Stand By Me Episode 47 Recap
> Stand By Me Recap
Li Deyun confronted Chou Ziliang outside the Hall of Han Yuan, declaring that today would be the eunuch's demise after years of oppression, a day different from the Morning Dew Rebellion from which Chou Ziliang had escaped. Chou Ziliang, in turn, summoned his new Chess Commander, Zuoche, ordering him to lead the Chess Battalion pawns to spill blood and eliminate Qi Yan and his supporters within the Hall of Han Yuan.
Just as chaos erupted, Yan Xiu pushed Yan Zhi onto the scene. Yan Zhi presented a Chess Command Token, which the pawns immediately recognized, shifting their allegiance to her. They discarded their own tokens, rendering Chou Ziliang powerless. Chou Ziliang, in disbelief, tried to appeal to Yan Zhi as his "dear daughter," questioning if she truly meant to shatter his heart. He lamented that any unexpected move in chess indicated a poorly laid strategy, echoing his own words.
He demanded to know why his pawns no longer obeyed him, realizing they were not his people. Emperor Qi Yan then proudly declared, "They are my people." Chou Ziliang, stunned, understood that Qi Yan and Yan Zhi had infiltrated his Chess Battalion with their own spies during his selection of new chess pieces.
One of Qi Yan's loyalists revealed that Zuoche's token had been stolen, allowing their people to replace Chou Ziliang’s loyal "golden chess pieces," adding that Zuoche was too foolish to have seen through such a simple trick. Infuriated, Zuoche reacted and then commanded his remaining guards to charge. Someone also remarked on the excellent coordination between Yan Zhi and Qi Yan, recalling how the pawns had avoided confrontation in the forest, hinting at their long-standing plan.
Meanwhile, Qi Chen, known as Prince Guang, observed the unfolding events from the rooftop of an opposing grand hall. Yu Niang and the Ziyi Bureau operatives formed a protective circle around Qi Yan. Chou Ziliang, despite being cornered, marveled at the "best game of chess" he had ever encountered, acknowledging Yan Zhi's exceptional skill, yet raging that he had fallen into her hands. Yan Zhi countered that he had fallen due to his endless crimes and widespread betrayal.
Chou Ziliang then launched into a furious tirade, claiming to have bestowed Qi Yan's throne, granted the officials their positions, spared Prince Guang's life, and trained his "beasts." He accused Yan Zhi of squandering the eight years of effort he had invested in her. Cheng Ruoyu, unable to tolerate his arrogance, fiercely retorted that Daxing belonged to the Qi clan and Qi Yan was a "True son of the dragon," making Chou Ziliang's claims about the throne absurd.
She reminded him that Prince Guang was the Emperor's uncle, not someone whose life he could spare, and that officials earned their positions through merit, not his patronage. Cheng Ruoyu further articulated the suffering of the Chess Battalion pawns, forced into slavery, and how they despised him. She concluded that Chou Ziliang's evil deeds and betrayal meant that "Today, is your day to die," echoing Yan Zhi's earlier sentiment.
Zuoche, unwilling to simply yield, had his remaining loyal guards attack Yan Zhi. Chou Ziliang tried to rally Zuoche, calling him "Zuo Shi" and claiming him as his own. But Yan Xiu defiantly stated, "I am nobody's dog. My name is Yan Xiu," before swiftly dispatching Zuoche's guards and impaling Zuoche, leaving Chou Ziliang truly isolated. Chou Ziliang, still defiant, dismissed his opponents as "insignificant ants."
Infuriated, Chou Ziliang fought his way through the Ziyi Bureau operatives, charging directly at Yan Zhi. Yan Xiu bravely stepped in front of Yan Zhi to protect her but was overpowered and knocked to the ground by Chou Ziliang. As Chou Ziliang advanced menacingly towards Yan Zhi, Cheng Ruoyu, calling out Chou Ziliang's name, swiftly intervened and engaged him in a fierce battle. Chou Ziliang fought with deadly intent, and Cheng Ruoyu, gradually overwhelmed, was struck down.
As Chou Ziliang raised his sword for a fatal blow, Yan Zhi, still in her wheelchair, courageously pushed herself forward to shield Cheng Ruoyu, taking the sword through her own body. At that critical moment, Emperor Qi Yan, mustering all his remaining strength, drew his bow and shot Chou Ziliang. The immense effort, however, caused his old injuries to resurface, and he coughed up blood.
The Ziyi Bureau operatives quickly capitalized on Chou Ziliang's distraction, surrounding him and binding him tightly with their purple ribbons. Cheng Ruoyu, heartbroken, cried out "Sister!" as Yan Zhi whispered "Ruo Ling" with her last breath before collapsing unconscious. Cheng Ruoyu, holding Yan Zhi, fainted shortly after. Despite his own injuries, Emperor Qi Yan remained steadfastly by Cheng Ruoyu’s side, who was still unconscious.
An attendant offered Qi Yan medicine, but he dismissed concerns about his bleeding hand, focusing solely on Cheng Ruoyu. He asked about Yan Zhi's condition, learning that Consort Shu had not yet escaped danger, and was then informed that Cheng Ruoyu was physically unharmed but remained comatose due to the overwhelming emotional shock she had suffered. Qi Yan struggled to administer medicine to Cheng Ruoyu, fervently wishing for her to awaken and reconcile with her sister, Yan Zhi.
Meanwhile, Tian Shan delivered a grim prognosis for Yan Zhi to Qi Chen, explaining that her already severely injured heart, specifically a previous myocardial deficiency, which had never fully recovered despite long-term care, could not withstand the latest trauma. Tian Shan expressed his powerlessness to save her, apologizing to Qi Chen.
Qi Chen then shared a final, somber moment with Yan Zhi, who told him that he should be happy for her, as she had avenged her great grievance and reunited with Cheng Ruoyu, her sister. While unconscious, Cheng Ruoyu, also known as Ruo Ling or Ruo Qing, heard Emperor Qi Yan's desperate pleas for her to awaken. He implored her to come back, emphasizing that her sister, Yan Zhi, was waiting and needed her encouragement to survive.
Disoriented, Cheng Ruoyu briefly stirred, questioning her whereabouts, but then vivid memories flooded her mind: moments of confrontation, reconciliation, and the tumultuous journey she shared with Yan Zhi. She recalled Yan Zhi telling her to leave, only for Cheng Ruoyu to declare herself Qi Yan’s sword bearer, sworn to live and die with him.
She remembered Yan Zhi’s frustration that Cheng Ruoyu had undone her careful plans, and Yan Zhi’s dramatic challenge to drink poisoned wine, which Cheng Ruoyu accepted, proclaiming her willingness to die if it meant exposing Yan Zhi. Through these fragmented recollections of their complex bond—why Yan Zhi had tried to kill her yet saved her, used her, and betrayed Han Yue—Cheng Ruoyu finally understood. When she fully regained consciousness, Qi Yan, overcome with relief, embraced her, calling her "Yu'er."
Cheng Ruoyu’s first question was about her sister. Qi Yan hesitantly struggled to convey the grim truth, leading Cheng Ruoyu to insist, with increasing urgency, that she had to see Yan Zhi immediately, crying out for her sister. As Cheng Ruoyu rushed off, Qi Yan, weakened by his injuries, stumbled and fell. He fiercely vowed not to collapse, asserting that he would persist until the very end, refusing to yield before his mission was complete.
Yan Zhi lay dying, with Qi Chen, Prince Guang, by her side. She implored him to spare Qi Yan, explaining that although she herself wanted Qi Yan dead, Cheng Ruoyu loved him, and his death would cause her immense grief. Yan Zhi declared that her life's wishes now centered solely on Cheng Ruoyu's happiness and safety, and begged Qi Chen to grant her this final wish, to which he silently assented.
Cheng Ruoyu, having fully regained her memories, rushed in and desperately tried to reassure Yan Zhi that she would find renowned physicians to save her. Yan Zhi gently told her it was too late, stating she had no regrets, having avenged her grievance and reunited with Cheng Ruoyu. Her only lingering concern was Cheng Ruoyu's future.
She urged her sister not to dwell on the past or sadness but to look forward to the new era, where Chou Ziliang had fallen, the eunuch clique was weakened, and everything was beginning anew. Yan Zhi emphasized that this "new life" was bought with countless sacrifices and must be cherished. Cheng Ruoyu tearfully agreed. As her strength waned, Yan Zhi expressed her unease about Prince Guang, admitting she had never been able to fully understand him.
Cheng Ruoyu, still distraught, seemed to misinterpret, asking about "Ashura" (Yan Xiu). Yan Zhi then asked if Cheng Ruoyu remembered the late emperor's imperial will, prompting Cheng Ruoyu to recall fragmented memories of Han Yue jumping in and her grandfather, Wang Yang, holding the edict. Yan Xiu returned with a painting from Yan Zhi’s room, and Yan Zhi revealed that the late emperor's imperial will was concealed within it.
Cheng Ruoyu suddenly remembered her grandfather, Wang Yang, holding the edict before he died, and that he had hidden it in her sachet. A brief flashback showed Wang Yang, calling Cheng Ruoyu "Little Bell," urging her and Yan Zhi to flee while he guarded the edict. Yan Zhi sent Yan Xiu to guard the door, then turned to Cheng Ruoyu.
She explained that while Qi Yan had been coerced by Chou Ziliang, he was still a co-conspirator, even if he had his reasons which he couldn't yet reveal, and she believed these reasons could not be told to a third person. Yan Zhi then gave Cheng Ruoyu the imperial will as a final "protective charm," instructing her to give it to Qi Chen or "someone else" if Qi Yan ever betrayed her, urging her to never let her guard down.
Yan Zhi, sensing her imminent death, pleaded with Cheng Ruoyu to live on, as she was her only family left in the world. She then asked Yan Xiu, who had returned, to treat Cheng Ruoyu as his own sister and protect her, making him promise, which he solemnly did. Yan Zhi, feeling she owed Yan Xiu a great deal in this life, promised to repay him in the next.
With these poignant words, Yan Zhi passed away, leaving both Cheng Ruoyu and Yan Xiu utterly distraught and grief-stricken. Yan Xiu cradled Yan Zhi, assuring her that she would no longer feel pain or suffer. Emperor Qi Yan, reflecting on the arduous struggle, spoke to his late royal brother in his thoughts. He acknowledged that Chou Ziliang had been eliminated and the eunuch clique's power greatly diminished, fulfilling his promise.
Despite the victory, he felt the heavy cost, lamenting the many lives lost and the blood on his hands, yet asserting he had no regrets. He mused that adversity reveals true character and circumstances, considering himself both fortunate and unfortunate. Qi Yan realized that "that man," referring to his uncle Qi Chen (Prince Guang), could no longer hold back his ambitions.
Weary and burdened, Qi Yan confessed his exhaustion and his desire to avoid further bloodshed, especially when his next opponent was his own uncle. Meanwhile, an attendant inquired about Cheng Ruoyu's decision, signaling her unexpected influence in the political landscape. Yuan Du informed Qi Chen that all preparations were complete, awaiting his command. Qi Chen, however, delayed, saying they should wait, stating, "We must let her depart peacefully," referring to Yan Zhi.
Cheng Ruoyu and Yan Xiu respectfully brought Yan Zhi’s coffin to the old residence of their grandfather, Wang Yang. As Cheng Ruoyu stood in the familiar courtyard, she spoke softly to her deceased sister, sharing bittersweet memories of their childhood. She recalled playing hide-and-seek, her own mischievousness leading to a fall from a tree, and Yan Zhi’s comforting presence and the cherry pies she made.
Cheng Ruoyu also remembered reciting poetry with their grandfather, quoting lines about "Leaving home young, chasing glory as a champion. With golden saddle and precious sword seeking fame. Unaware the horse bones chilled by the waters, only seeing evening clouds rise in Dragon City." The poignant memories filled her with a profound sense of loss and longing.
