Episode 9 recap: Jiang Ci and Pei Yan Clear Their Name
In Episode 9, Emperor Xie Che gives Pei Yan ten days to investigate the cause of Teng Rui's death. Today is the deadline, and the leader of the Wei state envoy, Lei Zhen, along with numerous court officials, are waiting for Pei Yan's results. After conducting some investigations, Pei Yan and Jiang Ci discover that Teng Rui is actually alive and has been secretly hidden at the home of the esteemed General Lu Yu. Pei Yan is hesitant to confront Lu Yu directly and instead rushes back to the palace to report to Xie Che.
Worried about potential danger at his residence, Pei Yan quickly instructs An Cheng to strengthen security. He then hurriedly enters the palace and informs Tao Zizhu about Teng Rui's situation at Lu Yu's. Realizing the gravity of the matter, Tao Zizhu immediately reports to Xie Che. However, just then, Lei Zhen and his men burst in, accusing Pei Yan of having killed Teng Rui and demanding his life in return.
Meanwhile, soldiers storm Pei Yan's residence, but Rong Yudie calmly manages the situation, sending everyone back to their rooms. In the court, Lei Zhen insists that Pei Yan sabotaged Teng Rui's funeral, claiming he saw a man in black tampering with Teng Rui's coffin and leaving behind a meteor dart from the Longfeng Guard. He suspects that this figure was sent by Pei Yan to steal the jade gourd that Teng Rui was buried with.
Despite Prince Xie Chi and Prince Xie Yu defending Pei Yan, Lei Zhen remains relentless. He also accuses Pei Yan of having taken Jiang Ci out on the night of the birthday banquet, implying they were up to no good. Pei Yan remains silent; he cannot reveal the truth that Teng Rui is alive. Although Xie Che knows Pei Yan is innocent, he cannot openly state this and orders Pei Yan's arrest, leading to Jiang Ci being thrown into prison as well.
In jail, Pei Yan refuses to betray Jiang Ci, desperately pleading for her release, which earns him a harsh reprimand from Xie Che. Wei Zhao, tasked with watching over Jiang Ci, harbors resentment toward Pei Yan and takes it out on her through cruel treatment. However, Jiang Ci is unfazed; she had anticipated this day and had a backup plan.
Earlier, she had intentionally fallen in the marketplace, leaving seeds of the Dark Night Orchid on Wei Zhao's shoe, which would leave a trace. Jiang Ci writes a letter to Pei Yan, indicating that if he can find the trace left by the seeds, it will prove Wei Zhao's wrongdoing.
Upon learning that Jiang Ci is a key witness in the Teng Rui case, Xie Chi visits Pei Yan late at night, promising to help rescue Jiang Ci. Meanwhile, Wei Zhao is busy preparing to smuggle Teng Rui out of the city, unaware that Xie Chi would intervene. He sends someone to investigate what Xie Chi did after meeting Pei Yan, only to discover that Jiang Ci's letter may have reached Rong Yudie. Wei Zhao quickly cancels his original plan, but it's too late, and Teng Rui is still sent out of the city.
At the city gate, however, he is stopped by Xu Jun, the leader of the Longfeng Guard. In an attempt to silence Teng Rui, A Zheng and A Jun try to kill him, but Xu Jun eliminates them instead. Xu Jun returns to report to Pei Yan, finally revealing that Pei Yan had already set everything in motion. Wei Zhao interrogates the old He couple, trying to force them to divulge the mastermind behind the scheme, but they refuse to betray anyone.
In the end, the old He couple is killed. Wei Zhao feels immense sorrow but cannot show it, and Jiang Ci witnesses all of this unfold. Ultimately, Pei Yan and Jiang Ci clear their names, leading Xie Che to order their release and grant Pei Yan three days to locate Teng Rui. With the help of the Guangming Division, Pei Yan successfully intercepts Teng Rui's escape.
Despite facing challenges and sacrifices along the way, they complete their mission.
Comments(Episode 9)