Episode 5 recap: Episode 5
In Episode 5, Shen Du expresses his gratitude to Xu Wan, who hints that there’s more to the situation. She warns Shen Du that the Empress Dowager is aware of his grievances and advises him to proceed with caution After leaving the palace, Jing Lin realizes that Yan Xing cleverly exploited his handwriting
Meanwhile, Xiao Chong receives a secret order from the Empress Dowager to investigate matters at Fengxiang Manor. He gives a brief explanation and quickly sets off. Yan Xing, concerned about Shen Du, is anxious when a strange maid delivers a bowl of lotus seed soup, which contains a hidden message—words inscribed on the inside of the lid, indicating a meeting. When Yan Xing attends the meeting, he is surprised to find it’s with Minister Zhang, who aims to ascertain the Yan family’s stance on current events.
Minister Zhang reveals that the Empress Dowager suspects that the nursery rhymes are linked to Xiao Chong and intends to act against him. He hints that Yan Xing should investigate the secrets being transmitted via carrier pigeons by the Shen family. On his way home, Yan Xing is stopped by Shen Du, who warns him about the risks of forging documents. Yan Xing can only argue that he is motivated by the desire to help others.
Meanwhile, a public outcry erupts over unfairness in the imperial examination system, with impoverished scholars expressing their dissatisfaction over a system that favors the children of the wealthy. This situation draws the attention of the Empress Dowager. Princess Yong'an suggests that commoners compete alongside noble youths to select truly talented individuals, but this proposal faces fierce opposition, leading to heated debates in the court.
The Empress Dowager is concerned about the progress of the Shen Du self-immolation case and decides to open the academy to accept students from humble backgrounds.
Yan Xing frequently visits the grandmother of Chen Shusheng to comfort her over her grandson’s literary success. Shen Du encounters Yan Xing reading to the elderly woman and admires his commitment to fairness and justice. He shares the good news about the admission of commoner students, which delights Yan Xing, who praises Shen Du enthusiastically.
Later that night, as Yan Xing struggles to sleep, he decides to go for a run. Noticing this, Shen Du compassionately instructs the housekeeper to dim the lights to avoid disturbing him. Jing Lin reports to Shen Du that all the deceased were musicians, and Yan Xing notices that a hairpin is unusually extravagant. He and Shen Du visit the hairpin shop, where they discover most buyers are either rich or influential, and the shop owner is actually a subordinate of Princess Yong'an, raising suspicions.
Not long after, Yan Xing is invited to Princess Yong'an's residence for a flower viewing, but tension simmers beneath the surface. During the banquet, the Princess finds excuses to challenge Yan Xing and scrutinizes the hairpin Shen Du gave him. Just in time, Shen Du arrives and, citing family matters, takes the weakened Yan Xing away.
Shen Du glares at Princess Yong'an in anger, firmly leading Yan Xing away, fully aware of the dangers of this encounter. Yan Xing intends to express his gratitude, but Shen Du remains indifferent, with everything left unspoken.
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