My Queen Episode 7 Recap
> My Queen Recap
After receiving a crucial hint from Xiao Ai, Jiang Mengmeng summoned Yun Ya to her chambers. She boldly proposed a deal: if he helped her escape her impending marriage and leave the palace, she would in turn help him find the rare blood night-blooming cereus he needed to cure his cold poison.
Despite his typically aloof demeanor, Yun Ya recognized the truth of her words regarding his ailment and, after her confident assurance that she, as the protagonist, would surely succeed, he agreed to meet her at the north palace gate at midnight in three days. Meanwhile, Murong Chen, contemplating Jiang Mengmeng’s knowledge of the blood night-blooming cereus, meticulously re-examined the account books from Qian Xiu Workshop.
He quickly discovered a hidden pattern, realizing the emphasis wasn't on the numbers but the subtle variations in handwriting. He deduced that Egret Villa used a special pen with disappearing ink on one side to cleverly disguise their transactions, making a single buyer appear as three to spread out their purchases and obscure their operations.
Impressed by this deceptive method, he decided he must investigate Egret Villa personally, as ordinary intelligence networks would only uncover what the cunning organization wanted them to know. Three days later, on the eve of her escape, Jiang Mengmeng prepared to leave. She gifted Xiao Ai her treasured beauty recipes, including aloe vera honey and almond facial masks, stressing the importance of early skincare.
To A Liang, she bestowed a set of handmade Werewolf cards, praising him as the palace's most talented player and entrusting him with promoting the game. Xiao Ai, seeing through the farewell gifts, burst into tears, confessing she knew Jiang Mengmeng was leaving. Though sad, she encouraged her mistress to pursue true happiness.
Touched by Xiao Ai's loyalty, Jiang Mengmeng invited her to join the escape, to which Xiao Ai enthusiastically agreed, prompting them to plan acquiring another eunuch disguise from A Liang. That night, disguised as eunuchs, Jiang Mengmeng and Xiao Ai approached the north palace gate.
They were stopped by a patrol, but just in time, an agent sent by Song Che intervened, presenting a general's pass and explaining that the "eunuchs" were permitted to leave due to their father's critical illness. The guards allowed them to pass. Song Che’s agent also provided Jiang Mengmeng with fresh clothes, advising against wearing eunuch attire outside the palace. Jiang Mengmeng realized that despite his earlier refusal, Song Che had indeed helped her.
Unbeknownst to Jiang Mengmeng, Song Che, while patrolling the palace, found himself drawn to her deserted residence. At the same time, the masked Murong Chen arrived, leading to a fierce confrontation between the two. Murong Chen, already weakened by his cold poison, was forced to use his inner strength to combat Song Che’s relentless attacks, sustaining injuries. Avoiding a prolonged fight, Murong Chen disengaged and hurried towards the palace gate to meet Jiang Mengmeng.
However, Song Che arrived on horseback, declaring his intention to join Jiang Mengmeng and Xiao Ai on their journey to explore the world. Seeing Song Che's determination and his own injured state, Murong Chen was forced to conceal himself, missing his chance to meet Jiang Mengmeng. Jiang Mengmeng, after a fruitless wait for Yun Ya, concluded that he would not come and departed with Song Che and Xiao Ai.
Later, Chang Kong found the injured Murong Chen, who explained that Song Che had made him use his inner strength, causing his cold poison to flare up, and that Jiang Mengmeng had left with Song Che. Murong Chen decided to inform Queen Jiang Wan and seek her permission to pursue Jiang Mengmeng. Meanwhile, Jiang Sisi, initially pleased to learn of Jiang Mengmeng’s escape with Song Che, became furious upon realizing that Murong Chen had also left.
She confronted Queen Jiang Wan, who calmly reassured her that Jiang Mengmeng and Murong Chen were simply on a "pre-wedding tour," and that Jiang Mengmeng needed to experience the world before settling down. Jiang Wan then approved Murong Chen’s request to pursue Jiang Mengmeng, seeing his determination and hoping it would help Jiang Sisi come to terms with the situation.
Jiang Wan then subtly reminded Jiang Sisi of her own ambitions and future as a potential heir to the throne, explaining that certain sacrifices are necessary for power. She promised to find Jiang Sisi a suitable husband who would be her equal in wisdom and strength, and help her forge a glorious future for the kingdom. Jiang Mengmeng, Xiao Ai, and Song Che traveled for some time, eventually arriving at Qing Luo Town.
Jiang Mengmeng found the town unusually quiet for daytime, with few pedestrians, all moving with a strange urgency. As Song Che went to inquire about an inn, an elderly woman mistook Jiang Mengmeng for her missing daughter, Xiao Mei, whose disappearance a month prior had driven her to dementia. Her husband explained that fifteen girls had mysteriously vanished from Qing Luo Town in the last month, a crime that even local officials couldn't solve.
Jiang Mengmeng realized the danger, especially for young women, and felt relieved that they were disguised as men. Xiao Ai, however, sensed they were being followed. Suddenly, Murong Chen and Chang Kong appeared, startling Jiang Mengmeng. Murong Chen explained he was returning to Cang Yun Kingdom, claiming he was now an "abandoned husband" and had no other purpose there. Song Che expressed doubt, believing Murong Chen was actually pursuing Jiang Mengmeng.
Murong Chen countered, stating if that were the case, he wouldn't be traveling alone with just Chang Kong. As Song Che suggested they part ways, Murong Chen stopped them, demanding Jiang Mengmeng take responsibility for his predicament. He clarified that he didn't mean their previous encounter, but rather that she should escort him back to Cang Yun Kingdom. He argued that after traveling so far for the marriage, returning alone would bring him ridicule as an "abandoned husband."
He requested she retrieve her engagement papers, stating that only then would their engagement be truly broken, allowing them both to move on. He solemnly declared that he was "giving up" on her. Jiang Mengmeng admitted to feeling a fleeting sadness but quickly dismissed it, agreeing to "do a good deed" and escort him. Song Che vehemently objected, arguing that Murong Chen accompanying Jiang Mengmeng would mean constant proximity. Jiang Mengmeng, however, overruled his protests.
The two men exchanged barbs, with Song Che accusing Murong Chen of using the annulment as a delaying tactic, and Murong Chen accusing Song Che of having ulterior motives under the guise of friendship. Murong Chen reiterated his promise to safely escort Jiang Mengmeng. Upon reaching an inn, Song Che found only one room available, much to everyone's dismay, especially since he had been told earlier that two rooms were open.
Murong Chen blamed Song Che for the delay, causing an argument between the two men over who would share the single room with Jiang Mengmeng. Exasperated by their bickering and the cramped situation, Jiang Mengmeng declared that Murong Chen and Song Che should simply share a bed themselves. The innkeeper, seeing five people, offered to add another bed to the existing room for them, suggesting Chang Kong and Xiao Ai sleep in the communal servants' quarters.
Despite Jiang Mengmeng's complaints about the cramped space, Murong Chen and Song Che grudgingly agreed to share the small added bed, leaving Jiang Mengmeng to sleep on the main bed. During the night, the two men continued to quarrel over the blanket, eventually causing the bed to collapse, much to Jiang Mengmeng’s amusement and frustration. In the communal room, Chang Kong, feeling the discomfort of the cramped space, offered to sleep outside so Xiao Ai could rest properly.
The next morning, as Jiang Mengmeng, Murong Chen, and Song Che were having breakfast, they overheard other guests discussing another girl's disappearance from the very same inn the previous night. The conversation suggested the culprits were targeting outsiders, as local girls had been sent away for safety. Jiang Mengmeng grew alarmed, and their fears were confirmed when Chang Kong burst in, announcing that Xiao Ai had disappeared.
