Good And Evil Episode 17 Recap
> Good And Evil Recap
King Lingjun, displaying unusual warmth, invited Han Sheng and Chun Yao to dine at the palace. He showed great care towards Han Sheng, prompting Chun Yao to question why a king would dine with commoners. Lingjun explained his desire to be approachable and not distanced from his people, urging Chun Yao to eat. When Han Sheng saw Chun Yao not eating a dish, she took a piece for herself.
Lingjun quickly intervened, telling her to discard it as it was poisoned, which startled Han Sheng. Lingjun, reacting swiftly, accused the serving maid of attempted assassination and ordered her imprisonment for questioning. Internally, however, he regretted that the poison, a rare Pill of Perdition, had failed to eliminate Chun Yao and resolved to wait for another opportunity. Chun Yao, having already sensed the danger, had deliberately avoided eating the dish.
When Chun Yao later expressed his surprise at Lingjun's quick detection of poison, Lingjun feigned a tragic past, claiming years of palace intrigue had sharpened his senses. He then lamented the hardships of his royal life, professing a wish for a few happy, free days. Han Sheng, empathizing with his story, quickly befriended him, and they agreed to drop formalities and call each other by name.
Meanwhile, Princess Huai'an had Shen Ci whipped, accusing her of presenting a fake merman, which was actually Han Sheng in disguise, thereby disrespecting the royal family. Xie Changye arrived, distressed, and tried to defend Shen Ci. Huai'an, who had long harbored feelings for Xie Changye, continued the punishment, prompting Shen Ci to plead her innocence. Xie Changye then took full responsibility, claiming Shen Ci acted under his orders.
Huai'an, torn between anger and her affection for Xie Changye, finally relented, ordering the whipping to stop after one hundred lashes before leaving. Later that night, Chun Yao, observing the palace from a rooftop, confided in Han Sheng his plan to leave for a few days to find Fish Scale, a spiritual herb needed to attract merfolk. Han Sheng insisted on accompanying him, admitting that despite Lingjun's kindness, she was happier with Chun Yao.
She also playfully accused Chun Yao of being jealous when he tried to dissuade her. Xie Changye visited Shen Ci, applying ointment to her severe injuries. He told her to "wait a little more, a year at most" for their freedom, but left the full explanation unsaid, wondering if Shen Ci reciprocated his feelings. Shen Ci had not disclosed her whereabouts during the day, which left Xie Changye with some doubt.
Princess Huai'an confronted Xie Changye, chastising him for not appreciating her offer of power and wealth through marriage, instead choosing repeated assassination attempts. Xie Changye feigned ignorance, claiming to be a mere hostage focused on peace. Huai'an then revealed her own desire to remove Lingjun, whom she described as tyrannical.
She offered her help to fulfill Xie Changye's ambitions on two conditions: she must be made queen after he ascended the throne, and Shen Ci must be the one to assassinate Lingjun. Xie Changye, prioritizing his grand ambition, agreed to sacrifice Shen Ci. Lingjun, alone, recalled a past life in the immortal realm where Han Sheng, then known as Hantan or Si Mao, often visited him while he was imprisoned, bringing him food and wine.
He remembered being the one who crafted her mortal body, implying she should call him "father." Realizing Chun Yao's suspicions, Lingjun decided to stage a "bitter trick" to gain trust. The next day, as Chun Yao prepared to leave for the Fish Scale, Lingjun insisted on accompanying them, bringing many guards. Lingjun had Han Sheng travel in his carriage while Chun Yao rode a horse. Xie Changye then arrived, claiming Princess Huai'an had sent him to ensure their safety.
Han Sheng was surprised to see her "brother" in the Southern Pool Kingdom as a hostage and even more confused when he pretended not to know her. Lingjun continued to shower Han Sheng with affection, offering her cookies and wild flowers. Chun Yao, visibly irritated, warned Lingjun to stop pursuing Han Sheng, asserting that she was "his person." Han Sheng, standing by Chun Yao, affirmed that she followed him of her own free will.
A scout reported to Xie Changye that he had shot a suspicious person, who then fled. Xie Changye calmly instructed him not to pursue, prioritizing the king's protection. Later, at the river, Huai'an questioned Xie Changye about Shen Ci's readiness. She reminded him that Shen Ci knew too much and must be eliminated after the assassination. Xie Changye agreed, stating he would kill Shen Ci immediately upon their success. The merman Hen, hidden nearby, overheard their sinister plan.
He quickly found Shen Ci and warned her that Xie Changye intended to kill her. However, Shen Ci remained resolute, explaining that her life had long belonged to Xie Changye, who had once saved her. She expressed unwavering loyalty, willing to gamble her life for him, regardless of his schemes. At Celestial Cliff, Chun Yao and Xie Changye both located the Fish Scale, but Chun Yao was quicker and secured it.
Masked, Shen Ci emerged from behind the mountain, aiming an arrow at Lingjun. Lingjun, who had anticipated this (his "bitter trick"), pulled Han Sheng into his embrace as the arrow flew. Han Sheng had instinctively moved to shield Lingjun, but Lingjun quickly embraced her. The arrow, laced with Heartbreaker Grass poison, grazed Lingjun's arm. Chun Yao rushed down to seal the wound and prevent the poison from spreading. Han Sheng, deeply concerned for Lingjun, immediately returned to the palace with him, seemingly forgetting Chun Yao. Lingjun's guards then reported capturing the assassin.
