Stand By Me Episode 14 Recap
> Stand By Me Recap
Cheng Ruoyu packed her belongings and returned a feathered arrow to Qi Yan, feeling disheartened upon learning that he was scheduled to tour Heng'an City with Princess Liu Misha. Qi Yan promptly urged her to return to the Ziyi Bureau, and an offended Cheng Ruoyu placed the arrow down before departing. Qi Yan kept his appointment with Liu Misha, who made considerable efforts to charm him.
As they left the palace together, Cheng Ruoyu happened to pass by, witnessing their outing with a pang of jealousy. Meanwhile, Yan Xiu reported Qi Yan's movements to Qiu Yanzhi, including the Emperor's order for Cheng Ruoyu to cease her personal service. Qiu Yanzhi understood Qi Yan's intentions: he hadn't chosen her (Qiu Yanzhi) as Empress to avoid displeasing Chou Ziliang, and he had sent Cheng Ruoyu away to protect her.
However, she was perplexed by his decision to openly associate with Liu Misha. Yan Xiu also updated Qiu Yanzhi on a group of Lu Cong merchants in Heng'an, noting that some possessed martial arts skills and were suspected of concealing Zhenwu's military strategist. Back at the Ziyi Bureau, Cheng Ruoyu was informed by her aunt that the women from Yuzhen Workshop were now safely sheltered there, as its sealed status made it an unexpected and secure location.
Cheng Ruoyu, showing a new maturity, believed Qi Yan had intentionally sent her away for a deeper, protective reason rather than distrust. She then went to check on Yu Niang and the others. Qi Yan and Liu Misha strolled through the vibrant West Market. As they passed Cai Tavern, Qi Yan found himself recalling his past excursions with Cheng Ruoyu, a moment of mixed emotions.
Liu Misha was drawn to two masks, and when Qi Yan realized he had no money, the vendor, recognizing her as a princess, offered them as a gift. Qi Yan immediately questioned the vendor’s true identity, prompting the man to attack him. Several other assassins then emerged, engaging Qi Yan and Liu Misha in a fierce fight. Cheng Ruoyu arrived just in time to assist, helping them drive off the assailants.
From one of the fallen attackers, Qi Yan recovered a Lu Cong token. Qiu Yanzhi, who had orchestrated the assassination attempt to frame Lu Cong and provoke Zhenwu's strategist, observed the scene. She dispatched Yan Xiu with the Xiangqi Camp to protect the Emperor and commence a city-wide search for "Lu Cong assassins." Liu Misha, expressing concern for Qi Yan’s minor wound, quickly rode back to the palace with him.
Cheng Ruoyu confronted Qiu Yanzhi, correctly deducing that she had planned the attack to frame Lu Cong and target Liu Misha. Qiu Yanzhi, without denying her plot to expose Zhenwu's strategist, explained to Cheng Ruoyu that Qi Yan had sent her back to the Ziyi Bureau as a measure of protection, feigning closeness with Liu Misha to deter Chou Ziliang's suspicions.
Cheng Ruoyu, now understanding Qi Yan's intentions, declared she would not harbor romantic feelings for him and was determined to return to the palace to fulfill her duty as his Swordbearer. Qiu Yanzhi warned her of the grave danger in opposing Chou Ziliang, stating it would be fatal. Qiu Yanzhi then proposed that Cheng Ruoyu assist her in becoming Empress, claiming it was the only way to appease Chou Ziliang and ensure everyone’s safety.
Separately, Qi Yan confided in Prince Qi Chen (referred to as Uncle Wang), reflecting on how he once valued Cheng Ruoyu for her willingness to die for him, but now only wished for her to live, acknowledging the overwhelming dangers of his position. Cheng Ruoyu, still unconvinced, asked Qiu Yanzhi if she truly loved Qi Yan. Qiu Yanzhi candidly admitted her sole desire was the position of Empress to stabilize the political landscape, and highlighted the strategic advantages she offered.
Cheng Ruoyu then noticed Yan Xiu's affection for Qiu Yanzhi, who openly supported her ambition to become Empress, a revelation that Cheng Ruoyu found contemptible. Han Ding reported to Qi Yan that Yifu, the Zhenwu interpreter, was missing from the captured Lu Cong merchants, confirming Qi Yan's suspicion that he now had an advantage in identifying Zhenwu's strategist. Cheng Ruoyu then left to find Yu Niang, but Xia Ziyuan, acting under false orders from Cheng Xi, lured her away.
She then knocked Cheng Ruoyu unconscious and delivered her into the custody of Zhenwu's strategist. Cheng Ruoyu awoke to find the strategist preparing pastries. Shortly after, Sun Lie arrived, reporting on Liu Misha's recent assassination attempt by Lu Cong individuals. The strategist, already aware of Cheng Ruoyu's feigned unconsciousness, exposed her. He then recounted his past to Cheng Ruoyu: eight years ago, Qi Yan had blinded him and massacred his entire clan of over 300, fueling his resolve for revenge.
He revealed that Xia Ziyuan was his loyal family servant. Meanwhile, in the palace, Liu Misha entertained the Grand Dowager Empress with tales of the grasslands. Qi Yan arrived to pay his respects, announcing his intention to go hunting to procure a gift for his grandmother. Liu Misha eagerly offered to join, but Qi Yan declined due to its inconvenience. However, the Grand Dowager Empress insisted that Qi Yan take Liu Misha with him.
She also mused on Liu Misha’s suitability as a match for Qi Yan, though her attendant, Xiugu, suggested Lady Zening of the Li family would be more appropriate. Xia Ziyuan later visited Prince Qi Chen, revealing herself as the strategist's spy within Yuzhen Workshop. She delivered a message from the strategist, asking for Qi Chen's decision on whether Cheng Ruoyu should be killed or spared. Qi Yan received news of Cheng Ruoyu's capture by Zhenwu.
Despite an urgent summons from the Grand Dowager Empress, he paid his respects first before rushing to Yuzhen Workshop with Liu Misha and soldiers, believing it to be the strategist's hiding place. At the workshop, Cheng Ruoyu tried to alert Qi Yan to her presence but was quickly subdued by the strategist. Qi Yan ordered a thorough search. Liu Misha, unaware of the actual situation, questioned Qi Yan's "hunting" activities at what she mistakenly referred to as a "courier station."
Prince Qi Chen, also present at the workshop, pleaded for Cheng Ruoyu's release, lamenting the strategist's harshness. Qi Yan failed to locate Cheng Ruoyu. He confronted Liu Misha, demanding the strategist’s whereabouts, but she feigned ignorance. Qi Yan threatened to arrest everyone present. Sun Lie attempted to intervene, prompting Qi Yan to draw his sword and demand the strategist’s location. A guard then reported seeing someone carrying a girl heading north from the workshop.
Qi Yan immediately led his troops in pursuit, but their search yielded no results. Prince Qi Chen tried to convince the strategist to abandon his vengeful quest, arguing that it would needlessly endanger the people of Lu Cong and Zhenwu and imperil Daxing. The strategist, however, scorned Qi Chen as a coward, accusing him of lacking the resolve to avenge their family's past tragedies and fulfill the late emperor's mission.
News soon reached Qi Yan that Prince Qi Chen had also disappeared. Qiu Yanzhi observed that Cheng Ruoyu held even greater importance in Qi Yan’s heart than anyone had imagined. The strategist, while mocking Qi Chen's perceived weakness, acknowledged Cheng Ruoyu's courage. Qi Chen, however, insisted on Cheng Ruoyu's innocence and pleaded for her release. Cheng Ruoyu, confronting the strategist, asserted that Qi Yan would not come to rescue her if he did not care for her.
Accepting that Prince Qi Chen would eventually make his intentions known, Qi Yan ordered his return to the palace. The episode concluded with a sword mysteriously delivered to Qi Yan, signaling a new and ominous challenge.
