Episode 33 recap: Cui Xing Zhou Receives the Imperial Edict and Rushes to the Front Lines
Cui Xing Zhou's aunt is always stirring up trouble, trying to win people over at Liu Mian Tang's expense. Cui Xing Zhou sees right through her schemes. He privately speaks with his uncle, implying that if his aunt continues her antics, it could jeopardize his future and potentially force the Lian family out of Zhenzhou.
Realizing he means business, his aunt decides to back off. Shortly after, news arrives from the palace: the Duke of Lu has rebelled! The Prince of Huaiyang must quickly lead troops to quell the uprising. This urgent situation may even delay a previously scheduled wedding. As Cui Xing Zhou prepares to go to war, his biggest worry is Liu Mian Tang.
He rushes to his mother’s study, pleading with her to give the Prince of Huaiyang's seal to Liu Mian Tang early, so she has some security at home. Initially hesitant, the Dowager Empress eventually yields to Cui Xing Zhou's earnest requests and hands over the seal to Liu Mian Tang.
With a sigh of relief, Cui Xing Zhou heads to Liu Mian Tang's room for a final round of warnings, insisting she must stay home and avoid danger. Liu Mian Tang understands his good intentions and comforts him, promising to take care of the Dowager Empress while he is away.
Once he leaves, the Dowager Empress calls Liu Mian Tang to the study and presents her with a beautifully crafted wooden box. Inside is a seemingly ordinary yet stunning hairpin, a rare night pearl hairpin, which is a family heirloom of the Dowager Empress. This gesture is a clear acknowledgment of Liu Mian Tang's status.
When Cui Xing Zhou's aunt and cousin hear about the night pearl hairpin going to Liu Mian Tang, they are filled with regret and anger. Determined to sabotage Liu Mian Tang, they plot to prevent her from smoothly becoming the Princess of Huaiyang.
Meanwhile, He Zhen is tirelessly working on her porcelain, spending day and night at the kiln. Finally, she produces a batch of porcelain that meets her standards. Excited, she shows it to Liu Mian Tang, who advises her to focus on the details, as the emperor currently prefers less extravagance. He Zhen takes the advice to heart and improves her porcelain, resulting in pieces that are both sturdy and refined, earning unanimous praise from the merchant guild.
On another front, Shi Yi Kuan is trying to solidify his position by sending his other daughters into the palace, deliberately showcasing them to the emperor. Although the emperor is aware of Shi Yi Kuan's intentions, the unstable situation requires his cooperation against the Duke of Sui, so he plays along for now. When Shi Xue Ji's sister comes to pay her respects, she arrogantly assumes she will soon be named a noble consort, acting as if she were the empress herself. Shi Xue Ji feels uncomfortable but chooses not to undermine her.
Throughout the battles, Cui Xing Zhou makes it a point to write to Liu Mian Tang as often as he can, their relationship blooming through these letters. Since Liu Mian Tang entered the Zhen Nan Marquis household, the Dowager Empress has grown increasingly fond of her. After receiving an invitation to a banquet from the Marquis of Zhen Nan, the Dowager Empress prepares several exquisite outfits for Liu Mian Tang. Dressed in her new clothes, she stands before the Dowager Empress, dazzlingly beautiful. The Dowager Empress praises her repeatedly and even offers her some of her own jewelry from her youth.
With a sigh, the Dowager Empress reflects on how Liu Mian Tang is truly a stunning beauty, looking good in anything she wears.
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