Episode 13 recap: ep13
In Episode 13, Pei Yan and Wei Zhao are dispatched by the Great Emperor Xie Che to investigate a weapons case in Nanling.However, both have their own agendas Pei Yan aims to establish his authority among the Pei clan to revive their family's legacy He sends people to track down the Yan Qiao Shuang sisters, who are suspected of assassinating Prince Qi, in hopes of uncovering the truth behind the prince’s murder
Emperor Xie Che entrusts Wei Zhao with a secret mission to monitor Pei Yan's every move, fearing that Pei Yan might leverage clan support to rebel. Wei Zhao also secretly looks into the Yan Qiao Shuang sisters. Together with He Zhenwen, they inspect the Minting Bureau but find no irregularities. Wei Zhao suggests that they use their time exploring the area to investigate the weapons case further.
Every day, Wei Zhao, Jiang Ci, and Cui Liang set out early, pretending to enjoy leisurely outings while secretly visiting various markets in Nanling. They observe that everything appears orderly, and the local populace seems content. They pay particular attention to rice and blacksmith shops but find no issues until Jiang Ci discovers that many rice shops are selling old rice at the same price as fresh rice. This raises Wei Zhao's suspicions that someone is manipulating the situation to hide the true state of affairs in Nanling.
Jiang Ci quickly becomes friends with A Yan, a boatman, who takes her on walks by the river. During one outing, Jiang Ci notices that the area has been stripped of its rice harvest, which perplexes her—Nanling is known for its abundance of fish and rice, and this year’s plentiful rains should have led to a good harvest. Concerned about potential famine, she immediately reports her findings to Pei Yan. Pei Yan decides they should split up: he will investigate the rice shops, while Wei Zhao will search for signs of hunger among the populace.
Jiang Ci insists on accompanying Pei Yan, but he worries about her safety and advises her to stay home. A Yan, seeing Pei Yan's concern for Jiang Ci, is reminded of her own lost fiancé, which deepens her sorrow as she clutches the necklace he gave her. Pei Yan sends people to inspect the four major granaries in Nanling and discovers that both the eastern and western granaries are under the control of Pei clan members. He assigns Tong Min and Yi Fei to investigate further.
Yi Fei secretly looks into Zhao Wu, who had married and fathered a child before being executed for negligence. Zhao Wu’s wife has passed away, and their son is now lost in Nanling. Wei Zhao suspects that Zhao Wu might have helped the Yan Qiao Shuang sisters escape, and he instructs Yi Fei to keep a close watch on Pei Yan. Yi Fei, reluctant to continue as a spy, faces a reprimand from Wei Zhao.
While having a meal in the kitchen, Wei Zhao sees Jiang Ci making rice cakes with the old rice. He seizes the opportunity to sow discord, claiming that Pei Yan's investigation into the rice shops is not for the sake of the hungry, but to protect the Pei family's interests. Jiang Ci, not believing him, gives him a rice cake and dismisses him with a few words.
The next morning, Wei Zhao heads out to investigate, while Jiang Ci sneaks into his room searching for her small clay cat. She turns the room upside down but finds nothing. Suddenly, Wei Zhao returns and catches her in the act. Jiang Ci accuses him of not taking the investigation seriously and demands her clay cat. Wei Zhao flatly refuses and takes her to a dilapidated temple in the west of the city, where they find many hungry people being mistreated by officials. Jiang Ci is stunned by the scene.
Recalling how he and his sister had been treated like beggars, Wei Zhao grits his teeth in anger, wanting to confront the officials. Jiang Ci advises him to exercise patience and suggests a plan to gather more information about the situation.
Jiang Ci and Wei Zhao disguise themselves as a starving couple to beg on the streets but are caught and taken to a dilapidated temple. Jiang Ci cries out for help, fabricating a story about how they became beggars. The other beggars ignore them, with some even advising Jiang Ci not to waste her efforts.
Wei Zhao pulls out a large pancake, causing the beggars to rush forward to grab it. Seizing the opportunity, he asks them about the prisoners held in the temple. A girl who used to work in the Drunken Red Chamber reveals the truth: many starving people have come to Nanling, struggling to survive on old rice. He Zhenwen's henchman, Zhao Da, locked the beggars up here because a high official from Qingkang City is visiting Nanling.
The girl suffers from a painful illness, so Jiang Ci decides to stay behind and care for her while urging Wei Zhao to return and report to Pei Yan. Unable to refuse Jiang Ci, Wei Zhao leaves her with the badge of the Guangming Division. Meanwhile, Pei Yan, accompanied by Cui Liang and An Cheng, inspects the granary in the west and discovers that the rice there is substandard.
Upon returning to their lodging, Wei Zhao learns from Yi Fei about Pei Yan's whereabouts and rushes over, only to see An Cheng leaving a place where Zhao Wu once lived. He quietly enters to investigate and finds a suspicious footprint. When He Zhenwen hears that Pei Yan is at the western granary and Wei Zhao is at the temple, he worries about the situation being revealed and sends He Yonglin to kill all the beggars.
Jiang Ci carefully tends to the girl when suddenly a group bursts into the temple, led by a masked man who begins to slaughter the beggars. Jiang Ci quickly pulls the girl to hide, but they are soon discovered. In a moment of desperation, Jiang Ci calls out for Wei Zhao. He rushes to the temple and finds it empty, realizing Jiang Ci is in danger.
Jiang Ci shouts Wei Zhao's name and reveals the Guangming badge, causing the masked man to hesitate, ordering her to be captured instead. Pei Yan arrives at the temple and learns that Jiang Ci has been taken. He hurriedly goes to rescue her, while Wei Zhao suddenly spots Jiang Ci's sachet on the ground, filled with dark night orchids. He knows that once the dark night orchid gets on something, it's very hard to wash off, and he plans to use this clue to find Jiang Ci.
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