Episode 25 unravels a scandal surrounding the imperial examination as Prince Wuhen is found dead under suspicious circumstances. Shen Zaiye and Jiang Taohua begin their own investigation, while Prince Wuyin manipulates from the shadows.
🎓 1. A Nation Holds Its Breath: Exam Day
The long-awaited imperial exam finally begins. Prince Wuxia shows compassion by organizing rations and spring water for the examinees, many of whom come from poor backgrounds.
“They’ve traveled far. They must not go hungry.”
In the crowd, tension brews as rumors swirl: exam answers have been leaked, and Prince Wuhen is allegedly involved.
Wuxia promises:
“I’ll look into it.”
⚔️ 2. The Brothers Clash at the Pavilion
That evening, Wuxia confronts Wuhen at Chunyue Pavilion:
“Selling exam questions is treason.”
Wuhen mocks him, reveling in drink and dancers. The confrontation ends bitterly—but not in violence.
“You think you can play saint forever? I won’t let you.”
The next morning, Wuhen is found dead.
⚖️ 3. The Court Demands Justice
The Emperor is devastated. Wuhen, though flawed, was still his son.
“First Wugou. Now Wuhen. Am I to die with no sons left?”
Noble clans led by Qin Yuan demand Wuxia’s punishment:
“Multiple witnesses confirm the brothers argued before his death.”
Though the Emperor is reluctant, he orders Wuxia confined.
🧩 4. A Pawn Caught in the Crossfire
Meanwhile, Shen Zaiye is banned from seeing Wuxia or investigating directly. Prince Wuyin is named chief examiner, and Meng Zhongyan—Zhenzhen’s father—is reinstated to assist him.
Zaiye knows something is off:
“We must uncover the truth before the exams begin. Or it’s all for nothing.”
💔 5. Zhenzhen vs. the Meng Family
Zhenzhen raids her cousin Huairui’s quarters, suspecting his involvement. She discovers a jade pendant engraved with:
“Regret not the past, take righteousness as profit.”
The token may link Huairui—or someone else in the Meng family—to the murder.
“You dare drag our family into this?” her cousin hisses.
But Zhenzhen remains resolute.
🧠 6. Taohua’s Double Life
Jiang Taohua, under the identity “Miss Meng,” remains in Prince Wuyin’s residence. He tasks her with spying on Shen Zaiye:
“Get close to him. Report back on anything suspicious.”
Unbeknownst to Wuyin, Taohua’s memory is returning. She suspects his hand in Wuhen’s death.
“Why is he so sure Zaiye will try to clear Wuxia’s name?”
She devises a plan—to pretend obedience while secretly helping Zaiye.
👭 7. An Unlikely Trio
Taohua teams up with Xiang Qingying (Zaiye’s sister) and follows her to the Chancellor’s residence, learning of Wuxia’s plight. They resolve to investigate.
“Prince Wuxia showed me kindness,” Taohua says.
“I must return the favor.”
Their alliance forms the emotional heart of the episode: unlikely women bound by justice, memory, and truth.
🕯️ 8. Return to the Scene of the Crime
Together, Taohua, Qingying, and Zaiye sneak into Chunyue Pavilion.
They examine:
-
Blood spatters with no signs of a struggle.
-
Fingernail scratches, indicating Wuhen resisted.
-
Escape footprints contradicting Wuxia’s exit.
Taohua concludes:
“Wuxia isn’t strong enough to overpower Wuhen. This was an ambush.”
🕵️ 9. Zaiye’s Silent Pain
Zaiye confronts Taohua at the scene. Suspicious of her sudden involvement, he asks:
“Did you regain your memory?”
She deflects. Their exchange is tense and cold:
“I know what I’m doing,” she says.
“I don’t need your protection.”
Their once-deep bond is fractured. They part ways—allies by necessity, not by love.
🧪 10. A Jade Clue and a Spy Revealed
Later, Wuyin receives word: a spy tailing Zaiye found a broken jade pendant at the crime scene. Wuyin smiles:
“Exactly as planned.”
He tells Meng Zhongyan:
“Taohua is in my control. She’s lost her memory and obeys me.”
But Taohua, in voiceover, whispers:
“Mu Wuxia, I swear—I will get you out.”
💬 Overall Impressions
Episode 25 is a political powder keg. It masterfully balances:
-
The tension of the imperial exam,
-
A potential framing of Prince Wuxia,
-
And the subtle rebellion of characters like Taohua and Zaiye.
Everyone is playing chess. Everyone is at risk of becoming a piece.
Taohua’s intelligence shines—she’s finally operating in deep disguise, choosing her moments with clarity and courage.
🔚 Final Verdict
“Episode 25 spins a web of lies, loyalty, and leverage. No truth is safe. No ally is guaranteed. And for Jiang Taohua, the game is no longer survival—it’s silent revenge.”