Let's Shake It! Season 1 Episode 13 Recap
> Let's Shake It! Season 1 Recap
Li Yi confronted Tang Qingfeng, demanding a detailed account of events in Nanzhao and Tang Qingye's whereabouts. Tang Qingfeng, visibly pained, refused to divulge any information, asserting that Tang Qingye was no longer his sister. Li Yi, perplexed, pressed him, asking what truly transpired in Nanzhao and why he left Tang Qingye behind.
Tang Qingfeng denied abandoning her and insisted that he had promised to provide an explanation, but sternly told Li Yi not to mention her name, stating, "He is not my sister. He is not. You know nothing." Li Yi noted Tang Qingfeng’s drastic change since returning from Nanzhao, observing that he was no longer the straightforward brother he once knew, and wondered if Tang Qingfeng was concealing a secret.
Tang Qingfeng simply advised him to consider Tang Qingye "dead" and never returning, if he still valued their brotherhood. Soon after, Xiao Zhihe sought Tang Qingfeng's help, revealing that Xiao Ruyi had gone missing. He expressed his dismay that everyone seemed to have changed since their return from Nanzhao, lamenting Tang Qingfeng’s recent heavy drinking and Xiao Ruyi’s constant sorrow, which ultimately led to her disappearance.
He also questioned why Tang Qingye chose to stay in Nanzhao to become a monk and refused to see him before leaving. Tang Qingfeng, recalling his earlier resolve in Xingzu Village, had made a difficult decision to leave Tang Qingye behind to investigate his sister's true death and prepare for the demon invasion.
He had entrusted her care to Duan Fei, believing she had no place in the Tang family anymore and expressing his reluctance to see her until he uncovered the truth. Tang Qingfeng eventually found Xiao Ruyi at a place they once shared, commemorating fallen soldiers. She acknowledged his presence, having expected him, and remarked on the enduring scenery amidst the absence of their comrades. Tang Qingfeng admitted he could not forget their past.
Xiao Ruyi recounted their joint campaigns and how King Qi had once saved her career, justifying her current allegiance to Li Fu. Tang Qingfeng expressed understanding for her stance, recognizing that many serve under compulsion. Xiao Ruyi then declared her unwavering devotion, offering to abandon everything for him. However, Tang Qingfeng gently rebuffed her, defining their relationship as one of comradeship and shared trials, devoid of romantic feelings.
Heartbroken, Xiao Ruyi accused Tang Qingfeng of harboring feelings for another, which blinded him to her affections. His fervent denials only strengthened her conviction. She pointed to his recent reclusive and drunken behavior as proof he was consumed by thoughts of Tang Qingye, worrying about her safety and well-being. Xiao Ruyi declared, "This person. . . is your sister, Tang Qingye," predicting their relationship would lead to ruin.
Tang Qingfeng tried to silence her, but Xiao Ruyi, feeling scorned, warned him that he had chosen to make an enemy of her. She defiantly stated that their paths would diverge, and any future encounters would be devoid of past sentiment. Tang Qingfeng wished for her to hate him rather than remain deluded by her feelings. Tang Qingfeng immersed himself in his work, tirelessly investigating cases, neglecting food and sleep.
His younger brother, Tang Qingyun, observed his elder brother’s preoccupation, noting his constant attendance at court or the Lecture Hall and Xiao Ruyi's uncharacteristic harshness towards students. Tang Qingyun tried to offer help, but Tang Qingfeng curtly dismissed him, instructing him to organize his extensive case files. General Tang visited Tang Qingfeng, urging him to regain his composure.
Tang Qingfeng expressed regret for failing to protect Tang Qingye and for betraying his father’s trust, though he rationalized that if her life in Nanzhao granted her more freedom, it might not be entirely bad. General Tang then revealed that he had been ordered by the Emperor to leave the capital with Guo Fengyi to serve as a military commissioner in Longyou. He warned Tang Qingfeng of Guo Fengyi's treacherous nature and stressed the importance of caution.
Tang Qingfeng assured his father he would uphold his responsibilities. General Tang, however, expressed a quiet sadness at not being able to enjoy one last bowl of noodles cooked by Tang Qingye. Tang Qingfeng offered comfort, stating that Tang Qingye would not wish to see him troubled. Before leaving, General Tang imparted crucial advice: always prioritize the Tang dynasty above personal emotions, as it was Tang Qingfeng's duty and mission.
The Emperor, lost in thought, gazed at a portrait of Imperial Concubine An (Anyue), recalling her fondly. Xiao Ge recognized her and discreetly reminded the Emperor of the passage of twenty years since Imperial Concubine An's tragic disappearance during the war. He urged the Emperor to prioritize his health and avoid excessive grief, but the Emperor confessed his deep guilt over the loss of his beloved concubine and their unborn child. Just then, Tang Qingfeng requested an audience.
He presented "Lock your An Tang Annals," a detailed proposal for converting the Jiang Wutang (Lecture Hall) into a covert department to combat a potential "demon" invasion, a plan stemming from the Nanzhao incident. The Emperor promptly approved, appointing Xiao Ge to oversee the project with Tang Qingfeng’s assistance, emphasizing the need for secrecy to avoid public panic.
As Tang Qingfeng exited, the Emperor mused that his own lost eldest son would have been Tang Qingfeng's age and just as distinguished. Xiao Ge noted Tang Qingfeng's striking resemblance to Imperial Concubine An. Tang Qingfeng began to actively avoid Li Yi. Li Yi, whose suspicions were heightened by Tang Qingyun's accounts of Tang Qingfeng's unusual behavior, confronted him. Tang Qingfeng invoked the Emperor's secret decree, refusing to disclose any details and asking for understanding.
Li Yi grew angry at Tang Qingfeng's evasiveness, especially after observing the extensive reconstruction at the Lecture Hall, sensing a significant, undisclosed project was underway. He began to distrust Tang Qingfeng. Meanwhile, Xiao Ge's deep involvement in the Lecture Hall project kept him out of sight, leaving Xiao Ruyi and Xiao Zhihe to speculate about their father's secretive activities, even jokingly wondering if he was secretly courting a new wife.
One evening, as Xiao Zhihe and Xiao Ruyi browsed a lantern festival, Xiao Zhihe spoke wistfully of Tang Qingye's love for festive occasions and her absence from Chang'an. Xiao Ruyi probed him about Tang Qingye's decision to remain in Nanzhao and become a monk. Suddenly, Xiao Ruyi spotted Tang Qingye in the bustling crowd and, leaving Xiao Zhihe behind, discreetly followed her.
Tang Qingfeng, deeply conflicted by his feelings for Abuchacha (who inhabited Tang Qingye's body), visited his ancestral home's graveyard, standing before Tang Qingye's mother's tomb. He poured out his heart, confessing his internal struggle: though he knew Abuchacha might be the murderer, he harbored a desperate hope that her claims of innocence were true and found himself unable to harm her.
He lamented his inability to bring back Tang Qingye’s body and expressed confusion over his feelings—a mix of brotherly duty to protect her and a forbidden attraction. He sought guidance from his deceased parents. Suddenly, Abuchacha appeared. She reminded him of his promise never to abandon her, forgiving his past departure but warning him against future carelessness. Tang Qingfeng watched her silently, tears welling in his eyes.
Abuchacha then prepared braised pork, Tang Qingfeng's favorite dish, and chattered happily about her return and certainty that he would come to the ancestral home. Tang Qingfeng ate in silence, his expression unreadable, even as Abuchacha expressed pride in her cooking. After he finished the meal, he solemnly declared that it was time to settle their accounts and led her to Tang Qingye's mother's grave.
He explained the importance of respecting the deceased and allowing them peaceful repose, subtly urging Abuchacha to act with conscience. Abuchacha tearfully explained her past deception was due to circumstances and that she had not intentionally harmed the original Tang Qingye. Tang Qingfeng seemed to waver. Abuchacha then confessed her profound love for him, declaring her desire to be with him forever.
She described her love as unwavering, like "the kind of love that Duan Laotou has for Jile, the kind of love that means no matter what happens, we have to be together." She swore never to deceive him again, revealing that he had made Earth feel warmer to her, and she wished to live as a human, never returning to Dorsey, as long as he was by her side.
Distraught, Tang Qingfeng reiterated that their relationship was impossible due to their perceived sibling bond, fearing that it would bring immense shame upon the Tang family. He stated unequivocally that as long as she wore Tang Qingye’s likeness, they could never be together. He pleaded with her to return to Nanzhao and her people, forbidding her from ever stepping foot in the Central Plains again. Abuchacha steadfastly refused, citing Duan Laotou’s teaching that love knows no hesitation.
She challenged him, asking, "Do you want to kill me again?" Tang Qingfeng admitted he could not bring himself to harm her, expressing shame for failing his parents and heaven, and firmly ordered her never to seek him out again. Unbeknownst to them, Xiao Ruyi had been eavesdropping. After Tang Qingfeng left, she approached a heartbroken Abuchacha. Feigning sympathy, Xiao Ruyi manipulated Abuchacha, telling her that Tang Qingfeng secretly loved her but was too shy to admit it.
Xiao Ruyi cunningly suggested that Abuchacha publicly declare her love for Tang Qingfeng across Chang'an to force his hand, assuring her that such a bold move would only make him confess his feelings and not cause him trouble. Abuchacha, desperate for Tang Qingfeng’s acceptance, was swayed by Xiao Ruyi's words. Later, while Tang Qingfeng was out with Madam Tang, Abuchacha dramatically projected "Tang Qingfeng, I love you!" onto the city gate using an airship.
She then stood atop the city gate, loudly professing her love to all the citizens of Chang'an. The public reacted with outrage, condemning her "shameless" act and the Tang family’s disgrace. Madam Tang, mortified and furious, immediately ordered the Butler to apprehend the "evil creature" and bring her back, dead or alive. Tang Qingfeng, witnessing Abuchacha’s public declaration amidst the uproar, rushed to the city gate.
Ignoring the crowd's insults, he looked at Abuchacha with profound emotion and declared, "I lost." Xiao Ruyi, observing their loving exchange, felt a pang of sadness but also a perverse satisfaction as the citizens continued their barrage of insults.
