Episode 32 recap: Sun Tan's Suicide
In episode 32, we need to unpack this situation carefully. Lai Luo Zhi finds Yan Xing, reminding him, like an old friend, to be careful with his words—some things should be said, while others should be kept to oneself. However, Yan Xing doesn't respond and just walks away. Lu Chui Chui, who was about to leave, is interrupted by Lai Luo Zhi, who expresses a bit of annoyance that Lu Chui Chui hasn't seen him despite being in town.
Lu Chui Chui then brings up the current political climate, asking Lai Luo Zhi if he’s been tightening his grip lately, having arrested quite a few officials. Lai Luo Zhi nods in acknowledgment. Concerned, Lu Chui Chui asks if Lai Luo Zhi is planning something against Yan Xing. Upon hearing this, Lai Luo Zhi laughs, stating that they are all friends, so why would he only worry about Yan Xing? This prompts Lu Chui Chui to turn hostile, asserting that he doesn’t consider such a friend, and if anything were to happen to Yan Xing, he wouldn’t let it go easily.
Next, Lai Luo Zhi approaches Sun Tan, offering him a way out—by revealing the secrets of Xu Xiang Ren and his gang of underworld friends. This reminds Sun Tan of his first encounter with Xu Xiang Ren, when he was caught stealing. A group of children had surrounded Xu Xiang Ren, pleading for his mercy, as Sun Tan had stolen to support them. Xu Xiang Ren appreciated Sun Tan's loyalty and took him into the palace, where they played mind games with the Empress Dowager, ultimately leading Sun Tan to become a leader among the outcasts. Reflecting on this, Sun Tan, feeling hopeless, decides to take his own life.
Meanwhile, Lu Chui Chui fears that Lai Luo Zhi might cause trouble for Yan Xing and only breathes a sigh of relief when Lai Luo Zhi remains inactive. Yan Xing receives a letter from the Imperial Censorate informing him of Sun Tan's suicide, leaving him troubled. Xu Xiang Ren comes to comfort him, suggesting that Sun Tan expressed everything he wanted to say through Yan Xing's memorial. Shen Du returns, regretting he was too late to plead on Sun Tan's behalf.
Yan Xing then reveals a note from Pan Chi, stating that the fire at the granary was suspicious, as it was found empty, along with a jade pendant design. Shen Du, sharp-eyed, identifies it as a token given by the late emperor to the Empress Dowager, and connects it to his late master’s final words, suspecting that the Shen family’s troubles might involve the Empress Dowager.
On another front, Jing Lin delivers new information about a poison known as "Ten Day Needle," which leaves triangular puncture marks and takes ten days to take effect. Yan Xing recalls the case of Yuan Niang, which was deemed a crime of passion, but he wonders how a village woman could suffer such a fate. Shen Du suggests digging deeper into Yuan Niang’s background, revealing that she was not just a village woman but also responsible for cleaning the palace where the national master once stayed. After the national master’s death, all related persons vanished, leaving behind a prophecy: "The phoenix leads nine chicks, and the world is at peace," with rumors of a mysterious second half.
The Empress Dowager privately summons Yan Xing, mentioning Mo Qian Zhi’s dying words. Yan Xing defends Shen Du, asserting his loyalty to the Empress Dowager and claiming that Mo Qian Zhi was misled. The Empress Dowager then discusses the matter of "e," and Yan Xing believes that "e" is still out there but hidden deeply. Finally, the Empress Dowager brings up Sun Tan, expressing concern that her trust in Lai Luo Zhi may have led to a misunderstanding of Sun Tan. The complexities and intrigues of the palace truly seem endless!
Comments(Episode 32)