Good And Evil Episode 18 Recap
> Good And Evil Recap
Guards apprehended an assassin, and Princess Huai'an, expecting to find Shen Ci, was furious to discover it was a different woman. She realized she had been deceived and ordered a thorough search for any accomplices in the area. This replacement had been orchestrated by the merman Heng, who, out of concern for Shen Ci's life, had knocked her unconscious to prevent her from carrying out the assassination.
Han Sheng tenderly attended to Lingjun, expressing deep sorrow that he had been injured protecting her. Lingjun reassured her, reminding her that she, too, had saved his life, and urged her to live every moment to the fullest. Han Sheng questioned the burden of being king, constantly facing assassins, and suggested he step down. This prompted Lingjun to recall his past life as the Northern Dipper Lord.
He described himself as a talented and handsome deity who, after his twin brother's exile, grew to detest power. To escape the endless loneliness of his duties, he created a double of himself to remain in the Hall of Stars. However, his double eventually lost control, leading to a "Qi Deviation" that nearly destroyed the entire Hall of Stars. As a result, other immortals accused him of falling into demonhood and imprisoned him.
Han Sheng suggested that once he recovers, he should come with her to Hundred Spirits Lake, a place she described as a beautiful fairyland devoid of schemes. Lingjun, however, rejected the idea, claiming the lake was "filled with all sorts of evil" and that he would rather remain where he was, as long as Han Sheng was by his side. A palace servant delivered news that Lingjun had been cured by Chun Yao and imperial physicians.
The servant also reported that Xie Changye's maid, Shen Ci, was not among the apprehended assassins. Princess Huai'an was enraged, feeling that Xie Changye had deceived her once more. In her fury, she shattered a cup and ordered a palace maid to be flogged to death for a minor transgression. She then commanded that the captured female assassin's body be hung outside the city gate as a public warning.
Shen Ci regained consciousness and immediately confronted Heng, realizing he was the one who knocked her out. Despite Heng's warnings that she was the "red-feathered merfolk" they were hunting and could not escape, Shen Ci, fearing for Xie Changye's safety, rushed back to the city. Upon reaching the Red Phoenix Gate, she saw the body of the female assassin hanging for public display.
This sight, combined with her recollection of Xie Changye's stern words before the mission—that failure would lead to her abandonment—made her realize with crushing clarity that he never intended for her to survive the operation. While Han Sheng lovingly attended to the unconscious Lingjun, he murmured "Hantan" and grasped her hand. Chun Yao entered, witnessing this tender moment, and quietly instructed a maid to deliver the medicine to Lingjun, asking her not to disclose his presence.
After Chun Yao left, Lingjun awakened, expressing delight at Han Sheng's devoted care, remarking that a mortal body readily garners sympathy from a lady. Han Sheng went to fetch an imperial physician, and outside, she encountered Chun Yao, excitedly telling him of Lingjun's recovery. Chun Yao, however, dismissed her, claiming he was merely passing by. He questioned Han Sheng's strong concern for Lingjun after such a short acquaintance, sarcastically asking if she now considered him her husband.
Han Sheng insisted it was merely to repay a life debt, prompting Chun Yao to lament that despite saving her multiple times, he had never received such attentive care. He then told her to inform Lingjun that he planned to set nets in the river tomorrow to catch merfolk and requested Lingjun to block the downstream waterway. Huai'an and Xie Changye visited Lingjun to congratulate him on his miraculous recovery.
Huai'an audaciously took credit, claiming his survival was thanks to her fervent prayers. Lingjun, subtly challenging her sincerity, questioned if her prayers were truly for his well-being. Huai'an maintained her facade, praising his benevolent rule. Lingjun then turned to Xie Changye, who echoed Huai'an's sentiments, asserting Lingjun was blessed by Heaven. Han Sheng, present during this exchange, encouraged Lingjun to take his medicine and addressed Xie Changye with respect.
Lingjun, in turn, commended Xie Changye for saving his life during the assassination attempt, suggesting a promotion and advising him against using the term "hostage" to preserve diplomatic ties. Xie Changye confronted Han Sheng, reminding her that her unannounced escape from her wedding nearly led to war for the Northland Kingdom and forced him to become a hostage in the Southern Pool Kingdom.
Han Sheng apologized, explaining she only returned with Chun Yao to search for the red-feathered merfolk for the sake of Hundred Spirits Lake's inhabitants. Xie Changye dismissed her apology, emphasizing that her identity as a runaway princess, if discovered, would result in her death, and urged her to leave with Chun Yao. Han Sheng then asked if he orchestrated the recent assassination attempt on Lingjun. Xie Changye cryptically responded that those who are unimportant will be eliminated.
Chun Yao set a magical trap in the river and soon after, successfully captured the merman Heng. Heng, upon capture, defiantly cursed his captors. Lingjun, excited to finally see a real merman, jokingly suggested cooking him for a celebration banquet, but then clarified he intended to keep Heng as a divine beast for good luck. Han Sheng, however, pleaded for Heng's release. Lingjun, grateful for Han Sheng finding the merman and saving his life, offered her anything she desired.
He also promised Chun Yao a reward for fulfilling his part of the deal. Chun Yao, in turn, reminded Lingjun of his promise to let them return home. Lingjun agreed, but on the condition that both Han Sheng and Chun Yao attend his celebratory banquet the following day. Later that night, Shen Ci, disguised, infiltrated the palace to rescue Heng. She found him held in a watery cell, and he expressed relief at her arrival.
Shen Ci, having been worried about him, reproached Heng for returning knowing the dangers of being a merman. As Shen Ci helped Heng out of the water, Xie Changye suddenly appeared. He fired an arrow directly at Heng, but Shen Ci bravely intercepted it, shielding Heng. Just before the arrow could strike Shen Ci, Chun Yao, who had been secretly observing, intervened and knocked the arrow off course. Shen Ci then quickly fled with Heng.
She provided Heng with a packet of medicine for his wound and instructed him to escape through the opened downstream dam gate. Heng pleaded with Shen Ci to join him, warning that she would not be spared for his escape. Shen Ci, however, believed Xie Changye would not harm her and insisted that Heng leave immediately without looking back. After Shen Ci departed, Chun Yao appeared, having observed the entire exchange.
Heng, recognizing Chun Yao as his captor, defiantly confronted him. Chun Yao then used his magic to heal Heng's arm, much to Heng's surprise. Chun Yao revealed his true purpose, stating he only desired a single drop of red-feathered merman heart blood. Heng agreed to provide it, but on the condition that Chun Yao helped him rescue Shen Ci from the palace.
Heng explained that Shen Ci saved his life, and he was worried about her safety, especially since Xie Changye had been pressuring her to assassinate the king. Chun Yao agreed to do his best and was given a conch by Heng, which would allow Chun Yao to locate him when blown. Meanwhile, Shen Ci confronted Xie Changye, who was furious at her return, accusing her of ruining their plan by releasing Heng and defying his orders.
Shen Ci defended her actions, stating she couldn't stand by and watch Heng die, and reminded Xie Changye that he had already planned for her demise, as evidenced by the displayed body at the city gate. Xie Changye dismissed her, calling her a "warrior of sacrifice" who betrayed her oath, and asserted that her life belonged to him, and he decided when she died. Heartbroken, Shen Ci offered him to kill her if he was truly angry.
This heated conversation was overheard by Huai'an's maid, who reported it back to the princess. Huai'an, infuriated, believed Xie Changye was putting on a show, questioning why he kept Shen Ci alive despite knowing her desire for Shen Ci's death. She vehemently declared that Shen Ci must disappear, stating that what she wanted, she wanted exclusively, and she would not let Xie Changye and Shen Ci escape her wrath.
Later, while Heng awaited Chun Yao by a river, Han Sheng encountered Shen Ci as she emerged from the water. Han Sheng, realizing Shen Ci had red feathers and not fish scales, deduced that she was the true red-feathered merman. Shen Ci was initially hostile, but Han Sheng quickly assured her she wouldn't reveal her secret and, to gain trust, disclosed her own identity as Xie Changwan, the runaway Princess of the Northland Kingdom.
Recognizing Han Sheng, Shen Ci let down her guard. Han Sheng apologized for the chaos her elopement caused, which led to Xie Changye's current predicament. Shen Ci then explained that she painfully removed all her scales to disguise herself as a mortal, all for Xie Changye.
She recounted meeting him as a small red fish when he was a child, how he saved her from being caught by the Crown Prince, and how she grew up in the imperial pond, sharing secrets with him. When she was nearly sacrificed, Xie Changye secretly freed her, inspiring her to become human and devote her life to protecting him.
