Legend of Yun Xi Episode 15 Recap
> Legend of Yun Xi Recap
With the Empress Dowager gone, Consort Dowager Yi’s smile grew. She reflected on her lifelong rivalry with the Empress Dowager, noting how the Empress Dowager had never begged her before. Regardless of whether Han Yunxi's actions in obtaining the ten-node cicada slough were intentional, Consort Dowager Yi was pleased to have given away the imperial gift and resolved to reward Han Yunxi handsomely upon her return.
Meanwhile, Han Yunxi lamented the Empress Dowager and Princess Changbing's "ladder-kicking" behavior, finding the grandmother-granddaughter duo remarkably similar. Her thoughts drifted to the day she declared her bond with Han Cong'an as "ending today." Just then, Prince Qin arrived to greet her, pulling her onto his horse. She expressed how much she missed home, especially its delicious food, finding the palace rigid and its dishes unappetizing despite their appearance.
Upon their arrival at Prince Qin's Mansion, Consort Dowager Yi, along with her staff, awaited them. Consort Dowager Yi, who had rushed out upon hearing their return, warmly welcomed them back and instructed Han Yunxi to rest. Feeling the warmth of this welcome, all of Han Yunxi's lingering resentment and sadness dissipated. In Wangyou Palace, Princess Changbing’s facial rashes had disappeared.
Despite her recovery, she still dismissed Han Yunxi as a "despicable servant," claiming her healing was solely due to the thousand years blood jade and ten-node cicada slough. When Noble Consort Xiao and Consort Qing arrived to visit, Princess Changbing, known for disliking Noble Consort Xiao's passive-aggressive nature, immediately lauded Consort Qing’s renowned beauty. She pointedly asked Noble Consort Xiao if Consort Qing's beauty, which eclipsed the entire harem, shouldn't be graced by a child with the Emperor.
Noble Consort Xiao, clearly angered, suddenly declared urgent business and departed abruptly. Princess Changbing then scornfully referred to Noble Consort Xiao as an "old hussy," complaining about her and the Second Prince, who often bullied the Crown Prince. Han Yunxi diligently prepared numerous gifts for her maiden visit, noting it had been nearly three months since her marriage. She felt the mid-autumn festival was an opportune time for a family reunion.
Initially, she thought it unnecessary for Prince Qin to accompany her, believing his presence might cause inconvenience. However, Ouyang Ningjing strongly insisted that a husband must accompany his wife on her first return visit, warning that otherwise, Han Yunxi would be mocked. Han Yunxi, however, seemed unconcerned about being mocked. Ouyang Ningjing then confronted Prince Qin directly in his study, questioning why he wouldn't accompany Han Yunxi.
She implored him not to be someone who constantly breaks a woman's fragile heart, lest she cease waiting for him. Meanwhile, Han Ruoxue, who had meticulously dressed up, waited at the Han family gates, eagerly anticipating Prince Qin's arrival. Seeing Han Yunxi’s carriage pull up without Prince Qin, she intercepted it. Han Ruoxue rudely questioned Han Yunxi’s solo return, suggesting she had been divorced, as no new bride ever returned home alone.
She further taunted Han Yunxi, asserting that since Prince Qin had never even kicked her bridal sedan, their marriage wasn't legitimate. The confrontation escalated as Han Ruoxue spitefully brought up her mother, Mrs. Xu, claiming that Han Yunxi's mother had seduced her father, Han Cong'an, which made Mrs. Xu a concubine and thus Han Ruoxue a daughter of a concubine, thereby robbing Han Ruoxue of her rightful position as the legitimate daughter and Prince Qin's wife.
Just as the argument reached its peak, Prince Qin arrived, riding gallantly to the Han family gates. As Han Cong'an finally returned from the palace, he entered the great hall to find his entire household kneeling, save for Han Yunxi and Prince Qin, who stood commandingly before them. Imperial Doctor Han, Han Cong'an, immediately prostrated himself.
Prince Qin sternly rebuked Han Cong'an and Mrs. Xu for their abysmal upbringing of Han Ruoxue and for her outrageous disrespect toward Princess Consort Qin. He declared that Han Yunxi, as his wife, was now Princess Consort Qin, and challenged Mrs. Xu's audacity by questioning if she considered herself superior to him.
He emphasized that even if Han Yunxi wasn't his wife, she was Han Cong'an's eldest daughter, and a daughter of a concubine had no right to disrespect her elder sister. Though Han Ruoxue begged for mercy, Prince Qin, prompted by Han Yunxi's intercession for leniency on her special day, spared her life. However, he decreed that Han Ruoxue would serve as Han Yunxi's temporary maid for the day, to learn proper seniority and status.
He then issued a stark warning, stating he had no interest in marrying sisters from the same family and threatened severe repercussions if Han Ruoxue dared to spread rumors that tarnished his or Han Yunxi's reputation. Han Yunxi, feeling delighted, subtly affirmed her status as his Princess Consort Qin. While Han Yunxi was preoccupied with her maiden visit, Lord Qishao, oblivious, meticulously prepared for their promised ten-day rendezvous. He donned new clothes and set out to meet Han Yunxi.
Bai Su and Zhuyu, left behind in Herb-Ghost Valley, speculated about Lord Qishao's intentions. Zhuyu wondered if he was going to see Han Yunxi, noting his unusual behavior towards her, such as their similar-looking eyes and their shared pet name for rabbits, suggesting he might have fallen in love. Bai Su countered that his actions might serve a deeper purpose.
Zhuyu then impulsively suggested kidnapping Han Yunxi, but Bai Su quickly dismissed the idea, warning that Long Feiye, Tianning's God of War, was not someone to be trifled with lightly. Meanwhile, at Hongfu Restaurant, the Second Prince met with his subordinate to conspire against Consort Qing.
The Second Prince, whose mother, Noble Consort Xiao, was constantly troubled by Consort Qing's growing influence and noble Xiqiu princess status, expressed his resolve to eliminate this potential threat "in the cradle," planning to do so in utmost secrecy to ease his mother's worries. Later, in a courtyard at the Han Mansion, Prince Qin, Han Yunxi, and her younger brother Han Yunyi shared a pleasant conversation.
Prince Qin even encouraged Yunyi to address him as "brother-in-law," a term that brought a sense of closeness. Yunyi, laughing, recounted how Han Ruoxue used to bully Han Yunxi, sometimes even preventing her from joining family meals. Han Yunxi playfully interjected that she wasn't always bullied and had her own "bottom line" when provoked. The mood shifted when Han Yunxi encountered Han Cong'an in a side corridor.
Han Yunxi confronted him, expressing her deep hurt from his childhood neglect, especially after her mother's death. She recounted how he had allowed Mrs. Xu and Han Ruoxue to bully her, and she longed to know why.
Han Cong'an, who secretly knew Yunxi was only his foster daughter, explained that his strictness and apparent indifference were a deliberate attempt to protect her from Mrs. Xu and Han Ruoxue, especially since he couldn't always be by her side while on duty in the palace, and given Third Aunt's temperament and Yunyi's youth. Han Yunxi, however, remained unconvinced by his explanation, tears welling in her eyes.
During tea service, Han Ruoxue deliberately tried to spill scalding water on Han Yunxi. Prince Qin swiftly intervened, knocking the teacup aside, though his hand was burned in the process. Before Prince Qin could unleash his full fury, Han Yunxi took charge, sending Han Ruoxue to kneel in the yard and giving the arrogant girl a resounding slap when she resisted. Mrs. Xu and Han Ruoxue, seething with silent indignation, mentally added this to their grievances.
Prince Qin later questioned Han Yunxi, asking why she had taken it upon herself to punish Han Ruoxue, implying she had shielded the girl from his more severe wrath. Han Yunxi explained that Han Ruoxue was but an ignorant child who couldn't endure Prince Qin's full anger, adding that he, being so magnanimous, shouldn't bother with such a minor incident. She expressed her belief that peace was always the best option.
Later, Han Yunxi led Prince Qin to a secluded room, showing him a portrait of her mother, Lady Tianxin. She revealed that this room, where her mother once lived, was the only place she truly felt at home.
Prince Qin immediately recognized Lady Tianxin as the woman who had saved his life during his childhood, recalling a perilous flashback where Lady Tianxin, shielding a gu-abetted child, confronted ruthless pursuers who accused her of theft and threatened her life for protecting the innocent. Back in the present, Prince Qin knelt before the portrait, solemnly vowing to take good care of Han Yunxi. Han Yunxi, pleasantly surprised, reminded him that her mother was not deceased but merely missing.
Meanwhile, in a bustling noodle shop, Lord Qishao sat alone, waiting. He had been there all day and night, patiently hoping for Han Yunxi to appear. He claimed to the vendor that he had just arrived and was not hungry, having strolled around the streets while waiting. The vendor recognized him, asking if he was waiting for the same "good looking" girl he had been with previously. Lord Qishao confirmed it, though his heart was heavy with unspoken longing.
At the Han mansion, in a softly lit room with red candles, Han Yunxi playfully mentioned a traditional ritual for conception to Prince Qin. She then teased him, saying he had "hands and feet" and didn't need her to serve him in bed. When Prince Qin asked if she wanted him to leave, she quickly denied it, claiming she was only concerned about Consort Dowager Yi. Prince Qin, however, decided to stay.
