Stand By Me Episode 31 Recap
> Stand By Me Recap
Qi Yan addressed An Wang, expressing his deep hopes for his younger brother. He urged An Wang to assume the responsibility of caring for their siblings and ensuring the continuity of the Qi family's bloodline, making him swear to lead them all to survive, no matter the difficulties they faced. An Wang, after a moment of consideration, affirmed his oath.
An Wang then inquired about a third crucial question, but Qi Yan chose not to pose it, reflecting on how the late emperor's third question to him had been about defeating Chou Ziliang. Qi Yan confessed that even he, despite years of enduring hardships silently, had been unable to overcome Chou Ziliang, and thus did not wish to burden An Wang with such an impossible demand. He simply advised An Wang to take care of himself.
An Wang, noticing Qi Yan’s rapidly deteriorating health, voiced his concern. Qi Yan, however, assured him that he would hold on until An Wang's ascension to the throne, after which An Wang knelt in respectful farewell as Qi Yan departed. Upon their departure, Yan Xiu and soldiers from the Xiangqi Camp, dispatched by Yan Zhi, were waiting to escort Qi Yan and Cheng Ruoyu back to the palace. Unseen, You Che observed their movements.
Later, You Che confronted Yan Zhi in her private chambers, subtly rebuking her for contemplating An Wang's assassination. He implied that Qi Yan and Cheng Ruoyu's unexpected visit to An Wang had inadvertently prevented Yan Zhi from making a grave mistake. Yan Zhi, piecing together various clues, deduced that You Che’s intervention was orchestrated not by Chou Ziliang but by You Xiang. Back in his own chambers, Qi Yan’s physical condition worsened significantly.
After attempting to finalize his posthumous affairs, he collapsed from sheer exhaustion. Cheng Ruoyu remained steadfastly by his side, weeping. Qi Yan tenderly recalled their first encounter, remarking on her cheerful disposition and how, through his own trials, he had inadvertently caused her so much sorrow. He gently advised her to seek a future with someone who would bring her only joy.
However, Cheng Ruoyu tearfully vowed that she would marry no one but him, expressing profound envy for the hypothetical man Qi Yan wished for her. When Qi Yan fainted, Cheng Ruoyu lovingly nursed him, even feeding him medicine mouth-to-mouth, praying earnestly for his recovery. She revealed that a Right Official had also treated her own injuries and provided the herbal medicine for Qi Yan, which she had cautiously tested herself.
Confident in its efficacy, she declared her readiness to face any scheme, as long as it meant Qi Yan’s survival, advocating for proactive self-preservation. Qi Yan, feeling a surprising resurgence of strength, mused about his improved condition. Yan Zhi’s suspicions regarding You Che were soon confirmed; he was indeed You Xiang’s subordinate and reported back to him. You Xiang, in turn, resolved to deploy his final strategic "chess piece."
Simultaneously, Chou Ziliang instructed You Che to maintain a vigilant watch over Yan Zhi. A Divine Doctor, examining Chou Ziliang, observed a severe imbalance in his meridians and recommended a period of seclusion for recovery. Chou Ziliang, however, dismissed the advice, insisting on postponing any such retreat until An Wang's coronation was complete. Meanwhile, Yan Zhi, receiving intelligence about Ah Jiu and Xiao Lin, further solidified her understanding of You Xiang's complex maneuverings.
She sought an audience with You Xiang, but he declined, explaining that he wished to avoid any appearance of collusion before the upcoming enthronement, thereby subtly indicating his intent to protect An Wang. Through Cheng Ruoyu's dedicated care, Qi Yan’s health continued to improve. He listened to the faint strains of the grand ceremonial music for An Wang’s enthronement and felt a deep sense of contentment.
He shared with Cheng Ruoyu that he no longer harbored any desire for the throne, having found peace in relinquishing it, preferring to avoid fraternal conflict. Cheng Ruoyu observed a profound transformation in Qi Yan, noting he was no longer taut and burdened, but at peace, having found victory in letting go of his previous aspirations.
Later that night, Chou Ziliang sent officials from the Bureau of Attire, including Cheng Xi and Li Rong in disguise, to An Wang’s residence to deliver his ceremonial garments. Despite a perfunctory inspection by the guards, they were permitted entry. Once inside, Cheng Xi and Li Rong swiftly incapacitated the guards and advanced on An Wang. Unexpectedly, You Xiang appeared, accompanied by his Right Officials, thwarting the assassination attempt.
Cheng Xi, consumed by fury, berated You Xiang for his repeated interference, accusing him of treachery, especially since he had personally selected her and her assassins in the past to aid his rise. You Xiang, however, ordered his Right Officials to subdue Cheng Xi, knocking her unconscious, and dismissed her accomplices. Still unsettled as the coronation ceremony approached in less than six hours, Chou Ziliang personally went to An Wang’s residence.
He spent time playing cricket with An Wang, allaying his fears, and gently warned him to keep Cheng Xi’s visit a secret. Chou Ziliang reassured An Wang that with him by his side, no harm would befall him, urging him to appreciate and be grateful for the imperial position he was about to assume. The next morning, An Wang, adorned in a black dragon robe cherished by Chou Ziliang, eagerly prepared for his enthronement.
Chou Ziliang, beaming with pride, personally placed the dragon crown upon An Wang’s head. An Wang then expressed a desire for Qi Yan to attend the ceremony, a request Chou Ziliang readily granted, dispatching a messenger to invite Qi Yan to witness the crowning. An Wang commented on the crown's weight, to which Chou Ziliang declared it represented the immense responsibility of Daxing, a burden An Wang would bear with him as his unwavering support. Suddenly, An Wang began to bleed from his mouth and nose, collapsing lifelessly to the ground, leaving Chou Ziliang utterly stunned.
