Stand By Me Episode 13 Recap
> Stand By Me Recap
Princess Misha arrived at the imperial palace to visit Lady Ninghe, and immediately pressed Cheng Huaizhi for the exact location of Qi Yan's sleeping quarters. As she insisted on seeing Qi Yan, Cheng Huaizhi had no choice but to seek out Qi Yan at Qi Chen's hermitage. Earlier, Qi Yan had dislocated his shoulder and was recuperating. He shared a lighthearted story about taming a horse, Rufeng, to Cheng Ruoyu, who playfully questioned the details.
Qi Chen, upon hearing Princess Misha's demand, warned Qi Yan that Ninghe's attack and Misha's early arrival in the capital suggested potentially sinister intentions. Qi Yan responded by ordering a grand banquet in the Zichen Hall to thank Zhenwu's warriors and prepare for his aunt's return to her homeland. Meanwhile, Chou Ziliang was seething with anger, having been publicly humiliated by Princess Misha.
He confided in Yan Zhi, who observed that Princess Misha's heart was set solely on Qi Yan, raising concerns that she might become his empress. Chou Ziliang reassured Yan Zhi, explaining that Qi Yan would undoubtedly choose an empress capable of assisting him. He recounted how, when Qi Yan was young, the Grand Empress Dowager had arranged a marriage with Li Deyun's daughter. Chou Ziliang, through various machinations, orchestrated Li Deyun's demotion and exile to Huainan, effectively nullifying the engagement.
Since then, Qi Yan had not shown interest in any other woman. Yan Zhi then speculated that Qi Yan was awaiting an empress who could be a strong support, and that Li Deyun's daughter might be Princess Misha, a suggestion Chou Ziliang did not deny. At the banquet, with civil and military officials in attendance, Princess Misha expressed her admiration for Heng'an and requested to prolong her stay. Qi Yan readily granted her wish, saying she could stay for years.
She then challenged Qi Yan to an archery contest. Due to Qi Yan’s injury, Cheng Ruoyu volunteered to compete on his behalf. Qi Yan, stating that Cheng Ruoyu was his Swordbearer and apprentice, allowed it. Princess Misha agreed, but stipulated that if Cheng Ruoyu lost, Qi Yan himself must spar with her after his recovery. Qi Yan encouraged Cheng Ruoyu to win and not embarrass him.
During the match, Princess Misha fired seven arrows, all of which Cheng Ruoyu skillfully caught without retaliating. Annoyed by Cheng Ruoyu's defensive stance, Princess Misha accused her of looking down on her, to which Cheng Ruoyu claimed she was simply too busy dodging the swift arrows. Princess Misha then unleashed her "Three Suns Bring Fortune" technique, launching three deadly arrows. Just as they were about to strike Cheng Ruoyu, Qi Yan swiftly threw a handkerchief, intercepting them.
Infuriated, Princess Misha stormed off. Sun Lie attempted to calm her, reminding her that using the advisor’s special tactic had been noticed by His Majesty, and she would need to explain her actions to the advisor. Princess Misha, however, only blamed Cheng Ruoyu for the incident. Earlier, Yan Xiu reported to Qi Chen that he had searched Princess Misha's room at the Jingzhou post station and found a leather flask containing kumis, a mare's milk wine originating from Lu Cong.
Yan Zhi, visiting Lady Ninghe, discussed the perplexing nature of her injury with Qi Chen. Despite the sword not being poisoned and the wound not being deep, Ninghe remained unconscious. Yan Zhi detected the scent of kumis on Ninghe, leading her to deduce that Ninghe had first been intoxicated, then stabbed, resulting in severe blood loss and unconsciousness.
Yan Zhi openly questioned Qi Chen, asking if he was the "third conspirator" behind the attack, which Qi Chen vehemently denied, asserting he would never harm his own family. Yan Zhi later conveyed to Chou Ziliang that, based on various clues, a military advisor was secretly commanding the Zhenwu contingent, as Sun Lie had not left the inn, yet orders were being given. She noted that this advisor had not yet entered the capital.
Cheng Ruoyu thanked Qi Yan for saving her during the archery match. Qi Yan, recognizing the "Three Suns Bring Fortune" technique, declared his intention to confront Princess Misha for answers and instructed Cheng Ruoyu not to accompany him, despite her role as his protector. Soon after, Chou Ziliang summoned Cheng Ruoyu. He praised her remarkable progress in martial arts, implying that Cheng Xi had taught her true skills, and then tested her abilities.
Chou Ziliang cautioned Cheng Ruoyu to be more careful if she faced Princess Misha again, emphasizing that Misha’s skills, taught by a master, far surpassed hers. Before she left, Chou Ziliang presented Cheng Ruoyu with a national flower. Later that evening, Cheng Ruoyu observed Qi Yan and Princess Misha under the moonlight. Princess Misha openly displayed Zhenwu's formidable military and economic strength, presenting them as her dowry.
She highlighted Daxing’s precarious state, plagued by eunuch-controlled central forces, cowardly officials, and warring regional warlords, drawing a parallel to Emperor Wenzong’s failure due to the absence of a wise empress. She proposed that if Qi Yan would make her empress, Zhenwu’s power would be at his disposal to help him revive Daxing. Qi Yan agreed, but with the condition that he first meet her military advisor.
Qi Yan, having been aware of Cheng Ruoyu's eavesdropping, called her out after Princess Misha left. Cheng Ruoyu teased him, suggesting he had employed a "handsome trap," and recounted Chou Ziliang's recent visit, his assessment of her skills, his warning about Princess Misha, and the puzzling gift of the national flower. Without further comment, Qi Yan then took Cheng Ruoyu to see Lady Ninghe. Meanwhile, Chou Ziliang cautioned Yan Zhi to be wary of Cheng Ruoyu gaining Qi Yan's favor.
He emphasized Cheng Ruoyu's exceptional potential, but argued that if she wasn't completely loyal, she was merely a pair of eyes for them. He stressed that a beautiful woman next to a passionate emperor posed a significant risk, advising Yan Zhi to eliminate potential threats before they grew too powerful. Yan Zhi, however, dismissed the idea that Cheng Ruoyu could impede her path to becoming empress.
Chou Ziliang then instructed his Right Official to closely monitor Yan Zhi and Cheng Ruoyu. When Qi Yan visited Lady Ninghe, Qi Chen explained the details of her injury, as deduced by Yan Zhi earlier, confirming she was intoxicated with kumis and then stabbed, leading to her unconsciousness. Qi Chen noted that such an act would only benefit Zhenwu if they intended to wage war. Qi Yan promised to swiftly uncover the truth and ensure justice for Ninghe.
Back in his chambers, Qi Yan dismissed his attendants and confronted Cheng Ruoyu with the national flower Chou Ziliang had given her. He explained that the flower, a symbol of the Empress, indicated Chou Ziliang's intention to support her ascension to the throne, while also serving as a warning to Qi Yan that the choice of Empress remained Chou Ziliang's prerogative.
Qi Yan then unequivocally stated to Cheng Ruoyu that as his Swordbearer, there could be no romantic relationship between them, to which she assented. Cheng Huaizhi, having learned of Princess Misha's fervent desire to marry Qi Yan, rushed to inform Cheng Ruoyu. However, Cheng Ruoyu already knew, admitting that her previous interactions with Qi Yan were merely an act, much to Cheng Huaizhi's disappointment.
Yan Xiu, who had been secretly observing Qi Yan's blunt conversation with Cheng Ruoyu, intended to report back to Chou Ziliang. Qi Yan, realizing Yan Xiu's presence, called him out. Yan Xiu confessed that Chou Ziliang wished Qi Yan to marry Yan Zhi. Later, Cheng Ruoyu inadvertently discovered Han Ding meeting with Qi Yan and discreetly followed. She witnessed Han Ding hand Qi Yan a ledger. Qi Yan, noticing Cheng Ruoyu, called her out, joking about her "eavesdropping habit."
Han Ding immediately suspected Cheng Ruoyu of being a spy planted by Cheng Xi, citing her repeated covert surveillance. Cheng Ruoyu vehemently denied the accusation. In light of Han Ding's suspicions and the arrival of 300 people from Yuzhenfang in the capital, Qi Yan ordered Cheng Ruoyu to return to the Ziyi Bureau the following day to arrange their placement, promising to recall her when needed.
Qi Yan and Han Ding then discussed Chou Ziliang's symbolic gift of the peony, which Qi Yan interpreted as a test and a reminder about his choice of Empress. Qi Yan admitted that before this, he had never considered Cheng Ruoyu as a candidate for Empress, and now he had to constantly remind himself not to dwell on the question. Han Ding observed that Cheng Ruoyu was indeed more than just a Swordbearer.
Feeling hurt and doubted, Cheng Ruoyu inwardly reflected on Qi Yan's past words, "You said I'm your sword, your final life. How could anyone doubt their own sword?" The episode concluded with Qi Yan's stark realization that he had gambled everything to reach this point, and any weakness, slackening, or hesitation would lead to defeat; he could only win.
