Zhan Zhao Adventures - Episode 24 and 25 RECAP
EPISODE 24
Zhang Shi, his fourth aunt, was formerly viewed by Bai Yutang as a very beloved elder; he had no idea that she would be involved in his brother's terrible death. He confronted her, remembering that she was the only member of the Jin family he felt genuinely cared about him. When questioned regarding Huo Linglong's late aunt's murder, Zhang maintained that Tang Ji had just provided false testimony and that she was unaware of the name of the real offender. Bai Yutang was unshakable despite her heartfelt appeals that she had lived in remorse and regret for fifteen years, telling him of how she fostered him with love at Jujing Hall.
On behalf of his late brother Jin Xuewen, he said that although he could forgive her for her earlier kindness, he could never forgive her for her part in Tang Ji's scheme to murder him. In order to clear his brother's name and reveal Tang Ji's deception, he insisted that Zhang testify in court. Desperate to keep her family's reputation intact, Zhang declined. Her daughter, Lan Er, had married into a noble family, and her son, Liang Er, was an official in the capital; she was afraid that testifying would make her a disgraced lady and ruin their promising careers. Instead of putting her family through public humiliation, she pleaded with Bai Yutang to murder her immediately in order to get revenge on his brother.
Bai Yutang strongly objected, claiming that she owed Jin Xuewen her testimony and that her passing would not restore his brother's dignity. Huo Linglong, in the meantime, bound Jiao Siyuan to question him and demanded to know why he was so confident that his father, Jiao Chaogui, had been assassinated by the Huo family. Jiao Siyuan said he had been deceived after realizing Huo Linglong and Zhan Zhao had no malicious intent. He clarified that Huo Linglong was in Xiangyang at the time of the murder, according to a message given by an unidentified source during his father's burial, and that another communication had informed him of her whereabouts that same day. Huo Linglong told him that her family had nothing to do with Jiao Chaogui's death and that he look into the source of the information.
When questioned about the sword configuration his men had used, Jiao Siyuan disclosed that it had been created fifteen years prior by his father and uncles. He continued by saying that his mother, Mrs. Jiao, had moved to Xiangyang permanently that same year and had never gone back to Shengyun Manor. That fall, on the eve of the Jin family's Suwen Assembly, Jiao Siyuan remembered that his father had been to Xiangyang.
Jiao Siyuan was taken by Huo Linglong and Zhan Zhao to face Mrs. Jiao and demand the truth about the night Huo Linglong's aunt was killed. At first, Mrs. Jiao attempted to divert attention by saying that Jiao Chaogui's presence in Xiangyang had nothing to do with the crime and that she would never return to Shengyun Manor because of a grudge over a concubine. Huo Linglong, however, revealed the disinformation, pointing out that Mrs. Jiao had refused to return despite the concubine's death that same winter. Mrs. Jiao eventually broke down under pressure and revealed the terrifying reality.
Jiao Chaogui had broken into the aunt's home the night of the murder in order to find out where the Linglong Eye was. He used a sword to assault her when she refused to comply, seriously injuring her. When Jiao Chaogui learned the next day that the kind scholar Jin Xuewen had been taken into custody, he coerced Mrs. Jiao into giving a false statement claiming to have witnessed Jin Xuewen entering the courtyard in order to permanently deflect attention from himself. She was so afraid that she cut all connections with Shengyun Manor after Jiao Chaogui killed Mrs. Jiao's two maids to guarantee her quiet.
Huo Linglong sobbed hard after learning that her aunt's supposed friend had concealed her murder for fifteen years. After listening outside, Bai Yutang rushed inside the room. Disgusted by Mrs. Jiao's untimely tears, he insisted that she appear in court to provide the victims with justice. Bai Yutang cruelly threatened Jiao Siyuan's life when Mrs. Jiao hesitated for fear of ruining Shengyun Manor's reputation and incurring the wrath of the Huo family.
Mrs. Jiao, frightened, consented to testify and pleaded for her son's protection. Huo Linglong gave her a severe warning, threatening to personally murder both mother and boy if she tried to violate her word or run away. The group returned to their former home and attempted to digest the heavy news. Huo Linglong criticized how readily these offenders expressed false regret while still putting their own self-interest ahead of justice.
Zhan Zhao examined the information and saw that Jiao Chaogui had previously used a sword, thus there was no reason for him to kill her with a dagger. Additionally, the dagger and the bloody garments must have been put by someone else because Jiao Chaogui only chose to frame Jin Xuewen after the arrest. Bai Yutang verified that the dagger belonged to Jin Xuewen, who received it as a birthday present from his fourth uncle. Zhan Zhao came to the conclusion that someone close to Jin Xuewen who was aware of the dagger's presence had to be the true offender.
Jin Zhenping stayed unnaturally composed within the mansion, sure that Zhang would never tell the truth. Liang Er, Zhang's son, responded in the interim. She ordered her maid to send two farewell letters to Liang Er and Lan Er because she was desperate to preserve her children's future and worried that her family would be destroyed if her previous romance was discovered. Zhang ingested poison after telling the servant not to ask any questions.
When Bai Yutang, who was watching over the courtyard, heard a loud noise and rushed into the chamber, she discovered Zhang had already passed away and was holding Jin Zhenping's jade pendant firmly. An angry Bai Yutang approached Jin Zhenping after the burial, claiming that he had driven Zhang to her death in order to save himself. He also showed the jade pendant that had been discovered in her hand. Claiming that Bai Yutang would always be a killer's brother and Jin Xuewen would always be a murderer, Jin Zhenping falsely claimed he had never seen the pendant.
Tang Ji unexpectedly showed up to the funeral home. Startled, Jin Zhenping advised him to maintain a low profile and mentioned that Huo Linglong and Zhan Zhao were now out trying to save Jiao Siyuan and Mrs. Jiao from Si Ming's killers. After the coffin was closed, Tang Ji, grieved by Zhang's passing and aware that Jin Zhenping had forced his childhood sweetheart to commit suicide in order to save himself, pulled out his weapon to murder him. Unwilling to allow Jin Zhenping to go so quickly, Bai Yutang stepped in and fought Tang Ji. Jin Zhenping abruptly discharged the "Tipsy Breeze" poison while Tang Ji was at a disadvantage, paralyzing Bai Yutang momentarily and enabling Tang Ji to flee in order to preserve their mutual secrets.
However, Shao Jizu, following on Si Ming's orders, killed Tang Ji as soon as he returned to the Tang Sect. Tang Tianhao was proclaimed the new sect head by Shao Jizu. As Tang Ji lay dying, he forcefully restrained his heartbroken nephew from behaving rashly and encouraged him to concentrate only on maintaining the Tang Sect. Ming Zhu'er dressed Bai Yutang's wounds as he rested and healed, making fun of him for being too sensitive when he grinned at the alcohol-based medication.
In the meantime, Lord Bao in the capital sent a letter highlighting two important details. First, the Emperor did not approve of the cruel acts since the terrible disease in Tanxi Town had never been reported to the imperial court. Second, Luo Wenjie, the magistrate who oversaw the case fifteen years ago, was suspected of being the mastermind "Si Ming." Zhan Zhao came up with a bold scheme after realizing that the high-ranking governor would never voluntarily reopen the case through the usual legal methods: they would invite Luo Wenjie to the upcoming Suwen Assembly and present the conclusive proof in front of the entire town, forcing him to confess.
The Fifth Uncle called Jin Zhenping while the Jin family was getting ready for the occasion and demanded to know if he was working with the Tang Sect. Jin Zhenping refuted the charge and cautioned the elder that if Bai Yutang was successful in reviving the case, Zhang and Jin Xuewen's prohibited affair, a far more harmful family scandal, would be brought to public.
The elder started to second-guess whether to let Bai Yutang take part after realizing that clearing one name would simply bring shame to the family. But their conversation was interrupted when Nanqing Palace steward Zhao Zhi'er showed up with a royal token. The Jin family was forced to move on with the Suwen Assembly after he said that Prince Hui (Zhao Zhuoqing) would personally attend at the invitation of his close friend, Bai Yutang.
EPISODE 25 (I really love this episode!! Yang Yang is sooo good as an interrogator here)
Five Granduncle was very skeptical of the sudden appearance of Prince Hui, Zhao Zhuo Qing, at the Suwen Assembly. By revealing that the Prince had a close acquaintance with Bai Yutang and had been invited especially to observe him compete with other medical professionals, Zhao Zhi Er purposefully left clues. Five Granduncle did not dare take the chance of upsetting the Prince after learning of this royal relationship.
As a result, he strongly disagreed to Jin Zhenping's plans to prevent Bai Yutang from attending the assembly. In the meantime, Zhan Zhao and Huo Linglong were able to locate Cui Tian, the hunter. They put him up in an inn and gave him money to make up for the loss of his job; all they asked was that he tell the truth at the next Suwen Assembly. A guy of integrity, Cui Tian quickly agreed to testify.
Later, Huo Linglong regretted the unfortunate situation of Yao Yu Shan's wife, who was still unaware of her husband's whereabouts, as they passed his home. But Zhan Zhao's keen eyes noticed something intriguing: Yao's wife was giving food to a beggar. The fact that the same beggar had been hanging around in the deep alleyways for days, even refusing to leave in the rain, seemed odd to him.
Si Ming, yet, was firm in his demand that the gathering go on precisely as planned. He maintained that if they could see the exact cards their opponents were holding, giving up a pawn was a reasonable price to pay. Si Ming concluded that since Zhan Zhao was attempting to lure them into a trap, they would just fall into it. Bai Yutang was able to put Mrs. Jiao and her kid in a nearby room under strict supervision on the eve of the Suwen Assembly. With the exception of one critical component, they still needed Yao Yu Shan, the key witness, their preparations were almost finished. In an attempt to turn the tide in their favor, Bai Yutang decided to go to Flying Petals Col and look for Qingyu Grass.
He could show without a shadow of a doubt that Jin Xue Wen was in the mountains on the night of the crime if he could locate the rare Dawn-Dusk Cocoon referenced in his brother's notes. Before leaving, Bai Yutang told Zhan Zhao and Huo Linglong that if he didn't return by dawn, they should go straight to Qinghui Hall without him. Zhan Zhao chose to let his friend take the chance while being aware of his stubborn personality.
Huo Linglong's concerns regarding Bai Yutang's safety and the possibility that Yao Yu Shan had already been captured by the enemy intensified as a heavy autumn rain started to fall. Suddenly, Zhan Zhao remembered the mysterious beggar and thought it may be Yao Yu Shan in disguise. He hurried back to interrogate Yao's wife, but she remained silent and asked him to go, saying her husband had not come back.
Bai Yutang, meanwhile, climbed Yingzui Rock in spite of the pouring rain. When he found the Dawn-Dusk Cocoon and the Qingyu Grass, his efforts paid off. He guarded the valuable discovery all night long on the rock. He was brutally assaulted by a falcon when he woke up the next morning. The guard bird battled valiantly to chase the invader away since the Qingyu Grass had grown directly next to its nest.
The Governor of Xiangzhou, Luo Wen Jie, came to see the Suwen Assembly. A splendid carriage pulled into the courtyard shortly after. Luo Wen Jie moved to offer his respects, but Zhao Zhi Er emerged instead, saying that Prince Hui had stopped to take in the roadside scenery and would be there soon. Luo Wen Jie felt concerned when he realized the Prince would not be arriving.
Huo Linglong secretly rung the assembly ring early in order for the ceremony to start because the auspicious hour was drawing near and the Prince was nowhere to be seen. The gates of the three courtyards were closed, allowing entry but prohibiting anybody from leaving in accordance with customs that date back a century. A defenseless Luo Wen Jie was taken to the seat of honor to oversee the assessments, accompanied by Zhan Zhao and his followers.
In an attempt to disqualify Bai Yutang for his absence, Jin Zhenping changed the lots during the draw to call out his number. As his proxy, Huo Linglong boldly said that they were there to appeal a fifteen-year-old injustice rather than to compete. She publicly insisted that Luo Wen Jie reconsider Jin Xue Wen's erroneous conviction. Luo Wen Jie was caught off surprise and attempted to flee by claiming that the gathering was not a court of law, but Si Ming's cold, ominous stare from among the disguised crowd met his eyes. The Governor was pushed back into his seat out of fear, a detail that Zhan Zhao kept a close eye on.
Luo Wen Jie was forced to reexamine the case when Huo Linglong's remarks caused the assembled group of doctors and civilians to start chanting for a new trial. Next, Mingzhu'er produced a large chest that held the original documents and tangible proof. Zhan Zhao started cross-examining the first witness, the elderly butler Xu An, right away. He drew attention to the obvious flaws in Xu An's allegations on Jin Xue Wen's alleged flirtations.
Zhan Zhao exposed Xu An's testimony as a fake, practiced script by revealing that he had repeated the same obscene phrases for several other women over the years. Luo Wen Jie was forced to make his evidence invalid when Xu An's credibility collapsed due to his inability to recollect any particular information under pressure. Zhan Zhao asked the hunter Cui Tian to testify since Tang Ji, the second witness, had passed away. At his testimony, Cui Tian stated that he had saw a man and a woman having a private meeting at Chunxin Pavilion at Flying Petals Col for years. He also affirmed that he saw them again on the night of the murder, confirming Jin Xue Wen's allegation that she saw Tang Ji outside the city that evening.
Luo Wen Jie tried to deny this, claiming that Jin Xue Wen may have only seen the couple years prior and lied about the date, and that a single hunter's evidence was inadequate. In response, Huo Linglong cited the physical evidence, emphasizing that human fingers could not have caused the deep, inch-long incisions on Jin Xue Wen's shoulder. At that moment, a wounded Bai Yutang made a spectacular appearance.
He exposed his arm, revealing new, deep cuts that precisely matched the coroner's sketches of Jin Xue Wen's injuries from fifteen years ago. Bai Yutang clarified that the injuries were caused by a falcon assault, demonstrating that his brother had been picking herbs high on the cliffs on the night of the crime. Bai Yutang used the Dawn-Dusk Cocoon, a rare translucent treasure he had found in the well of their former family home on Huaihua Lane, to support his argument that Jin Xue Wen had legitimately won first place in the competition years prior. In an attempt to turn things around, Luo Wen Jie claimed that Jin Xue Wen had been spotted leaving the victim's home by another witness. Mrs. Jiao moved forward at that point.
The guy she saw leaving the courtyard that evening was really her husband, Jiao Chao Gui, who had brutally assaulted Huo Linglong's aunt, she admitted to lying. If she didn't frame Jin Xue Wen, Jiao Chao Gui had threatened to murder her. A terrified Luo Wen Jie attempted to swiftly end the trial by accepting responsibility for the previous error and placing the responsibility on his subordinates after realizing he was in a tight spot.
But Zhan Zhao gave the last blow, ordering his men to bring out the actual Yao Yu Shan in order to identify him and accusing the Governor of purposeful conspiracy with the murderer to frame Jin Xue Wen. When Yao Yu Shan questioned how the investigator had discovered his identity, Zhan Zhao said that the wife's lack of concern during his second visit to the Yao home revealed that she was aware of her husband's safety. Additionally, it was evident that the beggars were getting food from her every day since they insisted on remaining in the narrow lanes rather than crowded marketplaces, even in the midst of intense rain.
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Posted May 27, 2026, 5:20 AM UTC