sell it for 300 taels of silver.
Mingyue told Pu Lan Ting about this. To avoid arousing suspicion from Cui Gonggong, Pu Lan Ting told her to give him only 100 taels of silver. Pu Lan Ting also taught her what to say. After Cui Gonggong agreed, they arranged a meeting place for the exchange. Just as they finished the transaction, Pu Lan Ting approached them.
Pu Lan Ting walked up to them and asked what Mingyue was holding. When Pu Lan Ting saw that it was the jade pomegranate, she scolded Cui Gonggong loudly, accusing him of being a thief who ate inside and stole from outside. She threatened to report the matter to the old Buddha. Cui Gonggong clung to Pu Lan Ting's legs, begging for mercy and promising to plead with the old Buddha to reinstate his position. However, Pu Lan Ting coldly replied that he would see the old Buddha in the palace the next day. If Cui Gonggong wanted to save his life, he should run as far away as possible.
Feeling that disaster was imminent, Cui Gonggong couldn't bear it and jumped into the river.
Comments(Episode 13)