Episode Summary

In the final stages of the "317 Major Case," Mu Jianhui's world unravels. His bitter custody battle with Wenwen culminates in his wife, Liu Shulan, returning their child and urging him to surrender. As the police close in, the archaeological team confirms the Yin Village tomb as the historic Zi Mausoleum. After a final confrontation with his rival, Fang Kun, at the dig site, Mu Jianhui is arrested, bringing the investigation to a close. With his work in Qinchuan done, Fang Kun prepares to leave but is surprised by the arrival of Luo Qing, promising a new beginning.

Spoiler Alert

"The Lost National Treasure" Episode 36 Recap & Spoilers: The Dust Settles

In a climactic episode, the intertwined threads of a bitter custody dispute and a high-stakes criminal investigation finally converge. As the "317 Major Case" barrels toward its conclusion, Mu Jianhui's empire of prestige and deceit crumbles, forcing everyone to confront the consequences of their actions. Meanwhile, a monumental archaeological discovery marks a new era for cultural preservation, and just as one chapter closes for Fang Kun, another unexpectedly begins.

Highlights From This Episode

  • Custody Battle Showdown: The fight between Wenwen and Mu Jianhui over their son, Liangliang, intensifies, but a surprising move by Mu's wife, Liu Shulan, changes everything.
  • Case 317 Escalates: The investigation is upgraded to a provincially supervised case, giving police the resources to corner their key suspects.
  • The Zi Mausoleum Confirmed: The archaeological team officially identifies the grand tomb at Yin Village as the long-lost Zi Mausoleum of Emperor Tai Zong of Han.
  • A Villain's Fall from Grace: Mu Jianhui reaches the pinnacle of his career just as his moral and legal failings catch up to him, leading to his arrest.
  • An Unexpected Reunion: After achieving his professional goals in Qinchuan, Fang Kun prepares to leave, only to be met with a welcome surprise.

Full Recap & Spoilers for Episode 36

A Family's Breaking Point

The episode opens with Wenwen confronting Mu Jianhui, accusing him of breaking his promise and demanding the return of their son, Liangliang. Mu coldly refuses, arguing that he can provide a life of luxury that Wenwen cannot match. He dares her to sue him, confident he will win. The heated exchange, witnessed by Mu's wife, Liu Shulan, leaves her feeling like she's looking at a stranger. The conflict deepens the rift in their family and pushes Mu further into isolation.

The Net Closes In

At a police briefing for the "317 Major Case," Officer Qi Dacang expresses frustration over the investigation's slow pace. However, his superior, Zhao Feng, announces that the case has been escalated and is now under the direct supervision of the provincial department. With the full backing of the Cultural Relics Bureau, the police launch a thorough investigation into Liu Shusheng's construction company. A major breakthrough comes when authorities in a neighboring province detain his accountant. Meanwhile, Officer Wu Zhenchuan uncovers a crucial link: a key suspect, Xiao Guoqiang, was once the driver for another person of interest, Zhao Youlin, proving they have known each other for two decades.

A Historic Discovery

Archaeologist Fang Kun presents definitive evidence to a panel of experts, confirming that the outer wall structures at the Yin Village site prove the tomb is indeed the Zi Mausoleum, the final resting place of Emperor Tai Zong of Han. Elated, Director Lu immediately moves to have a nearby landfill project relocated. The establishment of the Western Han Imperial Mausoleum Protection Center is announced, heralding a new chapter in the preservation of these cultural treasures.

The Two Faces of Mu Jianhui

At the Mingde Museum, Mu Jianhui publicly announces the donation of his prized personal collection of artifacts, a move that earns him a prestigious director(council member) position in the Antiques Association. In a rare moment of vulnerability, he recalls a painful childhood memory of being forced to leave his home with his father and sheds a tear while looking at a family photo.

His public magnanimity is a stark contrast to his private actions. He dispatches his lawyer to offer Wenwen ten million yuan to drop her custody claim. Wenwen flatly refuses, determined to see him in court. At the height of his public success, Mu is tormented by his moral compromises.

A Wife's Choice

In a pivotal moment, Liu Shulan makes a difficult decision. She takes Liangliang and all his belongings and returns him to his mother, Wenwen, before walking away alone. When Mu Jianhui learns what she has done, he is furious. Liu Shulan retreats to her old dormitory and calls her husband, pleading with him to turn back from his destructive path. As she urges him to surrender, the sound of approaching sirens fills the air. Mu Jianhui listens, a bitter, self-mocking smile spreading across his face.

The Final Confrontation

Liu Shulan leads Qi Dacang to the location of the stolen bronze chime bells that Mu had hidden. However, by the time they arrive, Mu is gone.

While the press conference celebrating the discovery of the Zi Mausoleum is in full swing, Fang Kun slips away, seeking solitude at the excavation site. He is soon joined by Mu Jianhui, who has returned to the tunnel where the black pottery figurines were first stolen. Mu attempts to justify his crimes, casting himself not as a thief, but as a "preacher" whose actions brought priceless artifacts to light. Fang Kun angrily rebukes him, declaring that he desecrated a cultural treasure and has no right to claim any credit.

Their standoff is interrupted by the arrival of Qi Dacang and Liu Shulan. Seeing his wife, Mu Jianhui surrenders without a fight, telling her, "I've implicated you." As he is led away, the other suspects in the 317 Major Case, including a surrendering Zhao Youlin, are rounded up, finally bringing the sprawling investigation to a close.

A New Beginning

With the case solved and the mausoleum secured, Fang Kun prepares to return to Yusai to work on his Great Wall research. His colleagues urge him to stay in Qinchuan and wait for Luo Qing, but he insists on leaving. He cares for her too much to ask her to sacrifice her own responsibilities for him. But just after his colleagues depart, he hears his name called. He turns to see Luo Qing, bag in hand, ready to start a new journey with him.