Episode 9 recap: Huo Qing Yun Infiltrates the Lantern Festival to Rescue Ruo Lao
In episode 9, Huang Bei Shuang and Huo Qing Yun are leisurely enjoying the lively lantern festival when suddenly, General Wu's voice jolts Huang Bei Shuang back to reality. By the time she gathers her thoughts, Huo Qing Yun has mysteriously vanished. To cover for him, Huang Bei Shuang concocts a lie, saying she got separated from Ye Pei.
It turns out that the warlord specifically invited Elder Rong to the festival, choosing a bustling marketplace as the venue to let him witness the prosperity of Yun Pei firsthand.
A proclamation from the official gets the citizens of Yun Pei excited, as the oasis is set to eliminate taxes and introduce other favorable policies, leading to widespread applause. Soon after, a captivating performance begins, and Huang Bei Shuang instantly recognizes that the performer on stage is actually Huo Qing Yun in disguise.
Her heart races at the thought of the warlord possibly discovering the truth, so she quickly comes up with a plan and approaches to offer the warlord a special herbal tea, hoping to divert his attention.
Meanwhile, Ruo Wen and Man Hu have already conspired to take action at the lantern festival. As the warlord accepts Huang Bei Shuang's herbal tea and begins guiding everyone in prayer, Ruo Wen seizes the moment and blows a whistle.
At the same time, Huo Qing Yun senses something is off and immediately responds with a different whistle. The unexpected sound leaves the members of the Mang Liu Gang puzzled and confused.
Seeing the situation, Huang Bei Shuang shifts the conversation to the tribute from Zhen Qu You Jia. Young Jia presents a rare tea cup, and in his excitement, the warlord praises the fine tea and the exquisite cup, pulling the two ladies into the conversation.
The warlord then suggests rewarding the performer. Seizing the opportunity, Huo Qing Yun requests Huang Bei Shuang's five-flavor tea and skillfully conveys a hidden message after tasting it publicly.
Just then, General Wu brings news of the successful reclamation of the oasis and proposes a contest to determine the fate of the matriarchal tribes through the two ladies.
Ruo Wen, sensing the moment is off, instructs her team to retreat. After returning home, Huo Qing Yun reflects on the unusual whistle, while Sha Qu mistakenly believes it to be the warlord's trick. However, Huo Qing Yun thinks the warlord merely heard the whistle without grasping its true meaning.
Sha Qu catches a glimpse of Elder Rong at the edge of the venue and suspects he has been placed in a comfortable room by the warlord. Huo Qing Yun decides to make a comeback and take further action to rescue Elder Rong.
Meanwhile, General Wu discovers hidden weapons at the venue but knows nothing about the secrets wrapped in yellow cloth. The warlord questions the meaning behind the whistle, leaving General Wu just as confused.
The warlord has sensed that someone intends to rescue Elder Rong and decides to set a trap to draw them out. Man Hu investigates and finds that the Mang Liu Gang's gathering place is actually a teahouse. Ruo Wen deduces that only the Mang Liu can understand Huang Tian Kuang's whistle and begins to suspect a collusion between them and the warlord.
Furious, Ruo Wen heads straight to the teahouse to confront Huo Qing Yun. However, Huo Qing Yun offers information in exchange, revealing secrets about the Yun Pei military's arms management to Ruo Wen and leaving behind a portrait of Ge Xin Wei as a condition.
Sha Qu worries that this move could invite trouble, but Huo Qing Yun believes that Ruo Wen and her group have considerable strength and are worth the risk.
On another front, Ge Xin Wei wakes up in terror, discovering that she has been sold to a brothel. The madam, recognizing her beauty, decides to make her the star attraction. Misinterpreting the situation, Ge Xin Wei believes Ruo Wen is behind it and tries to escape, but fails.
Meanwhile, a subtle connection forms between Huang Bei Shuang and Huo Qing Yun through a bamboo flute, nearly interrupted by the official, Zhu Da Ren. Zhu Da Ren sends embroidery threads for Huang Bei Shuang to learn women's work, though he has deeper intentions.
In private, the warlord reveals he often suffers from insomnia and expresses an obsession with a certain child, claiming he wants to reclaim his sibling. Elder Rong coldly retorts that under the warlord's tyranny, that child has long since perished.
Huo Qing Yun frequently sneaks into Yun Fang Ge to visit Huang Bei Shuang, who can feel his silent protection. Zhen Qu You Jia, determined to win the warlord’s favor with carefully prepared embroidery, refuses to let Huang Bei Shuang take all the glory.
When the warlord visits Young Jia again, the maid, Lian Er, wisely retreats to give them privacy. However, Ye Pei’s sudden intrusion breaks the tranquility, as she anxiously reports the missing embroidery threads. Huang Bei Shuang stays calm and instructs Lian Huan to quickly go outside the palace to procure new supplies to address the urgent need.
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