Stand By Me Episode 36 Recap
> Stand By Me Recap
As Qi Yan arranged for Cheng Huaizhi to place Cheng Ruoyu in a crystal coffin for burial, Cheng Ruoyu dreamt she had died and was buried alongside His Majesty, waking in a cold sweat. Meanwhile, Li Zening, having heard that Yan Zhi sent a trusted aide to accompany Cheng Huaizhi and his daughter, arrived to investigate. Cheng Ruoyu quickly donned a mask, claiming her face was disfigured from a childhood burn, making her unwilling to show her true face.
Li Zening found her voice familiar but Cheng Ruoyu quickly covered up, attributing it to her pleasant voice. Li Zening noted that during the month-long troop deployment and journey to the battlefield, Cheng Ruoyu would have time to heal her wounds, which Cheng Ruoyu accepted without issue. A divine doctor informed Chou Ziliang that his meridians were in disarray and he needed to go into seclusion immediately, or his life would be in danger.
Chou Ziliang decided to withdraw from court affairs to cultivate. His bewildered followers protested that the timing was wrong, concerned about Li Deyun, the uncaptured Cheng Xi, and military funds. Chou Ziliang impatiently dismissed their worries, stating that Qi Yan's semi-conscious state would last for months, the civil officials could handle trivial matters, and as long as the Emperor remained in his control, all other efforts would be futile.
Growing increasingly irritated by their incessant questions, Chou Ziliang angrily ordered them all to leave, while the divine doctor reassured him that following the manual and taking the elixir would prolong his life and invigorate him. Chou Ziliang, impatient for Left Chariot's return after sending him to kill Liu Misha, convened Yan Zhi, the Left Minister, the Right Minister, Yan Xiu, Right Chariot, Right Scholar, and other close associates, assigning each their duties.
Yan Zhi, still without news of Left Chariot, felt a sense of unease. She suspected Chou Ziliang would not survive his seclusion, believing the martial arts manual he was using was provided by Prince Qi Chen's master (implying Prince Qi Chen himself), and the divine doctor was also Prince Qi Chen's man. She theorized it was a meticulously planned trap, considering how a manual could necessitate long-term elixirs and cause harm without seclusion.
Yan Zhi realized the timing was remarkably advantageous for Qi Yan, Li Deyun, and herself, making her eager to seize this opportune moment during Chou Ziliang's vulnerable state. The divine doctor confirmed Chou Ziliang's fate was dire, having personally altered the latter half of the manual to worsen his condition. He celebrated their impending victory with Prince Qi Chen. However, Prince Qi Chen found no joy in the prospect, as he had no interest in the throne.
Yuan Du reported that Cheng Xi had been safely sent to Tubo with twenty women to care for her, and Prince Qi Chen assured he would personally bring her back after Chou Ziliang was eliminated, emphasizing that Cheng Xi was his biological elder sister. The divine doctor, noticing Prince Qi Chen's lack of enthusiasm, asked if he truly didn't desire the throne, reminding him that Qi Yan did not have much time left. Prince Qi Chen affirmed his disinterest.
Qi Yan instructed Cheng Huaizhi to prepare Cheng Ruoyu's favorite Cherry Pilaf, as he intended to personally mourn her at Ziyu Pavilion. Before leaving, he penned a letter to Zhang Zhongru, entrusting Cheng Huaizhi to have Xiugu deliver it to "Miss Li," an apparent codename for the recipient. At the Ziyu Pavilion, Qi Yan gazed at the masked figure in the crystal coffin, recognizing it was not truly Cheng Ruoyu.
He reflected on the easing of Chou Ziliang's surveillance and surmised Cheng Ruoyu was now in Luzhong, quelling the rebellion on his behalf. Overcome with grief, he remorsefully recalled how he had initially disliked, then mistrusted, and repeatedly driven her away. Placing a portion of Cherry Pilaf for her and Huai leaf lengtao for himself, he tenderly remembered sharing meals, hoping she felt "happy" despite all the hardships, as he himself found happiness in this moment of remembrance.
He wished to dream of her but struggled to sleep. Yan Xiu soon brought encouraging news about Ling Ling (Cheng Ruoyu). She had joined Li Deyun in marshaling troops from various military governors, using her intelligence and quick wit to swiftly gain Zhang Zhongru's trust. Zhang Zhongru was so impressed that he even considered adopting her as his sworn daughter. Yan Zhi, upon hearing this, scorned Zhang Zhongru as unworthy of such a remarkable sister. Three months passed swiftly.
Zhang Zhongru received Qi Yan's secret letter, and immediately summoned Ling Ling, and together they devised a plan for a coordinated attack to capture Zhang Jiang in one fell swoop. Ling Ling was excited at the prospect of returning to the palace and seeing Qi Yan. Qi Yan watched over Ling Ling's mission with concern, admitting he had secretly arranged for her protection despite the dangers of battle.
He explained that he allowed her to leave because of her resolve to end the chaos, knowing that holding her back would only cause more trouble. He confessed his own dark path but asserted his desire to avoid harming the innocent, believing the turmoil needed to end. Ling Ling stealthily infiltrated the Lu Cong camp. To her surprise, she witnessed Cheng Xi secretly meeting Zhang Jiang.
Zhang Jiang, eager to obtain the late emperor's imperial will, had agreed to protect Cheng Xi. Cheng Xi, admitting she did not possess the true will, proposed forging a fake one. She argued that a forged will would provide a righteous banner for their rebellion, and once Heng'an fell, they would first kill Prince Qi Chen, then enthrone Zhang Jiang, a plan he readily accepted. Ling Ling, incensed by Cheng Xi's treachery, burst forth and attacked Zhang Jiang.
Cheng Xi, her martial arts rendered useless, could only watch as the masked assassin (Ling Ling) subdued and captured Zhang Jiang. Cheng Xi escaped in the chaos, perplexed by the mysterious assailant's familiar fighting style. She lamented Zhang Jiang's quick defeat and resigned herself to finding another way to attack Heng'an. Qi Yan, still holding the Peach Blossom Bracelet, constantly thought of Cheng Ruoyu, his nights restless with longing.
Meanwhile, Zhang Jiang, attempting an escape after his capture, was beheaded by a deputy. His head was delivered to Zhang Zhongru, confirming the great victory. Zhang Zhongru, pleased with Ling Ling's contribution, though she was downcast that some stragglers (Cheng Xi) had escaped, immediately decided to return to the capital with Ling Ling to report their triumph to Qi Yan.
Ling Ling, eager to see Qi Yan, was also worried about Cheng Xi's whereabouts, so she launched a signal flare, requesting assistance in finding her aunt. Li Deyun sped back to the palace to report the battle results to Qi Yan. He commended Zhang Zhongru's leadership and Qi Yan's strategic brilliance, attributing the swift victory over Zhang Jiang to the Emperor's plan. Li Deyun also updated Qi Yan on Ling Ling, revealing her identity as a subordinate of Yan Zhi.
He presented documents discovered in a Chess Camp outpost that Zhang Zhongru's troops had destroyed. Simultaneously, Left Chariot hastily returned to Yan Zhi, Chou Ziliang still being in seclusion. Left Chariot, with an injured leg, presented Liu Misha's head. Yan Zhi confirmed it was Misha but still found Left Chariot suspicious, lamenting the loss of such a crucial chess piece.
A subordinate informed her that Ling Ling had arrived outside the city, and Yan Zhi, without delay, went to meet her. Yan Zhi arrived to greet Ling Ling, who initially seemed unwelcoming and called Yan Zhi "Master" reluctantly, accusing her of using threats. Yan Zhi retorted that Ling Ling would eventually comply willingly.
Ling Ling, clarifying that she was "Ling Ling, not Cheng Ruoyu," pressed Yan Zhi about Qi Yan's well-being, insisting she needed to see him with her own eyes to be at ease, now that she was back in the capital. Yan Zhi reluctantly agreed to let her meet Qi Yan the following day, believing it best for Ling Ling to "settle things with him," but demanded she return to the Chess Camp immediately afterward.
Ling Ling then questioned the meaning behind her new name, "Ling Ling." Yan Zhi recited a poetic verse about a world where "the pure and serene are wiped out," urging Ling Ling to remember it forever, though Ling Ling admitted she didn't understand its implication. Qi Yan, despite the victory, was displeased, sensing someone intended to provoke him. When Cheng Huaizhi asked why, Qi Yan posed a hypothetical question: would he believe that Cheng Ruoyu was not dead?
Cheng Huaizhi, overjoyed, exclaimed his belief and eagerly asked for her location. Qi Yan then revealed that the Chess Camp had found a woman who greatly resembled Cheng Ruoyu and planned to have her impersonate Cheng Ruoyu to return to his side. He explained Chou Ziliang's scheme: he neither wanted Qi Yan to live indefinitely nor Prince Qi Chen to easily succeed him. Chou Ziliang intended to wait for Qi Yan to produce an heir through this "fake Cheng Ruoyu."
Qi Yan vowed that Chou Ziliang's plot would not succeed. Zhang Zhongru, along with Ling Ling and the victorious troops, was granted an audience with Qi Yan. Qi Yan immediately issued an imperial decree, ennobling Zhang Zhongru as Prince of Lanling and appointing him Military Governor of Lu Cong and other high offices for his meritorious service. He also announced rewards for all other deserving soldiers.
Qi Yan declared a celebratory banquet would be held in the palace the following day and, citing fatigue, adjourned the court. As Qi Yan's sedan chair departed, Ling Ling, her heart swelling with emotion at seeing him from afar, noticed he wasn't returning to his sleeping quarters. She quietly followed his sedan chair to the Ziyu Pavilion, where Qi Yan dismissed his attendants.
