Dreaming Back to the Qing Dynasty Episode 23 Recap
> Dreaming Back to the Qing Dynasty Recap
Yin'e, the Tenth Prince, gloated over Yinxiang's current state of despair, believing they had successfully eliminated a significant rival. However, Yinsi, the Eighth Prince, remained cautious. He had already dispatched Yintang, the Ninth Prince, to keep a close watch on Yinzhen's activities. Yintang reported that Yinzhen had recently sent his men to escort an escort fleet with no apparent connection to him, and intelligence suggested there was an unidentified woman among them.
Yinsi suspected that Wei might still be alive and ordered Yintang to conduct a thorough search until Wei was found, declaring, "We'd rather kill the innocent than let her escape." Wei attempted to enter the capital, but found the city gates under strict scrutiny as several princes were preparing to pray for Emperor Kangxi. As she navigated the streets, Yinsi, Yintang, and Yin'e spotted her suspicious figure and pursued her on horseback.
In a critical moment, a carriage abruptly blocked their path, allowing Fourth Princess Consort to swiftly pull Wei inside. Once safe within the carriage, Fourth Princess Consort made it clear to Wei that her actions were solely for Yinzhen's sake. Back at Yinzhen's mansion, his other concubines, particularly Nian, were enraged upon discovering that Fourth Princess Consort had saved Wei.
Nian confronted Fourth Princess Consort, asking why she would help the woman who had so captivated Yinzhen's heart, risking everything while Yinzhen seemed indifferent to them. Fourth Princess Consort calmly dismissed Nian's complaints, stating that as Yinzhen's legal wife, it was her duty to do what was best for him, even if that meant protecting someone he cherished. Later, Yinzhen personally thanked Fourth Princess Consort, acknowledging her wisdom and timely assistance in the crisis.
To keep Wei hidden from Yinsi and his allies, Fourth Princess Consort discreetly arranged for her to stay at a Buddhist nunnery on the city's outskirts. She explained to Yinzhen that bringing Wei into the mansion too soon would draw unwanted attention, especially since the secret of Wei's faked death, an act of treachery against the Emperor, was still a sensitive matter. Wei would remain there until the immediate danger passed.
Despite her outward composure, Fourth Princess Consort later confessed to another concubine that she harbored deep pain, resentment, and anger. She resented Yinzhen's prolonged depression over Wei, his reluctance to smile at her, and his willingness to commit an act of treachery against the Emperor and risk his family's safety, all for Wei, who was now married to his brother. Yet, she reaffirmed her unwavering commitment as Yinzhen's first wife.
She vowed to endure hardships, make Yinzhen happy, share his burdens, and protect anyone he cherished, believing that everything she did was ultimately for him. Meanwhile, at the nunnery, several workers and cooks had fallen ill due to the cold weather. With princes and princess consorts soon arriving for prayers, the kitchen faced a heavy workload.
Wei was assigned to help and received instructions on the nunnery's layout, specifically being warned to avoid the area designated for the princes and not to wander freely to prevent offending any high-ranking visitors. Back at his own residence, Yinxiang suffered from sleepless nights, consumed by his longing for Wei. Qixiang, witnessing his pining away, tried to hint that Wei might be alive. She expressed concern for Yinxiang's health, mentioning how distressed his late princess consort would be.
Yinxiang, however, cut her off, stating that he knew Wei wanted him to live well, but found it incredibly difficult. As he prepared to depart for the nunnery to pray for Emperor Kangxi, Qixiang attempted to speak again, but Yinxiang, prioritizing the Emperor's prayers, instructed her to discuss it upon his return. At the nunnery, the princes gathered for prayers.
Yin'e and Yintang took the opportunity to openly mock Yinzhen's absence, implying his slackness, while praising Yinsi and Yinti's military prowess. Yinxiang intervened, reminding them that the Emperor's will was beyond their judgment and defending Yinzhen, stating that Yinzhen was ill and had asked him to represent him in prayer. Fourth Princess Consort corroborated this, explaining that Yinzhen had been busy handling various matters and had simply succumbed to fatigue.
During the prayer offerings, Yinxiang noticed that the refreshments included jasmine tea and chestnut cake, his favorite combination, which he had once shared with Wei. Later, while walking alone through the nunnery grounds, Yinxiang heard a familiar whistle, one he had taught Wei. He called out her name repeatedly, but received no response, wondering if she still blamed him for their separation. Wei, hidden nearby, heard his calls and wept silently, knowing she couldn't reveal herself.
Yinxiang then discovered the jade thumb ring he had given her hanging on a tree. Realizing Wei was alive and close, he yearned to reunite. However, the presence of eunuchs nearby made Wei decide it was not the right time, as revealing herself could jeopardize both their safety. She understood that they both needed to be patient. Upon returning to his mansion, Yinxiang urgently told Qixiang that he needed her help to rescue "his wife" from the nunnery.
Qixiang, initially confused, then revealed the truth: Wei was alive and had been rescued by Yinzhen and herself. She explained that on the eve of Wei's execution, she had secretly sewn fire-retardant silk into Wei's clothes and added a special powder from Yinzhen to the poisonous wine, inducing a fake death. Yinzhen had then skillfully tampered with the shroud, allowing them to spirit Wei away.
Qixiang had kept the secret to protect Yinxiang from the dangerous knowledge and to avoid giving him false hope while Wei was in critical condition. She added that Wei should have been recuperating at Yinzhen's separate residence, making her presence at the nunnery a surprise. Overwhelmed by the revelation and the suffering Wei had endured, Yinxiang dismissed all other concerns and ordered Qixiang to bring Wei back to him immediately.
Meanwhile, at a victory feast, Yinsi commended Yinti's leadership and Minghui's strategic contributions as a military counselor. Minghui, feigning modesty, expressed her sole ambition: to find a good husband and stay with him forever, casting a meaningful glance at Yinti. Yinsi encouraged Yinti to help her find this "good man." Yinti, visibly uncomfortable, quickly excused himself, citing the need to train troops the next morning. Yinsi then instructed Yinti to escort Minghui back.
Alone, Minghui pressed Yinti about his coldness, but he sternly rebuked her "petty tricks," stating that their differences were irreconcilable. Minghui, however, remained persistent, claiming that "faith can move mountains" and that their future was still open. Yinti reiterated his complete lack of interest in her.
Back at Yinxiang's residence, Qixiang executed her plan: she arranged for the nunnery's abbesses to visit Thirteenth Princess Consort's mansion to perform religious rites, explicitly requesting that the nun responsible for making chestnut cake (Wei) accompany them. This ingenious method allowed Wei to return to the mansion unnoticed. Inside, Wei found her chamber meticulously preserved, every item as she had left it, a testament to Yinxiang's devotion. She privately vowed to remain by his side forever.
Qixiang informed Wei that, due to the serious offense of faking her death, she would need to remain disguised as a maid within the household. She then directed Wei to Yinxiang, who was waiting in his study, signifying that from this point forward, their journey together would truly begin. Yinxiang had transformed the long corridor, adorning it with numerous trotting horse lanterns he had meticulously crafted for Wei. There, they finally reunited.
Wei explained that her appearance at the nunnery was due to her overwhelming longing for him, causing her to leave Yinzhen's planned arrangements prematurely. She expressed profound gratitude to Yinzhen, acknowledging that his intervention had prevented her survival from being exposed, thus ensuring their reunion. Yinxiang, his face pining away from worry, listened intently, recognizing Yinzhen's profound kindness. Wei gently teased Yinxiang about his haggard appearance, and he, in turn, acknowledged her concern.
He returned the jade thumb ring to her, and they embraced tenderly. Yinxiang made Wei promise never to act impulsively or sacrifice her life for him again, insisting that she consult him on every decision. Wei agreed, affirming their unbreakable bond: "You and I are a couple. We don't owe each other. And we will never separate." Later, Yinti led his troops into another battle, but they were ambushed by cunning rebels.
To save his soldiers, Yinti bravely lured the rebels away by himself, disappearing from contact. Minghui, distraught and unwilling to await news, immediately rode out alone into the treacherous, mountainous terrain to search for him. She was attacked by bandits, but a wounded Yinti appeared, saving her. Despite his injuries, Yinti fought fiercely against several assailants. In a desperate move, Minghui seized a knife and killed two of the bandits, allowing them to escape. Exhausted, Yinti then collapsed.
