EPISODE 26
Nanny Rong keeps pushing the idea that the kids have helped Hanxiang escape, which is… correct. But you know, we don’t like Nanny Rong, so everything that comes out of her mouth sounds wrong.
The dowager has some theories of her own, but Qing’er tries her best to neutralize the situation. In the end, the worst thing they’re afraid of is butterfly-Hanxiang turning back into human and trolling them. I mean, yes, that is a reasonable fear too.
Back at home, the gang once again tries to justify what they’ve done to the emperor today so they can feel a little better.
In the middle of the discussion, Qing’er comes over and asks them directly: where the heck is Hanxiang?
They let her know the truth in the end. Actually, they don’t, but Qing’er is smart enough to look back at what happened on the other night and put two and two together. She wishes she hadn’t, of course, because now she will have to live in fear of being prosecuted.
The emperor is still sulking over Hanxiang and missing the dances she did for him in those terrible costumes. Lady Ling takes the opportunity to remind him that hey she’s his wife too, and that she hasn’t turned into a butterfly yet.
That night, the Liu’s siblings’ restaurant get attacked by the empress’ men. Good thing Xiaojian is quite quick to inform the siblings so they were able to escape. But the whole restaurant is wrecked.
We get the first hint in this episode that Xiaojian may not be the silly wanderer like he let on at all.
Liu Qing comments that he’d always known this would happen one day. The gang have come to the restaurant too many times and they are too good-looking not to be noticed. So yes, if those four trouble-makers and Jinsuo die because of this business, at least they know their good looks had something to do with it.
But now, the bad news is, the empress’ people have found some very solid evidence to prosecute the gang: the masks they use for the voodoo dance when Hanxiang is sick. What were you guys keeping those masks for, huh? To reuse them in case someone wanted you for another dance?
The empress doesn’t waste any time to tell the emperor what she’s found out. And… er… he doesn’t look very happy.
To say the least.
The gang once again meet up and Erkang relays the terrible news of the Liu siblings. But before they can even digest that news, a summon comes for them and now they’ve got to go to answer to the emperor.
The emperor doesn’t beat around the bush. When the three girls walk in, he tells them to kneel right away and what he wants from them: Ziwei has to swear by her story again, and swear on Erkang this time. If she lies, she will lose Erkang.
Oooh, Huang-ah-ma knows exactly how to play the game with these kids. And Erkang’s face tells you exactly how effective the threat is.
But it isn’t just the masks that they’ve found. They also got one of the orphan girls who used to live with Xiaoyanzi as hostage. They chained her feet and hands too, these monster nannies.
At this point, Ziwei can’t take it anymore. She spills out everything and the gang follow suit.
But, well, it’s kind of too late for the truth now. For the emperor, it’s the utmost betrayal and he couldn’t care less whose feelings get hurt anymore. He shouts for them all to be executed.
Erkang is like: we’re going to die for love and justice and it’s gonna be awesome!
Lady Ling and the dowager remind the emperor that Yongqi is still royalty, so he should be spared. But Yongqi is like: No! I wanna die with them like a real man! Ok, Yongqi, be quiet, you’re not getting the situation here. If you keep out of prison, you can get help!
In the end, they all end up in jail.