Episode 23 recap: Fan Xian drove away the Black Knight to protect Lin Ruo Fu.
Shi Chan Li failed the imperial examinations, and he told Fan Xian about the massacre in Shijia Town, asking Fan Xian to take revenge for him. Fan Xian not only agreed to take revenge, but also took Shi Chan Li in as his disciple. Lin Ruo Fu was on his way home when he was ambushed and killed. Fan Xian and Wang Qi Nian came to pick up Lin Daobao, who was hugging Lin Ruo Fu's dried hawthorn fruit and muttering "father is the exception," not knowing that Lin Ruo Fu had been killed on his way home. Lin Ruo Fu didn't tell Lin Daobao about his plan to go home, wanting him to live carefree. Lin Ruo Fu looked at Lin Daobao's retreating figure with a bittersweet heart.
The entire population of Shijia Town was massacred, and Shi Chan Li, who had no home to return to after failing the imperial examinations, was taken in by Fan Xian. Shi Chan Li, grieving over his family's death by fire, did not believe the official report that it was caused by dry weather, suspecting that someone had intentionally burned down his hometown. Fan Xian could not reveal the truth, only hinting that the culprit was a powerful figure. Shi Chan Li begged Fan Xian to find the real perpetrator, and Fan Xian promised to uncover the truth while taking Shi Chan Li in as his follower, earning Shi Chan Li's loyalty.
He Zong Wei took up his new position at the Censorate, offering snacks to his colleagues, but they showed him no appreciation. He Zong Wei knelt and wept at Lai Ming Cheng's former seat, burning incense to pay respects, and his colleagues consoled him. He Zong Wei learned that Lai Ming Cheng had been executed for impeaching Fan Xian, and vowed to seek revenge on Fan Xian.
Shi Chan Li brought He Zong Wei to see Fan Xian, and He Zong Wei prostrated himself, asking Fan Xian to beat him so he could gain the trust of his Censorate colleagues and become an informant for Fan Xian. Fan Xian was disgusted by He Zong Wei's shameless behavior and forcefully drove him away.
Chen Ping Ping came to see Fan Xian, and witnessed the incident with He Zong Wei. Chen Ping Ping and Ying Zi had come to find Fan Xian, as Ying Zi was eager to spar with Wu Zhu, but Fan Xian did not know Wu Zhu's whereabouts. Chen Ping Ping stopped Ying Zi and entrusted the command of the Black Knight to Fan Xian, explaining that the Black Knight was an independent force not under the control of the Imperial Army, and only Chen Ping Ping and Emperor Qing could command them.
Before leaving, Chen Ping Ping gave Fan Xian a manual on the Black Knight's logistics and troop movements, reminding him to pay attention to officials who were returning home. Fan Xian was puzzled by the meaning behind Chen Ping Ping's words and could not find any answers in the manual.
Lin Ruo Fu left the capital city early in the morning, and Fan Xian came to see him off. Knowing that Lin Daobao was living happily at the Fan Manor, Lin Ruo Fu was at ease. Fan Xian had Lin Wan Er and Lin Daobao wait in front to see Lin Ruo Fu off, and the siblings knelt and bid farewell to Lin Ruo Fu, who was deeply moved.
Fan Xian got off the carriage and accompanied Lin Da Bao to appreciate the flowers and play. Lin Da Bao shared his favorite hawthorn fruits with Fan Xian, and Lin Ruo Fu was deeply pleased to see them so happy. Fan Xian took out the notebook given to him by Chen Ping Ping, but still couldn't find any clues, so he asked Lin Wan Er to help him look. Lin Wan Er repeatedly emphasized that the mobilization of the Black Riders was top secret, which suddenly enlightened Fan Xian.
Fan Xian learned from Wang Qi Nian that when the Imperial Censor Mei Xie Li retired and returned to his hometown, he was ambushed and killed by bandits. The notebook recorded that the Black Riders were on a mission that day, and Fan Xian broke out in a cold sweat, worried that Emperor Qing had dispatched the Black Riders to ambush Lin Ruo Fu along the way.
Fan Xian called Wang Qi Nian to go rescue Lin Ruo Fu, and on the way they encountered Li Cheng Ru leading the Guards Corps in training. Fan Xian borrowed Li's soldiers to intercept the Black Riders. The Black Riders, acting on orders, lay in ambush on the road, and attacked Lin Ruo Fu's carriage as it passed by.
Wang Qi Nian used his superb lightness skills to reach Lin Ruo Fu's carriage, and Fan Xian arrived with the soldiers, ordering the Black Riders to return to camp, which they obediently did. The deputy leader of the Black Riders, Jing Ge, was a fan of Fan Xian, and had him sign a poetry collection, which Fan Xian did with his poor handwriting, making Jing Ge smile wryly as he left with the signed book.
Lin Ruo Fu thought Emperor Qing had sent the Black Riders to kill him, but realized he was mistaken. Emperor Qing only wanted to strip the Prime Minister of his powerful position. Lin Ruo Fu gave Fan Xian a list of his disciples, asking him to pass it on to Emperor Qing. Lin Ruo Fu promised to write a letter upon returning home, requesting that Emperor Qing dismiss the Prime Minister, but Fan Xian was still worried and wanted to escort Lin Ruo Fu back home. However, Lin Ruo Fu believed Emperor Qing wouldn't let him die, as that would not be recorded in the history books.
Lin Ruo Fu had served Emperor Qing for many years, but could never fully see through his intentions. Emperor Qing manipulated the conflict between Li Cheng Ze and himself, leading to the cheating scandal in the imperial examinations, and then used that to force Lin Ruo Fu into retirement. Lin Ruo Fu reminded Fan Xian to never fully trust Emperor Qing, and not to think he has seen through the Emperor's plans until the very end.
Comments(Episode 23)