Episode 14 recap: The jade pomegranate brought disaster to Pu Lan Ting.
After Wang Tong Ren left the old street, in order to make a living, he created a disguise and started a business of deceiving people through fortune-telling. He arrived at the doorstep of a wealthy household, having already known the situation of the woman there in advance. When the woman approached, he fluently and convincingly tricked her. The woman was deceived and, in gratitude for his help in resolving a bloody calamity, voluntarily gave him her ring and earrings.
With the help of Li Tian Shun, Huang He Xiang set up a shelter on the main road. Although it didn't have a proper storefront, it provided some protection from wind and rain. Huang He Xiang's fragrant concubine steamed bun shop opened for business, and Li Tian Shun and others were celebrating with firecrackers. Suddenly, Lord Tong arrived with a group of people and claimed that Huang He Xiang's steamed bun shop was occupying public space. He ordered the shop to be demolished, but Pu Lan Ting intervened and stopped him.
Empress Dowager Cixi discovered that Grand Eunuch Cui was missing, so she ordered a search. His body was found in the moat. Lord Rong reported to Empress Dowager Cixi that someone saw Grand Eunuch Cui commit suicide by jumping into the river. After an investigation by the Internal Affairs Department, it was discovered that Grand Eunuch Cui frequently left the palace and had stolen the Jade Pomegranate belonging to the Emperor.
Upon learning that Grand Eunuch Cui had been in contact with Mingyue, Empress Dowager Cixi ordered her to be captured. Pu Lan Ting told Mingyue that a friend in the palace had sent a message that the Emperor already knew about the Jade Pomegranate, and it seemed that they were in great danger. Since Mingyue was pregnant, Pu Lan Ting advised her to hide in her hometown.
Shortly after Mingyue left, Lord Rong arrived with a group of people. Lord Rong asked Pu Lan Ting if he knew that Mingyue and Grand Eunuch Cui were partners in stealing the Emperor's treasures. Pu Lan Ting nodded and said that he had indeed seen Mingyue with Grand Eunuch Cui. Impressed by Pu Lan Ting's seamless response, Lord Rong reported the situation to Empress Dowager Cixi. Knowing that Pu Lan Ting had a liking for jade, Empress Dowager Cixi suspected that the Jade Pomegranate was in his possession. She ordered Lord Rong to search Pu Lan Ting's residence.
When Lord Tong learned that the officials and soldiers were searching Pu Lan Ting's residence and hadn't found the Jade Pomegranate, he suggested that the orthodox leader gather at the Juhe Temple for a search. Even if they didn't find it, it would be an opportunity to deal with Li Tian Shun. Recently, Pu Lan Ting had protected him, allowing Li Tian Shun to live too comfortably.
Wu Xiu Zhen saw Lord Tong causing trouble again, so she asked Li Tian Shun to seek help from Pu Lan Ting. When Li Tian Shun arrived at Pu Lan Ting's residence, he learned that Pu Lan Ting had already been arrested and thrown into the dungeon. He wanted to visit Pu Lan Ting there, but the guards did not allow it.
Lord Tong searched the Juhe Temple several times, but because they didn't find the Jade Pomegranate, they didn't dare to be too audacious. After the soldiers settled down, a person came to the Juhe Temple and offered a large sum of money to buy the Jade Pomegranate from Li Tian Shun. After sending that person away, Li Tian Shun was discussing the matter of the Jade Pomegranate with Xiao Hezi and others when a foreigner walked in. Although he didn't say it directly, Li Tian Shun understood that the foreigner was also after the Jade Pomegranate.
Wang Tong Ren had been hiding outside for a while and felt that the danger had passed, so he returned to the old street. He saw an official seal posted on his door, and when he tore it off and went inside, he found that all the valuable things in his house were gone. He went to the yamen in tears, complaining about Lord Tong's unfairness. Lord Tong sneered and asked Wang Tong Ren if he dared to come back only after knowing that Grand Eunuch Cui had died, and he hinted to Wang Tong Ren that Grand Eunuch Cui might still be alive.
Wang Tong Ren wanted Lord Tong to show mercy, but Lord Tong told him that confiscating his property was just a light punishment. If it weren't for their past relationship, he would have handed Wang Tong Ren over to the Emperor. Wang Tong Ren was speechless and had to leave dejectedly. Pu Lan Ting had someone deliver a letter to Li Tian Shun.
The messenger told Li Tian Shun that Pu Lan Ting would be executed in a few days. Unable to understand what Pu Lan Ting wanted to say to him, Li Tian Shun sought advice from Yang Shang De. After reading the letter, Yang Shang De suggested that Li Tian Shun go to Pu Lan Ting's house, where the answer to this puzzle might be revealed.
Upon learning that Pu Lan Ting was going to be executed, Yang Shang De also suggested that everyone contribute some money to allow Pu Lan Ting to have a dignified departure.
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