Episode 2 recap: Huang Hexiang was falsely accused and imprisoned.
Boss Yang is a famous actor in the capital city. He often performs for the Empress Dowager and the Emperor. He has a very good relationship with Li Tianshun. Li Tianshun usually calls him "Dadezi" (elder brother) while Empress Dowager Cixi calls him "Xiaodezi" (little brother). Huang Hexiang noticed that Boss Yang was interested in her, but her heart had already been moved by Li Tianshun. There is a girl named Wu Xiuzhen who is neighbors with Li Tianshun. She has secretly admired Li Tianshun.
Li Lianying reported to the Emperor that Tan Sitong and others were studying reforms. Regarding this issue, the Emperor believed that it would shake the foundation of the Qing Dynasty. When discussing this matter, the Emperor also remembered the jade pomegranate that Li Tianshun had imitated and asked when it would be completed. When Li Lianying reminded her that Li Tianshun had been punished to work as a stonemason, the Emperor ordered him to be called back.
Li Tianshun was carving the jade pomegranate when someone came to deliver a message to him, saying that Li Yunmian was seriously ill and might not make it. Upon hearing this news, Li Tianshun hurriedly rushed back home, only to find that his father was safe and sound. He then realized that his father had called him back to arrange a blind date for him. Li Tianshun learned that the prospective marriage partner his father had found for him was Wu Xiuzhen, but he firmly disagreed. Li Yunmian was so angry that he was about to beat him with a cane, but Huang Hexiang ran over and protected Li Tianshun, which made Li Yunmian stop.
Li Tianshun told Huang Hexiang that no matter whether his father agreed or not, he would marry her. This statement happened to be heard by the arriving Wu Xiuzhen. The news of Wu Xiuzhen's blind date with Li Tianshun had already spread, so she was extremely embarrassed and went home to hang herself in shame. Fortunately, her parents discovered her in time and saved her. Li Yunmian's wife felt that their son and Huang Hexiang were a good match.
However, Li Yunmian told her that Huang Hexiang was called Sai Xiangfei in the town. How could they choose such a woman for their son's wife? Throughout history, beautiful women have always been the root of trouble. There is a merchant named Wang Tongren, whose family runs a jewelry business. He coveted Huang Hexiang's beauty but was rejected by her. In order to get Huang Hexiang, he approached the deputy commander of the Jiumen Garrison and persuaded him to capture Huang Hexiang so that he could play the hero and save her.
Under the temptation of two large pearls, the deputy commander agreed to his request.
The deputy commander brought people to find Huang Hexiang, falsely accusing her of plotting to murder her husband. Although Huang Hexiang explained to him that she was not married yet, the deputy commander insisted on taking her back to the yamen for questioning. In order to save Huang Hexiang, Li Tianshun offered to go to the yamen in her place. In a fit of anger, the deputy commander decided to arrest him as well. Fortunately, someone reminded the deputy commander that Li Tianshun was working for the Emperor, so Li Tianshun was spared.
After Huang Hexiang was taken away, Li Tianshun was extremely anxious. Upon learning that Boss Yang was going to perform for the Empress Dowager, he sought his help in intervening and persuading Empress Dowager Cixi. Boss Yang took Huang Hexiang's plight to heart as if it were his own affair. After seeking Boss Yang's assistance, Li Tianshun decided to go to the courtroom to see what was happening. Wu Ma rushed over to inform Li Yunmian that Xiuzhen had gone to the courtroom.
By the time Li Tianshun arrived, Wu Xiuzhen had already come out of the yamen. Li Tianshun asked her annoyedly why she came and caused trouble. In front of everyone, Wu Xiuzhen told him that she was worried that the impulsive Li Tianshun would fight desperately for Huang Hexiang against the deputy commander, so she wanted to take Huang Hexiang's place in prison. However, the deputy commander had kicked her out.
Huang Hexiang was locked up in a prison cell when Wang Tongren, accompanied by an executioner, came to see her. He pointed to the large knife in the executioner's hand and told Huang Hexiang that if she agreed to marry him, he would save her. If she refused, she should prepare to face the chopping block. Hearing Wang Tongren's words, Huang Hexiang trembled in fear.
Boss Yang was on stage singing the song "Changbanpo," and Empress Dowager Cixi watched and sighed. She remarked that the Qing Dynasty was now lacking valiant generals like Zhao Yun. After Boss Yang finished singing, Empress Dowager Cixi wanted to reward him, but he begged her to save his girlfriend.
After keeping Huang Hexiang locked up for a day, Wang Tongren arrived at the yamen to play the hero and save her. The deputy commander showed him the letter from the commander of the Jiumen Garrison. To Wang Tongren's surprise, the matter had attracted the Emperor's attention. He personally went to the prison cell and took Huang Hexiang out, claiming that he had sought help to save her.
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