Stand By Me Episode 26 Recap
> Stand By Me Recap
After Wang Lin's men extinguished the fire in his backyard, they reported a suspicious person in the side courtyard. Wang Lin immediately realized it was a diversion and ordered his men to pursue the intruders. Meanwhile, Cheng Ruoyu and Xia Ziyuan had already rescued Liu Misha. Cheng Ruoyu had cleverly stolen the key to the secret room from Wang Lin amidst the chaos, while Xia Ziyuan set the fire to distract the household guards.
As Cheng Ruoyu prepared to carry Liu Misha away, they heard the guards searching everywhere. Xia Ziyuan insisted on staying behind to create a diversion, urging Cheng Ruoyu to take Princess Misha and flee quickly. Cheng Ruoyu hesitated, but Xia Ziyuan explained her desire to exact vengeance on Wang Lin immediately.
She emphasized that if Princess Misha went missing, Chou Ziliang would launch a widespread search, causing suffering to the common people, so it was better to conclude the matter there. Xia Ziyuan also clarified that she was not acting solely to help them, but because Wang Lin deserved to die.
Before Cheng Ruoyu left, Xia Ziyuan made a heartfelt plea, asking her to remember to restore the honor of the thousands of souls lost in the Chao Lu rebellion if the opportunity ever arose. Meanwhile, back at the palace, Cheng Huaizhi discovered Cheng Ruoyu was missing. He immediately reported to Qi Yan that she had left the palace that afternoon and not returned.
Qi Yan, guessing Cheng Ruoyu had gone to Wang Lin's residence alone to rescue someone, was so anxious he vomited blood, then ordered a search for her. Cheng Ruoyu, carrying Liu Misha, was hiding when a mysterious girl approached them, offering to lead them to safety. The girl urged them to follow her, promising an explanation once they were out.
Later, a drunken Wang Lin returned to his room, only to hear reports that the West Garden was also on fire. He deduced it was a deliberate diversion and feared Liu Misha had been rescued. Rushing to the secret room to confirm, he discovered his key was missing, sobering him slightly. He forced his way into the chamber, only to find Xia Ziyuan in the iron cage instead of Liu Misha.
Xia Ziyuan fiercely attacked Wang Lin, and in the struggle, accidentally ignited a nearby candle. The flames quickly engulfed Wang Lin, who screamed in agony and was ultimately burned to death. The guards outside heard the commotion but were afraid to enter Wang Lin's private chambers, mistakenly believing the princess was still inside with him.
The mysterious girl led Cheng Ruoyu and Liu Misha to a back exit, but before Cheng Ruoyu could fully express her gratitude, they were intercepted by Cheng Xi. Cheng Xi demanded Liu Misha be handed over. Cheng Xi revealed that she had intentionally placed Liu Misha with Wang Lin to set a trap, anticipating that someone would attempt a rescue.
She explained that she chose Wang Lin because with Yan Zhi at the Chess Camp, a rescue would be impossible, but Wang Lin's residence offered an opportunity. She further warned Cheng Ruoyu that if she refused, Qi Yan's life would be in peril. Cheng Ruoyu insisted that Qi Yan had no knowledge of the rescue, but Cheng Xi argued that Chou Ziliang wouldn't believe it.
Cheng Xi offered a compromise: if Cheng Ruoyu surrendered Liu Misha, the matter would end, she would ensure Princess Misha was well treated, cover up the incident with Wang Lin, and allow Cheng Ruoyu to return to Qi Yan's side to help him heal and continue their fight against Chou Ziliang. Left with no choice, Cheng Ruoyu reluctantly yielded to Cheng Xi.
Unbeknownst to them, Yan Zhi's subordinate had reported Cheng Xi's presence at Wang Lin's back door and her interception of Cheng Ruoyu. Realizing Cheng Xi had outmaneuvered her, having strategically placed Liu Misha to ambush rescuers, Yan Zhi ordered her own people to retreat and leave no trace of their involvement.
She recognized Cheng Xi's cunning, noting that with Wang Lin dead, his replacement Shi Yuan, whom Jiang Ding had recommended to Chou Ziliang, was likely also Cheng Xi's pawn, a brilliant move benefiting her in multiple ways. Later, Jiang Ding reported to Chou Ziliang that Wang Lin and Princess Misha had both died in a fire.
He fabricated a story, claiming Wang Lin had been drunk, started playing roughly with the princess, which led to a second fire and their deaths. Chou Ziliang was furious, having instructed Wang Lin to
