Episode 32 recap: Rong Yu Die Seeks Collaboration with Yan Qiao Shuang and Wei Zhao
In episode 32, Wei Zhao's sister, Xiao Yu Jia, was a consort of the Great Ling Emperor, Xie Che. She tragically died during childbirth, and the anniversary of her death is approaching. Wei Zhao is deeply troubled and goes to the Imperial Medical Bureau to seek calming medicine. While there, he takes the opportunity to inquire about the cause of Xiao Yu Jia's death. The chief physician, Sun Yi Zheng, is visibly shaken; he recalls that when he arrived at the palace, Xiao Yu Jia was in critical condition and desperate for her life. Despite his best efforts, he couldn't save her.
The more Wei Zhao thinks about it, the more suspicious he becomes. His sister valued her unborn child more than her own life and would never abandon the baby. He suspects that someone may have harmed her. Lacking concrete evidence, he assigns Yi Fei to keep a close watch on the Imperial Medical Bureau.
Meanwhile, Du Mama learns from an informant in the palace that Wei Zhao is secretly investigating the cause of Wei Fei's death. She immediately reports this to Rong Yu Die, who has planted several spies in the palace, confident that no one will uncover her schemes. Yi Fei closely monitors the Imperial Medical Bureau and notices Sun Yi Zheng's suspicious behavior; he discovers that Sun has been reviewing Wei Fei's medical records and studying her prescriptions for an extended period.
Rong Yu Die summons Wei Zhao to explain the situation. She claims that years ago, she secretly took in the enslaved Xiao Yu Jia and sent her into the palace as a spy. Xiao Yu Jia did not die from childbirth complications; instead, the Great Ling Emperor, Xie Che, secretly poisoned her with saffron. Wei Zhao is incredulous that Xie Che would commit such an act. Rong Yu Die insists on forming an alliance with Wei Zhao to eliminate Xie Che. However, Wei Zhao sees through her scheme and refuses to cooperate, revealing that he has already discovered Rong Yu Die had someone poison Jiang Ci. Rong Yu Die vows to eliminate the Guangming Wei and Wei Zhao before turning her attention to Xie Che.
Wei Zhao witnesses the mistreatment of a slave from the Moonfall household and buys the slave on the spot. Pei Yan, eager to marry Jiang Ci, urges Rong Yu Die not to harm her. Rong Yu Die deliberately stirs discord, claiming that Wei Zhao also has feelings for Jiang Ci, but Pei Yan is indifferent to this.
Jiang Ci quietly sketches a map of the palace, hoping for a chance to escape. Remembering that Jiang Ci wanted to make her a sweet porridge for Yan Qiao Shuang's birthday, Wei Zhao learns that the coffin flower grown in Moonfall is in bloom. He sends someone to retrieve it from Hong Jie and personally delivers it to Jiang Ci, who then prepares the sweet porridge.
Wei Zhao reflects on his past with his sister, who would always save the sugar for him. Since then, he has become accustomed to adding sugar to his porridge, which touches Jiang Ci deeply. After Jiang Ci finishes the sweet porridge, Wei Zhao accompanies her to deliver it to Yan Qiao Shuang, only to find that she has suddenly gone missing. Panicked, Jiang Ci learns from Yi Fei that someone had come to the palace that day to deliver gifts to her, and in the chaos, Yan Qiao Shuang was abducted.
Wei Zhao suspects that Xie Che is behind the abduction, and Jiang Ci decides to return to the palace immediately to gather information. The next morning, Wei Zhao goes to report Yan Qiao Shuang's disappearance to Xie Che, who instructs him to investigate discreetly to avoid alerting the enemy.
Pei Yan specially prepares a lavish meal for Jiang Ci, but she can't eat. Despite his heartfelt persuasion, she remains unresponsive, and he reluctantly leaves in disappointment. Jiang Ci seeks permission from Xie Che to leave the palace to consult her master, Yan Qiao Shuang, about their marriage. Xie Che encourages her to focus on marrying Pei Yan. Jiang Ci tests the waters and confirms that Xie Che did not send anyone to kidnap Yan Qiao Shuang.
Xie Che sends a decree to arrange Jiang Ci's marriage and sets a wedding date with Pei Yan. Forced to accept the decree, Jiang Ci feels conflicted as Wei Zhao witnesses the woman he loves preparing to marry Pei Yan. Suspecting that Rong Yu Die orchestrated Yan Qiao Shuang's abduction, Wei Zhao decides to confront her directly.
As Wei Zhao anticipated, Rong Yu Die admits to having Yan Qiao Shuang kidnapped. She opposes Pei Yan and Jiang Ci's marriage, insisting that Xie Che was behind the poisoning of Jiang Ci and the deaths of Prince Xie Chun and her sister. Rong Yu Die seeks to ally with Yan Qiao Shuang to confront Xie Che, proposing that Yan Qiao Shuang publicly expose Xie Che's actions on her wedding day. If successful, they can escape together afterward. Yan Qiao Shuang agrees to join forces with Rong Yu Die to uncover the truth.
Wei Zhao confronts Rong Yu Die, intending to take Yan Qiao Shuang away. Instead, she tries to recruit Wei Zhao to join her in forcing Xie Che to abdicate. Afterward, she promises to help him take Jiang Ci away. Wei Zhao contemplates working with Rong Yu Die, hoping that once Crown Prince Xie Chi ascends to the throne, a general amnesty will restore justice for Moonfall.
Wei Zhao sends word to Jiang Ci, assuring her of Yan Qiao Shuang's safety, which finally puts her mind at ease.
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