Episode 18 recap: Liu Mian Tang's Secret Investigation
In Episode 18, Shi Yi Kuan takes Zi Yu to meet the Empress Dowager, who is dining with the Emperor at the time. The young Emperor, seeing Zi Yu for the first time, is curious and asks him to bring over some snacks from the table. Zi Yu, showing great respect, presents the snacks with both hands and has secretly prepared a grand gift for the Empress Dowager—a rare jade statue of the Queen Mother.
The Empress Dowager's eyes light up with delight upon seeing the gift, but just then, Tai Huang Tai Hou arrives unexpectedly. Upon entering, Tai Huang Tai Hou notices the lavish spread of food on the table and is displeased, reminding the Empress Dowager that today is the anniversary of the late Emperor's passing, a detail she has forgotten. Tai Huang Tai Hou scolds her for her lack of decorum.
Seeing the Empress Dowager's embarrassment, Zi Yu quickly steps in to smooth things over, explaining that the lavish banquet is meant to showcase the prosperity of their court and discourage any ill intentions from outsiders. Tai Huang Tai Hou, left without a retort, lightens up, and the Empress Dowager even encourages the young Emperor to grant Zi Yu a title. As a result, this is how Zi Yu earns a prestigious position in the Ministry of War during his first meeting with the Empress Dowager.
Afterward, Tai Huang Tai Hou leaves in a huff, while Zi Yu isn't idle. He goes to pay his respects to Tai Huang Tai Hou, kneeling in gratitude. However, Tai Huang Tai Hou, knowing that he is Shi Yi Kuan's son-in-law, doesn’t hold him in high regard and warns him to be careful about his associations, suggesting he may not realize the dangers until it’s too late.
Meanwhile, Liu Mian Tang has fully regained her memories. That night, she lies next to Cui Xing Zhou and intentionally mentions that she remembers some things from her past, including her time at a bodyguard agency. Curious, Cui Xing Zhou asks her what she did during the day and warns her to be cautious and not wander around too much.
Liu Mian Tang ignores his advice, concocting a lie about going to a tea house for noodles. She spends her days strolling through the capital with her maid, plotting how to find the person who harmed her.
Before long, she unexpectedly encounters a familiar face—her uncle, disguised as a fortune teller, who offers to read her fortune. Liu Mian Tang discreetly notes the time and place of their meeting.
Cui Xing Zhou is busy too. He leads a group of guards to the location where a body was hidden, only to find one corpse missing—it’s Qiao Xian! To gather clues, Cui Xing Zhou orders his men to post wanted posters of Qiao Xian throughout the streets and offers a hefty reward.
Soon, someone provides a lead, mentioning that Qiao Xian was seen in Feng Liu Alley. Cui Xing Zhou rushes there, and although they don’t capture him, they discover that a fortune teller is involved. He then surrounds the fortune-telling establishment. Coincidentally, Liu Mian Tang is there meeting Qiao Xian. Just as they exchange a few words, Cui Xing Zhou arrives.
Seeing Liu Mian Tang and her maid present, he suspects something but decides not to arrest them on the spot, wanting to spare Liu Mian Tang's feelings. Liu Mian Tang feigns ignorance and even invites Cui Xing Zhou to get his fortune told. Meanwhile, Qiao Xian, having recently changed his appearance, goes unrecognized by both Cui Xing Zhou and Liu Mian Tang for the moment.
Qiao Xian mysteriously suggests that their marriage is bound to face problems due to the secrets they keep from each other, advising them to be honest and open.
Comments(Episode 18)