Legend of Yun Xi Episode 18 Recap
> Legend of Yun Xi Recap
Yunxi arrived at Qinghui Palace, where Emperor Tianhui stood by the bedside of the ailing Consort Qing. Yunxi swiftly diagnosed her condition and wrote a detailed prescription. She had hoped to leave the palace quickly to meet Long Feiye for a lantern festival, but one crucial herb, 'baicao', needed to be freshly picked. Yunxi instructed Imperial Doctor Gu to fetch it from Herb-Ghost Valley, stating that the Valley Master would provide it if he mentioned her name as a friend.
As Consort Qing was the Emperor's beloved, Emperor Tianhui ordered Yunxi to stay in a side chamber until Consort Qing recovered. Yunxi was anxious, hoping to leave quickly for her lantern festival date with Long Feiye. Fortunately, Consort Qing was perceptive. After Imperial Doctor Gu returned with the 'baicao' and Consort Qing took the medicine, she recovered significantly and permitted Yunxi to leave the palace.
Emperor Tianhui, however, still dismissed Yunxi with a caveat, telling her to return immediately if Consort Qing's condition worsened. Meanwhile, Gu Qishao discussed with his subordinate the Emperor's recent request for herbs. He felt that being overly eager might arouse suspicion, preferring to maintain their good relationship with the Crown Prince, especially since Chu Qingge, or Consort Qing, was already their spy keeping an eye on Emperor Tianhui.
He lamented that Yunxi's request for 'baicao' had cost him some plants and mused about making her pay double next time. He also mentioned that information on Long Feiye and the Poison Tribe remained elusive, and the Crown Prince was pressuring them for progress. Gu Qishao decided that Princess Consort Qin herself would be their breakthrough, admitting he had begun to miss her.
The evening came, and Yunxi waited alone on the street with two sugar-coated haws, but Long Feiye never showed up for their promised date. Upon returning to the Qin Prince Mansion, she saw Mingxiang helping a pale and sickly Long Feiye into the Moon Pavilion. Concerned, Yunxi tried to approach him, but Feiye, looking unwell, ordered her to move back to Xianyun Pavilion, stating it was a command, not a negotiation. Yunxi complied, though confused.
Long Feiye's gu poison was about to flare up, and Mingxiang and Tang Li were typically the ones who cared for him. Mingxiang worried about Yunxi misunderstanding, but Long Feiye insisted that Yunxi must never know about his gu poison, stating it was a secret between him and Mingxiang. He instructed Mingxiang and Xifeng to guard his room, allowing no one but Mingxiang and Tang Li to enter. He privately mused that his actions were for Yunxi's own good.
Later, Yunxi wondered what Mingxiang and Long Feiye were doing alone in Moon Pavilion so late. The next morning, Yunxi attempted to enter Moon Pavilion but was stopped by Xifeng, who claimed His Highness was handling military affairs. Yunxi was puzzled why Mingxiang was present for military matters, and though Xifeng escorted her away, Yunxi felt some relief when she saw Tang Li also there, at least ensuring it wasn't just Long Feiye and Mingxiang alone.
It was revealed that the entire poisoning incident was a pre-planned stratagem by Consort Qing. She had deliberately ingested the self-defense poison Gu Qishao had given her, then colluded with the Crown Prince to switch it with the poison Noble Consort Xiao intended to use against her, effectively causing Noble Consort Xiao to panic and expose herself. Meanwhile, Noble Consort Xiao, frantic after the poison was discovered, consulted with her son, Second Prince Tianqing.
Tianqing reassured her, suggesting someone might be framing her, using her name to target Consort Qing due to her favored status. He promised to investigate who truly benefited. In Qinzheng Hall, Emperor Tianhui discussed the newly built palace dungeon with Li Quan, confirming it was complete and the workers had been eliminated and buried. He then ordered Li Quan to secretly investigate Consort Qing's poisoning and keep a close watch on Noble Consort Xiao.
The Crown Prince's subordinate later detailed the intricate plot: Gu Qishao had convinced the Crown Prince about a special self-defense poison from Beili. Subsequently, the Crown Prince was advised to amplify the poisoning incident, leading him to orchestrate the switch of the poison intended for Consort Qing with the one given by Gu Qishao, after Consort Qing had already ingested it as part of her plan.
Noble Consort Xiao, in her panic, had ordered her maid to bury the poison, inadvertently incriminating herself when the Emperor searched her palace. Back at Herb-Ghost Valley, Gu Qishao complained to Yunxi about her constant demand for his herbs, both personally and through others like Gu Beiyue, warning that his valley would go bankrupt. Yunxi playfully retorted that he shouldn't refuse the Emperor's money. Their friendly banter was interrupted by the arrival of Long Feiye.
Yunxi introduced Gu Qishao as her friend, but Long Feiye stated they were already acquainted. He provocatively brought up Yuze, the top courtesan of Wanyan House, who disappeared after he arrested and tortured her, claiming she repeatedly muttered "Valley Master" while in a coma. Long Feiye implied Gu Qishao’s involvement and ordered his men to take Gu Qishao away for questioning.
Yunxi immediately intervened, reminding Long Feiye that Gu Qishao had saved her life when Long Feiye's men were pursuing her and vehemently declared her intention to protect her friend. Long Feiye and Xifeng then departed without Gu Qishao. Gu Qishao later reassured Yunxi that it was merely a test, and he was fortunate that Zhuyu, who had a volatile temper, wasn't present. He mused that Long Feiye might genuinely be starting to suspect him.
Yunxi noticed the strong herbal smell from Long Feiye’s chamber, confirming he was taking medicine. Confused why he hid his illness, she resolved to discover what Mingxiang was decocting to ascertain his condition. She observed Mingxiang giving a pot to maids to clean, then discreetly took a sample from it. Testing it with a silver needle, Yunxi discovered the medicine was poisoned.
Observing Long Feiye’s steady breathing, she deduced it was likely a slow-acting poison and decided against alerting Mingxiang immediately to avoid alarming her. When Yunxi directly asked Long Feiye if he was poisoned, he dismissed her concerns, claiming he was merely suffering from a backlash from practicing martial arts too eagerly. Yunxi, realizing Mingxiang would deny any wrongdoing and that she needed more evidence, left quietly. Meanwhile, Ningjing approached Tang Li, administering Yunxi's special tranquilizer to him.
Tang Li quickly grew dizzy and sleepy, collapsing into Ningjing's arms. He woke later that night to find himself bound, with Ningjing sitting on him. Panicked, he cried for help, accusing Ningjing of kidnapping and "raping a good man." Ningjing, however, declared her intentions, stating that "after tonight, he'll be mine," implying her desire to bear his child to secure her status.
She earnestly expressed her love for him and urged him to love her back, while nearby servants merely laughed, accustomed to their antics. Later, Yunxi burst into Long Feiye’s chamber, confronting Mingxiang about what she believed was poisoned medicine and dramatically spilling the bowl. Long Feiye, enraged, defended Mingxiang, asserting his trust in her and demanding Yunxi leave.
He accused her of being spoiled and warned her against meddling in his affairs, declaring that from then on, he would no longer concern himself with her matters. Xifeng then escorted a heartbroken Yunxi out. Yunxi was unaware that what she spilled was Mingxiang's 'Beauty Blood,' intended to treat Long Feiye's gu poison by using poison to counteract poison.
With the crucial medicine spilled, Long Feiye's gu poison became uncontrolled, causing him to convulse and cough up poisonous blood, overcome by the escalating affliction. Mingxiang, distraught, retrieved some of her own blood, determined to use it again to detoxify Long Feiye’s gu poison.
