Stand By Me Episode 37 Recap
> Stand By Me Recap
Cheng Ruoyu followed Qi Yan to the rain pavilion, where she saw a crystal coffin containing a masked body. Realizing it was a decoy arranged by Yan Zhi, she was surprised when Qi Yan, already aware of her presence, demanded she reveal herself. Overjoyed, Cheng Ruoyu eagerly rushed to embrace him, expressing her profound longing and concern for his injuries.
However, Qi Yan sternly pushed her away, accusing her of being a spy sent by Chou Ziliang to bear him an heir. He drew his sword as Cheng Ruoyu removed her mask, desperately trying to convince him of her true identity. Qi Yan refused to believe her, presenting a secret letter intercepted from Xiangqi Camp.
The letter detailed how Chou Ziliang had found a woman named Ling Leng who closely resembled Cheng Ruoyu, taught her Ziyi Bureau martial arts, and intended for her to captivate Qi Yan and produce an heir. Cheng Ruoyu attempted to explain the misunderstanding, but Qi Yan would not listen, insisting she was Chou Ziliang's spy and forcing her to leave. As Cheng Ruoyu departed heartbroken, Qi Yan watched her retreating figure with immense pain, having recognized her all along.
He had feigned disbelief to protect her from further danger. Outside the palace, Cheng Ruoyu confronted Yan Zhi, venting her anger and accusing Yan Zhi of creating the fake secret letter that misled Qi Yan. Yan Zhi, in turn, blamed Cheng Ruoyu and Qi Yan's insufficient bond for the failure.
Yan Zhi reflected on her own uncertainty about telling Cheng Ruoyu the truth, but still felt that Cheng Ruoyu being angry at her was better than further entanglement with Qi Yan. Cheng Ruoyu, unwilling to give up, stormed off, determined to try to convince Qi Yan one more time.
Later that night, Yan Zhi invited Cheng Ruoyu to share her room, promising to teach her various skills, including music, chess, calligraphy, painting, astronomy, geography, the five elements, the eight trigrams, and Qimen Dunjia. Cheng Ruoyu initially resisted, feeling imprisoned, and questioned Yan Zhi's extensive knowledge of her past. To earn a second chance to see Qi Yan, Yan Zhi tasked Cheng Ruoyu with solving a difficult Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden Formation puzzle.
Meanwhile, at the palace's celebration banquet, Qi Yan was disheartened to find Cheng Ruoyu's seat empty. Struggling with the formation, Cheng Ruoyu secretly sought help from Qi Chen, promising she wouldn't try to escape while outside. Qi Chen quickly solved the complex puzzle. Cheng Ruoyu gratefully hurried back, eager to report her success and meet Qi Yan. Upon seeing the solved formation, Yan Zhi permitted her to go.
Yan Zhi, suspecting Qi Chen's involvement, visited him, noticing ink on his sleeve and gently cleaning it. Qi Chen expressed concern about Qi Yan and Cheng Ruoyu recognizing each other. Yan Zhi, however, remained confident, telling Qi Chen that as long as Qi Yan continued to deny her, a true resolution was only a matter of time. She then thanked Qi Chen for his support in proving Cheng Ruoyu was alive and confessed her feelings for him.
Qi Chen, in turn, opined that Cheng Ruoyu’s natural talent in martial arts would eventually surpass Chou Ziliang's. Outside, Yan Xiu overheard Yan Zhi's words to Qi Chen. Consumed by jealousy, he stormed off to spar with Xiangqi Camp soldiers, accidentally injuring himself. Cheng Ruoyu's second attempt to enter the palace led her to Cheng Huaizhi, who was also known as Eunuch Cheng.
After confirming her identity by asking about their favorite foods—Cheng Ruoyu’s love for Cherry Pilaf, his preference for Red Date Rice Cake, Cheng Xi’s liking for Roast Camel Hump, and Aunt Lirong’s dislike of fish—Cheng Huaizhi confirmed she was indeed the real Cheng Ruoyu. When Qi Yan arrived, he still refused to acknowledge her, even after Cheng Huaizhi’s confirmation. Qi Yan then brought out Ru Feng, a swift horse, but the animal showed no sign of recognition and bolted.
Left with no one to corroborate her story, Cheng Ruoyu was devastated, crying out why no one would believe her, despite her physical presence and voice. Qi Yan coldly maintained his facade, claiming he would not fall for her tricks, stating that he was certain she was not the real Cheng Ruoyu. Later, a sorrowful Qi Yan stood alone at the rain pavilion, speaking to the masked effigy in the crystal coffin.
He confessed his true feelings, expressing that as long as Cheng Ruoyu lived well, his own death would be insignificant. Overwhelmed with grief, he coughed up a large amount of blood. He contemplated his dwindling lifespan, estimating he might have five years, or perhaps even as little as five months. Qi Yan concluded it was safer for Cheng Ruoyu to remain with Yan Zhi, as returning to his side would only put her in greater danger.
He bid a silent farewell to Changming Palace. Meanwhile, Yan Zhi bandaged Yan Xiu's wound. Yan Xiu admitted he was jealous after overhearing her conversation with Qi Chen, mistakenly believing she had abandoned her ambition to become Empress. Yan Zhi reassured him that her resolve remained unchanged. Yan Zhi and Yan Xiu later met a dejected Cheng Ruoyu returning from the palace and brought her home.
From that day on, Yan Zhi initiated a rigorous training regimen, forcing Cheng Ruoyu to master martial arts and the Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden Formation. She even arranged for Xiangqi Camp soldiers to train with her. Cheng Ruoyu faced repeated defeats and even broke her sword, but her determination grew. She requested a new sword and continued her training, gradually finding joy in understanding the formations.
Curious about Yan Zhi's unwavering support, Cheng Ruoyu asked why she was so kind to her. Yan Zhi explained that Cheng Ruoyu reminded her of her deceased younger sister, who was clever and mischievous. However, Yan Zhi then revealed her true motive: to train Cheng Ruoyu to lead the Ziyi Bureau's Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden Formation to restore its former glory.
She pointed out that Cheng Ruoyu's previous success in breaking a formation was merely a stroke of luck with Qi Chen's guidance. Yan Zhi emphasized that for Cheng Ruoyu to protect Qi Yan, confront Chou Ziliang, and become a leader like Madam Gong Sun, she must first become powerful herself. Separately, the Right Official reported to Qi Chen that Cheng Xi had been missing for two months.
Zhang Jiang had sent men to take her, and after Zhang Jiang's defeat, Cheng Xi disappeared without a trace. Fearing that alarming Chou Ziliang, who was currently in seclusion, would cause unnecessary complications, Qi Chen instructed Yu Niang to search for Cheng Xi quietly. He also ordered the Right Official to keep a close watch on Aunt Lirong, believing Cheng Xi would contact her if she returned.
