Episode Summary
Lu Chang arrives to investigate the Jian family massacre, immediately making Prefect Gao nervous. The investigation leads to Gao Wan, Prefect Gao's cousin, who was selling the Jian family's heirlooms. Lu Chang uncovers that Prefect Gao was blackmailing Gao Wan. Jian Mingshu, still grieving, struggles with her lost memories but is determined to find her family's killer. Lu Chang and Jian Mingshu deduce Prefect Gao's escape plan involving smuggled silk. While attempting to arrest Prefect Gao, they are ambushed, and Jian Mingshu is poisoned. Lu Chang saves her by sucking out the poison, poisoning himself in the process. Both recover, and during her unconsciousness, Jian Mingshu realizes her true feelings for Lu Chang. The episode ends with Prefect Gao captured and Prince Rui stepping in to interrogate him.
Spoiler Alert
Major Spoilers Ahead for "Serendipity" Episode 29!
The episode kicks off with our main man, Lu Chang, arriving on official orders to investigate the horrifying Jian family massacre. The local bigwig, Prefect Gao (Gao Zhifu), comes out to greet him, all smiles and officialdom... until Lu Chang drops the "Jian family" name. Suddenly, Prefect Gao looks like he’s seen a ghost – talk about a red flag!
Meanwhile, Ying Xun's father has been doing some digging. He tells Lu Chang that cracking the Jian family case is tough, but he’s found some jade ornaments in the market, believed to be old belongings of the Jian family women. The crucial bit? These items are definitely linked to the murderer. And guess who was selling them? None other than Prefect Gao's cousin, Gao Wan. Lu Chang, sharp as ever, decides this Gao Wan is his next lead.
Just as Gao Wan is trying to sneak away from his home (suspicious, much?), Ying Xun and her crew nab him. Under pressure, Gao Wan spills a story about being overcome with greed and looting the Jian family's treasures after they were all killed. Lu Chang, however, isn't buying this sob story for a second. Something’s fishy, and he knows it.
Over on Jian Mingshu's side, things are emotionally complicated. She’s not exactly besties with Su Tangli, but they share the profound pain of losing loved ones, so Mingshu is willing to see her. Su Tangli is still deeply scarred by her father's death, a constant, agonizing memory. Mingshu, despite her own family's tragic fate, feels a strange sense of fortune in comparison (perhaps because she's still fighting?). She's desperate to remember everything about the massacre and even considers using necromancy again. But with Doctor Hu gone and Lu Chang strictly forbidding her from messing with those forbidden arts, she's in a tough spot. Still, our girl isn't one to give up.
Lu Chang, meanwhile, uncovers a crucial piece of leverage: Prefect Gao is holding Gao Wan's aunt, Qiu Niang (who is supposedly pregnant), hostage to keep Gao Wan quiet. Lu Chang’s plan? Find Qiu Niang and free Gao Wan from this bind so he’ll spill the real beans. Jian Mingshu is also struggling, blaming herself for not being able to recall her family's faces. In a tender moment, Lu Chang draws portraits of her family for her. Seeing their faces, even on paper, brings her some comfort, and she renews her vow to catch the killer and avenge her father. She’s determined not to drown in her sorrow.
The investigation takes another turn when Ying Xun discovers that Qiu Niang isn't actually pregnant – Prefect Gao was bluffing all along! Lu Chang relays this to Gao Wan, who, finally free from his fear, hands over the account books detailing every sale of the stolen goods. By now, Prefect Gao has already skipped town. Lu Chang heads back to the Su residence, hoping to find any overlooked clues.
Jian Mingshu has a brilliant deduction: Prefect Gao likely converted his ill-gotten gains into silk, planning to smuggle it overseas and then convert it back into cash. To catch him in the act, Jian Mingshu and Song Qingzhao go undercover. They disguise themselves as foreigners and approach the Hongyuan Trading Company, looking to charter a ship. They specifically ask for the Yongxing Hao, offering double the price, betting that this is the ship Prefect Gao intends to use for his escape.
Night falls, and Lu Chang leads his men to apprehend Prefect Gao. But, of course, it's not that easy. They're ambushed by bandits, and in the chaos, Jian Mingshu gets injured. Ying Xun notices her lips turning purple – a sure sign of poison! Song Qingzhao frantically rushes off to find a doctor. Lu Chang, ever the hero, carries Mingshu to a room and, without a second thought, starts sucking the poisoned blood from her shoulder wound.
Jian Mingshu regains consciousness mid-ordeal and tries to stop him, terrified that he’ll get poisoned too. But Lu Chang, bless his devoted heart, tells her that if she dies, his life has no meaning. (Cue the collective "awww"!) Both of them eventually succumb to the poison and pass out. Thankfully, a doctor arrives (likely brought by the returning Song Qingzhao) and starts working to save them.
While unconscious, Jian Mingshu has a vivid dream. She's back at the Jian family home and sees that mysterious man in green again. But this time, she’s not agonizing over his identity. She’s had a breakthrough, a moment of clarity about her own feelings. The man in the dream slowly turns around, and it’s… Lu Chang! A smile spreads across her face. She realizes the one she loves, the one she's always loved, is him.
But then, a new worry pops into her head: who is this "Jianglin young lady" Lu Chang once mentioned? As soon as she's able, she secretly quizzes Ying Xun about this mysterious woman. Ying Xun is bursting to tell her the truth (we all know who that "young lady" really is, right?), but she manages to hold her tongue, insisting that Mingshu should ask Lu Chang herself.
When Lu Chang finally wakes up, Jian Mingshu rushes to his side, her concern palpable. Their tender moment is soon interrupted by the arrival of Prince Rui, Yin Shujun, and Princess Wen'an. Jian Mingshu’s spirits lift a bit with their presence. Princess Wen'an can't help but comment on Song Qingzhao, noting that he probably won't be getting over Jian Mingshu anytime soon. (Poor Song Qingzhao, always in the friend zone!)
With Prefect Gao in custody, Lu Chang presents him with irrefutable evidence. He points out that the mastermind behind Prefect Gao’s crimes was clearly trying to silence him permanently – if Lu Chang and his team hadn't intervened during the ambush, Gao would be dead. Yet, Prefect Gao remains stubbornly silent. Just when it seems like they've hit a wall, Prince Rui himself steps in to personally lead the interrogation.
And that’s where Episode 29 leaves us! What will Prefect Gao reveal under Prince Rui's questioning? Will Jian Mingshu finally confess her feelings to Lu Chang and ask about the Jianglin lady? It’s all heating up, and I can’t wait for the next installment!
