Guardians of the Ancient Oath Episode 19 Recap
> Guardians of the Ancient Oath Recap
Baili Hongxuan spent a sleepless night in the Marquis's study, sitting on the floor lost in thought, burdened by the dire fate awaiting his family under the Emperor’s wrath. Just as his face was etched with worry, Baili Hongyi entered, smiling. She understood clearly that her elopement would implicate the entire Marquis Manor. Baili Hongxuan embraced her, finding solace in her return, silently reassuring himself that as an adopted daughter, she wasn't obligated to such a sacrifice.
However, Hongyi insisted she was a member of the Baili family and would not allow them to suffer for her. She even declared that if He Yao dared to marry her, she would marry him and make his life difficult, predicting he might even regret the marriage himself. Baili Hongxuan genuinely cared for her, but his duty as a subject to obey imperial decrees was inviolable.
Now that Baili Hongyi had willingly returned to fulfill her responsibility as a Baili descendant, he resolved that no one would hinder the wedding. In the palace, He Yao expressed his concerns about the upcoming marriage to the Empress Dowager and the Emperor. He worried about potential mishaps given the grand attention on the union and the historical animosity from the Marquis of Northern Defense's Manor towards him.
The Emperor explained that the marriage was a well-considered strategy for the future of You Kingdom and would proceed without issue, adding that Baili Hongxuan, despite initial reluctance, had accepted the decree for the greater good. The Empress Dowager praised the Emperor's maturity and wisdom, reinforcing the importance of the alliance for the dignity of the royal family. He Yao was instructed to prepare diligently to ensure a flawless wedding day.
Back at the Marquis Manor, Baili Hongxuan ordered his subordinates to increase protection for Baili Hongyi, emphasizing that the lives of everyone in the manor now hinged on her. He also strictly commanded that no news of the wedding reach Baili Hongshuo. Meanwhile, Ming Yefeng in Li City received intelligence about the impending marriage between Baili Hongyi and He Yao.
Subsequently, Baili Hongshuo's subordinate confirmed the details to him: He Yao had proposed at a palace banquet, securing the Empress Dowager's immediate approval, despite Baili Hongyi's initial rejection and subsequent confinement to the manor. Enraged, Baili Hongshuo decided to leave Shu Chi immediately, even though his ten-day absence would coincide with the new military camp's troop check, potentially jeopardizing their position. He instructed his subordinate to cover for him, stressing that he would return before the check.
Baili Hongshuo summoned Hou Zhengze, instructing him to impersonate him while he was away. Hou Zhengze initially resisted, fearing the severe consequences of a general abandoning his post and the risk to his own life, and the interruption of his own family lineage. However, Baili Hongshuo revealed that he was going to rescue "Brother Bai Yi," whose real name was Baili Hongyi, and that she was being forced to marry He Yao.
Hearing that his "Brother Bai Yi" was in trouble, Hou Zhengze immediately agreed to help, removing his clothes in preparation for the transformation. Water God Xuan Ming was seen discussing plans with another individual, who noted that Xuan Ming seemed to already know future developments. Xuan Ming explained that while they meticulously planned, the ultimate choices lay with the individuals. Yet, they still needed to offer guidance to help them dispel confusion and achieve enlightenment.
He also mentioned that Mu Zheng had made arrangements and already indicated the choices for the individual he was guiding. Later, Baili Hongyi and Baili Hongxuan walked near Wing View Hall, a place where they used to make wishes. Baili Hongyi asked about Baili Hongxuan’s past wishes, who replied that most of them hadn't come true, so he stopped making them. She confided that her wishes for the three siblings to always be together hadn't come true either.
She wondered if Baili Hongshuo had received her letter, unaware that Baili Hongxuan had already intercepted it to prevent him from knowing about the wedding. She expressed a desperate desire to see Baili Hongshuo one last time before her marriage, knowing future meetings would be different. Baili Hongxuan promised to ask the Emperor to allow Baili Hongshuo to attend her wedding.
Alone later, Baili Hongyi revisited Wing View Hall, silently wishing for Baili Hongxuan and Baili Hongshuo's desires to come true, a wish that spoke volumes about her own resignation. Simultaneously, Ming Yefeng handed his Thousand Mountain Decree to Chou Nu, instructing him to gather the You Wu tribesmen at the eastern forest on the border of Taigu County in three days. This was the same day as Baili Hongyi's wedding and the new military camp's troop check.
Ming Yefeng recognized the importance of the new military camp but stated he had a more critical mission, implying Baili Hongyi's safety outweighed all else. Baili Hongshuo secretly returned to the Marquis Manor and found Baili Hongyi. He urged her to flee with him, proposing a life of freedom, but she insisted on remaining for the family's sake.
Frustrated, Baili Hongshuo confessed his deep love for her, admitting he didn't know when she first captured his heart, perhaps when their father brought her home, or from the first time she bit him. He declared he couldn't bear to let her go and vowed to marry her himself. Baili Hongyi gently rebuffed him, explaining that her affection for him was as a beloved younger brother, not romantic love.
Undeterred, Baili Hongshuo reiterated his determination, stating he would never let her marry anyone else and implored her to leave with him. Just then, Baili Hongxuan appeared. Baili Hongyi quickly tried to cover for Baili Hongshuo, claiming he was there to see her off. Baili Hongxuan sternly questioned Baili Hongshuo, reminding him that a border general abandoning his post was a capital offense. Baili Hongshuo countered, demanding to know why Baili Hongxuan allowed Hongyi to marry He Yao.
Baili Hongxuan explained the political necessity of the marriage to balance power, and that the Emperor would never permit them to disrupt it. He accused Baili Hongshuo of being naive and reminded him that by bearing the Baili name, they were destined to sacrifice everything for the family, including love, marriage, and even life. Baili Hongshuo retorted that Baili Hongxuan was sacrificing Hongyi's happiness and demanded to take her away so she wouldn't marry someone she disliked.
Baili Hongxuan dismissed his plea, asserting that Baili Hongyi saw him only as a younger brother. Baili Hongshuo accused his eldest brother of hypocrisy, questioning why he lied about Baili Hongshuo’s return and concealed the marriage if he was so sure of Hongyi’s loyalty. He exposed Baili Hongxuan's secret guards around the city, proving his fear of Hongyi escaping. Baili Hongshuo then bitterly asked if Baili Hongxuan would truly send Hongyi into a "fire pit."
In a final, desperate confrontation, Baili Hongshuo challenged Baili Hongxuan, asking if he could truly bear to harm him or send Hongyi to her tragic fate. Baili Hongxuan then forcefully struck Baili Hongshuo, knocking him unconscious. Moments later, Baili Hongyi returned, asking about Baili Hongshuo. Baili Hongxuan lied, saying Baili Hongshuo had left, unwilling to witness her wedding.
Baili Hongyi, though appearing sad, dismissed his confession of love as "nonsense" born from his reluctance to see her marry the He family. She declined Baili Hongxuan's offer to drink with him, stating she had to rise early for her difficult wedding day. As she returned to her room, she secretly clutched a black obsidian stone, recalling Baili Hongshuo's words about it being a good omen, a stone fallen from the sky that she would surely love. The next morning, Baili Hongshuo awoke from his unconscious state and immediately demanded to see Baili Hongyi.
