Dreaming Back to the Qing Dynasty Episode 28 Recap
> Dreaming Back to the Qing Dynasty Recap
Yinzhen, accompanied by his men, arrived at Eldest Baylor’s mansion early in the morning, demanding to inspect large boxes belonging to Zhao Fengchu’s opera troupe. Despite Eldest Baylor’s and Zhao Fengchu’s protests that the boxes contained only costumes and props essential for their livelihood, Yinzhen insisted on opening them, promising to compensate for any damage. Upon inspection, the boxes indeed held only opera costumes and props, and Yinzhen found nothing incriminating. He then withdrew his men.
After Yinzhen left, Eldest Baylor revealed that Zhao Fengchu had cleverly anticipated Yinzhen's move and had secretly transported the money out of the capital the previous night. Later, Eldest Baylor recounted the event to his allies, praising Zhao Fengchu's quick thinking. Yin'e, however, remained unconvinced, complaining about his own money being confiscated and expressing distrust towards Zhao Fengchu, whom he called a "lowly actor."
Yinsi, now more trusting of Zhao Fengchu after the successful evasion, scolded Yin'e and agreed to Zhao Fengchu’s proposal to consolidate all their remaining assets to be transported out of the capital in one go. Some of the Eighth Prince Party members voiced concerns about the high risk of such a move, but Yinsi dismissed their fears, emphasizing the urgency as Yinzhen was closing in.
Yinti, still suspicious, stopped Zhao Fengchu and questioned the perilous plan, fearing it could lead to their complete downfall. Zhao Fengchu confidently explained his strategy, stating that Yinzhen’s ruthless tactics required an unexpected, high-risk maneuver. He asserted that he understood people by observing with his heart, not just his eyes. Yinti, acknowledging Zhao Fengchu’s sharp intellect, remarked that he would be a formidable opponent if not on their side.
Meanwhile, Wei playfully snatched a brocade box containing "Immortal Flowers" from Qixiang, angering the girl greatly. Qixiang fiercely guarded the box, claiming it was a gift from her brother, who would soon come to take her away from Wei's "annoying face" forever. Later, Yinti invited Yinxiang to an opera performance by Zhao Fengchu. During the performance, Yinti subtly probed Yinxiang about his relationship with Zhao Fengchu, suggesting that the "drama off-stage is often more exciting than on-stage."
Following this, Yinxiang visited Yinzhen late at night, expressing concern that Zhao Fengchu's identity as their spy might have been compromised due to Yinti's questioning. Yinzhen, after careful consideration, concluded that Yinti did not yet have absolute proof. He stressed that they could not afford to withdraw Zhao Fengchu now, as it would render all their previous efforts futile and jeopardize the 200,000 soldiers on the front lines who desperately needed the funds.
He insisted that the risk was "worth taking" even with a slim chance of success. Despite Yinzhen's decision, Yinxiang met with Zhao Fengchu in secret, ordering him to pull out of the mission due to the danger. Zhao Fengchu, however, refused to abandon the crucial mission. He countered by asking if the money was "extremely important" for the troops and suffering populace.
He then confidently asserted his "full confidence," citing his years of cautious infiltration among the Eighth Prince Party, and proposed using Yinti's suspicious nature against him to uncover the location of the stolen treasury funds. Yinxiang, still hesitant and concerned about Qixiang, mentioned her longing for her brother. Zhao Fengchu acknowledged his debt to his sister but reaffirmed his commitment to the mission. Reluctantly, Yinxiang agreed to trust him.
Yinxiang, still troubled by Qixiang’s situation, later shared the story of the "Immortal Flowers" with Wei. He explained that Zhao Fengchu, Qixiang’s brother, had been performing dangerous tasks for Yinzhen and him, making it impossible for him to see his sister. To ease her longing and prevent her from worrying, he made a handmade "Immortal Flower" for her each year, promising to take her away to start a new life once she had seven flowers filling her brocade box.
Wei was deeply moved and realized that Zhao Fengchu was indeed the actor she had met. Yinxiang confirmed Zhao Fengchu's identity as their spy and his perilous situation, appealing to Wei for her help in their coordinated efforts. Wei, deeply empathetic, readily agreed. Meanwhile, Qixiang and Wei went to buy fabric, with Qixiang excitedly talking about making new clothes for her brother.
She passionately described him as "the greatest man in this world," "handsome and competent," someone who always kept his promises, and whom she frequently dreamt of. She eagerly anticipated him coming to pick her up soon. Wei, observing Qixiang's innocent hope, strengthened her resolve to help Zhao Fengchu. Wei then visited Consort De, bringing her favorite butter cookies, where Ming Hui was also present.
Wei innocently mentioned that Yinxiang and Yinzhen had finished "scooping the small shrimps" and had now "caught the biggest fish" in their efforts to collect funds for the Ministry of Revenue. Ming Hui, initially dismissive, grew suspicious due to Wei’s confident demeanor, feeling that Wei might have hinted at something important. Later that night, Ming Hui warned Yinti to be cautious with the gold transport operation, questioning the trustworthiness of everyone involved and specifically mentioning Zhao Fengchu.
Yinti, however, dismissed her concerns, instructing her to focus on her duties as a princess consort. After Yinti departed, Ming Hui, still uneasy, made her way to the location of Eldest Baylor’s vault. Zhao Fengchu followed her. He located the vault, acknowledging Ming Hui's unwitting assistance in leading him there. However, this was a trap set by Yinti. Yinti suddenly appeared, revealing he had anticipated Zhao Fengchu's move, and ordered his men to capture him.
Zhao Fengchu subsequently vanished without a trace. With Zhao Fengchu missing, Yinxiang anxiously sought news from Yinzhen, who urged him to remain calm, emphasizing that acting impulsively would not save Zhao Fengchu or recover the money. Yinxiang then went to Yinti to propose a prisoner exchange. Simultaneously, news reached the Eighth Prince Party that Eldest Baylor had been arrested by Yinzhen.
Yin'e panicked, fearing that Eldest Baylor, being "tender and delicate," would quickly confess under Yinzhen's "heartless and cruel" interrogation, thus exposing them all. He suggested exchanging Zhao Fengchu for Eldest Baylor, but Yintang vehemently disagreed, pointing out that Zhao Fengchu knew too much. Yinti, maintaining his composure, asserted that Eldest Baylor, despite his outwardly feminine appearance, possessed a strong sense of "loyalty" and would not break easily.
He believed that Eldest Baylor's resilience would buy them enough time for the political situation to shift in their favor, causing Yinzhen and Yinxiang to "lose." Yinxiang thoroughly searched Eldest Baylor’s mansion but found no sign of Zhao Fengchu. He then went to the prison where Yinzhen was interrogating Eldest Baylor.
Despite visible injuries, Eldest Baylor defiantly mocked Yinzhen’s men for their ineffective lashes, daring Yinzhen to whip him himself and swearing never to confess, vowing that if he cried out once in pain, he would admit to being born in a brothel. Seeing no progress, Yinxiang suggested they couldn't afford to waste more time. Yinzhen sent Yinxiang to continue searching for Zhao Fengchu while he stayed to "make him talk."
Yinzhen then had Eldest Baylor untied and offered him fine wine and food. Eldest Baylor, imagining himself a "hero" from an opera, reiterated his commitment to "loyalty" and refused to reveal the vault's location, no matter the torment. Yinzhen offered him a drink, which Eldest Baylor suspected was poisoned.
Yinzhen confirmed the wine contained a substance to destroy his voice, threatening to also "destroy his hands" and slowly take away "everything he cherished" if he did not confess, promising to make his life "worse than death." Eldest Baylor, enraged, cursed Yinzhen. Back at his residence, Yinxiang confided in Wei, expressing his deep fear for Zhao Fengchu's fate and his apprehension about facing Qixiang.
Wei tried to reassure him, arguing that as long as Eldest Baylor remained captive, Yinti and his allies would keep Zhao Fengchu alive as leverage. Suddenly, Wei noticed a burdock, "Xanthium sibiricum", on Yinxiang's robe. Yinxiang confirmed he hadn't left the capital after searching Eldest Baylor’s mansion. Wei recalled that this herb only grew in the southern mountains near the capital.
Yinxiang immediately realized that the burdock must have come from Eldest Baylor's carriage when their vehicles brushed past each other, indicating that the carriage had traveled to the southern mountains. With this crucial lead, Yinxiang quickly ordered his horse to be prepared.
