Stand By Me Episode 41 Recap
> Stand By Me Recap
Qi Chen removed the calming incense sachet from the room and used medicine to awaken Cheng Ruoyu. Soon after, Yan Zhi arrived to see Cheng Ruoyu. As Yan Zhi entered, Qi Chen discreetly slipped away, allowing the two women to speak. Meanwhile, Tian Shan, the divine doctor, had been waiting to treat Qi Yan, who refused to let him in. Outside, Cheng Huaizhi pleaded with Qi Yan, urging him to accept treatment, but Qi Yan remained silent.
Tian Shan then instructed Cheng Huaizhi to find Cheng Ruoyu, stating that if she did not come, Qi Yan would surely die. Yan Zhi pleaded with Cheng Ruoyu to set aside her hatred and go to Qi Yan, warning that he would perish without her help. Cheng Ruoyu was torn. Yan Zhi then stated her position to Qi Chen, revealing her willingness to put aside personal animosity and join forces with Qi Yan to eliminate Chou Ziliang.
She firmly declared that she would not allow another Chaolu Rebellion to occur. After hearing Yan Zhi’s earnest words, Cheng Ruoyu made up her mind to go to Qi Yan. Cheng Ruoyu directly entered Qi Yan’s bedchamber. Gao Ping, who was lurking suspiciously near the entrance, was forcibly sent away by Cheng Huaizhi. Qi Yan had been waiting for Cheng Ruoyu, and a sense of relief washed over him when she confirmed she had found her answer.
He instructed her to proceed with their plan. Cheng Ruoyu revealed her lingering concern: Cheng Xi had painstakingly taken her in and trained her, then arranged for her to get close to Qi Yan, all to achieve some hidden agenda. Cheng Ruoyu refused to be a pawn and was determined to uncover the "third person" behind it all. Qi Yan fabricated a story that Qi Chen was this third person.
He and Cheng Ruoyu had deliberately staged a scene in front of Yan Zhi, with Qi Yan feigning critical illness, as a ruse for Cheng Ruoyu to covertly ascertain Qi Chen's true intentions. Qi Yan explained that he had sworn to his teacher, Wang Yang, to protect Wang Ruoling and Wang Ruoqing, which was why he meticulously practiced archery to ensure he could shoot without causing fatal injuries, thereby saving A-Wu and Cheng Ruoyu.
With this explanation, Cheng Ruoyu and Qi Yan resolved their misunderstandings and reconciled. Cheng Ruoyu reported her findings to Qi Yan, stating that Qi Chen claimed to have no interest in the throne, only wishing to help Qi Yan eradicate the eunuch clique. He asserted that his past actions were solely Cheng Xi’s ambition.
Qi Yan, still half-believing Qi Chen’s words, then revealed that he himself was the "third person" who moved from the open to the covert, manipulating the chess game. Cheng Ruoyu personally fed Qi Yan his medicine. Cheng Huaizhi, witnessing this tender moment, felt a deep sense of contentment. Gao Ping, attempting to eavesdrop, was again shooed away by Cheng Huaizhi. Yan Zhi arrived shortly after, and seeing Cheng Ruoyu and Qi Yan reconciled, she left relieved.
Qi Yan resolved to take the initiative and thoroughly see Qi Chen’s true colors. Back at the Xiangqi Camp, Yan Zhi and Yan Xiu received a letter from Chou Ziliang, ordering Yan Zhi to enter the palace within three days to become Qi Yan’s consort. Yan Xiu advised Yan Zhi not to betray her own will, but Yan Zhi was resolute, having endured hardships for years to seek revenge.
She refused to give up now, stating that this move, though abrupt, aligned with her earlier thoughts and was indeed feasible. Yuan Du informed Qi Chen of Chou Ziliang’s order for Yan Zhi to marry Qi Yan, which disheartened Qi Chen. Upon learning of Qi Yan’s impending marriage to Yan Zhi, Cheng Ruoyu angrily decided to leave.
Cheng Huaizhi tried desperately to dissuade her, but Qi Yan instructed Cheng Ruoyu to wait for him at Xumu Plain in Sanyuan County, an imperial mausoleum he had built. Angered, Cheng Ruoyu departed. Qi Yan had ordered Han Ding to secretly follow Gao Ping. Han Ding reported that he observed Gao Ping secretly releasing Cheng Xi.
This incident confirmed Qi Yan's suspicion that Yan Zhi was indeed Wang Ruoqing, explaining her repeated attempts to save Cheng Ruoyu, her younger sister Wang Ruoling. Meanwhile, Zuo Che subjected Cheng Xi to severe torture, demanding to know Cheng Ruoyu’s true identity and what Yan Zhi and Qi Chen were plotting. Cheng Xi, bruised and battered, staunchly refused to yield. Cheng Ruoyu went to find Yan Zhi, who was drowning her sorrows in wine.
Yan Zhi provocatively claimed that she was more than willing to marry Qi Yan and vowed to live happily ever after with him. In reality, Yan Zhi had discovered that Chou Ziliang’s supposed seclusion was merely a facade; he was covertly monitoring their every move. Realizing she had been exposed, Yan Zhi anticipated a fierce battle with Chou Ziliang and did not want Cheng Ruoyu to stay and risk her life.
She deliberately provoked Cheng Ruoyu, even insulting her, until Cheng Ruoyu, in a fit of pique, stormed out. Suddenly, Cheng Ruoyu was overcome with a splitting headache, triggering fragmented memories from her childhood, and she collapsed unconscious. Yan Zhi rushed to her side, and seeing Cheng Ruoyu deeply asleep, instructed Yan Xiu to swiftly escort Cheng Ruoyu away to prevent Chou Ziliang from harming her.
Yan Zhi confessed to Yan Xiu that Cheng Xi was in Chou Ziliang’s hands, meaning Chou Ziliang likely knew Cheng Ruoyu was her sister. She explained that if she were to acknowledge Cheng Ruoyu now, Cheng Ruoyu would never leave, which was crucial for her safety as the sole surviving bloodline of the Wang family during the impending life-and-death struggle with Chou Ziliang. She lamented that the timing was never right—she dared not acknowledge her in the past, and now she could not.
