Under the Moonlight Episode 36 (Ending) Recap, Plot

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Luo Shu had been unconscious for a long time before finally waking up. She learned from Cai Baozi that Qi Menglin had been thrown into prison. Struggling to get up, she wanted to visit him. Han Muzhi and Lian Shu heard the news and rushed over. Lian Shu brought some good news: the court had received Han Muzhi’s memorial and dispatched a special commissioner to Linfen to investigate the stolen military grain and the Qi family's case.

Han Muzhi promised that he would find a way for Luo Shu to disguise herself as a kitchen maid delivering food to visit Qi Menglin in prison. Qi Menglin's injuries were severe, and in his delirium, he dreamt of Luo Shu. He never expected her to really come to see him, bringing with her a lavish feast. Luo Shu removed her outer cloak to reveal a bright red wedding gown. She wanted to marry Qi Menglin in the prison.

Qi Menglin was deeply moved and teary-eyed. They completed the marriage ceremony, bowing to each other in respect. Qi Menglin kept asking if this was real and not a dream. He didn’t want to drag Luo Shu down with him and tried to send her away, but Luo Shu insisted on standing by him, through thick and thin. They drank the wedding wine and officially became husband and wife.

Zhao Daren wanted to take Peng Cheng and Qi Menglin back to Liu Yiqing, but Han Muzhi firmly disagreed, insisting they wait for the special commissioner. Liu Yiqing suddenly arrived at the Linfen County office and accused Han Muzhi of harboring Qi Menglin, intending to remove him from office on the spot. Han Muzhi, however, was appointed by the court, and Liu Yiqing had no authority to dismiss him.

Liu Yiqing presented his final trump card—the royal decree flag, and Han Muzhi had no choice but to surrender. The special commissioner arrived suddenly with three officials in tow, and Liu Yiqing hurried to greet them. The commissioner requested to see Han Muzhi. Liu Yiqing had no choice but to bring him forward.

Han Muzhi then listed Liu Yiqing’s crimes one by one, accusing him and Qin Yi of monopolizing the grain trade, deliberately withholding disaster relief grain, and inflating grain prices to make huge profits, which led to the deaths of more than three hundred people in Linfen from starvation. Qi Menglin, disguised as Qi Zongdu, had shipped out two boats of grain, which were swapped midway, and the military grain warehouses were burned down.

All of this was orchestrated by Liu Yiqing and Qin Yi, who aimed to bring down Qi Zongdu. Liu Yiqing argued fiercely, shifting all the blame onto Qi Zongdu and Qin Yi. The special commissioner wanted Qin Yi to testify, but since he was dead, no one could verify the claims. Han Muzhi had Sun Qian testify, but Sun Qian accused Lian Qi, who had also died.

Sun Qian suggested using the testimony of the grain warehouse worker, Ru Yan, but Ru Yan was also dead. Since Ru Yan was a courtesan, her testimony was considered unreliable. Han Muzhi then turned to Peng Cheng for testimony, but Peng Cheng suddenly fell ill in prison and passed away. The special commissioner was at a loss for what to do. Liu Yiqing was secretly pleased, as there were no witnesses to confirm his crimes.

However, Luo Shu arrived at the county office with Peng Cheng, leaving Liu Yiqing and Zhao Daren dumbfounded, as they hadn't expected Peng Cheng to still be alive. Peng Cheng was imprisoned, and Luo Shu, certain that Liu Yiqing would try to silence him, asked Xu Wuzuo for some fake death pills to help Peng Cheng cooperate with her. Peng Cheng confessed that he had been Qin Yi's subordinate.

Qin Yi and the Qi family had always worked together in business. Qin Yi had sold salt to the border, and the Qi family, fearing they would be implicated, severed ties with him. This caused Qin Yi to harbor a grudge, and he later sided with Liu Yiqing, using the grain swap and burning of the grain warehouse as his proof of loyalty.

Liu Yiqing, fearing Qin Yi had become too powerful, sent him to assassinate Han Muzhi, planning to replace him afterward. Liu Yiqing continued to deny everything, claiming that Peng Cheng was framing him, and threatened to petition the emperor. The special commissioner instructed Han Muzhi to provide evidence, but Han Muzhi was unable to. Just then, Liu Wan arrived at the county office, bringing with her evidence of Liu Yiqing's crimes.

Liu Wan advised her father to repent and start anew, offering to face punishment with him. Liu Yiqing’s defenses finally broke down. He never imagined that his own daughter would be the one to report him. The emperor, upon learning the truth about the series of cases in Shanxi, issued an edict to severely punish Liu Yiqing, Zhao Daren, and the others. Although Qin Yi perished in the fire, his assets were confiscated.

Qi Zongdu was dismissed from his post and exiled. However, the court spared Liu Yiqing from the death penalty in gratitude for Liu Wan's role in exposing his crimes, though he was also dismissed and exiled. Zhao Daren was demoted to a commoner, and Qi Menglin, for forging documents and misappropriating military grain, was sentenced to two thousand miles of exile. Han Muzhi searched far and wide, and after two years, he finally found Liu Wan.

Han Muzhi was about to head to the capital for his official duties, and Liu Wan congratulated him. Han Muzhi showed her a sachet she had given him and vowed to wait for her, no matter how long it took. Liu Wan, not wanting to burden him, hesitated, but Han Muzhi promised to wait for her forever.

On the eve of New Year's Day, Cai Butou, Cai Baozi, Xu Wuzuo, and Chen Meiqing waited for Han Muzhi to return and share the New Year's Eve dinner. But Han Muzhi was late, and they remembered Luo Shu and Qi Menglin, wishing them happiness and health from afar. Luo Shu accompanied Qi Menglin to his exile, two thousand miles away. Qi Menglin served at a military post, and Luo Shu, along with Lian Shu, did business.

She worked hard, and her business prospered, even forming a trade caravan. Luo Shu gathered many precious medicinal herbs to help Qi Menglin recover his health, and soon, he regained his strength. Luo Shu also worked on securing connections within the military camp, so Qi Menglin didn’t have to go out to farm. He helped at home, doing household chores. Qi Menglin had prepared many New Year goods, but Luo Shu's caravan was delayed.

Snow began to fall heavily, and Qi Menglin grew anxious. Finally, Luo Shu returned, braving the snow. They shared a reunion dinner together, their laughter echoing in their little courtyard.

Episode 35 Recap

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