My Queen Episode 20 Recap
> My Queen Recap
Jiang Mengmeng was compelled to continue her training in Blood Moon Power. When a dummy in front of her transformed into Murong Chen, she found herself unable to strike. The Blood Moon Power backfired, indicating her enduring affection for Murong Chen. Yu Qingzhu had used "Soul-Lost Incense" on Jiang Mengmeng, but to her surprise, Jiang Mengmeng’s willpower allowed her to break free from its effects.
Recognizing the depth of Jiang Mengmeng’s feelings, Yu Qingzhu increased the dosage of "Soul-Lost Incense" and shifted her strategy, urging Jiang Mengmeng to remember all of Murong Chen’s deceptions, exploitation, and harm. Though Jiang Mengmeng initially resisted reliving her painful memories, Yu Qingzhu relentlessly recounted Murong Chen's deceptions.
She reminded Jiang Mengmeng that Murong Chen had used a dual identity to gain her love, manipulated her into finding the blood night-blooming cereus, and then used her blood as a medicinal guide to save his brother, Murong Yi. Yu Qingzhu emphasized that Murong Chen only cared for his brother, not for Jiang Mengmeng, and that his supposed decade-long search for her was a lie, only finding her coincidentally when the blood night-blooming cereus reappeared.
She further pointed out that Murong Chen did not seek her when she was missing because she had ruined the medicine meant for his brother. This narrative ignited a deep hatred within Jiang Mengmeng, who vowed to kill Murong Chen. Observing Jiang Mengmeng’s awakened fury, Yu Qingzhu smiled, satisfied that her goal was achieved. She declared that women were not subservient to men and could rule the world.
Meanwhile, Xiao Ai, having learned from Song Che that Murong Chen refused to rescue Jiang Mengmeng, stormed into Murong Chen’s manor. Despite guards attempting to stop her, she pushed through, accusing Murong Chen of being heartless and ignoring Jiang Mengmeng’s plight while living peacefully. Although she had initially disbelieved Song Che's claims, Murong Chen's indifference now confirmed them for her. Chang Kong tried to intervene, urging Xiao Ai to be respectful, but she angrily dismissed him.
When Murong Chen coldly ordered Chang Kong to escort her out, Xiao Ai felt betrayed, denouncing both him and Chang Kong as selfish. She declared her ties with Chang Kong severed, just as Jiang Mengmeng's relationship with Murong Chen was broken. Chang Kong wanted to follow her, but Murong Chen reminded him of his duties. Murong Chen later pondered if Chang Kong blamed him, to which Chang Kong affirmed his unwavering loyalty, viewing Murong Chen as an elder brother.
Murong Chen then reflected on the sorrow of loving someone forbidden and the inability to forget cherished memories, even if time could fade others. Zhe Xiang brought food to Jiang Mengmeng, offering an apology for her past deceptions. Jiang Mengmeng calmly accepted it, expressing gratitude to Zhe Xiang for helping her see Murong Chen's true nature. Zhe Xiang noted a stark change in Jiang Mengmeng, who was now cold and solely focused on mastering Blood Moon Power for revenge.
Disturbed by Jiang Mengmeng’s transformation, Zhe Xiang knelt before Yu Qingzhu, pleading for Jiang Mengmeng’s release so she could return to her former innocent and cheerful self. Yu Qingzhu reprimanded Zhe Xiang, reminding her that she had initially begged for Jiang Mengmeng's life and that all women in Jing Yue Sect must undergo such a trial. Yu Qingzhu then accused Zhe Xiang of potentially betraying the sect by questioning her methods.
Yu Qingzhu ultimately agreed to release Jiang Mengmeng, but only after she had passed a critical test, emphasizing that Jiang Mengmeng’s path would then be her own. Upon mastering the first stage of Blood Moon Power in half the time it took Yu Qingzhu, Jiang Mengmeng was given a mission to test her new abilities: to kill Murong Chen. Jiang Mengmeng found Murong Chen, disguised as Yun Ya, waiting by a river. She immediately attacked him, stabbing him without hesitation.
Murong Chen made no attempt to dodge, stating that he would willingly die to atone for what he owed her. He then taunted her, saying the wound was too shallow to kill him and that she lacked martial talent. As she tried to pull the sword out, Murong Chen held her hand, refusing to let go, asserting that if he did, he would lose her forever.
He pleaded for her to believe him one last time, reminding her that he was Murong Chen, Yun Ya, and her "A Mu," and recalling her past promise of trust. As Murong Chen’s blood stained the snow, Jiang Mengmeng’s mind became confused, and she desperately wrenched the sword free. Murong Chen collapsed from blood loss, realizing Jiang Mengmeng was practicing Blood Moon Power as she fled angrily without looking back.
Back at Jing Yue Sect, Jiang Mengmeng frantically washed her hands, haunted by visions of blood and declaring that she had killed Murong Chen. Zhe Xiang comforted her, assuring her hands were clean, and eventually lulled her to sleep. Inspecting the sword, Zhe Xiang discovered traces of "Seven-Day Soul-Losing Powder" on its tip, confirming her suspicions about Yu Qingzhu's involvement. She confronted Yu Qingzhu, questioning why she made Jiang Mengmeng kill Murong Chen.
Yu Qingzhu explained that it was a necessary test to determine if Jiang Mengmeng had truly severed all emotional ties. She asserted that only by passing this trial could Jiang Mengmeng be fully accepted into Jing Yue Sect and protected from all harm, promising to ensure Jiang Mengmeng's comfort and happiness there. Zhe Xiang was left speechless. Meanwhile, Song Che had rescued the gravely injured Murong Chen and brought him to a small hut, hastily bandaging his wound.
Murong Chen briefly woke, wondering if he was dead. Song Che initially wanted to inform Murong Yi or find a doctor for the poison, but Murong Chen forbade it, fearing his brother's worry and adamant that no one should discover Jiang Mengmeng was practicing Blood Moon Power. Murong Chen's body grew cold, and despite Song Che offering his own clothes, Murong Chen shivered uncontrollably.
Frustrated by Murong Chen's stubbornness and apparent unconcern for his own life, Song Che complained loudly about Murong Chen being a "jinx" who caused trouble and about Chang Kong's absence, even suggesting that Tian Ji Pavilion should be disbanded. When Murong Chen stated there was no one left at Tian Ji Pavilion, Song Che grew even more confused. Despite his exasperation, Song Che remained by Murong Chen's side, retrieving water and medicine for him, and even painstakingly feeding him.
He mused on the strange feeling he experienced when with Murong Chen and his companions. Unbeknownst to Yu Qingzhu, Chang Kong, following Murong Chen's orders, was systematically dismantling Jing Yue Sect’s branches. He had already successfully eliminated eight divisions, while continuing to send fabricated reports to Yu Qingzhu to maintain the illusion that all was operating normally.
Yu Qingzhu began teaching Jiang Mengmeng the second stage of Blood Moon Power, focusing on achieving the state of "no-thought", which required abandoning all desires and thoughts—past, present, and future—to purify the heart. Jiang Mengmeng, still somewhat distracted, understood this as a call to concentrate. During their training, a disciple delivered reports to Yu Qingzhu, who quickly reviewed them while reminding Jiang Mengmeng to stay focused.
