Episode 4 recap: Wei Zhao Forces Jiang Ci to Monitor Teng Rui
In episode 4, Wei Zhao shockingly injures Jiang Ci with a poisoned dagger and secretly plots against Lady Zhou. Pei Yan and King Zhuang are frantic to save both lives, racing to Emperor Xie Che to plead for the precious heart-protecting elixir. However, there's only one elixir—what to do? Crown Prince Xie Chi suggests they settle the matter through a game of chess: the winner takes the elixir.
King Zhuang, with a clever idea, has Wei Zhao step in to face Pei Yan in this battle of wits. The chess match becomes increasingly tense as both Wei Zhao and Pei Yan press hard, with neither willing to back down. Meanwhile, Jiang Ci's condition worsens, leaving Doctor Cui in a sweat. Desperate, he sends Xu Xia to find Pei Yan and inform him of the urgency.
Upon hearing this, Pei Yan is filled with anxiety, eager to win the match immediately. King Zhuang isn’t giving up easily either; his assistant, A Li, suggests a risky plan to swap the elixir during a tea ceremony. Ultimately, Pei Yan outsmarts him, winning the game and rushing back with the elixir. However, Wei Zhao has seen through A Li's scheme and intentionally loses the match, anxious to keep A Li's identity hidden. He quickly instructs Lao Liu to notify A Li and the others to retreat.
A Li, determined not to drag Wei Zhao down, decides to handle matters himself. Interestingly, Pei Yan's move has deeper implications. His mother is unwell, and Xie Che had previously gifted her a heart-protecting elixir that she has hesitated to use. Pei Yan's pursuit of the elixir is a strategic maneuver to uncover the truth about the assassins.
Upon investigation, it turns out A Li was a slave sent from Moonfall City three years ago. Pei Yan, shocked, also discovers that there are secrets surrounding King Zhuang. Wei Zhao, still mourning his deceased kin, carves a wooden plaque in their memory. For safety, Pei Yan brings Teng Rui to his own residence and assigns the Changfeng Guard to protect him closely.
Pei Yan then retrieves the heart-protecting elixir from his mother and administers it to Jiang Ci, who finally stabilizes. Pei Yan stays by Jiang Ci's bedside daily, but Doctor Cui, unable to watch any longer, accuses him of using Jiang Ci as bait. Pei Yan, however, is determined to uncover the assassin's identity.
When Jiang Ci awakens and sees Pei Yan by his side, he feels a warm sense of comfort.
Pei Yan personally changed her bandages, which deeply moved her. However, the Hou residence suddenly caught fire, and Pei Yan rushed off to help extinguish it. In the meantime, Wei Zhao took the opportunity to confront Jiang Ci, threatening her not to reveal her identity and using Yan Qiao Shuang’s life as leverage.
Furious, Jiang Ci gritted her teeth but found herself powerless and had no choice but to agree to Wei Zhao's demands. Once the fire was out, Pei Yan, worried about Jiang Ci's safety, hurried back. Seeing that she was unharmed, he tried to get information from her about the assassin, but Jiang Ci refused to say a word.
Pei Yan sensed the seriousness of the situation and suspected that the assassin had significant connections, prompting him to secretly investigate several suspicious officials. He also planned to keep Jiang Ci close, continuing to use her as bait.
Although Jiang Ci was reluctant, she understood the bigger picture and reluctantly agreed. Xu Xia taught her the rules of the Hou residence and took the opportunity to tease her, but fortunately, Wei Zhao always appeared at critical moments to help her out.
Wei Zhao was like a shadow, constantly reminding Jiang Ci not to forget her mission. Jiang Ci was determined and managed to infiltrate Teng Rui’s residence. Teng Rui, however, was more interested in indulging himself, and Jiang Ci noted all his actions.
Teng Rui, not being foolish, recognized Jiang Ci as the one who saved him that night and gifted her a jade gourd as thanks. Although Jiang Ci was reluctant to accept it, she had no choice.
On Pei Yan’s side, feeling unsettled, he practiced swordsmanship in the courtyard late at night. Jiang Ci kept him company, but ended up getting her foot hit by a copper basin he accidentally knocked over.
Later that night, Pei Yan came to deliver ointment to Jiang Ci. Sensing his intentions, she directly asked him about it, prompting Pei Yan to pocket the ointment and leave. Just as he departed, Wei Zhao arrived again. The entanglement among the three of them was truly complex and unresolved.
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