Episode 23 recap: Liu Mian Tang Stabs Cui Xing Zhou for a Final Farewell
In Episode 23, Liu Mian Tang is plotting how to lure the cunning and ruthless Sun Yun Er into a secluded cave. Despite Sun Yun Er’s usual tricks, she proves to be no match for Liu Mian Tang’s cleverness.Liu Mian Tang skillfully entraps Sun Yun Er with a small dagger. Once cornered, Sun Yun Er reveals dark secrets: the deaths of the Yangshan brothers, the ambush of Cui Xing Zhou, and the massacre of the escort agency were all orchestrated by Sui Wang.
Sun Yun Er, like a puppet on strings, has committed many heinous acts, while Zi Yu remains completely unaware of the truth.
Furious after hearing this, Liu Mian Tang takes immediate action. She shoots an arrow to spill the oil in the cave and then shoots Sun Yun Er, igniting the spilled oil. Flames instantly engulf the cave, delivering the retribution Sun Yun Er deserves.
Just then, Cui Xing Zhou arrives with his men. In the blaze, he spots Liu Mian Tang, who, despite her usual gentle demeanor, stands resolutely with a crossbow in hand.
Cui Xing Zhou feels a chill; if Liu Mian Tang wanted him dead, it would be easy. Strangely, however, she doesn’t attack. Instead, she shoots an oil bag nearby, intensifying the fire.
Seeing this, Cui Xing Zhou quickly instructs his men to back away, fearing they might accidentally harm Liu Mian Tang.
Later, they meet by a waterfall. Liu Mian Tang questions Cui Xing Zhou, asking if he knew she had regained her memory, as there’s no surprise in his eyes.
Cui Xing Zhou admits he knows Liu Mian Tang is uncovering the truth, but he’s more concerned about her as a person. Liu Mian Tang wishes for Cui Xing Zhou to forget everything from the past, including her amnesia, and she thrusts a hairpin toward his chest.
Yet, Cui Xing Zhou cannot bear to let her harm him. He grabs the pin and pulls it from his chest, wipes away the blood, and gently places it back in her hair. Liu Mian Tang, overcome with emotion, cannot hold back her tears and ultimately turns away.
In the blink of an eye, three months have passed. Major events have unfolded in the capital: Empress Wu has been deposed, a new emperor has ascended the throne, and a series of new policies have been implemented. Cui Xing Zhou is drinking and chatting with his friend Zhao Quan when the topic turns to these changes. Zhao Quan exclaims that the plot is even more thrilling than a play.
However, Cui Xing Zhou is preoccupied with thoughts of Qiu Lin's appearance in the capital. He knows that Qiu Lin is often with Liu Mian Tang, which means she must be here too. With the new emperor summoning the feudal lords to the palace, Cui Xing Zhou wastes no time packing his bags and preparing to leave.
Upon arriving in the capital, Cui Xing Zhou immediately recognizes the new emperor as Zi Yu. Back in Qizhou, he had nearly captured Zi Yu, but Shi Yi Kuan had interfered. Now that Zi Yu is the emperor, he certainly won’t let Cui Xing Zhou off easily, especially with Liu Mian Tang involved.
Although the new emperor hasn’t unleashed a massacre, Cui Xing Zhou knows that he and Zi Yu will have to settle their scores eventually.
After leaving the palace, Cui Xing Zhou visits his eldest sister, who informs him that the position of empress is still vacant. Although Shi Xue Ji was betrothed to Zi Yu, it seems that Zi Yu may have feelings for someone else.
His sister advises Cui Xing Zhou to pay attention and win the new emperor's favor. Cui Xing Zhou immediately understands her implication: Zi Yu still holds Liu Mian Tang in his heart.
As expected, Liu Mian Tang is indeed in the capital. She has been busy, disguising herself as a foreign merchant and using beautiful jewelry to charm the Sui Wang consort. The consort frequently visits her shop and even invites her to the residence to assist with her appearances at important events.
As fate would have it, when Cui Xing Zhou visits the Sui Wang residence, he unexpectedly encounters Liu Mian Tang. The moment they see each other, a whirlwind of mixed emotions surges within them...
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