Episode Summary

In episode 4, the reason for Chen Siqi's past betrayal of Mo Qingchuan is revealed—he was coerced to save his sister. Meanwhile, official Zhou Zheng investigates the Cao Ling'an case using a crucial ledger. At a military tournament, Mo Wang's student, Xia Qiguang, is goaded into using the Mo family's signature sword style. This forces Mo Wang to step forward and claim she was his teacher. Confronted by Cao Huaitai and accused of being Mo Qingchuan herself, she masterfully deflects the suspicion, injures Cao Huaitai in a show of force, and departs, leaving her true identity a dangerous, open question.

Spoiler Alert

Qingchuan's Veil of Vengeance Episode 4 Recap: A Blade of Identity

This episode throws us back in time and forward into a deadly confrontation, peeling back layers of old betrayals while casting new, dangerous shadows on Mo Wang's identity. The story picks up speed as a ledger becomes a ticking time bomb and a military tournament turns into a public trial.

A Traitor's Regret and a Ledger's Secrets

The episode opens on a somber note, revealing the painful reason behind Chen Siqi's long-held betrayal of the great general Mo Qingchuan. In a flashback, we see a captured Chen Siqi being coerced by the Chu State; they used his pregnant sister as leverage, forcing him to make an impossible choice and lure his commander into a devastating trap.Back in the present, he languishes in prison, his pleas for mercy falling on the deaf ears of the upright official Zhou Zheng. Zhou Zheng is not without his own burdens; he now possesses a ledger left by the deceased Cao Ling'an, delivered to his doorstep by Mo Wang's loyal attendant, Jiang Kui. The book contains enough evidence to seal Chen Siqi's fate, yet Zhou Zheng is troubled, sensing a larger conspiracy at play without knowing the mastermind's identity.

Mo Wang watches these events from the shadows, offering a cryptic observation: "A man of humble origins may not necessarily bear the weight of being an 'honest official.'" Her words hang in the air as Mo Junyu's return with Cao Yuyan adds another layer of intrigue. Mo Junyu pointedly questions Zhou Zheng about the delays in Chen Siqi's case, arousing suspicion that he and Cao Yuyan are somehow connected to the conspiracy.

The Tournament Trap

The focus shifts to Xia Qiguang, Mo Wang's student, who has been demoted to a civil post. He visits Mo Wang with a fresh wound on his face, a clear sign of provocation, though he refuses to elaborate. Instead, he invites her to a military tournament. After hearing that former members of the Mo family army are being mistreated there, Mo Wang agrees to attend, her expression hardening.

The tournament is a setup. A confidant of the ruthless Cao Huaitai challenges Xia Qiguang to a duel where "death is not off the table." Despite the malicious intent, Xia Qiguang's superior skill allows him to win with ease.

As Xia Qiguang falters, Mo Wang rises from her seat, her voice cutting through the tension: "I taught him." She steps forward, declaring that the advanced technique requires a prodigy of exceptional talent—"someone like me, Mo Wang."

A Trial by Blood and Blade

Cao Huaitai seizes the moment, accusing Mo Wang of being the legendary Mo Qingchuan in disguise. Xia Qiguang instinctively moves to protect her. To force the issue, Cao Huaitai brings forth former soldiers of the Mo army to identify their general. Mo Wang, with unnerving calm, removes her veil, but the men, under immense pressure, dare not confirm her identity. In a cruel test of her composure, Cao Huaitai stabs one of the veteran's hands with a sword, watching for Mo Wang's reaction. She clenches her fists, her fury barely contained but her face an unreadable mask. As the old soldiers are led away, they shout in unison, "We will answer the General's call!"—a clandestine oath of loyalty that only she can understand.

Her identity seemingly safe for now, Mo Wang turns her cold fury on her accuser. She rebukes Cao Huaitai for his slander, snatches a dagger from his belt, and slashes his cheek.

Key Takeaways from the Episode:

  • Chen Siqi's Betrayal: We learn his treachery was not born of greed but of desperation to save his sister, adding a layer of tragedy to his character.
  • The Ledger's Power: This account book is the central piece of evidence in the Cao Ling'an case, and its journey into Zhou Zheng's hands was orchestrated by Mo Wang.
  • A Calculated Confrontation: The military tournament was a deliberate trap by Cao Huaitai to expose Xia Qiguang and, by extension, his mysterious teacher.
  • Mo Wang's Gambit: Instead of hiding, Mo Wang steps directly into the spotlight, claiming ownership of the Mo family's martial arts and challenging her enemies head-on.
  • A Vow of Vengeance: The episode culminates in Mo Wang physically marking her enemy, a clear promise that her quest for revenge is far from over.

Spoilers & Foreshadowing:

Several plot threads are left dangling, promising more conflict and revelations ahead:

  • The investigation into the ledger will reveal a money trail leading directly to the rival Chu State.
  • Mo Junyu, now suspicious, begins his own secret investigation into Xia Qiguang's background.
  • News of the explosive events at the tournament will reach the Empress Dowager via Cao Yuyan's report.
  • The wound on the old soldier's hand is more than an injury; it conceals a hidden message intended for his general.