Episode Summary
Gu Tian gets caught stealing gold in the Golden Cicada Cave and is forced to help cure the City Lord. Fu Sheng investigates Song Jingye's body and learns about a mysterious sweet smell from Madam Qin. Later, the group explores the haunted Lin mansion, where a painting of a monkey seemingly comes to life and attacks them. Li Zhizhuo reveals he orchestrated the visit to test the mansion's secrets. An expert reveals the painting is cursed and caused the Lin family massacre years ago.
Spoiler Alert
Treasure at Dawn Episode 8 Recap: The Monkey in the Room
Gu Tian Gets Greedy
Gu Tian decides to play dress-up. He throws on a soldier’s uniform and sneaks his way into the Golden Cicada Cave. He talks his way past the guards with a stolen password. He knocks out a sentry and slips inside. The room is stacked with gold. It is a thief’s paradise. Gu Tian loses his head for a second. He gets distracted by the shine and forgets to watch his back.
Wen Jiu catches him red-handed. Gu Tian is fast, though. He breaks away and runs. But he doesn't know the layout. He hits a dead end. Wen Jiu corners him. He gives Gu Tian a choice. Help Fu Sheng cure the City Lord, or die right there.
Morgue Politics
The next day, the mood is grim. Wen Jiu still doesn't trust Fu Sheng’s medical skills. He wants a second opinion. The City Lord is depressed and has zero hope for recovery. Gu Tian sneaks back home. He lies about going to the suburbs and bribes his friend with some Hu cakes.
They head to the morgue. Fu Sheng needs to examine Song Jingye’s body again. He is looking for anything missed. Wen Yu tries to read some medical books nearby. She is confused. She thinks Fu Sheng might be making things up.
Madam Qin storms in. She sees them with the body and assumes the worst. She thinks they are tampering with evidence. Fu Sheng talks her down. He explains they are just investigating. Madam Qin calms down enough to drop a clue. She remembers a strange, sweet smell right before she was drugged that night.
The Haunted House
Sun Siming is having a bad night. Li Zhizhuo orders him to burn down the old Lin mansion to destroy evidence. Sun Siming is terrified, but he has no choice. He heads to the mansion with a torch. The official guards are too scared of the spooky vibes and leave early.
Fu Sheng and Gu Tian are already there. Sun Siming shows up ready to commit arson. He says he has to do it to stay alive. Fu Sheng makes a deal. Let them search the place first, then burn it. Sun Siming agrees. He puts out his torch.
They step inside. It is tense. Wen Yu jumps out and scares them just for kicks. They go up to the second floor. There is a weird painting on the wall. It shows a monkey holding a peach.
Art Comes to Life
Things get crazy. The monkey and the peach vanish from the canvas. Suddenly, a real monkey is in the room with them. Everyone sees it. They freak out. Wen Yu gets separated from the group. A peach falls and hits her. She screams. The monkey runs off.
Sun Siming has had enough. He tries to tear down the painting and burn the place. A poisonous snake bites him. The group panics and flees the mansion.
The Puppet Master
Wen Yu actually enjoyed the adrenaline rush. She thinks it was fun. Yingying brings up old rumors. People say the dead Master Lin walks around the mansion at night.
Sun Siming runs back to the Chamber of Commerce. He is hysterical. He tells Li Zhizhuo about the ghosts, the monkey, and the snake. Li Zhizhuo doesn't blink. He isn't surprised at all. He knew someone was hiding in that house. He used Song Jingye as bait to prove it. Sun Siming realizes he was just a pawn. Li never cared about the fire. He just wanted to test the mansion’s defenses.
The Cursed Painting
The next day, Hulu brings in an expert. His name is Feng Qianli. He knows all the weird folklore in the region. He identifies the painting. It is called "Golden Monkey Congratulating Birthday." It was painted by a famous artist named Li Zhi from Xichuan.
The backstory is dark. This painting ruined the Lin family. During a birthday banquet, Master Lin snapped. He killed his whole family and then cut his own throat. The legend says the painting is cursed. Anyone who looks at it loses control.
