Legend of the Female General Episode 12 Recap
> Legend of the Female General Recap
Hu Yuanzhong, a hunter rescued by Song Taotao, awoke to her care and thanked her. He introduced himself as a Liehe tribesman who had left his people years ago and explained that he had ventured out in the harsh weather to visit his deceased wife’s grave. He Yan observed many red rashes on his hands, a distinctive mark of Liehe warriors who frequently use scimitars, but Hu Yuanzhong claimed they were from poisonous weeds.
He Yan also noticed a letter on him, written in Liehe’s language. Hu Yuanzhong stated it was a love poem from his deceased wife. Song Taotao misinterpreted He Yan’s scrutiny as jealousy and interceded, cautioning He Yan against repeatedly bothering Hu Yuanzhong. Hu Yuanzhong dismissed He Yan’s probing as a joke. That night, a man in black infiltrated the Yezhou Garrison. He Yan confronted him, striking his chest with a bamboo pole, but the assailant managed to escape.
The man in black then killed Instructor Ma Damei, framing He Yan for the murder. Shen Han brought He Yan in for questioning. He Yan protested her innocence, claiming she didn’t kill Instructor Ma and that the true killer was a man in black. She accused Hu Yuanzhong of being the perpetrator, citing his Liehe background, the characteristic red rashes on his hands from scimitar use, and his suspicious interest in Song Taotao despite professing grief for his wife.
She urged Shen Han to investigate the letter in Liehe’s language and to check Hu Yuanzhong for a chest injury and for his whereabouts during the night. However, when Hu Yuanzhong was brought in, he claimed he had been in his room all night and had no injuries on his right shoulder.
With seemingly no direct evidence to corroborate He Yan’s story and appearing to be caught red-handed, Shen Han had He Yan imprisoned to await Commander Xiao Jue’s return for a final decision. As she was led away, He Yan warned Shen Han that the Yezhou Garrison faced grave danger if the true culprit was not found, implying an inside accomplice. Alone in her cell, He Yan reflected on her predicament.
She deduced that an accomplice within the Yezhou Garrison was working with the enemy. She realized the gravity of the situation, believing that the news from Litai might be a diversion to lure Xiao Jue and his Nine Banners Battalion away, leaving the Yezhou Garrison vulnerable and controlled by the enemies. Song Taotao visited He Yan in prison, offering to help her escape.
He Yan asked Song Taotao for knockout medicine and her belt, instructing her to deliver a note to Shen Han. She also urged Song Taotao and Cheng Lisu to stay close to Shen Han for their safety. Song Taotao delivered the note to Shen Han, expressing her unwavering belief in He Yan’s innocence. Shen Han, after reading the note, ordered heightened security, increased patrols, and sentries to rotate in pairs throughout the night.
Cheng Lisu also suggested a thorough examination of the corpse to ascertain the number of fatal wounds, which Shen Han agreed to. The next morning, General Rida Muzi of the Liehe tribe launched a full-scale assault on the Yezhou Garrison, announcing his intention to annihilate them unless they surrendered. Simultaneously, the man in black reappeared in He Yan’s prison cell, attempting to assassinate her. He Yan, having anticipated the attack, easily subdued him and unmasked him, revealing Lei Hou.
He Yan revealed that she had recognized his fighting technique from a past flag contest and had suspected his feigned illness was part of a larger scheme to frame her. She then administered the knockout drug to Lei Hou. He Yan escaped from her cell, understanding that the Yezhou Garrison’s new recruits would be no match for the well-trained Liehe forces without Xiao Jue and his veteran troops.
He Yan then confronted Rida Muzi on the battlefield, introducing herself as the top warrior of the Yezhou Garrison. She brazenly provoked him by reminding him of his brother, Rida Muji, who General Feihong had defeated and beheaded years ago. He Yan challenged Rida Muzi to a duel, proposing a high-stakes wager: if she lost, he could do as he wished with her, but if he lost, he would have to call her "Father."
Rida Muzi, amused by her audacity, accepted the challenge. Their duel began fiercely. Although He Yan’s martial prowess surpassed Rida Muzi’s, her stamina was not as great as his. She sustained a wound to her waist from his scimitar, but not without leaving a mark on his face. Tying her wound with a piece of her clothing, she continued to fight with unwavering courage, reminding Rida Muzi of the legendary General Feihong.
Yezhou Garrison soldiers, witnessing He Yan's struggle, grew anxious and wanted to intervene, but Shen Han restrained them. As He Yan was gaining the upper hand over Rida Muzi, Cheng Lisu and Song Taotao were captured by Liehe soldiers. Song Taotao instinctively ran towards He Yan, creating an opening for Rida Muzi. He lunged, slashing at Song Taotao.
He Yan quickly threw a rope, pulling Song Taotao to safety, but took the blow herself, sustaining a severe wound to her right shoulder. At that critical moment, Xiao Jue arrived with his elite team. He had uncovered a decoy message designed by remnants of Wutuo forces from the Que City battle, who had ambushed his main force. Having anticipated the danger to the Yezhou Garrison, he had led a small squad back ahead of the main army.
Xiao Jue and his Nine Banners Battalion quickly engaged the Liehe forces, turning the tide of the battle and capturing the invaders. After the crisis subsided, Xiao Jue ordered Cheng Lisu to check He Yan’s pulse. To Cheng Lisu’s astonishment, he discovered that He Yan was a woman. Flustered, Cheng Lisu deferred to Xiao Jue to treat her wounds, teasing him about his protective behavior towards her, which Xiao Jue quickly dismissed.
Xiao Jue tended to He Yan’s severe injuries, instructing her garment to be removed to expose her back for cleaning and applying medicine. He Yan briefly regained consciousness, asking if she had fought well, before losing consciousness again. Xiao Jue assured her that she didn’t need to pretend to be strong in front of him.
