Episode Summary
In his quest for his third enemy, Zang Hai manipulates events to sow discord between Cao Jingxian and Zhuang Luyin. He uses feigned drunkenness and a staged assassination attempt on himself (implicating Zhuang Zhifu, who was coerced by Cao Jingxian) to escalate tensions. Zang Hai's plan is to force Cao Jingxian to make a move for the powerful Gui Seal, believing this will lead him to his third target. While recovering from his "injuries," Zang Hai discovers Cao Jingxian is plotting with a Dong Xia hostage (secretly Xiang Antu) to steal the Gui Seal during Zhuang Luyin's upcoming birthday banquet. Zang Hai sets up his own counter-moves, including arranging for Zhuang Zhixing's protection of Zhuang Luyin and deceiving Xiang Antu about a planned meeting, all while preparing to attend the banquet himself.
Spoiler Alert
"Legend of Zang Hai" Episode 23 Recap & Spoilers
This episode of "Legend of Zang Hai" throws our protagonist, Zang Hai, deeper into the treacherous currents of courtly intrigue and his quest for revenge, marked by elaborate schemes, betrayals, and a desperate search for his third enemy.
The Hunt for the Third Enemy and Cao Jingxian's Machinations
Zang Hai is meticulously working to identify his third adversary, focusing his attention on Prince Yongrong and Zhao Bingwen. However, his investigations hit a snag as both men appear to have solid alibis. Meanwhile, the ambitious Cao Jingxian attempts to recruit Zang Hai, but Zang Hai flatly refuses. This rejection doesn't sit well with Cao Jingxian, who begins to actively create obstacles for Zang Hai. Unwilling to be a pawn or a sitting duck, Zang Hai devises a counter-plan to sow discord between Cao Jingxian and Zhuang Luyin.
Cao Jingxian, in turn, tries to gain leverage over Zhuang Luyin by threatening Zhuang Zhifu. He uses alleged corruption by Zhuang Zhixing as a tool to coerce Zhuang Zhifu into discovering whether Zhuang Luyin has found the powerful Gui Seal. Zhuang Zhifu, knowing he can't get this information directly from Zhuang Luyin (who highly regards Zang Hai), decides to cozy up to Zang Hai, even calling him "brother." Zang Hai, ever calculating, intentionally allows Zhuang Zhifu to see his sketches of a sophisticated puzzle box and a bronze fish – items presumably related to the Gui Seal. Seizing an opportunity, Zhuang Zhifu invites Zang Hai for drinks. Zang Hai, who can't hold his liquor, quickly becomes heavily intoxicated. Zhuang Zhifu takes him home and, feigning his own drunkenness, arranges to stay the night.
Later, after seeing Zang Hai's attendant Gao Ming help the unconscious Zang Hai to his room, Zhuang Zhifu sneaks into Zang Hai's study. He steals the sketches and delivers them to Cao Jingxian. The drawings of the puzzle box and bronze fish convince Cao Jingxian that Zhuang Luyin has indeed obtained the Gui Seal and that Zang Hai is designing a container for it. Aware that the Gui Seal grants immense power – enough to rule the world – Cao Jingxian decides he must confirm its existence and location himself.
A Drunken Ruse and a Feigned Assassination
Zhuang Zhifu invites Zang Hai for another round of drinks, this time at the Zuichunju (Drunken Spring Residence). Cao Jingxian, along with his associates Lu Ran and Lu Yan, secretly observes from an adjacent room. Zhuang Zhifu relentlessly plies Zang Hai with alcohol. Zang Hai, however, is only pretending to be drunk. When Zhuang Zhifu presses him about the Gui Seal's whereabouts, Zang Hai initially acts mysteriously. After much persistence, Zang Hai "confesses" that the Gui Seal is hidden in the cellar of the Marquis's treasury. He then slumps over the table, feigning deep sleep.
Zhuang Zhifu summons Cao Jingxian, who confirms Zang Hai is "out cold." Cao Jingxian mocks Zhuang Zhifu, noting that Zhuang Luyin trusts Zang Hai more with secrets. Zang Hai, in his feigned drunken stupor, mutters that Zhuang Zhixing also knows about the Gui Seal's location. Cao Jingxian seizes this moment to manipulate Zhuang Zhifu, convincing him to kill Zang Hai by arguing that Zang Hai would otherwise help Zhuang Zhixing become the master of the Marquis's Residence. Zhuang Zhifu takes the knife offered by Cao Jingxian and stabs Zang Hai. Satisfied with this outcome, Cao Jingxian departs with Zhuang Zhifu and Lu Ran.
However, the danger to Zang Hai isn't over. Lu Yan moves to deliver a killing blow, but Zang Hai's loyal protector, Shi Lei, arrives just in time. After a fierce fight where Shi Lei thwarts Lu Yan's attempt to finish Zang Hai with a dagger, Shi Lei manages to rescue the injured Zang Hai. Lu Yan rushes to report back to Cao Jingxian. In a classic double-cross, Cao Jingxian frames Zhuang Zhifu for the assassination attempt on Zang Hai (a court official), and has Zhuang Zhifu thrown into prison.
The Aftermath and Escalating Tensions
Weak from blood loss, Zang Hai instructs his attendant Guan Feng to take him to the Marquis's Residence. Zhuang Luyin is alarmed by Zang Hai's condition. Zang Hai reveals Cao Jingxian's plot to coerce Zhuang Zhifu into the assassination attempt and, feigning concern for Zhuang Zhifu, urges Zhuang Luyin to rescue him. Zhuang Luyin dispatches Zhuang Shan to demand Zhuang Zhifu's release from Cao Jingxian, while a physician attends to Zang Hai's wounds.
Zhuang Shan's mission is unsuccessful; Cao Jingxian rebuffs him. Furious, Zhuang Luyin summons Censors Xu Daishan and Qi Ming from the Supervisory Office to strategize. When Cao Jingxian learns of this meeting, he suspects Zhuang Luyin is preparing to make a move against him.
After the physician treats his injuries, Zang Hai is sent home. He remains unconscious for several days, with Gao Ming faithfully by his side. Upon waking, Zang Hai is eager to assess the situation. His entire ordeal was a "self-inflicted injury ploy" designed to spread false information and escalate tensions between Cao Jingxian and Zhuang Luyin. Zang Hai correctly predicts that Cao Jingxian will be the first to try and seize the Gui Seal, and in doing so, will likely seek help from someone with past knowledge of it – a person Zang Hai believes is his third, unidentified enemy. He tasks Gao Ming with keeping a close watch on Cao Jingxian.
Tracking the Enemy and a Shocking Discovery
Gao Ming's surveillance pays off when he spots Cao Jingxian leaving his residence late at night. He immediately informs Zang Hai, who, against Gao Ming's advice, decides to follow. Gao Ming, concerned for Zang Hai's safety, has Shi Lei accompany him. They trail Cao Jingxian to the "Zhigong" (Hostage Palace). Zang Hai opts for a stealthy approach, deciding to enter via a hidden water channel connected to the palace, and jumps into the river.
After considerable effort, Zang Hai navigates the secret channel. Inside, he overhears Cao Jingxian conspiring with a hostage from the Dong Xia state. They are planning to steal the Gui Seal together during Zhuang Luyin's upcoming birthday banquet. Hidden from view, Zang Hai cannot see the hostage's face and is completely unaware that this Dong Xia hostage is none other than Xiang Antu.
The next morning, Zang Hai visits Zhuang Zhixing at the military camp, urging him to bring his men to protect Zhuang Luyin during the banquet. Zhuang Zhixing readily agrees.
A Complicated Alliance and a Calculated Deception
Later, Zang Hai, accompanied by Zhenlou, seeks out Xiang Antu. Coincidentally, Xiang Antu was also looking for him, intending to reveal all her secrets. She proposes they meet the following evening for a detailed discussion. Zang Hai explains he must attend Zhuang Luyin's banquet and can only meet her afterwards. Xiang Antu insists on their original meeting time, and Zang Hai reluctantly agrees.
However, Xiang Antu has her own plans. Not wanting Zang Hai to be implicated in her risky endeavor with Cao Jingxian, she secretly instructs her associate Feng Liu to delay Zang Hai. Her intention is to steal the Gui Seal with Cao Jingxian first, and then meet Zang Hai.
Unbeknownst to her, Zang Hai is one step ahead. The following morning, instead of going himself, Zang Hai sends Guan Feng to meet Xiang Antu. He instructs Guan Feng to lie, claiming Zang Hai is too drunk to attend. With these arrangements in place, Zang Hai heads to the Marquis's Residence for the fateful birthday banquet, his intricate plan to unmask his enemies and manipulate the situation moving into its next critical phase.
