Episode 35 recap: Cui Xing Zhou Successfully Quells the Rebellion
In Episode 35, a few days later, Liu Mian Tang was summoned to the palace by the Dowager. Coincidentally, Lian Binglan's mother rushed out just after having a conversation with the Dowager. The Dowager mentioned her desire to marry Lian Binglan as a secondary wife. Liu Mian Tang felt a wave of unease at this suggestion.
She recalled how wealthy merchants used to marry multiple wives for business reasons, maintaining peace between their households despite the distance. However, the current situation was different; bringing Lian Binglan into the family would surely lead to unrest.
Though reluctant, Liu Mian Tang maintained a polite façade and explained the implications of this arrangement to the Dowager. However, the Dowager insisted that refusing would make the Huaiyang royal family a laughingstock for not being able to accommodate a concubine. This infuriated Liu Mian Tang, but she restrained her anger, bid farewell to the Dowager, and resolved to take action.
Back home, Liu Mian Tang packed her belongings and returned the gifts, including the luminous pearl hairpin, that the Dowager had bestowed upon her. Without looking back, she left the Huaiyang royal residence. She knew her humble origins did not define her dignity. Her previous tolerance had been for Cui Xing Zhou, but now that her limits had been crossed, she could no longer endure.
The Dowager was concerned that news of this situation would reach her son on the battlefield and harm troop morale. She ordered everyone in the residence not to speak of it, especially Liu Mian Tang's departure.
Meanwhile, Shi Yi Kuan, the father, delayed sending troops to support Cui Xing Zhou, putting the troops in Zhenzhou at risk of starvation. The Emperor was anxious and persistently urged him, but Shi Yi Kuan always had an excuse. Seeing the dire situation, Shi Xue Ji quickly summoned her father to the palace and earnestly advised him that they needed to consider the bigger picture.
She even threatened that if he continued to delay, she would pretend to have food poisoning, which would surely bring the Emperor's wrath down on her sister. This tactic worked; although Shi Yi Kuan was furious and smashed a flowerpot, he ultimately agreed to send troops.
As for Liu Mian Tang, upon hearing that the King of Sui intended to capture Cui Xing Zhou's family, she immediately returned to the Huaiyang royal residence. She hurriedly led the Dowager and her family to escape to Qingquan Town. Fortunately, they left just in time; by the time the King's men arrived, they were already gone.
The journey was fraught with difficulties, and conditions were poor. Lian Binglan and her mother began to act entitled, ordering Liu Mian Tang around and even demanding she cook noodles for them. They asserted their identity as members of the Lian family, claiming they had no obligation to flee with the Huaiyang royal family.
The Dowager overheard this and immediately darkened her expression. Realizing the situation was turning against them, Lian Binglan and her mother quickly retreated.
Fearing further complications, Liu Mian Tang took everyone to hide in a porcelain kiln she had previously purchased. The King's men searched everywhere but could not find them. Meanwhile, Cui Xing Zhou personally led a night raid on the rebel stronghold, capturing all of the King's allies.
Once the rebellion was quelled, Cui Xing Zhou found Liu Mian Tang and her mother and brought them back to the royal residence. At this point, the aunt reappeared, crying and pleading with Cui Xing Zhou to marry Lian Binglan as a secondary wife. Naturally, Cui Xing Zhou refused, prompting the aunt to throw a tantrum.
In the end, it was the Dowager who could no longer tolerate the scene; she ordered everyone out, leaving only herself and her sister to talk.
Comments(Episode 35)