Stand By Me Episode 19 Recap
> Stand By Me Recap
Emperor Qi Yan dispatched Cheng Xi to retrieve Li Deyun's family from Huainan, while simultaneously allowing Liu Misha to return to Zhenwu. He intended for Liu Misha to report on the chaotic situation in Heng'an to her father, prompting him to feign unrest among the regional lords. This elaborate scheme would then provide Qi Yan with a legitimate reason to recall Li Deyun to quell the supposed rebellion, leaving Chou Ziliang with no grounds for objection.
Cheng Ruoyu marveled at Qi Yan's ingenious strategy. Shortly after, Qi Yan’s old injury flared up, causing him intense pain. Cheng Ruoyu quickly helped him to his bed, where he held her hand tightly, reluctant to let go, and she promised to stay by his side. Meanwhile, Yan Zhi secretly performed a ritual to mourn Han Yue. Yan Xiu informed her that he had gathered Han Yue's remains.
Yan Zhi reminisced about Han Yue bravely shielding them from arrows and blocking the door, allowing her and her grandfather and sisters to escape through a secret passage. Yan Xiu offered her wine and sleep to forget, but Yan Zhi refused, declaring she did not deserve such solace. She expressed her guilt, lamenting that she had survived by betraying benefactors and abandoning morality, with her hands stained by the blood of comrades, benefactors, and innocents.
She questioned why she was left alive. Yan Xiu reminded her that only she could restore the Wang family's honor and make the corrupt officials pay. Resolved, Yan Zhi instructed Yan Xiu to investigate Cheng Xi's recent activities, keep a close watch on Qi Yan upon his return, and discover the contents of Chou Ziliang's conversation with the Right Prime Minister. That night, Qi Yan, in a daze, called out Li Zening's name.
Cheng Ruoyu, hearing this, inquired about the situation with Cheng Huaizhi. Cheng Huaizhi, surprised Qi Yan still held feelings for Li Zening, expressed worry for Cheng Ruoyu, mentioning that Li Zening had once vowed to marry no one but Qi Yan. Cheng Ruoyu felt a pang of sadness at the thought of Li Zening's impending return and reunion with Qi Yan.
Meanwhile, Li Zening's maid reminded her of the importance of rest, as she was to greet the Grand Dowager Empress and might encounter Qi Yan. Li Zening confessed she could not sleep due to the anticipation. The maid praised the elaborate bow Li Zening had commissioned two years prior, a gift for Qi Yan, reminding her that Qi Yan cherished horses and bows, and she had already gifted him Rufeng.
Li Zening hoped Qi Yan would like it but feared he still harbored resentment over her past departure. Chou Ziliang, suspicious of Yan Zhi, summoned a craftsman who had worked on the mechanisms for the Xiangqi Camp's underground facilities. The craftsman explained that a year ago, he was tasked with creating complex mechanisms, barriers, and gunpowder, which were installed in the Yaoguang area a month prior, replacing the stone tiles of the martial training ground.
When pressed about who handled the handover, the craftsman initially pointed to Yan Zhi before correcting himself, stating it was a boy in black, referred to as "Pawn Five." Yan Xiu attempted to interject, arguing that Pawn Five was buried with Chou Ziliang and could not be found, implying the craftsman was framing a dead man, but Chou Ziliang silenced him. Chou Ziliang then asked where the control key for the mechanism was located.
The craftsman revealed it was in Yan Zhi’s room, leading Chou Ziliang to declare it "well set." He interrogated Yan Zhi, demanding an explanation for the year-old commission of mechanisms for a renovation only decided last month, the three additional layers, and the control key being in her room, all without his knowledge.
Pawn Five was then brought in; he confirmed the craftsman's account, stating that General Han had given him the blueprints a year ago, and he had coordinated the repairs. Upon hearing this, Chou Ziliang furiously implied Yan Zhi had orchestrated the plot a year in advance. Pawn Five then declared, "Failed to kill you. It seems your luck hasn't run out yet. Forget it. General Han and I will wait for you underground," before taking his own life.
Yan Zhi quickly explained that the blueprints she provided were for ordinary training and did not include gunpowder, claiming she was silent earlier out of fear Chou Ziliang wouldn't believe her. Yan Xiu reinforced her defense, emphasizing her dedication to saving Chou Ziliang. Satisfied for the moment, Chou Ziliang allowed them to leave. Afterwards, Yan Zhi expressed her bewilderment to Yan Xiu over Pawn Five's survival and his revised accusation against Han Yue.
Yan Zhi then revealed that the Right Prime Minister had invited her to a meeting that night at the Clear Rain Pavilion, an opportunity she intended to seize to meet the elusive figure. Early the next morning, Cheng Ruoyu was feeding Rufeng when Li Zening arrived, introducing herself as Rufeng's original owner.
She explained that Rufeng was a coming-of-age gift from her father, but Qi Yan had tamed the unruly horse for her, and she had left it with him as a memento when she departed the capital. Cheng Ruoyu, realizing who she was, thanked her for the silk pouch that had saved Qi Yan. Qi Yan soon arrived, questioning Li Zening's presence.
Li Zening respectfully greeted him, stating she was there by the Grand Dowager Empress’s command and to present a gift: the commissioned bow. Cheng Ruoyu admired its craftsmanship. Li Zening mentioned the bow was specifically made for Qi Yan's "three stone" arm strength, a calculation she made from his practice targets.
Unimpressed, Qi Yan ordered Cheng Huaizhi to take the bow to the Shen Cai Army camp and award it to the first soldier who could draw it and shoot three bullseyes, then rode off. Li Zening, saddened, believed Qi Yan was still upset that she hadn't stayed with him during his most difficult times. Cheng Ruoyu rode after Qi Yan, but her old injury began to act up, making her feel unwell.
Qi Yan helped her dismount, urging her to stop fussing. Cheng Ruoyu expressed regret that Qi Yan had given away such a fine bow. Qi Yan explained that he was under constant scrutiny from Chou Ziliang, Cheng Xi, and now Li Zening, and warned Cheng Ruoyu to keep her distance from Li Zening. He then revealed that Qi Chen had located An Wang, and they set off for the Apricot Grove to rescue him.
At the Apricot Grove, Qi Chen confirmed that his hounds had picked up An Wang's scent in the area. Meanwhile, Li Zening paid respects to the Grand Dowager Empress, who noted her weight loss and urged her to stay permanently. Li Zening, however, insisted she must return to her father in Huainan after the Grand Dowager Empress’s birthday celebrations.
The Grand Dowager Empress lamented Qi Yan’s frequent absences from the palace and his failure to secure a marriage, expressing her health might not allow her to wait long. An attendant informed her that Qi Yan was reportedly very fond of Cheng Ruoyu, Cheng Xi and Cheng Huaizhi's niece and the new Swordbearer of the Purple Robe Bureau, who served closely by his side. The Grand Dowager Empress resolved to summon Cheng Ruoyu to meet her.
Later, Li Zening confided in her maid, admitting her humble approach to Qi Yan was a mistake. She determined that to gain his respect, she must make him yield, confident that he would soon be in need of her assistance. Cheng Xi, hearing that the Grand Dowager Empress had initiated a widespread search for Qi Yan, grew concerned that the news would reach Chou Ziliang. She swiftly left the palace that night, determined to find Qi Yan.
Along the way, she encountered Yan Xiu and inquired about Qi Yan's whereabouts, but Yan Xiu evasively told her to continue searching on her own. Cheng Xi then revealed that Chou Ziliang's carriage was heading towards the Xiangqi Camp. Alarmed, Yan Xiu immediately turned back to the Apricot Grove to inform Yan Zhi, with Cheng Xi following closely behind him. At the Apricot Grove, Qi Yan, Cheng Ruoyu, and Qi Chen joined Yan Zhi at the pavilion.
Yan Zhi pointed out that the stone table was the "eye" of the formation they needed to decipher. Qi Yan discovered a mechanism beneath the stone table, opening a secret passage. An Wang's cries for help echoed from below. As Qi Yan prepared to send someone down, Yan Zhi intervened. She cautioned Qi Yan that Chou Ziliang had refrained from acting only because An Wang's whereabouts were unknown.
Rescuing him now would inevitably arouse Chou Ziliang’s suspicion, leading to an uncontrollable situation. She then proposed an alliance: she would help Qi Yan navigate this crisis if he married her and made her Empress. She promised not to interfere with his private affairs, including his relationship with Cheng Ruoyu. Qi Yan vehemently refused, stating he would never rely on a woman's influence to secure his throne.
Yan Zhi retorted, reminding him of his past actions, including the murder of his brother and master for the throne. Cutting her off, Qi Yan ordered Cheng Ruoyu to rescue An Wang. Yan Zhi warned Qi Yan he would regret his decision, but Qi Yan responded that while he had made many mistakes, he regretted none of them. With that, An Wang was successfully rescued.
Meanwhile, Chou Ziliang was informed of Qi Yan's departure from the palace and Li Zening's meeting with the Grand Dowager Empress. He shrewdly deduced that Qi Yan was using Li Zening as a distraction to conceal a secret plot. He immediately ordered the Shen Cai Army to investigate Qi Yan's movements and then decided to go to the Xiangqi Camp himself to discuss strategies with Yan Zhi.
