Episode 21 recap: Pei Yan Suggests Military Reforms to Emperor Da Liang
In Episode 21, Wei Zhao returns to his hometown, Moonfall City, after many years. Memories flood back, reminding him of the joyful times he spent with his parents and sister during his childhood. However, everything has changed; his parents and sister have passed away. After years of hardship, he has finally become successful and enjoys a life free from financial worries, yet he feels lonely and isolated.
As Wei Zhao reflects on his past, he becomes increasingly sorrowful and can't help but shed tears, which Jiang Ci observes nearby. Pei Yan, initially hoping to revive his fortunes through a military equipment case, finds himself trapped by the selfish desires of his mother, Rong Yu Die. Determined to regain Emperor Xie Che’s favor, Pei Yan decides to propose military reforms. The Town Guard Army and the Changfeng Guard are thorns in Emperor Xie Che’s side; currently, the Changfeng Guard is managed by Yue Jinglong. If Pei Yan can implement comprehensive reforms in the Town Guard Army, he could regain the emperor’s trust and return to government service.
Pei Yan is particularly concerned about the account books in Wei Zhao’s possession that detail the dealings between Rong Yu Die and the Ministry of Forging. He sends Yi Fei to gather information about Wei Zhao’s whereabouts. Meanwhile, Rong Yu Die is eager to arrange a marriage between Pei Yan and Dong Juan, the second daughter of Prime Minister Dong Fang, insisting that he meet her the next day. However, Pei Yan remains infatuated with Jiang Ci and shows no interest in Dong Juan, making various excuses to avoid the meeting.
Pei Yan prepares a military reform plan and rushes to the palace to report to Emperor Xie Che, but the emperor avoids him. Undeterred, Pei Yan waits outside the palace every day for a summons. Wei Zhao, along with Jiang Ci, Ping Shu, and Yu Lian, departs from A Le’s home to head to Moonfall City. A Le insists on accompanying Wei Zhao, and Wei Zhao reluctantly agrees.
Along the way, Jiang Ci leaves markers to help her master find her quickly. She inadvertently discovers Yu Lian lost in thought outside a courtyard, where an elderly woman is tending to a wooden gate. Jiang Ci approaches to help and learns that the woman is Yu Lian’s mother.
As night falls, the group arrives at an inn. Ping Shu suggests Jiang Ci sleep in the woodshed, but she firmly refuses, insisting on staying with Yu Lian. Jiang Ci shares the two eggs that the elderly woman gave her daughter, Yu Lian. Yu Lian opens up to Jiang Ci, revealing her harrowing experience of being captured and enslaved in the Da Liang Kingdom, while her mother grieves constantly. Wei Zhao rescued Yu Lian, and she vows to fight for the people of Moonfall City. Aware of the dangers ahead and the constant threat to her life, she hesitates to reveal her identity to her mother to spare her from the pain of separation again. Jiang Ci witnesses the sacrifice of the Lao He couple for justice, which deepens her respect for the people of Moonfall.
Jiang Ci notices that Wei Zhao has been acting strangely since returning to Moonfall and tries to inquire about him from Yu Lian, but Yu Lian remains tight-lipped.
Wei Zhao teaches A Le martial arts, maintaining strict standards, and A Le practices diligently. Emperor Xie Che of Da Liang reviews Pei Yan's military reform proposal and is satisfied, but he still refuses to meet Pei Yan, wanting Wei Zhao to clarify matters regarding Lu Yu first.
After failing to meet Xie Che, Pei Yan leaves in disappointment. As he walks by the river, he recalls the day he made a wish with Jiang Ci at the lotus lantern and feels a sense of unease. Bored, Pei Yan heads back and unexpectedly runs into Dong Juan, suddenly remembering their appointment for the day. He apologizes to her on behalf of his friend, and Dong Juan, not holding a grudge, agrees to lie for Pei Yan, claiming he arrived on time. Pei Yan feels grateful to her.
After bidding farewell to Dong Juan, Pei Yan returns to the Jian Ding Marquis residence and learns that Cui Liang has not eaten or drunk anything for four days. He hurriedly goes to check on him. Cui Liang helped Jiang Ci escape and feels too ashamed to face Pei Yan, wanting to atone by ending his life. Pei Yan urges him to eat first. Cui Liang knows Pei Yan is a person of great ambition capable of governing the realm, but he fears Pei Yan may let the people suffer in war for the sake of the throne. Pei Yan vows not to let the people endure such suffering and asks Cui Liang to stay by his side.
The next morning, Pei Yan visits Prime Minister Dong Fang to propose marriage. Dong Fang eagerly agrees and speaks well of Pei Yan to Xie Che, who finally consents to meet him. Pei Yan is anxious to proceed with the military reforms but worries about Lu Yu's cooperation. He volunteers to go to Liangzhou for the reforms. Xie Che restores his official position and secretly sends a message to Wei Zhao to keep a close eye on Pei Yan and Lu Yu.
Pei Yan bids farewell to Rong Yu Die, promising to retrieve the account books from Wei Zhao as soon as possible. The selection competition for the mayor of Moonfall City takes place today. Early in the morning, Wei Zhao quietly takes Ping Shu with him to participate, while Jiang Ci and A Le secretly follow them to the venue.
The election begins with four candidates: Elder Ji, Elder Hong, Elder Li, and Elder Ping. The clanspeople openly vote. Wei Zhao casts his vote for Xiao Haitian, causing an uproar. The clanspeople angrily denounce Xiao Haitian as a sinner of Moonfall, condemning him fiercely. Wei Zhao, masked, rushes onto the stage, producing the old mayor’s token—a white jade hairpin—demanding justice for Xiao Haitian, which shocks the crowd.
Comments(Episode 21)