Legend of the Female General Episode 24 Recap
> Legend of the Female General Recap
News spread quickly through the military camp that Wutuo had attacked Huayuan. Many discussed the unexpected move, with some speculating that it was a mere probe of their military strength by Wutuo. He Yan also believed it was a test of their preparedness. Her heart sank, however, when she heard that He Rufei was leading the troops to defend Huayuan. A grand reception was held outside the camp to welcome General Yan He of Wei.
He Yan recognized him immediately, recalling their shared days as students at Xianchang Academy. In those years, Yan He was remarkably talented but always placed second in the major exams, earning him the nickname "the eternal second," while Xiao Jue consistently held the top spot. Now, Yan He had arrived by imperial decree, crossing paths with Xiao Jue once more. Shortly after, Chu Zhao arrived to deliver an imperial decree.
The Emperor, pleased with He Yan’s courage and accomplishments in battles against Wutuo, conferred upon her the title of Wu'an Lang. However, for Xiao Jue, despite his significant military achievements, the decree surprisingly condemned him for disobeying orders and abandoning his post, ordering twenty military floggings as punishment. He Yan immediately understood this was a deliberate act by Xu Jingfu to drive a wedge between her and Xiao Jue.
Yan He, ordered to carry out the punishment, inflicted each of the twenty strokes with considerable force. Xiao Jue endured the severe beating in silence, his jaw clenched, not uttering a single sound. Chu Zhao explained that he had petitioned the Emperor on He Yan’s behalf for her recognition, but Xiao Jue, as a commander, was being punished to set an example and uphold military discipline.
Regarding He Yan’s own unauthorized departure from Yezhou Garrison, Chu Zhao mentioned that the Chancellor had interceded for her before the Emperor, which was why she faced no penalty. As Xiao Jue lay injured, Cheng Lisu quickly tended to his wounds and prepared internal medicine. He Yan, feeling immense guilt, lingered outside the tent, listening to the activity within, her feet rooted to the spot, unable to bring herself to enter and see him. Later, Yan He visited Xiao Jue.
They reminisced briefly about their past rivalry at Xianchang Academy, acknowledging that they were now comrades. Yan He mentioned his wife, Chengxiu, was expecting a child. He then revealed that the Emperor had chosen He Rufei to lead the Huayuan campaign. Suddenly, Shen Han rushed in with an urgent report from Feinu: after the Battle of Mingshui, Xu Jingfu and He Rufei had become increasingly close.
Before the Mingshui Battle, Xu Jingfu had even visited Yuhua Temple, where he met the lady of the He family—He Rufei's sister. However, Feinu’s investigation found no connection between Chu Zhao and the Mingshui Battle, though Chu Zhao had met Chai Anxi in Que City. Xiao Jue, suspecting foul play reminiscent of Mingshui, ordered continued vigilance on He Rufei.
Chu Zhao found He Yan and gravely warned her that many in court resented and feared Xiao Jue, whose future was uncertain. He suggested that if Xiao Jue were to fall, He Yan might also be implicated. He then sincerely invited He Yan to join his ranks, offering her greater freedom and opportunities to venture beyond Yezhou Garrison.
However, He Yan politely declined, asserting that while she might leave Yezhou Garrison one day, it would be to pursue a mission she had to fulfill, not merely to escape hardship. Soon after, news arrived that the Huayuan battle was won, but tragically, all seven of General Feihong’s deputy generals had perished. Xiao Jue was deeply troubled, believing there was a hidden secret behind this "tragic victory."
He knew the Fuyue Army's Eight Tiger Generals were exceptionally skilled and resourceful, making their simultaneous deaths highly suspicious. Indeed, He Rufei had colluded with Maningbu, Wutuo's Chancellor. In a secret meeting, He Rufei offered Maningbu the lives of seven of the Eight Tiger Generals, along with the military defense map of Rundu, in exchange for a guaranteed victory in Huayuan. This treacherous deal was designed to secure his reputation and military honor.
He Yan soon learned of the seven generals’ deaths from Wang Ba and others. Enraged and heartbroken, she went to the training grounds, violently channeling her fury by striking wooden stakes until they splintered, injuring her hand. Xiao Jue, alerted to her distress, quickly arrived. He urged her to calm down, then led her back to her tent and carefully dressed her injured hand.
He Yan, still consumed by grief, expressed her pain at not being able to avenge her fallen brothers, stating that their deaths might have been her fault and vowing vengeance. Xiao Jue comforted her, acknowledging their similar experiences and assuring her that the one who deserved punishment was He Rufei, not her. Before Xiao Jue could finish speaking with He Yan, an imperial summons arrived, ordering him to the auxiliary capital immediately to meet the Emperor.
Meanwhile, Song Taotao adamantly denied any interest in romantic relationships, claiming she was too busy to think of men. Cheng Lisu, more forthright, admitted he was thinking of a particular strong-willed, compassionate, and sincere young woman, subtly hinting at Song Taotao, who blushed and smiled brightly. At Wei’s temporary palace, in Cheng'an Hall, Xiao Jue played chess with the Emperor.
The Emperor, a wise ruler, acknowledged Xiao Jue's merits and expressed a desire to compensate him for the public punishment he had received. Xiao Jue, though humble, admitted he had a matter to request, which pertained to He Yan and her past. Outside, He Rufei impatiently waited, having rushed to the capital to claim credit for the Huayuan victory.
However, the Emperor had given strict orders not to be disturbed while playing chess with Xiao Jue, forcing He Rufei to wait outside in the cold all night. The next morning, Xiao Jue left Cheng'an Hall, passing He Rufei. They exchanged veiled barbs, with Xiao Jue subtly questioning He Rufei's suspicious late arrival of reinforcements at Huayuan, drawing a parallel to the Mingshui battle.
He Rufei came off worse in the exchange and attempted to gain an audience with the Emperor but was curtly dismissed, ordered to return to his camp without a meeting. Back at Yezhou Garrison, He Yan knew that if Rundu faced trouble, He Rufei would never send reinforcements.
With only Li Kuang, the last of the Eight Tiger Generals, defending the crucial military stronghold of Rundu, He Yan resolved that she could not let Li Kuang fall or the city be lost to Wutuo. She left a note for Xiao Jue and, taking the Qinglang Sword, decisively set off for Rundu.
