Prince of Lan Ling Episode 43

Xue Wu returns home to inform Old Woman Whose Name I Still Don't Know about the theft of all their savings. But later, when she hears Snowy making a fuss, Xue Wu goes outside to see her bag has been returned. The Masked Man of La Mancha wasn't fast enough in slipping away and Xue Wu chases after him. She asks if he's the legendary warrior for good everyone has been talking about. (Seriously, you have to ask? Do people just walk around every day wearing a metal mask that you have to make sure you've got the right guy?)

 

Chang Gong doesn't speak, only nods his head in answer. Xue Wu happens to notice a bug bite on his neck and warns if it isn't treated it can have serious consequences. Chang Gong can't risk blacking out in the middle of a fight so he silently agrees to Xue Wu treating him with some herbs. She's surprised when Snowy calmly allows the "stranger" to pet him.

 

 

They go inside the house where Xue Wu is so trusting she allows this unknown man to hold her baby. For a brief moment she envisions Chang Gong holding his child. Xue Wu goes to prepare some tea (leaving her baby alone with a guy she just met and knows nothing about) but when she returns it is to find the Man In The Iron Mask has disappeared. He's left a note, though, thanking her for treating his bug bite. If she ever needs his aid again, send him a smoke signal.

 

Zheng Er is back to pushing the pills on the emperor. Gao Wei sadly tells his empress how much he loves her. He loves her enough to take the pills (which he knows can kill him) if that's what she wants. As she watches him take the pills, Zheng Er has tears in her eyes. It's like she knows he knows and yet is still willing to sacrifice his life for her.

 

 

 

Chang Gong returns to his hideout to find An De and Shi Shen have started assembling some merry men to help him out. Meanwhile, Xue Wu realizes she gave the masked man o'war the wrong medication for his bug bite. She must find him!

 

Zu Ting learns the masked man of constant sorrow has been spotted near Mount Phoenix. The imperial astrologer moves his men out in hot pursuit. The reason Chang Gong is going to the mountain is because Xue Wu has sent up her smoke signal so she can give him the right bottle this time. They both must escape together when the Qi soldiers give chase.

 

Chang Gong hides Xue Wu behind a very thin tree that doesn't hide her at all while he goes out to deal with the armed forces. His strength is so great that one arrow can go through two armored men. He draws the soldiers away from where Xue Wu is huddling behind a stick. She gets up to leave when she spies something the masked man has dropped on the ground. It's her ceremonial belt which she gave to Lan Ling. (I still argue that it was Yuwen Yung who had the belt last.)

 

The Qi lose Chang Gong in the forest of thin trees. Zu Ting figures out the burning hay they found must have been a signal for the masked warrior. This is something the astrologer can use.

 

Chang Gong realizes he's lost his precious belt. Xue Wu is sitting at home wondering who the masked man is when he comes knocking. She demands to know his identity and reaches to pull his mask off. He stops her so that he can unmask himself. We're forced to slowly watch him remove the mask and Xue Wu's surprised expression when she sees

 

Yang Shi Shen! Awesome fake-out, Show. Xue Wu seems to accept his story about being the masked hero, but after he leaves she realizes Shi Shen didn't have the same bug bite as the man she met before.

 

Yung has to sneak out of the palace so he can pay a secret visit to Xue Wu.

 

Xue Wu is preparing to sneak back into Qi to further investigate her suspicions. As she's just leaving the house, though, she sees a smoke signal coming from the mountain. Xue Wu correctly assumes this is a Qi trap for the masked warrior. Change of plans as now the divine sorceress sprints for the mountain in hopes of stopping Chang Gong before he's ambushed.

 

Yung arrives at Xue Wu's house. Old Woman tells the king about the Qi being on the mountain and Xue Wu racing there to try and save the masked man. Yung sends some men to go make a second smoke signal. This should put the masked warrior on his guard. Yung easily catches up to Xue Wu and tries to stop her from getting involved in danger. Before he can get her away they are both surrounded by the Qi. Zu Ting is beside himself with glee with capturing both Xue Wu and the King of Zhou.

 

 

 

Don't worry, Chang Gong is on top of things. He orders his merry men to assemble for an attack on Zu Ting's base. Zu Ting, still laughing his ass off at his good luck, has Xue Wu chloroformed. Zu Ting isn't going to be taking them back to the crazy emperor and the even crazier empress. The astrologer has his own plans. He forces a slow-acting poison down Yung's throat. It's so slow it will take three years for it to kill the king. Only Zu Ting can make the antidote so there's no chance Yung will ever kill him. All Zu Ting asks is for Zhou to attack Qi. In the upcoming chaos, Zu Ting will then rebel against Gao Wei and then Toothy will take over the throne. Zu Ting cackles so much I think he laid an egg.

 

Outside, Chang Gong and his men (now all wearing masks) are attacking. One of their band is captured and Zu Ting threatens to kill the man if they don't stop fighting. Chang Gong reveals his identity, stunning the Qi soldiers as well as the astrologer. Zu Ting orders the soldiers to arrest Chang Gong but they're so happy to see their beloved prince is still alive that they throw down their weapons and join the forces of good. It is Zu Ting who is taken prisoner.

 

Chang Gong goes inside Zu Ting's tent. Xue Wu is still knocked out from the drugs but Yung is awake and sees that Lan Ling is still alive. The two go have a man-to-man talk. Chang Gong thanks the king for taking such good care of Xue Wu. Yung sucker-punches Chang Gong in the abdomen. That's for not telling Xue Wu you're alive, punk! Gotta love that Yung.