Episode 2 recap: Fan Xian risked his life to enter the palace and see Emperor Qing.
Fan Xian sent Wang Qi Nian to gather information about Teng Zijing's wife and children, but he found nothing. He learned that rumors of Fan Xian's death were not only circulating among the people but also causing a stir in the official circles. Wang Qi Nian hurriedly returned home through a secret passage to inform Fan Xian and advised him to flee far away. Otherwise, if he falsely claimed to be dead and deceived the emperor, he would undoubtedly face death. Despite Wang Qi Nian's dissuasion, Fan Xian decided to go and explain the situation to Emperor Qing.
Fan Xian disguised himself as an assassin and broke into the palace, pleading with Marquis Hou to deliver a message to Emperor Qing. Marquis Hou knew that this matter could cost him his life and urged Fan Xian to leave as soon as possible, warning him that his life would be in danger otherwise. Chen Ping Ping arrived in time to stop him. Fan Xian harbored deep hatred for Chen Ping Ping since she had been in life-threatening situations multiple times in Beiqi, but Chen Ping Ping had repeatedly promised to protect his Black Knights, yet she had never shown up. Seeing the murderous intent in Fan Xian's eyes, she didn't want to explain too much. She agreed to persuade the emperor and reminded Fan Xian to be prepared for both good and bad outcomes, urging him not to involve the Fan family. Fan Xian handed over the map of the temple he had drawn to Chen Ping Ping.
Chen Ping Ping trembled as she came to see Emperor Qing and delivered the news that Fan Xian was alive. She spoke on behalf of Fan Xian, praising him in front of Emperor Qing. However, Emperor Qing remained unconvinced and forcibly dismissed Chen Ping Ping. After much consideration, he reluctantly agreed to meet Fan Xian.
For the first time, Fan Xian knelt before Emperor Qing and truthfully recounted his experiences in Beiqi. He repeatedly defended his faked death and provided a detailed report on the crimes committed by Li Cheng Ze and Li Yun Rui, who colluded with the Beiqi Embroidered Uniform Guards and profited from smuggling. Emperor Qing ignored him, lying on the bed with his back turned. Fan Xian had no choice but to reveal the location of the temple. Emperor Qing slowly got up but quickly lay back down. Fan Xian kept expressing his loyalty to Emperor Qing, speaking highly of him, but it was all in vain. Suddenly, Emperor Qing shouted, "Get out." Fan Xian knew that Emperor Qing wouldn't kill him for the time being and felt relieved, hastily getting up and leaving.
Fan Xian went to Yanhua Hall to find Crown Prince Li Chengqian. Li Chengqian pretended to be ignorant and acted foolishly in front of Fan Xian. Fan Xian revealed the secret collaboration between Li Yun Rui and Li Cheng Ze in smuggling with Beiqi. Li Chengqian was dumbfounded. He couldn't believe it because Li Yun Rui was supposed to be on his side, and he considered him a supporter. Fan Xian spoke convincingly, revealing all the actions of Li Yun Rui and Li Cheng Ze.
Only then did Li Chengqian awaken from his delusion. He agreed to cooperate with Fan Xian and ordered an investigation into Li Yun Rui and Li Cheng Ze. In order to block the news, he had all the guards outside the door executed.
Wang Qi Nian learned that Fan Xian went to seek cooperation with Li Chengqian and criticized him for being impulsive. Fan Xian wanted to solidify the charges against Li Yun Rui and Li Cheng Ze before Yan Bingyun led the delegation back to the capital so that he could seek Emperor Qing's forgiveness for his fake death and buy himself more time to continue searching for Teng Zijing's wife and children.
Wang Qi Nian found out that Fei Jie was not in the capital on official business and that Fan Sizhe was safe, though he was often out from morning till night. He also discovered that Teng Zijing's wife and children had been taken to Baoyue Tower. Chen Ping Ping and Yan Ruo Hai were imprisoned, but they kept a close eye on the changing situation and prayed that Fan Xian could turn the tide.
Baoyue Tower was a high-class brothel with tight security and a membership system, making it inaccessible to the average person. Fan Xian was worried about how to enter Baoyue Tower to find someone when he suddenly noticed a stage set up nearby. It was hosting a memorial event for the deceased Fan Xian, where people were taking turns to imitate him by reciting drunken poems and reenacting scenes of Fan Xian and Hai Tang Duo Duo sword dancing for the Empress Dowager. The two best performers would be granted entry into Baoyue Tower, and the girls surrounded them.
Fan Xian thought of using this opportunity to enter Baoyue Tower but was concerned about being recognized. Wang Qi Nian advised him to sneak in under the cover of darkness. Through Mrs. Wang, Fan Xian learned that Yuan Meng was the owner of Baoyue Tower. Yuan Meng used to be a renowned courtesan, and Mrs. Wang used to run a rouge shop where the girls from the brothel were regular customers. Mrs. Wang also revealed that Wang Qi Nian was acquainted with the singer Sang Wen, who was currently at Baoyue Tower. Wang Qi Nian tried to explain that he had no relationship with Sang Wen, but his wife slapped him hard.
With his wife's consent, Wang Qi Nian took Fan Xian to find Sang Wen. Sang Wen was at the silk shop selecting fabrics when Wang Qi Nian brought Fan Xian to seek her help.
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