Episode 9 recap: The misunderstanding at the hunting grounds was cleared up, and Mei Yu Shan made some gifts.
The formal hunt began, with the prey changing from large ferocious beasts to rabbits. Rabbits have smaller bodies, allowing the hunters to better practice their shooting accuracy. After announcing the new rules, Mei Yu Shan was the first to reach the hunting grounds, and the others followed shortly after. When the Second Prince aimed at a rabbit, Mei Yu Shan brought a large spider to scare him. Su Ruo Mei prepared to shoot an arrow but was scared away by a flying insect. Nan Gong Pin was tripped by a mechanism and a beehive fell on her, stinging her swollen face - all these stunts were orchestrated by Mei Yu Shan. When Zhuang Yangyang aimed at a rabbit, Mei Yu Shan was nearby, and Nan Gong Yao pushed him away, causing them to tumble down the hill together.
Su Ruo Mei ultimately shot the rabbit, only to be told it was a realistic toy. Nan Gong Yao, who dislikes killing, had made prior arrangements. On the way back, the Second Prince realized Nan Gong Yao's sachet was missing, likely lost in the forest, but Nan Gong Yao was unconcerned and led the group back.
When they reached the waiting point, Xiao Douzi noticed Mei Yu Shan was missing, and Nan Gong Yao immediately ordered a search. As Xing Shi entered the forest, he heard a bird's signal, and the bird told him that it had learned about the three men in Black Dog Alley who had adopted an abandoned infant, which Xing Shi suspected was the Princess of the Moon.
Mei Yu Shan returned to the spot where Nan Gong Yao and Zhuang Yangyang had tumbled, finding only a sweet potato. As he prepared to enjoy a hearty meal, a dark figure appeared behind him, and Mei Yu Shan quickly knelt and begged for mercy, only to find it was Nan Gong Yao.
Nan Gong Yao asked Mei Yu Shan why he had remained alone in the forest. Mei Yu Shan explained that he wanted to help find the lost sachet. They built a fire and roasted sweet potatoes. When Mei Yu Shan hastily took a bite, he burned his mouth. Nan Gong Yao leaned in to blow on it, bringing them very close together. Mei Yu Shan began to fantasize about them kissing, but quickly shook off the thought as the pain subsided.
Back at the manor, Mei Yu Shan pestered Xiao Douzi to teach him embroidery, so he could make a sachet for Nan Gong Yao. Xiao Douzi noticed that Mei Yu Shan no longer seemed eager to get the Moon Sphere back, and instead was enjoying his time with Nan Gong Yao. Mei Yu Shan blushed and claimed he was only trying to gain Nan Gong Yao's trust, as his embroidery skills were lacking. He also asked Xiao Douzi to paint a portrait of Nan Gong Yao, hoping it would make him happy and prompt an early return of the Moon Sphere.
When Mei Yu Shan presented the sachet, Nan Gong Yao chuckled at its strange shape but appreciated that Mei Yu Shan had made it himself. Mei Yu Shan finally brought up the Moon Sphere, and Nan Gong Yao asked about its purpose. Unable to give the real reason, Mei Yu Shan lied that a friend was ill and needed it for healing. As class was starting, Nan Gong Yao left, taking the sachet with him.
That night, Dongxi reported to Nan Gong Yao that the Moon Sphere had gone missing from the museum exhibit, but no thief had been caught, suggesting the thief had been eyeing the sphere for some time, as it was an item from the Shengdong Kingdom, and the Crown Prince had been present during the theft. Xing Shi had found the familiar wooden box in Black Dog Alley, realizing that the little boy, Shitou, was likely the Princess of the Moon.
Nan Gong Yao summoned Mei Yu Shan to the Eastern Palace and questioned him about the Moon Sphere. Mei Yu Shan stumbled through his explanations, claiming it was just a regular pearl, not the Moon Sphere, and that his sick friend needed it for healing - a story he could not coherently defend. Seeing that he could not get the truth out of Mei Yu Shan, Nan Gong Yao dismissed him to return to the women's quarters.
Comments(Episode 9)