Legend of the Female General Episode 7 Recap
> Legend of the Female General Recap
He Yan discreetly followed Ding Yi, while Xiao Jue observed her from a distance. Aware of Xiao Jue's presence, He Yan saw Ding Yi enter Wanhua Pavilion. Knowing Xiao Jue's dignified nature, she believed he would not enter such a pleasure house, providing a perfect opportunity to elude him. Inside Wanhua Pavilion, He Yan encountered Chu Zhao and his servant Yingxiang, who recognized her as the "fortune teller" from Que City.
He Yan approached Chu Zhao and, referencing their previous encounter, noted that he had recently suffered a minor injury. Warning him that such a wound could prove fatal on a battlefield if left untreated, she offered him two bottles of medicine. After she left, Yingxiang questioned if the young man truly had divination skills, but Chu Zhao simply replied that he had likely "sniffed out" the scent of blood.
He Yan then observed Ding Yi entering a room with several dancers. After learning from a courtesan that the room was for dancers who performed at noble banquets, He Yan disguised herself in a dancer's attire and veiled her face to follow Ding Yi. However, her plan was thwarted when the madam, facing a last-minute cancellation from the main dancer, pushed He Yan onto the stage to perform.
Forced to abandon her pursuit for the moment, He Yan borrowed a sword from a guest and performed a captivating sword dance, earning cheers from the military men below. Watching from the audience, Chu Zhao realized the "fortune teller" was a woman in disguise. He Yan, meanwhile, noted that Ding Yi was dressed as a servant of Sun Xiangfu, the Yezhou Magistrate, and resolved to continue her investigation at the Sun Mansion.
Midway through her performance, He Yan was startled by the unexpected arrival of Xiao Jue, causing her to falter. Chu Zhao quickly began playing his flute, providing a melody that allowed He Yan to regain her rhythm and complete the dance flawlessly. Afterwards, Xiao Jue approached and presented her with a flower, musing to himself that it was a "flower for a beauty."
He was fully aware of her identity and found her audacity remarkable, though He Yan remained convinced he had not seen through her disguise. After changing back into her male attire, He Yan witnessed a commotion as a courtesan was being forcibly dragged away, with the madam announcing that "Young Master Sun's" men were coming for her. Nearby, Xiao Jue and Chu Zhao conversed.
Chu Zhao revealed he was the Inspector sent by the court to investigate the Yezhou Garrison's supply shortages. Xiao Jue, explaining he had arrived ahead of schedule with his nephew, asked Chu Zhao to keep his early arrival a secret. As they spoke, Xiao Jue noticed Chu Zhao's focused gaze on He Yan as she intervened in the commotion downstairs, making him wonder if the two knew each other.
He Yan rescued the struggling woman, who introduced herself as Song Taotao. She explained that she had run from an arranged marriage and was only passing through Yezhou when she was abducted by a man her captors called "Young Master Sun." She had stabbed him with a hairpin to escape an assault. When Song Taotao asked why He Yan dared to help when no one else would, He Yan confessed, "Because you are a woman, and so am I."
He Yan speculated that "Young Master Sun" was the magistrate's son, Sun Ling, which would complicate matters, and offered Song Taotao some medicinal herbs, noting their poisonous properties could be useful. The name "Song Taotao" was familiar to He Yan, who recalled that her father had arranged her marriage to the daughter of the Chief Imperial Physician, who was none other than Song Taotao. He Yan reflected on the strange twist of fate that brought them together.
Guessing that Sun Ling's men would search the inns for someone with a non-local accent, He Yan disguised Song Taotao as a man. However, Sun Ling and his men soon burst in and identified Song Taotao. He Yan boldly introduced herself as Cheng Lisu, stunning Song Taotao. Sun Ling scoffed at her claim that her uncle was the renowned General Xiao Jue and challenged her to produce him. At that moment, Xiao Jue and Feinu arrived.
Xiao Jue swiftly subdued Sun Ling just as Magistrate Sun Xiangfu appeared. Recognizing Xiao Jue, the magistrate fell to his knees, forcing his son to do the same, and begged for forgiveness. Xiao Jue instructed He Yan to take responsibility for Song Taotao, since she had rescued her. It was then that Song Taotao revealed she was, in fact, Cheng Lisu's nominal fiancée.
She had traveled to Yezhou to find him and annul their engagement, as they had both fled the arrangement. Aware that the real Cheng Lisu was physically frail, Song Taotao knew He Yan was an imposter. Meanwhile, Magistrate Sun privately warned his son of Xiao Jue's power, recounting how Xiao Jue had once executed a censor's son with impunity, but assured him he had a trap ready for the general.
Later, He Yan and Song Taotao discussed the rampant disappearances of young women in Yezhou, a crime widely attributed to Sun Ling but impossible to report since his father was the magistrate. He Yan reassured Song Taotao she would protect her. Later, He Yan offered Xiao Jue osmanthus candies, but he refused them, stating he disliked sweets and reminding her of a past prank where she put loaches in his shoes.
Just then, Feinu announced the Inspector's official arrival, and Xiao Jue informed He Yan they would be attending a banquet at the Sun Mansion that day. At the mansion, Magistrate Sun Xiangfu formally introduced Xiao Jue to the Inspector. He Yan was stunned to see that it was Chu Zhao.
