Under the Moonlight Episode 26 marks a turning point as key witness Xu Biao confesses to killing Luo Su's parents before taking his own life. Suspecting foul play and deliberate cover-ups involving the Qi household, Luo Su turns down Qi Menglin's lantern festival proposal to hunt the truth in Linfen alone.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Drama Title | Under the Moonlight (Feng Yue Jin Nang / 锦囊妙录) |
| Episode | Episode 26 |
| Original Broadcasters | CCTV-8, YOUKU |
| Key Characters | Luo Su (Hu Bingqing), Qi Menglin (Zhai Zilu), Qin Yi (Zhang Xiaochen), Xu Biao |
| Core Incident | The 13-year-old granary fire and the deaths of Luo Qingfeng and his wife |
The Forced Confession and Xu Biao's Sudden Suicide
Episode 26 opens on high alert as wealthy merchant Qin Yi tracks down the ailing Xu Biao, the former granary keeper who lured Luo Su's father into gambling thirteen years ago. Qin Yi presses Xu Biao to place the blame directly on the powerful Qi family, pledging to secure his family's livelihood in return.
At the same time, Qi Menglin's older brother Qi Yanjin locates Xu Biao's hideout, bringing Luo Su face-to-face with the man connected to her family's downfall. Xu Biao collapses to his knees, admitting he killed Luo Qingfeng and his wife during a botched theft and torched their home using water-resistant petroleum oil.
Yet before Luo Su can demand the full story, Xu Biao screams that his family is innocent and violently smashes his head against the wall, dying instantly. For readers tracking Luo Su's period wardrobe during these tense dramatic confrontations, take a look at our Under the Moonlight Episode 26 Outfits guide for cape details and styling choices.
Uncovering the Petroleum Lie and the Silence of the Witnesses
After Xu Biao's sudden death, Luo Su and Qi Menglin review the evidence and realize the confession contains gaping holes. Neighbors confirm Xu Biao's wife and child were hurried away in a carriage before the confrontation, indicating someone used hostage threats to dictate his final words.
The biggest contradiction lies in the weather during the fire. Xu Biao claimed he brought flammable rock oil because heavy rain prevented kindling. However, local witness Auntie Guo previously testified that torrential rain fell only after the flames erupted. When Luo Su returns to question Auntie Guo and her husband, neighbors reveal the elderly couple died overnight from charcoal fumes behind locked doors.
Qin Yi notes the cold precision of his opponent's moves during a board game, confirming an invisible hand is actively wiping out every living link to the granary case. Similar high-stakes historical palace conspiracies unfold in Blossoms of Power Episode 36 Recap, where hidden factions also manipulate family legacies.
A Lantern Festival Proposal and Luo Su's Solitary Journey
Haunted by childhood memories of the brothel Mingguofang and repeated sabotage whenever she sought freedom, Luo Su refuses to let another manufactured lie define her fate. During the Lantern Festival, Qi Menglin recites classical poetry and asks her to become his lifelong partner, offering warmth and safety.
Luo Su acknowledges his genuine affection but slips away quietly into the night, boarding a carriage back to Linfen to confront the truth directly. When Qi Menglin returns to his family manor intending to follow her, his father places him under strict house confinement, warning that the Qi family stands on the brink of ruin.
Upon arriving in Linfen, Luo Su reunites with her friend Ruolan and attempts to redeem courtesan Miao Cui from Mingguofang with two hundred silver taels. Brothel owner Madam Wu turns down the sum with open hostility, scattering silver and chasing Luo Su out. Yet hope persists: Miao Cui discreetly arranges for a messenger to pass an urgent secret letter to constable Chai Baotou. Complex investigative journeys like this also contrast nicely with modern relationship dramas such as Love Comes Along Episode 6 Recap.
Frequently asked questions
Why did Xu Biao kill himself in Under the Moonlight Episode 26?
Xu Biao took his own life after shouting that his family was completely innocent. Evidence later showed his wife and child were evacuated earlier by carriage, pointing to coercion and hostage threats that forced him to confess and die to protect them.
What major contradiction proved Xu Biao's confession was fabricated?
Xu Biao claimed he used petroleum because rain stopped normal fire from catching. However, eyewitness Auntie Guo previously stated the blaze was already roaring before any rain started falling, proving his story was staged.
Why does Luo Su leave Qi Menglin after his Lantern Festival confession?
Luo Su cares for Qi Menglin, but she realizes powerful hidden forces are eliminating witnesses and framing or shielding the Qi family. She chooses to resolve her parents' 13-year-old case in Linfen before committing to any personal future.
What happens to Auntie Guo after Luo Su returns to verify the fire details?
When Luo Su arrives at Auntie Guo's residence, neighbors report that both the elderly witness and her husband died overnight from charcoal fumes inside their sealed home, eliminating another crucial witness.