My Divine Emissary Episode 21 Recap
> My Divine Emissary Recap
As the Empress Dowager lay sleeping, seemingly disturbed, she murmured, mistaking Qi Yan for her brother, Cui Anshi, pleading with him not to harm her son. Qi Yan was by her side and gently assured her that he was alright.
He told her that Cui Anshi's act of rebellion was an unforgivable crime, but when the Empress Dowager expressed her fear that the palace was dangerous and she had hoped Cui Anshi's influence would protect him, Qi Yan promised that he was now grown and would protect her from then on. Meanwhile, Qi Su visited Cui Wan'er. She anxiously asked about her father's situation.
Qi Su informed her that Chancellor Cui had been imprisoned in the dungeon to await trial by the Three Judicial Officials. He explained that the rebellion case was extensive and the Emperor would investigate thoroughly.
Although the crime of rebellion typically carries the punishment of execution of nine relations by law, Qi Su noted that His Majesty had shown great mercy, punishing only those directly involved and demoting the rest of the Cui family to commoners, banning them from holding official positions for three generations. Li Mengmeng returned to the Lingtai Pavilion, startling the other residents who recognized her voice and appearance but were astonished to see she was a woman.
She eagerly asked for Zhou Quan, only to be told by the others that Zhou Quan had gone to the Empress Dowager's chamber to deliver a talisman that day but never returned. They revealed that Zhou Quan had been killed by Cui Anyu's imperial guards and that the high priest had placed her body in an ice coffin so Li Mengmeng could see her one last time. Li Mengmeng cried out for Zhou Quan.
Just then, Kong An arrived with a package for Zhou Quan, dropping the contents in shock upon seeing the scene. He approached Zhou Quan and placed a hairpin in her hair, telling her she looked beautiful. He remembered her promise to answer his question about his feelings when he returned. He held her cold hand and wept.
Li Mengmeng then placed her sneakers on Zhou Quan's feet, wishing that if she had given them to her earlier, perhaps Zhou Quan could have run faster and escaped that day. Li Mengmeng found herself reflecting on her disappearance during the heavy rain, wondering if it signified a return to her own world or simply ceasing to exist.
She thought that returning home should bring happiness, but she couldn't feel it, especially considering how Qi Yan would react if she suddenly vanished. Qi Yan came to see her and vowed to avenge Zhou Quan, ensuring she could rest in peace. Li Mengmeng tried to comfort him by suggesting that Zhou Quan might just be away on a long trip and they would meet again.
Qi Yan described how distraught Kong An was, looking utterly lost, which showed how deeply Zhou Quan's death had affected him. Li Mengmeng privately contemplated whether Qi Yan would suffer similarly if she were to disappear.
Qi Yan reassured her, recounting how terrified he felt when she was hurt, feeling like his soul had left him, and firmly stated that no matter what the future held, he would always love her and they would be together as long as they both existed. Later, Qi Yan and Li Mengmeng went to see off Qi Su, Cui Wan'er, and Li Tao. Qi Yan congratulated Cui Wan'er on her regained freedom.
Li Tao commented that the Emperor personally seeing them off put an end to rumors of Qi Su being exiled. Qi Yan playfully countered that Qi Su was simply trying to get away from him. Li Mengmeng asked Qi Yan why he was so quiet, to which he teasingly suggested she was sad to see him go. Cui Wan'er promised Li Mengmeng they would write often and that they would see each other again.
Qi Yan handed Li Tao the underground aqueduct blueprints, acknowledging Li Tao had thought he was too stingy to share them. Li Tao thanked him on behalf of his people. Qi Yan told Li Tao not to return to Qi Kingdom, unless it was for his and Li Mengmeng's wedding.
As Li Mengmeng expressed her reluctance for them to part, Cui Wan'er explained that in life, people often only accompany you for a while, making it more important to cherish those moments. She added that sometimes, bravely facing goodbyes and parting gracefully is the best choice. They said their farewells, and as Qi Yan and Li Mengmeng watched the three depart, Qi Yan remarked that it felt a bit empty.
Li Mengmeng privately wished she could stay by Qi Yan's side forever, despite feeling her departure was inevitable. Heavy rain began to fall again, and she was seen sitting alone, gazing out sadly. Lu Huan reported to Qi Yan that Li Mengmeng had been withdrawn like this for two weeks, looking worn out.
He explained that she was likely feeling very lonely, having come to Qi Kingdom alone, lost Zhou Quan, and now with Cui Wan'er gone, likely feeling intensely homesick. Qi Yan asked Lu Huan for ways to cheer her up. Lu Huan was unsure, thinking someone from her sophisticated home would not be impressed by anything new. Qi Yan suggested perhaps she needed something familiar, something that reminded her of home, rather than something new.
He ordered the imperial kitchen to find a way to make instant noodles based on her descriptions. Later, Li Mengmeng was delighted by the instant noodles, exclaiming they were as good as the fotiaoqiang from her hometown. Qi Yan then revealed another surprise: popcorn and a staged performance by Lu Huan and others, acting out a dramatic scene Li Mengmeng had previously described, complete with a prop pistol she had drawn.
Li Mengmeng laughed and clapped, praising Lu Huan's acting and saying she felt very happy, as if she were home, having eaten instant noodles and popcorn and "watched TV." After sharing these moments, Qi Yan showed Li Mengmeng an item (presumably something significant to them) and told her he had never imagined what his future Empress would be like, but now he knew she was Li Mengmeng, describing her appearance and delightful personality.
He then formally proposed marriage, telling her it was the Empress Dowager's arranged marriage and a royal command. Li Mengmeng hesitantly asked what would happen if she had to leave one day due to an unexpected event or illness. Qi Yan firmly dismissed the thought, declaring that as long as they were both alive, they would be husband and wife. Later, in court, an imperial decree was read announcing the punishments for those involved in the rebellion.
Chancellor Cui Anshi, Cui Anyu, and thirteen others were sentenced to death, their property confiscated, and their immediate families demoted and banned from official service for three generations. Thirty-seven others involved were stripped of their titles and exiled. A second decree was then read, announcing the appointment of Emissary Li Mengmeng as Empress Consort, citing her intelligence, demeanor, and noble character.
Immediately, court officials strongly objected, arguing that her past as a woman disguised as a man, first as an eunuch then in the Lingtai Pavilion, and her "reckless" conduct made her unfit to be Empress, a role traditionally held by women from noble families. They pleaded with Qi Yan to reconsider, arguing it was a disgrace to tradition. Qi Yan defended Li Mengmeng, emphasizing her indispensable role in the aqueduct project and saving his life.
He declared that his decision was final, as it was also the Empress Dowager's wish, and he had chosen Li Mengmeng as his only wife. He ordered Lu Huan to complete the enthronement ceremony within three days. The officials continued to protest, reminding him that marriage was a state matter and he should not be willful, appealing to his duty to his ancestors. One official fainted in protest. Qi Yan dismissed the court.
Afterwards, he inquired about the fainted official's health and ordered care for him. He also instructed his staff to ensure Li Mengmeng did not hear about the court's objections before the wedding, using the custom of the couple not meeting for three days prior as an excuse.
