Legend of the Female General Episode 21 Recap
> Legend of the Female General Recap
He Yan became a celebrated hero among Jiyang's noblewomen due to her valiant performance in battle. While they admired Mu Hongjin, the Princess, as a valiant figure residing high on a pedestal, He Yan was seen as a relatable figure among them, inspiring them to believe that women, too, could achieve great things. He Yan's popularity grew, and she found herself learning needlework and embroidery with the noblewomen.
However, her attempts at stitching were quite clumsy, resulting in crooked designs that drew amused glances. Yan Min'er then suggested teaching He Yan to cook. Enthusiastically, He Yan learned to prepare a bowl of noodles, which she proudly presented to Xiao Jue. In her eagerness, she had inadvertently added too much salt, making the noodles bitter. Yet, Xiao Jue, without a hint of displeasure, stoically consumed the entire salty dish, not wanting to dampen her spirits.
Full of a desire to do something helpful for Xiao Jue, He Yan offered to mend his clothes. She checked his garments but found them all in perfect condition. As she prepared to leave, a slight disappointment evident in her demeanor, Xiao Jue subtly tore a small rip in his sleeve. He then called her back, asking for her help.
He Yan saw through his transparent trick but pretended not to, secretly amused, and promptly reached out to help him remove his clothing. Just then, Feinu entered to deliver a report, stumbled, and fell upon witnessing the scene. Ignoring his own pain, Feinu quickly rose to announce that Chai Anxi had woken up. Xiao Jue and He Yan immediately headed to Chai Anxi.
Xiao Jue, his gaze stern, questioned Chai Anxi about his betrayal of Xiao Zhongwu and the Wei Dynasty. Overwhelmed with emotion, Chai Anxi vehemently denied betraying Wei, shouting that his sole aim was revenge against Xiao Zhongwu, and he had never anticipated the Mingshui defeat. He revealed that his son, Captain Chai Qian, had tragically died at Yanshan, a battle where Xiao Jue was initially supposed to lead the vanguard but was ultimately replaced by Chai Qian.
Xiao Jue patiently explained the hidden circumstances behind the Yanshan campaign, detailing that he was delayed by engaging 5,000 Wutuo cavalry with only 1,000 soldiers. He then presented a petition signed by 216 Xiao Army soldiers, including Chai Qian, proving they had voluntarily volunteered for the dangerous mission due to the urgent situation.
Chai Anxi, trembling as he read the petition, was overcome with grief, finally understanding that his judgment had been clouded by hatred, leading him to commit unforgivable acts that resulted in Xiao Zhongwu's death. Chai Anxi confessed that He Rufei had instructed him to withhold General Xiao's plea for help, delaying its delivery by several days. Although he had only interacted with He Rufei, Chai Anxi hinted that a powerful, high-ranking figure in the capital was also involved.
He Yan, upon hearing this, grew deeply concerned. She suspected that the "He Rufei" Chai Anxi had dealt with was the genuine He Rufei, who by then had already colluded with Xu Jingfu. She pondered why He Rufei would harm the Xiao Army and whether her own death was somehow connected to this conspiracy. She recalled Xiao Jue's sudden shift in attitude towards her on the Mingshui battlefield, realizing it must have been because he had learned of this secret.
Xiao Jue sought Mu Hongjin's discretion in keeping He Yan's female identity a secret, emphasizing He Yan's patriotism and military capabilities. Mu Hongjin readily agreed, promising to protect Jiyang's saviors, adding that Jiyang would always be He Yan's maternal home. Chu Zhao also assured He Yan that he would not disclose her true identity upon their return to the capital. Chu Zhao observed He Yan was unlike ordinary women and offered to forge a unique path for her.
However, He Yan expressed that she did not need anyone to pave a path "for" her; instead, she yearned for someone to walk alongside her, carving out a new destiny together. Soon after, Chai Anxi was found dead, with a Wutuo lion totem left at the scene by the assassins. Xiao Jue suspected Chu Zhao, but also understood that Chu Zhao's influence was insufficient to command Wutuo troops.
In truth, Chu Zhao had deliberately left the totem as a clue for Xiao Jue, while securing an alibi by meeting Mu Hongjin at the time of the assassination. He regretted the loss of Chai Anxi, a formidable general. Chu Zhao seemed unconcerned about Xu Jingfu's potential suspicions, viewing the situation as a necessary balance of gain and loss to expose his master's betrayal.
As Xiao Jue and He Yan prepared to return to Yezhou Garrison, Cui Yuezhi came to bid them farewell, expressing profound gratitude for their role in saving Jiyang City. Their return journey would take them through Chonghuai, offering them the chance to visit the renowned Wangjiang House. During their conversation, the famous Ruyun House, a brothel in Yaojing, was mentioned.
He Yan's expression faltered as she recalled a past incident where she, Xiao Jue, and others had skipped class to visit Ruyun House. In Chonghuai, they met Yang Mingzhi, the local magistrate, who was the sole son of the current Minister of War and a former close friend of Xiao Jue. However, there seemed to be a deep misunderstanding between them.
Yang Mingzhi confessed to Xiao Jue that he had been forced to break a promise, having tried but failed to clear General Xiao Zhongwu's name from accusations of being a "sinner" who caused the Mingshui defeat due to his arrogance. Yang Mingzhi called himself an untrustworthy person for this failure. Xiao Jue angrily dismissed him, telling him to stay out of his sight.
