Episode 11 recap: The relief work hiring caused trouble, and Xiao Dou Zi tried to change his identity.
The news of a female thief breaking into the East Palace quickly spread in the Chongwen Library. Mei Yu Shan did not arrive in time for breakfast, and Su Ruo Mei began to suspect that the person who broke into the East Palace was Mei Yu Shan. As they were whispering, Xiao Dou Zi walked into the study hall with a maid, and Huang Yuan Yuan immediately went to ask him. Xiao Dou Zi neither admitted nor denied it, but instead accused them of meddling. Zhuang Yang Yang said that if the matter was leaked, it would tarnish the reputation of the Prime Minister's Mansion. Xiao Dou Zi did not know how to respond, and asked Mei Yu Shan to grind the medicine first, then went out for a walk to avoid the rumors. At the door, he ran into Nan Gong Yao, and the two seemed to have a different atmosphere between them, which everyone could see.
Nan Gong Yao had just taken a seat when the Second Prince eagerly asked about the purpose of summoning the Imperial Physician the previous night. Nan Gong Yao explained that he was helping to treat a rabbit's fall injury, and the noise was inevitably a bit loud. Everyone knew the real situation and looked at each other silently. Nan Gong Pin said that the East Palace should appoint a Crown Princess as soon as possible to avoid the Crown Prince doing everything himself. Nan Gong Yao hurriedly explained that he did not have someone he admired yet.
At night, while the workers in the camp were asleep, the three foster fathers of Xiao Dou Zi prepared to flee the camp. The supervisor deliberately made a noise to alert the patrol soldiers, and the three were caught. After investigation, it was found that the three were actually street hoodlums pretending to be disaster victims to collect relief funds. The incident quickly spread throughout the capital, and Liu Qin Yuan led people to protest outside the Jinluan Palace, accusing the Crown Prince of poor hiring.
Song Gong Gong reported to the Empress, but the Empress was not in a hurry. She said that dealing with people is like dealing with flowers and plants, needing occasional pruning. Soon, Zhuang Fu Cheng brought up a memorial with concrete evidence of Liu Qin Yuan's corruption and embezzlement. The Empress hinted that she would give Liu Qin Yuan a warning, and to make Zhuang Yang Yang the most suitable candidate for the Crown Princess, as she was dignified and proper.
Regarding the events that occurred during the appraisal at the Museum, the Empress ordered an investigation. Song Gong Gong questioned Mei Yu Shan why she had disguised herself as a palace maid to approach the Crown Prince that night, but Mei Yu Shan could not answer. Song Gong Gong was preparing to have the Censorate interrogate her, but Xing Shi stepped in to help, and Mei Yu Shan managed to avoid disaster.
Nan Gong Yao returned the Moonlight Pearl to Xiao Dou Zi and asked about his next plans. Xiao Dou Zi said that after changing his identity, he planned to find a way to leave the palace, as the imperial court was not suitable for him to stay permanently. Nan Gong Yao reminded him to be careful in the future.
Bai Ye went to the East Palace to report the trouble caused by the hiring, and also asked if he had seen the Moonlight Pearl lost from the museum. Nan Gong Yao was amazed at how quickly the news had spread, but did not directly answer, and turned to go with Xing Shi to investigate the fake disaster victims.
Xiao Dou Zi's three foster fathers did not know the Crown Prince's identity and boasted about their daughter's high status in the palace. The second father stopped the eldest, and Nan Gong Yao demanded that the three quickly reveal who was behind them, or else they would be executed in 20 days.
Xiao Dou Zi got the Moonlight Pearl and brought Mei Yu Shan back to the same spot in the museum to try switching bodies again. They tried every possible method, but still could not switch back. Exhausted, they returned to the lady's room. Xiao Dou Zi was worried that if he could never switch back, who would take care of his three foster fathers in their old age. Mei Yu Shan said she could have her father bring the three men to the Prime Minister's Mansion to enjoy their later years. Xiao Dou Zi was very grateful and proposed that they become sworn sisters of different surnames.
The two had a big celebratory drink, and Xiao Dou Zi suddenly remembered that they had switched bodies when there was a lunar eclipse. He decided they should try again the next time there was a lunar eclipse.
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