General and I Episode 17 Recap
> General and I Recap
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Princess Yaotian, preparing for her first court session, was visited by Prime Minister Gui Changqing. He humbly greeted her, acknowledging her new role as Bailan's ruler. He recalled escorting her to Liang State years ago and expressed his long-awaited anticipation for her return. Yaotian thanked him for his meticulous planning and mediation that secured peace for Bailan and allowed her to return. She also vowed to heed his advice to act with caution.
Gui Changqing then suggested that Bailan, a state that cannot be without a king, needed her to select a prince consort quickly and bear a prince to guarantee its long-term prosperity. He initially recommended his son, Gui Yan, but Yaotian revealed her heart was set on Young Prince Jing'an, He Xia.
Gui Changqing, swiftly changing his tone, praised He Xia and Chu Beijie as equally renowned generals, acknowledging that a war general is most precious in these times of gathering war clouds. He agreed that marrying He Xia would create an "iron and steel barrier" for Bailan. However, he immediately tempered his praise with a warning, suggesting that He Xia's ambition might make him difficult to control long-term.
Yaotian, confident in her choice, asserted that "not easy doesn't mean it's impossible" and that with Gui Changqing's strategy by her side, she was sure she could win He Xia's heart. She stated she had considered this for many days and believed no one was better suited than him.
At her first court session, the ministers, led by Official Lu Rongze, immediately pressured Princess Yaotian to crown a new king, citing that a state cannot be without a monarch and that ancestral law forbade a female ruler. Yaotian calmly addressed the court, acknowledging she had taken power during a crisis but swore an oath to Heaven that she would forever be the Princess of Bailan and never proclaim herself king.
Meanwhile, in Jin, the King, distraught by recent losses, sank into a life of revelry, indulging in drink and the company of consorts. Zhang Guifei approached him, stating she had been entrusted with the phoenix seal by the late Queen's oral decree. She feigned discomfort with holding such a significant item and offered to return it, urging the King to choose another person.
The King, suffering a headache and disoriented, merely told her to keep it and to consult her father, Chancellor Zhang, if she faced any difficulties before dismissing her to continue his dissipation. Far away, Chu Beijie tirelessly sought to aid Bai Pingting's recovery. He returned with a basket full of rare roseroot, which he had laboriously gathered from deep within the cold, high-altitude mountains.
Zui Ju, upon seeing the quantity, was surprised and explained that Chu Beijie must have gone to great lengths to find such precious herbs. As Chu Beijie anxiously tried to feed the medicine to the unconscious Bai Pingting, he grew frustrated when the liquid spilled from her lips. He impatiently pressed Zui Ju about the effectiveness of her medicines, fearing they might prolong Bai Pingting's coma.
Exasperated by his accusations, Zui Ju threatened to leave and travel the world with her master, rather than endure his ingratitude. Chu Beijie quickly apologized, admitting his anxiety stemmed from seeing Bai Pingting so ill. Zui Ju then proposed an alternative method her master had taught: a steaming medical bath, using the potent herbs to allow Bai Pingting to absorb medicine through her skin and breath, thereby improving blood circulation and dispelling stasis.
She then asked Chu Beijie and Mo Ran to leave so she could prepare Bai Pingting for the bath. In Bailan, Gui Changqing, leading a procession of court officials, went to the Lingyu Gate to receive He Xia. Some ministers grumbled about being made to wait for a "young lad," but Gui Changqing silenced them.
Upon He Xia's arrival, Gui Changqing feigned politeness, but then, citing Bailan's ancestral laws, informed He Xia that only members of the royal family or high court officials could enter through the main gate, forcing him to use a side entrance. When He Xia mentioned he had been bestowed the title of Generalissimo of the Flying Cavalry by Princess Yaotian, Gui Changqing sarcastically asked for proof, such as an official seal or decree, which He Xia did not possess.
He Xia was forced to comply. Once inside, Gui Changqing revealed that Princess Yaotian intended to make him Prince Consort, a position coveted by many. However, he warned He Xia that as Prince Consort, he must behave, abide by Bailan's laws, serve Yaotian without question, and discard his former title, as it was no longer necessary.
Gui Changqing further stressed that Bailan's royal palace was more complex than it seemed, and to survive, He Xia must "take the right side," emphasizing the "ruler and subject" dynamic. After this veiled threat, He Xia feigned sudden illness and stated he could not meet the Princess that day, excusing himself. Gui Changqing mockingly granted him leave, advising him to "assess his capabilities and act accordingly" and that "knowing how to protect yourself is a good thing."
Princess Yaotian, who had been excitedly adorning herself to meet He Xia, was crestfallen when Gui Changqing returned alone. He reported that He Xia felt "unworthy" and could not accept her kind intentions, thus he had left. Yaotian was visibly saddened, lamenting that she had "imagined her love would be reciprocated." Despite her disappointment, she quickly composed herself and instructed her attendant to prepare her court garment for the next session.
Back in court, the pressure on Princess Yaotian mounted as ministers continued to urge her to choose a consort. While Gui Changqing outwardly appeared supportive, reassuring the court that the Princess was young and would bear a royal heir, he subtly pushed for a decision. When pressed again by Official Lu Rongze, Gui Changqing seized the opportunity. He then surprisingly suggested his own son, Gui Yan, as a suitable prince consort, playing on He Xia's continued absence and Yaotian's hesitation.
Just as Yaotian wavered, a eunuch announced the unexpected arrival of someone claiming to be He Xia. Yaotian's heart lightened, and a smile touched her lips. He Xia, carrying a treasured family heirloom jade, dramatically entered the court and, in front of all the ministers, publicly proposed to Princess Yaotian. Despite the court's objections, Yaotian declared her true feelings for He Xia and accepted his proposal.
Meanwhile, while preparing Bai Pingting for her bath, Zui Ju discovered a letter from Bai Pingting tucked away. In the letter, Bai Pingting expressed her belief that if Chu Beijie were to read it, it would mean they were separated by life and death. Her heartfelt wish was for Chu Beijie to forget her and live a good life.
