Ever Night Season 2 Episode 21 Recap
> Ever Night Season 2 Recap
Hua Shanyue and Xu Chongshan reported to Guardian Princess Li Yu that all of Eunuch Wang's accomplices had been captured. Li Yu ordered them killed, not sparing a single one. Li Hunyuan, who had been targeted and kidnapped, was enraged by the assassination attempt. Li Yu calmed him, telling him to rest as there was important business for the next day. Li Hunyuan then asked if she had already seen the testamentary edict.
The next morning, Li Yu appeared before the court and read the former king's testamentary edict, which declared Third Prince Li Hunyuan as the chosen successor, describing him as "kind by nature, smart and able, very much like me, shall be the right one to inherit my legacy." Li Hunyuan expressed his gratitude, and Li Peiyan was the first to kneel in obedience.
When other officials hesitated and murmured, Li Yu presented the sword of the former king, stating, "The present of the sword is the present of former king himself. Kneel before your king!" Faced with this symbol of authority, all the officials reluctantly knelt. In Wei City, Xia Tian and Li Hupo were in mourning for Li Zhongyi. Li Hupo expressed his desire to guard his father's wake with his mother.
General Ma Shixiang arrived and reported that three days had passed since news of Li Zhongyi's death reached the capital, yet there had been no response. He urged Sixth Prince Li Hupo to return to the capital immediately to claim the throne, fearing unforeseen complications. Xia Tian, however, believed that given the recent deaths of Sage and the King, and the watchful eyes of West Shrine and other states, they should not make a move until the situation was clear.
Ma Shixiang then offered to go to the capital himself to investigate. Both Xia Tian and Li Hupo objected, with Li Hupo stating, "General Ma, protecting Wei City and the people of Tang State, is more important than assuring my throne." Xia Tian ultimately instructed Ma Shixiang to remain in Wei City to protect its people and send a deputy to gather intelligence instead, to which he agreed.
Ma Shixiang later expressed his growing concern to Xia Tian, as his scouts still had not returned, and he cautiously implied that Li Yu might be behind the silence from the capital. Xia Tian, understanding the unspoken implication, cut him off and simply thanked him. Reflecting on the situation, Xia Tian quietly remarked, "Everything is eventual. What will come will come." Zeng Jing and Xu Chongshan met, discussing the suspicious nature of the testamentary edict.
Zeng Jing asserted that the Academy was not the source of the problem, but rather the South Branch of Sect Haotian. He believed that Li Qingshan, as its head, must know the truth behind the edict, suggesting that a cultivator might have interfered with mortal affairs, as ordinary people could not have falsified the former king's authentic handwriting and seal.
Zeng Jing expressed disbelief that the former king would pass the throne to "that one," whom he called "nothing but a loser." They then went to the South Branch, where He Mingchi informed them that Li Qingshan had passed away the previous night. Shortly after, Li Yu and Li Hunyuan arrived. Zeng Jing questioned Li Yu, pointing out that Li Qingshan's death immediately after her visit and the edict's release was "a bit too odd."
An enraged Li Hunyuan ordered Zeng Jing to be beaten 50 times and dragged away. After Li Hunyuan's outburst, Li Yu warned He Mingchi to distance himself from Li Hunyuan, emphasizing that Li Hunyuan was now the King of Tang, and He Mingchi was "way out of his league." After Li Yu departed, Li Hunyuan immediately appointed He Mingchi as the new Master of South Branch of Sect Haotian.
He Mingchi thanked him, but Li Hunyuan corrected his imperial address, reminding him to use "We" instead of "I" when referring to himself as king. In State Yan, the King of Yan learned of Li Zhongyi's death and Li Hunyuan's ascension to the throne, declaring, "God is on our side. Sage is gone and so is the King of Tang. This is the right time to crusade against Tang."
His son Chongming agreed, adding that with "stupid Li Hunyuan" as king, Tang State was nearing its end, and they only needed "a little push." He also mentioned Longqing's recent takeover of the Golden Horde, leading its calvaries south to challenge the King of Yan for his throne before fighting Chongming for his. The King of Yan approved of Longqing's ambition, stating he would wait for his return. Longqing soon arrived and reported to his father.
He warned Chongming against underestimating Li Yu, Li Hunyuan's sister, describing her as a "bad ass" who was rumored to have murdered her husband, the former Chanyu of the Golden Horde, making her "not an easy target." The King of Yan reminded both his sons of their shared goal to destroy Tang, for which they had "been hiding for over a decade for this opportunity to come."
He urged them to work together, proclaiming, "The first shot against Tang should be fired by us, State Yan. My brother, are you ready for it? You can start your move now. I'll be right here waiting for your Golden Horde calvaries to come." Both Longqing and Chongming affirmed their commitment to their father's cause, saying they "won't let father down," and wished "God bless State Yan." Meanwhile, Xiong Chumo received news from Tang State confirming Li Hunyuan's succession.
He called Li Zhongyi a "coward" for choosing "a loser" to inherit the throne, believing Tang was now ripe for chaos after Sage's death. He declared that West Shrine was not just making moves but was "about to crusade against Tang," expecting the rest of the world to follow. He also learned of Li Qingshan's death and He Mingchi's appointment as Master of South Branch, noting He Mingchi's ability to "further influence the situations in capital."
He Mingchi had sent Xiong Chumo a secret letter revealing "Xia Tian is the Saint Virgin of Demonic Cult." Xiong Chumo saw this as the ultimate justification for their crusade, remarking, "Who would have thought the last straw for Tang would be their Queen herself." On the night of the full moon, Ning Que, still grief-stricken by the ascension of Sage and Sang Sang, quietly called out their names.
The Second Disciple, Jun Mo, and First Disciple, Slow Li, reverently gazed at the moon. Slow Li reflected, "If Sage wasn't born then all eternity would be like the longest night." Jun Mo added, "We place our respect for Sage on to the moon in the sky. The moon enlightens the mortal world, frees people from the fear for darkness."
Even Mo Shanshan in her hidden boudoir, and the Drinker and the Butcher, paused their activities to look at the bright full moon, honoring Sage. Ning Que mused on Sage's teaching, "Sage taught us with himself that as long as you have the heart for light, there will be no Eternal Night for you." Late at night, He Mingchi secretly visited the palace and encountered Li Peiyan.
He Mingchi produced intercepted secret letters between Li Peiyan and Xiong Chumo of West Shrine, threatening him. Li Peiyan defiantly tore the letters. He Mingchi then revealed that he too was from West Shrine, and explained that Li Qingshan had died of shame because he helped Li Yu falsify the testamentary edict; the former king, Li Zhongyi, had originally intended to name Li Hupo as his successor.
He Mingchi offered to help Li Peiyan reclaim the throne, stating that this was also the Hierarch's will. Li Peiyan, feeling trapped and constantly monitored in the palace, expressed doubt about how he could achieve this. He Mingchi advised him that his current proximity to Li Hunyuan was an advantage, and that dealing with "a loser like this" didn't require force. Instead, "All you need to do is a little push from behind. And he would fall on his own."
Li Hunyuan spent his days in the palace idly playing with eunuchs, while Li Yu handled all state affairs, only requiring his signature. Li Yu angrily reprimanded him for neglecting her order to visit Zeng Jing, explaining that as King, his priority should be to win over people's hearts in these turbulent times, not to act on personal preferences. Despite his reluctance, Li Hunyuan agreed to go.
As he left, he met Li Peiyan, who noticed his foul mood and offered to take him for a drink of "Autumn Dew White" wine at his residence. A eunuch reminded Li Hunyuan of Li Yu's instructions not to drink too much, but Li Peiyan strategically stoked Li Hunyuan's resentment towards Li Yu, suggesting that Li Hunyuan's status as King was hampered by her control. Li Hunyuan, feeling controlled, decided to accept Li Peiyan's invitation.
At Li Peiyan's residence, Li Peiyan candidly remarked that Li Hunyuan was perhaps the most carefree king in Tang history, implicitly questioning if he wished to remain Li Yu's puppet. Li Hunyuan admitted he didn't want to clash with his sister but felt powerless, with Li Yu managing all affairs.
Observing the bright full moon, Li Peiyan reminded Li Hunyuan of the "starless night" seven years prior, when Miao Kechi, the supervisor of the Royal Observatory, had made a prophecy—"If stars are covered by the night, Tang State will be in chaos"—which led to Li Yu being forced into a political marriage in the Golden Horde.
Li Peiyan suggested they use a similar tactic now, noting that Xia Tian (the Queen) and Li Hupo were isolated in Wei City, and Li Yu had suppressed their supporters. He argued that the Royal Observatory, despite its claims of impartiality, had previously bent to political will.
He predicted that a new prophecy, if framed correctly, could "leave the Queen [Xia Tian] with no way back," a development Li Hunyuan eagerly anticipated, believing it would please Li Yu and potentially prompt her to cede authority to him. Li Hunyuan eagerly agreed, again using "I" instead of "We," which Li Peiyan promptly corrected. The next morning, Li Hunyuan sent He Mingchi to visit Zeng Jing. He Mingchi conveyed the King's concern for Zeng Jing's health. When Zeng Jing humbly stated he didn't deserve such attention, He Mingchi bluntly advised him to "back off." Zeng Jing questioned the meaning of his words.
