Episode Summary
In this episode, Cao Jingxian's scheme to frame Zhuang Luyin for attempted murder leads to Cao's suspension and Zhuang's resignation to save his son, Zhuang Zhifu. Zang Hai secretly cares for an injured Xiang Antu, who reveals her identity as Princess Dong Xia and proposes an alliance, which Zang Hai rejects. Meanwhile, Zhuang Luyin encourages his other son, Zhuang Zhixing, to participate in the military imperial examination. Zhuang Zhixing, after rigorous training, wins the title of Wu Zhuangyuan. Zhuang Luyin's subsequent decision to name Zhuang Zhixing as heir and honor his deceased mother enrages Jiang Xiang, who is already distraught over Zhuang Zhifu's crippling injuries and the perceived favoritism.
Spoiler Alert
Legend of Zang Hai Episode 25: Recap & Spoilers
The drama intensifies in the 25th episode of "Legend of Zang Hai" as alliances shift, secrets are revealed, and new conflicts ignite.
Cao Jingxian and Xiang Antu conspire to steal the Gui Seal from the Marquis's Mansion. To coerce Zhuang Luyin, Cao Jingxian brings Zhuang Zhifu, whose knees he had previously shattered. When Zhuang Luyin attempts to fight back, Cao Jingxian injures his own arm and then rushes into the streets, falsely accusing Zhuang Luyin of attempting to murder him.
Playing the victim, Cao Jingxian lodges a complaint against Zhuang Luyin before the Emperor. Key witnesses Feng Zhang and Lu Zongchang, who were present during the alleged incident, lie to avoid offending either powerful figure. They claim they had already left the gathering and only heard Cao Jingxian’s screams, not witnessing any attack. Zhuang Luyin vehemently denies the accusations, while Cao Jingxian doubles down, accusing him of treason and claiming Zhuang Zhifu had embezzled funds to help Zhuang Luyin secretly raise an army. With both men sticking to their conflicting stories, the Emperor is left in a difficult position.
Ultimately, the Emperor reprimands both Cao Jingxian and Zhuang Luyin. Cao Jingxian is suspended from his official duties. Zhuang Luyin, in a desperate plea to save Zhuang Zhifu’s life, offers his own resignation, a request the Emperor grants. Though Cao Jingxian is furious that his scheme didn't fully succeed—feeling like his "punch landed on cotton"—he has no choice but to bide his time. He dispatches Lu Ran to find the now-missing Xiang Antu, but the search yields no results.
Xiang Antu has been unheard from for two days. Eighth Master visits Zang Hai seeking information about her whereabouts. Zang Hai feigns ignorance, explaining that Xiang Antu had arranged to meet him two days prior, but he was unable to attend due to Zhuang Luyin's birthday banquet. He claims he sent Guan Feng in his stead, but Guan Feng encountered Feng Liu, not Xiang Antu. Zang Hai adds that he has been preoccupied at the Marquis's Mansion dealing with the fallout from the Cao Jingxian and Zhuang Luyin altercation and hasn't had a chance to apologize to Xiang Antu. Eighth Master leaves without any useful information.
In reality, Zang Hai is hiding Xiang Antu in a secret underground chamber where she is recovering from injuries. He had Guan Feng administer a "soft bone powder" (a substance to weaken her) to prevent her escape. Zang Hai enlists Chu Liu to care for Xiang Antu, whom he still believes murdered his family. Xiang Antu passionately denies this. While Zang Hai remains skeptical of her innocence, he suspects Dong Xia is connected to the events. Xiang Antu then reveals her true identity as Dong Xia Junzhu (Princess Dong Xia) and proposes they team up to find a third enemy involved in his family's massacre. Zang Hai flatly refuses her offer.
Meanwhile, Zhuang Zhifu’s condition worsens; his wounds have become infected, causing a high fever and delirium. A frantic Jiang Xiang sends a maid to fetch a doctor, only to learn the doctor is attending to Zhuang Zhixing. Enraged, Jiang Xiang forces the maid to bring the doctor to Zhuang Zhifu.
Zhuang Zhixing, however, is recovering well. Zhuang Luyin encourages him to participate in the upcoming military imperial examination, hoping he will win the coveted title of Wu Zhuangyuan (top scorer). Zhuang Luyin believes this achievement will secure Zhuang Zhixing's position at court and help restore the Zhuang family's honor. Zhuang Zhixing, initially lacking confidence, is bolstered by his father's faith. Jiang Xiang overhears this conversation and is filled with resentment, especially after learning that Zhuang Luyin has gone to "smooth things over" with the examination officials. Zhuang Zhixing informs Zang Hai of his decision, and Zang Hai arranges for Shi Lei to train him rigorously.
Half a month later, Zhuang Zhixing enters the military imperial examination. After successfully navigating the initial rounds of policy debate and martial skills, he reaches the final, where he must compete against Fang Lei for the title of Wu Zhuangyuan.
The final competition is a test of archery and horsemanship: the first to retrieve a brocade box hidden in a forest wins. Both Zhuang Zhixing and Fang Lei gallop into the woods, taking separate paths. Zhuang Zhixing spots the box and shoots it down with an arrow. However, Fang Lei then pins the box to a tree with his own arrow. Zhuang Zhixing decides to abandon the contested box, but Fang Lei, shockingly, attempts to kill him. After a desperate struggle, Zhuang Zhixing manages to get behind Fang Lei. As Fang Lei turns, both men release arrows simultaneously, and Zhuang Zhixing is wounded. Just as Fang Lei moves in for the kill, Zhuang Zhixing throws a handful of dirt into Fang Lei's eyes. Blinded, Fang Lei is quickly subdued. Zhuang Zhixing retrieves the box and is declared the Wu Zhuangyuan.
To celebrate Zhuang Zhixing's triumph, Zhuang Luyin plans a grand banquet at the Marquis's Mansion. Concerned about potential criticism due to Zhuang Zhixing's birth status (his mother was a concubine), Zang Hai voices his worries. Zhuang Luyin announces his decision to formally name Zhuang Zhixing as his heir (Shizi). He also declares that Zhuang Zhixing's mother, Shen Wan, will have her tomb moved to the ancestral burial grounds and her name officially added to the family genealogy. Upon hearing of Zhuang Zhixing's victory, Jiang Xiang looks at her crippled son, Zhuang Zhifu, and breaks down in tears.
The banquet is a lavish affair, attended by numerous civil and military officials who shower Zhuang Zhixing with praise. Zhuang Zhixing humbly requests their future support. Zhuang Luyin presents his son with his own battle-worn armor, a symbol of his high expectations. Zhuang Zhixing vows to bring further glory to the Zhuang family. Later, Zhuang Luyin tells Zhuang Zhixing to meet him at Hai Shi (9-11 PM) that night, as he has something crucial to discuss. Zhuang Zhixing also expresses his heartfelt gratitude to Zang Hai, who modestly attributes the success to Zhuang Zhixing's own efforts.
The episode concludes with Jiang Xiang visiting the ancestral hall to pray for Zhuang Zhifu's recovery. There, she accidentally discovers Shen Wan's newly placed memorial tablet, which sends her into a furious rage.
