The grand finale of Episode 47 of "Shangshufang" is available for online viewing.
Introduction to the plot of Episode 47 of "Shangshufang":
Episode 41:
Prince Wu once again visits Dun'er at the Fucha family, expressing that if Dun'er agrees to marry him, she will definitely become the Empress in the future. Unexpectedly, he was rejected by Dun'er again. Dun'er stated that she had promised Prince Wu not to marry Prince Si, but she didn't promise anything else. In Episode 47 of "Shangshufang", Prince Wu angrily left, and this time he would no longer be friends with the Fucha family.
Master Zhu refuted Master Tian's argument in the Shangshufang classroom that rewarding merit and punishing crimes can certainly invigorate the country, causing Master Tian to stop the class and even reporting it to the Emperor, accusing Master Zhu of disrupting the class order. The emperor saw that the two masters often disagreed in the Shangshufang, so he decided to add a new master. He asked Prince Yunmi and Prince Zhuang to invite Master Liang. Master Liang proposed that if Master Tian were to be the chief master of the Shangshufang, he would not come unless he himself became the chief master. Prince Yunmi took the opportunity to agree immediately, while Prince Zhuang strongly opposed it. The emperor thought that if Master Liang were to be the chief master of the Shangshufang, it could ease the current situation where Masters Zhu and Tian did not respect each other, which might be a good thing, so he agreed. The newly arrived Master Liang would be the chief master of the Shangshufang, and Master Liang also emphasized the way of benevolent rulership. This allows the princes to learn from various schools of thought during their studies, but more importantly, they must learn the principle of sincerity as the foundation of being a person. The emperor's thoughts were clear to everyone.
Hongsheng heard about a guard named Xiaolinzi who saw Prince Si in his hometown, so he brought him in. Hongsheng decided to eliminate Xiaolinzi to support Princes San and Wu, blocking the news from reaching the emperor.
Episode 42:
Hongsheng told Master Tian about eliminating Xiaolinzi, and Master Tian urged him to hide quickly. Hongsheng, seeing his own end, felt very disappointed. Ma Chili informed Prince Yunmi about the information from the Han guard Xiaolinzi about seeing Prince Si in his hometown. Upon learning this, Prince Yunmi reported it to the emperor overnight, and the emperor ordered him and Ma Chili to secretly search for Prince Si. The emperor, worried, also drafted an edict instructing nearby state and county offices near Qi Family's shack to send people and laborers to assist Prince Yunmi.
Dun'er prepared some cotton and fur clothes for Prince Si and planned to go find him with Prince Yunmi. Prince Yunmi said riding horses would be faster, and following a carriage would waste time, so Dun'er handed over the clothes to Prince Yunmi. She had to stay in the capital and wait for Prince Si to return.
After a long journey, Prince Yunmi accidentally got caught in a trap in the mountains and was injured. Fortunately, Mr. Shan heard his cries for help and informed Prince Si. Prince Si led people to search in the mountains and finally found Prince Yunmi who was almost on the verge of despair. When Huiru saw Prince Yunmi, she was happy and wanted to talk to Prince Yunmi alone, asking Prince Si not to listen.
Episode 43:
After seeing Huiru, Prince Yunmi was deeply saddened. He was completely overwhelmed by the love between these two young people. He advised Huiru to return to the capital for treatment, and he would strive for their union before the emperor. Huiru indicated that she would no longer delay Prince Si's future. She asked Prince Yunmi to secretly help her return to the capital so that Prince Si could return to the Shangshufang as soon as possible. Master Zhu also intended to find Prince Si, and the emperor agreed.
With the help of Prince Yunmi, Huiru created the illusion of getting lost on her own. Master Zhu also arrived at the border to meet them. Everyone persuaded Prince Si to return to the capital quickly, but he refused and gathered many people to search the mountains for Huiru. The searchers found a blood-stained cloth, which they identified as Huiru's clothing. Master Zhu said that Huiru would definitely not return. Snow had already started falling at the border, and the emperor secretly instructed local officials to prepare winter clothes for them. Persuaded by everyone, Prince Si finally reluctantly agreed to return to the capital with everyone else. Prince Yunmi looked most serious, clearly understanding the inside story best.
The emperor, Empress Xi, and the princes in the Shangshufang excitedly welcomed Prince Si and others in the palace. Seeing Prince Si, the emperor hugged him tightly, and Empress Xi cried loudly beside him. Everyone knelt down. Prince Si returned, and the emperor not only did not blame him but forgave his mistakes and even let Prince Si live with him in the Yangxin Hall.
Episode 44:
The emperor personally held Prince Si's hand and escorted him to the Shangshufang. When the emperor came to the study, he said nothing, just watching Prince Si return to his seat. After seeing the emperor leave, Prince Si felt extremely complex emotions.
The new chief master of the Shangshufang, Master Liang, and Master Tian went to a restaurant to eat together. Master Liang happily put a pill into his mouth, but suddenly fell to the ground and died instantly. Master Tian was arrested by the patrol officers, unable to explain that he did not kill Master Liang. In the Shangshufang, Princes San and Wu, who always stood with Master Tian, gleefully spoke ill of Master Tian. Unexpectedly, Prince Si, who had been framed by Master Tian, stepped forward and personally went to see the emperor. Only Prince Si believed that Master Tian did not poison Master Liang.
From the emperor, Prince Si learned that the emperor had personally rewarded Master Liang with pills he had refined, raising Prince Si's suspicion. Prince Si investigated those who ate at the restaurant that day and eventually found the brocade box containing the pills. He also learned from Master Liang's family that Master Liang suffered from phlegm disease, and taking the toxic pills under fatigue caused his death. Prince Si's actions deeply moved Master Tian, truly demonstrating the truth that adversity reveals true friendship.
Episode 45:
The pill maker, seeing Prince Si investigating the toxicity of the pills, urgently sought Prince Wu's help to bribe Master Liang's family, making them deny that Master Liang ever had phlegm disease, hoping to salvage the situation. Prince Wu, seeing that Master Tian had completely lost trust in him, agreed to conspire with the pill maker. Master Zhu advised Prince Si not to get into more trouble for Master Tian's sake. Prince Si said that his investigation began because Master Tian was also a teacher in the Shangshufang, but after the pill incident arose, it became linked to the emperor's health. Master Zhu remained silent, admiring him, proud that the Shangshufang had nurtured such an upright prince. Dun'er helped Prince Si learn from Master Liang's later concubine, Ruyun, that Master Liang indeed suffered from phlegm disease. Huiru's condition worsened daily; she wanted to make Prince Si and Dun'er happy and concealed her illness from Dun'er.
Everyone expressed their opinions face-to-face regarding the emperor taking pills. Prince Si firmly opposed it on behalf of all the princes, while Prince Wu flatteringly said that since the emperor worked hard for the country, taking pills could strengthen his body.
The emperor informed Prince Si that there was no evidence proving Master Tian killed anyone, agreeing to allow Master Tian to return to work at the Shangshufang. The emperor kindly warned Hongli that though he was known for being strict and unfeeling throughout his life, he would leave behind a well-ordered empire for him. As for other aspects, he requested Hongli not to be overly critical. Prince Si finally understood the emperor’s painstaking efforts as both an emperor and a father, moved to speechlessness.
Episode 46:
After Master Tian was released from prison and returned home, he saw that only his mute servant was still guarding his residence, leading him to overturn his previous judgment of being heartless. Princes San and Si visited Master Tian, who thanked Prince Si for saving his life but stated he would not return to the Shangshufang, choosing instead to retire to his hometown. On the way back to the Shangshufang from Master Tian's house, Prince Si was suddenly attacked by a group of assassins. Prince San noticed that the assassins were desperate knife-wielding rogues and intervened in time. The assassins claimed that Prince San sent them, and Prince San begged Prince Si for forgiveness. Prince Si said that if Prince San acted foolishly again, he would not forgive him, and Prince San agreed.
When Prince San questioned Prince Wu about hiring the assassins, accusing him of using him, Prince Wu countered that he was unclear about the severity of the attack. News of Princes San and Wu conspiring with assassins to attack Prince Si reached the emperor, but Prince Si strongly pleaded for mercy on behalf of Princes San and Wu.
Huiru's condition worsened, and Huiru's mother, Master Zhu, and Prince Yunmi rushed to the Fucha family. The doctor announced that there was no cure. Huiru handed an unfinished pouch to Dun'er, telling her it was for Prince Si and asked Dun'er to finish it. Dun'er burst into tears. Huiru passed away, leaving with everyone's understanding, smiling as she departed with Prince Si's touching love.
Episode 47:
The various incidents involving Princes San and Wu deceiving the emperor and framing Prince Si were finally revealed. Ultimately, Princes San and Wu were moved by Prince Si's sincerity and magnanimity. Justice melted away evil, and the Shangshufang continued to accompany them through their youth into maturity.
Prince Si went to Master Zhu's house and learned that Huiru had really passed away. Grieving, he stayed in Huiru's room without moving. After staying in Huiru's room for two days and reflecting deeply, Prince Si finally understood the reasons behind Huiru's departure. He realized he could no longer disappoint her heart. Dun'er completed the unfinished pouch and gave it to Prince Si. Prince Si looked deeply at Dun'er, as if hearing Huiru say that this was the woman Prince Si needed most in his life. Prince Si had never looked at this familiar girl so carefully before, this girl who constantly cared for and helped him. The hands of Prince Si and Dun'er tightly clasped together as snowflakes began to fall, walking together in the snow. The road ahead was still long, and they would walk it hand in hand.
Snowflakes filled the window, bringing rare peace to the Shangshufang, as it only closes for five days a year. After this day, the princes would have to start reading in the study before dawn again.