Legend of the Female General Episode 11 Recap
> Legend of the Female General Recap
He Rufei’s relentless nature remained unchanged as he first attempted to poison and then assassinate Xiao Jue. He Yan deduced that He Rufei’s murderous intent stemmed from the Mingshui Battle. She recalled that as her former self, she had immediately dispatched troops upon receiving the distress call, yet Xiao Jue claimed her rescue was delayed, leading to the tragic demise of his father, General Xiao Zhongwu, and the Xiao Army.
He Yan was certain Xiao Jue would not lie, leading her to suspect a conspiracy—a scheme orchestrated to eliminate General Xiao and his forces. She believed Chancellor Xu, known for his vindictiveness and frequent clashes with General Xiao Zhongwu in court, was likely behind it. He Yan further surmised that He Rufei was targeting Xiao Jue out of fear that his true identity, currently disguised, would be exposed by his former classmate.
Regardless, He Yan resolved that He Rufei must not be allowed to continue his malicious acts under his assumed identity. Meanwhile, Xiao Jue, despite having confirmed that He Yan was not He Rufei’s accomplice, continued to have Shen Han monitor him, citing many remaining suspicious aspects. He stressed that the Xiao Army could not afford another major crisis. When Feinu reported that He Yan had been dragged by his companions to a hot spring, Xiao Jue’s expression hardened.
He Yan, being a woman, vehemently refused to join the bath, citing her unhealed wounds. However, Mai and the others, oblivious to her true gender, insisted, reassuring her the water was shallow and harmless, urging her to join them as “all men.” Just as they began to pull her into the water, Xiao Jue arrived and stopped them, declaring that He Yan was "physically weak" and should not be brought to the hot springs.
The rumor of He Yan’s physical weakness quickly spread throughout the Yezhou Garrison. In a show of concern, Mai and his companions began preparing nourishing meals for He Yan. Song Taotao, upon hearing the rumors, rushed to console He Yan, assuring him that she would never disdain him and considered him a true warrior. Embarrassed by the widespread rumors, He Yan confronted Xiao Jue, demanding he restore her reputation.
She insisted that as the cause of the rumors, he was fully responsible. He Yan requested a single room for peace, leading to a playful exchange where she boldly stated she would be his personal guard. Xiao Jue, after some feigned reluctance, agreed to let her occupy a partitioned section within his own tent and serve as his personal guard, ensuring no one would disturb her.
That very night, He Yan, bag in hand, moved into the private section of Xiao Jue’s tent. Separated by a wall, she spoke at length to Xiao Jue, expressing her conviction that he didn't trust her despite their shared hardships. She declared her knowledge of his enmity with He Rufei and promised to stay by his side, protecting him.
She vowed that one day, he would trust her, and they would fight alongside each other to protect their land and people. Although Xiao Jue remained silent, He Yan was invigorated by her own words. In the capital, Chu Zhao returned and presented a few incomplete ledgers to Chancellor Xu, explaining that Xiao Jue’s swift action in sealing Sun Quanfu’s residence had prevented him from retrieving more. Chancellor Xu did not blame him for the incomplete records.
Shortly after, He Rufei arrived to apologize for the failed assassination attempt on Xiao Jue in Yezhou. He assured Chancellor Xu that Ding Yi, who had assisted in the plot and was like a brother to him, was meticulous and would leave no trace for Xiao Jue to exploit. Chancellor Xu, seemingly unconcerned, declared the matter closed as it had no lasting consequences.
Later, He Rufei’s father expressed his disapproval of his son’s continued association with Chancellor Xu, urging him to withdraw now that their family's wealth and status were secured. However, He Rufei cynically revealed that Chancellor Xu had no intention of letting him or the He family withdraw unscathed, having merely bided his time to use him as a pawn.
Meanwhile, Chu Zhao, who had secretly transcribed crucial sections of the ledgers before handing them over, discovered the shocking extent of Chancellor Xu's embezzlement of military provisions and funds behind the Emperor's back. Later, an urgent message arrived from Litai county, informing Xiao Jue that the Wutuo people were frequently harassing them and requesting military aid. Xiao Jue immediately instructed Shen Han to muster 5,000 men to depart for Litai the next morning.
When Feinu asked if the Jiuqi Camp should accompany them due to the Wutuo’s ferocity and the new recruits’ inexperience, Xiao Jue agreed to take the Jiuqi Camp but explicitly stated that He Yan was not to join them. He did, however, instruct Ma Damei to keep a close watch on He Yan. That evening, Xiao Jue found He Yan in his tent, struggling to apply medicine to a re-opened wound on his back.
Xiao Jue, observing He Yan’s difficulty, took it upon himself to apply the medicine. During this, He Yan brought up her previous night's monologue, questioning why Xiao Jue hadn't responded. Xiao Jue brushed it off, citing his busy military duties. He Yan, however, reiterated her promise to protect him and insisted on accompanying him to Litai. Xiao Jue refused again, telling her to focus on healing, lest he have to protect her instead.
He Yan conceded, promising to hold down the Yezhou Garrison in his absence. Before Xiao Jue left, He Yan gave him osmanthus candies, hoping he would accept them this time. Xiao Jue took them. As she awoke the next morning, Xiao Jue and the Jiuqi Camp had already departed for Litai. Meanwhile, Song Taotao, determined to help He Yan recover from his "physical weakness," was creating a new prescription.
She ventured into the mountains through the snow to gather herbs, and there, she stumbled upon a severely injured ethnic stranger, whom she brought back for treatment. Xiao Jue’s troops faced significant delays on their journey to Litai due to heavy mud, managing only twenty li after half a day, far short of their usual sixty. A soldier from Litai reported that the main road thirty li ahead was collapsed, making the journey even more difficult.
He then offered knowledge of a shortcut. Xiao Jue agreed to take the alternate route, subtly giving Feinu a discrete instruction. Back in the capital, Chu Zhao visited Chancellor Xu's mansion and encountered Xu Pingting admiring plum blossoms in the courtyard. Xu Pingting appeared graceful but demonstrated a harsh demeanor towards a servant, striking her for a minor mistake. When Chu Zhao praised Xu Pingting's free spirit, Chancellor Xu remarked that his daughter had been spoiled.
He then pointedly noted that since Chu Zhao's return from Yezhou, Xiao Jue had enjoyed uninterrupted success there, suggesting that it was time for "some turbulence" in Yezhou Garrison, a sentiment Chu Zhao clearly understood.
