Stand By Me Episode 30 Recap
> Stand By Me Recap
Qi Yan had his eunuch draft an imperial will for Cheng Ruoyu. Cheng Ruoyu was deeply saddened, crying profusely and stating she wanted no rewards, only for Qi Yan to live well. Qi Yan explained that one of them must survive, and asked her to stay with him a while longer before his inevitable death, to which she tearfully agreed. Chou Ziliang had a physician treat Yuan Xing, who reported Yuan Xing was beyond recovery despite his recent internal cultivation.
Chou Ziliang praised the new physician's talent and considered him a replacement for Imperial Physician Shen. Chou Ziliang then questioned Yuan Xing about the bearded guard who was with him. Yuan Xing identified him as his nephew, Yuan Lin, but was informed that Yuan Lin had died in a brawl outside the Shi residence. A subordinate confirmed this and noted that Yuan Lin somewhat resembled Yan Xiu, which seemed to alleviate Chou Ziliang's immediate suspicions.
Yan Zhi then seized the opportunity to suggest investigating Jiang Ding, who had recommended Shi Yuan, arguing that Jiang Ding was either malicious or incompetent for such a recommendation. Chou Ziliang readily accepted her suggestion. Later, Chou Ziliang grew increasingly suspicious, feeling there was an internal mole within the Jiangqi Camp and that a hidden force was slowly eroding his power.
He believed it was not Qi Yan, but someone else who knew him, the Jiangqi Battalion, and the Shen Outfit Army very well. He suspected Yan Zhi, citing instances where she had seemingly undermined his plans, such as intentionally letting Cheng Xi escape and misinforming him about Cheng Ruoyu's actions. He decided to test her for a "third time" and ordered Right Chariot to monitor Yan Zhi.
Chou Ziliang also suspected the Right Chancellor and, believing their close relationship would expose the truth, assigned Right Official to closely watch him, considering that both or either could be the traitor. Right Official later met with Yan Xiu, informing him that Chou Ziliang's suspicions had expanded to include both Yan Zhi and Yan Xiu himself, with Right Chariot now specifically tasked to monitor Yan Zhi. Right Official questioned Yan Xiu’s risky choice to face suspicion for Yan Zhi.
Qi Chen arrived to change Qi Yan's medicine, but Chou Ziliang's eunuchs, stationed outside per his orders, prevented anyone from entering, citing concerns about further assassination attempts. Despite Cheng Ruoyu's repeated calls from inside the palace, Qi Chen was denied entry and reluctantly left. Inside, Qi Yan, in conversation with Cheng Ruoyu, acknowledged that Yan Xiu had been cleared of suspicion thanks to Yan Zhi's clever strategizing.
He also recalled that an issue with the Cui Niang matter had surprisingly been resolved, even to Yan Zhi's astonishment. Qi Yan, while admitting he had no solution himself, confidently stated that "someone" did. Cheng Ruoyu initially thought he meant her aunt, Cheng Xi, but Qi Yan clarified he referred to the "real third party."
He believed this enigmatic figure orchestrated Shi Yuan's capture by Chou Ziliang and subsequent assassination attempt on him, all to ensure "mutual destruction" between Qi Yan and Chou Ziliang. He firmly believed this third party would find a way to save him, seeing this as their last chance. Chou Ziliang pressed for the finalization of new candidates for the Shen Cai Army and the preparations for the coronation ceremony.
Yan Zhi reported that An Wang's maternal family was highly supportive, and half of the court officials had already signed a petition for his ascension, though some civil officials remained resistant. Chou Ziliang demanded all names be secured before the ceremony, no matter the means. Concerned about An Wang's safety due to Cheng Xi's evasion, Chou Ziliang made a drastic decree: the lives of the entire Jiangqi Battalion hinged on An Wang's survival.
Yan Zhi inwardly acknowledged this clever move, recognizing it constrained her and the Right Chancellor, but noted that Chou Ziliang was unaware of their actual intent to keep An Wang alive for the coronation to proceed meaningfully. As Qi Yan had anticipated, Right Official secretly entered the palace under the cover of darkness. He revealed to Cheng Ruoyu that he had intentionally held back during her "bone-shattering punishment," inflicting only superficial injuries, thus making her recovery possible.
Cheng Ruoyu, enduring the pain, cooperated with Right Official, who then provided medicine for Qi Yan. With Right Official's help, Cheng Ruoyu's martial arts skills quickly recovered, confirming Qi Yan's belief that someone would come to their aid. Cheng Ruoyu diligently cared for Qi Yan, whose injuries gradually healed, and their bond deepened through their daily interactions. She expressed that she had been reborn stronger, now capable of fighting a hundred opponents, and urged Qi Yan to recover quickly.
Meanwhile, Chou Ziliang, having received a report, had Zuoche secretly capture Liu Misha. Upon learning this, Yan Zhi instructed Yan Xiu to find Zuoche's records and send a message to the Zhenwu Army for a rescue attempt. She also wanted to inform Qi Yan, but Right Chariot, who was monitoring her, strictly warned her against any rash actions, preventing her from leaving. Soon after, Yan Xiu brought more grim news: Liu Misha was dead.
To prevent complications, Chou Ziliang had ordered Zuoche to kill her and bring her head back to the capital. Yan Xiu also reported that Chou Ziliang had intensified his surveillance, having the Right Chancellor monitored by Right Official. Yan Zhi was furious, realizing Chou Ziliang's cunning in having her and the Right Chancellor individually monitored. Yan Xiu explained that Chou Ziliang's strategy kept both Right Official and Right Chancellor in check.
Yan Zhi questioned why Zuoche would warn her earlier, but it remained unclear. Yan Xiu provided Zuoche's dossier, noting his unremarkable past yet his rapid rise through the ranks under Left Chancellor and Chou Ziliang, and his crucial role in "ruining Yan Zhi's most brilliant move" by killing Liu Misha. Feeling helpless and realizing Qi Yan was now a "lost cause," Yan Zhi accepted Yan Xiu's suggestion to focus on stopping the coronation ceremony first.
She lamented that she had underestimated Chou Ziliang, realizing that the fate of the Jiangqi Camp hinged solely on his will. Chou Ziliang then visited Qi Yan, observing his improved health but declared him unfit to attend the coronation in three days, promising to handle all arrangements himself. He boasted that all court officials, except Li Deyun, had petitioned for An Wang's ascension, ensuring no internal strife.
Chou Ziliang further added that the Zhenwu Army was intercepted at Shuo Prefecture by his Shen Cai Army, nullifying any external threats. With cruel satisfaction, he informed Qi Yan of Princess Misha's death, emphasizing that he had personally ordered her beheading to ensure she was "dead for sure." Qi Yan, showing quiet resignation, simply acknowledged the news. When Chou Ziliang pressed him for a response, Qi Yan offered only a hollow "Congratulations."
After Chou Ziliang's departure, Qi Yan told Cheng Ruoyu that the "third party" had failed to outmaneuver Chou Ziliang. He then made a heartfelt plea to Cheng Ruoyu, asking her as a close friend to take him to see An Wang. Cheng Ruoyu initially refused, fearing for his health and safety, correctly deducing his intention. Qi Yan insisted he was strong enough, thanks to her help, and promised that Chou Ziliang wouldn't harm him before the coronation.
He explained that with Liu Misha's death, his path to Zhenwu was severed, and he had no future beyond the coronation. He urgently emphasized that seeing An Wang tonight was his last chance, begging Cheng Ruoyu, the one he trusted most, to help him. Late that night, Cheng Ruoyu and Qi Yan, disguised, secretly left the palace and arrived at the Jiangqi Camp. Yan Zhi, who was just preparing to eliminate An Wang, unexpectedly saw Qi Yan and Cheng Ruoyu.
Guards of the Shen Cai Army tried to stop them, calling their actions reckless. Yan Zhi questioned their sudden appearance, asking if they were "rushing to their deaths." Cheng Ruoyu explained Qi Yan's insistence on seeing An Wang to speak with him.
Yan Zhi, assuming Qi Yan's intent was to kill An Wang, revealed her own plan was to kill An Wang to save Qi Yan, believing that An Wang's death would prevent a swift succession and allow Qi Yan to live. She argued that she had no other path, but Qi Yan did. She further explained that An Wang's powerful maternal clan made his ascension smooth, and killing him would delay the enthronement of a new emperor.
Qi Yan denied his intention was to kill his brother, reiterating his need to speak to An Wang and appealing to Yan Zhi's resourcefulness to facilitate the meeting. Cheng Ruoyu joined in begging Yan Zhi. Surprisingly, when Right Chariot reported Yan Zhi's request to Chou Ziliang, Chou Ziliang, after a moment of reflection, granted permission for Qi Yan to meet An Wang. While waiting, Chou Ziliang invited his subordinate to sit with him, remarking on being alone together.
This reminded him of the night the late emperor died, when he also pleaded to see Qi Yan one last time. Chou Ziliang revealed he had granted the late emperor's request, explaining that he wanted to give him one last chance to make a decisive move, like killing Qi Yan, which he would have respected as a mark of a "remarkable" figure with the spirit of Emperor Taizong. Meanwhile, Qi Yan, mustering his strength, arrived to meet An Wang.
An Wang, terrified, desperately begged Qi Yan not to kill him, explaining that Cheng Xi had captured him and Chou Ziliang had forced him into the position of Imperial Younger Brother, claiming it wasn't his choice. Qi Yan brushed aside An Wang's explanations, stating they were irrelevant. He then posed three questions to An Wang, which he revealed were the same questions the late emperor had asked him on his deathbed. The first question Qi Yan asked An Wang was whether he could take care of himself. An Wang, with conviction, assured him that he could.
