Guardians of the Dafeng Episode 37 Recap, Plot

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> Guardians of the Dafeng Recap

Xu Qi'an returned to the capital with the investigation delegation from the Northern State and the Duke of Zhenbei's coffin. When palace attendants reported his arrival to Emperor Jing, the emperor was leisurely fishing, appearing relaxed and indifferent. The attendants cautiously led the ministers inside, where Zheng Xinghuai, the administrative commissioner of Chuzhou, described in precise detail the tragic events behind the "Three Thousand Li of Blood. " However, Emperor Jing refused to believe him.

The ministers collectively impeached the Duke of Zhenbei, presenting evidence that his actions were driven by ambition for promotion. The emperor remained unmoved upon hearing about the massacre of 380,000 Chuzhou citizens. However, when he learned of the Duke of Zhenbei's death, he ran barefoot outside, demanding to see the body. Emperor Jing opened the coffin, repeatedly calling for his "royal brother. " The ministers exchanged uneasy glances, realizing that the emperor had no intention of condemning the duke.

Xu Qi'an spoke out boldly, listing the duke's crimes and urging the emperor to provide justice for the innocent citizens of Chuzhou. Enraged, Emperor Jing cursed Xu Qi'an and reminded him not to presume that he wouldn't be executed. The emperor even held a blade to Zheng Xinghuai's neck, but Zheng remained calm, responding that, with his entire family already dead, his own life no longer had any meaning. The emperor's hand faltered, and the blade fell from his grasp.

He dismissed everyone in frustration. Later, Xu Qi'an visited Wei Yuan to apologize for not reporting to him sooner. Wei Yuan admitted that he had already suspected the Duke of Zhenbei's involvement before Xu Qi'an was sent to Chuzhou. The emperor's decision to assign the investigation was merely a formality, and the outcome was of no real importance. However, Wei Yuan hadn't expected Xu Qi'an to kill the duke outright.

He explained that the duke's divine power had nearly reached the second rank, and his massacre of citizens was meant to amass spiritual energy for his eventual campaign against the Kui tribe. Wei Yuan pointed out that Xu Qi'an could have waited until the duke launched his attack on the Kui tribe to reap the benefits without taking direct action. Xu Qi'an questioned how the duke could have been held accountable after sacrificing himself in battle against the Kui tribe.

Wei Yuan reminded Xu Qi'an of his previous warnings about not showing off too much. Now that he had openly clashed with Emperor Jing, Wei Yuan placed a hand on Xu Qi'an’s shoulder, advising him again to learn restraint or risk losing even more. Wei Yuan, known for his strategic foresight, instructed Xu Qi'an to leave the remaining matters to him. Xu Qi'an nodded and took his leave.

That same day, it was scheduled for the Grand Secretary to visit Yunlu Academy for a poetry evaluation. Xu Xinnian, eager to excel, prepared diligently, hoping to emerge as the champion. However, his plans were interrupted when Wang Simu arrived with urgent news about the court's upheaval. Hearing that Emperor Jing was acting emotionally, Xu Xinnian shed his usual timid demeanor. He rode a carriage straight to the palace gates and loudly recited ethical principles, impressing the Grand Secretary.

Xu Xinnian spoke passionately for two to three hours without pause. When the eunuchs tried to punish him, the Grand Secretary intervened, protecting him and requesting an audience with the emperor. Emperor Jing, however, refused to see them and ordered the Grand Secretary to send the accompanying officials away. After the Grand Secretary left, the emperor instructed the eunuchs to record the names of those officials who had not come to plead.

Despite the ministers’ collective petitions, the emperor ignored their advice. This news reached Lin An, who rushed to her father’s chambers and knelt, pleading with him to heed the officials' counsel and listen to the people’s voices. The imperial consort, alarmed, hurriedly persuaded Lin An to leave. Back home, Xu Qi'an received a warm welcome from his family. After dinner, Xu Xinnian analyzed the emperor's recent behavior with Xu Qi'an.

Xu Xinnian noted that Emperor Jing, known for his usually stoic and reserved demeanor, had acted completely out of character in public. This behavior, he suggested, must have been intentional. Reflecting on his encounter with the emperor, Xu Qi'an found himself increasingly suspicious.

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