Episode Summary
In "The Litchi Road" Episode 13, Li Shande prepares a critical "City Circuit Run" to test lychee preservation times, but faces sabotage. He Youguang, nursing a secret and embarrassing old wound, plots with Zhao Xinmin to disrupt the test by hiring the mysterious Lan Ge as a rider. Meanwhile, their spy, Lin Yinu, proves ineffective and grows conflicted. A Mi Ta investigates her late father's past as a pirate, making a deal with Li Shande to pardon a group of deserters in exchange for information that could clear her father's name, putting her on a collision course with He Youguang's secrets.
Spoiler Alert
"The Litchi Road" Episode 13 Recap: A Test of Speed and Loyalty
The mission to transport fresh lychees from Lingnan to Chang'an hinges on a critical test, and in this episode, Li Shande’s plan faces sabotage from all sides while old wounds and buried secrets claw their way to the surface.
Undercover and Under Pressure
He Youguang and Zhao Xinmin’s scheme to control Li Shande from the inside is already failing. Their chosen spy, Lin Yinu, has been planted in Li’s camp, feigning to be mute. However, Lin Yinu has no grasp of the technical details of Li's plan, making his reports to Zhao Xinmin vague and useless. Frustrated by his inability to gather intelligence, Lin Yinu’s spirits are low. Noticing his gloom, A'Tong offers him simple kindness, assuming he's just homesick. Her warmth clearly affects Lin Yinu, planting a seed of conflict in his conscience.
A Painful Secret
The source of He Youguang’s bitterness runs deeper than political maneuvering. It’s revealed he was once a subordinate of the pirate Hai Hu. During an incident after Hai Hu's death, He Youguang was shot in the buttock with an arrow. The old wound still plagues him, itching intensely with the change of seasons. Zhao Xinmin provides him with a specially prepared aloe vera juice for the pain, becoming the sole keeper of this embarrassing secret—a vulnerability that gives Zhao Xinmin leverage and explains He Youguang's desperate measures.
The City Circuit Run
Li Shande, having secured horses, has devised his primary test. He calculated that one lap around the city walls is exactly thirty li—the distance between two postal relay stations. His plan is to stage a "City Circuit Run" to determine precisely when the lychees begin to spoil, using the Xiaodongmen gate as a transfer point.
He presents his plan to He Youguang, requesting men to maintain order and provide riders. He Youguang flatly refuses, claiming he can't find suitable men. Undeterred, Li Shande pivots, demanding a pardon for a group of deserters led by Yan Yazhuang, arguing they are perfect for the job. When He Youguang refuses again, Li Shande plays his trump card. He casually mentions the decade-old story of a young soldier who shot a pirate leader in the buttock. The reference is unmistakable. A furious He Youguang immediately cuts him off and concedes, promising to "handle" the issue of the old soldiers.
A Sabotage Plot Forms
Furious that Li Shande has connected with the old soldiers, He Youguang blames Zhao Xinmin for picking an incompetent spy. Zhao Xinmin proposes a new plan: instead of just watching, they should actively sabotage the test. He suggests hiring a man named Lan Ge, a notorious cockfighting den operator, to join the race and ensure it fails. He Youguang agrees, but his worries intensify. He fears that A Mi Ta, the adopted daughter of the deceased pirate Hai Hu, will use the pardoned soldiers to uncover the truth about his involvement in her father's death.
A Mi Ta's Investigation
Meanwhile, A Mi Ta is conducting her own investigation. She learns from Zheng Ping'an the details of the deserters' story: ten years ago, a pirate leader robbed a boat carrying medicinal herbs and was shot in the buttock by a young soldier, who also stole a ruby-encrusted silver dagger. Investigators discover the dagger did not belong to Hai Hu's fleet, leading to suspicion that the incident is connected to the mysterious fire at the Whale-Riding Tower.
Convinced her father was not a common thief, but troubled by the persistent rumors, A Mi Ta seeks out Li Shande. She demands to meet the deserters to verify their story. After some evasion from Li, she offers him a deal: she will use her influence to secure the pardon for the deserters. In return, Li Shande must let her meet them and examine the ruby dagger to clear her father's name.
Riders, Rogues, and Revelations
As Su Liang publicly recruits riders for the test, a mysterious and confident figure, Lan Ge, appears. He approaches Li Shande directly, demanding to ride the best horse and receive half his payment upfront. Despite Su Liang's warnings that the horse is wild, Lan Ge mounts it with ease and tames it instantly, impressing Li Shande, who agrees to hire him and two of his men.
A Mi Ta, growing more suspicious, visits He Youguang's residence to probe him about the pardon. His nervous and dismissive reaction when she mentions her deal with Li Shande all but confirms his connection to the old case.
With a saboteur now embedded in the race and A Mi Ta closing in on a decade-old conspiracy, Li Shande's crucial test is set to become a flashpoint for secrets, lies, and long-awaited justice.
Key Spoilers & Takeaways from Episode 13:
- Lin Yinu's loyalty is wavering after experiencing kindness from A'Tong, suggesting he may not remain a reliable spy for He Youguang.
- He Youguang's weakness is exposed: His embarrassing old battle wound is the reason Li Shande is able to blackmail him into cooperating. It also connects him directly to the pirate past he desperately wants to keep hidden.
- A test to prove a theory: Li Shande initiates the "City Circuit Run" to gather hard data on lychee preservation, a critical step in his overall plan.
- A Mi Ta makes a deal: She agrees to secure a pardon for the deserters in exchange for access to them, hoping to find the ruby dagger and clear her father's name.
- A saboteur joins the team: The cockfighting ringleader, Lan Ge, has been hired by He Youguang to ruin the test, though his calm and confident demeanor suggests he may have his own agenda.
