Episode Summary
In this episode, Gao Susheng reveals his long-term power play to his son, Gao Fei, while manipulating Tang Boju into a dangerous new scheme. Tang Zhenyun is framed and dismissed from his post as a result of the conspiracy. Investigating Tang Boju's sudden disappearance, Xia Mo and Tang Zhenyun find a secret ledger that incriminates Gao Susheng. They form an alliance with Yang Zezhi and a grief-stricken Zhang Zhiqiu, realizing the ledger is their only hope for justice.
Spoiler Alert
Rosefinch: Episode 23 Spoilers
The episode picks up right after the helmsman ceremony. Gao Susheng pulls his son, Gao Fei, aside for a stern talk. He reminds Gao Fei that true power within the Gao family lies with the men and warns him against being reckless. Gao Susheng reveals his strategy: his public support for Gao Ying is merely a front to control Shanghai's visible factions. To gain real authority, Gao Fei must learn to be patient and bide his time. The revelation is a wake-up call for Gao Fei, who immediately adopts a more submissive attitude towards Gao Ying.
Later, Gao Susheng teams up with Tang Boju and Zhang Qi to hype up the "Great World Entertainment Stock." At a press conference held at Zhuque Hall, they announce Gao Yue as the public face of the venture. It's revealed that Commander Zhao Jin is about to set a new, sinister plan in motion. Tang Boju expresses his reluctance to sacrifice the Zhabei Chamber of Commerce, but Gao Susheng manipulates him with a tempting promise: if Tang Boju follows his orders, he will secure the top position in the entire Shanghai General Chamber of Commerce.
The next morning, acting on Yang Zezhi's orders, Shen Lian formally dismisses Tang Zhenyun from his duties. The official reason given is that his uncle, Tang Boju, has absconded with company funds. Tang Zhenyun knows this is a setup and a trap, but Xia Mo urges him to remain calm to avoid giving their enemies any leverage. Despite his innocence, Tang Zhenyun is stripped of his position. Xia Yingqi later finds him sitting outside the police station in just his thin inner clothes, and sees his own brother, Xia Mo, wrapped in white cloth.
That night, Xia Mo and Tang Zhenyun sneak into Tang Boju's study. Inside a safe, they find that the jade and the account books are untouched. While examining the ledgers, Xia Mo discovers a second, hidden set of books—a "yin-yang" account book that contains damning evidence of Gao Susheng's corruption. Their search is interrupted when the Qingzhu Gang senses their presence. Just in time, Yang Zezhi arrives in a car to rescue them. He tells them the Zhabei Chamber of Commerce is suspiciously quiet, leading him to believe Tang Boju has met with a terrible fate. Yang Zezhi also mentions a secret that Hong Xiu had uncovered and suggests they all work together, for now, by watching and waiting.
Back at No. 25 Huian Li, Xia Mo and Tang Zhenyun enter the secret passage again. There, Xia Yingqi identifies the jade from the safe as a burial artifact that belonged to the Empress Dowager Cixi. Their investigation is interrupted by an unexpected visitor: Zhang Zhiqiu, who has come seeking updates on his sister's case. When the group tells him the horrific truth about Zhang Yunli's brutal murder, he is overcome with grief. United by their common enemy, they all conclude that the account book is the crucial piece of evidence they need to finally bring down Gao Susheng.
