Legend of Fu Yao Episode 23 Recap, Plot

> Legend of Fu Yao
> Legend of Fu Yao Recap

Fu Yao, with Jian Xue's insight, came to understand her true feelings for Changsun Wuji. Unbeknownst to them, Changsun Wuji had arrived and overheard their entire conversation. After Jian Xue discreetly left, Changsun Wuji sat with Fu Yao. She sought to understand his feelings for her. Changsun Wuji admitted that her unruly, cunning, and loyal nature initially intrigued him; he had never met anyone like her.

However, he stated that after some time, the novelty faded, and he ultimately desired a more obedient, gentle woman who would behave like a delicate woman. Despite her deep hurt, Fu Yao suppressed her emotions and assured him she would no longer trouble him. Changsun Wuji coldly replied that her presence was now an obstacle, and he wished for her to disappear from his sight and leave the palace. On Winter Clothes Day, the palace was bustling with festive lanterns.

Jian Xue provided Fu Yao with a change of clothes and a badge, explaining that the palace guards were allies and she could leave safely. Jian Xue also assured her that Changsun Wuji would handle the identity of Yuwen Zi. Meanwhile, Changsun Wuji appeared distant and unhappy during the ancestor worship, his mind replaying his past moments with Fu Yao.

Fu Yao, having changed her attire, was on her way out of the palace when Jiang Feng, Changsun Wuji's loyal subordinate, called out to her. Jiang Feng revealed that Changsun Wuji had taken three powerful blows from Princess Royal when retrieving the Bell Shekun for Fu Yao, leaving him gravely weakened.

He explained that Changsun Wuji had pushed her away and forced her to leave purely to protect her from further danger, knowing she was already injured and unwilling to risk her. Before Jiang Feng could finish, Fu Yao fully grasped Changsun Wuji's true intentions. She abandoned her plan to leave the palace, deciding instead to return and attend the Winter Clothes Day banquet. At the banquet, all officials were present in formal attire, including Pei Yuan and Senior Yan.

Despite their strained relationship, they maintained an image of an affectionate couple for the officials. Changsun Wuji arrived punctually with Lady Gui (Tang Zhirong) and Lady Xian (Gao Puruo). Tang Zhirong inquired about Lady Shu's absence, and her maid, Shi Lan, excused it by stating Lady Shu was too ill to attend. As the banquet commenced with a captivating dance performance, Senior Yan stepped out for some air and encountered Fu Yao, who was now dressed formally.

Having grown up together, Senior Yan recognized Fu Yao instantly, despite her disguise, noting her silhouette and walk. Fu Yao, admitting her identity, urged him to let go of the past. She reminded him that he was now married to Pei Yuan and should treat her well. She acknowledged his choice to abandon their relationship for his ambitions, understanding that the world was vast and her perspective was once limited.

However, she firmly stated that what she truly desired was wholehearted, unwavering love—a loyalty and devotion Senior Yan could not offer. Senior Yan, still deeply in love, refused to let go, pledging to give her the best in the world once he achieved prominence. Fu Yao, for the last time, addressed him as Senior Yan, imploring him to release the past and live for the present before taking her leave.

Back at the banquet, an official brought up the elegant art of sword dancing. Lady Xian, Gao Puruo, seized the opportunity to volunteer. She boasted of a new swordsmanship she had recently mastered, claiming that with the aid of Taiyuan's treasured 12 Mirror Shuiling, her movements would be reflected in myriad forms under the cold light, captivating everyone. Changsun Wuji readily agreed. Tang Zhirong, consumed by jealousy, observed the varying colors of the tableware used by the concubines.

She questioned Eunuch Cao, who explained that the colors indicated rank: Lady Gui (red), Lady Xian (blue), Lady Shu (pink), and Lady De (white). Gao Puruo, as Lady Xian, had blue tableware. A plan formed in Tang Zhirong's mind. To humiliate Gao Puruo, she instructed her personal maid, Huan, to intercept Xiu, the palace maid delivering wine to Gao Puruo.

Huan pretended to have lost an earring and bribed Xiu with a gold leaf to help her search, using the distraction to surreptitiously poison Gao Puruo's blue wine flask. After Huan succeeded, Xiu, carrying the wine flask, accidentally bumped into Fu Yao, who had just returned. The flask teetered, but Fu Yao skillfully caught it, simply telling Xiu to be less clumsy. Senior Yan returned to the banquet, his demeanor changed.

He was irritable with Pei Yuan's questions and insisted on going home. By then, the 12 Mirror Shuiling had been arranged in the center of the hall. Gao Puruo, in a red gown, prepared to perform. Tang Zhirong suddenly rose, offering a toast to Changsun Wuji, citing the reverence of Winter Clothes Day. Changsun Wuji accepted, and all officials, including Gao Puruo, drank. Just then, Fu Yao appeared at the banquet.

Gao Puruo sarcastically remarked on Fu Yao's recovery, but Fu Yao gracefully replied that she was fortunate to have been blessed by the gods of Winter Clothes Day and Changsun Wuji, which had improved her health. Changsun Wuji, surprised, permitted Fu Yao to be seated. Observing Changsun Wuji's leniency towards Fu Yao, officials began to murmur about his special favor for her, especially since she was the adopted daughter of Duke Qi Zhen.

Changsun Wuji subtly exchanged a knowing glance with Fu Yao, who haughtily turned her head away. To the exhilarating beat of drums, Gao Puruo began her stunning sword dance amidst the Mirror Shuiling, which reflected her movements in countless beautiful forms. As officials lauded her performance, Gao Puruo's eyes suddenly blurred, and her sword slipped from her grasp, flying towards Changsun Wuji. Changsun Wuji feigned shock, using his internal energy to halt the sword mid-air.

Jiang Feng quickly positioned himself in front of Changsun Wuji, shielding him along with other imperial attendants. Chaos erupted in the banquet hall. Qi Zhen moved to apprehend Gao Puruo for attempting to assassinate Changsun Wuji. Gao Song, Gao Puruo's father, vehemently interjected, refusing to let Qi Zhen harm his daughter. Gao Song explained to Changsun Wuji that his family was loyal.

He admitted Gao Puruo's poor swordsmanship might have caused the sword to fly, but an assassination attempt was baseless. He suspected the wine Gao Puruo drank before her performance was tampered with. Changsun Wuji, agreeing that Gao Puruo would not commit such an act, ordered the attendants to test the wine. Indeed, they confirmed it was poisoned. As Gao Puruo lay on the hall floor, convulsing and vomiting uncontrollably, Changsun Wuji ordered her to be taken away.

After being helped to her feet, Gao Puruo publicly accused Tang Zhirong of poisoning her wine. She recounted that she had questioned Xiu, the palace maid who served her, who revealed that Tang Zhirong's personal maid, Huan, was the only one who approached the wine, having bribed Xiu with a gold leaf while pretending to search for a lost earring, making her the prime suspect for the poisoning.

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