Dreaming Back to the Qing Dynasty Episode 11 Recap
> Dreaming Back to the Qing Dynasty Recap
Wei awoke disoriented in Yinxiang's tent, realizing she had fallen asleep there hand-in-hand with him, leaning on the same pillow until dawn, and worrying about the implications. Remembering Yinzhen, she rushed towards his tent, where she was met by Donglian, who warned her that Consort De was with Yinzhen and would be displeased by her absence. Upon entering, Consort De questioned Wei's whereabouts, expressing disappointment that Wei had not diligently served Yinzhen.
Yinzhen quickly intervened, explaining he had sent Wei to care for Yinxiang, who was also seriously injured, so he could recover without worry. Relieved, Consort De praised Wei for her conscientiousness and instructed her to remain in Yinzhen's tent that night, assuring her that a physician would be attending to Yinzhen, and she would feel more at ease with Wei by his side.
Later, Yinzhen and Wei discussed roasted oranges, a subtle reference to their past connection, though they both claimed to have forgotten for whom Yinzhen had previously prepared them. Yinzhen then earnestly told Wei that despite how she might perceive him, he had never deceived her and his sincerity towards her grew with each passing day. He urged her to protect herself, stating his well-being depended on hers.
Wei, meanwhile, was grappling with her feelings, reminding herself that Yinzhen was the one she had traveled three hundred years to find, but also touched by Yinxiang's kindness, and that she should not harbor conflicted thoughts. At the winter hunt's celebration, Emperor Kangxi commended Yinzhen, Yinxiang, and Yinti for their bravery in protecting him and capturing the black bear. Yinxiang highlighted Wei's crucial role in leading the bear away, prompting Kangxi to summon her for a reward.
Impressed by Wei's delicate appearance yet extraordinary courage and ingenuity, Kangxi offered her any reward. Wei humbly declined material wealth, instead requesting that the mother bear and its cub be released to reunite and live freely. Yinsi, however, objected, arguing that an animal's life was insignificant compared to the Emperor's safety and that releasing the bear could pose future risks. Kangxi then asked Wei to elaborate on her unusual request.
Wei passionately explained that all living beings possess emotions, and just as humans cherish family, animals display deep maternal love. She emphasized that the mother bear's desperate fight was solely to protect its cub, appealing to Kangxi's empathy. Moved by her words and acknowledging the profound bond of "blood is thicker than water," Kangxi granted her request. Yinti accompanied Wei to oversee the release of the bears. Wei, noticing a change in Yinti, remarked that he seemed different.
Yinti, having ensured imperial doctors had treated the mother bear's injuries under threat of severe punishment, then shared his cynical view of the imperial court. He likened it to a dangerous forest where "the weak stand as an easy prey to the strong," where "only the fittest can survive" through ruthless competition, leaving no room for kindness. Wei questioned if deception was also a necessary act in this environment, to which Yinti admitted it was.
He then expressed regret that his past deceptions had cost him Wei's trust and smile, acknowledging that broken trust is difficult to mend. Elsewhere, Yintang and Yin'e openly mocked the Crown Prince for his misfortune during the winter hunt, suggesting Emperor Kangxi would soon depose the "good-for-nothing" heir. Disheartened, the Crown Prince wandered through the palace gardens, finding solace in the resilience of red plum blossoms that bloomed against the cold, yet feeling his own spirit crushed by adversity.
He was then confronted by Rongyue, who rudely accused him of plucking plum blossoms reserved for Noble Consort Nalan, even after learning his identity. Xiaochun arrived just in time, deftly defending the Crown Prince by reminding Rongyue of his imperial status and the impropriety of her disrespectful attitude. Rongyue apologized and left. The Crown Prince confided in Xiaochun, expressing his profound despair.
He lamented that the winter hunt had made him a target of mockery, causing even his former supporters to waver. He confessed his anxiety about the upcoming military review, where he anticipated sabotage from Yinsi's faction, fearing he would fail to control the situation and further disappoint Kangxi. To bolster his spirits, Xiaochun presented him with a meticulously woven bracelet, explaining that in her homeland, such a gift was given to warriors for protection and victory.
She urged him to wear it, assuring him that confidence would follow, and he would undoubtedly succeed. Touched by her encouragement, the Crown Prince promised to wear the bracelet. The day of the military review arrived, and Yintang and Yin'e were heard inciting soldiers to disrespect the Crown Prince, openly questioning Kangxi's decision to send him and predicting his humiliation. As the soldiers sarcastically challenged him, the Crown Prince recalled Xiaochun's words and clutched the bracelet.
With newfound resolve, he sternly asserted his authority, commanding obedience. When a soldier openly defied him, questioning his right to lead, the Crown Prince delivered a powerful rebuke on military discipline, comparing the troops' disarray to "stragglers and disbanded soldiers" and condemning their insubordination. He ordered the defiant soldier to be arrested and punished under military law. He then declared that he would report any outstanding performance directly to Kangxi, successfully taking command of the situation.
After the review, the Crown Prince eagerly sought out Xiaochun, profusely thanking her for helping him restore his dignity. In a moment of unguarded emotion, he embraced her, quickly apologizing for his impulsiveness. Despite this success, he still harbored deep anxieties, confessing to Xiaochun his fear that he could never truly earn Kangxi's respect or meet his high expectations, feeling that no matter how hard he tried, he always fell short.
Xiaochun reassured him, reminding him of his innate imperial status and urging him to trust himself, promising that with time, Kangxi would recognize his efforts. In the Palace of Eternal Spring, Wei experienced a shift in status. Palace maids, once her equals, now deferred to her, refusing to let her perform chores.
Yinti explained that her heroic act during the winter hunt had made her a "big hero" to Kangxi, elevating her family's standing and making the Yalartai family a sought-after ally for various factions. Wei acknowledged the dangers of her newfound prominence, understanding that "the higher I am, the worse I fall." Instead of her mother, Ming Hui arrived to visit Wei, claiming their mother was ill. Wei, carrying snacks to the opera stage, accidentally bumped into Yinzhen's concubine Consort Nian.
Consort Nian harshly reprimanded Wei and forced her to pick up broken porcelain shards by hand. Yinzhen arrived, implicitly rebuking Consort Nian for her cruelty by personally tending to Wei's injury, clearly showing his affection for Wei. Later, at a gathering of the princes, they discussed Yinglu's rising status, crediting it to Wei's actions during the hunt, and speculated on which prince Yinglu would align with, implying it depended on Wei's personal affections.
Yinxiang defended Wei, arguing that Yinsi had also praised Yinglu, and that the others' comments were divisive. Yinsi clarified his support for Yinglu but subtly suggested that the outcome still hinged on Wei's "heart." As Yinzhen and Yinxiang exchanged glances, Yin'e provocatively challenged Wei to drink. Yinzhen attempted to intervene and drink on her behalf, but Wei bravely took the glass and drank it herself. Yinti then pulled Wei aside to a secluded spot, admonishing her for her indecision.
He warned her that her "wavering and equivocal attitude" could lead to severe consequences she could not bear, emphasizing that while a cup of wine could be divided, her heart could not. Wei expressed regret for inadvertently causing friction between Yinzhen and Yinxiang, reaffirming that Yinzhen was the one she truly sought.
Yinti, despite his harsh words, seemed to genuinely care, explaining that if she didn't resolve the situation, she would be the one hurt, and no one would be able to protect her. Wei, though finding his words unpleasant, acknowledged their validity and promised to reflect on them. Wei returned to Consort De, where she saw Ming Hui trying to ingratiate herself.
Ming Hui presented Consort De with homemade hawthorn cake, ostensibly prepared for Wei's indigestion, and skillfully highlighted her own "sisterly affection," earning Consort De's praise for her "clever and sensible" nature. Noble Consort Nalan, who was also present, found Ming Hui amiable and invited her to stay in the Palace of Prolonging Happiness. Consort De endorsed the arrangement, promising to send an imperial doctor to care for Ming Hui's mother, thus facilitating Ming Hui's stay.
Later, Yinti found Ming Hui playing a zither, her music infused with a subtle anger. Yinti, who knew Ming Hui from childhood, subtly acknowledged her ruthless nature, complimenting her playing while pointedly asking who had provoked her and how she intended to retaliate, implying an understanding of her manipulative personality.
