Legend of Two Sisters in the Chaos Episode 34 Recap
> Legend of Two Sisters in the Chaos Recap
After leaving Baoci Palace, Zhao Wan'er was in high spirits, convinced that Fu Yuzhan was nearing her end. Moments later, Chai Zhenzhen expressed her concern to Fu Yuzhan, recounting Zhao Wan'er's unsettling smile upon seeing the bruises on Fu Yuzhan's arm. Chai Zhenzhen also noted Zhao Wan'er's unusually cheerful demeanor, even rewarding a maid for accidentally spilling a cup, rather than punishing her.
Chai Zhenzhen found this behavior suspicious and urged Fu Yuzhan to have Jingming Palace, Zhao Wan'er's residence, monitored. Fu Yuzhan initially dismissed her concerns as overthinking, but eventually agreed to consider placing the palace under surveillance. Zhang Yongyao learned from the imperial physicians that the poison Fu Yuzhan had been administered had a pungent odor. He theorized that the perpetrator must have masked the poison with another strong scent to avoid detection.
Despite investigating all the incense burned in the palace, he found no traces of poison. Zhang Yongyao then sought Emperor Xue Rong's permission to question Fu Yuzhan directly about any unusual scents she might have encountered. Later, during a meal with Fu Yuzhan and Chai Zhenzhen, Xue Rong vaguely mentioned that Zhang Yongyao merely had "some ideas" without disclosing the specifics of his findings.
Princess Shou An received a message from Zhao Wan'er, confirming that Fu Yuzhan was indeed on the verge of death. She instructed Yancao to eliminate any palace contacts who had been communicating with Zhao Wan'er, fearing they might jeopardize her plans. Yancao expressed her sorrow at seeing the princess consumed by revenge, but Shou An felt isolated, believing only Yancao truly cared for her.
Unbeknownst to Shou An, Zhang Yongyao also harbored deep concern for her well-being, going so far as to obtain a rare talisman from the White Tower Temple, of which only three were available each month. Touched by his gesture, Shou An invited Zhang Yongyao to sleep in her chambers. However, she found him in his study, poring over the case files of the Empress's poisoning.
Shou An saw this as a fortuitous development, believing she could now subtly extract information from him about the investigation's progress and thus pre-emptively destroy any incriminating evidence. Meanwhile, at an inn, Jiang Shao and Jinzhan were having a meal when a spy, under Yueying's command, deliberately knocked their herbal medicine into water, rendering it useless. Both Jiang Shao and Jinzhan were distraught by the loss.
Jiang Shao suggested they immediately return to the capital, hoping to spend more time with Fu Yuzhan before her impending death. From a hidden vantage point, Yueying observed their distress, confident that her plan had succeeded. Back in the palace, a gravely ill Fu Yuzhan struggled to continue her administrative duties, her hands too weak to even hold a brush while reviewing account books. Despite her deteriorating condition, she tried to bring a smile to Xue Rong's face.
As she spoke, she collapsed into his arms, expressing a wish to visit Qinghui Pavilion. Unseen in a corner, Zhao Wan'er watched, delighting in Fu Yuzhan's suffering and wishing for her swift demise. That night, Qinghui Pavilion was illuminated by countless shining sky lanterns. Lying in Xue Rong's embrace, Fu Yuzhan urged him to look up at the stars, telling him that one day, she would be the brightest star in the sky, watching over him.
Overcome with grief, Xue Rong wept, pleading with her not to become a star and leave him, imploring her to hold on until the antidote arrived. The entire imperial hospital anxiously awaited Jiang Shao's return. Fu Yuzhan, fading in and out of consciousness, struggled to speak, her strength almost completely gone. Fortunately, Jiang Shao and Jinzhan arrived just in time, bringing the precious antidote.
It was revealed that Jiang Shao had, as a precaution against sabotage, secretly purchased an additional batch of medicine from a different pharmacy. His decision to express despair over the ruined herbs and feign a desperate return to the capital to see Fu Yuzhan one last time had successfully fooled their adversaries. The antidote began to work, and Fu Yuzhan slowly regained consciousness. Jinzhan, disguised as a young imperial physician, secretly visited her sister.
Upon her return to the capital, Yueying confidently reported to Li Huaijin that Jiang Shao's herbal medicine had been completely ruined, assuring him of Fu Yuzhan's inevitable death. Li Huaijin believed his plan had succeeded and was taken aback by Fu Yuzhan's unexpected survival. To compensate for this failure, he instructed Yueying to intensify the rumors circulating about the late emperor's son living among commoners, making sure the whispers reached Xue Rong's ears.
As Fu Yuzhan continued her medication, her health steadily improved. She decided to investigate Zhao Wan'er, whose behavior Chai Zhenzhen had found suspicious. Fu Yuzhan specifically asked Chai Zhenzhen not to inform Emperor Xue Rong about her suspicions regarding Zhao Wan'er, intending to handle the investigation herself. Feigning friendship, Fu Yuzhan requested more of the scented sachets Zhao Wan'er had previously given her, claiming she adored its fragrance.
Zhao Wan'er readily agreed, promising to formulate a new batch of the scented sachets for Fu Yuzhan in a few days. Princess Shou An received a new secret message from Zhao Wan’er, confirming that the Empress's poison had been cured. Enraged, she ordered Yancao to send more Stellaria Leaf to Zhao Wan'er, instructing her to create an even stronger poison to ensure Fu Yuzhan's immediate death.
Just as Yancao was about to leave, Zhang Yongyao arrived with some persimmon cakes for Shou An. Upon entering her room, he detected a subtle fragrance, reminiscent of Longjing tea. Startled, Yancao accidentally dropped a small box she was holding, revealing its contents. Zhang Yongyao immediately recognized the herb as Stellaria Leaf, the very component responsible for poisoning the Empress. He was stunned to discover the incriminating evidence in Princess Shou An's chambers.
Cornered, Princess Shou An confessed her actions, stating her desire for Fu Yuzhan to pay with her life for the death of her child. She angrily accused Zhang Yongyao of never truly caring for her, recounting how he had chosen Fu Yuzhan over her even before their marriage and how he still kept the Seclusion zither, which was originally intended for Fu Yuzhan.
Later that night, Zhang Yongyao, having completed his report on the poisoning, bitterly reproached himself for his lack of care towards Shou An and for harboring lingering affections for Fu Yuzhan. In a fit of despair, he smashed the Seclusion zither, resolving to let go of his unrequited desires.
