Stand By Me Episode 35 Recap
> Stand By Me Recap
Yan Zhi brought Cheng Ruoyu to her room, where she administered an antidote and cleaned the blood from her body. Yan Xiu, distraught, repeatedly apologized for his failures and expressed his desire to prepare Cheng Ruoyu for her final journey. Yan Zhi then revealed a startling truth: Cheng Ruoyu was not just an ordinary person but her biological sister, Wang Ruoling.
Qi Chen had provided Cheng Ruoyu with a special pill beforehand, which, when combined with a poison, would induce a state of false death, complete with blood from the mouth and nose and halted breathing. This elaborate deception was further aided by the soft armor Cheng Ruoyu wore, which protected her when Chou Ziliang, still suspicious, personally delivered an additional blow. Learning the full extent of the danger, Yan Xiu was greatly relieved that Cheng Ruoyu had survived.
Meanwhile, Chou Ziliang summoned Qi Chen and confined him to the Xiangqi Camp, openly stating his intention to enthrone Qi Chen once Qi Yan inevitably succumbed to his illness. Chou Ziliang remarked on the unexpected twist of fate that brought the throne to Qi Chen. However, Qi Chen confidently asserted that His Majesty would recover. Indeed, under the relentless efforts of the divine doctor, Qi Yan's condition stabilized, and he regained consciousness.
His first thought was of Cheng Ruoyu, declaring he could not die as he was still waiting for her return. Later, Yan Zhi met with Qi Chen and poured three cups of wine. The first was to thank him for ensuring her grandfather's proper burial years ago. The second was for saving her sister, Wang Ruoling, and protecting her during her upbringing.
The third cup was to express gratitude for preventing Yan Zhi from making a grave mistake that day, a kindness she swore to never forget. Qi Chen then urged Yan Zhi to take Wang Ruoling and leave Heng'an, to abandon her quest for revenge and live a peaceful life elsewhere. Yan Zhi, however, refused, arguing that Wang Ruoling's life alone could not compensate for the extermination of the Wang family.
She explained that it was too late to back out, as Chou Ziliang would never allow her to leave. Though Qi Chen suggested seeking refuge in distant lands like Dashi or Tubo, Yan Zhi firmly stated that foreign lands were not her home. When Cheng Ruoyu fully regained consciousness, Yan Zhi told her she was awake and attributed her survival to Qi Chen’s medicine and His Majesty's soft armor.
Cheng Ruoyu confirmed that Qi Yan had personally given her the soft armor after she was injured by Shiyuan. Relieved to hear Qi Yan was safe, Cheng Ruoyu eagerly inquired about his condition. Yan Zhi then explained the critical next step of the plan: "From now on, there will be no more Cheng Ruoyu in this world." She handed Cheng Ruoyu a mask and instructed her to adopt a new name, Ling Ling, and work with her.
Cheng Ruoyu initially resisted, wanting to inform Qi Yan that she was alive. Yan Zhi sternly warned her that doing so would only expose her to Chou Ziliang's renewed attempts to kill her, invalidating the sacrifices made by herself, Qi Chen, Yan Xiu, and countless others. She emphasized that Cheng Ruoyu had no other choice and urged her to embrace the identity of Ling Ling, becoming Qi Yan's unseen support to help him overcome his enemies.
Meanwhile, Cheng Huaizhi, having tearfully pleaded with Chou Ziliang, was permitted to return to serve the ailing Qi Yan. Overwhelmed by emotion at Qi Yan's weakened state, Cheng Huaizhi wept openly, only to be chided by Qi Yan that his sadness would hinder his recovery. Amidst these developments, Yan Zhi tasked Ling Ling with a crucial mission: to accompany Li Deyun and mobilize various regional commanders to suppress the Lu Cong rebellion.
She provided Ling Ling with a signal flare, assuring her that lighting it would summon assistance from the Xiangqi Camp's covert scouts. Cheng Ruoyu, now Ling Ling, found Yan Zhi's sudden displays of affection unsettling and wondered if Yan Zhi harbored feelings for her instead of Qi Yan. Despite her personal discomfort and lingering thoughts of Qi Yan, Ling Ling resolved to focus on her vital mission for Da Xing.
On what was considered Cheng Ruoyu's death anniversary, Cheng Huaizhi was again seen weeping. He vaguely told Qi Yan that he was mourning a deceased relative, and Qi Yan, though observing his distress, granted him leave to return home. Later, Gao Ping discreetly informed Qi Yan of Cheng Ruoyu's demise. Though heartbroken, Qi Yan maintained a stoic facade.
The divine doctor, impressed by Qi Yan's strong will to live, gave him a prognosis: with full cooperation in a rigorous treatment of bitter medicines and painful acupuncture, he could potentially live for five years, though the first five months would be critical. Gao Ping subsequently reported Qi Yan's seemingly indifferent reaction to Cheng Ruoyu's death to Chou Ziliang, who concluded that Qi Yan was merely feigning composure and was, in fact, fueled by a desire for revenge.
Chou Ziliang mused that Qi Yan's open hatred made him less formidable than Qi Chen, whose true intentions remained opaque. Yan Zhi, despite her inner turmoil and immense joy at reuniting with her sister, knew she had to conceal her emotions to avoid drawing Chou Ziliang's suspicion. Yan Xiu also cautioned her against her overt protective measures for Ling Ling, such as assigning additional guards and sending gifts, fearing it would expose their deception.
Driven by his grief and resolve, Qi Yan visited the memorial hall of the late emperor. Remembering his brother's dying exhortation to win for the sake of Great Xing, Qi Yan vowed that they would prevail against Chou Ziliang. He then ordered Cheng Huaizhi to search the mass grave for Cheng Ruoyu's body and bring it back for a proper burial. Upon learning of Qi Yan's request, Yan Zhi instructed Yan Xiu to send the pre-arranged substitute corpse.
Cheng Huaizhi eventually returned with Cheng Ruoyu's Qingguang Sword, confirming that her body, though unrecognizable, had been found. Overcome with sorrow, Qi Yan commanded that a crystal coffin, previously a tribute from Dashi and stored beneath the Ziyu Pavilion in Xingqing Palace, be prepared for Cheng Ruoyu. He declared his intention for them to be laid to rest together in the future. Gao Ping, observing Qi Yan's profound grief and unusual request, promptly reported it to Chou Ziliang. Despite all the public displays of mourning, Qi Yan secretly hoped that Cheng Ruoyu was safe and looked forward to her eventual return.
