Legend of the Female General Episode 19 Recap
> Legend of the Female General Recap
Cui Yuezhi revealed to Xiao Jue and He Yan that he had long been aware of their assumed identities, displaying no anger but rather an air of knowing all along. He Yan observed this, understanding but choosing not to expose his knowledge, a meaningful smile playing on her lips. Cui Yuezhi acknowledged Princess Mengji's strategic silence regarding their presence in Jiyang, which forced him to feign ignorance. He Yan, in turn, expressed her admiration for his shrewdness.
Meanwhile, Xiao Jue, annoyed by Chu Zhao's conversation with He Yan, interrupted them without hesitation, urging He Yan to quickly accompany him to visit an elder (He Yan's master). Liu Buwang remained in Jiyang with a hidden secret, the details of which He Yan was aware of but did not disclose to Xiao Jue.
Later, when He Yan and Xiao Jue conversed with Liu Buwang, they learned the reason for his presence in Jiyang: he habitually returns to Jiyang City around the Water God Festival each year. During his latest return, he noticed Wutuo spies disguised as civilians outside the city and secretly followed them. These spies indeed infiltrated the city amidst the festival crowds and boldly kidnapped Princess Mengji's daughter to use as leverage.
It became clear that Wutuo agents were moving freely within Jiyang, their infiltration methods unknown and seemingly premeditated. Although Princess Mengji disliked external interference in Jiyang's affairs, she recognized the gravity of the situation and increased patrols and military defenses, hoping to contain the threat. Despite these measures, Jiyang City still felt precarious, as if a major storm was brewing in the dark.
As He Yan walked through the city, she noted the increased military presence and inwardly commended Princess Mengji's effective defense efforts. Chu Zhao then approached her, first apologizing for a previously missed appointment where he stood her up for a moon-gazing event. To make amends, he presented her with an exquisite tassel, suggesting it would look beautiful with her purple whip. He Yan reciprocated with the most expensive sugar painting, which she had carefully drawn herself.
Chu Zhao, who had a long-standing fear of fire, tightly clutched the sugar painting, treasuring it and fearing any damage. Upon their return to the mansion, they encountered Xiao Jue, whose gaze was immediately drawn to the tassel on He Yan's whip. He Yan honestly admitted it was a gift from Chu Zhao.
A flicker of jealousy crossed Xiao Jue's face, but he feigned indifference, claiming he had also received so much osmanthus candy from He Yan that he couldn't eat it all. Not to be outdone, Chu Zhao proudly declared that the characters "Zilan" on his sugar painting were personally written by He Yan. At that moment, several of Jiyang City's granaries suddenly erupted in flames, painting the sky red, a clear act of sabotage by the Wutuo.
Xiao Jue, his expression grave, immediately took He Yan to consult with Princess Mengji (Mu Hongjin). The situation in Jiyang City was perilous, with less than 20,000 defenders facing a fierce Wutuo assault. Princess Mengji, resolute, declared she would not retreat and would stand with Jiyang until the very end. Moved by her determination, Xiao Jue offered his aid.
He acknowledged the immense risk of further violating military discipline by bringing troops to Jiyang, having already left Yezhou Garrison without authorization. Nevertheless, for the sake of Jiyang's people and as a general of Great Wei, he was resolved to face the consequences, and He Yan unhesitatingly pledged her support to contribute her meager strength. Seeing their commitment, Princess Mengji immediately placed all Jiyang troops under Xiao Jue's command.
After a moment of thought, Xiao Jue appointed He Yan to lead the less than 20,000 Jiyang soldiers as their commander. However, these Jiyang troops had not seen battle in years and were not only inexperienced but also disdainful of He Yan as a female commander. Observing this, Xiao Jue directly challenged ten of them to face He Yan simultaneously, a testament to his absolute confidence in her ability to defeat multiple opponents.
As expected, He Yan easily subdued all ten soldiers. News of this spread, and many noblewomen came to witness her prowess, deeply impressed. Inspired by He Yan, these women contributed financially and offered their services, such as learning medicine to care for the wounded, actively supporting Jiyang's defense. That night, many able-bodied Jiyang citizens, fearing the impending war, fled Jiyang City, leaving behind primarily the elderly, weak, and infirm.
Cheng Lisu and Song Taotao made a bet to see who could rescue more people. Chu Zhao sought and received permission from Princess Mengji to oversee the resettlement of Jiyang's citizens. Yingxiang, concerned for his safety due to his lack of martial arts skills, tried to dissuade him. However, Chu Zhao's resolve was firm, as he believed he must see the task through, not abandon the people, and he also needed to find Chai Anxi and account to his teacher.
While Yingxiang was escorting an elder to a safe location, Chu Zhao, alone, narrowly escaped being struck by falling debris from a burning structure. He Yan appeared just in time to save him. It was revealed that Chu Zhao's fear of fire stemmed from a traumatic childhood incident when he was bullied for his background, specifically for his mother eloping. He Yan, sensing his reluctance to elaborate, did not press further.
On the eve of battle, Mu Hongjin and Liu Buwang communicated through their zither music, seemingly recounting endless past memories. Mu Hongjin remained unaware that Liu Buwang had been imprisoned by his master, Taoist Yunji, which prevented him from keeping their promise to meet. Liu Buwang believed that humans could conquer nature, but his master argued that their stubbornness would cause immense suffering for the populace, and that a marriage alliance was the optimal solution for stability.
Liu Buwang pleaded with his master to allow him to go down the mountain and see Mu Hongjin, as he could not break his word, but his master rendered him unconscious. The next morning, his master informed Liu Buwang that the Princess (Mu Hongjin) was to marry in three days, and urged him to abandon his persistence as the marriage alliance was the best solution for stability.
Liu Buwang, confined, played his zither outside, while Mu Hongjin inside her room felt sorrow, blaming him for not coming that day and wondering why he would appear now, acknowledging that their youthful past was long gone. On the day of Princess Mengji's wedding, Liu Buwang, still confined, wept all night, consumed by longing for her. Chu Zhao prepared to accompany Princess Mengji to the military camp to await the army's triumphant return.
He carefully clutched the Yunqing armor He Yan had given him, cherishing it, as it would protect him from blades and swords. As Huyate, the Wutuo commander, led his army to besiege the city and the war horns blared, He Yan volunteered to lead an elite team to lure Huyate and his formidable heavy-armored troops away. Xiao Jue, looking at her, issued a stern military order for He Yan to return alive, and she accepted her mission and departed.
