My Divine Emissary Episode 14 Recap
> My Divine Emissary Recap
Lu Huan reports to Qi Yan that the stolen disaster relief grain was escorted by the Sai Family Escort from Yang City and that the clues regarding its disappearance appear to have been deliberately erased. At the same time, Kong An brings Qi Yan a waist token belonging to Li Mengmeng, which the Yang City officials sent, stating the Sai Family Escort found it at the Sai Residence. Qi Yan immediately decides to travel to Yang City.
Lu Huan asks how this will be explained to the palace. Qi Yan instructs him to prepare for travel with the Noble Consort, stating they will say they are going to the summer palace early for the heat. While traveling to Yang City, the Noble Consort, Cui Wan'er, asks why they are heading to the summer palace. Qi Yan clarifies that they are going to Yang City. Cui Wan'er understands and says she will help maintain the cover story.
Qi Yan observes that she is just like when they were children, always covering for him and Qi Su when they misbehaved in front of his mother, the Empress Dowager. He realizes that, in retrospect, she likely did it more for Qi Su. Qi Yan then asks Cui Wan'er if she is willing to go to the frontier with Qi Su. She expresses her strong willingness.
Qi Yan reveals that Prince Heqin (Qi Su) will be returning and will pass by the summer palace in seven days. He adds that the Noble Consort will pass away from a sudden illness in a few days, after which she will simply be Cui Wan. Cui Wan'er thanks Qi Yan for devising this plan for her and Qi Su. She then departs from the palace.
Arriving in Yang City, a prosperous city in the southeast of Qi, Qi Yan and his attendants note the stark contrast with Lu County and the promise of the canal. They proceed to the Sai family's shop, Fuxing Emporium. Inside, Qi Yan notices a peculiar device. The shopkeeper explains it is a newly released pedal-powered washing device, unique to their shop in Qi and highly popular. Qi Yan inquires who created it, but the shopkeeper does not know.
Qi Yan states he will purchase the device and intends to make a large transaction but insists on meeting the person who made it first, providing a deposit. He also shows a picture or description of Li Mengmeng, asking if the shopkeeper has seen her, but the shopkeeper says no. Meanwhile, at the Sai Residence, Sai Xue is reviewing portraits of potential suitors presented by her servant.
She is unimpressed, recalling Mister Li from the capital whose portrait was misleadingly flattering and Mister Zhang from Yang City who, while looking decent, was empty-headed. Her servant reminds her that her father requires her to choose someone today. Sai Xue, frustrated that she cannot find a man she likes in all of Yang City, accepts Li Mengmeng's suggestion to go out for a walk, hoping to encounter someone suitable. Sai Xue and Li Mengmeng visit the Qingteng Teahouse.
A street magician is performing. Sai Xue and Li Mengmeng join the onlookers. Li Mengmeng remarks that the magic is quite simple and can be done by anyone. Sai Xue prompts her to try, and Li Mengmeng produces a rose from a handkerchief, impressing the crowd. Suddenly, someone cries out that their purse has been stolen.
Qi Yan, who is also present at the teahouse (having been told by the Sai shopkeeper that the washing device creator would be meeting someone here), quickly steps forward and apprehends the thief, recovering the purse. Qi Yan spots Li Mengmeng in the crowd and walks towards her, intending to take her away. Sai Xue steps in front of him, claiming Li Mengmeng as her maid and presenting a written agreement.
Qi Yan insists he wants Li Mengmeng and tosses a bag of money towards Sai Xue. As Qi Yan pulls Li Mengmeng away, Sai Xue finds him intriguing. To the gathered crowd, she declares a reward of fifty taels for anyone who can capture the man in white and bring him to the Sai Family Escort. A chase ensues as Qi Yan attempts to leave with Li Mengmeng. Qi Yan successfully evades the pursuers.
He asks Li Mengmeng where she has been, telling her how much he suffered while searching for her. Li Mengmeng, believing that separation now will cause less pain in the long run, pretends not to recognize him and attempts to leave. Qi Yan stops her, asking if she truly doesn't remember him. She maintains that she does not know him and tries to leave again.
Meanwhile, Qi Yan's attendants, Lu Huan and Kong An, express confusion over Li Mengmeng's apparent amnesia and worry about Qi Yan's suffering. One notes Li Mengmeng seems close to the magician from the teahouse (later identified as Mister Li/Li Tao). Li Mengmeng internally questions Qi Yan's childishness for testing her using his own health and wonders about the seriousness of his condition. Sai Xue catches up to Qi Yan and Li Mengmeng.
Li Mengmeng calls out to Sai Xue for help. However, Sai Xue, intrigued by Qi Yan, suggests he become her husband, offering half of the Sai family's wealth if he marries into their household. Qi Yan refuses, stating he is already engaged to Li Mengmeng. Sai Xue points out that Li Mengmeng denies knowing him.
Qi Yan claims Li Mengmeng has merely forgotten him, explaining they are from influential merchant families in Su City and that Li Mengmeng went missing after a recent family incident, which is why he is in Yang City searching for her. He dismisses Li Mengmeng's earlier statement about escaping marriage as a lie. Sensing an opportunity, Qi Yan adds that if Sai Xue allows him to take Li Mengmeng, he has a military supply order he might need escorted.
Sai Xue acknowledges his negotiation skill but notes Li Mengmeng is a member of her household. She suggests they all return to the Sai Residence for further discussion. Qi Yan agrees, recognizing this as an opportunity to investigate the disaster relief grain, which he learned was escorted by the Sai Family Escort.
Upon their arrival at the Sai Residence, Mister Li from the capital, the magician Li Mengmeng saw and surpassed at the teahouse, also appears, seeking out Li Mengmeng to understand how she performed her trick. Sai Xue hosts a dinner and invites Qi Yan (using the alias Mister Yan), his attendants, Li Mengmeng, and Mister Li.
During the meal, featuring local delicacies like crab roe dumplings and lotus root peanut rib soup, Qi Yan, knowing he is allergic to peanuts, deliberately serves himself the soup to test if Li Mengmeng remembers his allergy. Li Mengmeng observes this and attempts to dissuade him, claiming the soup is too hot. Despite this, Qi Yan consumes some soup and soon develops red rashes and dizziness, indicating an allergic reaction.
Kong An wants to fetch medicine, but Qi Yan tells him to wait, hoping Li Mengmeng will bring it herself. Li Mengmeng is visibly concerned about Qi Yan's reaction and contemplates how to get him medicine. She finds Sai Xue and gives her a medicinal cream, asking her to give it to Qi Yan and claiming she "guessed" he might be allergic. Later, Sai Xue brings the cream to Qi Yan, who applies it.
Kong An privately expresses frustration to Qi Yan that Li Mengmeng seems to have completely forgotten him and is getting close to Mister Li, despite Qi Yan's suffering in searching for her. Qi Yan quiets Kong An, wondering if Li Mengmeng has a hidden reason for her actions. He instructs Kong An to investigate Mister Li (identified as Li Tao) because he spotted a Ximi royal tattoo on him.
Based on age estimates, Qi Yan believes Li Tao is likely the Second Prince Ximi and fears his proximity could endanger Li Mengmeng. He orders an urgent and thorough investigation. Qi Yan privately ponders Li Mengmeng's motives for pretending not to know him. Li Mengmeng is shown having an internal monologue, expressing the pain of her decision to feign ignorance. She states her intent is to make Qi Yan hate her, believing this will ease their inevitable separation.
She confesses her strong desire to embrace him upon seeing him again and to personally care for him when he was sick. She feels she cannot be selfish and accept his kindness given that she must eventually leave. She tells him, albeit silently, not to grieve for someone who cannot stay. Later that night, a guard finds Qi Yan asleep at a table and covers him with a cape. Qi Yan wakes and asks who put the cape on him.
The guard says it was already there when he entered. Qi Yan wonders if Li Mengmeng secretly visited him. The next morning, Sai Xue visits Qi Yan (as Mister Yan), bringing ginger soup and mentioning she was worried about him and checked on him during the night. She reveals her main purpose for the visit is the upcoming Lantern Festival, a significant event where young people gather. Qi Yan initially declines to attend, citing his recent allergy.
Sai Xue suggests hosting a private Lantern Festival celebration at the Sai Residence just for him. Qi Yan asks about Mister Li. Sai Xue says Li Tao enjoys crowds and will attend the public festival with Li Mengmeng. Hearing this, Qi Yan suddenly feels much better, claiming Sai Xue's cream was miraculous. He agrees to the private festival and asks Sai Xue to have Li Mengmeng prepare more of the cream, confirming it was Li Mengmeng's. Qi Yan then mentions he has a favor to ask of Sai Xue.
