Stand By Me Episode 45 Recap
> Stand By Me Recap
Cheng Ruoyu, guessing Yu Niang's intent to rescue Qi Chen, immediately followed her. Despite Cheng Ruoyu's warnings about the danger, Yu Niang was resolute in her decision. Cheng Ruoyu then provided a map, and they devised a rescue plan. Yu Niang explained that the dungeon, located beneath the Shogi Camp Plaza, had two entrances: one in the great hall which was unsafe, and another in Yan Zhi's chamber.
With the plan set, Cheng Ruoyu, Yu Niang, and the Ziyi Bureau women proceeded to the dungeon. Meanwhile, at a different location, Yan Zhi served tea, bracing herself, to Chou Ziliang, who praised her tea's perfect temperature. Zuoche, observing, sarcastically remarked how proud Yan Zhi's grandfather, Lord Wang, would be of her achievements.
Chou Ziliang then ordered for Qi Chen, referred to as King Guang, to be brought in, stating that the old chess master and old right minister should witness the selection of the new Golden Chess. He threw a handkerchief into the arena, prompting several candidates to fiercely compete for it.
Chou Ziliang reminisced about a similar selection two years prior, when Yan Zhi, directing Yan Xiu, had formed a small six-person formation to effortlessly block all opponents, securing her position as a flag-bearer. He mused that while an army was easily found, a brilliant general was rare, and people who used their intellect were becoming increasingly scarce. Cheng Ruoyu and Yu Niang succeeded in opening the dungeon and found Qi Chen and Yuan Du.
Cheng Ruoyu stated that Yu Niang had brought her to rescue him. However, Qi Chen, surprised to see them, refused to leave, stating that he must stay to keep Chou Ziliang at ease, thus ensuring Qi Yan's safety. Despite Yu Niang's pleas, Qi Chen was firm, urging them to leave. Just then, a soldier dispatched by Chou Ziliang arrived, spotted them, and immediately turned back to report.
Cheng Ruoyu swiftly pursued the soldier, while Yu Niang, realizing the urgency, instructed the Ziyi Bureau women to protect Cheng Ruoyu and then led them out of the dungeon. Cheng Ruoyu pursued the soldier relentlessly, eventually cornering him at the training ground. With his last breath, the soldier managed to report Cheng Ruoyu's attempt to rescue Qi Chen to Chou Ziliang, causing concern for both Yan Zhi and Qi Yan.
Yu Niang and the Ziyi Bureau women regrouped with Cheng Ruoyu, and following a map, they escaped through a secret passage. During their escape, Cheng Ruoyu reassured Yu Niang, saying, "You don't need to apologize to me too much. None of us could have predicted that the pawns would suddenly chase us."
She explained that Yan Zhi had once mentioned that the mechanisms in this area were severely damaged by Han Yue and never fully repaired due to rushed renovations, leading to the abandonment of the Yaoguang mechanisms, indicating a weak point. Indeed, they used this weak point to escape through a massive hole, which the enemy then discovered. Chou Ziliang, furious, dispatched Zuoche and his men to pursue and intercept them.
They were eventually herded back to the training ground, where they were completely surrounded by a massive force of Shen Cai Army soldiers. Cheng Ruoyu and Yu Niang, with the remaining Ziyi Bureau women, fought valiantly to break through the encirclement, but the overwhelming numbers led to heavy casualties among the women. Chou Ziliang personally intervened, severely injuring Yu Niang and forcing Cheng Ruoyu to drop her Qingguang Sword and surrender.
Yan Zhi immediately stepped forward to plead for Cheng Ruoyu's life. Chou Ziliang, addressing Cheng Ruoyu as an "insolent little misfit," tried to provoke a rift between Yan Zhi and Cheng Ruoyu by accusing Yan Zhi of continually exploiting her. Yan Zhi confessed, admitting, "Yes, I am exploiting her." Chou Ziliang pressed further, accusing Yan Zhi of killing Cheng Ruoyu's relatives, Lirong and Chengxi, to isolate her and force her loyalty. Yan Zhi again confirmed this.
He then accused Yan Zhi of taking Cheng Ruoyu's man and marrying Qi Yan, which Yan Zhi also admitted. When asked why she had done such things to someone who bore her no ill will, Yan Zhi confessed her jealousy of Cheng Ruoyu's talent, martial arts ability, popularity, and Qi Yan's genuine love, lamenting how Cheng Ruoyu had repeatedly thwarted her plans.
She revealed that she had always wanted to kill Cheng Ruoyu but kept her alive because she was Wang Ruoling, the only person aware of the late emperor's imperial will. Yan Zhi explained her true intention was to restore Cheng Ruoyu's memory, find the imperial will (which named Qi Chen as heir), help Qi Chen ascend the throne, and become his empress. Chou Ziliang, pleased with this confession, ordered Zuoche to take Cheng Ruoyu and apply "whatever means necessary."
Zuoche then suggested, "the fastest way is to take her body and destroy her will." Infuriated, Qi Chen swiftly stabbed Zuoche, declaring, "She is my woman! You dare lay a hand on her?" He then held the dagger to his own chest, threatening to kill himself and throw the entire region of Heng'an into chaos.
He reminded Chou Ziliang that restless regions were eager for rebellion, that Lu Cong, though pacified, could still counterattack, and that Chou Ziliang's killing of the people of Zhen Wu had created enemies on three sides. Qi Chen challenged Chou Ziliang, asking if he was worried, and demanded, "Release the fish! I and Lady Shu are still in your hands. You may continue as the Duke of Chu, above ten thousand men. Otherwise, we all go down together."
Faced with this dire threat, Chou Ziliang, grudgingly acknowledging Qi Chen's brilliance, agreed to let Cheng Ruoyu and Yu Niang leave. Enraged by Qi Chen's defiance, Chou Ziliang had Qi Yan and Yan Zhi confined to their rooms. His guards removed all sources of light and covered the windows with black cloth, stating that "His Majesty and Her Ladyship need to rest and recover. They cannot be exposed to the wind or to the light."
Chou Ziliang intended for them to be utterly broken by the silent darkness, a method he had successfully used on Zuoma, who had mentally collapsed within three days. However, Yan Zhi had anticipated such a move and produced a hidden candle. She explained that this was a torture method devised by Zuoma—to lock someone in a lightless, soundless room without food or water for three days to destroy their sanity.
Yan Zhi then asked Qi Yan why Zuoma ultimately lost, to which Qi Yan replied, "Why?" Yan Zhi stated, "evil cannot triumph over good." Qi Yan affirmed his belief in this principle, telling Yan Zhi that Chou Ziliang's attempt to sow discord between her and Cheng Ruoyu had failed because "when she saw the look in Yu'er's eyes as she left, she must have understood everything." He emphasized that "true feelings can never be covered up by any lie."
Back at the Ziyi Bureau, Cheng Ruoyu helped the severely injured Yu Niang. Yu Niang was wracked with regret, blaming herself for the reckless rescue attempt which failed and cost the lives of many Ziyi Bureau women. Cheng Ruoyu, however, consoled her, explaining, "Yuniang, you don't need to blame yourself too much. This rescue attempt, though reckless, was not without its merits." She pointed out, "Now, we know what Chou Ziliang is planning.
But he has no idea what we are planning, does he?" Cheng Ruoyu then outlined her true strategy: the immediate priority was to rescue Qi Yan, as his safety was crucial for Qi Chen to leave and for Yan Zhi to be saved. She explained that their current display of weakness was a ruse to make Chou Ziliang drop his guard.
Cheng Ruoyu revealed that Chou Ziliang was instigating unrest among the Shen Cai Army with the aim of assassinating Li Deyun. However, Qi Yan intended to use this very chaos to reclaim full military control over the Shen Cai Army. Therefore, the crucial element for success was the protection of Li Deyun. Hearing this detailed plan, Yu Niang felt a measure of relief.
Cheng Ruoyu arrived at Danfeng Tower to find Shen Cai Army soldiers loudly protesting, demanding their military pay and an explanation for perceived cuts. When Li Deyun arrived, the soldiers surrounded him, aggressively demanding answers for why their wages, provisions, and horse feed were being cut.
Li Deyun attempted to cite regulations and military rules, asking for their leader, but the soldiers, stating their generals were dead, insisted on demanding answers themselves and threatened not to cease their protest until the order was revoked. Seizing the opportunity, Cheng Ruoyu released two smoke bombs, creating a diversion that allowed Li Deyun to escape. Observing this, Chou Ziliang's attendant noted Cheng Ruoyu's "brilliant move" to divert his men, unaware of her true target.
Chou Ziliang, while secretly pleased, remarked that Cheng Ruoyu was "just some small fry" and countered any accusation of being soft by stating there were "plenty of ways" to make Yan Zhi suffer. He then ordered his attendant to have his newly selected Jinziqi soldiers relentlessly pursue and assassinate Li Deyun, intending to frame Cheng Ruoyu for the murder.
His ultimate goal was to force Qi Yan to publicly execute Cheng Ruoyu in front of all civil and military officials, eager to witness the emperor's reaction. The new Left Guard and his men lay in ambush in the forest, expecting Cheng Ruoyu to be with Li Deyun. To their surprise, Cheng Ruoyu was instead protecting Yu Niang, whom she presented as Li Deyun.
A fierce battle ensued, and the new Left Guard, realizing his forces were outmatched, remarked, "Why is Jinziqi so weak?" before ordering a retreat. Cheng Ruoyu and Yu Niang immediately rushed back to Danfeng Tower. There, the real Li Deyun returned, presenting himself to the confused soldiers who had gathered, proclaiming, "Li Deyun is here! If you have anything to ask, speak one by one. Today, there will be an explanation."
He then ordered the arrest of the soldiers who had led the unrest. Suddenly, Qi Yan appeared on the city tower. He addressed the Shen Cai Army, clarifying, "The allegation of cutting military grain supplies is completely fabricated. In the imperial edict I issued, there's no such provision." He chastised them for "blindly belie[ving] rumors and gather[ing] to cause trouble," asking, "The court's grain supplies are meant to support you, a bunch of fools, is it?"
He declared that the imperial edict reflected his will, questioning who had given them such "audacity and authority." Realizing they had been misled by Chou Ziliang, the soldiers collectively knelt, begging for forgiveness. Chou Ziliang arrived shortly after, witnessing the turn of events. Qi Yan, from the tower, confronted him directly, stating, "Duke of Chu. The disturbance caused by the Shen Cai Army is because you failed to manage your troops properly. Do you admit your fault?"
Chou Ziliang, left with no choice, grudgingly admitted his fault. Qi Yan then publicly stripped him of his position as General of the Cavalry, ordering him to reflect at home and await further instructions. Chou Ziliang, realizing he had been outmaneuvered, bitterly remarked that everything had been deliberately arranged by Qi Yan. Qi Yan calmly retorted, "Wasn't all of this your arrangement? I merely took advantage of the situation."
When a guard offered to escort Chou Ziliang, he scornfully dismissed him. Just then, Cheng Ruoyu, Yu Niang, and the Ziyi Bureau women arrived, bolstering Qi Yan's forces. Seeing the formidable display, Chou Ziliang, with a grim warning, "You’re quite impressive. Let’s wait and see," was forced to retreat. Relieved that the immediate crisis was over, Qi Yan, whose chest injury had flared up, almost fainted from the pain.
Cheng Ruoyu rushed to his side, supporting him and helping him back to the palace. Later, as Qi Yan recovered, he acknowledged Cheng Ruoyu’s return, to which she replied that she had "never truly left." They discussed the successful "true and false Li Deyun" strategy, with Cheng Ruoyu crediting Qi Yan's "Danfeng Tower plan" as the foundation, while she had simply added another layer to it. Qi Yan corrected her, stating that "the Danfeng Tower plan wasn't solely His Majesty’s idea."
