Go East Episode 8 Recap
> Go East Recap
Wang Kunwu and An Xiuyi decided to have an archery contest, with the wager being half a year’s salary. As the competition began, Yuchi Hua arrived with Bai Suqin and Mu Yikuan to watch the fun, suggesting that the contest should be between the East and West Wings. In the first round, Mu Yikuan hit a pigeon, scoring a point for the West Wing.
Long Bina missed his shot entirely, and when it was Yuan Mo's turn—who knew nothing about archery—he became the laughingstock. First, he nearly hit Yuchi Hua with a wildly thrown knife, and then he cut his own finger before he could even throw. Yuan Mo, too embarrassed to continue, prepared to step down, but Wang Kunwu stopped him. Seeing the hidden throwing knife in Wang Kunwu's sleeve, Yuan Mo gained some courage. Ultimately, the West Wing won by one point.
Unconvinced by the outcome, Long Bina pulled out a dagger after the contest and aimed it at a pigeon. Mu Yikuan blocked the dagger, stating there was no need to harm animals out of frustration. This only made Long Bina angrier, feeling humiliated that someone with a lower status in Yanle was talking back to him. He grabbed Mu Yikuan by the collar, ready to teach him a lesson, but Yuchi Hua intervened.
She demanded an apology, but Long Bina was dismissive until An Xiuyi quietly informed him of Yuchi Hua’s family background. Reluctantly, Long Bina apologized to Mu Yikuan. Later, Long Ge investigated the pigeon that Long Bina had shot, discovering that it had been drugged with Jingkuang powder, a substance unique to Yanle. He also noticed that A Shu, who had been present that day, bore a striking resemblance to someone he had previously injured.
Long Bina then requested that An Xiuyi investigate A Shu’s identity thoroughly after the exams concluded. On the day of the annual exams, Sifang Hall was tasked with maintaining order at the exam site. When Mu Yikuan presented his exam ticket, Long Bina ambushed him from behind, mocking his status and taunting him that even if he ranked first, it would be in vain. Bai Suqin urged Mu Yikuan not to lower himself to argue with such a disrespectful person.
A Shu arrived at the exam site to sell snacks. When it was Yuan Mo's turn, A Shu told him he had to pay 200 wen before eating anything. The hot weather forced Yuan Mo to comply reluctantly. On the way home, A Shu had a feeling someone was following her, so she tried to hide and escape. However, Long Bina intercepted her from another direction and harshly interrogated her about her true identity.
Due to his lack of martial skills, Long Bina ended up being taught a lesson by A Shu, who then poisoned him before demanding that he pay her one guan of silver every month. She then walked away nonchalantly. After leaving the exam site, Mu Yikuan accompanied Bai Suqin to the market. Remembering an urgent matter, he left Bai Suqin with her maid, Hongye.
An Xiuyi and Long Ge later discovered that Long Bina had died of poisoning in the street. A Shu was immediately arrested. Yu Deshui initially evaded Long Ge’s inquiries, but he was troubled about how to report the matter. An Xiuyi suggested handing over A Shu, but Yuan Mo believed she wouldn’t harm anyone. Wang Kunwu proposed assisting Jingzhao Prefecture in a thorough investigation, but An Xiuyi insisted the West Wing should avoid involvement.
Yu Deshui agreed to let the East Wing handle it. Ji Mingli suggested secretly gathering evidence to exonerate A Shu. Yuchi Hua and An Xiuyi interrogated A Shu, who denied killing Long Bina. When Long Ge tried to use underhanded methods, An Xiuyi, concerned for Yuchi Hua’s safety, intervened.
Yuan Mo began searching for clues in the streets, and Wang Kunwu learned from the coroner that Long Bina’s fatal injury was a blow to the back of the head, making it clear that someone had framed A Shu. Yuan Mo asked Yuchi Hua for help in meeting A Shu. Yuchi Hua locked Yuan Mo in the same cell as A Shu, which technically didn’t violate any rules.
Yuan Mo brought A Shu some incense and asked why she had provoked Long Bina. A Shu replied that she was just trying to make money to pay off her debts as quickly as possible. Yuan Mo and Wang Kunwu discovered that Long Bina had no academic records. Yu Deshui informed them that Long Bina had already been pre-appointed to a government position.
Yuan Mo recalled how Long Bina had mocked Mu Yikuan before the exams and began to suspect him. However, Mu Yikuan explained that he had gone to the Hongwen Pavilion at the time. When Wang Kunwu asked about A Shu’s past, Yuan Mo admitted that he didn’t know everything about her.
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