Ever Night Season 2 Episode 22 Recap
> Ever Night Season 2 Recap
He Mingchi intimidated Zeng Jing, subtly threatening him into resigning. He suggested Zeng Jing claim to be overcome with grief for the late King and thus suffering from a serious illness, providing a "dignified" reason for his departure. He Mingchi warned that if King Li Hunyuan were to strip Zeng Jing of his official position, the repercussions would be severe, implying that without the Imperial Court's protection, Zeng Jing would face certain death upon leaving the capital.
Zeng Jing was left fuming, while He Mingchi remarked that Grand Secretary Wang had been more sensible in a similar situation. Li Hunyuan expressed satisfaction with He Mingchi's actions against Zeng Jing and Grand Secretary Wang, asserting his authority as the King of Tang and stating he would not be swayed by Li Yu.
He then brought He Mingchi to the Royal Observatory to obtain a celestial annotation to legitimize his rule, only to find Miao Kechi, the official in charge, dead by suicide. Enraged, Li Hunyuan concluded that Miao Kechi, unwilling to serve him, must have been loyal to the former Queen Xia Tian. He Mingchi discovered a note in Miao Kechi's hand, which read, "If the dark moon invades stars, the state will be in chaos," clearly implicating Li Hunyuan.
At that moment, Li Yu arrived. Li Hunyuan quickly sent He Mingchi away to avoid her scrutiny. Li Yu saw the note on the floor, and without a word, she left in anger. Following the resignations of Zeng Jing and Grand Secretary Wang, Li Yu vehemently chastised Li Hunyuan for his poor handling of affairs.
She emphasized the critical need to secure firm control over the capital, pointing out that the Armed Cavalry Battalion and Royal Guards were not entirely loyal to them. Li Yu identified Chao Xiaoshu as a crucial figure whose support was needed, especially given that his younger brother, Chang Siwei, commanded the Armed Cavalry Battalion. She summoned both, but only Chang Siwei appeared.
He attempted to explain that Chao Xiaoshu, now a family man, had become a "hen-pecked husband" and was steadfast in his refusal to engage in politics, just as he had rejected an official position in the past. Dismissing his explanation as baseless, Li Yu angrily dismissed Chang Siwei.
She then dispatched Hua Shanyue to the North Camp, tasking him with delaying the return of the former Queen Xia Tian and Sixth Prince Li Hupo to the capital, as she needed the right time and reason to act against the now Queen Mother. Chang Siwei visited Chao Xiaoshu, who advised his Yulong gang members to remain vigilant but take no action until the former Queen Xia Tian and Sixth Prince Li Hupo returned to the capital.
He also told Chang Siwei that in matters concerning the court, their people should adhere strictly to Tang laws. Meanwhile, in Wei City, Ma Shixiang reported a severe shortage of military provisions, having sent three messengers to the North Camp for supplies. Concerned about the troops' morale, former Queen Xia Tian immediately ordered her and Li Hupo's personal rations to be distributed among the soldiers, stating it was what the late King would have done.
Despite Ma Shixiang's concerns for Li Hupo's health, Xia Tian insisted, expressing worry that the provisions from the North Camp might never reach Wei City. Long Qing, leading the Golden Horde light cavalry, had conquered three cities in Yan State within seven days and was now rapidly advancing on Chengjing. The King of Yan State dispatched his son, Chong Ming, to Tang State to request reinforcements, specifically the formidable cavalry with heavy armor, from Li Yu.
Chong Ming expressed concern that Li Yu might be reluctant to deploy such a vital force. Upon learning of Long Qing's offensive, Li Yu discussed military aid with Li Hunyuan. She noted that among Tang's renowned generals, only Xian Zhilang was available. Li Hunyuan, knowing Xian Zhilang was loyal to the former Queen Xia Tian, readily agreed to send him with 4,000 soldiers of cavalry with heavy armor to Chengjing.
He saw this as a strategic move to remove a potential threat by deploying him far away. However, He Mingchi posited that the State-Defending General Xu Shi, with his immense prestige and control over the military, including the Imperial Guards, posed a far greater danger to Li Hunyuan's throne.
Li Hunyuan, having long harbored distrust towards Xu Shi, agreed to eliminate him using West Shrine, planning to issue a secret order for Xu Shi's swift return to the capital, where he would be vulnerable. This plan pleased He Mingchi, who immediately sent a secret message via carrier pigeon to West Shrine. Xiong Chumo received He Mingchi's secret message confirming Li Hunyuan's desire to have Xu Shi assassinated by West Shrine.
Amused by what he considered Li Hunyuan's foolishness, Xiong Chumo instructed Luo Kedi to inform Cui Xuan to ambush and kill Xu Shi in Qinghe County, a necessary route on his return to the capital, thereby seizing the opportunity to claim Qinghe County. He Mingchi reiterated to Li Hunyuan that Xu Shi was now on his "way to death." He Mingchi also continued to press Li Hunyuan about the formation key's whereabouts.
Li Hunyuan reported that he had searched the entire palace without success, and Li Yu seemed unaware of its location. He Mingchi suspected it might be hidden in the Academy and dispatched another secret message to West Shrine that very night. Shortly after, Li Yu urgently informed Li Hunyuan that Long Qing's army was rapidly approaching Chengjing, with over ten northern cities already surrendered and even the North Camp mutinying to Long Qing's side.
Li Hunyuan then revealed that General Xian Zhilang, with 4,000 soldiers of cavalry with heavy armor, was already in an ambush position within Chengjing, poised to trap and destroy Long Qing upon his entry. Secretly, Li Hunyuan harbored hopes for Xian Zhilang's complete annihilation, seeing it as an opportunity to eliminate a significant rival. From Chang Siwei, Chao Xiaoshu learned that Xian Zhilang was leading troops to reinforce Chengjing.
He immediately deduced that this was part of Long Qing's larger scheme, with Tang State as his ultimate target and the attack on Yan State merely a distraction. Unwilling to remain inactive, Chao Xiaoshu and Chang Siwei set out to investigate. Meanwhile, Crown Prince Chong Ming of Yan State learned of Xian Zhilang's arrival outside Chengjing.
He sent envoys to greet the Tang army and instructed them to use fireworks as a signal for a combined attack by Yan and Tang forces against Long Qing. Xian Zhilang, trusting this alliance, led his 4,000 soldiers of cavalry with heavy armor into the city. However, Long Qing and the Golden Horde light cavalry were already positioned within Chengjing. Once the King of Yan State confirmed all preparations were complete, he ordered the fireworks to be lit.
Seeing the signal, Xian Zhilang commanded his cavalry with heavy armor to charge forward, only to find themselves caught in a devastating pincer attack from both the Yan army and the Golden Horde light cavalry. Despite the Tang cavalry's renowned invincibility and heavy armor, Xian Zhilang quickly realized they had fallen into a trap.
He understood that Yan State and Long Qing had colluded with West Shrine, and this ambush was the opening move in a massive war against Tang State, aimed at neutralizing their most formidable military force. Charging to the front, Xian Zhilang vowed to lead his cavalry with heavy armor to break through the encirclement, emphasizing that in this global war against Tang State, they could trust no one but their own people, and prepared to fight another desperate battle.
