Episode 11 recap: Pei Yan Takes the Initiative to Investigate in Nanling
In Episode 11, the night is cool and serene as colorful lanterns illuminate the banks of a small river, bustling with shops and lively crowds. Families gather to admire the lanterns. Pei Yan rows a boat with Jiang Ci under the enchanting night sky. Jiang Ci expresses her gratitude for Pei Yan's repeated rescues, while Pei Yan opens up about his long-held wishes.
Jiang Ci writes her wish on a lotus lantern, also including Pei Yan's ambition to expand the Pei family’s legacy. They watch the lantern float downstream, their hearts filled with mixed emotions. Seizing the moment, Jiang Ci bids farewell to Pei Yan, eager to fulfill her own wish. Despite Pei Yan's desperate attempts to persuade her to stay, she is resolute.
On the bridge, a girl recognizes Pei Yan and excitedly calls her friends, quickly attracting a crowd of admirers. However, Pei Yan's focus remains solely on Jiang Ci. As their boat glides into the bridge's arch, the girls rush to the other side, eagerly waiting for Pei Yan's appearance.
In a shocking twist, Pei Yan hands Jiang Ci a dagger and plunges it into his own chest, blood instantly soaking his clothes. As their boat emerges from the arch, the girls scream in terror at the sight of Pei Yan wounded. He collapses from blood loss, leaving Jiang Ci in a state of panic.
Wei Zhao learns of the incident early the next morning and Jiang Ci is imprisoned, while Pei Yan is summoned to the palace by Emperor Xie Che. Pei Yan claims he is deeply infatuated with Jiang Ci, but she insists she would rather die than yield, leading to a harsh reprimand from Xie Che. Undeterred, Pei Yan declares his intention to keep Jiang Ci by his side every day, but Xie Che disapproves. In a fit of anger, Pei Yan resigns from his position, prompting Xie Che to send him to the Sword Cauldron Marquis’s residence for reflection.
Wei Zhao visits Jiang Ci in prison, warning her not to be fooled by Pei Yan's façade, suggesting he is merely using her and urging her to act as his spy. Jiang Ci firmly refuses to serve as Wei Zhao's informant, leaving him frustrated.
Eventually, Xie Che relents and releases Jiang Ci. Pei Yan arrives at the prison to pick her up, but notices Wei Zhao there, who watches their departure with resentment. Pei Yan takes Jiang Ci for a stroll, buying her favorite snacks. Once again, Jiang Ci tries to leave, but Pei Yan expresses concern that a silver-masked assassin might harm her. He invokes Emperor Xie Che’s name, asserting that if Jiang Ci leaves now, it would constitute treason. Reluctantly, Jiang Ci agrees to return with Pei Yan to the Marquis’s residence.
Rong Yudie harbors deep resentment toward Jiang Ci and punishes Pei Yan with three days of confinement for reflection. Cui Liang visits Jiang Ci, bringing her books to pass the time. Living under someone else's roof, Jiang Ci appreciates Cui Liang's kindness and support.
That night, Jiang Ci called Wei Zhao to the Marquis's residence through a secret informant, pleading with him to return her little clay cat. Wei Zhao firmly refused.
Rong Yudie punished Pei Yan to kneel in the Pei family ancestral hall for three days without food or water. Both An Cheng and Tong Min felt sorry for Pei Yan. An Cheng inadvertently revealed that after Pei Yan was captured, Rong Yudie had slapped Jiang Ci. Pei Yan eagerly inquired about the story behind this, while Jiang Ci listened intently.
During the harsh winter, the ancestral hall was cold and damp. Rong Yudie forbade Pei Yan from bringing warm clothing or blankets. Jiang Ci, feeling heartbroken for him, secretly visited the hall and constantly explained to Rong Yudie, hoping Pei Yan wouldn’t hold a grudge against her.
Emperor Xie Che received reports from officials stating that the weapons produced by the Nanling Manufacturing Bureau were substandard and unreliable. He ordered the Left Chancellor, Dong Fang, to dispatch capable officials to investigate the matter thoroughly. Since Nanling was under the Pei family's influence, upon hearing this, Pei Yan took the initiative to ask Xie Che for permission to secretly investigate the weapons case in Nanling. Xie Che readily agreed. Rong Yudie advised Pei Yan to handle the case well and strive to return to court soon. Pei Yan insisted on bringing Jiang Ci along, and Rong Yudie felt it inappropriate to stop him.
Pei Yan explained the situation to Jiang Ci, who realized that Nanling was very close to Yuzhou, the place she wanted to go. Without hesitation, she agreed to accompany him. Meanwhile, Wei Zhao sent people to inquire about Yan Qiao Shuang’s whereabouts, hoping to uncover the truth about Prince Qi’s murder through her. Learning that Pei Yan was also searching for Yan Qiao Shuang, Wei Zhao ordered his men to keep a close watch on the movements at the Marquis's residence.
Late at night, Wei Zhao sneaked into the Marquis's residence and saw Jiang Ci packing her belongings, with Cui Liang also present. After Cui Liang left, Wei Zhao entered to see Jiang Ci. He initially intended to return the little clay cat to her but hesitated. Noticing the dark night orchid on his hand, Jiang Ci offered him a box of ointment to remove the stain, prompting Wei Zhao to decide to go to Nanling as well.
The next morning, Wei Zhao reported to Xie Che. Pei Yan asked to borrow some men to rescue Teng Rui and secretly arranged for Xu Jun to mobilize the Changfeng Guard for the rescue. Xie Che grew wary of Pei Yan and dispatched Wei Zhao with the Guangming Guard to assist Pei Yan in investigating the weapons case, which Wei Zhao was more than happy to do.
Jiang Ci accidentally learned that Wei Zhao was also going to Nanling, feeling a surge of joy and planning to find an opportunity to reclaim her little clay cat.
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