Tigers Sniff the Rose episode 38 recap: The chancellor's empty carriage

In short

Chancellor Liu dies diverting Mu Xun's forces from the fleeing new Emperor; Yan Shang is gravely wounded defending the capital, and Mu Wanyao rides back with an army.

What happens in episode 38

Chancellor Liu asks the old Emperor to go south, but he refuses to leave the capital's people. Before departing, Liu Wenji tells Yan Shang that no one will thank him for staying: his courage only exposes everyone else's cowardice. He admits he has always envied him. Yan Shang answers that he has always considered Liu Wenji a friend and asks him to take care of himself.

The chancellor says goodbye to Yan Shang, then escorts an empty carriage away from the route taken by the new Emperor's party. Mu Xun, expecting the chancellor to travel with the ruler, sends men after him. Captured, Chancellor Liu denounces the rebellion and urges the soldiers to turn back. Mu Xun has him stabbed to death. The diversion gives Prince Jin, Chunhua, their child and Liu Wenji time to reach Jinzhou, where officials await them on the chancellor's orders.

Yan Shang grieves for his teacher and gathers the city's commanders. He judges that the rebels' long march has strained their supplies: if the defenders hold out, they can wait for help. Wei Shu offers his knowledge of gunpowder and works through the night with the others to make explosive weapons. Mu Xun, equally aware that time matters, plans to lead the next assault himself.

From the wall, Yan Shang condemns Mu Xun's rebellion and calls on his soldiers to reconsider. As they hesitate, Mu Xun orders Yang Si to shoot him. Yan Shang falls wounded but keeps calling out. Wei Shu, Zhao Lingfei and the defenders hurl their explosives down on the attackers, breaking the assault and forcing Mu Xun to withdraw.

The princess reaches the waiting frontier army and leads it toward the capital. More people join her along the way. Inside the city, Yan Shang receives urgent treatment, his life threatened by blood loss. News that he has been shot frightens Prince Jin and shocks Liu Wenji. His survival is not confirmed in this episode's synopsis.

Why it matters

Episode 38 kills Chancellor Liu, turns Yan Shang's defense into a fight for his life and brings the princess back at the head of a growing relief force.

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