The Lament of Autumn episode 31 recap: Jin Zhongfang's promise

In short

Jin Zhongfang remembers how he met Yu Mingxuan, Lan Qing makes peace and plans to leave Nanhuai, and a central government envoy arrives with Jiang Xueting and Tao Ziyi.

What happens in episode 31

Looking at an old photo, Jin Zhongfang remembers studying in Japan. When he led a student protest and locals turned on them, Yu Mingxuan stood up for him, and they became sworn friends. After Yu Mingxuan's death he found his diary, learned he cared most about Lan Qing and his little brother, and took up looking after both. That is why he once gave Yu Changxuan a pocket watch on his birthday.

Ye Pingjun holds Yu Jinxuan's baby, and Yu Changxuan, watching, quietly hopes for children of their own. Kuang Bingwen brings the boy a longevity lock; Yu Jinxuan snatches it away and tells him coldly that the child takes after her.

At the home of her uncle, Mr. Tang, Tao Ziyi trades barbs with Jiang Xueting. Asked to play piano with Mou Linsen watching, she races through a piece to beat him, and he keeps up with her.

Lan Qing gives Ye Pingjun a bracelet and her blessing. She has come to see that Yu Mingxuan always protected her, and she wants to see Guangzhou or Beijing and come back a better singer.

Yu Changxuan helps Ye Pingjun win at mahjong, clears out a rigged shooting stall and shares the prizes. Caught in the rain, she kisses the scar the arsenal blast left on his neck to prove this isn't a dream. Then the central government sends an envoy, Gao Ping, and the people with him are Jiang Xueting and Tao Ziyi.

Why it matters

The last calm before the storm: the man who knows the truth about the fire is now back in Nanhuai with official power.

Based on the episode synopsis, summarized in our own words: TVmao (电视猫) episode synopses