Stand By Me Episode 29 Recap
> Stand By Me Recap
Qiu Yanzhi returned to the Xiangqi Camp, deeply troubled and unable to fathom the Right Chancellor's true intentions for rescuing her. She found herself increasingly perplexed by him, feeling a strange sense of familiarity yet unable to recall where she might have encountered him before. She confided that she had never felt so powerless towards anyone, unsure of his motives or how to deal with him.
Despite repeatedly telling herself not to trust his words, she admitted that a part of her believed him, especially when he claimed all his actions were aimed at eradicating the eunuch faction and revitalizing the Daxing Dynasty. Although she found it hard to believe such a person existed, a memory of an old man's words about upholding righteousness, even if one fell short of legendary figures, made her involuntarily believe the Right Chancellor.
Qiu Yanzhi then questioned Yan Xiu about recent developments. He informed her that Imperial Physician Shen had taken poison and ended his life. As for Jiang Ding, Yan Xiu assured her that the ambitious man would not speak recklessly, as his son was held captive. Any information Jiang Ding might reveal would be contained, ensuring no harm came to Qiu Yanzhi. Yan Xiu's only remaining concern was Yuan Xing, who, despite not being dead, remained unconscious.
Yuan Xing had narrowly escaped in the internal strife and wanted to escape Heng'an City, but was still blocked at home by Chou Ziliang. To mitigate any risk, Yan Xiu had replaced all of Yuan Xing's servants with his own people, ready to act at any time. He concluded that Misha was scheduled to rendezvous with the Zhenwu Army in ten days, and if all went smoothly, Qi Yan's immediate crisis would be completely averted.
Meanwhile, Qi Yan summoned Qi Chen to treat Cheng Ruoyu's injuries. Qi Chen, whom Qi Yan affectionately referred to as Uncle Wang, confirmed that Cheng Ruoyu's bones could be rejoined and that the Right Envoy, who had inflicted the injury, had shown restraint. Qi Yan expressed his concern for both Cheng Ruoyu and himself, noting how they both frequently caused him worry. Cheng Ruoyu promised they would both recover properly.
Qi Chen then departed, reminding Cheng Ruoyu to rest and take her medicine diligently. Later, Qi Yan, noting Cheng Ruoyu's hunger, presented her with Cherry Pilaf, a dish he said Huaizhi had prepared for her. When Cheng Ruoyu asked how he knew it was her favorite, Qi Yan mentioned Huaizhi's account of her "devouring piluo like a starving ghost" when he first met her, which led him to believe she was "sturdy and easy to care for."
Cheng Ruoyu, however, corrected him, declaring her pickiness and stating that she only ate General Han Yue's Cherry Pilaf. Qi Yan was taken aback, asking if she had indeed eaten Han Yue's Cherry Pilaf before. Cheng Ruoyu expressed confusion, unsure why she had said that, as she hadn't recalled it when she met Han Yue. Qi Yan quickly dismissed her confusion, assuring her that such details, even her past, held no importance.
When she asked what truly mattered, Qi Yan simply replied, "You," before urging her to rest and not overthink. Qiu Yanzhi was then abruptly pulled from nostalgic thoughts of her childhood at the old residence of Wang Yang, where she had been reminiscing about playing with her sister. Yan Xiu rushed in and reported that Chou Ziliang had returned, having not been back all night. He also reported that Chou Ziliang had nominated Ajiu as the new Right Chariot Commander.
Qiu Yanzhi, concerned, immediately went to meet Chou Ziliang. Upon their meeting, Chou Ziliang informed Qiu Yanzhi and Yan Xiu of the Zhenwu Army's aggressive advance, purportedly to retrieve Princess Misha. He revealed that his Right Chariot Commander had stolen a letter from their camp, exposing Cheng Xi's audacious secret collusion with the Zhenwu Army. Chou Ziliang remarked that they would have remained ignorant if not for Cheng Ruoyu's earlier commotion.
He pressed Yan Xiu, the Left Envoy, on Cheng Xi's capture. Qiu Yanzhi quickly explained that Cheng Xi had abducted her the previous day near Yuzhen Pavilion, and although she was rescued by the Right Chancellor and the Left Envoy, Cheng Xi managed to escape. She requested three more days to capture Cheng Xi, but Chou Ziliang refused, assigning her "another task."
The Right Chariot Commander then reported that he had heard Yuan Xing was unconscious and revealed he had brought a renowned folk healer who believed Yuan Xing could be revived. The next morning, at court, Qi Yan noticed Chou Ziliang's absence. Li Deyun reported on the internal conflict within the Shen Cai Army, specifically between Middle Commander Yuan Xing and Shi Yuan, which resulted in the deaths of four vice commanders and left Yuan Xing gravely injured and unconscious.
Citing the resulting chaos and low morale, Li Deyun presented a list of officials for new appointments. When a minister questioned if they should consult the Duke of Chu (Chou Ziliang), Qi Yan seized the opportunity. He declared Chou Ziliang negligent in his duties, allowing his subordinates to act recklessly, causing the loss of six capable generals.
He immediately issued an edict dismissing Chou Ziliang as Grand General of the Shen Cai Army and appointing Han Ding to take his place, with other appointments to follow Li Deyun's list. Qi Yan felt an unprecedented sense of triumph, having successfully stripped Chou Ziliang of his military power and purged his loyalists. He confided his success in a private moment, as if speaking to his deceased "Royal Brother" and "Teacher," exclaiming, "I did it!
Step one, seize their military power. Step two, eliminate their followers." As Cheng Ruoyu's injuries slowly healed under Qi Yan's careful attention, he had his favorite dish, Locust Leaf Cold Noodles, prepared to share with her. He recounted a childhood memory: he often ran away from home, and once his elder brother (the late Emperor) caught him and asked three profound questions: "Do you have anyone? Do you have power? Do you have wealth?"
Qi Yan admitted he didn't understand their meaning until he grew up, realizing their importance in all endeavors. After he confessed his mistake, his elder brother ordered a locust tree brought to the palace and personally made him a bowl of the noodles, then asked three more questions: "Regret? Does it hurt? Are you happy?" He explained that understanding regret allowed one to start anew.
Qi Yan fondly recalled his elder brother's deep affection for him, then quickly dismissed any past allegiance to Chou Ziliang, stating none of that mattered. When Cheng Ruoyu asked what truly mattered, Qi Yan again replied, "Happiness." Meanwhile, public notices calling for the arrest of Cheng Xi and Shi Yuan, offering a substantial reward of 100,000 coins, appeared throughout Heng'an.
Qiu Yanzhi instructed Yan Xiu to investigate Shi Yuan's background, as it was still unknown, and to "look into the Right Chariot Commander as well," suspecting ulterior motives behind his return. Later that night, Qi Yan and Cheng Ruoyu lay on the imperial bed, confiding in each other. Qi Yan playfully teased her about being destined to bear his children, insisting she stay in his chambers due to her injuries so he could care for her.
Cheng Ruoyu, however, remained troubled, especially by the uncaptured Cheng Xi, but Qi Yan reassured her there would be a solution. As the night deepened, Cheng Ruoyu admitted she couldn't sleep, worried about her aunt and whether their trials would "really all be over" in eight days. Qi Yan, with a touch of melancholy, replied that it depended on everything going smoothly, but he feared it wouldn't.
Cheng Ruoyu, undeterred, declared that with him, she feared nothing, knowing she was not alone. Their intimate conversation ended as they drifted off to sleep. In the dead of night, a masked assassin suddenly infiltrated Qi Yan's bedchamber. Cheng Ruoyu, despite her injuries and immobility, spotted the intruder and screamed to alert Qi Yan. Qi Yan immediately engaged the assassin in a fierce struggle, but was stabbed twice.
In the chaos, Qi Yan managed to tear off the assassin's mask, revealing Shi Yuan. Soon after, Chou Ziliang was already present in the palace. Qi Yan, gravely wounded, collapsed unconscious. Upon learning of the incident, Qiu Yanzhi swiftly entered the palace with Yan Xiu. An Imperial Physician examined Qi Yan, grimly informing Chou Ziliang that the Emperor's injuries were fatal, leaving him "not much time," perhaps "at most a month, at least. . . just a few days."
Cheng Huaizhi, distraught by the news, lashed out, first at the Imperial Physician and then at Shi Yuan, blaming Yuan Xing for framing Shi Yuan. Chou Ziliang intervened, calming Cheng Huaizhi and demanding Shi Yuan provide a full account of the internal conflict. Shi Yuan explained that he had invited colleagues from the army for drinks, but Yuan Xing not only refused to attend but also prevented others from going.
He claimed Yuan Xing's attendant repeatedly provoked him, leading to the brawl. He recounted how, after injuring Yuan Xing and returning to the banquet hall, he found all his colleagues dead. He insisted he would recognize the attendant who had provoked him, describing him as looking "a bit like Master Yan," but with a "big beard."
During this interrogation, Qiu Yanzhi's aide reported to her that Cheng Xi had successfully left the city, and that Shi Yuan's exceptional memory and hearing for voices made Yan Xiu vulnerable, as Chou Ziliang might now suspect them. Seizing the moment, Qiu Yanzhi had a fake beard brought and personally affixed it to Yan Xiu, then presented him to Shi Yuan. Shi Yuan, convinced, immediately identified Yan Xiu as the instigator, even claiming, "I bribed him.
You can deal with him as you see fit." Cheng Ruoyu, observing Qi Yan's deteriorating condition and Chou Ziliang's focus on the interrogation, desperately intervened, arguing that mere appearance and voice were insufficient proof and implied a deliberate frame-up. To bolster her argument, Qiu Yanzhi then presented three more guards, each wearing a fake beard, challenging Shi Yuan to identify the culprit among the four. Shi Yuan was visibly confused, unable to pinpoint the individual by sight.
He then insisted on identifying the person by voice. Chou Ziliang commanded all four to repeat the phrase the attendant had shouted: "How dare you harm the eunuch? Brothers, attack!" Shi Yuan initially thought the third voice was "very similar," then changed his mind, saying the fourth voice was "similar," but ultimately remained uncertain when faced with the two men. Qiu Yanzhi reiterated that such evidence was unreliable and a clear attempt to frame Yan Xiu.
Yan Xiu asserted his innocence, stating he was practicing martial arts at the Xiangqi Camp at the time, with all the soldiers as witnesses. Cheng Ruoyu quickly retorted that since the soldiers were loyal to Yan Xiu, they would naturally testify in his favor. Chou Ziliang, after silencing Cheng Ruoyu, redirected his attention to Shi Yuan, directly accusing him of accepting "Cheng Xi's golden treasures and beauties."
When Shi Yuan denied it, Chou Ziliang revealed that Shi Yuan's concubine had already confessed, confirming that Cheng Xi had sent him a chest of gold every year for three years. Cornered, Shi Yuan then confessed to a deeper plot, blurting out that Chou Ziliang had promised him atonement if he assassinated Qi Yan, pleading with Chou Ziliang to keep his word. At that precise moment, a guard reported that Yuan Xing had regained consciousness, momentarily surprising Chou Ziliang.
Undeterred, Chou Ziliang then ordered Shi Yuan's immediate execution, declaring his head be displayed publicly with the explanation that Shi Yuan had assassinated the Emperor, leaving him gravely injured and his survival dependent on fate. Chou Ziliang reflected on Qi Yan's misfortune, gaining military power only to not enjoy it for long, hinting at his own machinations, stating that even a large army was no match for a single well-placed hidden move to turn the tide.
He also ordered strict surveillance over Qi Yan, forbidding anyone from approaching him without his permission. Cheng Huaizhi and Cheng Ruoyu were distraught, confronting the guards and pleading for Qi Yan to awaken, reminding him of all the challenges they had overcome. Qi Yan eventually regained consciousness, much to Cheng Ruoyu's relief. He immediately inquired if Chou Ziliang had troubled her, to which she replied no, but informed him that Cheng Huaizhi had been taken away.
Qi Yan expressed deep concern that without Han Ding, Li Deyun alone might not be able to stand against Chou Ziliang. He then confessed, "I may truly not make it this time." Cheng Ruoyu tearfully tried to reassure him, recalling their shared struggles and blaming herself for his injury. Qi Yan dismissed her self-reproach, stating that her role in helping him reclaim the Shen Cai Army's military power made their sacrifices "even."
Cheng Ruoyu cried harder, arguing her life was insignificant compared to his, and fearing for the Great Xing Dynasty if he were to die. Qi Yan sighed, accepting his fate as "the will of Heaven," believing he had done his best and hoped his elder brother and teacher would not blame him.
Knowing his time was short and unwilling to die without a final act, he summoned a eunuch and dictated an imperial will: "Cheng Shi Ruo Yu, advocate for moral etiquette. Graceful and intelligent, deeply cherished by me. Thus, I decree you as a Beauty, granting you a thousand acres of farmland. If anything untoward should happen to me, you are permitted to return home and remarry. This is my command."
