General and I Episode 40 Recap, Plot

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Yao Tian, unable to sleep due to her worries about the ongoing war, was comforted by her maid Luyi, who assured her that a war report would arrive by morning. However, Yao Tian insisted she could not rest without seeing it. Soon after, a report arrived from He Xia, claiming he had followed his plan to burn down the Jin army's camp.

He Xia reported that Chu Beijie had led his men to break siege in different directions and that more than half of the Jin Army soldiers were either dead or seriously injured from the fire. He Xia assured Yao Tian that Chu Beijie would be defeated by noon that day. Yao Tian was relieved by the news, noting that everything had unfolded as Bai Pingting had predicted. Meanwhile, Grand Marshal Xie met with Emperor Sima Hong of Jin.

Xie reported that Prince Zhenbei, Chu Beijie, had launched an expedition without the Emperor's permission, which had caused significant discontent among court officials. Given the intense war situation in Bailan, Xie inquired if Sima Hong intended to send more reinforcement troops. Sima Hong responded cryptically, likening the situation to fish oblivious to the hook, focused only on the food in front of them. News then arrived from the Prince Consort Manor: Bai Pingting had left, leaving her bridal gown behind.

Yao Tian acknowledged Bai Pingting had kept her promise but was suspicious, as the heavily guarded manor made a casual departure unlikely. She questioned if Dong Zhuo had attempted to stop Bai Pingting. Luyi reported that Dong Zhuo showed no unusual signs, suggesting Bai Pingting and her maid had likely slipped out unnoticed in the dead of night. Luyi also informed Yao Tian that Bai Pingting had left two letters addressed personally to her.

Upon reading them, Yao Tian's expression changed, realizing He Xia was in danger. She immediately ordered Luyi to prepare the fastest horse so she could pursue He Xia. In her letter, Bai Pingting explained that she had previously only shared half of her insights.

She detailed two possible scenarios if He Xia were to pursue Chu Beijie: if the Jin army retreated eastward towards Bailan, even with reinforcements from Sima Hong, they would be exhausted, making them easy targets for a swift victory. However, if they retreated westward, where numerous valleys lay, the army could easily fall into an ambush. It was indeed to the west that Chu Beijie had chosen to break through.

Bai Pingting advised Yao Tian that if her army failed to encircle the Jin forces before they entered the valleys, they should immediately retreat to the city, dig trenches, and prepare for a prolonged war. She warned that He Xia, being a proud man, would likely pursue the enemy relentlessly once he left the city.

Bai Pingting further noted that if she herself were to face Chu Beijie, she would never attempt to outpace him, having witnessed his swiftness at Kanbu Dianqingfeng Mountain years ago. As Bai Pingting had predicted, He Xia pursued the Jin army relentlessly. When he finally sensed something was amiss, his forces were already caught within Chu Beijie's encirclement. From his position, He Xia openly challenged Chu Beijie to a duel, declaring it was a grudge between the two of them.

Chu Beijie accepted, but after several exchanges, He Xia was clearly outmatched and defeated. He Xia, however, believed Chu Beijie would not dare to kill him, asserting that if Chu Beijie's blade fell, tens of thousands of Jin refugees who had sought refuge in Bailan would perish with him. Chu Beijie retorted that only He Xia's death could save his own princess consort and the Jin people, thus bringing peace to the world.

As Chu Beijie prepared to deliver the fatal blow, Yao Tian arrived just in time, shouting "Spare his life!" She rushed to He Xia, then approached Chu Beijie, stating she had been entrusted to deliver a letter to him and requested that he withdraw his troops upon reading it. Chu Beijie inquired if Bai Pingting had written the letter and where she was.

Yao Tian confirmed Bai Pingting had left it, asking him to cease his actions and withdraw his army. Chu Beijie scoffed at the idea of retreating based on an anonymous letter. Yao Tian insisted he read it to verify its authenticity. He Xia tried to intervene, offering to die rather than see Yao Tian humiliated, but Yao Tian insisted she would read it herself. In the letter, Bai Pingting wrote to Chu Beijie, addressing him as her love.

She lamented that since they met, they had been perpetually entangled in the choice between affection and animosity, between the king, the people, and their friendship, always having to sacrifice their happiness. Bai Pingting acknowledged Chu Beijie's deep feelings and loyalty to her, even to the point of sacrificing his life. However, she also recognized his unwavering loyalty to his king and his love for his people, knowing he would never abandon Great Jin in crisis.

She expressed her unwillingness to constantly place him in a position of such difficult choices, knowing his responsibility was the well-being of the world's people. She stated that if he were to sacrifice millions of soldiers just for her to live, he would not truly be happy. She urged him to prioritize the people and the state, to return to his original path, and be the Prince Zhenbei beloved by all.

Bai Pingting concluded the letter by saying she was too ashamed to face him, asking him not to miss her or theorize about her life and death, as they would not see each other again in this life. After Yao Tian finished reading, Chu Beijie offered her to compare the handwriting to verify it, which she declined. Chu Beijie conceded that the letter's logic was irrefutable, and to continue fighting would be without just cause.

He praised Bai Pingting for placing her bet on the happiness of the world's people, acknowledging the accuracy of her foresight. When Yao Tian asked if he would continue the battle, Chu Beijie declared that the Jin army would never bully the weak, especially when victory was certain or an opponent disarmed. Since the person he was searching for was gone, he would withdraw his troops. He vowed to fight anyone with malicious intent who attempted to harm Bai Pingting.

Holding the letter, Chu Beijie softly repeated Bai Pingting's words, "Do not miss me, or theorize about my life and death," wondering aloud how he could possibly not miss her. He then solemnly declared that even if he had to go to the ends of the world, he would find her and bring her back. Later, He Xia and Yao Tian shared a moment. Luyi brought snacks that Yao Tian had prepared for He Xia.

He Xia, however, instructed Luyi to give them to the soldiers, prompting Luyi to complain to Yao Tian about his actions. Yao Tian gently reprimanded Luyi for her disrespect toward He Xia, reminding her of their respective statuses. He Xia then took Yao Tian out to admire the wild flowers. He apologized for not protecting her well and putting her in harm's way.

Yao Tian, in turn, apologized to him, admitting that she was the one who had made things difficult for him. She revealed she had been afraid he would be angry with her for not taking good care of Bai Pingting. He Xia assured her that there was no need to force someone to stay if they wished to leave, but he had still sent people to search for Bai Pingting.

Yao Tian reminded him of his fifteen-year friendship with Bai Pingting, but He Xia dismissed it, suggesting that such long friendships could still end in estrangement. Yao Tian then urged him to stop looking for Bai Pingting, emphasizing that he was the one who had faced danger but remained by her side, a fact she would always remember. As they looked at the resilient wild flowers, He Xia pledged to build a world for Yao Tian.

Separately, in Jin, Grand Marshal Xie delivered joyous news to Emperor Sima Hong. While there was no war report, good tidings had arrived from the Eastern Mountain country house. Servants had discovered residues of anti-abortifacient medicine, leading to the conclusion that Princess Consort Zhenbei, Bai Pingting, was pregnant. Sima Hong was overjoyed.

Despite Grand Marshal Xie's concerns about his fragile health, Sima Hong ordered immediate preparations to travel to the border of Bailan to personally welcome Prince and Princess Consort Zhenbei back from the war, and to formally confer the title of Princess Consort upon Bai Pingting. Sima Hong mused that his days were numbered, and he felt ashamed for accomplishing little, but now that the Sima family had an heir, he must personally greet the royal descendant. He declared that the throne of the Sima family must be passed on to Chu Beijie.

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