Episode 19 recap: Liu Mian Tang Seeks Revenge for the Brothers of the Escort Agency
In Episode 19, under the candlelight at night, Cui Xing Zhou and Zhao Quan meticulously sift through the clues gathered during the day. With a furrowed brow, Cui Xing Zhou tells Zhao Quan, "After tonight, you need to return to Qingzhou and keep an eye on He Zhen. Since she knows my identity, she might take action. We can't afford any mistakes in Qingzhou." Zhao Quan nods in agreement, understanding the gravity of the task.
Meanwhile, Liu Mian Tang pulls Cui Xing Zhou's hand, playfully asking him to go shopping with her to enjoy some time together. She specifically requests he not bring too many bodyguards, saying it would spoil the date. Although Cui Xing Zhou has military matters on his mind, he can't resist Liu Mian Tang's hopeful gaze. Since she mentioned returning to Qingzhou and his current affairs are unresolved, he reluctantly agrees to take her out.
During the day, the three of them sit together enjoying baked flatbreads in a warm atmosphere. Cui Xing Zhou inadvertently spots Qiao Xian's figure and suddenly jumps up to chase after him, unaware that this was a little trick set up by Liu Mian Tang and Qiao Xian. Qiao Xian cleverly hides and has arranged for two children to play chess at the entrance, using pieces made of iron ore. When Cui Xing Zhou catches up, he grows suspicious and follows the clues into a courtyard, where he sees people bustling about, moving large crates—clearly connected to iron ore. Fearing he’s fallen into a trap, he rushes back to where they were eating, only to find Liu Mian Tang has vanished. Panic sets in as he searches everywhere until he finally finds her safe, and he breathes a sigh of relief, hugging her tightly.
Feeling Cui Xing Zhou's anxiety, Liu Mian Tang warms inside, realizing that this person who pretends to be someone else truly cares for her. After much effort, Liu Mian Tang finally confirms that the true culprit behind the escort agency massacre years ago is Cao Duo. She confronts Cao Duo with a dagger, and in fear, he immediately points to Lu Wen as the mastermind.
In a fit of rage, Liu Mian Tang stabs Cao Duo but soon realizes this action clears Lu Wen of suspicion, revealing that the real puppet master might be Sun Yun Er. She leaves the dagger with her uncle, asking him to seek justice for the brothers of the escort agency.
When Cui Xing Zhou arrives, he finds Cao Duo already dead, leading to another dead end in his investigation. This sense of frustration reminds him of his last encounter with Lu Wen. He suspects Lu Wen has returned to the capital, but the situation is more complicated; although Lu Wen isn't in Qingzhou, everything is still being secretly manipulated by Yun Er.
Later, Cui Xing Zhou is tasked with escorting A Gu Shan to meet the empress but is denied an audience. The empress merely grants him a title and orders his execution on the spot. Cui Xing Zhou feels a deep sense of resentment, with many questions unanswered, and he can only watch helplessly as a key witness meets his end.
Liu Mian Tang, filled with anger and nowhere to express it, returns home and notices something off with Cui Xing Zhou. She deliberately asks about the scar on his hand. Reluctantly, he reveals it’s an arrow wound from a fierce battle where he nearly lost his life saving her.
After hearing this, Liu Mian Tang pieces it all together and concludes that Cui Xing Zhou is indeed the Prince of Huaiyang and is soon returning to Qingzhou. Consequently, she writes a letter to her uncle, revealing Cui Xing Zhou's true identity.
Comments(Episode 19)