Episode Summary
Cao Jingxian is left fighting for his life after falling into a trap set by Zang Hai. With Cao Jingxian incapacitated, Zang Hai focuses on his final target for revenge: Queen Ming Yusu Ti of Dong Xia. He initially plans to travel to Dong Xia after the New Year. However, Queen Ming Yusu Ti unexpectedly arrives in the Da Yong capital herself, bearing a rare treasure for the Emperor – an intricate wooden palace constructed with a lost mortise and tenon technique. The Queen challenges the court to open it. Zang Hai is compelled to take on the task and successfully opens the wooden palace, but in doing so, he inadvertently reveals a connection to his late father, Kuai Duo, who was a master of this craft. Meanwhile, Xiang Antu learns her mother is in the city and, in a moment of desperation, asks Zang Hai to elope with her, a plea he painfully rejects due to his quest for vengeance. Queen Ming Yusu Ti, aware of her daughter's feelings for Zang Hai and having witnessed his unique skills, grows suspicious of his true identity and insists he take her to Xiang Antu.
Spoiler Alert
Legend of Zang Hai Episode 29 Recap & Spoilers: The Queen's Arrival and a Father's Secret
The morning court session proceeds without the Emperor, who is reportedly unwell. Cao Jingxian, who usually presides in the Emperor's absence, is also missing, forcing the civil and military officials to disperse. Prince Yongrong visits the Emperor, only to find him engrossed in his woodworking. Later, Prince Yongrong encounters Zang Hai and informs him that Cao Jingxian was attacked the previous night and is now in critical condition. Zang Hai shows no emotion; he was the one who set the trap in the cellar of the Marquis's mansion and is fully aware of the situation.
Prince Yongrong, who despises Cao Jingxian and hopes for his death, knows Zang Hai shares this sentiment. He makes a few cutting, indifferent remarks to Zang Hai before leaving quickly. Meanwhile, Cao Jingxian is gravely injured and near death, with Lu Yan diligently caring for him. Lu Ran's investigation reveals that Zang Hai was the only person to enter the Marquis's mansion after it was raided, leading to the suspicion that Zang Hai rigged the deadly cellar trap. Consumed by his desire to find the Guixi, Cao Jingxian suffers another relapse from severe stress, vomiting blood and throwing Lu Ran and Lu Yan into a panic.
With Zhuang Luyin and Cao Jingxian now dealt with, Zang Hai's only remaining target for revenge is Queen Ming Yusu Ti of Dong Xia. He instructs Gao Ming to spread rumors of Xiang Antu's disappearance to draw out the Queen, but she remains elusive. Zang Hai resolves to travel to Dong Xia personally after the New Year to exact his revenge. As the New Year arrives, Zang Hai celebrates with Gao Ming, Shi Lei, and Guan Feng. He also arranges for Chu Liu to keep Xiang Antu company. He considers sending Guan Feng and Shi Lei to the Qintianjian for further studies, but they express reluctance, and Zang Hai doesn't insist.
Zang Hai discusses his plan with Chu Liu to release Xiang Antu after the New Year festivities. Chu Liu has noticed Zang Hai's feelings for Xiang Antu, which he keeps suppressed due to his family's vendetta. Chu Liu urges Zang Hai not to let Xiang Antu go, warning of future regret. Zang Hai decides to resign from his official position and head to Dong Xia. However, he is abruptly summoned by the Ministry of Works. News arrives that the Dong Xia kingdom has acquired a rare treasure, which Queen Ming Yusu Ti intends to present to the Da Yong Emperor herself. She specifically requests to stay in her daughter Xiang Antu's residence, the Zhigong. The Emperor commands the Ministry of Works to swiftly renovate the Zhigong.
Queen Ming Yusu Ti arrives in the Da Yong Capital with a large Dong Xia delegation, bearing magnificent gifts for the Emperor. Upon hearing of Xiang Antu's poor health, the Emperor sends medicinal supplies for her. The Queen then presents an exquisitely crafted wooden palace. This structure is built using the long-lost technique of mortise and tenon joinery and features an irreversible mechanism—once closed, it cannot be opened without being destroyed. Aware of the Emperor's passion for carpentry, Ming Yusu Ti had this gift specially made and challenges him to find someone capable of opening it to reveal the treasure inside.
The Vice Minister of Works volunteers but is stumped upon discovering the irreversible nature of the mechanism, realizing it can only be opened by force. Prince Yongrong suggests Zang Hai attempt the challenge. Zang Hai examines the wooden palace closely and quickly understands its secret: it employs a unique technique developed by his late father, Kuai Duo. This places Zang Hai in a difficult position—opening it would reveal his true lineage. As Ming Yusu Ti watches and makes taunting remarks, Zang Hai, with a burst of resolve, successfully opens the wooden palace. Inside lies a jade artifact shaped like an infant—the "Jade Fetus," a rare treasure. The Emperor is overjoyed. Ming Yusu Ti seizes the moment, proposing that Zang Hai be responsible for selecting a suitable location for the Jade Fetus, a request the Emperor readily grants.
Later, Guan Feng brings pigeon soup to Xiang Antu, but she angrily knocks it over and dismisses him. Guan Feng reports this to Zang Hai, who then visits Xiang Antu, promising to arrange her release soon. Xiang Antu is shocked but thrilled to learn her mother, Queen Ming Yusu Ti, is in the Capital—a reunion she has long dreamed of. However, her desires have shifted; she no longer wishes to see her mother but instead wants to elope with Zang Hai. He painfully rejects her plea, leaving Xiang Antu devastated and in tears. Zang Hai is equally tormented, caught between his emotions and his unyielding quest for revenge.
Tasked with finding a location for the Jade Fetus, Zang Hai is accompanied by Queen Ming Yusu Ti, who insists he ride in her carriage. Zang Hai presses her about whether her previous visit to the Capital coincided with the murder of his parents. Ming Yusu Ti offers a vague, evasive answer. She has received a letter from Xiang Antu revealing her daughter's love for Zang Hai. This piques the Queen's curiosity about whether Zang Hai is Kuai Duo's son or merely his disciple. Zang Hai avoids a direct response.
Queen Ming Yusu Ti then pressures Zang Hai to take her to Xiang Antu. She goes as far as to have her attendants incapacitate the Da Yong officials escorting them by drugging them. Zang Hai ultimately agrees to take her to see Xiang Antu.
