Dreaming Back to the Qing Dynasty Episode 25 Recap
> Dreaming Back to the Qing Dynasty Recap
Yinxiang and Wei were enjoying themselves at a bustling temple fair. Wei pointed out a trotting horse lantern, reminding Yinxiang of a unique one he had given her. Although he insisted the current one was no match, he promised to get it for her if she desired.
Wei then questioned why he had shown up on their wedding night if he only intended to grant her a title, to which Yinxiang simply replied that since he had married her, she was his wife. Their cheerful moment was interrupted when they encountered Hongli, Yinzhen's son, who was with his nanny while his mother was inside offering incense. After a brief exchange, Yinxiang sent Hongli off. Suddenly, a railing came loose and threatened to fall on Hongli.
Wei, without hesitation, pushed Hongli out of the way, taking the brunt of the impact herself. She collapsed, unconscious, and her mask fell off, revealing her face. Just then, Ming Hui and Yinti passed by, witnessing the scene. Ming Hui was stunned, recognizing Wei, whom she believed had been cremated. A doctor quickly examined Wei, reassuring Yinxiang that she was fine, having only suffered a blow to her forehead that caused her to faint.
He had already treated the wound and stopped the bleeding, advising rest for her recovery. Yinxiang, overcome with guilt, lamented that he was to blame for her injury. Soon after, Imperial Doctor Chen arrived, sent by Yinzhen who had learned that a servant from Yinxiang's mansion had saved Hongli.
Yinxiang, already aware of Yinzhen's lingering feelings for Wei, respectfully declined Imperial Doctor Chen's offer, stating that Yinzhen did not need to worry about a mere servant girl and that he would take care of his own people. When Imperial Doctor Chen reported back, Yinzhen's Princess Consort expressed confusion and suspicion about this "maid" who seemed to hold such importance for both Yinzhen and Yinxiang.
She offered to visit herself, but Yinzhen curtly told her not to meddle and to return to her chambers, leaving her to ponder his unusual concern for a mere maid. The following day in court, Yinzhen cornered Yinxiang, offering his thanks and inquiring about Wei's recovery. Yinxiang responded dismissively, attributing the incident to an accident and repayment for Yinzhen's past kindness, then quickly departed.
During the morning assembly, Yinsi proposed the renovation of the Imperial Ancestral Temple, citing its dilapidated state and recent storm damage. Yinxiang seized the opportunity to counter Yinsi's influence, agreeing to the renovation but suggesting the Crown Prince oversee it to demonstrate his capabilities and filial piety. Emperor Kangxi approved Yinxiang's suggestion, directing the Ministry of Revenue to provide full cooperation. Later, Yinsi, Yintang, and Yin'e expressed frustration over losing the lucrative project to the Crown Prince.
Yinsi noted Yinxiang's remarkably energetic demeanor, which seemed inconsistent with a man grieving for his deceased wife, and found it strange that Yinxiang had not supported Yinzhen. Ming Hui then asserted that Yinxiang's vitality was due to his wife being alive, stunning the others. When pressed, she insisted she and Yinti had seen Wei.
Yinsi asked Yinti directly, who initially admitted he "thought" he saw Wei, but quickly changed his story, claiming it was merely a stranger who looked similar, suggesting Ming Hui was mistaken due to longing. Yinti's determined denial, however, only solidified Ming Hui's conviction that Wei was indeed alive and that Yinti was actively protecting her. Determined, Ming Hui sought out Noble Consort Nalan, revealing her belief that Wei was still alive and expressing fear of implication for deceiving the Emperor.
Noble Consort Nalan, though initially skeptical, was furious at the thought of Yinzhen and Yinxiang deceiving the Emperor to save a woman. She labeled Wei a "femme fatale" who had always caused trouble among the princes and continued to do so even after her supposed death. Ming Hui fueled the fire, recalling Wei's past provocations at Consort De's palace, which led to conflicts between Yinzhen and Yinti.
Seeing an opportunity to undermine Consort De and her sons, Noble Consort Nalan promised to inform Kangxi and ensure the matter was handled, reassuring Ming Hui that she would not be held accountable. Ming Hui profusely thanked Noble Consort Nalan, declaring her trust and viewing her as family, solidifying a powerful alliance between them. Meanwhile, Wei awoke from her unconsciousness to Yinxiang's tender care, where he lovingly fed her medicine.
She playfully remarked that with him, even bitter medicine tasted sweet. Their romantic moment was interrupted when Qixiang brought a cloak, a gift from Yinti. Wei recognized it as one Yinti had given her in the past, immediately realizing that Yinti knew she was alive. Yinxiang deduced that Yinti wasn't threatening them but warning them that her survival could no longer be concealed. Sensing danger, they decided to leave the mansion immediately and take refuge in a secluded suburban retreat.
At the same time, Yinti and Ming Hui were locked in a game of chess, their moves subtly reflecting their ongoing rivalry. Ming Hui acknowledged Yinti's "upper hand" but declared her determination to catch up, while Yinti remarked on her focus on moves rather than strategy. At the suburban retreat, Yinxiang was preparing kabobs for Wei, a task he found surprisingly difficult but was committed to completing for her. Suddenly, Yinsi, Yintang, and Yin'e arrived, demanding to search the premises.
They mocked Yinxiang's contentment, hinting he was hiding a mistress. When Yintang tried to force his way into the inner courtyard, Yinxiang physically stopped him, asserting his right to privacy. Yinsi intervened, stopping the brawl, but Yinxiang defiantly challenged them to search, and Yin'e rashly wagered his own head as a seat if they found no one. After a thorough but fruitless search, Yinsi's faction left, frustrated. Yintang and Yin'e wondered how Wei could have escaped.
Yinsi speculated that Yinxiang had stalled them while Wei was moved, pondering where he might have sent her. Back at the mansion, Shun'er assured Wei that Yinsi's faction would not think to search for them there, but Wei remained deeply concerned about Ming Hui, knowing her sister would relentlessly pursue her. Meanwhile, Yinti, still immersed in his chess game with Ming Hui, suddenly had a realization, muttering "Oh, no. Wei."
Wei and Shun'er's journey back to the city was halted by a rigorous patrol at the city gate, with all passengers ordered to disembark and luggage to be inspected. Panicked, Shun'er suggested returning to Yinxiang, but Wei refused, certain they would be caught if they turned back. Just as their carriage was about to be searched, a servant from Yinti's household appeared, claiming the carriage belonged to their master, successfully helping Wei bypass the inspection.
Later, Ming Hui confronted Yinti, realizing he had intentionally helped Wei escape. She accused him of harboring a "criminal who committed lese majesty." When he remained silent, she concluded that his recent affection had been a performance, and that he had only married her to use her as a "substitute for my sister to sate your lust."
Filled with renewed hatred, Ming Hui declared that she would not let go of the person Yinti wished to save, making a checkmate move in their game, asserting her intent to defeat Wei. Yinti could only ask, "Why can't you let her off?" Wei and Shun'er successfully returned to Yinxiang's mansion, but were immediately met by Eunuch Li, who announced an imperial summons for Wei.
Inside the palace, Noble Consort Nalan was with Emperor Kangxi, humbly apologizing for informing him of Wei's survival and causing him distress. Kangxi assured her it was not her fault, but expressed his fury. He recounted how he had shown mercy by granting Wei's wish to take the blame for Yinxiang and absolving her family, only to be wantonly deceived by her and his sons.
When Wei was brought before him, he directly confronted her: "Aren't you supposed to be dead? Yet you're alive and back. Why did you come back?" He condemned their unpardonable crime. Wei attempted to take full responsibility, but Kangxi, highlighting the conflict between his personal feelings for Yinxiang and his duty as an emperor to uphold the law, demanded to know why she had returned to stir up trouble among the princes after he had already sentenced her to death.
Wei defiantly responded, asking if he truly believed the Imperial City would be peaceful without her, and declared she returned for Yinxiang, stating that like him, she also had people to protect, calling it "human nature." Unmoved by her words, Kangxi dismissed her arguments as "clever talk" and, refusing to grant a second chance, ordered her to be taken away and imprisoned.
Back at the mansion, a distraught Shun'er and Qixiang informed Yinxiang that Eunuch Li had taken Wei to the palace under imperial decree. Realizing the Emperor now knew, Yinxiang immediately set off for Yinzhen's residence. Upon arrival, Yinxiang found Yinzhen preparing to go to the palace to confess and take full responsibility for saving Wei, hoping for a chance at a favorable outcome.
Yinxiang quickly intervened, warning Yinzhen against such a reckless move, explaining it was Yinsi's plot to alienate them from Kangxi and that rushing to save Wei would play directly into their enemies' hands, leading to total defeat. He argued that the most crucial task was not to rescue Wei immediately, but to make Kangxi understand how Yinsi was manipulating him. Yinzhen agreed, realizing Kangxi was still angry and hadn't fully processed the situation, but would eventually see the truth.
Yinxiang declared that they would not be sacrifices this time, vowing to make those who had repeatedly framed them pay the price. Later, Yinxiang sought an audience with Kangxi, specifying that he was not coming to beg for mercy. He presented a balance scale, explaining its pivot represented the Emperor's absolute power, while the weights symbolized the various forces balancing imperial authority.
He warned that if one side became disproportionately heavy, the balance would be shattered, threatening the stability of the Great Qing Dynasty. Kangxi initially dismissed his words as "alarmist talk" and a thinly veiled attempt to intercede for Wei. Yinxiang calmly reiterated his concern for the stability of the empire, then questioned why Wei's matter had repeatedly been brought to the forefront, implying malevolent forces were at play. Kangxi understood Yinxiang suggested someone wished to use him to eliminate Wei.
When asked who, Yinxiang pointed to Yinsi's clique, arguing that if he and Yinzhen were to fall, Yinsi's unchecked power would destabilize the delicate balance Kangxi had painstakingly maintained. Despite Kangxi's initial defense of Yinsi as his brother, Yinxiang requested time to prove "who's fanning the flames of disorder at court and setting up a clique for selfish purposes." Kangxi granted him half a month, with a stern warning of severe punishment for both insubordination and deceiving the Emperor if he failed to deliver. Yinxiang accepted the challenge.
