In Episode 23, Wei Zhao suddenly appears, prompting the four elders to pursue him as he intentionally allows himself to be captured..Elder Li visits Elder Ping overnight, urging him to become the city lord Elder Li wants to collaborate with Elder Ping to retrieve the jade hairpin, planning to jointly manage the Moonfall region afterward Years ago, Elder Ping and her husband fought alongside Xiao Haitan to defend against foreign invaders, but her husband tragically died in battle Since then, she has blamed Xiao Haitan for all her misfortunes, leading to an intense personal vendetta
Hong Jie, the son of Elder Hong, is young and ambitious, eager to become city lord and change the fate of the Moonfall citizens. However, Elder Hong shows no interest in the position. The four elders interrogate Wei Zhao harshly overnight, but he refuses to reveal the location of the jade hairpin. Meanwhile, Jiang Ci learns that the Lone Star Peak has seeds for the Spirit Coffin Flower and bravely climbs the peak despite the dangers.
The next day, the Moonfall city holds the city lord election ceremony. Lu Yu sends someone disguised as a commoner to find Wei Zhao. Pei Yan, hearing that the masked troublemaker at the selection event has been captured, suspects it is Wei Zhao. He instructs An Cheng to stay behind to handle Lu Yu while he and Tong Min head to Moonfall in search of Jiang Ci.
Yu Lian and A Le arrive just in time at Lone Star Peak. They return to the city with Jiang Ci and overhear that Elder Ping has detained the troublemaker from the election ceremony. Jiang Ci suspects it’s Wei Zhao, and Yu Lian tells her and A Le to go home while she goes to rescue him.
As soon as Yu Lian appears, Hong Jie recognizes her and urgently questions her about Jiang Ci and A Le’s whereabouts. Yu Lian refuses to answer and manages to slip away unnoticed. Pei Yan and Tong Min, disguised, arrive in Moonfall and search for Jiang Ci. From a distance, they spot Yu Lian and follow her, eventually discovering Jiang Ci’s residence.
Pei Yan insists on taking Jiang Ci away, but she firmly refuses. Yu Lian intervenes, leading to a fierce struggle, during which Tong Min severely injures Yu Lian, who is then subdued. Not wanting to drag Yu Lian into this, Jiang Ci reluctantly agrees to leave with Pei Yan.
As A Le escorts Yu Lian out, they are blocked by Hong Jie and captured. The four elders take turns interrogating Wei Zhao, who remains silent. Elder Ji, frustrated, threatens to kill him, but Elder Li strongly disagrees, wanting to retrieve the jade hairpin instead. Elder Ji takes Wei Zhao back to the Xiao family, planning to use cunning tactics to break him. He insults Xiao Haitan with harsh words and even pours a bowl of blood on Xiao Haitan's armor as a sign of humiliation. Wei Zhao, infuriated, mocks the elders and proposes a fight among them: whoever wins can have the jade hairpin. Elder Ping, enraged, charges at Wei Zhao, but Elder Li intervenes to stop her.
Pei Yan shows great care for Jiang Ci, but she remains cold towards him. Despite Pei Yan’s persistent efforts to win her over, Jiang Ci remains unmoved, which deeply hurts him. She would rather be used by Wei Zhao than accept Pei Yan’s affection, even retorting with sharp words.
Hong Jie pressures Yu Lian to reveal the whereabouts of the jade hairpin and their true purpose for coming to Moonfall. Yu Lian refuses to answer. When Hong Jie learns that the four elders have taken Wei Zhao to the Xiao family’s old residence, he angrily decides to confront Wei Zhao, dragging A Le along. Elder Hong drives Hong Jie away and learns from A Le that Jiang Ci has been captured by Pei Yan.
Pei Yan intends to take Jiang Ci away from Moonfall, but she uses the excuse of packing her belongings. She leaves a signal for Wei Zhao and discovers the jade hairpin hidden in her clothes. She takes out a ceramic flute and plays it, the beautiful melody reaching Wei Zhao in his cell.
Elder Hong leads the townspeople in reinforcing the city walls, while Hong Jie complains that he should be vying for the position of city lord, yet he ultimately helps with the work. After packing her things, Jiang Ci follows Pei Yan out. Earlier, she had made porridge for Pei Yan, but he finds that it has been drugged. Angered, he feels betrayed as he harbors deep feelings for Jiang Ci, who remains guarded and plans to drug him again to escape. Without allowing for discussion, Pei Yan grabs Jiang Ci and pulls her away.
Early in the morning, Hong Jie releases Yu Lian and A Le, allowing them to witness the city lord election ceremony. As Pei Yan and Jiang Ci step outside, they encounter Deputy General Zhang Zhicheng, a subordinate of Lu Yu. Concerned that Zhang might disrupt Wei Zhao’s plans, Jiang Ci falsely claims that Pei Yan is taking her to the election ceremony.
The election ceremony officially begins, with the four elders seated on the platform. Elder Li orders Wei Zhao to be brought forth, and Elder Ji publicly clears Xiao Haitan of his unjust accusations, even bowing three times in respect. Elder Ping scolds Elder Ji for lacking resolve. Faced with pressure, Elder Ji reveals the truth: Wei Zhao insists that he knows the whereabouts of Elder Ji’s son, Ji Lang, and that if Elder Ji clears Xiao Haitan’s name, he will not only receive the jade hairpin but also help find Ji Lang.
Wei Zhao publicly recounts Elder Li’s promise from the previous night, stating that if he hands over the jade hairpin, he will be granted endless wealth and honor in Moonfall and Daliang. He presents a written agreement from Elder Li as proof. Elder Li tries to deny it, but Wei Zhao exposes him as Xiao Haitan's son, Xiao Wuxia, causing an uproar among the crowd.
Jiang Ci stands up to testify for Wei Zhao, publicly declaring that her husband is Xiao Wuxia. In response, Elder Li accuses Wei Zhao of being Xiao Wuxia, but Jiang Ci produces the jade hairpin as evidence.
Comments(Episode 23)