Dreaming Back to the Qing Dynasty Episode 30 Recap
> Dreaming Back to the Qing Dynasty Recap
Despite having been Zhao Fengchu’s political adversary and the cause of his death, Yinti still honored Zhao Fengchu as a loyal and principled man. He arrived at Zhao Fengchu’s memorial in the peach orchard, accompanied by Ming Hui, intending to pay his respects. Yinti expressed regret that he could not have Zhao Fengchu work for him in this life, offering a jar of wine and incense.
However, Qixiang, heartbroken over her brother's death, vehemently rejected Yinti’s gesture, stating that a single jar of wine was far from enough to atone for his actions. She urged them to leave before she changed her mind. Ming Hui, displaying open disdain, remarked on the "huge buzz" at the memorial. Wei, observing Ming Hui’s attitude, firmly declared her intention to protect those she loved, regardless of fate, and slapped Ming Hui.
When Ming Hui attempted to retaliate, Yinxiang swiftly intervened, grabbing Ming Hui's hand. He fiercely warned that anyone who dared harm his woman would pay tenfold. Yinti, desiring a peaceful memorial, tried to rein in Ming Hui, telling her to stop causing trouble. However, Qixiang continued her protest, accusing Ming Hui of tormenting and humiliating her brother when he was alive, and stating that Zhao Fengchu’s soul would not rest in peace if Ming Hui was allowed to pay respects.
She demanded that Yinti take Ming Hui and leave. Ming Hui continued to provoke, calling Zhao Fengchu "just an entertainer" and claiming that Yinti’s presence was an honor. Angered by Ming Hui's persistent disrespect, Yinti sternly told her they were leaving and took her away, but not before apologizing to Qixiang for the disturbance and wishing her brother peace. Later, Ming Hui replayed Wei’s slap in her mind, still seething with anger and vowing retaliation.
Yinti warned her against being too clever or stirring up excessive trouble, reminding her that many supposedly smart people in the Forbidden City had met grim fates. Meanwhile, Qixiang grieved, confiding in Wei that she feared growing old and forgetting her brother’s face. Wei consoled her, explaining that a person truly lives on as long as they are remembered by their loved ones, and that Zhao Fengchu would forever reside in her heart.
Yinti, still feeling remorse, presented Wei with Zhao Fengchu’s last gift for Qixiang—a plum blossom, symbolizing an unfulfilled promise. Wei, realizing that Yinti possessed a moral bottom line, thanked him for fulfilling Zhao Fengchu’s last wish. However, she contrasted him with Ming Hui, whom she saw as ruthless and without principles. Yinti then challenged Wei, questioning her unwavering support for Yinzhen, whom he characterized as cold-blooded, especially after his treatment of the Eldest Baylor.
Wei, in turn, defended Yinzhen, asserting that she and Yinxiang had seen genuine affection in his heart. Yinti retorted that even Ming Hui had affection, clearly defending his wife. In the imperial court, news arrived of a significant victory against the Junggar forces, thanks to the replenished military supplies from Yinzhen’s debt recovery efforts. Ministers, citing the long battlefront and the need to boost morale, recommended Yinti to lead the continued campaign, praising his past military achievements in Shandong.
However, Kangxi believed another individual was more suitable and summoned Yinxiang. He also consulted Consort De about Yinxiang. Consort De praised Yinxiang's intelligence and gentle nature, confirming she had raised him as her own and vouched for his character, saying she would be at ease if he shared Kangxi's burdens. Kangxi noted Yinxiang's exceptional talent, mind, courage, and insight, particularly after the Ministry of Revenue’s debt recovery.
He revealed his intention to give Yinxiang command of the army to gain experience and prove himself. Consort De expressed full confidence in Yinxiang, affirming her complete support for Kangxi's decisions, and stating that her only wish for her biological sons, Yinzhen and Yinti, was their safety and health. Kangxi, deeply touched by Consort De's understanding and loyalty, then asked Yinxiang if he would be willing to become the helmsman of the Great Qing.
Yinxiang politely declined the throne, stating his free and uninhibited nature was ill-suited for such a role. He pledged his lifelong loyalty to serve the "wise ruler" in his heart, aiming to pacify the world for the welfare of the people. When Kangxi pressed him to name this ruler, Yinxiang affirmed it was Yinzhen, praising his rationality, decisiveness, and care for the people, foreseeing him as a blessing for the realm.
Though Kangxi expressed concerns about Yinzhen's severity, Yinxiang argued that Yinzhen's coldness prevented emotional bias in judgment, emphasizing that the Qing needed a wise ruler, not merely a benevolent one. Impressed by Yinxiang’s wisdom and loyalty, Kangxi decreed Yinxiang the Grand General for the Junggar campaign, with Yinzhen overseeing the rear, ordering them to bring peace to the border regions.
Yinsi and his faction were alarmed by the news, recognizing that military power was consolidating in the hands of Yinxiang and Yinzhen. Yinsi noted that their strategy of working together worried him. Yinti suggested targeting Yinxiang, believing that crippling Yinxiang would render Yinzhen powerless. Meanwhile, Yinzhen and Yinxiang diligently strategized for the campaign. Yinxiang explained their revised plan: a three-pronged attack from Yumen Pass, through the desert, and securing key locations to prevent enemy reinforcements.
Back at the Thirteenth Prince’s mansion, Wei’s maid informed her that Yinxiang had been humiliated by several generals in the military camp. Yinxiang confirmed that these generals were Yinti’s former subordinates who refused to acknowledge his authority, a tactic Yinti used to undermine him without open defiance. Yinzhen, seeing this as a rejection of himself due to the Eldest Baylor's death and the debt collection, expressed his guilt. Yinxiang, however, remained determined, assuring Yinzhen that he would earn their respect.
He decided to challenge the three generals, renowned wrestling warriors, to a contest. Despite their initial surprise and warnings about the lack of rank in the wrestling pit, Yinxiang insisted they fight with full effort. Yinxiang skillfully defeated all three generals, proving his strength and determination. Afterward, he addressed them, stating his actions were not to humiliate but to demonstrate his resolve to fight alongside them against Junggar and bring peace to the Great Qing.
Deeply impressed and ashamed of their previous disrespect, the three generals pledged their unwavering loyalty to Yinxiang, vowing to follow him into battle to defend their homeland. In the palace, Rongyue was furious that Noble Consort Nalan had refused to restart the polo match, taking out her frustration on her maid. Ming Hui seized the opportunity, offering to help Rongyue. Ming Hui then approached Noble Consort Nalan, flattering her before subtly highlighting the potential benefits of restarting the polo match.
She argued that continuing austerity would diminish the royal family's prestige and, more importantly, that Noble Consort Nalan could reassert her authority in the imperial harem. Ming Hui pointed out that people increasingly sought Consort De for decisions, suggesting the polo match would be an ideal opportunity for Noble Consort Nalan to "boost her prestige" and remind others of her senior position. Convinced, Noble Consort Nalan agreed to reinstate the event.
Thrilled, Rongyue readily agreed to a favor Ming Hui requested in return for her successful persuasion. Wei, feeling a growing sense of unease, was somewhat comforted when Qixiang decided to stay in the Thirteenth Prince’s mansion, declaring it her new home and its inhabitants her family. As Wei prepared for the polo match, her premonition of impending trouble persisted. During the match, Yinxiang escorted Wei, and both Noble Consort Nalan and Consort De were present.
Unbeknownst to most, Rongyue, working with Ming Hui, had bribed a stable boy to startle Wei’s horse. The boy secretly threw white powder at Wei’s horse, causing it to bolt wildly with Wei on its back. Chaos erupted, and Yinxiang, seeing Wei in danger, immediately jumped onto another horse. He raced to her side, pulling her off the runaway horse. As he did so, an arrow, shot by the guards aiming at the crazed horse to protect Wei, struck Yinxiang in the leg.
