Guardians of the Ancient Oath Episode 18 Recap
> Guardians of the Ancient Oath Recap
At an imperial banquet, Baili Hongyi appeared in male attire. Empress Dowager He, noticing this, presented her with a set of female clothes. After changing, Hongyi's stunning appearance captivated everyone, including Emperor Baili Haohe who expressed his admiration. Empress Dowager He then signaled He Yao multiple times, prompting him to reluctantly step forward and propose marriage to Baili Hongyi. He Yao spoke of their shared childhood, stating his proposal was well-considered.
The Marquis of Anxi (He Yao's family) and Empress Dowager He quickly endorsed the union, emphasizing that it would strengthen ties between the two powerful families and bring good fortune to the Great You Kingdom. Baili Hongyi immediately rejected the proposal, expressing her strong unwillingness. Her elder brother, Baili Hongxuan, attempted to intervene, arguing that his sister's marriage was not a matter to be rushed.
Empress Dowager He sternly rebuked Hongxuan, reminding him that Hongyi was already twenty-two and that her prolonged unmarried status reflected poorly on him as her elder brother. Despite their protests, Emperor Baili Haohe, stating his desire for harmony between the He and Baili families, officially decreed the marriage, leaving no room for dissent. The Baili siblings, trapped, were forced to accept the imperial edict. Meanwhile, Ling Jun observed the events with disappointment.
Speaking to an unseen accomplice, he remarked that Baili Hongxuan, much like the Fire God Zhurong, continued to choose tolerance and sacrifice for the "greater good," seemingly unaware of his true desires. Ling Jun noted that Hongxuan remained calm even when his closest family was delivered into the hands of an enemy.
He concluded that while Hongxuan appeared calm on the surface, this might only be the prelude to a far greater storm, and they should simply wait to see how the "drama" unfolded. Early the next morning, Baili Hongxuan rushed to the palace to plead with Emperor Baili Haohe. He had initially believed Empress Dowager He was behind the marriage.
He disparaged He Yao, insisting he was not a suitable partner for Hongyi, describing him as "domineering and greedy" and "not an upright gentleman" unworthy of Hongyi's hand. Emperor Baili Haohe, however, dismissed Hongxuan's concerns, defending He Yao as his cousin and attributing his past mistakes to being overly straightforward and easily deceived.
The Emperor then revealed his true intention: the marriage was a strategic move to mend the recent conflicts between the He and Baili families, which was crucial for the stability and future of the Great You Kingdom. He admitted that He Yao's proposal was made at his "suggestion."
The Emperor then sternly warned Hongxuan that Baili Hongyi "must marry him" and held Hongxuan personally responsible for ensuring she appeared for the wedding, threatening severe consequences if she failed to do so. With no other recourse, Hongxuan reluctantly accepted the imperial decree. Returning home, Hongxuan instructed his wife, Jin Yang, to pack only essential clothing for Hongyi, indicating his plan to help his sister escape. When Hongyi, still anxious, inquired about the Emperor's decision, Hongxuan avoided a direct answer.
Instead, he tenderly advised her to take care of herself. He then led her to their father's armor, recalling how their father, Baili Haoyuan, had worn it when saving Hongyi and how he had instructed his sons to treat her as their "blood sister."
He reminisced about how happy their parents were with Hongyi, their cherished daughter, and how Hongyi had adopted a male identity after their parents' deaths to help maintain the family's honor alongside her brothers, supporting the Prince of Great Plains Manor. Hongxuan affirmed his unwavering commitment to protect her, stating that he and their father would have made the same choice. With a heavy heart, Hongyi knelt and bowed to her father's armor.
Hongxuan then told her she must leave immediately, giving her explicit instructions to sever all ties with the Baili family, live as an ordinary woman, and "bury the name Baili Hongyi in your heart," ensuring no one, including the Emperor, could trace her. He provided her with silver taels and other necessities and arranged a horse outside the city, dismissing her worries about his own fate.
That night, Hongyi silently slipped away from the manor, walking alone through the dark streets. Her brother's heartbreaking words echoed in her mind – her former identity erased, her family ties severed to protect them from the consequences of defying the imperial edict. She recalled the deep love and care from her adoptive father and brothers, and her own youthful resolve to stand with them as "three brothers" to uphold the Prince of Great Plains Manor.
Though she knew her escape carried severe repercussions for her family, she continued her journey with a renewed sense of determination. Back at the manor, when Jin Yang expressed fear of the consequences for Hongxuan, he simply stated he was not afraid, accepting the burden of his decision. In Li City, after the defeat of You Yan, Baili Hongshuo fulfilled his promise and acknowledged Ji Qiu as his master.
However, the roles seemed reversed, with Ji Qiu constantly dispatching Qiu Xiaotong to fetch a reluctant Hongshuo for lessons. Ji Qiu attempted to teach Hongshuo about "Guardian Spirit" from a book, but Hongshuo, impatient with the theoretical approach, demanded a demonstration of advanced skills like "traveling underground and going through walls."
When Ji Qiu refused, citing the complexity of ancient techniques and the need for basic learning, Hongshuo, losing patience, declared he had official duties and left, leaving Ji Qiu frustrated. By the Wolf Tribe's lake, Ba Yin eagerly approached Ming Yefeng, expressing her deep affection and desire for his "true heart." She offered him gifts and declared her willingness to do anything for him, hoping to "warm" his heart. Ming Yefeng, however, remained cold and direct.
He bluntly stated that he "has no heart" and would not reciprocate her feelings, even as he accepted her devotion. He warned her against "speculating what I think" or "acting on her own," clarifying that their impending marriage was a transactional agreement made with her brother, not a union of love. Later, Gao Yi made an uninvited visit to Ming Yefeng's tent.
Gao Yi, observing the weakened King and the demise of Ming Yefeng's rival A'Na Huai, openly declared that all the tribes were now loyal to Ming Yefeng, making the position of King undeniably his. He warned Ming Yefeng about the perilous path to power. Ming Yefeng, however, denied any ambition for the King's throne, claiming he only did what was necessary and was not interested in what didn't belong to him.
He then directly asked Gao Yi about his motives for offering help, promising to repay him. Gao Yi responded cynically, questioning if anyone would believe Ming Yefeng's claim of having no ambition, given his reputation for being greedy and ambitious. He concluded by stating that he and Ming Yefeng were "the same kind of people."
