Stand By Me Episode 20 Recap
> Stand By Me Recap
Cheng Ruoyu rescued An Wang, who then tearfully embraced Qi Chen, relieved to be safe. Cheng Xi and Yan Xiu arrived shortly after, informing Chou Yanzhi to return to Xiangqi Camp quickly, and Cheng Xi instructed Qi Yan to return to the palace to see the Grand Dowager Empress. Chou Ziliang arrived in haste at Xiangqi Camp, displeased that Yan Zhi did not greet him. The Left Minister intervened, diverting Chou Ziliang to inspect the new Shuangpao.
Intending to bring Yan Zhi along, Chou Ziliang burst into her room, only to find Yan Xiu passed out drunk on her bed. As Chou Ziliang pressed for Yan Zhi's whereabouts, she appeared, explaining that Yan Xiu's drunkenness had driven her to seek out the Left Minister in the library, where she unexpectedly found him.
Chou Ziliang then ordered Yan Zhi to find An Wang, demanding he be brought back, dead or alive, and to keep a close watch on Li Deyun. Qi Yan wished An Wang to go to Zhenwu, a request An Wang vehemently refused. Cheng Ruoyu had no choice but to knock him unconscious, and Cheng Xi spirited An Wang away under the cover of night.
Cheng Ruoyu, however, noticed the Right Official secretly observing them and immediately reported it to Qi Yan. Later, Qi Yan paid his respects to the Grand Dowager Empress, who tried to arrange a marriage between him and Li Zening. Qi Yan firmly declined, leading the Grand Dowager Empress to suggest he take Cheng Ruoyu as a concubine to secure an heir.
Sensing Cheng Huaizhi also hoped for a union between him and Cheng Ruoyu, Qi Yan explicitly stated that his relationship with Cheng Ruoyu was purely that of ruler and subject, devoid of any romantic attachment or prospect of children. Cheng Ruoyu, entering at that moment, feigned indifference as she reported the Right Official had discovered An Wang’s whereabouts. Qi Yan then ordered her to join Cheng Xi in escorting An Wang to Zhenwu.
Cheng Huaizhi realized Qi Yan was deliberately sending Cheng Ruoyu away to shield her from the imminent dangers he faced, acknowledging that he himself was about to endure a great calamity with only a ten percent chance of success, and he did not wish to implicate Cheng Ruoyu. The Right Official reported An Wang’s escape to Zhenwu with Cheng Xi to Chou Ziliang.
He also revealed that Liu Misha, having been replaced in prison, had likely returned to Zhenwu to offer An Wang refuge. Enraged, Chou Ziliang immediately dispatched a large force to pursue An Wang and Liu Misha, issuing a death warrant to ensure their return. Meanwhile, Yan Xiu informed Yan Zhi that Chou Ziliang had personally brought a bowl of pufferfish soup to the palace, intending to poison Qi Yan using the very same bowl that had killed the late emperor.
The Grand Dowager Empress, upon learning of the poisoned soup, was terrified and fainted. Han Ding, on his way to seek help from Qi Chen, encountered Cheng Ruoyu and relayed the dire news about the poisonous soup. Understanding the danger, Cheng Ruoyu rode back to the palace at full speed. Cheng Huaizhi desperately urged Qi Yan to flee, but Qi Yan adamantly refused to abandon his palace and empire.
As Chou Ziliang and his men stormed into the palace, Qi Yan and Chou Ziliang locked gazes. Cheng Ruoyu arrived just in time, and feigning thirst, reached for the bowl of fish soup. Qi Yan swiftly threw a brush, striking the bowl and knocking it to the ground, stating he knew Chou Ziliang had more in reserve and demanded another bowl. Qi Yan then commanded Cheng Huaizhi to take Cheng Ruoyu and leave, but Chou Ziliang forbade anyone from departing.
Chou Ziliang then reminisced about Gong Sunqing, the loyal sword-bearer who had sacrificed himself for the late emperor, remarking with envy that both the late emperor and Qi Yan were fortunate to have such devoted protectors. Despite Cheng Ruoyu's earnest pleas, Qi Yan picked up another bowl of fish soup, preparing to drink it. Just then, an urgent eight-hundred-mile express dispatch arrived, reporting widespread chaos in the Luzong military camp.
Chen Yintai was reportedly exploiting the rebellion to collude with various factions, seeking to establish his own rule. Regional military governors had jointly petitioned Qi Yan to swiftly issue an imperial decree to suppress the rebellion. Chou Ziliang snatched the report and scrutinized it, finding no discernible flaws. Seizing the moment, Qi Yan defiantly spilled the fish soup onto the ground. As Chou Ziliang threatened him, a large contingent of Left Thousand Cavalry Guards arrived to protect Qi Yan.
In a fit of anger, Chou Ziliang threw the report to the ground and stormed out. Qi Yan then politely requested Chou Ziliang's support for suppressing the rebellion at the morning court the next day. Yan Zhi grew increasingly suspicious, realizing that You Xiang, who knew their every move, would surely have anticipated and guarded against the Right Official's actions.
She deduced that You Xiang had deliberately allowed Qi Yan to rescue An Wang, then used the Right Official to inform Chou Ziliang, thereby provoking Chou Ziliang to attempt to assassinate Qi Yan. Learning that Chou Ziliang had deployed two-thirds of his forces to pursue An Wang, Yan Zhi concluded that this was You Xiang's "lure the tiger out of the mountain" strategy.
She immediately dispatched Yan Xiu to investigate any other military movements and summoned the new Shuangpao, betting that You Xiang had further schemes planned. Qi Yan reproached Cheng Ruoyu for her dangerous return, but she insisted she rushed back out of concern for his safety. He scolded her as a fool, yet she declared her willingness to do anything for him. Moved by her unwavering devotion, Qi Yan embraced her tightly, swearing to protect her forever, and then kissed her.
Cheng Huaizhi arrived with medicine for Cheng Ruoyu, accidentally witnessing the intimate moment. Qi Yan quickly found an excuse to send Cheng Huaizhi away, leaving Cheng Ruoyu blushing profusely. Chou Ziliang, unwilling to truly let Qi Yan off, was forced to exercise temporary restraint due to the pressing war on the front.
He worried about Liu Congjian possibly possessing the late emperor's imperial will and suspected Qi Yan had secretly negotiated with the various vassal kings, prompting their unified call to "cleanse the emperor's side." Yan Zhi confirmed she was investigating the imperial will.
Qi Yan, in a conversation with Cheng Ruoyu, explained his long-standing plan: to leverage the combined forces of Zhenwu (under Liu Misha), the military governors, and Aunt Ninghe from Luzong, to suppress Chou Ziliang’s army and pave the way for Li Deyun's return. He admitted that Han Yue’s unexpected intervention had been a setback, but they were now back on track.
Qi Yan expressed his sorrow that such a war was necessary to excise the "eunuch faction," a deep-seated malignancy, despite the inevitable suffering it would bring to the populace. Cheng Ruoyu, recalling past challenges, worried for Qi Yan and spontaneously recited a poem by Wang Yang, which deeply resonated with Qi Yan. Cheng Ruoyu pressed Qi Yan to reveal the complete truth of eight years ago, wishing to clear his name from public misunderstanding.
Qi Yan claimed he was a ruthless and heartless individual who stopped at nothing for power, but Cheng Ruoyu steadfastly refuted this. She cited his actions—personally risking danger for his brother, trusting a potential rival, and deliberately sending her away to protect her—as evidence of his compassion and dedication to the empire. Moved by her unwavering belief, Qi Yan recognized her as his true confidante.
Cheng Ruoyu, her feelings for Qi Yan deepening, vowed to protect him and help him eliminate Chou Ziliang. Meanwhile, Yan Zhi personally led a pursuit of Li Zening, but ultimately lost her. Li Zening's carriage sped toward the Suspended Temple, with Yan Zhi’s forces close behind. Upon arrival, they discovered the carriage empty and the temple deserted.
Cheng Ruoyu then arrived, claiming to be there to pray for the Grand Dowager Empress, but Yan Zhi suspected she was there to meet Li Zening. Realizing the elaborate ruse, Yan Zhi understood this was another "lure the tiger away from the mountain" tactic, designed to draw their forces away from the capital. She quickly ordered her men to leave, recognizing they had been outmaneuvered. The episode concluded with Minister Li Deyun finally appearing before Qi Yan in the palace, signaling his anticipated return.
