Legend of Two Sisters in the Chaos Episode 21 Recap
> Legend of Two Sisters in the Chaos Recap
Emperor Xue Rong arrives at the Fu Mansion, expressing his concern for Yuzhan and noting her somewhat languished appearance. Yuzhan, however, remains distant, directly questioning why he has not yet declared the true cause of the Empress's death to the world. She implies that he is afraid to do so and suggests he might be responsible for Jinzhan’s demise.
Hurt by her words, Xue Rong asks if she truly believes he forced Jinzhan's death and laments the apparent lack of trust between them. Yuzhan states her intention to go to Hanqiu Temple to pray for Jinzhan and promptly leaves. As Yuzhan's carriage departs, she hears the mournful yet hopeful melody of a guqin and asks her attendant to stop.
She discovers Assistant Minister Zhang Yongyao playing "Autumn Steps Rain", a piece composed by the former dynasty's zither master Zhong Zhizhang in memory of his deceased sister. Zhang Yongyao explains that despite its melancholy, the music signifies the promise of sunshine after rain, hoping it will comfort Yuzhan in her grief and make his presence worthwhile.
Yuzhan thanks him for his concern but informs him that due to her sister’s sudden death, their marriage will likely be delayed, asking for his understanding. Zhang Yongyao expresses his understanding. Meanwhile, Fu Yanxin and Li Huaijin are consumed by sorrow over Jinzhan’s death. Li Huaijin, overcome with guilt for failing to protect Jinzhan or rescue her from the fire, is seen in deep distress with a burning candle, which his attendant, Yueying, pulls away from him.
Yueying reassures him that the fire was an accident, not his fault, and that Jinzhan would not want to see him tormenting himself. Elsewhere, a disguised Jinzhan approaches the Fu Mansion. She observes numerous imperial guards, including those usually assigned to Cao Han, stationed around the residence. Concluding that Emperor Xue Rong has set a trap to kill her, she decides to prioritize her safety and immediately leaves the area before attempting to reunite with her father and sister.
The Princess Royal remarks on Lady Yuzhan’s ongoing entanglement with the Emperor and the unfortunate timing of the Empress’s death just before Yuzhan’s scheduled marriage to Assistant Minister Zhang. She muses that if a woman lacks the true destiny to be Empress, she cannot securely hold such a high position. She then sets off with Yueying for the Jiang Mansion.
Jinzhan secretly enters the Jiang Mansion and, disguised as a ghost, frightens Chai Zhenzhen, accusing her of causing her miserable death and demanding retribution. A terrified Zhenzhen cries out to Jiang Shao that Jinzhan’s ghost has visited her, claiming to have died a tragic death and wanting her to join her. Jiang Shao rushes to Zhenzhen's side, initially dismissing her fears as baseless, but then notices a valuable hairpin at the entrance.
Zhenzhen denies it belongs to her, explaining she keeps all the Emperor's gifts unused. Jiang Shao then realizes that the "ghost" must have been Jinzhan herself, and with a surge of joy, he concludes that Jinzhan is indeed still alive. After seeking advice from an elder, Jiang Shao buys Jinzhan's favorite chestnuts. Eunuch Li Fang escorts Jinzhan, disguised as a male attendant, to the Fu Mansion to meet Prince Wei.
After ensuring privacy by closing the doors, Jinzhan tearfully reunites with her father and sister. Yuzhan is overjoyed to see her alive. Prince Wei, however, is furious, demanding Jinzhan leave immediately. He fears that if the Emperor discovers her fake death, the entire Fu clan will be accused of deceiving the emperor and face extermination. He harshly scolds Jinzhan for bringing such trouble upon them.
Yuzhan attempts to pacify her father, promising to deal with Jinzhan, while Eunuch Li advises Prince Wei to find a swift resolution to the precarious situation. Alone with Yuzhan, Jinzhan confesses that she deliberately set the fire to stage her own death. She then claims that although Xue Rong had Cao Han escort her out of the city, Cao Han attempted to murder her just outside the capital.
Jinzhan insists that only Xue Rong could have given Cao Han such an order, concluding that the Emperor intended to kill her. She suggests that the imperial throne can transform a person, making them terrifying and unfamiliar. Yuzhan, however, expresses profound skepticism that Xue Rong would truly want to harm her. Meanwhile, Jiang Shao leaves a note at his residence, sincerely apologizing and vowing to always be at Jinzhan's service.
Jinzhan, who has been secretly following him, finds the note and the chestnuts. She confronts Jiang Shao, who earnestly apologizes, stating that anything that caused her unhappiness was his mistake and reaffirming the promises in his note. Just as Jinzhan begins to soften, Chai Zhenzhen unexpectedly returns, having bought fish for dinner. Jiang Shao takes the opportunity to tell Zhenzhen that he must find her new accommodations due to considerations of gender and reputation.
Heartbroken, Zhenzhen tearfully explains that as a member of the Chai family, she has no place in the capital unless she marries him, and she pleads for his help and pity, not wanting to return to Luocheng where she has no family left. Angered by Zhenzhen's declaration, Jinzhan storms off.
Jiang Shao chases after her, embracing her and clarifying that he views Zhenzhen only as the Emperor's sister, with no romantic intentions; Jinzhan is the only woman he desires to marry. He proposes they leave the capital together, as Jinzhan is no longer the Empress and her continued presence poses a risk of exposure. With his mother's death avenged, they are now free from all constraints.
He suggests they first return to Dingzhou, then embark on a journey to explore the vast world wherever they please. Jinzhan happily agrees to his proposal. Returning to the Fu Mansion, Xue Rong learns that Yuzhan, claiming illness, is unwilling to see him. Despite this, he insists on visiting her personally, concerned she might catch a cold.
He covertly enters her room, finds her asleep, and gently covers her before departing, instructing an attendant not to reveal his visit to Yuzhan. Later, Xue Rong again confronts Yuzhan about her lingering suspicions regarding Jinzhan's fate. Yuzhan confesses her internal conflict, acknowledging Cao Han's unquestionable loyalty to the Emperor but struggling to find a motive for Xue Rong to order Jinzhan’s death.
Xue Rong explains he had originally planned to reveal Jinzhan's survival as a pleasant surprise during his previous visit, but her accusations of him murdering Jinzhan had angered him, causing him to withhold the truth. Seizing the moment, Xue Rong urges Yuzhan to put aside her hesitation. He proposes that if they continue to conceal Jinzhan's survival, he can then designate Yuzhan as his new Empress, solemnly promising to marry her.
Xue Rong then discusses Chai Zhenzhen's future with Prince Wei. He explains that Zhenzhen is his only remaining blood relative, but current laws prohibit her from residing in the capital. To keep her close, a change of surname would be necessary, and while marriage could resolve the issue, he refuses to force her as her heart already belongs to someone else.
Prince Wei suggests Zhenzhen could change her surname and become his adopted daughter, presenting it as the only viable solution. Xue Rong confirms that Zhenzhen admires Prince Wei and wishes to stay with him, making the arrangement mutually beneficial. Xue Rong states he will select an auspicious day for Prince Wei to formally adopt Zhenzhen. Prince Wei agrees but then asks Xue Rong to meet another person. Prince Wei presents Jinzhan and Yuzhan to Xue Rong.
Prince Wei immediately takes responsibility for Jinzhan's rebellious act of burning down the palace, offering her up for any punishment, even death. Xue Rong, however, dismisses the idea of killing Jinzhan, explaining that he merely sent her out of the palace that night due to the emergency, intending to reveal her survival once she was safely settled. Jinzhan interjects, accusing Xue Rong of hypocrisy and of ordering Cao Han to assassinate her.
Xue Rong vehemently denies this, asserting he only commanded Cao Han to escort her out of the capital. Prince Wei, believing Cao Han acted independently, promises to conduct an investigation and states he will send Jinzhan away from the capital. Xue Rong then confronts Cao Han, who kneels before him. Xue Rong furiously accuses Cao Han of defying his imperial decree, secretly attempting to murder the Empress, and deceiving him.
Cao Han, undeterred by the threat of death, defends his actions by stating his sole motivation was to protect the Emperor's reputation. He argues that Jinzhan's absurd fake death could lead to widespread trouble, exposing Xue Rong to public shame and controversy if discovered. Eunuch Guo intercedes on Cao Han's behalf. Though enraged, Xue Rong spares Cao Han's life.
He tasks Cao Han with secretly protecting Jinzhan's identity while she is away and, if she ever returns and faces the risk of exposure, to proactively eliminate that threat. Xue Rong warns that any future disobedience or arbitrary actions will result in severe penalties. As punishment for his insubordination, Xue Rong orders Cao Han, the Minister of Personnel, to receive 50 lashes.
