My Queen Episode 23 Recap
> My Queen Recap
Murong Chen was brutally beaten by Jing Yue Sect disciples and called out for Jiang Mengmeng to emerge. Xiao Ai, witnessing the violence, pleaded with Yu Qingzhu to spare him, but Yu Qingzhu remained steadfast. She explained that Jiang Mengmeng was deeply engrossed in practicing the fourth level of Blood Moon Power, known as "transcendence", and therefore couldn't hear Murong Chen's cries.
Yu Qingzhu also stated that she had already forgiven Murong Chen once, but his deliberate intrusion into Jing Yue Sect and the injuries he inflicted on her disciples meant he brought his current fate upon himself. Just as Qing He prepared to strike Murong Chen, Jiang Mengmeng emerged from the secret chamber, having successfully mastered the fourth level of Blood Moon Power. Yu Qingzhu praised her achievement.
Murong Chen immediately urged Jiang Mengmeng to return with him, but she coldly replied that "late love is not valuable." Murong Chen vowed that no matter how many times she forgot him, he would make her fall in love with him again. Yu Qingzhu ordered Murong Chen to be thrown into the dungeon, but Jiang Mengmeng intervened. She decided instead to keep Murong Chen in Xi Xi House as a slave.
Murong Chen tried to explain his actions, but Jiang Mengmeng dismissed his words, accusing him of repeatedly deceiving, abandoning, and lying to her. She believed his current "suffering" was merely an act to regain her sympathy. Murong Chen insisted that he had only come to see her because he missed her and wanted to remain by her side. Jiang Mengmeng, confirming his desire to stay, warned him not to regret his choice.
To celebrate mastering the fourth level of Blood Moon Power, Jiang Mengmeng hosted a feast with her male companions, forcing Murong Chen to serve them drinks and refreshments. The companions openly mocked Murong Chen, comparing him to a dog. When Murong Chen, weakened and heartbroken from seeing Jiang Mengmeng with other men, reached out to her, she angrily pushed him away.
She called him a "despicable slave" who dared to touch her and ordered him to be locked in the woodshed without food. Yu Qingzhu watched, pleased with Jiang Mengmeng's cruelty, stating that the more Jiang Mengmeng revenged Murong Chen, the happier she would be. Later, Murong Chen's cold poison flared up, causing him immense suffering. In a daze, he saw Jiang Mengmeng before passing out.
He woke up to find his cold poison gone and a trace of blood on his lips, leading him to wonder if Jiang Mengmeng had healed him. Despite his improved condition, he was still weak from lack of food. When serving tea to Jiang Mengmeng, he accidentally spilled it, prompting her to dismiss him as clumsy and order him away.
Jing Yue Sect disciples gossiped about Jiang Mengmeng's erratic temper, especially around Murong Chen, noting the stark contrast to her treatment of her male companions. They speculated Murong Chen was "nasty" for enduring such humiliation and still trying to please her. Jiang Mengmeng's mood swings continued, and she sent her male companions away, calling them "stupid boys." Murong Chen, however, repeatedly returned.
He offered to help clean up the mess she made in her room, expressing concern that she might hurt herself. Jiang Mengmeng then drew him close, stating she was tired of other men and "maybe you are different," before kissing him. Murong Chen returned the kiss. Jiang Mengmeng abruptly became enraged, accusing him of daring to bite her and taking advantage of her. Disciples observed she was growing more like Yu Qingzhu in her temperament.
She ordered him to be confined in the dungeon. Yu Qingzhu questioned if Jiang Mengmeng was tired of her wild behavior, but Jiang Mengmeng declared it wasn't enough. She wanted to hurt Murong Chen more profoundly than just humiliating him. She theorized that Murong Chen had broken into Jing Yue Sect not out of love, but to prevent her from mastering Blood Moon Power, fearing she would become a threat to the world and the royal court.
She vowed to achieve everything he most feared, considering it her ultimate revenge. She apologized to Yu Qingzhu and promised to be obedient. Moved by Jiang Mengmeng's newfound resolve, Yu Qingzhu agreed to teach her the fifth level of Blood Moon Power, called "Infinite". Yu Qingzhu explained that "Infinite" harnesses endless moonlight, leading to a boundless state that triggers a "blood moon" and allows the practitioner to control all creation, bringing about both destruction and rebirth.
Yu Qingzhu admitted she herself had never fully mastered this level but would impart the spells to Jiang Mengmeng, leaving the actual mastery to Jiang Mengmeng's own potential. Jiang Mengmeng announced her intention to hold an 18th birthday party and wanted Murong Chen to attend, reminding Yu Qingzhu that their wedding had originally been scheduled for that day. Yu Qingzhu agreed to organize the event, urging Jiang Mengmeng to focus on her training.
Despite practicing diligently for days, Jiang Mengmeng found herself unable to make progress. Yu Qingzhu delivered the invitations. Jiang Mengmeng decided to personally deliver Murong Chen's invitation to the dungeon. Upon seeing her, Murong Chen asked if she had "changed her mind" about him. Jiang Mengmeng extended the invitation, acknowledging that he remembered the significance of the day. Murong Chen confirmed his understanding. He then asked Jiang Mengmeng to lean closer for a private birthday blessing.
Yu Qingzhu, who had accompanied Jiang Mengmeng, assured her that a shackled prisoner could do no harm. As Jiang Mengmeng leaned in, Murong Chen bit her ear fiercely, causing her to cry out in pain. Murong Chen laughed triumphantly. On Jiang Mengmeng's 18th birthday, Yu Qingzhu hosted a lavish banquet. Jiang Mengmeng delivered a speech, reflecting on her transformation from a spoiled princess to a self-reliant heroine, acknowledging the crucial role one person played in her journey.
She announced that the empty seat beside her was reserved for this person, then dramatically introduced Murong Chen as the 5th Prince of Cang Yun Kingdom and "Yun Ya," the esteemed owner of Tian Ji Pavilion, much to the surprise of the guests. She proclaimed that her current success was all thanks to him and invited everyone to toast the 5th Prince.
She then demanded that Murong Chen dance for them, specifically in his chains, noting that while conventional dances were common, a dance in shackles would be a unique spectacle. Yu Qingzhu suggested not to humiliate him further, but Murong Chen agreed, requesting a sword since he had no other gift. He performed a clumsy sword dance, drawing ridicule from some guests.
Jiang Mengmeng then sprang onto the stage, used her sword to cut Murong Chen's shackles, and together they launched a surprise, coordinated sword attack on Yu Qingzhu. Yu Qingzhu expertly defended herself, repelling both of them. Murong Chen, still suffering from his previous injuries, faltered. Meanwhile, outside Jing Yue Sect, Princess Jiang Sisi of Ruo Shui Kingdom, sent by Queen Jiang Wan in response to Murong Yi's plea, commented on the seemingly unimpressive appearance of the sect.
Her attendant, Dong Kui, questioned why the Fourth Princess Jiang Sisi was personally leading the rescue of the Ninth Princess Jiang Mengmeng. Jiang Sisi explained it was due to a letter and ordered her soldiers to prepare to charge, awaiting the arrival of the Crown Prince of Cang Yun Kingdom. She wondered why Murong Yi, who had requested their aid, was late. Murong Yi soon arrived, seated in a wheelchair, his noble demeanor instantly captivating Princess Jiang Sisi.
News quickly reached Yu Qingzhu that Murong Yi, accompanied by Cang Yun Kingdom soldiers, and Princess Jiang Sisi, leading Ruo Shui Kingdom soldiers, had surrounded Jing Yue Sect. They accused Jing Yue Sect of kidnapping and torturing the 5th Prince and 9th Princess, using this as a pretext for a joint attack.
Yu Qingzhu suddenly understood Murong Chen's scheme: his self-inflicted wounds and imprisonment were a calculated "bitter ploy" to provide a legitimate reason for the allied forces to launch their assault. Yu Qingzhu immediately ordered her disciples to retrieve poisons and weapons. As sounds of cannons echoed from outside, Jiang Mengmeng and Murong Chen seized the opportunity to flee, with Yu Qingzhu and her forces hot on their heels.
During the chaos, Yu Qingzhu confronted Jiang Mengmeng, expressing her dismay that Jiang Mengmeng ultimately chose Murong Chen, despite all the kindness Yu Qingzhu had shown her and Murong Chen's past betrayals. Jiang Mengmeng retorted that Yu Qingzhu herself had also manipulated and lied to her.
