Stand By Me Episode 43 Recap
> Stand By Me Recap
Yan Zhi lamented her failure to kill Chou Ziliang during Han Yue's previous attempt, believing it led to Han Yue's meaningless death and gave Chou Ziliang an opportunity to reset his schemes. She confessed to Qi Chen, who she affectionately called Ashu, that she felt responsible for harming him, Yan Xiu (also called Ashu by her), Cheng Ruoyu (whom she referred to as Ruoling), and Qi Yan.
Qi Chen gently reassured her that it was not her fault and that there was still hope, as nothing was truly beyond recovery. Han Ding reported to Qi Yan that Chou Ziliang's supposed seclusion was a ruse to expose traitors, and that Zuoche had secretly returned to the capital, hiding in Gao Ping's house, to investigate.
Han Ding revealed that Qi Chen, also known as Prince Guang, along with Yan Zhi and Cheng Ruoyu (referred to as Ling Ling by Han Ding), had been exposed. Fortunately, Qi Yan's own actions had been discreet, avoiding suspicion. Han Ding explained that Prince Guang had been planning this for a long time, possibly even before the Morning Dew incident, and had hidden his true intentions well.
Qi Yan recalled his teacher's assessment of Prince Guang as reserved yet possessing great wisdom and ambition. He wondered why Prince Guang had repeatedly thwarted Cheng Xi's plans yet saved Qi Yan, realizing that Prince Guang valued his reputation, unlike Qi Yan who was willing to bear any infamy for his goals. Han Ding urged Qi Yan to proceed with their next phase, as Li Deyun was ready.
However, Qi Yan expressed concern for Cheng Ruoyu, feeling he owed her and the Wang family too much. Han Ding stressed that this was a critical moment and Qi Yan must not let emotions cloud his judgment, reminding him that Cheng Ruoyu understood why her grandfather died and that only Qi Yan's victory could end all the suffering. Qi Yan struggled with the weighty decision, knowing that his success meant the prosperity of Daxing, while his failure meant its demise.
He resolved to press forward. It was the day of Yan Zhi's wedding to Qi Yan. Chou Ziliang sent Gao Ping to deliver the phoenix crown and embroidered wedding robe to Yan Zhi, instructing Qi Chen to escort her as a family member. Meanwhile, in the city, Cheng Ruoyu watched sadly as wedding wine was distributed to celebrate the imperial marriage.
Yan Xiu, consumed by grief and alcohol, stumbled through the streets, yelling at people and declaring that no one was worthy of the emperor's wedding wine. He eventually collapsed, unconscious, and was beaten by angry citizens. His official token fell out, and upon recognizing him as a government official, people dispersed. Cheng Ruoyu, in a hurry, merely glanced at him and continued on her way, noting that she found this celebratory wine difficult to stomach.
Yan Zhi, adorned in the phoenix crown and embroidered wedding robe, knelt before Chou Ziliang before entering the bridal sedan chair for her procession to the palace. Chou Ziliang watched with a satisfied smile. Later, in a forest, Yan Xiu, still recovering from his drunken stupor, was suddenly ambushed by Zuoche and his men. Zuoche revealed new orders from his master strategist: to pursue and execute him. Yan Xiu fought back, injuring Zuoche before making his escape.
Zuoche, enraged, ordered his men to continue the pursuit. From a distance, Cheng Ruoyu witnessed the struggle and felt a surge of concern, wondering what had happened and and if Yan Zhi was safe. During the wedding night, Yan Zhi informed Qi Yan that Chou Ziliang had ordered her to quickly bear him a crown prince. Qi Yan refused, citing his poor health, and Yan Zhi did not press the matter.
Qi Yan then confronted her, revealing his knowledge of her true identity as Wang Ruoqing, Wang Yang's granddaughter. Yan Zhi denied it, asserting she could be Wang Ruoqing if Qi Yan wished, just as she had been for Han Yue. The next day, Qi Yan had Han Ding bring an old servant of the Wang family.
The servant confirmed that the eldest young lady, Wang Ruoqing, was extremely allergic to cat fur, developing rashes upon contact, while the younger young lady, Cheng Ruoyu, adored cats but could only play with a stuffed toy cat named Xiao Lingdang. Despite this confirmation, Qi Yan remained perplexed by Qi Chen's true intentions, unsure whether to imprison, release, or execute him. Meanwhile, Chou Ziliang subjected Tian Shan to brutal torture, demanding the solution to the fake martial arts manual.
Tian Shan, unyielding, cursed Chou Ziliang, who then threatened to kill Tian Shan's remaining family members one by one until he complied. Tian Shan still refused to speak. That night, both Qi Yan and Cheng Ruoyu found themselves unable to sleep. Cheng Ruoyu, seeing fireflies in the forest, thought of Qi Yan. Qi Yan, in his own chambers, held a piece of white silk stained with Cheng Ruoyu's blood, consumed by anguish and longing.
The following morning, Qi Yan and Yan Zhi paid their respects to the Grand Dowager Empress. Li Zening was present and quickly excused herself. Qi Yan offered to escort her, a gesture Yan Zhi recognized as an opportunity for Qi Yan to secretly send a message to Li Deyun, though she could not overtly stop it. Li Deyun subsequently met with his associates to discuss reducing the Shen Cai Army's funding. When Chou Ziliang learned of this, he was furious.
He decided not to stop them but instead to spread rumors that Li Deyun was embezzling the funds, exacerbating existing shortages in military provisions. Chou Ziliang intended to let the army riot, seeing it as a chance to eliminate Li Deyun, his "thorn in the side." Chou Ziliang then went to Cell No. 9 to visit Cheng Xi. He revealed that he was fully aware of her past actions and unexpectedly disclosed that Yan Zhi was, in fact, Wang Ruoqing.
Cheng Xi was visibly shocked by this revelation. Chou Ziliang, savoring the moment, declared his intention to pit the two sisters, Wang Ruoling (Cheng Ruoyu) and Wang Ruoqing (Yan Zhi), against each other in a battle that would tear their hearts apart. Separately, a wounded Cheng Xi encountered Cheng Ruoyu. Cheng Ruoyu, concerned, asked what had happened to bring Zuoche into action and worried about Cheng Xi's injuries.
Cheng Xi, stating she was sent by her own master strategist to protect Cheng Ruoyu, urged her to take a different route and avoid Jiannan. Cheng Ruoyu refused, insisting she didn't need protection and would not change her path. Cheng Xi eventually revealed she was going to take Lady Li's ashes back to her hometown.
Cheng Ruoyu offered to accompany her, but Cheng Xi declined, explaining that she was also heading to Dongchuan, which was on the way to Lady Li's hometown, but felt it was better for them to part ways after everything that had happened, as she could not properly get along with Cheng Ruoyu.
