EPISODE 43
Content and high-spirited, our gang go out on the street to perform the next day, intending to earn some money. But somebody else is holding a street show on that same day and they end up participating in that show instead.
They plan to make some money solving riddles and reciting idioms, but because of Xiaoyanzi, the group’s effort is wasted. She keeps breaking the little rules of the game and losing all the money the others earn.
By the way, does no one in this town care about solving these word riddles? Because it looks like our main characters are the only ones playing this game.
But in the middle of the game, one of the townspeople recognizes Xiaoyanzi and Ziwei as their princesses, so the gang has to run for it.
They go back to the guest house and start packing.
Jinsuo shows up at the last minute to join them. Good thing Ziwei’s eyes are already good again, otherwise… I don’t know if I could take all the weeping Jinsuo would’ve given us. On the other hand, I’m kind of curious who would weep more epically about it: Jinsuo or Erkang.
When Ziwei sees Liu Qing, she asks whether he has anything to tell her about him and Jinsuo. Er… I don’t think this is the best time for this question, even though I’m all for watching Liu Qing be a goofball, aren’t you supposed to leave this town immediately or something?
A maid runs in to inform them that a group of officials are catching up with them. The gang gets ready to fight, and all of them unsheath their swords and everything, but it turns out, it’s Erkang’s father who’s after them! Well, let’s go! explanation time. Let’s get everyone on the same page.
Lord Fu tells them the emperor has forgiven them and would like them to come back home. The kids are extremely touched, especially when they find out that the emperor never ordered them to be killed.
However, to the invitation to return home, they’re like: ehhhh… we’ll get back to you on that, Dad… Not sure we’re up for another round of torture and death scares.
The two couples talk separately that night to see what they should do. After some internal struggles, Erkang and Ziwei agree to continue their journey to the new destination.
Xiaoyanzi — unlike Ziwei, who actually gave Erkang a choice — tells Yongqi that he’d better come with her because there’s no way she’s returning to the palace. In the end, they also decide the same thing.
But Yongqi does make Xiaoyanzi promise that from now on, she can’t say things like “let’s cut all ties” to him anymore, at least not without good reason. Well I still think Yongqi gets the shorter end of the stick here, but whatever. It’s progress.
The four of them tell Lord Fu of their decision. Lord Fu goes for Ziwei right away and asks if she is sure since he knows she’s the easiest one to guilt-trip. But this time, Ziwei is also pretty adamant.
Jinsuo wants to travel to Dali with them, but Ziwei tells her what we’re all thinking: please don’t, stick with Liu Qing.
So Lord Fu’s last request is that they stick around this town for another 2 weeks or so. If, by the end of that time, they still don’t change their mind, he won’t hinder them anymore.
In the palace, the emperor gets the memo and you can tell he’s less than thrilled about it.
