Legend of the Female General Episode 15 Recap
> Legend of the Female General Recap
He Yan mentioned her knowledge of Xiao Jue's past at Xianchang Academy, particularly about the osmanthus candy he always carried. Xiao Jue, suspicious, questioned how she knew, and He Yan claimed to have heard it from others. Xiao Jue then revealed that his mother had made those candies, filling a pouch for him when he was young. Although he no longer liked sweets as an adult, those candies held sentimental value as they were made by his mother.
He Yan offered comfort, noting that even strong individuals experience moments of vulnerability. She then asked if he had ever given osmanthus candy to anyone else. Xiao Jue confirmed he once gave the very last candy his mother made to a blind girl contemplating suicide at Yuhua Temple. He explained that, for him, that candy represented personal greed and extravagant desires, and it was better to give it away to help someone else emerge from their confusion.
He Yan realized she was that blind girl. As they gazed at the moon, He Yan offered Xiao Jue a candy, which he recognized as one he had given her. She playfully remarked that he was ruining the moment. He Yan suggested Xiao Jue adopt a new identity for their trip to Jiyang, and he confirmed he had found one. He Yan expressed concern about his choice, noticing Feinu's troubled expression, and asked if it was a "dishonorable" identity.
Xiao Jue then unexpectedly asked He Yan if she liked him. When she denied it, he responded "Good then," which confused her. He then revealed his plan: he would impersonate Qiao Huanqing, a loyal nephew of Cui Yuezhi, a subordinate of the Princess. Qiao Huanqing, who was lost as a child and recently reunited with his uncle, had just married Wen Yuyan, a renowned and talented lady whom he adored.
Therefore, Xiao Jue concluded, Qiao Huanqing would naturally bring his wife to Jiyang, meaning He Yan must impersonate Wen Yuyan. He Yan expressed doubt about her ability to act as a "talented lady," suggesting she go as a scout instead. Xiao Jue rejected this, tasking her with becoming a "talented lady" as quickly as possible, requiring her to master at least some "talents" like guqin, chess, calligraphy, and painting to be presentable.
He Yan attempted to display her "talents," hinting that she was deliberately concealing her true skills, particularly calligraphy, to avoid Xiao Jue recognizing her former handwriting. She suggested drawing maps instead, but Xiao Jue reminded her she was impersonating a gentle lady, not a general. She admitted to being a "complete amateur" with musical instruments, so Xiao Jue instructed her to focus on the guqin, aiming to at least learn one piece. He then offered to teach her.
When He Yan appeared nervous, Xiao Jue teased her, suggesting her nervousness implied affection for him. He Yan quickly explained she was just worried about embarrassing herself with poor playing. Xiao Jue coached her on posture, telling her to relax her hands. After practicing, she eagerly asked about her progress; Xiao Jue remarked her posture looked good, but her playing was "very loud."
Song Taotao arrived with a tonic for He Yan, expressing frustration that Xiao Jue was forcing He Yan, who she believed was still injured, to cross-dress and practice the guqin. She dismissed Cheng Lisu's medical assessment and insisted on taking He Yan's pulse, despite He Yan's protests. During the pulse check, Song Taotao discovered He Yan's secret, exclaiming her shock. He Yan apologized for the deception, offering to accept any anger or even a beating.
Song Taotao clarified that she was not angry about the deception itself, but about He Yan's lack of trust and failure to inform her sooner, which prevented Song Taotao from providing proper medical care, especially since she also realized He Yan was on her period. Song Taotao admonished He Yan to respect her identity as a woman.
He Yan thanked her, explaining that hiding her identity had become an ingrained habit, but she aspired to one day openly stand as a woman and prove herself a great general. Song Taotao echoed this sentiment, asserting that women could also be skilled in medicine and criticizing societal expectations that confined them to domestic roles. Outside, Cheng Lisu and Feinu nervously anticipated Song Taotao's reaction, even wondering if she might "poison" He Yan, but were surprised to hear their laughter.
Song Taotao, now reconciled, declared she would personally handle He Yan's makeup, dismissing the expensive makeup artist Cheng Lisu had hired. Seeing He Yan in female attire, Feinu finally realized she was a woman, expressing his surprise. Xiao Jue made a quip about her appearance. The group then boarded a carriage to maintain their cover. Xiao Jue reminded He Yan to act as the noble lady Wen Yuyan, not a soldier.
Inside the carriage, Cheng Lisu playfully suggested that he and Huaijin, who were pretending to be a couple, should practice calling each other "husband" and "wife." He Yan then playfully called Xiao Jue "Husband," suggesting they head to Cui Mansion. Meanwhile, in Jiyang, Chu Zhao and Yingxiang discussed their difficulty in locating Chai Anxi due to Xiao Jue's men observing them.
Yingxiang reported that Chancellor Xu Jingfu had provided ample men, who were now monitoring all city gates, confident Chai Anxi was still in the city. Chu Zhao deduced that Xiao Jue had arrived in Jiyang, likely under a new identity, and decided to subtly monitor Xiao Jue, believing his familiarity with Chai Anxi would lead them to him first, allowing them to benefit from his efforts.
Upon arriving at the Cui Mansion, Cui Yuezhi warmly welcomed Xiao Jue, impersonating his nephew Qiao Huanqing, and He Yan, as Wen Yuyan. Cui Yuezhi was immediately impressed by Xiao Jue's demeanor, even claiming he bore a resemblance to himself, and praised He Yan's beauty. He announced a welcoming banquet for the next day, intending to introduce them to his colleagues and their families.
Ms. Wei escorted Xiao Jue and He Yan to their chamber, noting it was the finest in the courtyard and prepared like a bridal chamber, promising a "surprise." He Yan eagerly discovered the "surprise" was an erotic art picture. Xiao Jue tried to prevent her from seeing it, but He Yan insisted, remarking it was just an erotic art picture and there was nothing to be shy about, adding that only "hypocrites" pretended otherwise.
Xiao Jue then pulled He Yan close, causing them to fall onto the picture, damaging it. He Yan lamented the damage, but Xiao Jue dismissed the picture's quality, playfully suggesting he had seen better and would share them with her if he acquired some. Feinu then knocked and entered, reporting that neither Chu Zhao's men nor their own had located Chai Anxi, suggesting that Chancellor Xu Jingfu might intend to eliminate Chai Anxi.
Feinu reminded Xiao Jue of Chai Anxi's old leg injury, which was prone to rheumatism in Jiyang's humid climate, and suggested monitoring apothecaries. Xiao Jue, reminding He Yan to focus on her role as Mrs. Qiao, dismissed Feinu. Fully immersed in her role, He Yan playfully asked Xiao Jue, her "husband," to paint her eyebrows, citing it as a common display of affection between loving couples and emphasizing the need for their act to be flawless.
To her surprise, Xiao Jue took the eyebrow pencil and approached her. As he leaned in close to draw her eyebrows, He Yan became flustered, her face turning red. She attributed her blushing to Jiyang's hot weather. Meanwhile, elsewhere, Chancellor Xu Jingfu met with Wutuo representatives. He explained Jiyang's formidable defenses and offered them a secret tunnel leading into the city, which he believed would aid their invasion through the southern gate. He reminded them of his long-standing alliance with their leader, Maningbu. Xu Jingfu then requested their assistance in eliminating Chai Anxi, who was currently in Jiyang.
