Stand By Me Episode 28 Recap
> Stand By Me Recap
Yan Zhi offered a cup of tea to Madam Cui, intending to poison it, but Madam Cui was preoccupied with verifying Cheng Ruoyu's pregnancy and did not drink it. Yan Zhi subtly signaled to Cheng Ruoyu, who understood the implication and shouted out, prompting Cheng Xi to rush in. Madam Cui then reported to Chou Ziliang that Cheng Ruoyu was indeed two and a half months pregnant.
Skeptical, Chou Ziliang had the "Gate of Life and Death" brought in, threatening the imperial physicians, Elder Shen, and Madam Cui to tell the truth. While the imperial physician and Madam Cui pleaded for their lives, Elder Shen, confirming his diagnosis, bravely chose to face death. Chou Ziliang, noting that those who cling to life would betray him, ordered the execution of the imperial physician and Madam Cui, displaying their bodies as a warning.
He then commended Elder Shen for his honesty, granted him a "whole corpse," and spared his family for his many years of service. After confirming the pregnancy, Chou Ziliang ordered a "calming soup," which was an abortifacient, for Cheng Ruoyu, declaring she was unworthy of bearing the Emperor's child. Qi Yan intervened, asserting that he, and not Chou Ziliang, would decide.
Chou Ziliang challenged him, reminding him that even a prince is bound by law and accusing him of shielding a criminal. Qi Yan insisted he was acting for "my Dragon Son." Chou Ziliang then subtly threatened Qi Yan, reminding him that even with allies like Li Deyun and Han Ding, he (Chou Ziliang) was still the closest and held the power to harm him.
Left with no choice, Qi Yan agreed to personally feed Cheng Ruoyu the medicine, which Chou Ziliang noted as a sign of deep affection and Cheng Ruoyu's loyalty to him over her aunt. After Chou Ziliang's people departed, Cheng Ruoyu discreetly spat the medicine onto a handkerchief. She reassured Qi Yan that she had "passed the test" and felt much better after taking medicine from an "elderly doctor." Qi Yan promised to thank the doctor on her behalf.
Meanwhile, Yan Xiu arrived at Shi Yuan’s residence, discovering his family had been massacred and Yuan Xing was missing. He then immediately rushed to the Shen Cai Army camp. Yan Xiu then met with Jiang Ding, asking him to spread false information to Chou Ziliang. He promised Jiang Ding the position of Grand General of the Shen Cai Army upon the successful completion of their plan, to which Jiang Ding's only condition was the return of his son.
Chou Ziliang, believing Cheng Ruoyu had consumed the abortifacient, confronted Cheng Xi, attributing the day's events to her. Cheng Xi fiercely deflected the blame onto Yan Zhi, suggesting Chou Ziliang should suspect his adopted daughter, as she suspected Yan Zhi had meticulously planned everything. She asserted that only Yan Zhi, with her proximity to Chou Ziliang, could have orchestrated everything, including influencing Elder Shen.
Chou Ziliang, reviewing these accusations and other events (like the Danfeng Tower mechanism and An Wang's illness previously attributed to her), grew convinced of Cheng Xi's treachery, especially after a scout reported the Zhenwu army's mobilization, confirming one of Yan Zhi's earlier accusations against Cheng Xi. Enraged, Chou Ziliang ordered Cheng Xi's execution. In a desperate move, Cheng Xi took Yan Zhi hostage.
Yan Zhi, while held captive, cunningly pleaded her loyalty to Chou Ziliang and denounced Cheng Xi as a "despicable woman." Chou Ziliang, unwilling to harm Yan Zhi, demanded Cheng Xi release her, promising her a whole corpse if she complied. Cheng Xi refused, warning Chou Ziliang that his "wolf in sheep’s clothing" adopted daughter would one day devour him. Chou Ziliang, revealing his weakness for Yan Zhi, finally relented and allowed Cheng Xi to leave with Yan Zhi.
As Cheng Xi and Yan Zhi made their escape, a soldier urgently reported to Chou Ziliang that Yuan Xing and Shi Yuan's forces had violently clashed two hours prior, resulting in numerous deaths and injuries among Chou Ziliang's trusted subordinates. Messengers trying to report the incident earlier had been blocked at the gate.
Another report confirmed Yuan Xing was severely wounded, four deputy generals of the Shen Cai Army were dead, and Shi Yuan had fled, leaving only Jiang Ding struggling. Commander Jiang urgently requested Chou Ziliang's presence at the camp. At this critical moment, Qi Yan arrived, carrying a seemingly unconscious Cheng Ruoyu, demanding to immediately return to the palace. Li Deyun and the Zhaoyi Army appeared to guard Qi Yan, urging Chou Ziliang to prioritize the Shen Cai Army crisis.
Realizing his key generals were gone and his army was in disarray, Chou Ziliang reluctantly allowed Qi Yan to depart with Cheng Ruoyu, ordering Prince Guang to be summoned immediately. Back in the palace, Qi Yan attended to Cheng Ruoyu, who was still feigning illness, assuring her about the "punishment of breaking bones."
Li Deyun reported that the Shen Cai Army was in complete disarray, Chou Ziliang's loyalists were dead, and with Jiang Ding remaining, the Zhaoyi Army had successfully taken control of the camp, with new commanders to be appointed. Cheng Ruoyu confirmed that this entire intricate scheme was orchestrated by Yan Zhi, explaining her strategy for causing internal chaos in the Shen Cai Army: Yan Zhi sent agents to kill Yuan Xing's family, framing Shi Yuan for the act.
In retaliation, Yuan Xing led his troops to massacre Shi Yuan's entire family. This conflict between Chou Ziliang's confidants, Yuan Xing and Shi Yuan, resulted in both suffering heavy losses, and ultimately caused the Shen Cai Army to completely collapse, with Shi Yuan fleeing. Cheng Ruoyu expressed concern for Yan Zhi's safety, having been captured by Cheng Xi.
However, Qi Yan deduced that Yan Zhi had intentionally allowed herself to be captured to further destabilize the Xiangqi Camp, allowing him to more easily seize military power. He declared his intention to send Liu Misha back to Zhenwu within ten days, believing all internal and external threats would then be nullified. Li Deyun offered his congratulations, but Qi Yan remained cautious, anticipating Chou Ziliang's inevitable retaliation.
Meanwhile, Cheng Xi held Yan Zhi captive in what was once the Right Chancellor's residence. Cheng Xi, still suspicious, questioned Yan Zhi's true identity and alleged collusion with Cheng Ruoyu. Yan Zhi, unafraid, then accused Cheng Xi of being the "third person" who had been manipulating events, inciting discord between Qi Yan and Chou Ziliang, and instigating rebellions, which Cheng Xi then admitted to.
Yan Zhi revealed her ambition to become Qi Yan's empress, having deemed him the most suitable emperor among the princes. Yan Zhi also claimed a deal with Cheng Ruoyu: Yan Zhi would protect Qi Yan, and Cheng Ruoyu would ensure her ascension to empress, a claim Cheng Xi vehemently disbelieved. Yan Zhi then asserted that she was Cheng Xi's only protection against Chou Ziliang, warning that without her, Cheng Xi would not escape.
Cheng Xi also expressed her belief that Yan Zhi had betrayed her "brother." Chou Ziliang arrived at the Shen Cai Army camp, finding only Jiang Ding. Jiang Ding, explaining why he stayed, presented himself as loyal and ready to face punishment for his failures, acknowledging Chou Ziliang's superior intellect compared to Shi Yuan.
Reviewing the chain of events—the fake pregnancy, the internal conflict between Yuan Xing and Shi Yuan, and the Zhaoyi Army's takeover—Chou Ziliang recognized it as Qi Yan's masterful "chain of schemes" and refused to admit defeat. The Right Chancellor subsequently arrived at Cheng Xi's location, demanding Yan Zhi's release. Cheng Xi, furious, accused Yan Zhi of sabotaging her plans and questioned the Right Chancellor's loyalty for aiding Yan Zhi instead of her.
Yan Zhi, still defiant, declared she would not leave, having suffered too many betrayals, including by Cheng Ruoyu and her own "brother," and remarked on the "feud between siblings." Cheng Xi asserted their differing paths and refused to surrender Yan Zhi. Cheng Xi then attacked the Right Chancellor, who appeared to lack martial arts skills, prompting Yan Zhi to question his capabilities. An intervention by an unknown party allowed the Right Chancellor to rescue Yan Zhi.
Yan Zhi, curious, asked why he saved her, despite her actions indirectly putting him in danger. The Right Chancellor stated that he had "never coveted the throne," revealing his true purpose in the Xiangqi Camp was to "eliminate the eunuch clique." Yan Zhi found this claim highly amusing.
