Legend of Fu Yao Episode 18 Recap, Plot

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> Legend of Fu Yao Recap

After a mysterious fire at the Duke's Mansion, Fu Yao, disguised as Yuwen Zi, feigned fright and vulnerability to Qi Zhen. He comforted her, reassuring her that her life was safe, though he reminded her that she would soon need to undergo an examination at the Youye Hall. Later, Qi Zhen confided in Yun Hen about the suspicious nature of the fire and the assassin, explaining that his public reprimand of Yun Hen was a calculated move.

He intended to instill fear and vigilance among his subordinates, ensuring they would exert maximum effort in apprehending the skilled intruder who had infiltrated the mansion's defenses. Qi Zhen, expressing his own fear of death as he approached old age, stressed the critical importance of a thorough investigation into such life-or-death matters. Suddenly, he suffered a coughing fit, spitting up blood. Alarmed, Yun Hen immediately summoned Zong Yue.

Upon examining Qi Zhen, Zong Yue confirmed the severity of the injury but offered a potent remedy that promised rapid recovery within five days. Ever cautious, Qi Zhen, despite the promising news, instructed Yun Hen to personally oversee Zong Yue during the medicine preparation. Yun Hen proceeded to Zong Yue's room, offering to assist him in cutting herbs.

Zong Yue noticed an old, prominent scar on Yun Hen's hand, which brought back a painful memory: he himself had accidentally caused that injury to his younger brother during a childhood sword practice. Zong Yue offered Yun Hen a powerful ointment to remove the scar, but Yun Hen gently declined, hinting that he wished to keep the mark as a means to find his lost birth parents.

Yun Hen then emphatically declared his unwavering loyalty to Qi Zhen, who had adopted him and raised him as his own son. As Zong Yue took over the herb-cutting, blood was seen on his arm. He quickly brushed it off, making it appear as a minor cut from the knife, though Yun Hen seemed to note the severity.

At an inn, Yalan Zhu learned of the fire at the Duke's Mansion and expressed deep regret for not having insisted Fu Yao stay with them the previous night. She revealed to Zhan Beiye and Qi that Fu Yao had adopted the identity of Yuwen Zi to remain in the mansion. Both Yalan Zhu and Qi were eager to rush to Fu Yao's rescue, but Zhan Beiye sternly stopped them.

He explained the Duke's Mansion was heavily guarded, with Qi Zhen's informants and security measures covering the entire city. Any attempt to approach the mansion, he warned, would be immediately detected and would only endanger themselves and Fu Yao, potentially leading to their demise. Meanwhile, Qi Zhen, after taking Zong Yue's medicine, felt its effects and expressed admiration for the doctor.

Despite his improving health, he remained consumed by the search for the assassin, whose left shoulder had been pierced by his arrow. He ordered a city-wide search of all medical establishments for anyone with such a wound. Later, Yun Hen's suspicion grew as he recalled Zong Yue's earlier injury and the blood on his arm. That night, Yun Hen visited Zong Yue's room.

Zong Yue quickly concealed a wound before allowing him inside for a private conversation, after which Yun Hen departed. Elsewhere, an urgent Eagle Feather Letter arrived for Zhan Beiye from Commander Ji Yu, signaling a grave situation at the boundary between the Geya Desert and the Ice Field. After reading the message, Zhan Beiye went to the rooftop, looking at the moon and quietly thinking of his mother. Yalan Zhu soon joined Zhan Beiye, sensing his melancholy.

Zhan Beiye spoke of his sorrow at being unable to return to his home in Pandu, Tiansha Kingdom, believing that those born into royalty could only claim a country, but never a true home. Yalan Zhu passionately disagreed, reminding him that Consort Dowager Jing, his mother, his loyal brothers who had fought alongside him through life and death, and she herself, were all his family.

Her words resonated with Zhan Beiye, who affirmed that he would never abandon any of them, including Yalan Zhu and Fu Yao. He then described the grandeur of the Tiansha Kingdom, but concluded that nothing compared to the comforting song his mother used to sing. As he began to hum the tune, Yalan Zhu softly joined him, silently promising to always stand by his side, no matter the challenges they faced.

In the Golden Palace, Changsun Wuji sat on the throne, outwardly appearing indifferent and allowing Qi Zhen to make all major decisions, subtly manipulating court affairs. Ministers reported on heavy rains and the Taiyuan Weaving Bureau's inability to meet international textile orders. Changsun Wuji asked Qi Zhen to approve funds for flood control and then, when confronted with the textile issue, deferred to Qi Zhen.

Qi Zhen proposed recruiting private weavers to work for official workshops, ensuring both increased output and the maintenance of Taiyuan's reputation. Changsun Wuji immediately approved Qi Zhen's suggestion, publicly stating that the Duke's word was his own. After the court session, Director Cao approached Qi Zhen, inquiring about the mansion fire. He revealed that Marquis Zhang had used the incident to submit a memorial to Changsun Wuji, requesting military funds to expand the eight troops of the defending army.

Qi Zhen was surprised he hadn't seen the memorial, to which Director Cao explained that Changsun Wuji had approved it directly in front of Marquis Zhang, effectively bypassing Qi Zhen. This left Qi Zhen puzzled by Changsun Wuji's enigmatic actions. Meanwhile, Zhan Beiye, moving through the city disguised as a commoner, overheard news of the Duke's Mansion fire and the duke's new adopted daughter, Yuwen Zi, being sent to the palace as a candidate for the emperor's harem.

Concurrently, Fu Yao, in her guise as Yuwen Zi, was en route to the palace. Shi Lan, accompanying her, warned her to be extremely cautious during the rigorous 36 rounds of selection to avoid exposure. Suddenly, their carriage lurched, and amid the ensuing chaos, a mysterious figure abducted Fu Yao. In the Taiyuan Palace, Changsun Wuji attempted to visit the Youye Hall, where the candidates were undergoing mandatory virginity checks, but was stopped by imperial guards.

Asserting his authority, he questioned them, eventually learning that Yuwen Zi, the candidate from the Duke's Mansion, had been kidnapped in broad daylight at the city gate. Zhan Beiye brought Fu Yao to a secluded forest, explaining that he had rescued her to help her escape the dangers of the Duke's Mansion and the palace. Fu Yao thanked him but firmly asserted her resolve to enter the palace, stating she had her own complex, unspoken reasons for doing so.

Unable to dissuade her, Zhan Beiye cautioned her to be vigilant once inside. He then presented her with the Shekun Bell, noting that while its extreme coldness was lethal to others, it caused her no harm, suggesting a unique affinity, almost like a shared bloodline with his own family. Fu Yao initially hesitated to accept such a valuable item, but Zhan Beiye explained his urgent and perilous departure from Taiyuan for an important mission.

He reasoned that taking the Shekun Bell back to Tiansha would only ignite further conflict. Trusting her strength and unwavering character, he believed entrusting the Shekun Bell, and by extension the safety of his homeland, to her was the wisest course. Fu Yao accepted the Shekun Bell, acknowledging his profound trust and kindness, and made him promise to return safely to share a drink.

In the Golden Palace, Qi Zhen knelt, confessing his guilt for the kidnapping of the candidate outside the royal city. Changsun Wuji, feigning extreme anger, rebuked Qi Zhen for the lapse in security and accused him of orchestrating the abduction himself, claiming Qi Zhen couldn't bear to part with his adopted daughter. Qi Zhen, visibly flustered, vehemently denied the accusation, reiterated his unwavering loyalty, and pleaded for a few days to apprehend the kidnappers and appease the King's wrath.

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