Episode 18 recap: Princess Yong'an Hosts a Banquet
In Episode 18, Yan Xing dreams that Yun Que tells him she is going to marry Shen Du and that this is now her territory, urging Yan Xing to move out quickly. In the dream, he also hears someone say he has been pursuing the truth all along and must now choose between the truth and Shen Du, asking how he will decide.
Yan Xing, feeling anxious, insists he won't choose either and wakes up. A maid is waiting for him and informs him that it's already evening. The maid tells Yan Xing that Shen Du wants to see him in the study.
When Yan Xing arrives, Shen Du shows him all the documents from the Jinxiufang case he has organized, revealing that he plans to reopen the case. Yan Xing is thrilled. Lu Chui Chui mentions that Shen Du made a passionate speech in the great hall, convincing the Empress Dowager to agree to review old cases, and suggests that Yan Xing likely played a part in this.
Lu Chui Chui regrets not witnessing Shen Du's impressive presence firsthand, while Yan Xing remarks that Shen Du is always putting on airs in front of him. Lu Chui Chui finds Shen Du particularly handsome, while Yan Xing feels he always has a cold expression, making him look unattractive.
At that moment, Shen Du walks by and overhears them. Yun Que arrives with some items, and Jing Lin advises her not to approach Shen Du right now. Yun Que responds that she is not an outsider, so it shouldn’t matter. Jing Lin points out that Yun Que's family used to have much interaction with Jinxiufang, yet they were completely unaffected by the issues.
Yun Que is displeased and retorts that Jing Lin is interrogating her. Meanwhile, Princess Yong'an seeks out Princess Lu Ning, discussing the old case that is now being reopened. Princess Lu Ning remarks that it makes no difference whether it is reopened; the dead will not come back to life. Yong'an acknowledges that she has always suspected there is a connection to her in this matter.
Princess Lu Ning remains silent.
Princess Yong'an mentioned that the last time the Wise King visited, she had him do a divination for her and asked if he could do one for her as well. Princess Ru Ning replied that she had only been practicing for a few years and couldn’t perform divination for others. Princess Yong'an decided to leave.
Outside, Shen Du indicated that he had a plan to help Princess Yong'an avoid an unjust fate. Pan Chi brought Yun Que's parents over, and they explained that they had come because Yun Que was going to marry Shen Du. Shen Du was shocked and asked Pan Chi how he could say that. Pan Chi responded that Shen Du had only said to bring them over, not that they couldn’t say such things.
Yan Xing then brought Yun Que's parents to Shen Du, clarifying that although Yun Que lived in the capital, Shen Du had no intention of marrying her. He urged Yun Que's parents to reveal what happened with Jinxiufang back then. Yun Que's parents hesitated, but Yan Xing insisted that if they had no ties to the matter, there was no reason to protect someone uninvolved, and they should just leave that night.
Yun Que's parents were anxious, admitting that they had indeed discovered something back then but were threatened to remain silent. The latest revelations came because someone had told Yun Que to gather evidence for a report. Yun Que overheard this and entered, expressing her surprise at the situation and assuring that whatever happens, their family would face it together.
Princess Yong'an hosted a banquet, and Shen Du and Yan Xing attended. Yong'an's daughter, who had been raised outside, returned now that she had come of age. Suddenly, a fire moth attacked Princess Yong'an. Shen Du chased after the assailant and fought with him, revealing that the attacker was Chen Huohua. Yan Xing also approached, feeling Chen Huohua's chest and claiming to have discovered his secret.
Comments(Episode 18)