Legend of Fu Yao Episode 31 Recap
> Legend of Fu Yao Recap
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Fu Yao expressed her determination to travel to the Imperial City of Tianquan and present herself before the Emperor, seeking to clear the name of a close friend who had been wrongly accused.
Fo Lian acknowledged her goal, but cautioned that while it was easy to enter the Imperial City, gaining access to the Imperial Palace was exceedingly difficult, especially now that Crown Prince Wuji had returned from his studies, bringing with him city-wide celebrations and heightened security that barred unauthorized personnel. Curious about this frequently mentioned Crown Prince Wuji, Fu Yao pressed Fo Lian for details.
Fo Lian, with a hint of admiration, recounted Wuji's impressive achievements: at ten, he was already famous for his writings and ability to shoot arrows from a thousand miles; at twelve, he ventured alone to the southern border, resolving conflicts between northern and southern tribes and averting a catastrophe for the Qiongye Clan; and at fifteen, a good omen from the sky coincided with his efforts to protect the harvest across the Five Kingdoms.
Fo Lian concluded by stating that Wuji was not merely human but "a god" in the eyes of the people. Fu Yao, more interested in practical matters, playfully dismissed the divine descriptions and asked for a way into the palace. Fo Lian revealed she was also planning to go to the Imperial City in a day or two. Her reasons included collecting Feather Tree leaves from Mount Muling to treat a highly contagious disease and attending to other important affairs.
Noting Fu Yao's kind heart, similar age, and their fateful encounter, Fo Lian offered to help Fu Yao gain entry to the palace after completing her own tasks. The next day, Fo Lian's maid, Qiao Ling, rushed to Fu Yao with the distressing news that Fo Lian had fallen gravely ill. When Fu Yao arrived, Fo Lian dismissed all other patients and confided in Fu Yao.
She revealed her identity as the Second Princess of Xuanji Kingdom, betrothed to Crown Prince Wuji since childhood. Despite the thousands of miles separating them, they had maintained their deep affection over the years through messages sent by swan geese, and both were resolute in their commitment to marry only each other.
Fo Lian explained that her current journey to the Imperial City was twofold: to represent Xuanji Kingdom in discussions about the Five Kingdoms' affairs at the Emperor's invitation, and to finalize her engagement ceremony with Crown Prince Wuji. Her sudden illness made it impossible for her to reach the Imperial Palace on time, which she feared would not only incur the Emperor's wrath upon Xuanji but also jeopardize her long-awaited marriage.
Fo Lian pleaded with Fu Yao to impersonate her, giving her the purple phoenix badge—a symbol of her identity—and asking her to meet Crown Prince Wuji and the Emperor on her behalf. Although Fu Yao was hesitant, considering it an improper course of action, she saw no other viable solution. She took the badge and, accompanied by Qi, set off for the Imperial Palace of Tianquan, hoping to use this opportunity to clear Zhan Beiye's name.
Upon their arrival, Fu Yao and Qi were awestruck by the vibrant energy and magnificent architecture of the Tianquan Imperial City and Palace. As they observed the bustling streets, a commotion drew their attention. A woman was being accosted for secretly picking leaves from the Feather Tree on Mount Muling, a royal symbol, to treat her brother who had contracted a highly contagious disease.
First Prince Changsun Pingrong (referred to as Prince Yi), infuriated by this transgression against royal dignity, ordered his soldiers to kill her. Fu Yao intervened, bravely confronting the soldiers and challenging Prince Yi. During the struggle, her purple phoenix badge fell. Prince De, Emperor Changsun Jiong's younger brother, witnessed this and, mistaking Fu Yao for the Saintess of Fo Lian, immediately intervened, reprimanding Prince Yi for his disrespectful conduct.
Realizing Fu Yao's perceived identity, Prince Yi's arrogant demeanor vanished, replaced by an eager desire to curry favor with her. He sought Xuanji Kingdom's support for his ambition to seize the Crown Prince's position. He offered to provide the Feather Tree leaves, explaining that the palace had already planned to distribute them to the common people, and stressed the importance of benevolence given the Crown Prince's imminent return and the Emperor's desire for the people's well-being.
Although Prince Yi had arranged accommodation for her, Fu Yao politely declined his offer and left, wary of accepting favors from someone with such ulterior motives. As Fu Yao and Qi navigated the Imperial City, they soon discovered that Prince Yi had "bought out" every inn and shop along the main street in his attempts to win over Fu Yao, leaving them with no place to stay.
Fu Yao, frustrated but determined not to accept his tainted generosity, sought an alternative. Unexpectedly, she encountered Zong Yue, who offered her a generous meal. After they had eaten, Zong Yue, a sharp businessman who some referred to as the "darn doctor," presented a hefty bill for the expensive dishes and Yihuchun wine. When Fu Yao protested, Zong Yue offered a solution: she could sign a "contract of selling yourself" and work for him, as he needed subordinates in Tianquan.
Fu Yao and Qi negotiated the terms, confirming they would receive food, accommodation, meat at every meal, a large bed, and a favorable "one day of work, five days off" schedule. Zong Yue agreed and then provided Fu Yao with a detailed medicine prescription, specifically instructing her to retrieve the last two unique ingredients from Shangyang Palace in the city's south.
Fu Yao, finding the main entrance to Shangyang Palace heavily guarded, decided to find an alternative way in, leaving Qi to gather the other medicinal ingredients. As she stealthily entered the palace grounds, a familiar qin melody drifted through the air, drawing her deeper inside. She followed the music, which she found strangely recognizable, and discovered a man playing the instrument. This man was Changsun Wuji, though he introduced himself as Yuan Zhaoxu, the Crown Prince's aide.
Fu Yao immediately recognized him as the "liar" who had previously taken her five-colored stone. She confronted him, demanding the return of her property. Changsun Wuji, seemingly delighted by her presence, joyfully embraced her and produced the five-colored stone he had kept close, exchanging it for her Xuanling True Leaf. As Fu Yao tried to leave, he held her close with one hand, maintaining his alias as Yuan Zhaoxu.
Fu Yao, still skeptical, expressed her disbelief in the exaggerated rumors of Crown Prince Wuji's unparalleled wisdom and intelligence. Changsun Wuji quickly silenced her, warning her that speaking ill of the Crown Prince in Tianquan could bring misfortune, and then proceeded to praise the Crown Prince's abilities, hinting that his own previous actions in Taiyuan were carried out under the Crown Prince's orders.
Fu Yao, uninterested in the Crown Prince's alleged virtues, urged him to take her to the palace to meet the Emperor. He subtly evaded her request and instead led her to a brothel, claiming he was taking her to a "fun place." At the brothel, a few cups of Yihuchun wine quickly intoxicated Fu Yao. She confronted Changsun Wuji, asking why he had stolen her five-colored stone.
He confessed that he had done so precisely to compel her to seek him out. She scolded him for his past abrupt departure without a word. Changsun Wuji gazed at her with profound affection. As he leaned in to kiss her, Fu Yao suddenly denounced him as a "liar" once more, then, to his momentary surprise, forcefully kissed him. With Fu Yao in his arms, Changsun Wuji shed his restraint and passionately reciprocated her kiss.
Meanwhile, at Prince De's residence, Prince De was being entertained by dancers when Prince Yi arrived to discuss pressing matters. Prince Yi lamented that with Crown Prince Wuji's prolonged absence and Emperor Changsun Jiong's delicate health, he and Prince De had been shouldering the bulk of court affairs, only to now be expected to surrender their power. He questioned Prince De's willingness to relinquish control, highlighting his own significant military achievements and influence.
Prince De initially feigned indifference to the court's power struggles, claiming he was no longer involved. However, Prince Yi pressed him, pointedly reminding him of a "hunting ground incident" from the past, and subtly implying that Crown Prince Wuji, who had long harbored a dislike for Prince De, would not tolerate him should he ascend to the throne. Prince De's demeanor shifted, and he began to engage Prince Yi more cautiously.
After Prince Yi departed, Prince De reflected, realizing with a chilling clarity that the true threat to his position was not Crown Prince Wuji, but Prince Yi himself. In the Imperial Palace, the absence of Crown Prince Wuji at court had become a palpable issue. Duan Tong, a minister, attempted to transfer the task of reviewing commendations for Prince Yi's army to Prince Yi himself, citing the long delay in distributing the promised rewards.
However, another minister, acknowledging the merits of rewarding valiant soldiers, expressed concern that Prince Yi signing his own commendation might invite suspicion. Duan Tong dismissed this, asserting that justice demanded prompt rewards and that further delay would only fuel gossip. Unbeknownst to the other ministers, Emperor Changsun Jiong and Crown Prince Wuji had been observing the entire proceeding. Afterwards, the Emperor noted how Wuji had deliberately allowed Prince Yi to assume the role of the benefactor in distributing the rewards.
Wuji explained his rationale: he had intentionally avoided stealing Prince Yi's thunder, steering clear of that political quagmire, and recognizing that army as Prince Yi's loyalists. The Emperor commended Wuji's ten years of study in Qiongcang, acknowledging how he had skillfully weakened the Taiyuan Kingdom with minimal cost and without deploying a single soldier, even becoming its king through clever means. He declared it was time for Wuji to share the burden of governing.
He then sagely cautioned Wuji, emphasizing the ruthless and treacherous nature of royal power struggles and advising him to remain vigilant and careful. A servant then announced that the Empress had prepared a family banquet and requested the Emperor and Crown Prince's presence. Emperor Changsun Jiong told Wuji to attend, stating he would focus on his health, to which Wuji replied that he would handle the remaining affairs.
In the Empress's chambers, Prince De was heard singing a melancholic "Yushui tune," a song about recalling a childhood sweetheart in one's twilight years, which he noted sounded even more desolate when sung alone. The Empress, appearing, commented on Wuji's return. Acknowledging Prince Yi's narrow-mindedness, she pleaded with Prince De to offer guidance to Wuji, who was her biological son. Prince De, while praising Wuji's talent and the general hope for his succession, offered his service to the Crown Prince.
The Empress thanked him on Wuji's behalf. Prince De then made an excuse to depart. As he left, the Empress subtly advised him to "sing the Yushui tune less," implying he was not yet old enough for such somber reflections.
