My Queen Episode 13 Recap
> My Queen Recap
Yu Qingzhu, the sect leader, began a trial for her disciples, declaring that she would only accept three close disciples. The disciples were forced to fight each other, and eventually, only four remained. One junior disciple, fearing for her life as the weakest among them, pleaded with Zhe Xiang for protection. Zhe Xiang promised to shield her and ensure their survival. However, in a shocking betrayal, the junior disciple stabbed Zhe Xiang from behind, desperate to live.
Heartbroken and disillusioned, Zhe Xiang declared that she would never again believe in sisterhood, and in a fit of despair, she killed the two remaining disciples. Yu Qingzhu then arrived and changed the rules, announcing she would only take one close disciple and ordered Zhe Xiang to kill the junior disciple who had just betrayed her. Zhe Xiang was unable to commit such an act.
Overwhelmed by the painful memory of the brutal trial, she attempted to take her own life, but Yu Qingzhu stopped her. Disoriented by Yu Qingzhu's poisonous fog and reliving the horrific choices she had just faced, Zhe Xiang was in immense pain. Jiang Mengmeng arrived, pulled her out of the illusion, and wrestled the sword from her grasp, sustaining an injury to her hand in the process. Meanwhile, Song Che was also caught in a powerful illusion.
He frantically chopped at a tree, reliving a past defeat in battle where a comrade urged him to flee. He refused to abandon his post and continued his futile struggle. Murong Chen, recognizing Song Che's delusion, tried to rouse him with shouts, also using taunts about his own noble status and wealth compared to Song Che's "poor appearance," daring Song Che to fight.
In his altered state, Song Che then perceived Murong Chen as a rival for Jiang Mengmeng's affection, recalling the happy times with Mengmeng before turning twelve, and became enraged, chasing Murong Chen. Jiang Mengmeng and Zhe Xiang, having heard the commotion, rushed to intervene. Zhe Xiang slapped Song Che, snapping him out of his trance.
Confused, Song Che wondered why his face hurt, and Murong Chen explained that he had lost a fight to Zhe Xiang and then started hitting himself. Still disoriented, Song Che couldn't believe he had been defeated by Zhe Xiang. Murong Chen then noticed Jiang Mengmeng's injured hand and showed concern, only to then realize Chang Kong and Xiao Ai were still missing.
Elsewhere, Chang Kong and Xiao Ai were experiencing their own shared illusion, a serene place where they confessed their mutual affection and secretly pledged their futures to each other. Reluctantly, they decided it was time to find Murong Chen and Jiang Mengmeng. When they finally reunited with the main group, who confirmed they were all unharmed, Yu Qingzhu stood on a mountaintop, observing them. Song Che remained somewhat agitated, still muttering about his disbelief at losing to Zhe Xiang.
As the fog finally dissipated, Murong Chen urged everyone to leave the area. As night fell, the group of six found a humble farmhouse to rest. In the middle of the night, Jiang Mengmeng quietly slipped out to the nearby forest, determined to resolve her lingering questions. Yun Ya, wearing his mask, appeared as if on cue.
Jiang Mengmeng confronted him, asking why he consistently appeared at critical moments, even without her signaling for help, and how he always knew her whereabouts. She questioned his presence in Ruo Shui Kingdom during their first meeting and his continued proximity during her travels. Jiang Mengmeng realized he had been by her side, silently protecting her all along.
She tearfully acknowledged that he was the "old friend" from Liang City he had mentioned, that their encounters were reunions, and heartbreakingly, that his cold poison was her fault. Yun Ya apologized for his deception, but assured her he never blamed her. He shared that after Uncle Qi's death, he took over the Tian Ji Pavilion, moving its activities underground, making it seem as if the organization had vanished a decade ago.
Touched, Jiang Mengmeng vowed to find the blood night-blooming cereus to cure his cold poison, so he could live freely without fear of Yu Qingzhu. As she moved to remove his mask, revealing his true face, Chang Kong's sudden call for her interrupted them. Yun Ya seized the opportunity to slip away unnoticed. Chang Kong then came to Murong Chen, who questioned why Chang Kong had interfered.
Chang Kong explained he had intentionally stopped Yun Ya from revealing more to Jiang Mengmeng because with her recovered memories, her desire to save Yun Ya with the blood night-blooming cereus aligned with Murong Chen's plans. He argued it was better to wait until the "big picture" was decided before revealing the full truth to Jiang Mengmeng, to avoid any complications that might cause her to abandon Murong Chen due to romantic feelings.
Back at the farmhouse, Jiang Mengmeng collided with Murong Chen. She confessed her past crush on him but firmly stated that her heart now belonged to Yun Ya, adding that Yun Ya was the reason she wouldn't choose anyone else. She apologized for any hurt she might have caused by flirting and treating their interactions as part of a game. Murong Chen, though visibly pained, understood her feelings.
Jiang Mengmeng then decided that despite their romantic parting, she would still assist Murong Chen in his quest for the blood night-blooming cereus, as her goal was now also to save Yun Ya. Their next destination, the Egret Villa, conveniently matched Murong Chen's plans. Upon arriving at Egret Villa, the group of six was greeted by the enthusiastic Landlord Lu Feibai. He warmly welcomed them, subtly flattering Jiang Mengmeng and suggesting they might have met before, to Murong Chen's annoyance.
Jiang Mengmeng was impressed by the mansion's opulent display of "treasures" like red corals and gold and silver vessels, but Murong Chen quickly exposed them as fakes: luminous pearls made with pearl powder, corals dyed with red paint, and golden vases plated with copper, with rubies made of glass.
Lu Feibai admitted they were replicas but defended his business, explaining that these "light luxury" items catered to ordinary people who couldn't afford real treasures but still desired beauty and a better quality of life. Murong Chen was dismissive, calling them a means for the poor to satisfy vanity. Song Che retorted, asking if poor people weren't "worthy."
Jiang Mengmeng enthusiastically praised Lu Feibai's business acumen and humanitarian approach, finding him to be a commercial genius and "a little handsome," while Murong Chen grew increasingly agitated. As their conversation continued, and Murong Chen had to be physically restrained by his companions, he abruptly demanded to know why Lu Feibai chose to build his grand villa on the site of the former Cereus Villa, a place known for a family's massacre.
