Shining Just For You Recap, Plot, Synopsis
Shining Just For You Synopsis
The grassland maiden Ye Lingshuang, who could foresee disasters, was regarded as a cursed star by her clan—only Qihai Rui, the princess of Yebei, treated her as a true sister. When Yebei recklessly declared war against the Great Chao Dynasty, its defeat led to the annihilation of its army, and Ye Lingshuang was captured and sent to the Jiaofangsi (a government-run entertainment bureau). Yet she refused to yield. Relying on her gift of astrological divination, she entered the Imperial Astronomical Bureau as an official, gradually earning the favor of the iron-willed Emperor Yu Xiuming.
Just as their bond deepened, Ye Lingshuang learned of Qihai Rui’s death and severed ties with Yu Xiuming. Determined to save her beloved sister, she defied fate and reversed time, returning to the past of Yebei. But can she truly change what has already happened? And where will her love with Yu Xiuming lead now?
Shining Just For You Recap
Episode 1 Recap
From the harmony of Heaven and Earth, the dawn of chaos unfolded. The Truth Masters descended upon the world, powerful yet elusive, and nowhere to be found. Since then, the Human and Winged Tribes alternately ruled the lands, enduring endless wars, even drawing the Kuafu and Heluo Clans into the conflict.
It was not until the end of the late Xian Dynasty that a young general emerged, united the five clans, and established the Great Chao, an unprecedented dynasty whose dominion stretched as far as birds could fly. However, one place remained unconquered: Yebei, a land of magnificent scenery, yet plagued by ceaseless conflict among its seven tribes.
Ye Lingshuang, daughter of Dayuangu Ye Jingqing, and Princess Qi Hairui, also known as Princess Zhuyan, returned to Yebei after sneaking out for an adventure. Qi Hairui, elated by their journey, expressed a desire to sneak out again, to which Ye Lingshuang enthusiastically agreed, though she remained anxious about her father, Dayuangu Ye Jingqing’s, reaction to their return. Upon their return, Princess Qi Hairui was warmly welcomed by her tribe, but Ye Lingshuang was met with cold indifference.
Qi Hairui reassured Ye Lingshuang, promising to intercede with her own father, King Qihai Zhenyu, if Ye Jingqing attempted to punish her. Shortly after, Ye Jingqing confronted Ye Lingshuang, reprimanding her for taking Princess Zhuyan out of Yebei without permission, calling it a crime punishable by death. He further branded Ye Lingshuang as inauspicious, destined to bring calamity to their people.
Qi Hairui passionately defended Ye Lingshuang, explaining that it was her idea to leave and Ye Lingshuang merely accompanied her out of concern. She questioned how Ye Jingqing, as Ye Lingshuang's father, could speak of his own daughter in such terms. King Qihai Zhenyu stepped in, urging Qi Hairui to show respect to Dayuangu.
Ye Jingqing then confined Ye Lingshuang to her tent for a month, but Qi Hairui immediately protested, reminding them that the autumn tournament, for which they had returned, was imminent. King Qihai relented, allowing Ye Lingshuang to attend the tournament before her month-long confinement. Later, Ye Jingqing privately informed King Qihai Zhenyu that the Emperor of Chao had sent an envoy to propose a marriage alliance with Yebei.
King Qihai initially resisted, asserting that Yebei's "hundred thousand brave men" were sufficient to resist Chao. However, Ye Jingqing warned of the formidable Emperor of Chao, who had united five clans, and suggested that outright refusal would lead to grave consequences. He pointed out the internal strife and "selfish intentions" among Yebei's seven tribes, making immediate war disadvantageous.
He proposed using the marriage alliance as a strategic ploy to "distract Chao and seize the upper hand," concluding that the alliance "must happen." Ye Jingqing also conveyed rumors that the Emperor of Chao was "ruthless and violent," with previous princesses sent for marriage alliances meeting "unfortunate ends." He worried for the princess who would be wedded, but King Qihai dismissed these concerns, stating that they "do not have a choice in that matter."
Back in her tent, Ye Jingqing informed Ye Lingshuang that, following the autumn tournament, an order had been given by King Qihai and Queen Lan for her to be sent to the Black Water Tribe, and she would no longer be allowed to stay with Princess Qi Hairui. Ye Lingshuang vehemently objected, stating she could not leave Qi Hairui, but eventually relented.
Her only condition was that Ye Jingqing unseal her celestial powers, which he had confined when she was seven years old, causing her continuous suffering. Ye Jingqing, noticing her uncharacteristic compliance, suspected she had foreseen another disaster and warned her against "spouting nonsense." Ye Lingshuang countered, arguing that her ability to foresee events did not make her a "harbinger of calamity" but merely allowed her to "see them coming before others do," drawing a comparison to astrologers.
Ye Jingqing quickly silenced her, threatening to "end her" if she dared to "spout nonsense to mislead others." On the day of the autumn tournament, many young men gathered, including Chu Ye, who was pleased to see Princess Qi Hairui but expressed his displeasure at Ye Lingshuang's presence, urging Qi Hairui to distance herself from the "cursed woman."
Qi Hairui fiercely defended Ye Lingshuang, declaring that anyone who bullied her friend would become her enemy and vowing that they would never be separated. As the tournament began, the Snow Wolf King burst into the arena, causing widespread panic. Ye Lingshuang, seeing Qi Hairui in danger, pushed her to safety, but in doing so, she sprained her ankle and found herself vulnerable to the enraged wolf.
A warrior, later revealed to be Emperor Yu Xiuming of Chao in disguise as Envoy Xie Yu'an, swiftly intervened, kicking the wolf away and saving Ye Lingshuang. The wolf, however, fixated on Ye Lingshuang. She bravely drew her knife, resolved to fight, earning Xie Yu'an's admiration for her courage. He instructed her to "stare into its eyes," assuring her that if she showed no fear, the wolf would fear her.
Despite her lack of martial arts, Ye Lingshuang refused to flee, explaining that doing so would leave him to die. Xie Yu'an then killed the Snow Wolf King. The tribesmen, who revered the Snow Wolf King as their Wolf God, were distraught and enraged. Prince Miao Li attempted to attack Xie Yu'an, but Xie Yu'an's guards, led by Commander-in-Chief Jie Zhuying, protected him.
Qihai Lian, Yebei’s eldest princess, immediately ordered Prince Miao Li to be taken for medical attention, preventing further conflict. The Yebei tribesmen demanded Ye Lingshuang be sacrificed to appease their Wolf God, and neither King Qihai nor Ye Jingqing spoke in her defense. Qi Hairui pleaded for Ye Lingshuang, insisting her friend was innocent, but her words fell on deaf ears.
Xie Yu'an stepped forward, condemning the Yebei people for their "heroes" who "do not distinguish between right and wrong" and dared to bully "a little girl." He presented Ye Lingshuang with a Seal of Loyalty and Courage, a "token of Chao," declaring that any further harm to her would be seen as an act of war against Chao. With no one else to protect her, Ye Lingshuang accepted the token, then promptly fainted from the overwhelming stress.
Upon regaining consciousness, Ye Lingshuang found Qi Hairui at her side. Qi Hairui, still shaken from the day's events, informed her about a bonfire feast being held for General Xie by her father and the tribal chiefs. Together, they decided to attend. At the feast, Chu Ye attempted to ritually "rid her of bad luck" by splashing water on Ye Lingshuang, but was restrained by others.
Xie Yu'an, observing Ye Lingshuang's unwelcoming reception, suggested she return to Chao with him, offering to help her "slay her enemies." Ye Lingshuang rejected his offer, claiming no one there was "worthy of her time and effort" and expressing her disdain for those who "think they can tell her what to do." She then deliberately drank from his liquor cup, a provocative act against local custom. Noticing her persistent melancholy despite the festivities, Xie Yu'an inquired about her sadness.
Ye Lingshuang explained that the "joy is only temporary" and "all of these are enjoyed by others, not me." She likened it to flowers blooming by the bonfire, whose "fates have long been decided" to "wilt and wither away in the midst of tomorrow's frost." Xie Yu'an then plucked a flower, symbolically changing its fate, and admonished her, dismissing beliefs in "fate and destiny" as "excuses for the weak."
He asserted that "your fate is what you make of it" and that one "must grasp your destiny firmly in your own hands," prompting a rare "thank you" from Ye Lingshuang. He playfully suggested she should treat him to "more bottles of Yebei's liquor" in return. It was later revealed that "General Xie Yu'an" was, in fact, Emperor Yu Xiuming of Chao.
His Commander-in-Chief, Jie Zhuying, mistook Yu Xiuming's interest in Ye Lingshuang due to the Seal of Loyalty and Courage. Yu Xiuming corrected him, clarifying that "not anyone can become the Empress of Chao" and that "only a noble princess of Yebei is worthy of this position." Yu Xiuming then revealed his awareness of Jie Zhuying's affection for Qihai Lian, Yebei's eldest princess, who had studied in Tianqi for four years under the alias Qingheng.
He questioned whether Jie Zhuying could truly retrieve his heart, even if Qihai Lian's true identity were known to him. Back at the royal tent, King Qihai formally accepted the marriage alliance, initially presenting Qihai Lian. However, Xie Yu'an (Yu Xiuming) announced Chao's proposal, offering the "Mirror of Youth" as a dowry for Princess Qi Hairui. Ye Lingshuang was distraught, recalling the rumors of the Emperor of Chao's cruelty and the tragic fates of other princesses.
She pleaded with Ye Jingqing to save Qi Hairui, but he sternly dismissed her, declaring that Qi Hairui "must board the wedding carriage to Chao and fulfill her duties. That is not to be changed!" He scorned Ye Lingshuang for not understanding her low status and questioned her right to interfere in Yebei's future. Ye Lingshuang retorted that this "mission" was merely an "excuse" for their unwillingness to find alternative solutions and take responsibility.
She argued that the marriage alliance was ultimately futile, as Chao would inevitably conquer Yebei. Desperate to protect Qi Hairui, Ye Lingshuang sought out "General Xie Yu'an" (Yu Xiuming) in his tent. She presented him with milk tea, feigning gratitude and claiming it was a gift from Queen Lan. She then boldly proposed to take Qi Hairui's place as Empress of Chao, emphasizing her knowledge of astrology and her genuine desire to leave Yebei, unlike the "unwilling" Qi Hairui.
Yu Xiuming flatly refused, deeming her "unfit to be the empress of Chao" due to her "inauspicious omens" and low status, remarking that she would not have survived without Qi Hairui's protection. Ye Lingshuang attempted to persuade him by dismissing the rumors about her and assuring him that her past would remain a secret if he did not report it, emphasizing her complete lack of loyalty to Yebei.
Yu Xiuming pressed her, asking why she truly did not want Qi Hairui to marry into Chao. Ye Lingshuang reiterated the rumors of the Emperor of Chao's violence and the "strict rules in the Chao Palace," asserting that Qi Hairui's "kind and innocent" nature would lead her to "go insane" in such an environment. Her sole wish, she stated, was for Qi Hairui to "live happily."
When Yu Xiuming challenged whether she desired such a life for herself, Ye Lingshuang admitted she "cannot have everything" and that Qi Hairui's happiness was her priority. When Yu Xiuming refused to "lie to my emperor," Ye Lingshuang revealed that the milk tea contained a deadly poison, for which only she possessed the antidote. She threatened him, demanding he "work with me" or "lose your life," as no one would come to his rescue.
Yu Xiuming defiantly stated he "is not one to be coerced." Ye Lingshuang, unfazed, described in chilling detail how he would gradually lose all sensation, and by the time others awoke, they would arrive "just in time to collect your corpse."
Episode 2 Recap
Ye Lingshuang, a grassland girl, was raised as the adopted sister of Yebei Princess Qihai Rui. Ostracized by her tribe, including her father Ye Jingqing, who also sealed her celestial powers, Ye Lingshuang found solace only in Qihai Rui. During the Autumn Selection, a warrior (later revealed as Great Chao Emperor Yu Xiuming, disguised as envoy Xie Yuan) saved Ye Lingshuang from a Snow Wolf King she was battling to protect Qihai Rui.
After the warrior killed the wolf—a sacred animal to Yebei—tribesmen demanded Ye Lingshuang's sacrifice. Yu Xiuming, still disguised, protected her with a military token. As the Great Chao proposed a marriage alliance, Yu Xiuming specifically requested Qihai Rui, not the eldest princess Qihai Lian, who had secretly fallen in love with Jie Zhuying during her studies in Great Chao.
Realizing her affair was known to the Emperor and led to Qihai Rui's predicament, Qihai Lian ended her relationship with Jie Zhuying, prioritizing tribal duty. Ye Lingshuang desperately pleaded with Ye Jingqing to prevent Qihai Rui's marriage, but he reminded her of her fate and the amber pendant she always wore. Ye Lingshuang confronted Yu Xiuming, now revealed as the Emperor, attempting to poison him to stop the marriage.
When he remained resolute, she orchestrated Qihai Rui's escape with Yi Wuyou, who had previously tried to take Ye Lingshuang away, but she had prioritized Qihai Rui's safety. Qihai Rui, saddened to leave her parents, departed with Ye Lingshuang accompanying the marriage procession. After Qihai Rui's escape with Yi Wuyou, Ye Lingshuang was captured by the seven tribes of Yebei for her role.
Qihai Rui bravely returned to the altar, threatening to take her own life, asserting her status as the Great Chao's chosen bride, forcing Qihai Zhenyu to intervene and secure Ye Lingshuang's release. Yu Xiuming, furious, ordered Jie Zhuying to pursue the fugitives and held Ye Lingshuang responsible for any negative outcomes. Meanwhile, Jie Haitian's unauthorized deployment of the Blue Army at Qiulan Sea resulted in a devastating surprise attack by Qihai Zhenyu's Yebei forces, almost annihilating them.
Yu Xiuming dispatched reinforcements and tasked Jie Zhuying with retrieving the Mirror of Youth. At this time, Ye Lingshuang tended to the injured Blue Army General Xie Yuan. The conflict escalated as Qihai Zhenyu led Yebei in a full assault on the Great Chao, shouting "Heaven protects Yebei." Yu Xiuming personally led his army, confronting and ultimately killing Qihai Zhenyu in a fierce snow battle.
Ye Jingqing’s Hengchen Skyfire Spell proved ineffective against Yu Xiuming’s power, leading Ye Jingqing to prophesy Great Chao's downfall. During the battle, Ye Lingshuang's amber stone emitted an unusual light. After the war, Ye Lingshuang was among the captives taken by the Great Chao forces. Yu Xiuming decided to return to Tianqi, reiterating Jie Zhuying's task to find the Mirror of Youth, and ordered that Ye Lingshuang be brought back with him.
Leng Tianxi observed a newly sprouted white hair on Yu Xiuming, speculating that the Mirror of Youth's power might be weakening. Among the female captives, Ye Lingshuang bravely protected others from assault by Great Chao soldiers, killing one and revealing the military token Yu Xiuming had given her. Xie Yuan, informed of the incident, ordered thirty military strokes for each offending soldier.
Seizing this opportunity, Ye Lingshuang, aspiring to more than servitude and possessing a talent for star divination, requested Xie Yuan to take her to the Bureau of Astrology, offering to reveal the location of Vice Commander Yan's remains, which Xie Yuan had been seeking. Upon reaching Tianqi, Xie Yuan honored his promise, arranging for Ye Lingshuang to be cleansed and presented at the palace.
Yu Xiuming, despite Jie Haitian's objections regarding protocol, announced a grand Ceremony of Stars to honor his meritorious officials. Fan Ruhui reported on various matters during Yu Xiuming's absence, and the Emperor expressed his dissatisfaction with Jie Haitian's earlier unauthorized troop movements. At the Bureau of Astrology, Jie Haitian initially refused to accept Ye Lingshuang due to her status as a Yebei captive.
Ye Lingshuang, however, boldly declared that only she could divine the whereabouts of the Mirror of Youth, a feat Jie Haitian could not achieve even with a century of practice. She vowed to accept legal punishment if she failed, convincing Jie Haitian to allow her to stay without an official title or salary. Subsequently, Ye Lingshuang revealed the location of Vice Commander Yan's remains to Xie Yuan.
Leng Tianxi voluntarily entered the palace as a concubine, sealing her celestial powers and losing her ability to fly. Though sent by the Winged people to spy on Yu Xiuming, she pledged her unwavering loyalty to him. However, Yu Xiuming did not visit her on the night of her enthronement. Ye Lingshuang's sealed celestial powers granted her premonitions, but their timing was unreliable, prompting her to seek Jie Haitian's guidance in studying star maps.
Jie Haitian, overcoming internal dissent, appointed Ye Lingshuang to lead the Horoscope Department. He also advised Yu Xiuming to withdraw troops from Yebei, advocating for the execution of all but laborers, but Yu Xiuming insisted on relocating the entire population to Yuezhou. Suddenly, the amber stone on Ye Lingshuang's chest emitted a strange light, and a voice introduced itself as Yun Wen, a master star diviner.
Yun Wen explained that she had lost her physical body due to a flawed array and was drawn into the amber stone amidst the celestial power disruption during the Yebei war. Ye Lingshuang, initially skeptical, saw Yun Wen's reflection in a mirror. Yun Wen, acknowledging Ye Lingshuang's suppressed talent for star divination, offered to reveal the Mirror of Youth's location if Ye Lingshuang helped her regain her physical form.
Elsewhere, Xie Yuan received a heart-wrenching order to massacre the residents of Yebei. One day, Yu Xiuming found Ye Lingshuang crying. She expressed her deep grief that Qihai Rui was truly gone and stated her desire to resign from her position after completing the Unified Calendar of Chao and the astrological chart.
Yu Xiuming offered to make her Empress, grant her protection, and the highest honor, contrasting it with her past struggles in Yebei where she was unloved by her father and often imperiled, seen as a disaster star by her people. Ye Lingshuang, however, refused, stating that such titles were not true rewards, and no one in the palace had ever truly received his complete affection.
She lamented wishing she could go back to the night before Qihai Rui's marriage to accept his offer, as Qihai Rui had been her sole ray of hope in a tragic life. Yu Xiuming denied wishing Qihai Rui dead, but Ye Lingshuang blamed him for disrupting Qihai Rui's once-happy life. Yu Xiuming called her feelings an obsession, but Ye Lingshuang insisted Qihai Rui deserved happiness and would forever be her obsession.
Yu Xiuming then remarked that Qihai Rui may not have had that destiny, but Ye Lingshuang did. Ye Lingshuang reiterated her desire for freedom once her work was finished. Under Yun Wen's guidance, Ye Lingshuang began working on the Suizheng Array, a ritual designed to travel back in time. Yun Wen clarified that while the array could send her back, it required an extremely pure core of Suizheng Celestial Power, which Ye Lingshuang's current Ice Crystals couldn't provide.
Yun Wen also explained that altering the past depended on Ye Lingshuang's choices, and if key individuals made different decisions, everything would change. Ye Lingshuang wondered if returning to the past would mean Yu Xiuming would never fall for her. Yi Wuyou was informed that they had approximately eighty to ninety thousand gold beads remaining in Ningzhou. He instructed his aide to use thirty thousand gold beads to pay for recently purchased Ice Crystals.
He also promised Ye Lingshuang that he would keep her amber pendant safe. Meanwhile, Ping's wife, Yuan'er, excitedly revealed her pregnancy to him. Ping, overjoyed, immediately planned to inform Yi Wuyou and take Yuan'er away, but Yuan'er advised him to be patient and prepare thoroughly for their departure. Yu Xiuming visited Ye Lingshuang, now referred to as Director Bai, who was supposedly ill and absent from court. He informed her that he would not approve her request to resign.
Moments later, Ye Lingshuang collapsed. Yu Xiuming, in a state of distress, ordered all available doctors to be summoned, even from the common people. Chao Gao, a young astrologer, arrived and discerned that Ye Lingshuang's condition was not an illness but a curse. He quickly cast a protective array, explaining it would preserve her life for twelve hours and emit a beam of light every two hours to pinpoint the arcanist's location in Tianqi.
Yu Xiuming immediately mobilized his entire force to search every district of the city. When an official reported resistance from some noble residences, Yu Xiuming sternly declared that anyone obstructing the search would be charged with treason. Guards were seen reinforcing security around a specific courtyard, hinting at the arcanist's hiding place. As the twelve hours neared their end, Yu Xiuming was informed that the arcanist from Yunzhou was operating in the east of the city.
Yu Xiuming, without hesitation, personally led his men to confront him. He engaged the arcanist and his fifty-two accomplices, eventually capturing them all, though sustaining injuries in the process. Upon his return, Ye Lingshuang awakened. Chao Gao explained that she had been under a curse, his array had bought time, and Yu Xiuming had personally tracked down and apprehended the arcanist to break the spell. Yu Xiuming, still visibly injured, asked Ye Lingshuang if she found his current appearance appealing.
She expressed concern about his wounds, which had not healed instantly as they usually did. He claimed he had deliberately allowed the injuries to linger so she would witness his sacrifice. Ye Lingshuang questioned why he, a compassionate ruler known for his grand principles, would care so deeply for her individual well-being. Yu Xiuming confessed that despite his efforts for the people, he was inexplicably drawn to her, calling her cold-hearted and ungrateful. Ye Lingshuang fainted once more.
Yun Wen jokingly suggested a bizarre remedy (smearing her face with a mixture of earth, water, and bitter bile), which was dismissed as Ye Lingshuang quickly regained consciousness. Later, Leng Tianxi observed Yu Xiuming’s wounds and voiced her concern about his self-neglect, but he dismissed her, assuring her that he knew his own limits. Ling Yun reported on the capture of the arcanist and strongly implicated Duanmu Yan from the Bureau of Astrology in the conspiracy.
Yu Xiuming ordered the Bureau of Justice to launch a thorough investigation into Duanmu Yan. Duanmu Yan, now imprisoned, pleaded his innocence to Ye Lingshuang. He admitted only to encountering the arcanist with the intention of recruiting him for the Bureau of Astrology and unknowingly giving him some of Ye Lingshuang’s personal items, but denied any malicious intent. Ye Lingshuang, however, saw through his pretense, exposing his ambitious collusions with various officials.
Despite his deceit, she decided to overlook his direct involvement in her curse, informing him that the necessary Ice Crystals for the time-traveling passage had been acquired (though expensive and taking some days to arrive). Qihai Lian and another woman discussed selling the costly fabrics gifted by the Emperor for the wedding. Qihai Lian decided against it, fearing it would disrespect Yu Xiuming, and instead offered to use the material to make a new formal dress for the other woman.
On Qihai Lian's wedding day, Ye Lingshuang visited her, remarking that Qihai Rui would have been happy to witness the celebration. Qihai Lian expressed her hope that Ye Lingshuang would one day find her own happiness and understand the choices Qihai Lian had made.
Episode 3 Recap
The battle for the Great Chao raged on, with Qihai Zhenyu leading the Yebei forces and rallying his men with the cry, "May heaven bless Yebei!" His son, Chu Ye, confirmed their cavalry had reached the Qiulan Sea ahead of the Chao army, setting the stage for a surprise attack. Qihai Zhenyu declared this a fight for survival, vowing to slay Yu Xiuming, the leader of the Great Chao, after proudly noting that Chao's Lanyi Army had been annihilated.
Seeing the high morale of the Yebei cavalry and fearing heavy casualties, Yu Xiuming ordered Ling Yun to bring his horse, preparing to confront Qihai Zhenyu directly. The two leaders clashed, and Yu Xiuming ultimately killed Qihai Zhenyu with his sword. Witnessing Qihai Zhenyu's death and Yu Xiuming emerging unscathed, Ye Jingqing suspected foul play. He recognized the power of the Duanyue Blade and was stunned that Yu Xiuming was unharmed.
Simultaneously, far away in Great Chao, Ye Lingshuang was suddenly affected by the amber stone on her chest, emitting a strange light. Believing no one could escape his ultimate power, Ye Jingqing unleashed the Hengchen Skyfire Spell, but Yu Xiuming remained untouched, proving the spell insignificant. Disappointed and enraged, Ye Jingqing predicted, "Chao will fall!" With the war concluded, Yu Xiuming decided to return to Tianqi. He instructed Jie Zhuying to diligently continue the search for the Mirror of Youth.
He also entrusted Jie Zhuying with the tens of thousands of Yebei people and Qihai Lian, promising that the younger man would understand what to do with them when the time was right. Before leaving, Leng Tianxi inquired about the fate of Ye Lingshuang (referred to as "the girl in the rear tent"), who was to be transported back to Tianqi with the other female captives.
Leng Tianxi then noticed a single white hair at Yu Xiuming's temple, something she had never seen before, and wondered if the power of the Divine Mirror was beginning to wane. Among the female captives being escorted to Tianqi, Ye Lingshuang yearned to escape her enslaved status and find Qihai Rui and Yi Wuyou.
Along the journey, Chao soldiers attempted to assault the female captives, some remarking that they would all eventually be sent to the Imperial Office of Music as slaves anyway. When a soldier tried to force himself upon a captive, Ye Lingshuang intervened, killing him to protect the woman. The other soldiers immediately moved to attack her, but Ye Lingshuang revealed the bronze seal given to her by Yu Xiuming, causing them to halt.
General Xie Yu'an arrived and, after hearing a soldier falsely accuse Ye Lingshuang of murder, questioned her. She revealed the truth about the soldiers attempting to assault the captives and criticized their lack of military discipline. Xie Yu'an, enraged, ordered the offending soldiers to receive thirty military strikes each, increasing it to forty for the one who dared to protest, and had the deceased soldier's head displayed as a warning.
Ye Lingshuang then sought to make a deal with Xie Yu'an, revealing that the true reason she displayed the bronze seal was to resolve his lingering concern about Vice Commander Yan. She reminded him that despite Vice Commander Yan's sacrifice to protect him during the final battle against the Lanyi Army, his body and remains had never been found, which she knew bothered him.
Ye Lingshuang claimed to possess the gift of prophecy, a fact known throughout Yebei, and told him she knew the location of Vice Commander Yan's remains. In exchange for this information, she asked Xie Yu'an to send her to the Bureau of Astrology upon their arrival in Tianqi, rather than the Imperial Office of Music, explaining her astrological talent and her refusal to live as a slave. Upon their arrival in Tianqi, Xie Yu'an kept his promise.
After Ye Lingshuang was prepared, he escorted her into the palace. Meanwhile, Yu Xiuming, having returned to the capital, announced his intention to hold a grand Ceremony of Stars to honor meritorious officials, proclaiming the unification of the Great Chao and its unprecedented rule over five clans. Jie Haitian objected, citing ancient traditions of dividing land and warning of potential issues.
Yu Xiuming dismissed his concerns, declaring that his decisions would establish new rites for a new era, asserting that the ceremony would be a grand, monumental event without land redistribution. He then subtly questioned Jie Haitian's concerns, asking if he feared a loss of military power. Later, Fan Ruhui privately reported to Yu Xiuming that while Jie Haitian was diligent in his absence, he had acted arbitrarily, notably mobilizing the Lanyi Army without imperial orders.
Fan Ruhui explained that Jie Haitian had justified this by claiming it was to anticipate any oversights by the emperor and that Yu Xiuming himself had granted him the discretion to act as needed. Yu Xiuming expressed his displeasure but dismissed the matter. At the Bureau of Astrology, Jie Haitian was initially unwilling to accept Ye Lingshuang, a Yebei captive, suggesting she belonged in the Imperial Office of Music.
Ye Lingshuang, however, sensed that Jie Haitian was trying to locate the Divine Mirror. She boldly asserted that only she could find its whereabouts, claiming he wouldn't succeed even in a hundred years. She offered a bet: if her calculations were wrong, she would willingly face punishment under Chao law.
Impressed by her talent and quick thinking, Jie Haitian agreed to let her stay, though without an official title or salary, warning her that he might not be able to protect her if her true identity was revealed. Xie Yu'an was astonished that Ye Lingshuang had managed to convince Jie Haitian. As agreed, Ye Lingshuang then revealed that Vice Commander Yan's remains were interred on Ziping Mountain, respectfully buried by the Qihai Tribe.
Jie Haitian then introduced Ye Lingshuang to his subordinates, stating she would be working with him. Some colleagues voiced objections, particularly when it was suggested she might lead the newly established Horoscope Department, arguing she lacked the proper qualifications and had not undergone official examinations. Jie Haitian silenced their protests, asserting her talent in calculations and naming himself as her master, thereby taking her in as an an unofficial disciple.
He instructed everyone to fully cooperate with her in the critical task of constructing the calendar. Elsewhere, Leng Tianxi presented herself to Yu Xiuming, expressing her desire to become his consort, fully aware that this meant sealing her celestial powers and forever losing her ability to fly. She reflected that for ten years, she had served as Yu Xiuming's closest guard but also as the Winged Clan's spy.
Now, she chose to defy her kin and remain eternally loyal to Yu Xiuming. That night, however, Yu Xiuming did not visit her, being preoccupied with state affairs, leaving her disappointed. Ye Lingshuang, whose celestial powers were sealed, found that the timing of her prophecies was inaccurate. She requested access to star charts, historical records, almanacs, and magical instruments from Jie Haitian to assist her.
He agreed, telling her to come to the duty room the next day and to adjust her department head uniform. At the same time, Jie Haitian advised Yu Xiuming to withdraw Chao troops from Yebei, arguing that the defiant Yebei remnants would inevitably rebel if given the chance. He proposed enlisting able-bodied individuals for canal construction and executing the rest.
However, Yu Xiuming decided to relocate all Yebei people to Yuezhou and instructed Jie Haitian to prepare an imperial decree to that effect, dismissing concerns about the immense resources and the youth of Jie Zhuying, who would be tasked with this massive resettlement. One night, Ye Lingshuang's amber pendant began to glow and spoke, identifying itself as Yun Wen, a master astrologer. He explained that a mishap during his research into an array caused him to lose his physical body.
The chaos of the Yebei war and the resulting disarray of celestial powers had drawn his spiritual form into her amber pendant. Skeptical, Ye Lingshuang initially dismissed him as a liar, but Yun Wen challenged her to bring a mirror. When she did, she saw his reflection within it, confirming his existence. He explained that as a spiritual entity, he could only appear on smooth surfaces before re-coalescing.
Yun Wen lamented that Ye Lingshuang, despite being a potential astrological prodigy, was powerless due to her sealed abilities. He then offered her a deal: he would reveal the location of the Mirror of Youth if she helped him gather the magical instruments needed to reconstruct his body. Ye Lingshuang agreed to the exchange.
Meanwhile, in Yebei, Jie Zhuying received an imperial decree that ordered the slaughter of all Yebei residents incapable of labor, with the rest to be sent to construct waterways. Distraught, he confided in his vice commander, questioning if this was the true reason Yu Xiuming had left him behind. Unbeknownst to them, a Yebei captive overheard their conversation.
Episode 4 Recap
As Nightbei tribespeople learned of the impending slaughter, they frantically sought a way out. Qi Hailian instructed Su and Liang to lead their tribe into the mountains to hide and remain silent, to avoid detection by the Chao Army. Meanwhile, the general overseeing the Nightbei operations was en route, but General Xie Yu'an remained unwilling to execute the Nightbei prisoners.
When the vanguard army arrived to search for escaped prisoners, Qi Hailian tried to deter them by claiming an epidemic among the female captives, but the soldiers insisted on entering. Jie Zhuying then intervened, blocking the soldiers and asserting that Emperor Yu Xiuming had granted him full authority over the Nightbei prisoners.
He boldly declared that he would assume all responsibility, believing the Emperor would not harm him and wishing to prevent further bloodshed, as he felt the Nightbei had already suffered enough. In the Great Chao capital, the Horoscope Department was busy compiling auspicious times for concubines to conceive imperial heirs, a significant concern given Emperor Yu Xiuming's lack of children. Ye Lingshuang, now tasked with these duties in the palace, was surprised to find Leng Tianxi among the concubines.
She inquired about Leng Tianxi and learned of her favored status with Yu Xiuming, a result of their shared experience on the battlefield. Leng Tianxi, recognizing Ye Lingshuang, immediately ordered an investigation. She later confronted Xie Yu'an, who, following Jie Haitian's instructions, claimed Jie Haitian had taken Ye Lingshuang. Leng Tianxi then reported this to Yu Xiuming. Upon learning that Ye Lingshuang was in the Bureau of Astrology, Yu Xiuming immediately went there, finding her dressed in an official robe.
He angrily confronted Supervisor Jie Haitian for harboring a Nightbei prisoner and allowing her to hold office, which was a blatant disregard for him and the law. Yu Xiuming ordered Ye Lingshuang's official robe to be removed, but she chose to take it off herself. Jie Haitian tried to explain, admitting his fault and requesting a private audience with the Emperor.
He revealed that his son, Jie Zhuying, had written home, stating that the Mirror of Youth had still not been found in Nightbei. He then explained that Ye Lingshuang possessed unique astrological talents, suggesting that if her sealed celestial power could be unleashed for the Great Chao, it would be beneficial. However, Yu Xiuming scoffed, recalling Ye Lingshuang's earlier audacious claim in his tent to become the Empress of Chao, and dismissed her as a cunning girl with petty tricks.
Despite Jie Haitian's insistence on her powerful celestial energy, Yu Xiuming remained unmoved, stating that she would pay for her audacity. Later, Yu Xiuming summoned Ye Lingshuang, still referring to her as his "Princess Zhuyan." He interrogated her about her presence in the Bureau of Astrology, threatening to enslave her if she didn't confess.
Ye Lingshuang cleverly replied that she was grateful to him for bringing her to Tianqi, as it allowed her to study astrology under Supervisor Jie Haitian, an opportunity denied to her in Nightbei where she was scorned as a "cursed one." Yu Xiuming challenged her, noting that the Great Chao already had Jie Haitian for guidance. Ye Lingshuang confidently declared she could surpass Jie Haitian if given a chance.
Amused by her confidence, Yu Xiuming gave her an opportunity: the Bureau of Astrology had failed to find an auspicious site for the upcoming Ceremony of Stars for ten days, and he tasked her with finding one within the next ten days. If she succeeded, she would be rewarded; if not, she would be executed for deceiving the Emperor.
Yu Xiuming then issued a decree, formally renaming Ye Lingshuang as Bai Lu and appointing her as the Leader of the Bureau of Astrology. The officials at the Bureau of Astrology were taken aback by Bai Lu's return and her new, formidable task. They worried that failure would bring calamity upon the entire bureau. Some expressed doubt that she, or even Supervisor Jie Haitian, could succeed.
Bai Lu, however, secretly believed there was more to the situation than just a difficult calculation and planned to probe Yu Xiuming further. Cloud Wen's spirit, residing in the amber stone on Bai Lu's neck, found two artifacts for her, but also urged her to focus on the task at hand, reminding her of the ten-day deadline.
Bai Lu, realizing that Supervisor Jie Haitian's reluctance to provide an auspicious site was intentional, understood that she could not rely solely on calculations. She suspected a hidden motive behind his inaction and decided to investigate further, aiming to test the Emperor's true intentions. Meanwhile, Fan Ruhui, fearing his declining influence in the Bureau of Astrology, sought an audience with Yu Xiuming.
He subtly suggested that Jie Haitian's delay in naming an auspicious site might be a form of protest against the Emperor. Fan Ruhui also mentioned rumors about a female official in the Bureau of Astrology, hoping to turn Yu Xiuming against Jie Haitian. However, Yu Xiuming revealed he was well aware of Jie Haitian's independent nature and loyalty, and that Bai Lu's appointment was his own doing, to test her.
Yu Xiuming then instructed Fan Ruhui to personally convey the message to Jie Haitian to expedite the process, but Fan Ruhui had already sent his second son, Fan Zheng, to investigate Bai Lu, instructing him to be discreet. Bai Lu later overheard a conversation between Fan Ruhui and Jie Haitian.
Fan Ruhui was urging Jie Haitian to submit an auspicious site, revealing that the Emperor intended to reclaim military power by nominating a protectorate governor at the Ceremony of Stars, and that Jie Haitian's delay was a tactic to avoid handing over his authority. Understanding this, Bai Lu visited Yu Xiuming, feigning concern about his visits to the harem and subtly revealing the information she had overheard about Jie Haitian and Fan Ruhui's conversation.
Yu Xiuming, fully aware of Jie Haitian's independent nature and loyalty, dismissed her attempts at "petty smarts" and reiterated that her priority was to determine the auspicious site and save her own head. Bai Lu understood that Jie Haitian would not endorse her calculated auspicious site, so she needed to find another approach. Cloud Wen's spirit informed Bai Lu that the Mirror of Youth was located in the Sea of Bitterness.
This news, while important for Jie Haitian, saddened Bai Lu as she worried about the fate of Qi Hairui and Yi Wuyou, fearing Qi Hairui might have met with an accident. Bai Lu resolved to leave the palace the next day. She visited the Moon Tower, a place Yi Wuyou had mentioned, hoping to find him, but learned he had sold the business and left Tianqi.
While there, she overheard common folk discussing the Ceremony of Stars, expressing their displeasure that an auspicious site selection would inevitably lead to forced relocations and demolitions for some residents. This sparked a new idea in Bai Lu. Unbeknownst to Bai Lu, Hejin, the current manager of the Moon Tower, recognized her as "Miss Ye" and maintained her hidden identity to protect Yi Wuyou's whereabouts.
Separately, Director Di, noticing Bai Lu's absence from the Bureau of Astrology, complained to Jie Haitian about her irresponsibility and demanded strict punishment. Jie Haitian, however, left the matter to Director Di to handle. Meanwhile, in a desolate location, Yi Wuyou had managed to rescue Ye Jingqing from the Nightbei war, but she was severely injured and on the verge of death, with traditional remedies proving ineffective.
Episode 5 Recap
As Ye Jingqing lay dying, he offered Yi Wuyou medicinal herbs, which Yi Wuyou gently refused, believing it was too late. With his last breaths, Ye Jingqing urged Young Master Yi to go to Tianqi after his death and look after his daughter, Ye Lingshuang. Yi Wuyou was surprised, questioning how Ye Jingqing knew she was alive and in Tianqi.
Ye Jingqing confirmed she was favored by the Truth Master and revealed that Yi Wuyou's long-sought Starstone would be found if he stayed by Ye Lingshuang's side. Yi Wuyou pledged to protect Ye Lingshuang regardless of the Starstone. Ye Jingqing thanked him, acknowledging his genuine love and care for Ye Lingshuang, but sadly stated that ultimately, only the Emperor could stand by her side.
After Ye Jingqing passed away, Yi Wuyou, reflecting on the unchanging snow of Yebei, resolved to return to Tianqi to continue his mission of reviving the Winged Clan. In Tianqi, Ye Lingshuang, now known as Leader Bai Lu at the Bureau of Astrology, signed in and promptly left the office. Her subordinate, Duanmu Yan, couldn't stop her, noting that no rule prevented her departure after signing.
Fan Zheng, recognizing the female official in the streets, grew suspicious and ordered his aide to follow her, intrigued by her presence in official attire while handling the important task of selecting an auspicious site for the Ceremony of Stars. On her wanderings, Ye Lingshuang observed barren land previously designated as an auspicious site and learned from locals that people refused to give up their homes due to inadequate compensation.
She sought information on undeveloped lands, which a child readily showed her. Back at the Bureau, Yun Wen questioned Ye Lingshuang's relaxed demeanor given the looming deadline for selecting the auspicious site. Yun Wen was dismayed by the proposed sites, all barren lands in Tianqi, which failed to meet the rigorous astrological criteria of "four auspicious signs" and "seven odds."
Ye Lingshuang, however, argued that Emperor Yu Xiuming would prioritize his people's welfare over grand expenses, hoping he would appreciate a plan that avoided burdening the populace and that this would secure her position. The next day, as it was time for the Bureau of Astrology to deliver the Harmony Calendar to the palace, the concubines openly expressed their disinterest, lamenting Emperor Yu Xiuming's infrequent visits.
Ye Lingshuang, presenting herself as Bai Lu, delivered the calendar and sought to understand the Emperor's preferences for the auspicious site selection. The concubines informed her that Yu Xiuming had little interest in women, except for Concubine Tian (Leng Tianxi), who had followed him for many years. Ye Lingshuang then sought out Leng Tianxi, explaining her need to understand the Emperor's character for her assigned task.
Leng Tianxi revealed that Yu Xiuming was largely dismissive of astrology, citing the historical example of him destroying the Imperial Seal at the South Palace instead of retrieving it, asserting his belief that destiny is forged by strength, not fate. This conversation solidified Ye Lingshuang's understanding that the Emperor did not believe in astrological predictions. Later, Ye Lingshuang presented her list of four "ordinary" auspicious sites to Jie Haitian, who immediately dismissed them as nonsense and demanded she recalculate.
However, Guan Yi, an official, privately encouraged Ye Lingshuang to submit her results directly to Emperor Yu Xiuming, implying that her effort might be appreciated. During the audience, Jie Haitian again claimed no suitable site could be found, frustrating Yu Xiuming, who accused him of lecturing and questioning the Great Chao's divine mandate. Yu Xiuming then turned to Ye Lingshuang (Bai Lu), who bravely presented her four sites. When Jie Haitian tried to intervene, Yu Xiuming dismissed him.
Yu Xiuming, noting the "ordinary" nature of the sites, including the South Palace, questioned if she was trying to fool him. Ye Lingshuang eloquently explained that while the sites had flaws, they combined the strength of stellar power with human popularity, promising to fulfill his wishes and ensure the nation's peace.
She highlighted specific benefits for each site, and for the South Palace, she strategically recalled the Imperial Seal's destruction there, arguing that the residual "good luck" from such a significant event made it an auspicious location for "world peace." Finally, she admitted her uncertainty, stating that since he didn't believe in astrology, the specific location was less important than choosing a place that avoided public inconvenience and high costs.
She concluded that any location chosen by His Majesty would be auspicious. Pleased by her intelligence and practicality, Yu Xiuming selected the South Palace. An imperial decree swiftly followed, promoting Bai Lu to Director of the Bureau of Astrology for her success. Jie Haitian, visibly angered by her promotion and his diminished authority, spitefully assigned her the arduous task of supervising the altar's construction, overriding Guan Yi's concerns about her inexperience.
Emperor Yu Xiuming later confided in Concubine Tian his satisfaction, praising Bai Lu as a rare official who possessed both sharp intellect and discerning judgment. He elaborated on his dislike for superstitious "Heaven's will" rhetoric, admitting he only maintained the pretense of astrology to appease the populace. He explained his choice of the South Palace as the auspicious site, noting it avoided demolitions, public disturbances, and ministerial corruption, appreciating Bai Lu's clever justification.
Meanwhile, Fan Ruhui interrogated his son, Fan Zheng, about the investigation into Bai Lu, infuriated by Fan Zheng's lack of progress. Fan Ruhui rebuked his son for his apparent disinterest in ambition, revealing his grand plan to seize control of the Great Chao, not merely maintain the family's wealth. He speculated that Yu Xiuming's recently sprouted grey hairs indicated a weakening of his divine powers.
His strategy was to first undermine Jie Haitian, then incite others to further deplete Yu Xiuming's power, paving his path to the throne. While taking shelter from the rain on his journey, Yi Wuyou's subordinate mentioned that Ye Lingshuang had visited the Moon Tower looking for him. Yi Wuyou then encountered a masked girl playing the guqin in the shelter, noting that her playing style bore a striking resemblance to his Aunt Jingyun's.
The Yebei people were forced into arduous labor, with an old woman lamenting their lack of a savior. General Jie Zhuying felt a deep sense of guilt, but a subordinate advised him that Qi Hailian would not appreciate his remorse. Determined, Jie Zhuying decided to find the Mirror of Youth, which, according to a secret imperial decree, lay hidden in the Sea of Bitterness.
Qi Hailian, burdened by the destruction of her clan, offered to help Jie Zhuying retrieve the Mirror of Youth on the condition that her people be allowed to work in shifts. When a tribesman named Chu Ye protested, reminding her of the Chao army's cruelty, Qi Hailian explained that Emperor Yu Xiuming intended to exterminate the Yebei people. She believed that as long as the Emperor lived, their suffering would continue.
Her plan was to leverage the Mirror of Youth to reach Tianqi and assassinate the Emperor, ensuring the survival of her people. Chu Ye and other tribesmen, galvanized by her determination, agreed to join her. Qi Hailian cautioned them to keep their intentions absolutely secret, even from family, to avoid fatal consequences. She also stated her willingness to face any backlash from her people for seemingly aiding the Chao army, emphasizing that her actions were for their survival.
A report from Yu Shining of the Sky Water Battalion in Yebei reached Fan Ruhui, detailing Jie Zhuying's insubordination. It revealed that Jie Zhuying had obstructed canal construction, deceived the Emperor, and openly protected the Qihai Tribe by refusing to carry out an order to eliminate "useless people." Fan Ruhui was thrilled, seeing this as a golden opportunity to publicly impeach Jie Zhuying for treason. He planned to rally his supporters for a collective impeachment at the morning assembly.
However, Emperor Yu Xiuming had already intercepted Fan Ruhui's secret report. He summoned Jie Haitian, angrily confronting him about an alleged imperial decree ordering the "slaughter of the old and weak" in Yebei, an order Yu Xiuming vehemently denied issuing. Jie Haitian confessed to unilaterally altering the imperial decree, claiming it was a necessary measure to conserve resources for the starving people within the Great Chao, implying they couldn't afford to support the Yebei populace.
Yu Xiuming rebuked Jie Haitian for his deception and revealed that Jie Zhuying, despite the altered order, had not complied and was now facing impeachment. Yu Xiuming, while understanding Jie Zhuying's compassionate nature, warned Jie Haitian that he would be powerless to protect his son from Fan Ruhui's public accusation the following day. In a desperate plea, Jie Haitian offered his own life to spare his son's.
The next day, during the morning assembly, Emperor Yu Xiuming reflected on the chaos of the previous dynasty and his ambition to unify the realm and bring lasting peace. He announced a new administrative structure: the Great Chao would be divided into nine provinces, each overseen by a protectorate governor with authority over both military and political affairs, rather than being fragmented into fiefdoms.
He then tasked Fan Ruhui with drafting proposals for the provincial boundaries, the selection of governors, and the establishment of new governmental offices. An official raised an immediate objection to this new policy.
Episode 6 Recap
Emperor Yu Xiuming, in court, declared that Great Chao would be divided into nine states, each with a Protectorate General overseeing military and political affairs. He instructed Fan Ruhui to draft the specific regulations. However, Jie Haitian interrupted, expressing his strong disagreement. He argued that if the Protectorate Generals held too much power, it could lead to rebellion, reminiscent of the Winged King of old, causing constant worry for His Majesty.
He asserted that his duty was to correct the Emperor’s mistakes, deeming the Ceremony of Stars insignificant compared to the stability of Great Chao. Yu Xiuming, annoyed by Jie Haitian's repeated defiance, accused him of forgetting his place. Fan Ruhui seized the moment, impeaching Jie Haitian for deceiving the Emperor, unilaterally altering an imperial decree to slaughter tens of thousands of Yebei's vulnerable, harboring rebellious intentions, and refusing to surrender military power.
Enraged, Yu Xiuming immediately ordered Jie Haitian's execution in front of the palace. Afterward, Fan Ruhui feigned sorrow and tears, pleading with Yu Xiuming to spare Jie Haitian's wife and children, though a later smile betrayed his calculated coldness. Sensing a grave premonition from her divining rods, Bai Lu, also known as Ye Lingshuang, rushed towards the execution ground, only to witness Jie Haitian's execution.
Yu Xiuming then appointed Di Lanzhang as the new Supervisor of the Bureau of Astrology, tasking him with overseeing the Ceremony of Stars. Meanwhile, in Yebei, Qi Hailian successfully retrieved the Mirror of Youth for Jie Zhuying but collapsed from exhaustion. An imperial envoy arrived with a decree, informing Jie Zhuying that his father, Jie Haitian, had been executed for deceiving the Emperor and showing great disrespect, and his mother, Madam Xiao, had taken her own life.
The decree commanded Jie Zhuying to return to Tianqi at once. Overwhelmed, Jie Zhuying initially refused to believe the news, convinced that Yu Xiuming and his father shared an unbreakable bond of trust forged over seventeen years of shared hardships. He could not fathom his father betraying the Emperor or Great Chao. Qi Hailian comforted him, explaining that Yu Xiuming was inherently ruthless, a side Jie Zhuying had never witnessed because he had never been in opposition to him.
Feeling profoundly betrayed, Jie Zhuying declared that Qi Hailian was now the only person he cared about and promised to settle Yebei's affairs before returning to Tianqi to seek answers. Back in Tianqi, Yu Xiuming appointed Fan Ruhui as the Taizai, making him the first Prime Minister of Great Chao and entrusting him with most governmental affairs, except for urgent military matters.
Yu Xiuming, noting the fawning officials surrounding Fan Ruhui, cynically concluded they wished to deal with the more "agreeable" Taizai rather than himself. Fan Ruhui, immensely pleased, decided to further solidify his family's power by announcing the engagement of his eldest son, Fan Ping, to Zuo Shengnan, daughter of the influential Left Commissioner-in-Chief Zuo Jintian. Fan Ping, however, was reluctant, finding the arrangement too sudden and not wanting to marry yet.
His younger brother, Fan Zheng, brazenly offered to marry Zuo Shengnan instead, which earned him a severe rebuke from his father. Fan Ruhui reminded Fan Zheng that his elder brother was the family's rightful successor and reprimanded him for his recklessness and past troubles, contrasting his lack of achievements with Fan Ping's more cautious nature.
He warned Fan Zheng against associating with Winged Clan city lords who were offering gifts in hopes of securing positions as Protectorate Generals, cautioning him that such actions could lead him down the same path as Jie Zhuying if they interfered with the Emperor's plans. Fan Zheng argued he was merely holding onto the money temporarily, intending to return the gifts once the appointments were made.
With the Ceremony of Stars underway, Ye Lingshuang, in her capacity as Director Bai Lu of the Bureau of Astrology, was tasked with supervision. Fan Zheng, hearing of her involvement, harbored misgivings, complaining to Director Guan that Bai Lu was cunning and might slander Taizai Fan to the Emperor. He boldly claimed the empire would soon belong to the Fan family.
While inspecting the construction, Ye Lingshuang encountered Director Zhou and Director Gu Wangran of the Bureau of Public Works in a heated argument. Gu Wangran refused to approve the completion plans due to glaring irregularities in the accounts. Ye Lingshuang recognized Gu Wangran as someone she and Qi Hairui had saved from wolves during his studies in Yebei years ago. After a brief reunion, Ye Lingshuang questioned him about the construction.
Gu Wangran revealed that corrupt officials were substituting expensive obsidian, crucial for the sacrificial altar, with cheap, brittle inkstone, pocketing a significant profit, as obsidian was ten times the cost of inkstone. Ye Lingshuang urged him to delay signing the completion plans so she could investigate the fraud, though Gu Wangran was skeptical, fearing he would become a scapegoat if the conspiracy was merely covered up.
Jie Zhuying arrived in Tianqi but was forbidden from holding a proper burial for his parents, as their alleged crime of "falsifying an imperial decree" carried a prohibition against such rites. He angrily confronted his subordinates over this injustice. To his surprise, he found Qi Hailian had secretly followed his entourage, risking execution for leaving Yebei without permission.
She explained her purpose was to personally plead for Yebei, as he was currently unable to do so himself, being denied access to his own home. Jie Zhuying began a long vigil, kneeling outside Yu Xiuming's palace, but the Emperor refused to grant him an audience.
Concubine Leng Tianxi, deeply concerned, attempted to intercede for Jie Zhuying, reminding Yu Xiuming that he had watched the young man grow up and his plea to bury his parents was a natural human request. However, Yu Xiuming remained resolute, stating he had no time for sentimentality. Meanwhile, Qi Hailian's companions, who had traveled from Yebei with the intention of assassinating Yu Xiuming, grew anxious.
Chu Ye expressed doubts about their chances of success and the potential repercussions for the 50,000 Yebei citizens. Qi Hailian reassured them that her priority was the welfare of Yebei's people, acknowledging their current lack of opportunity to confront the Emperor directly. She instructed them to settle in and await her orders.
Fan Ping, who maintained a friendship with Jie Zhuying, pleaded with his father, Fan Ruhui, to speak to Yu Xiuming about Jie Zhuying's plight, particularly his inability to bury his parents. Fan Ruhui promised to intervene when the timing was right, while Fan Zheng mocked Jie Zhuying's misfortune and his brother's sympathy, earning another lecture from his father about his own lack of military achievements.
Ye Lingshuang, still unable to secure an audience with the Emperor due to lacking an imperial summons or the Bureau of Astrology's seal, observed Jie Zhuying still kneeling outside the palace after three days. Jie Zhuying recognized her and informed her that Qi Hailian was in Tianqi, giving her directions to her hidden location. Yu Xiuming, informed by his attendant Fengyin that Ye Lingshuang had spoken to Jie Zhuying, summoned her.
She explained she merely offered comfort to Jie Zhuying out of respect for his father's previous kindness. Yu Xiuming, having heard from Fengyin that only a few people seemed to have any conscience regarding Jie Zhuying's suffering, was still suspicious. Seizing the moment, Ye Lingshuang subtly accused Fan Zheng of treating the Emperor like a fool and exposed his corrupt practices in the Ceremony of Stars, detailing the use of inferior inkstone instead of obsidian for the altar.
Yu Xiuming was furious, realizing that Fan Ruhui, who constantly complained of poverty, had a son embezzling funds directly from the imperial project. Later, Directors Zhou and Guan approached Fan Ruhui, expressing concern over the inkstone usage for the altar. Fan Ruhui, outwardly dismissive, told them to simply follow the imperial orders, but inwardly, he worried about Fan Zheng's actions and resolved to visit the palace himself.
Episode 7 Recap
One night, Ye Lingshuang secretly arrived at Qi Hailian's hiding place, much to the surprise of everyone there, who had thought her dead. Ye Lingshuang recounted her recent experiences, explaining that she had been sent to Tianqi with other Yebei captives and was now serving as a director in the Bureau of Astrology, using the position to uncover Qi Hairui’s whereabouts.
Chu Ye, however, remained hostile, openly calling Ye Lingshuang a "cursed woman" and demanding her death for what he perceived as a betrayal of Yebei by serving Yu Xiuming. Qi Hailian intervened, reminding Chu Ye that killing Ye Lingshuang would expose their own covert mission. Ye Lingshuang retorted that her absence during the Battle of Yebei had not spared them suffering, but Chu Ye insisted she was a bringer of calamity.
Qi Hailian then confided in Ye Lingshuang their true objective in Tianqi: to assassinate Yu Xiuming and end the suffering of Yebei. Ye Lingshuang was stunned by the dangerous proposition. Qi Hailian elaborated on the Battle of Yebei, revealing that Dayuangu's Hengchen Skyfire Spell had failed to inflict any harm upon Yu Xiuming, making him seem almost inhuman. Ye Lingshuang speculated that his specially crafted armor, made from Kuafu's glacier metal by a Heluo master, might be his secret.
She recalled that Yu Xiuming was meticulous about his armor, polishing it himself and never allowing others to touch it. Qi Hailian believed the upcoming Ceremony of Stars offered a unique opportunity, as Yu Xiuming would be required to wear the imperial robe and crown, rendering his protective armor unusable. She was confident that her full celestial power, unleashed without the armor, would guarantee success.
Ye Lingshuang urged caution, suggesting Yu Xiuming likely possessed some formidable hidden strength that allowed him to remain undefeated despite his arrogance. She volunteered to investigate the matter further before they proceeded. Qi Hailian agreed, then apologized for Chu Ye’s harsh words, attributing them to the immense suffering they had endured. Ye Lingshuang simply stated she was accustomed to such treatment from the people of Yebei.
Qi Hailian then affectionately told Ye Lingshuang that she regarded her with the same affection as Qi Hairui and asked Ye Lingshuang to call her "Lian sister" on Qi Hairui's behalf, which Ye Lingshuang eventually did. Seeking answers, Ye Lingshuang consulted Yun Wen about Yu Xiuming's survival of the Skyfire spell. Yun Wen declared it the era's greatest mystery, one that only Ye Lingshuang herself could possibly unravel.
Ye Lingshuang expressed her desire to access the Yunji Building, but Yun Wen reminded her of its strict security, noting that it required Yu Xiuming's personal decree to enter. Meanwhile, Fan Ruhui, the Grand Steward, presented himself before Yu Xiuming, assuring him that additional funds—120,000 taels of gold and 10 million taels of silver—had been secured to ensure the Ceremony of Stars would be magnificent, with sufficient reserves for any unforeseen disasters.
Yu Xiuming, discerning Fan Ruhui's true intentions, subtly warned him by presenting him with a precious Quell Fire Cup, a keepsake from Fan Ruhui's hometown, and reminiscing about their shared history. He then revealed his knowledge of corruption within the ceremony preparations, specifically implicating Guan Yi of the Bureau of Astrology for illicitly substituting obsidian with inkstone. Yu Xiuming, emphasizing the need for a deterrent, ordered Fan Ruhui to personally oversee Guan Yi’s arrest and punishment.
Fan Ruhui accepted the cup and the grim task. Shortly after, Guan Yi was apprehended. Upon seeing Ye Lingshuang, he desperately pleaded for her help, mistakenly believing she had orchestrated his downfall. Di Lanzhang, the new supervisor of the Bureau of Astrology, officially announced Guan Yi's arrest for embezzlement and sternly warned all officials to conduct their duties with integrity. Following this, Ye Lingshuang was appointed to oversee the Ceremony of Stars altar preparations.
She recommended Gu Wangran, a principled and meticulous director from the Bureau of Public Works, to assist her, a proposal Di Lanzhang readily approved. Concerned about his son Fan Zheng's involvement in the corruption, Fan Ruhui dispatched Fan Chang to bribe the jailers to kill Guan Yi in prison, effectively silencing him and concluding the investigation. Elsewhere, Jie Zhuying had been kneeling persistently outside the palace for days, enduring heavy rain.
Yu Xiuming, moved by a flicker of compassion, finally instructed his guards to allow Jie Zhuying to return home, ordering him to reappear the following afternoon. The next day, Yu Xiuming acknowledged Jie Zhuying and his father's long-standing loyalty, permitting him to establish a mourning hall for his parents at home and reinstating him to a position within the Imperial Army, without offering any explanation for his parents' deaths. Jie Zhuying returned home to arrange the mourning hall.
While most court officials avoided visiting, out of fear or caution, Xie Yu'an and the Fan family, including Fan Ruhui and Fan Ping, paid their respects. Fan Ruhui took the opportunity to tell Jie Zhuying that the animosity between Yu Xiuming and Jie Haitian had deep roots, stemming from Jie Haitian's unwavering principles and his refusal to yield to the Emperor's authority after the state was established.
He subtly advised Jie Zhuying to be prudent and promised his support if needed. Later, Fan Ping discreetly handed Jie Zhuying a letter from Jie Haitian, which his mother had entrusted to Fan Ping before her suicide. Fan Ping explained he had not contacted Jie Zhuying earlier to protect him from further harm. Reading his father's final words, Jie Haitian expressed no regret for his actions and anticipated his fate, urging Jie Zhuying not to harbor resentment towards Yu Xiuming.
Overwhelmed with grief, Jie Zhuying wept, blaming himself for his parents' tragic end. Qi Hailian visited him at the mourning hall, consoling him and encouraging him to abandon hatred. She urged him to remember only the warm and joyful moments, such as his parents’ love and their shared memories, and made him promise never to forget them. As Qi Hailian departed, she was intercepted by General Huo Lu, who revealed he too bore a grudge against Yu Xiuming.
He explained that Jie Haitian had saved him from execution as a child when he was a slave, fostering a deep loyalty and a desire for justice. Huo Lu intended to publicly denounce Yu Xiuming at the Ceremony of Stars. Qi Hailian agreed to collaborate with him, unaware that this entire encounter was a calculated ploy orchestrated by Cai Can.
Cai Can, revealed to be the true architect of the scheme, expressed his satisfaction that Qi Hailian, unlike the seemingly complacent Jie Zhuying, was determined to avenge Yu Xiuming. Cai Can admitted his past error in underestimating Yu Xiuming, which had forced him to become a vassal after years of war. He instructed Huo Lu that Fan Ruhui would ensure Qi Hailian had an unobstructed path during the Ceremony of Stars.
With his army already positioned in Liaoyang, Cai Can declared that upon Yu Xiuming's death, his forces would march on Tianqi within a day to reclaim the throne for the Cai family, solidifying Huo Lu's loyalty with promises of care for his family. With the Ceremony of Stars rapidly approaching and Tianqi's security tightening, Ye Lingshuang sought a way to transmit crucial information to Qi Hailian.
She surveyed the ongoing preparations, observing officials inventorying sacred ritual items such as thirty-six pieces of Green round jade for heaven, thirty-six pieces of Yellow square jade for earth, nine Cauldrons, eight Bagui, nine Jiuzu, and twenty-six ceremonial vessels. Determined to find Yu Xiuming’s secret, Ye Lingshuang realized that while Yunji Building’s main entrance was heavily guarded, its side perimeter was less secure due to Yu Xiuming’s personal disuse of that section.
She decided to exploit this vulnerability, prying open a wall panel to gain entry. Inside the sprawling library, she discovered ancient texts like "Secrets of Star Trail," "Diagram of the 48 Phases of Star"—which Yun Wen informed her she could not yet study—"A Dream of Guzhen," a book that reminded her Tianqi was once known as Guzhen City, and the complete "Manual of the Emperor Star."
Unbeknownst to her, Yu Xiuming had already noticed her intrusion and concealed himself, observing her. When he finally revealed his presence, he demanded to know her identity and how she had entered, having heard her conversing with someone unseen. Ye Lingshuang, realizing he could not perceive Yun Wen, quickly fabricated a story, claiming that she often spoke to herself when engrossed in good books, hoping he would believe it. Yu Xiuming, amused, questioned her intense interest in him.
Ye Lingshuang, playing along, professed her admiration for his accomplishments, reciting historical accounts of his campaigns, such as his victory over the Kuafu clan at Jushi at the age of seventeen, where he personally slew over sixty warriors, and his subsequent conquests of Xi, Tang, Cao, and Luan. She estimated, based on his seventeen years of continuous warfare, that he must be well over thirty years old.
Yu Xiuming acknowledged her sharp calculation and then offered a rare personal anecdote, recounting the brutal Battle of Jushi where the Kuafu, three times larger and ten times stronger than humans, massacred his entire army, leaving him as the sole survivor. He mused that historians meticulously record outcomes but rarely the arduous processes. Later that night, Ye Lingshuang returned to Yunji Building, driven to uncover Yu Xiuming's true secret.
Delving into texts describing the "Mianshi Bridge, built in Hanzhendi, adjacent to an ancient temple, purportedly blessed by the powers of primordial truth masters," she pondered a connection to these "Truth Masters." Yun Wen explained that Truth Masters were a legendary ancient clan, immortal, invulnerable, maintaining eternal youth, and possessing boundless knowledge and power.
This revelation intensified Ye Lingshuang's suspicion: she wondered if Truth Masters had bestowed power upon Yu Xiuming, enabling him to withstand the Skyfire spell and accounting for his remarkably youthful appearance despite his long military career. Yun Wen dismissed her theory as mere speculation, adding that such a profound secret would undoubtedly be guarded with extreme secrecy. Nevertheless, Ye Lingshuang remained resolute in her determination to expose the truth.
An attendant then presented Yu Xiuming with a box from Ye Lingshuang. Yu Xiuming, ever wary, initially suspected it might be a trap but then confidently dismissed his fears, taking the box himself and considering it a trivial matter.
Episode 8 Recap
Bai Lu (Ye Lingshuang) decided to probe Yu Xiuming's potential connection to the Truth Master by sending him a box of military chess. Confident that her game would pique his interest, she was soon summoned by Yu Xiuming. He proudly presented a new, grand chessboard he had designed, calling it the "Battle of the Nine States," and claimed it surpassed her own military chess.
Bai Lu explained the rules: two players each lead 1,000 troops, with the goal of conquering Tianqi to rule the world. When Yu Xiuming questioned the symbols on the board, Bai Lu revealed they represented the Truth Master, stating that obtaining the Truth Master's power would increase one's military strength tenfold. She clarified that her game was an adaptation of the Truth Master's Nine Diagram Deduction.
Yu Xiuming found the tenfold power increase excessive, but Bai Lu argued that the Truth Master possessed powers capable of "distorting the fabric of space itself," making tenfold an understatement. This exchange solidified Bai Lu's suspicion that Yu Xiuming was indeed linked to the Truth Master. After a brief game, Yu Xiuming grew tired and abruptly ended their play, granting Bai Lu unrestricted access to the Yunji Building.
Pleased, Bai Lu made him promise not to retract his offer, to which he dismissed the idea of going back on his word for such a minor matter. Later, Qi Hailian, accompanied by Qingzhan, felt a surge of confidence in their assassination plans. When Bai Lu arrived, Qi Hailian immediately pressed her for information on Yu Xiuming's invulnerability.
Bai Lu reported that her investigation at the Yunji Building, hampered by the sheer volume of records, only indicated a possible connection between Yu Xiuming's secret and the Truth Master. Qi Hailian, stressing the urgency, then shared exciting news: she had allied with General Huo Lu, who promised to help them infiltrate the Ceremony of Stars.
Huo Lu, deeply indebted to Jie Haitian and enraged by Yu Xiuming's unjust execution of him, planned a public denouncement of the Emperor during the ceremony. Qi Hailian intended to use his protest as a cover to gain entry but clarified that Huo Lu was unaware of their true assassination plot. Bai Lu expressed deep concern, admitting her unfamiliarity with Huo Lu and questioning the immense risk of proceeding without first uncovering Yu Xiuming's secret.
A skeptical Qingzhan dismissed Bai Lu as a coward, criticizing her for merely hypothesizing without achieving any real revenge. Though frustrated, Bai Lu turned to leave, but Qi Hailian called her back, reiterating her desperate need for Bai Lu's help. She acknowledged Bai Lu's lack of martial arts or secret techniques but underscored the critical importance of uncovering the Emperor's invulnerability, asserting that Bai Lu was the most capable person for the task.
Bai Lu agreed to continue her investigation and arranged a discreet drop-off point for future messages. To further investigate Huo Lu's claims, Bai Lu first approached Commander Xie Yu'an. She feigned curiosity about a note supposedly left by Supervisor Jie Haitian regarding items for his "trusted aide," Huo Lu. Xie Yu'an was amused by the notion, confirming that while Huo Lu had received past favors from Supervisor Jie, he was certainly not a confidant.
Xie Yu'an characterized Huo Lu as someone unlikely to "stand up for justice" or risk involvement with the disgraced Jie family. Bai Lu, pretending to have been mistaken, thanked him. Next, she visited Concubine Tian (Leng Tianxi), presenting her with a rare "Winter Grass" tea from Yebei. During their conversation, Bai Lu subtly inquired about Jie Haitian. Leng Tianxi explained the tragic circumstances of Jie Haitian's public execution, noting that fear prevented anyone from collecting his body.
She added that few had private ties with Supervisor Jie, and his old comrades were mostly deceased, while current imperial army generals maintained only formal relationships. Crucially, Leng Tianxi confirmed that, to her knowledge, no one had received significant personal favors from Jie Haitian. Synthesizing this information, Bai Lu concluded that Huo Lu was lying. His willingness to sacrifice his life publicly for Jie Haitian implied a profound debt, which Concubine Tian should have known about.
Xie Yu'an's evident disdain for Huo Lu further suggested he was not a man of great loyalty. Convinced of Huo Lu's deception, Bai Lu hastily penned a warning letter to Qi Hailian, entrusting it to Official Gu for delivery with instructions to leave it if no one was present. However, upon receiving the letter, Qi Hailian's confidant dismissed Bai Lu's warnings as baseless suspicions from "the harbinger of calamity." Qi Hailian, unwavering, declared they "must stake their life on it."
Bai Lu later received Qi Hailian's reply, which stated that she and her brothers "no longer intend to live like cowards" and that Bai Lu need not join them. Understanding that Qi Hailian intended to die if the assassination failed, Bai Lu refused to abandon her. She resolved to create an escape array for Qi Hailian, realizing she would need an Ice Crystal, a rare and forbidden item in Tianqi.
Determined to find an Ice Crystal, Bai Lu journeyed to Jianyue Pavilion, where she was relieved to finally locate Yi Wuyou. He expressed joy at her return, explaining that after recovering from severe injuries, he had searched for her extensively in Yebei, even hearing that Jianyue Pavilion had changed hands. Bai Lu confided she too had been searching, fearing his identity might have been compromised after he saved Princess Zhuyan. She then anxiously asked about Qi Hairui.
Yi Wuyou, filled with remorse, recounted how his severe injuries left him unconscious on a mountain peak, and when he awoke, Qi Hairui was gone. Despite his subsequent recovery, he had found no trace of her. He then revealed the heartbreaking news that he had found Bai Lu's father, Ye Jingqing, in a critical state. He brought Ye Jingqing to an old shack for treatment, but he succumbed to his injuries shortly after.
Yi Wuyou, concerned, inquired about Bai Lu's well-being under Chao rule. Bai Lu revealed her new identity as a female official named Bai Lu in the Bureau of Astrology. Yi Wuyou was astonished by her position but understood when Bai Lu clarified that she was not serving the Emperor, but rather leveraging her status to achieve what others could not. As Bai Lu prepared to leave, she requested his assistance in finding an Ice Crystal.
Yi Wuyou pledged his help, instructing her that a wind chime hanging at Jianyue Pavilion would signal his presence, and reassuring her of his unwavering support. Yi Wuyou's search for an Ice Crystal proved challenging, as none could be found in the Tianqi outskirts. He resolved to check the Heluo stalls in the city's west. During his search, he encountered a pale young woman playing a guqin. Noticing her emaciated appearance, he invited her to share a meal.
He recognized her guqin as a masterpiece by Princess Jingyun, and recounted the Princess's tragic story: her solitary 23 years in Tanhou Palace, and her dramatic self-immolation after her family surrendered, leaving only the guqin. The woman introduced herself as Tang. Yi Wuyou recognized the surname as belonging to his family's cooks and realized Tang's parents had served Princess Jingyun and were taught by her. Introducing himself as Yi Wuyou, Princess Jingyun's nephew, he offered Tang refuge at his tavern.
Yi Wuyou successfully procured the Ice Crystal. On his return, he rescued a woman being chased by soldiers. The woman, Tianying of the Winged Clan, gratefully thanked him, addressing him as "Your Highness." Yi Wuyou, however, urged her not to use the title, explaining the Winged Clan's extinction. Tianying then pledged her loyalty, offering to follow him and assist in rebuilding their empire.
General Huo Lu met with Qi Hailian and Jie Zhuying, instructing them to don imperial army armor for their infiltration of the Ceremony of Stars. He assured them all arrangements were made for their entry. Covertly, however, Huo Lu ordered his subordinates to closely identify Qi Hailian's group, planning to "silence them" regardless of the assassination's outcome, ensuring no witnesses remained. Jie Zhuying's sister, Su, pleaded to join, declaring her fearlessness of death for Yebei.
But Jie Zhuying sternly commanded her to leave Tianqi at dawn and never return to Yebei if their mission failed, urging her to prioritize her own safety. Having learned of the impending assassination, Yi Wuyou confronted Bai Lu, urging her not to participate due to the extreme danger. Bai Lu conceded Qi Hailian's unwavering resolve, noting her secret techniques might give her a fighting chance.
Yet, Yi Wuyou insisted that Bai Lu, unlike Qi Hailian who bore the duty of Yebei's ruler, had no obligation to risk her life, especially considering her difficult past in Yebei. He assured her no one would blame her for abstaining. Bai Lu, however, felt bound by loyalty, explaining that Qi Hairui would blame her if she abandoned Princess Lian, her most revered sister.
Yi Wuyou vehemently argued that Princess Lian was "not worth risking your life for," but Bai Lu, though acknowledging his concern, remained firm. After Bai Lu departed, Yi Wuyou immediately instructed Hejin to deliver the Ice Crystals and a Cloud Flame to the Bureau of Astrology and to place the Snow Crane Camp on high alert, clearly prioritizing Bai Lu's protection.
Yun Wen also attempted to dissuade Bai Lu, echoing Yi Wuyou's warnings that the assassination would fail and chastising Bai Lu for prioritizing Qi Hailian's escape over her own. Bai Lu explained she was sewing a special pouch not out of a death wish, but in the hope it would prove useful. She revealed that the pouch's pattern was inspired by one given by a Truth Master she encountered as a child.
She also mentioned the potent perfume within, which had provided solace since her celestial powers were sealed for over a decade due to her clan's superstitious fears about her strange dreams. Later, Bai Lu visited Concubine Tian, presenting her with the completed embroidered pouch as a gift for the Rainbow Festival, a Yebei tradition. She told Concubine Tian that, having both suffered the loss of their families, they were "in the same situation."
Concubine Tian expressed sympathy for Bai Lu's long suffering, but Bai Lu humbly reminded her that Concubine Tian, as the former Commander of the Winged Guards, was the true first female official of Chao. On the eve of the Ceremony of Stars, Jie Zhuying visited Qi Hailian in Lanxin Alley. Unaware of her assassination plot, he offered to secure an audience with the Emperor for her after the ceremony, fulfilling an earlier promise.
Qi Hailian, knowing her mission was likely fatal, gently declined, stating he owed her nothing. She insisted they should not meet again, emphasizing their divergent statuses as a Chao general and a Yebei Grand Princess. Meanwhile, Yu Xiuming's hidden guards reported Qi Hailian's presence in Lanxin Alley. Although irritated by the city guards' oversight, Yu Xiuming deduced it was due to the area's derelict nature.
With chilling resolve, he expressed anticipation to see how "this princess, who had fallen from grace," would "make the Ceremony of Stars even better," confirming his full awareness of her plans. Later, Yu Xiuming summoned Bai Lu to his study for a game of chess. During their play, he abruptly questioned her about Qi Hailian's character. Bai Lu, carefully choosing her words, mentioned her father's past assessment of Qi Hailian as "blessed by the heavens."
She elaborated on Qi Hailian's difficult life—losing her mother young and her father taking other women—yet praised Qi Hailian for never complaining and always striving to be "the best grand princess that Yebei ever has." Yu Xiuming acknowledged Bai Lu's high regard for Qi Hailian but then remarked that "everyone is pitiful in their own ways," and "those who are pitiful are detestable in a certain way." Exasperated, Bai Lu pressed him for his true meaning.
Yu Xiuming then directly asked who she would choose: him or Qi Hailian. Bai Lu, avoiding a direct answer, claimed she had "never thought about that question before." Yu Xiuming simply stated she would know soon and dismissed her, instructing her to prepare for the Ceremony of Stars. As she was about to depart, he stopped her, asking if she had anything further to say.
Bai Lu cautiously replied that she had already conveyed everything she wished to Concubine Tian, and His Majesty could inquire with her if he desired answers. Yu Xiuming accepted this, stating he would wait for her return to "resume our game." Bai Lu responded that she would "surely join you if I have the chance." Upon returning to her room, Bai Lu discovered the Cloud Flame that Yi Wuyou had sent.
Episode 9 Recap
Disguised as imperial guards, Qi Hailian and her companions entered the Southern Palace for the Ceremony of Stars. Observing their distance from the altar, one of her subordinates voiced concern, but Qi Hailian quickly silenced him, emphasizing their lack of alternative. She instructed them to wait for the sundial to emanate a blue light, indicating the optimal moment to activate their magic array. Meanwhile, Ye Lingshuang, participating in the ceremony, spotted Qi Hailian and secretly approached her.
She urgently warned Qi Hailian, revealing that Emperor Yu Xiuming had mentioned her name the previous day, which made Ye Lingshuang fear their plan had been compromised or that Huo Lu had betrayed them. Qi Hailian acknowledged reading Ye Lingshuang’s warning about Huo Lu's unreliability but declared she had no retreat. She stated this assassination was her last resort for Yebei, driven by a strong desire for revenge.
Ye Lingshuang implored her to reconsider, reminding her that their goal was revenge, not self-sacrifice, and argued that Qi Hailian had already done enough for Yebei. Seeing Qi Hailian’s unwavering resolve, Ye Lingshuang disclosed that she had set up an escape magic array with ice crystals hidden around the altar.
She explained that a pool on the left side of the altar led directly to Yongning Canal, providing a route to safety, and urged Qi Hailian to avoid prolonged combat and escape quickly if something went wrong. She gave Qi Hailian an Ice Crystal, urging her to use it to create an escape path in an emergency. Qi Hailian, however, refused the Ice Crystal, stating that if the Emperor survived, she had no desire to live.
Ye Lingshuang insisted, forcing the crystal into her hand, and Qi Hailian, resolute, urged Ye Lingshuang to leave before attracting attention. Emperor Yu Xiuming made a majestic entrance into the Southern Palace, greeted by bowing officials who extolled his benevolence and might. He ascended the altar, proclaiming an oath for the state, and then proceeded to confer titles, naming Fan Ruhui as Duke Wei. As the sundial glowed blue, Qi Hailian launched her attack, flying towards Yu Xiuming.
Unaware onlookers mistook this for an auspicious sign. Chaos erupted as Qi Hailian engaged Yu Xiuming. Ye Lingshuang, witnessing the scene, realized the Emperor had prepared for such an event. Amid the turmoil, Huo Lu, a supposed ally of Qi Hailian, revealed his betrayal. Acting quickly, Ye Lingshuang sent a distress signal to Yi Wuyou. Jie Zhuying, rushing to protect the Emperor, was drawn into the conflict before he could fully comprehend Qi Hailian’s presence.
Yi Wuyou arrived just in time to rescue Qi Hailian and her group. Ye Lingshuang felt a brief moment of relief, which quickly vanished as she met Yu Xiuming's furious gaze, aware of her involvement. Enraged by Ye Lingshuang's choice, Yu Xiuming immediately ordered a city-wide lockdown and a relentless search for all assassins, specifically instructing Jie Zhuying to join the pursuit. Jie Zhuying pursued Qi Hailian, intending to question her true motives for coming to Tianqi.
However, unable to bring himself to harm her, he instead wounded himself with her dagger, feigning an injury to allow her to escape and then hid her. When Fengyin arrived, he accepted Jie Zhuying’s story and halted the search in that area. Meanwhile, Yi Wuyou had rescued Chu Ye and other Yebei members. When he asked them about saving Ye Lingshuang, they explained that they had already agreed that capture meant death and their own injuries made a rescue impossible.
Frustrated by their stance, Yi Wuyou left to find a way to save Ye Lingshuang alone. In prison, Ye Lingshuang worried incessantly about Qi Hailian and the others. Other captured Yebei members, like Tao Liang, cried for release, only to be silenced by their comrades. Yu Xiuming, recovering from his injuries, noted the slow healing process and the diminishing power of his Divine Mirror. Fengyin reported the capture of seven assassins but confirmed Qi Hailian was still at large.
He mentioned finding Jie Zhuying wounded by Qi Hailian, prompting a suspicious Yu Xiuming to demand Jie Zhuying's presence. During their confrontation, Yu Xiuming used a seemingly trivial incident involving a palace maid and a cup of tea to make a veiled accusation of "rebellious intent" before having her arrested. He then turned to Jie Zhuying, implying his actions had caused the maid's suffering and also jeopardized Qi Hailian.
Yu Xiuming expressed profound disappointment, recalling how he had raised and trained Jie Zhuying, entrusting him with more than his own nephews, and even placing him in charge of Yebei. He questioned if Jie Zhuying saw him as a father, as he saw Jie Zhuying as a son. Yu Xiuming demanded to know the source of the assassination plot. Jie Zhuying confessed his fault but denied any prior knowledge of Qi Hailian's assassination attempt.
Yu Xiuming, seeing through his denial, ordered Jie Zhuying to bring Qi Hailian to him to redeem himself. Jie Zhuying claimed ignorance of Qi Hailian's current location, but Yu Xiuming shrewdly reminded him that he knew Qi Hailian was hiding behind him when Fengyin was in pursuit. Yu Xiuming then asserted that his vast network of covert guards and imperial army would find Qi Hailian regardless of Jie Zhuying's cooperation.
Jie Zhuying, maintaining his stance, admitted he could not betray someone he loved. Yu Xiuming, observing Jie Zhuying's stubbornness, remarked that he was just like his father. Later that night, Qi Hailian attempted to infiltrate the prison to rescue Ye Lingshuang and the other captured Yebei members but was ambushed and apprehended by Yu Xiuming’s guards. Upon learning of her capture, Jie Zhuying immediately pleaded with Yu Xiuming for her life.
He explained that Qi Hailian had been misled by his own father's fabricated edict to exterminate Yebei, making her believe Yu Xiuming intended genocide, which provoked her assassination attempt. He offered to persuade her to surrender if Yu Xiuming spared her. Yu Xiuming, already aware of her capture, agreed not to execute her but ordered Jie Zhuying to first seal her celestial powers. With a heavy heart, Jie Zhuying complied. A guard then announced Yu Xiuming’s summons for Qi Hailian.
Ye Lingshuang, sharing a cell with Qi Hailian, watched her depart with deep concern, reminding her to consider the fate of their fellow Yebei members. In the prison, Yu Xiuming’s men executed a captured Yebei member, Tao Liang, in front of Qi Hailian and Ye Lingshuang. Qi Hailian was devastated, blaming herself for their deaths. She expressed fear not of her own demise but of Yebei collapsing without a leader, leading to the eradication of their people.
Yu Xiuming held the Bureau of Astrology responsible for the assassination. Supervisor Di Lanzhang was dismissed and placed under investigation, and the Bureau was commanded to elect a new supervisor to report directly to the Emperor, explaining how they would manage the bureau after recent treasonous acts. Amidst the reluctance of officials to take on the hazardous role, Duanmu, known for his diligence, volunteered, hoping to secure the position once the Emperor’s anger subsided.
Stripped of her celestial powers, Qi Hailian fell into deep despair, feeling utterly useless. Ye Lingshuang comforted her by sharing her own childhood story: she was once deemed an "inauspicious harbinger" by her clan due to her prophetic dreams. Her father, Ye Jingqing, fearing for her life, sought help from a Truth Master who sealed Ye Lingshuang's celestial powers, allowing her to live a normal life.
Ye Lingshuang urged Qi Hailian to understand that everyone has a purpose and that Yu Xiuming’s decision to spare her life and merely seal her powers must stem from another, hidden agenda. She implored Qi Hailian to regain her health and stay resilient, ready for whatever lay ahead. Qi Hailian apologized to Ye Lingshuang, admitting she had initially believed Ye Lingshuang was merely seeking Qi Hairui’s protection for a better life.
She now recognized Ye Lingshuang’s true strength and bravery, acknowledging that Ye Lingshuang, having navigated the dangerous currents of Tianqi, was more resilient and courageous than any of the Yebei people. In the imperial court, Yu Xiuming oversaw the ongoing investigation into the assassination. The Bureau of Justice reported that five members of the Yebei Qihai tribe—Chu Ye, Qingzhan, and three others—remained at large, with ongoing efforts to apprehend them.
All other individuals implicated in the plot had been captured and subjected to appropriate punishment. Huo Lu, the Assistant Commander of the imperial army, was condemned for colluding with assassins and attempting regicide, his sentence being the decimation of his body and the execution of his entire clan. Director Bai Lu of the Bureau of Astrology was also condemned for conspiring with the assassins and concealing vital information, facing beheading for her crimes.
Episode 10 Recap
After the failed assassination attempt during the Ceremony of Stars, officials in court detailed the severe punishments for the culprits. Huo Lu, an Assistant General of the Imperial Guard, faced dismemberment of his corpse and the execution of his entire family. Ye Lingshuang, Director of the Bureau of Astrology, was sentenced to beheading for conspiracy. Princess Qi Hailian of the Yebei Qihai Tribe was to be executed along with her accomplices for masterminding the plot.
However, Emperor Yu Xiuming, acknowledging Princess Qi Hailian's status as Qihai Zhenyu's daughter, offered her a public opportunity to state her case. Upon being presented to the court, Princess Qi Hailian defiantly refused to kneel, declaring that a dying person had no need to grovel. She directly confronted Yu Xiuming, accusing him of killing her father and harming her people, branding him a "demon" deserving of death. The court was outraged, but Yu Xiuming calmly countered.
He clarified that his offer of a marriage alliance was met with Qihai Zhenyu's deceit, who used it to prepare for war, leading to the slaughter of 3,000 of Yu Xiuming's elite Lanyi Army. He argued his subsequent military action was justified and Qihai Zhenyu’s death in battle was his own downfall.
Yu Xiuming pointed out the extensive civil strife within the Yebei tribes, which had claimed more lives than the recent war, and urged Princess Qi Hailian, if she truly cared for her people, to seek pardon rather than death. Swayed by the thought of her vulnerable clan members, Princess Qi Hailian finally knelt, pleading for their lives and asking for them to be spared from forced labor. Yu Xiuming granted her pardon and chose not to pursue her uncaptured accomplices.
He then decreed that the Yebei people, being unable to continue with canal construction, would be relocated to Yuezhou, a distant land, and forbidden to leave without his explicit command. Princess Qi Hailian's plea to remain in their ancestral home was denied, with Yu Xiuming giving her a stark choice: migrate to Yuezhou or perish in their barren land. She had no other choice but to accept the relocation.
Yu Xiuming then summoned Jie Zhuying, appointing him as the Sima of Yuezhou, retaining his rank as General. His new duty was to oversee the escort of the Yebei survivors to Yuezhou and supervise them there. Jie Zhuying expressed his reluctance, wishing to stay by Yu Xiuming's side and emphasizing that any romantic connection between him and Princess Qi Hailian was impossible.
Yu Xiuming disregarded his feelings, announcing that Jie Zhuying would no longer bear the family name "Jie," and would henceforth be known as Zhu Ying, signifying a complete separation from his father's past deeds. Yu Xiuming sternly warned Zhu Ying to perform his duties well in Yuezhou, lest he face execution. Zhu Ying reluctantly complied with the decree. Meanwhile, Ye Lingshuang, still imprisoned, pondered Yu Xiuming's apparent invulnerability during the assassination, concluding he must have encountered a Truth Master.
She believed that finding the all-knowing Truth Master was her best chance to locate Qi Hairui. Upon her release, Princess Qi Hailian reunited with her people, who were resistant to the forced migration to Yuezhou. Chu Ye advocated for fighting back, but Princess Qi Hailian explained that violence would only lead to more suffering and wouldn't save their families. She asserted that migrating was their only path to survival, emphasizing, "If the Yebei people are alive, Yebei exists."
She encouraged them to hold onto their courage and honor in their hearts, passing these virtues to future generations, as survival was paramount. Word of Ye Lingshuang's impending execution reached Yi Wuyou. He immediately confronted Princess Qi Hailian, heartbroken that Ye Lingshuang faced death while Princess Qi Hailian was free. He accused Princess Qi Hailian of betraying Ye Lingshuang by pledging loyalty to Yu Xiuming.
Princess Qi Hailian, in anguish, defended her choice, explaining that she had tens of thousands of clan members to protect and could not risk Yu Xiuming retracting his pardon by attempting to save Ye Lingshuang. She expressed deep sorrow for her inability to save both Qi Hairui in the past and Ye Lingshuang now. Yi Wuyou, deeply disappointed and saddened for Ye Lingshuang, declared that if Princess Qi Hailian and her people would not rescue her, he would.
As Ye Lingshuang was being led to the execution ground, Yu Xiuming suddenly recalled her earlier references to the Truth Master. He ordered her to be brought before him for questioning, only to be informed that she was already at the execution site. Disturbed, Yu Xiuming swiftly visited Leng Tianxi, the Heavenly Consort, and inquired about any recent conversations or items Ye Lingshuang might have given her.
Leng Tianxi produced a sachet, explaining that Ye Lingshuang had embroidered it with a motif from a sachet given to her by a Truth Master during her childhood. This revelation led Yu Xiuming to consider that Ye Lingshuang might be a chosen individual. He immediately dispatched an order to halt the execution and bring Ye Lingshuang to him. When questioned, Ye Lingshuang claimed she had indeed met a Truth Master, who had promised to return when she turned twenty-five.
Yu Xiuming, whose divine mirror's power was dwindling, was desperate to find the Truth Master. Despite his skepticism, he gave Ye Lingshuang three months to locate them, warning her that failure would result in her execution without further intervention. Ye Lingshuang requested access to the Bureau of Astrology's resources for her search, and Yu Xiuming reinstated her to her former position.
Ye Lingshuang then inquired about Princess Qi Hailian, learning from Yu Xiuming that Princess Qi Hailian and her people were being migrated to Yuezhou, a piece of news that surprised her. Back at the Bureau of Astrology, Ye Lingshuang's unexpected return and reinstatement, particularly after being condemned for treason, became the subject of widespread rumors. Fan Zheng was furious, berating a Yebei servant and then complaining to his father, Fan Ruhui.
While Fan Ruhui reprimanded his son for speaking ill of the Emperor, he agreed that Ye Lingshuang's pardon and reinstatement, despite clear evidence of her involvement with assassins, was highly unusual. He ordered an investigation, asserting that such a serious case could not simply be dismissed without making Chao's laws meaningless. Meanwhile, Ye Lingshuang confided in her colleague, Yun Wen, about her bold gamble in mentioning the Truth Master to Yu Xiuming, knowing his keen interest would spare her life.
She reiterated her determination to find the Truth Master, believing it was the key to finding Qi Hairui, and planned to start her search by examining the Mianshi Bridge for clues. The next day, Leng Tianxi summoned Ye Lingshuang to the palace. She reproached Ye Lingshuang for her recklessness during the assassination plot, reminding her that Yu Xiuming had trusted her to infiltrate the assassins for intelligence, but she had let an assassin escape due to sisterly affection.
Following her reprimand, Leng Tianxi directed Ye Lingshuang to the back garden, where Yu Xiuming had arranged a final meeting between Ye Lingshuang and Princess Qi Hailian before Princess Qi Hailian's departure. The two friends shared an emotional reunion. Princess Qi Hailian confirmed her imminent migration to Yuezhou and invited Ye Lingshuang to join her. Ye Lingshuang, however, declined, explaining her need to remain in Tianqi to gather information about Qi Hairui, believing the capital offered better opportunities.
She offered Princess Qi Hailian a hopeful perspective, sharing her astrological calculations that indicated signs of prosperity in Yuezhou, suggesting it could be a fresh beginning. Ye Lingshuang also advised Princess Qi Hailian and Zhu Ying to seek out the Tubo, an ancient branch of the Heluo Clan known for their ability to transform difficult terrain, which could greatly aid their journey.
Princess Qi Hailian and Zhu Ying, facing the perilous journey ahead, accepted their fate, believing that the past was irrevocably behind them. Yi Wuyou received reports confirming Ye Lingshuang's reinstatement at the Bureau of Astrology. He instructed his Tabai Army agents to provide more detailed reports from the Bureau and decided to activate his palace spies.
When his agent cautiously inquired if these measures were for Ye Lingshuang's benefit, Yi Wuyou asserted they were for the "restoration of our nation," but then subtly asked his agent to ascertain Ye Lingshuang's safety during the upcoming full moon night. Elsewhere, Cuiping Momo, an agent of the Winged Clan, attempted to subtly gain influence with Leng Tianxi by offering Ningzhou flower tea and hinting at the Winged Clan's desire to establish a foothold in Tianqi.
Leng Tianxi, recognizing the overture, rejected it and ordered Cuiping Momo to be forcibly removed and disciplined. Upon hearing of this incident, Yi Wuyou expressed his disappointment, convinced that Leng Tianxi had completely abandoned her duties as a Snow Crane, lamenting her past and wishing her to suffer.
Despite her own precarious position, Ye Lingshuang remained concerned for Princess Qi Hailian and Zhu Ying's difficult journey, but her primary focus was on her mission to find the Truth Master as a path to finding Qi Hairui, resolving to thoroughly investigate the Mianshi Bridge.
Episode 11 Recap
Fan Ruhui expressed his displeasure to Yu Xiuming regarding Bai Lu's acquittal and reinstatement, noting that officials were openly accusing her of being an accomplice in the Ceremony of Stars assassination. Yu Xiuming clarified that Bai Lu had forewarned him of the assassination plot, enabling him to make arrangements and capture the culprits, thus ensuring the ceremony proceeded without incident. He advised Fan Ruhui, as the Grand Tutor, to adopt a more magnanimous outlook.
Fan Ruhui then mentioned that Bai Lu was absent from the Bureau of Astrology, claiming to be on a secret mission for the Emperor. Yu Xiuming, feigning suspicion, dispatched imperial guards to search for her. Meanwhile, Bai Lu was in the South Palace, examining fragmented ancient patterns. Xie Yu'an informed her that the Emperor had ordered a search, prompting her to immediately seek an audience with Yu Xiuming. With Fan Ruhui present, Yu Xiuming questioned Bai Lu about her whereabouts.
Picking up on Yu Xiuming's subtle signals, Bai Lu explained she had been on official business in the South Palace and hadn't intended to see him. Yu Xiuming used this as a pretext to dismiss Fan Ruhui. After Fan Ruhui's departure, Yu Xiuming instructed Bai Lu to report her progress every three days to ensure she wasn't slacking off, dismissing her complaints about the heavy workload.
Outside, Fan Ruhui confronted Bai Lu, attempting to uncover details of her "secret mission," but she evaded his questions, fueling his suspicion of a hidden agenda between her and the Emperor. Jie Zhuying later informed Qi Hailian that Bai Lu had been reinstated. He revealed that Yu Xiuming's public reason for her pardon – her supposed exposure of the assassination plot – was merely a cover-up.
Jie Zhuying noted that he had never witnessed Yu Xiuming exhibit such tolerance towards anyone before. Qi Hailian expressed her hope that Bai Lu would live a peaceful life in Tianqi. Separately, Bai Lu consulted an expert about a fragment of an ancient seal she believed was connected to the Truth Master. The expert advised her to find its core at the Mianshi Bridge in the South Palace, reinforcing Bai Lu's need for a palace pass.
Feeling disheartened by an arranged marriage, Fan Ping wandered into the Moon Tower. There, he was captivated by a melody titled "Maple Leaves," played by Tang Yuan. He learned that the piece was an ancient Feathered race song composed by Yi Wuyou, the owner of the Moon Tower, whose profound musical insights greatly impressed him.
Meanwhile, Fan Ruhui was engaged in corrupt practices, manipulating tax records to keep a significant portion for himself and his political allies, distributing some to local officials to secure their loyalty, and remitting only a fraction to the national treasury. During a court discussion on the depleted treasury, Fan Ruhui claimed that poor harvests and canal construction costs made it difficult to allocate funds for the Yebei migration.
Yu Xiuming, displeased, reminded him that the Grand Tutor's Residence was established to resolve such financial issues. Yu Xiuming then sought Bai Lu's advice on funding. Bai Lu subtly suggested that Fan Ruhui, being skilled at wealth accumulation, likely possessed a private vault, and advised attacking his "weakness." Yu Xiuming identified Fan Zheng as Fan Ruhui's vulnerability.
He mentioned Fan Zheng's new invention, the "Wind Bow," which boasted a longer range than the Heluo composite bow, and expressed curiosity about its secret. During a demonstration, Bai Lu, under Yu Xiuming's instruction, tested the bow. She revealed that its exceptional range was due to a "Genbai Ice Jue" embedded in the arrow, which leveraged wind-based secret techniques amplified by the current proximity of the main star Genbai to Earth.
She demonstrated that without the crystal, the bow was ordinary and would become ineffective once Genbai moved away. Bai Lu then exposed Fan Zheng's inflated procurement costs for the bow's materials, implying embezzlement. Panicked, Fan Zheng pleaded innocence, blaming his subordinates and Zuo Jintian, and begged for mercy. Fan Ruhui arrived to confess his son's misdeeds.
Yu Xiuming, reviewing the accounts, remarked on Fan Zheng's relatively moderate greed but implied that Fan Ruhui's strictness had driven his son to steal from the treasury. Yu Xiuming then ordered Fan Ruhui to use the embezzled funds to finance the Yebei migration to Yuezhou. Fan Ruhui reluctantly agreed, promising to rally other officials for support.
Fan Zheng, still blaming Zuo Jintian, grumbled about only being stripped of his office, convinced that Yu Xiuming, his maternal uncle, would never execute him. His father, exasperated, reminded him of the substantial sum paid to save his life. Later, Bai Lu requested a palace pass from Yu Xiuming to investigate ancient dynastic relics within the palace, hoping to find clues related to the Truth Master.
Yu Xiuming sternly questioned her audacity, hinting at her presumption to search even his private chambers, then abruptly dismissed her while implicitly granting her permission to continue her search. Meanwhile, Qi Hailian and Jie Zhuying arrived at Yebei, only to be met by an imperial edict.
The envoy bestowed the title of "Princess Qingheng" upon Qi Hailian, citing her "repentance" and "loyalty" after receiving imperial teachings, and decreed her marriage to Jie Zhuying, tasking them with leading the Yebei people's migration to Yuezhou. Qi Hailian attempted to refuse, citing her unworthiness and disparate status from Jie Zhuying, pleading with the envoy to persuade the Emperor to withdraw the order. Jie Zhuying intervened, stating that imperial decrees are immutable and non-negotiable.
The Yebei people reacted with fury, accusing Qi Hailian of betraying their deceased king and ancestral land by accepting the title and marriage. They vehemently refused to abandon their homeland, where their ancestors were buried, and lashed out at Qi Hailian and her supporters, labeling her an "animal" for aligning with their oppressor. Cornered and in tears, Qi Hailian insisted she could not marry Jie Zhuying, recognizing that she was now reviled by her own people.
Jie Zhuying urged her to focus on convincing the populace to migrate. It was Leng Tianxi's birthday and also a full moon night. Yi Wuyou's subordinate mentioned that palace security had been increased and that Leng Tianxi's "Lunar Erosion" was expected to worsen without an antidote, implicitly criticizing her for betraying her "old master," hinting that Yi Wuyou might be the Fourth Prince.
Yu Xiuming observed the lively and harmonious atmosphere in the palace during Leng Tianxi's birthday celebrations, crediting Bai Lu for contributing to the jovial mood. When Bai Lu raised a toast to Leng Tianxi, Leng Tianxi suffered a severe "Lunar Erosion" attack and collapsed. Yu Xiuming immediately ordered Fengyin to be prepared to intervene if Leng Tianxi became violent. Bai Lu rushed to her aid, drawing a few drops of blood from Leng Tianxi, which appeared to alleviate her symptoms. Relieved, Yu Xiuming ordered further investigation to find a definitive cure for the Snow Cranes' affliction.
Episode 12 Recap
Ye Lingshuang lit a Soothing Incense, hoping to alleviate Leng Tianxi's recurrent illness. She stayed by Leng Tianxi's side through the night. When Leng Tianxi awoke, she thanked Ye Lingshuang for helping her placate the symptoms. Leng Tianxi then confided in Ye Lingshuang, explaining that she was a Snow Crane, a warrior given to Yu Xiuming by the Winged Clan.
She revealed that Snow Cranes are bound by an oath of loyalty to their masters and willingly receive a secret spell called Lunar Erosion. If a Snow Crane betrays its master, it faces not only the scorn of its entire clan but also the fatal effects of the Lunar Erosion, which causes severe and uncontrollable episodes.
Leng Tianxi admitted she had no regrets about her past actions, only wishing to pass peacefully and spare Yu Xiuming from witnessing her madness when the affliction took hold. Later, Yu Xiuming presented Ye Lingshuang with a qilin fang token, an item he rarely bestowed. He explained that possession of this token granted free passage in and out of the palace.
One of the guards, the Feather Guards commander, noted how special this gift was, mentioning that even Concubine Tian only received one after serving His Majesty for seven years, and he himself only obtained one after becoming commander of the Feather Guards. Ye Lingshuang was secretly pleased, as she now had unhindered access to areas like the Mianshi Bridge. Meanwhile, Yi Wuyou had acquired the Qionghua Spear, a legendary artifact capable of commanding the Winged Clan.
However, the Starstone embedded in it, essential for its full power, had been destroyed during the War of Changyu. Unable to find a replacement, Yi Wuyou pondered alternative methods to unite the Winged People. He instructed his attendants to keep these plans discreet. Three days later, Ye Lingshuang entered the palace to report her research findings to Yu Xiuming. He, however, invited her to play a game of chess.
During their game, Fengyin, Yu Xiuming's covert guard commander, inquired if Ye Lingshuang had any connections to the Winged Clan, citing her knowledge of how to alleviate Lunar Erosion. Ye Lingshuang feigned ignorance, claiming she had merely learned some medical skills in Yebei and was unfamiliar with Lunar Erosion. After Fengyin was dismissed, Yu Xiuming pressed her further, asking about the Winged Person who rescued Qi Hairui from Yebei and if he had the surname Yu.
Ye Lingshuang quickly excused herself, feigning discomfort. Her evasiveness only deepened Yu Xiuming's suspicions. He then ordered Fengyin to dispatch investigators to Ningzhou to look into the Snow Cranes, starting from the border of Yebei and Ningzhou. He also instructed Fengyin to protect Ye Lingshuang and monitor her every move, though he advised Fengyin to delegate the surveillance to other guards.
Back in her chambers, while Ye Lingshuang was engrossed in writing, Yun Wen subtly warned her of someone outside the window, nearly exposing the covert guards. Later, Yu Xiuming reviewed Fengyin's reports on Ye Lingshuang's daily life, which detailed her mundane activities like having corn congee, pine nut pastry, and Indian aster with beancurd strips for lunch, followed by a nap and delivering Yin-Yang Calendars to the harem. He found it unusually normal, lacking any suspicious activity.
Ye Lingshuang, in her quest to locate the center of the seal, discovered it was hidden underwater. Without hesitation, she plunged into the water to investigate. The covert guards monitoring her were alarmed, mistaking her actions for an attempt to drown herself. While one rushed to report to Fengyin, the other prepared to rescue her. Having confirmed the seal's location, Ye Lingshuang emerged from the water just as Yu Xiuming arrived with Fengyin.
Aware of the lurking guards, she cleverly explained that she was searching for a soothing herb for Leng Tianxi, much to Yu Xiuming's exasperation. Upon returning, Ye Lingshuang sought Yun Wen's counsel regarding the seal, asking if its center glowed blue underwater at Mianshi Bridge. Yun Wen, however, became unresponsive, prompting Ye Lingshuang to research the solution herself. She deduced that the seal's opposing elements, Sun Valley and Dark Age, only revealed themselves on clear moonlit nights.
She subsequently identified the "Quad-Wondrous Purification Spell," which required a specific powder made from Crimson Silk Thread and Jincheng Pearls derived from Crescent Conches of Mei Ocean. Meanwhile, the people of Yebei vehemently refused to relocate. Qi Hailian intervened, urging Jie Zhuying to grant them more time so she could persuade her people.
She stood before the agitated crowd, asserting that she was and would always be a child of Yebei, and that as long as they lived, the essence of Yebei would endure. She referenced her father, Qi Hailian Zhenyu, and reminded them of their ancestors' migration from Liaoyang, their true ancient homeland. Her words resonated, and the Yebei people eventually agreed to pack their belongings and prepare for the long journey.
As Yu Xiuming's Natal Day approached, the entire city of Tianqi prepared for a grand three-day celebration, which also meant a public holiday for the Bureau of Astrology. Seizing this opportunity, Ye Lingshuang used the excuse of purchasing supplies for the festival to venture outside the palace. Her covert guards trailed her through the city, growing increasingly exhausted from her extensive shopping spree.
Yu Xiuming, receiving reports of his weary guards, was amused and instructed them to proactively offer their assistance in carrying her purchases during future outings. Eventually, Ye Lingshuang tired out her followers and slipped into Jianyue Pavilion to meet Yi Wuyou. She told him about Leng Tianxi's recent illness, her identity as a Snow Crane, and her suffering from Lunar Erosion, asking if he knew about it.
Yi Wuyou confirmed that Snow Cranes willingly accepted the Lunar Erosion mark as part of their training and warned Ye Lingshuang that such information was dangerous and best left alone. Ye Lingshuang then inquired if Yi Wuyou was his real name, mentioning Yu Xiuming's suspicion about the Winged Person who rescued Qi Hairui.
Yi Wuyou admitted his true identity as Yu Linkong, the Fourth Prince of the Winged Clan, but emphasized that his past was behind him; he was now a wanderer, just like her. Unconcerned by his lineage, Ye Lingshuang urged him to be cautious, fearing Yu Xiuming might soon uncover his whereabouts. As Ye Lingshuang departed, she encountered Tang Yuan, whom a Jianyue Pavilion attendant identified as an ordinary musician.
However, Tang Yuan, a princess in disguise, had overheard Ye Lingshuang's conversation with Yi Wuyou, confirming his identity. Her mission was to assess Yi Wuyou's potential and determine how he could be utilized. She sent a message to her "Master" to come to Tianqi to discuss a potential alliance. After several more shopping excursions, Ye Lingshuang finally gathered all the necessary ingredients for the powder. That night, under the shimmering moon, she prepared to break the seal at Mianshi Bridge.
Yu Xiuming, having learned of her nightly visits to the bridge, arrived unexpectedly. Ye Lingshuang, about to sprinkle the powder, quickly hid it upon hearing his voice, though Yu Xiuming still caught sight of it. He confiscated the powder, intending to discard it. Forced to explain, Ye Lingshuang revealed that it was part of the task he had given her and sprinkled the powder onto the water, expecting the seal to break. To her dismay, nothing happened.
As she stammered, trying to explain, a colossal green dragon suddenly emerged from the water behind her. Yu Xiuming immediately threw himself in front of Ye Lingshuang, protecting her from the monstrous creature. During their struggle, Ye Lingshuang noticed Yu Xiuming's wounds healing instantly. Following his shouted instructions, she stabbed the dragon with her dagger, forcing it to retreat back into the depths. Yu Xiuming then sternly rebuked her for recklessly endangering her life for "Truth Master."
Episode 13 Recap
After Ye Lingshuang attempted to find a Truth Master and encountered a giant python beneath Mianshi Bridge, Yu Xiuming appeared, expressing his profound fear for her safety. He angrily questioned her actions, calling her foolish for risking her life for such a trivial matter, unaware that his protective outburst was observed by his dark guards, freezing the atmosphere around them. He then immediately ordered an imperial physician to examine her for any injuries.
Later, Ye Lingshuang confronted Yun Wen, questioning if she had known all along that the entity sealed beneath Mianshi Bridge was not a real Truth Master. Yun Wen confirmed that the python was named Feiguang and, while not a Truth Master itself, it guarded a magic array of vital importance to the Truth Master. Realizing that Yu Xiuming must have seen through her earlier lie about knowing the Truth Master, Ye Lingshuang worried about the consequences.
Yun Wen reassured her that Yu Xiuming likely wouldn't take her life and suggested she take advantage of the upcoming Emperor's Natal Day, a public celebration, to try and appease him. Meanwhile, Xue Xuanjing, the Protectorate General of Ningzhou, visited Yi Wuyou, also known as the Fourth Prince Yu Linkong, at the Moon Tower. Xue Xuanjing began by reminding Yi Wuyou of the Winged Emperor's past kindness towards him.
Yi Wuyou, however, was cold and dismissive, still harboring resentment for the Winged Clan's downfall, which he attributed to Xue Xuanjing. He asserted that his former identity, Yu Linkong, was gone, and he was merely a businessman with no ties to Ningzhou. Xue Xuanjing tried to explain that his past actions were unavoidable, emphasizing the human emperor Yu Xiuming's military might and the Winged Clan's reluctance to fight to the death.
He then proposed that Yi Wuyou return to Ningzhou to help rebuild the Winged Clan. Yi Wuyou firmly rejected the offer, stating he would never return. Following this, Xue Xuanjing's daughter, Tang Yuan, met with him. She believed Yi Wuyou's unwavering pride as a royal was precisely what made him a valuable asset.
Tang Yuan revealed her plan to push Yi Wuyou to become a puppet king under Xue Xuanjing's control, arguing that with an ancient marriage pact between the Xue and Winged families, she could marry Yi Wuyou, thereby gaining influence over the Winged people and overcoming their loyalty to the former imperial line. Xue Xuanjing praised her intelligence, lamenting his sons' lack of foresight.
On the day of the public celebration for the Emperor's Natal Day, which was widely observed outside the palace, Yu Xiuming's Guangyang Palace remained strangely quiet. Ye Lingshuang, ostensibly to report official matters, entered the palace, having been allowed entry by Yu Xiuming who was aware of her presence. She noted his sullen mood and the lack of celebration, prompting her to ask if it was indeed his birthday.
Yu Xiuming revealed that the public celebration was merely a ruse orchestrated by Jie Haitian to conceal his true birth date and prevent divination of his star-reading. He found no joy in a fake celebration. Seeing his indifference, Ye Lingshuang boldly suggested he put aside his imperial duties for the day and join her outside to enjoy the lantern festival. Yu Xiuming agreed, and they ventured out, relishing the festive atmosphere.
As they enjoyed street food and fireworks, Yu Xiuming shared insights into his past, noting he grew up in Weidi, not the sheltered palace life one might imagine. He explained his unusual leniency towards the powerful Fan family, revealing that they were his only remaining blood relatives and that the Old Madam had raised him. However, he lamented their insatiable greed. During a fireworks display, as Ye Lingshuang watched with delight, Yu Xiuming leaned in close, almost kissing her.
Startled, she abruptly returned to the palace. At the palace gate, Yu Xiuming tried to prompt her thoughts on the moment, but Ye Lingshuang evaded the question, retreating to her room where she reflected on their interactions, her heart racing as she realized her feelings for him had begun to change.
Back in the imperial court, Fan Ruhui, unaware of Yu Xiuming's true intentions, pushed for Zuo Jintian's appointment as Protectorate General of Yuezhou, citing Zuo Jintian's extensive experience and loyalty. Yu Xiuming, however, merely humored him, teasingly asking if Fan Ruhui was nominating himself. Fan Ruhui's proposal was rooted in a larger scheme; he had already arranged for his son, Fan Ping, to meet Zuo Jintian's daughter, Zuo Shengnan, intending to solidify their political alliance through marriage.
However, Fan Ping harbored no affection for Zuo Shengnan, having fallen for Tang Yuan. At a celebratory banquet, Zuo Jintian, confident in his imminent appointment due to Fan Ruhui's assurances, openly celebrated, ignoring Fan Ping's discreet warnings to keep the news quiet before the official edict. Ye Lingshuang, overhearing discussions about Zuo Jintian's expected appointment, later approached Yu Xiuming. She observed his foul mood and pointed out his habit of carving when distressed, noting his current carvings were particularly "ugly."
Yu Xiuming showed her a carving, explaining it represented "a wolf in sheep's clothing," a common sight in his court. Ye Lingshuang quickly grasped the metaphor, suggesting that Fan Ruhui's schemes were transparent to him. She questioned why, if he had doubts, he would still appoint Zuo Jintian. She likened the alliance between Fan Ruhui and Zuo Jintian to "partners in crime" and advised that if one of them lost their "claws," the other would be rendered powerless.
This conversation sparked a "brilliant idea" in Yu Xiuming. Before Ye Lingshuang departed, he unexpectedly appointed her as the Supervisor of the Bureau of Astrology, presenting her with a flower as a reward. After she left, Yu Xiuming internally confirmed his plan, realizing that by removing one of the "partners," Fan Ruhui's control over both civil and military power would be broken.
He then swiftly issued an imperial edict appointing Jie Zhuying, not Zuo Jintian, as the Protectorate General of Yuezhou, instructing Ling Yun to deliver it with utmost speed to Xiayang. Upon learning of Jie Zhuying's appointment, Fan Ruhui was enraged, feeling betrayed by Yu Xiuming. Fearing Zuo Jintian's wrath, he immediately concocted a plan to deflect blame onto Ye Lingshuang.
He instructed Fan Ping to have Zuo Shengnan write a letter to her father, falsely claiming that Ye Lingshuang, whom the Emperor had recently favored, had poisoned Yu Xiuming's mind, leading to the change in appointment. The letter urged Zuo Jintian to eliminate Ye Lingshuang. Meanwhile, Zuo Shengnan diligently attempted to please her husband, Fan Ping, but he remained cold and distant, showing no interest in her efforts.
After receiving the letter she wrote, Fan Ping quickly departed, leaving her alone. Upon receiving the news, Zuo Jintian was furious. Contemptuous of Jie Zhuying, whom he considered an inexperienced "brat," he immediately ordered 30,000 elite troops to set up an ambush outside Xiayang City, intending to kill Jie Zhuying and the Night North people he was leading in migration.
Jie Zhuying, leading the migration towards Yuezhou, was soon met with a severely injured soldier who reported that Zuo Jintian's forces had killed their comrades. Realizing the grave danger, Jie Zhuying summoned Qi Hailian. He explained that Zuo Jintian, as the Military Commissioner of Xiayang, had authority over the region south of Xiayang and had wrongly assumed he would be appointed Protectorate General of Yuezhou.
Now, enraged by Jie Zhuying's actual appointment, Zuo Jintian had sealed off Xiayang and deployed 30,000 elite soldiers to ambush them. Jie Zhuying concluded that the only viable path to Yuezhou was through the treacherous Night Marsh, a route outside Zuo Jintian's control.
Episode 14 Recap
General Zuo Jintian had sealed off Xiayang, making it impossible for Qi Hailian and her tribe to pass through. He had ambushed 30,000 elite soldiers, ready to fire upon anyone who dared to approach. Jie Zhuying declared that the only remaining path was through Yezhao, despite its treacherous terrain.
Qi Hailian vehemently opposed this, citing Yezhao's pervasive dark fog, mud, monstrous beasts, and poisonous insects, arguing that no one had ever survived passage through it, and she would not send her people to their deaths. Jie Zhuying countered that going to Xiayang would be an even greater death sentence. Qi Hailian reminded him that Emperor Yu Xiuming had promised them safe passage, and Zuo Jintian was violating a royal decree.
Jie Zhuying argued they couldn't afford to wait for the Emperor to intervene, as Zuo Jintian would attack tomorrow. Without rations, they wouldn't last much longer even if they didn't enter Yezhao. He pressed Qi Hailian to make a decision that very night, vowing that if she chose to stay and fight Zuo Jintian, he would die alongside her. Faced with this grim choice, Qi Hailian reluctantly agreed to attempt the Yezhao route.
However, when she presented this plan to her tribe, they met it with strong opposition. Elders, including Uncle Luo, declared they would rather die than enter Yezhao, blaming Qi Hailian and her father for the downfall of Nightbei. Qi Hailian implored them to consider the children who had yet to experience life, reminding them that Zuo Jintian was a ruthless butcher, and they could not confront him directly.
She then revealed a new plan: she, along with Chu Ye and Asu, would seek out the Tubo, an ancient branch of the Heluo Clan known for their ability to traverse mountains and create paths. If the Tubo agreed to help, they could safely cross Yezhao. She explicitly instructed her followers not to inform Jie Zhuying, believing it was better for the Tubo's unique abilities to remain under their control rather than fall into the hands of the Chao army.
She also urged her tribe to remain calm, console their families, and avoid any conflict with Jie Zhuying's Yuezhou Army, assuring them that Jie Zhuying's presence would deter Zuo Jintian from immediate action against them. Her words eventually swayed the tribe, who agreed to follow her lead. Meanwhile, news from Ningzhou reported that the Xue family had publicly announced their marriage alliance with the Winged Clan.
This prompted other noble families to pressure Yi Wuyou to return to Ningzhou and marry a Winged noblewoman to appease public sentiment. Yi Wuyou, however, was unwilling to be manipulated and dismissed their demands. Xue Xuanjing, Tang Yuan's father, visited Yi Wuyou, recalling the favor he received from the previous Winged Emperor and expressing his desire to unite with Yi Wuyou to restore the Winged Clan and recapture Ningzhou.
He even offered to support Yi Wuyou's ascension as the Winged Emperor. Yi Wuyou, while agreeing that recapturing Ningzhou was paramount, proposed an alternative to their marriage alliance. He suggested that Xue Xuanjing send one of his daughters into the palace as a spy, arguing that gathering intelligence within the harem would be easier. Yi Wuyou revealed that the Emperor's favored concubine, Leng Tianxi, was a former servant of his clan who had betrayed them.
He promised to eliminate Leng Tianxi if Xue Xuanjing agreed to his plan. Tang Yuan vehemently rejected the idea of entering the palace, accusing Yi Wuyou of using her to avoid a marriage alliance and to deal with his clan's traitor. She expressed her disdain for Yi Wuyou, believing he was infatuated with Ye Lingshuang and insisted that Ye Lingshuang must be removed to bring him back to his senses.
Xue Xuanjing, seeing her strong opposition, relented and promised to decline Yi Wuyou's proposal. Elsewhere, Ye Lingshuang was engrossed in studying a complex rune, believing it to be the seal of Mianshi Bridge. Yun Wen corrected her, explaining it was actually a rune from the Suizheng Array, a powerful formation capable of controlling time, and was entirely different from a seal.
Upon learning this, Ye Lingshuang became determined to use the Suizheng Array to travel back to the night Qi Hairui disappeared, hoping to uncover her whereabouts. Yun Wen, however, informed her it was impossible; not only was the rune incomplete, but Ye Lingshuang's celestial powers were sealed, preventing her from even drawing it.
Undeterred, Ye Lingshuang attempted to forcibly break her seal, ignoring Yun Wen's dire warnings that such an act could trap her in painful memories and prevent her from ever waking up. She awoke to find Yi Wuyou at her side, who revealed that he had intervened to prevent her from further harming herself. He criticized her for her stubborn pride, reminding her that she refused to ask for help even when desperately needed.
Ye Lingshuang argued that no one could help her with such an ancient and complex seal, not even the masters, and her own attempt had failed. Yi Wuyou then revealed a hidden truth: her father, before his death, had entrusted him with a scroll containing the method to break her seal.
Yi Wuyou had kept it from her, fearing her impulsive nature, as the seal could only be safely broken on a specific day when celestial powers were at their peak, a date he had yet to ascertain. Ye Lingshuang, furious, demanded the scroll, but Yi Wuyou refused, promising to inform her only when the opportune moment arrived, further frustrating her.
Meanwhile, Fan Zheng reported to his father, Fan Ruhui, that Ye Lingshuang was secretly colluding with a Winged man, a tip he claimed came from Fan Ping's Winged lover at Jianyue Pavilion, who sought to gain favor with their family. Despite Fan Ruhui's initial skepticism, they decided to act on the information, planning to entrap Ye Lingshuang. Yi Wuyou arrived to warn Ye Lingshuang against forcibly breaking her seal, reiterating the dangers.
However, before he could further explain, Leng Tianxi suddenly appeared. Ye Lingshuang quickly urged Yi Wuyou to escape. Though Leng Tianxi ordered a pursuit, she soon called it off, allowing Yi Wuyou to get away. Enraged, Leng Tianxi had Ye Lingshuang arrested and brought before Emperor Yu Xiuming, demanding she confess her relationship with the Winged man. The Emperor dismissed Leng Tianxi, then confronted Ye Lingshuang alone, questioning her about her secrets and her association with the Winged Clan.
When Ye Lingshuang refused to divulge any information, claiming she would not be subservient like Leng Tianxi, the Emperor, in a fit of anger, ordered her imprisonment in the imperial dungeon, forbidding anyone to release her without his explicit permission. Back in Yezhao, Qi Hailian, Chu Ye, and Asu found themselves lost, circling the same area despite their efforts to find the Tubo. Deciding to try a different approach, they began to backtrack.
Suddenly, the ground beneath them split open, forming a deep fissure, and Qi Hailian and Chu Ye plummeted into the chasm. Jie Zhuying arrived just in time to rescue Qi Hailian. Believing the Tubo were responsible for the seismic event, Qi Hailian, still in the chasm, appealed to them, offering 70% of her tribe's salt as a trade for safe passage through Yezhao. The fissure then mysteriously closed, suggesting the Tubo had accepted her offer.
Qi Hailian later revealed to her companions that all her knowledge about the Tubo came from Ye Lingshuang. Returning to their camp with renewed hope, they were met with a scene of devastation. An officer reported that Luo Wuyi of the Black Water Tribe had instigated a rebellion, contacting Zuo Jintian, who then captured the entire Nightbei tribe and half of their soldiers, marching them to Xiayang. The remaining two thousand troops had retreated to Rongxue Slope.
Jie Zhuying, recognizing the gravity of the situation, decided to go to Xiayang alone, believing Zuo Jintian's target was primarily him, and that his surrender could save the Nightbei people. He planned to create a diversion, allowing Cheng Yuantao to rescue the tribe before coming back for him. However, as Jie Zhuying prepared to leave, he discovered that Qi Hailian had already departed, presumably to confront Zuo Jintian herself.
Qi Hailian courageously faced Zuo Jintian, demanding the release of her tribe in accordance with the Emperor's decree. Zuo Jintian, amused by her audacity, dismissed her status as princess, declaring that her life was insignificant. He demanded she kill Jie Zhuying in exchange for her people's freedom, a demand Qi Hailian vehemently refused, stating the Nightbei would never sacrifice an innocent.
Enraged, Zuo Jintian ordered his soldiers to execute ten Nightbei tribesmen, but his command was cut short by the sudden arrival of Jie Zhuying. Jie Zhuying confronted Zuo Jintian, offering his own life in exchange for the freedom of the Nightbei people. Both Qi Hailian and Jie Zhuying were subsequently imprisoned. In their shared cell, Qi Hailian expressed deep regret for involving Jie Zhuying, but he reassured her, affirming his earlier promise to face life and death together with her.
Meanwhile, Yu Xiuming was afflicted by a severe headache, a recurring condition exacerbated by the power of the Divine Mirror. He collapsed, alarming Leng Tianxi and Ling Yun. Ling Yun noted that imperial physicians had been unable to alleviate his pain, but Ye Lingshuang had successfully treated Leng Tianxi's lunar erosion in the past and might be able to help the Emperor, despite his refusal to summon her. Upon hearing this, Leng Tianxi, overriding Yu Xiuming's earlier command, ordered Ye Lingshuang's immediate release from prison and her escort to Guangyang Palace to attend to the ailing Emperor.
Episode 15 Recap
Leng Tianxi summoned Ye Lingshuang to treat a critically ill Yu Xiuming, who, in his weakened state, called out for her. After Ye Lingshuang administered medicine, Yu Xiuming’s condition stabilized, though he still required care. Observing Yu Xiuming's clear attachment, Leng Tianxi decided to keep Ye Lingshuang confined within the palace, tasking her with caring for the Emperor, rather than returning her to her cell.
Ye Lingshuang protested her innocence, stating that if she truly conspired with the Winged Clan, she wouldn't have helped Leng Tianxi during her own illness. She then asked Leng Tianxi if she knew the person involved in the alleged secret meeting before attempting to return to her cell. Later, a recovering Yu Xiuming asked Leng Tianxi for a detailed account of Ye Lingshuang's incident.
Leng Tianxi explained that Fan Ruhui had informed her of a secret meeting between Ye Lingshuang and a Winged person in the Bureau of Astrology. Despite her initial skepticism, Fan Ruhui's persistence led her to investigate, where she indeed saw someone leaving Ye Lingshuang’s room. Yu Xiuming realized Fan Ruhui orchestrated the event. Leng Tianxi, however, insisted that Ye Lingshuang's secret meeting with a Winged person was undeniable, regardless of any external manipulations.
Yu Xiuming clarified that he only sought the truth and disliked being deceived. Leng Tianxi then boldly suggested that Yu Xiuming couldn't accept Ye Lingshuang loving someone else, implying his jealousy. Yu Xiuming questioned this, but Leng Tianxi, speaking as a woman, plainly stated that she could tell he harbored feelings for Ye Lingshuang. Yu Xiuming, uncomfortable with the revelation, dismissed her for overstepping.
An aide later informed Yu Xiuming that Fan Ruhui was indeed behind the plot against Ye Lingshuang. Yu Xiuming, despite his recent illness, made his way to see Ye Lingshuang, impatiently correcting his course when his aide pointed out he was heading the wrong way. Upon seeing Ye Lingshuang, he pointedly asked if she had "made up her mind." Ye Lingshuang, concerned for his health, urged him to return and rest, reminding him of his ongoing recovery.
Yu Xiuming, touched but annoyed, remarked that she still cared for him despite nearly driving him to his death with frustration. Ye Lingshuang retorted that she would continue to infuriate him if he kept pressing her to admit to an affair. Yu Xiuming then declared he would drop the investigation, asserting that he was aware of all her actions and non-actions, and simply disliked being deceived. Ye Lingshuang was relieved he knew who the real deceiver was.
Recognizing the animosity her position as supervisor attracted, Yu Xiuming then demoted her back to director, a change Ye Lingshuang readily accepted. Yu Xiuming received reports detailing Zuo Jintian's recent military actions, including the ambush of Yuezhou troops, his collusion with Luo Wuyi to abduct Yebei and Yuezhou forces to Xiayang, and the capture of Princess Qi Hailian and General Jie Zhuying.
Pleased that his trap had worked, Yu Xiuming dispatched an imperial edict ordering Zuo Jintian to surrender his military authority and return to Tianqi, anticipating his defiance. In Xiayang, Zuo Jintian, after receiving a letter from his daughter Shengnan, was presented with the imperial edict. He refused to kneel, and upon reading the command to relinquish his power and return to Tianqi, he angrily declared he wouldn't become a "toothless tiger."
He then killed the imperial envoy and ordered the execution of Jie Zhuying, along with the recruitment of 10,000 new troops, asserting his intent to fight for Yuezhou. Subsequently, Jie Zhuying and Qi Hailian were thrown into a well. Meanwhile, Ye Lingshuang experienced a premonition, witnessing her counting rod break, signaling a grave ill omen.
Yu Xiuming soon received a memorial from the General of Vehement Might, confirming Zuo Jintian’s rebellion, the sealing of Xiayang, and the deaths of Jie Zhuying and Qi Hailian. Enraged, Yu Xiuming summoned Fan Ruhui, condemning Zuo Jintian's audacity in killing his appointed Protectorate General, an act of open rebellion. He warned Fan Ruhui to handle the matter diligently, promising to spare him from implication if he did so.
Zuo Shengnan confronted Fan Ruhui, who harshly criticized Zuo Jintian's reckless actions, especially the killing of Jie Zhuying, a person close to Yu Xiuming. Fan Ruhui explained that, according to Yu Xiuming’s nature, only the Emperor himself had the right to execute those close to him, regardless of their crimes, and Yu Xiuming had no intention of killing Jie Zhuying.
Shengnan, distraught, attempted to write to her father and pleaded with Fan Ruhui to save him, but Fan Ruhui declared he was powerless and advised Zuo Jintian to seek his own salvation. To irrevocably sever the marriage alliance between the Fan and Zuo families, Fan Ruhui then ordered his steward to force Shengnan to commit suicide.
After learning of the broken alliance, Yu Xiuming issued an imperial decree to Yu Shining, ordering troops to Mount Pixian to cut off Xiayang's northern and western routes, effectively trapping Zuo Jintian and ensuring his demise within Xiayang. Unaware of the unfolding tragedy, Fan Ping returned home. His brother, Fan Zheng, insensitively congratulated him on Shengnan's death, suggesting he could now remarry. Fan Ping was horrified to learn that Shengnan was forced to commit suicide.
He rushed to her side, but it was too late. A servant handed him a farewell letter from Shengnan, in which she lovingly expressed her happiness at marrying him, despite his lack of romantic affection for her. Heartbroken and enraged, Fan Ping confronted Fan Ruhui. He admitted he never loved Shengnan but passionately defended her character, citing her filial piety, respect for his father, and competent management of the household.
He accused Fan Ruhui of not only causing her death but also defaming her, questioning his father's conscience given that he watched Shengnan grow up. Fan Ruhui coldly defended his actions, stating that Zuo Jintian's treason threatened the entire Fan family, and removing Shengnan was a necessary measure for their survival, dismissing it as a small sacrifice for the greater good. Disgusted, Fan Ping decried his father as hopeless and lamented being born into the Fan family.
Yi Wuyou sent a coded message to Ye Lingshuang through Elder Gu, using a unique wax seal recognized by Ye Lingshuang. The message, referring to "Zhuohua," revealed that May 4th to 6th was the most opportune time to break her seal, a process requiring three days during which she must remain undisturbed, as this period was brimming with celestial power.
Ye Lingshuang instructed Elder Gu to relay her resolve to Yi Wuyou: she would break the seal on May 4th, regardless of the risks, and warned him to be wary of covert guards. After burning the message, Ye Lingshuang began to devise a plan to disappear for three days undetected, despite Yun Wen's warning that Yu Xiuming would inevitably seek her out. To secure her absence, Ye Lingshuang visited Yu Xiuming.
He chided her for skipping court, suspecting her of mischief. Ye Lingshuang feigned illness and deflected to Director Duanmu Yan, only to learn he had been imprisoned and sentenced to death for failing to determine an auspicious date for Yu Xiuming's upcoming imperial tour.
Ye Lingshuang seized the opportunity to intercede for Duanmu Yan, arguing for his value and promising his diligent service if pardoned, framing it as a way to manage the extensive affairs of the Bureau of Astrology, which she couldn't handle alone. Yu Xiuming, seeing through her pretense but granting her request to free Duanmu Yan, then tasked her with finding an auspicious date for his tour.
Ye Lingshuang requested three days of secluded meditation to meticulously select the perfect date, a request Yu Xiuming approved. Duanmu Yan, now freed and deeply grateful, was reinstated as director and promised to manage the Bureau's affairs and ensure Ye Lingshuang's uninterrupted seclusion, with Cheng Wu standing guard at her door.
Despite Yun Wen's continued skepticism about Duanmu Yan's competence and the Emperor's motives, Ye Lingshuang was determined to use these three days to break her celestial power, believing it the only way to quickly locate Qi Hairui, regardless of the inherent dangers. Meanwhile, Yu Xiuming publicly announced his grand tour of inspection, explaining it as a necessary measure to assert imperial authority over vast lands where some officials believed they were beyond his reach.
He emphasized that the journey would be simple, but ministers, including Fan Ruhui, voiced concerns, urging caution against a hasty departure. Yu Xiuming dismissed their objections, pointing out their hypocrisy, and confirmed that an auspicious date had been chosen by the Bureau of Astrology, with his departure set for after ancestral rites. He admonished Fan Ruhui to adopt a broader perspective, citing Zuo Jintian's rebellion as proof of widespread audacity.
Fan Ruhui apologized and pledged full support, though he estimated that proper ceremonial preparations would require three months. Yu Xiuming cut this timeframe to two months, insisting on departing once Ye Lingshuang provided the auspicious date. Concurrently, Yi Wuyou arrived at Taoyuan Valley, known for its skilled smiths but scarce medicinal herbs. He offered to procure essential herbs for the Heluo people, who frequently suffered from minor illnesses, in exchange for their assistance in finding the elusive Starstone.
Back at Tianqi, Yu Xiuming’s aide reported that Ye Lingshuang had made no unusual moves other than inquiring about the alleged deaths of Zuo Jintian and Qi Hailian. The aide asked if Ye Lingshuang should be informed of their true status. Yu Xiuming declined, preferring she learn the truth after Zuo Jintian's fate was sealed. Unbeknownst to Ye Lingshuang, Yu Xiuming had already orchestrated the secret rescue of Jie Zhuying and Qi Hailian.
Safely brought to a hidden location, Qi Hailian reflected on the recent ordeal, expressing profound gratitude to Yu Xiuming for preventing the annihilation of the Yebei Clan, and resolved to head to Yuezhou after Zuo Jintian's matter was resolved. Yu Xiuming, growing impatient with Ye Lingshuang's delayed report, showed increasing concern. Finally, Ye Lingshuang retreated to her chamber and entered a complex magic formation.
Yun Wen warned her sternly not to succumb to the illusions within, or she would be forever trapped. As Ye Lingshuang delved deeper, she heard an ethereal voice echoing Yun Wen's caution, suggesting that many preferred the comfort of fantasy over the harshness of reality. Visions of Yi Wuyou and Qi Hairui appeared before her.
Episode 16 Recap
Yu Xiuming, eager to obtain the auspicious date for his imperial tour, went to the Bureau of Astrology, even though the three-day period he had granted Ye Lingshuang for her seclusion had not yet passed. Duanmu Yan, who was scolding an official for a mistake related to the Great Chao Unified Calendar, was startled by Yu Xiuming's arrival and quickly apologized, then led the Emperor to Ye Lingshuang's chambers.
At the door, Cheng Wu, assigned by Ye Lingshuang to guard her, boldly blocked Yu Xiuming. Cheng Wu insisted that Director Bai was engrossed in calculating the auspicious date for His Majesty and could not be disturbed, emphasizing his duty to ensure her work was uninterrupted. Undeterred and amused by Cheng Wu's defiance, Yu Xiuming kicked open the door. Inside, Yu Xiuming found a lifelike dummy, a decoy, and Ye Lingshuang herself unconscious.
He gently moved her to the bed and roused her. Ye Lingshuang awoke, disoriented, and initially scolded Yu Xiuming for trespassing in her private quarters, only to realize her deceptive seclusion had been exposed. She promptly handed him the auspicious date for the imperial tour, explaining she had been re-verifying it with the Great Chao Unified Calendar.
Her mind had been trapped in an illusion where she was with Qi Hairui, dreaming of a shared future, but Yun Wen's urgent warnings had urged her to break free, reminding her that her seal was broken and the visions were not real. Ye Lingshuang accused Yu Xiuming of hypocrisy, questioning his orchestration of events regarding Zuo Jintian, Qi Hailian, and Jie Zhuying.
She stated that he intentionally led Zuo Jintian to believe he would be appointed Protectorate General of Yuezhou, only to bestow the title upon Jie Zhuying. Knowing Zuo Jintian's ruthless nature, she believed Yu Xiuming deliberately provoked him to attack Jie Zhuying and the Yebei people, ultimately manipulating Qi Hailian's desperate bid for survival into a path of certain death. She branded his actions as hypocritical and disgusting.
Enraged, Yu Xiuming silenced her, reminding her that his indulgence had made her reckless with her words, risking her life. Just then, Fan Ruhui and other officials arrived seeking an audience. Yu Xiuming, channeling his fury at their interruption and perhaps to project an image of stern justice, ordered Ye Lingshuang to be thrown into the celestial prison to "clear her head" from her drunken misbehavior and defiance.
Cheng Wu, upon hearing this, was confused, noting that Ye Lingshuang had not been stripped of her official post, an unusual occurrence for someone imprisoned. In prison, Ye Lingshuang appeared surprisingly comfortable. She continued to receive official documents for her perusal and even had food and blankets delivered by caring colleagues, including Cheng Wu. This led the prison guards to remark on her seemingly enjoyable confinement, questioning if she was truly imprisoned or simply enjoying a leisurely break.
Later, Yu Xiuming, still in a somber mood, visited Leng Tianxi. Leng Tianxi, observing his unhappiness, mused about Ye Lingshuang's true standing in his heart, questioning if she was merely an official or something more akin to a concubine. Yu Xiuming confirmed that Ye Lingshuang was in prison.
He then went to the celestial prison himself, commenting sarcastically on Ye Lingshuang’s pleasant stay and her enjoying not having to attend court, before ordering her to resume her duties at the Bureau of Astrology. During a court session, Yu Xiuming addressed the sentencing of Zuo Jintian.
When Official Yong presented a severe judgment that included mutilating the corpse and exterminating nine clans, Yu Xiuming cautioned against the old practice of over-sentencing criminals to allow the monarch to appear merciful by reducing penalties. He declared that hereafter, justice must be served impartially, without attempting to anticipate his wishes or exaggerating charges. He then commanded Official Yong to execute Zuo Jintian's severe sentence exactly as written in his memorial, warning him of public scorn if he faltered.
Yu Xiuming then announced that the Bureau of Astrology had predicted Zuo Jintian’s treason months ago. He called upon Ye Lingshuang to publicly corroborate this, which she did by fabricating a narrative of observing unsettling star movements in the Lanque region, signaling military unrest. Following this, Yu Xiuming publicly lauded Fan Ruhui, noting his in-law relationship with Zuo Jintian, for prioritizing state righteousness over family ties and denouncing Zuo Jintian, urging all ministers to emulate his example.
After court, Yu Xiuming summoned Ye Lingshuang to gauge her reaction to his public declarations. She responded with cynical amusement, remarking that the Bureau of Astrology's primary function was to legitimize his imperial will as divine providence. Yu Xiuming then inquired if she wished to accompany him on his upcoming imperial tour, to which she promptly declined. However, her stance changed when Duanmu Yan presented the tour itinerary.
Although she initially dismissed it, a particular destination, "Minzhong Mountain," caught her attention. Her subsequent research revealed that Minzhong Mountain was where Yu Xiuming, once gravely wounded and surrounded by enemy forces, mysteriously gained an advantage, described as "divine aid," enabling him to triumph by single-handedly killing the enemy commander. She theorized that a Truth Master's array, a source of immense power, might be located there, making it crucial for her to join the tour.
Yun Wen, her spiritual companion, reproached her for initially refusing such a valuable opportunity. After realizing the importance of Minzhong Mountain, Ye Lingshuang struggled to find a way to tell Yu Xiuming she wanted to join the tour, especially as he was now angry and unwilling to see her. Later, Fan Ruhui presented the list of officials accompanying the tour to Yu Xiuming. Yu Xiuming unexpectedly struck the entire Bureau of Astrology from the list.
Determined to join, Ye Lingshuang attempted to see Yu Xiuming but was turned away by guards, who informed her that the Emperor’s order forbidding visits applied even to holders of the prestigious Qilin Fang Token. Frustrated, she complained to Yun Wen about Yu Xiuming's obstinacy and high-and-mighty attitude. Meanwhile, Leng Tianxi presented Yu Xiuming with a specially made outfit for his tour.
Noticing his uncharacteristic melancholy, she playfully speculated that he was quarreling with Ye Lingshuang, remarking on how their playful squabbles seemed to bring him joy and making her happy for him. Yu Xiuming, however, firmly insisted he wished for no involvement with Ye Lingshuang.
A short while later, Qi Hailian and Jie Zhuying made a dramatic return, bringing immense relief and jubilation to the Yebei people, who had believed them dead and were holding a mourning ceremony, displaying Jie Zhuying’s sword as a symbol of remembrance. The villagers explained how Jie Zhuying had bravely protected them, earning their deep gratitude. Yu Xiuming was also relieved to learn of Qi Hailian's survival. Overjoyed by the news, Ye Lingshuang felt a renewed sense of purpose.
Yu Xiuming then summoned Ye Lingshuang. She presented the newly completed Unified Calendar of Chao for the coming year, but he cursorily dismissed it, instructing her to deliver it to Fan Ruhui for national issuance and to focus on her other duties, subtly avoiding her attempts to discuss the imperial tour. He observed her buoyant mood, discerning that she had learned of Qi Hailian's survival.
He feigned anger at Jie Zhuying, calling him a disgrace for not engaging Zuo Jintian in a duel and instead surrendering. Ye Lingshuang, playing along with his aggressive philosophy, argued that he should visit Jie Zhuying in Yuezhou to personally reprimand him, suggesting her accompaniment would be beneficial.
Yu Xiuming proposed a game of chess, promising that if she could guess why Jie Zhuying and Qi Hailian were still alive, he would grant her request to join the tour, specifically to Yuezhou. During the game, Ye Lingshuang subtly underscored the importance of an astrologer to predict weather conditions during a long journey.
Finally, she revealed her astute deduction: Yu Xiuming had secretly dispatched forces to protect Jie Zhuying all along, using the situation to expose Zuo Jintian's disloyalty and strategically dismantle the alliance between the Zuo and Fan families. She questioned if he had feared miscalculation and the loss of his most capable general. Yu Xiuming acknowledged her insight, explaining that pursuing great aspirations often necessitated making difficult sacrifices. Satisfied with her answer, he granted her permission to join the imperial tour.
An ecstatic Ye Lingshuang shared her success with Yun Wen, who reminded her that upon her return, he would manifest a physical form and would need to be entrusted to a reliable caretaker. However, Fan Ruhui approached Yu Xiuming to question his sudden change of mind about Ye Lingshuang joining the tour, pointing out that Yu Xiuming had initially stated the Bureau of Astrology would not accompany him. Yu Xiuming dismissed his questioning.
Fan Ruhui then reported that court officials were gossiping that Yu Xiuming's preferential treatment of Ye Lingshuang surpassed that of a ruler towards a subject. Fan Ruhui subtly suggested that if Yu Xiuming indeed harbored romantic feelings for her, he should bring her into the imperial harem to quell rumors and safeguard his wise reputation, avoiding ministers looking askance. Yu Xiuming, however, sharply demanded to know who was spreading such talk.
Episode 17 Recap
Fan Ruhui approached Yu Xiuming, advising him to consider making Ye Lingshuang a part of his harem. He claimed that courtiers were already murmuring that Yu Xiuming's fondness for Ye Lingshuang surpassed proper monarch-subject relations, potentially harming his reputation. Yu Xiuming immediately questioned if Fan Ruhui himself was the source of these rumors, to which Fan Ruhui admitted his concern.
He explained that his apprehension stemmed from his son, Fan Zheng, being on bad terms with Ye Lingshuang, fearing she might seek revenge if she gained more imperial favor. Drawing Fan Ruhui closer for a private conversation, Yu Xiuming firmly stated that Ye Lingshuang would not be entering the harem; he simply wished to treat her with kindness.
He reassured Fan Ruhui that his position was secure, emphasizing that if he ever wished to remove Fan Ruhui from power, he would not need Ye Lingshuang to do so. Yu Xiuming urged Fan Ruhui to focus on state affairs, not to overthink, and warned him against speculating on imperial intentions, as all his decisions and appointments were made for specific reasons. He promised Fan Ruhui would receive all that was rightfully his.
Before embarking on the inspection tour, Ye Lingshuang needed to entrust Yun Wen to a reliable caretaker. She summoned Gu Wangran, who, expecting to meet a person, was startled when Ye Lingshuang presented a large mirror. To his astonishment, Yun Wen materialized in the mirror and respectfully addressed him. Gu Wangran, perplexed by the unusual situation, wondered how to care for a mirror-bound companion.
Ye Lingshuang clarified that Yun Wen could appear in any mirror and handed Gu Wangran a small amber stone. She explained that Yun Wen didn't require food but could be quite talkative, suggesting Gu Wangran simply converse with him. Ye Lingshuang found Yun Wen's docility towards Gu Wangran amusingly uncharacteristic, as he was usually arrogant and dismissive towards her. Yun Wen playfully retorted, accusing Ye Lingshuang of trying to take his food when she reached for the amber stone.
Meanwhile, in Yuezhou, the relocated Yebei people were struggling with severe food shortages. Despite the fertile soil, the area was too remote, yielding only kugu grass that even animals refused to eat. The community leaders discussed trading kugu for food with the Heluo Clan in Wanzhou and planned to cultivate crops, but worried that their meager supplies wouldn't last through the winter until the autumn harvest. Yu Xiuming commenced his inspection tour.
As he rode in the same carriage as Ye Lingshuang, courtiers openly murmured about the impropriety, claiming it was against protocol for anyone but a truly capable minister to share the emperor's conveyance. Though initially reserved, Ye Lingshuang soon relaxed and even fell asleep in the carriage. Upon waking as they entered Liaoyang, Zhongzhou, she questioned why they were taking a circuitous mountain route instead of a more direct path.
Yu Xiuming simply replied that there were no "shortest paths" in the world. In Liaoyang, Zhongzhou, Protectorate General Cai Can received a letter from Grand Preceptor Fan Ruhui, warning him that Yu Xiuming was aware of his illicit practices, including forced labor, and was preparing to confront him. Incited by his subordinates, who cited Fan Ruhui's claim that Yu Xiuming had only 2,000 imperial guards against their 60,000 troops, Cai Can considered an immediate revolt.
However, his nephew, Cai Chen, advised caution, highlighting Fan Ruhui's growing influence and Yu Xiuming's notoriously unpredictable military tactics. Conceding to Cai Chen's strategic insight, Cai Can decided to delay his full attack until Yu Xiuming was cornered in Zhenxia Mountain, where all escape routes could be severed. Upon learning that Cai Can's forces were mobilizing, Fan Ruhui immediately ordered his staff to destroy all evidence of his correspondence with Cai Can, severing any ties to the impending rebellion.
Yu Xiuming arrived at Cai Can's estate, where he was greeted by Cai Chen, who explained that Cai Can was absent, quelling bandits. Yu Xiuming, suspicious of the excuse given the widespread banditry, which he linked to Cai Can's misrule, accepted Cai Chen's invitation to a banquet. However, he warned Cai Chen to convey a message to his uncle: Zhongzhou's overdue annual tribute to the court must be paid, and no excuses from Fan Ruhui would be tolerated this time.
At the banquet, Cai Can appeared and offered an elaborate collection of gifts made from Cangjin Jade, a specialty of Jiuyu Mountain. Yu Xiuming, however, angrily rejected the "delicate but impractical things," declaring himself a warrior with no use for such "spoiled noblemen's trinkets." He then fiercely denounced Cai Can for violating imperial law by imposing harsh taxes and forced labor to mine the jade, which had driven the people of Zhongzhou to destitution and banditry.
When Cai Can feigned ignorance, Yu Xiuming ordered Ling Yun to reveal the truth: that a former Zhongzhou official, Wo Wu, had reported that over 100,000 gold zhu from the jade sales had gone directly to Cai Can's residence, used to forge weapons and recruit private soldiers. Yu Xiuming concluded by stating that he was fully aware of Cai Can's corruption and that this confrontation served as a final warning; any further transgressions would result in immediate and merciless punishment.
Following the tense banquet, Yu Xiuming, having already confirmed with Ling Yun that the divine hall on Zhenxia Mountain was sturdy, immediately headed there with Ye Lingshuang. He shared tales of the hall's construction and his extensive familiarity with Zhongzhou's geography from past campaigns. Despite the treacherous mountain path, he instructed the imperial guards to encamp directly on the winding road.
Ye Lingshuang, unsettled by Yu Xiuming's unusual demeanor and the strange circumstances, noticed ants carrying glutinous rice powder, a military ration, reinforcing her growing suspicions. Her unease deepened when she couldn't find General Xie Yu'an and realized Yu Xiuming had worn armor to the banquet before rushing to this easily defensible location. Shortly after, a scout reported a massive enemy force bearing Cai Can's banner attacking the mountain.
Yu Xiuming, already in armor, was informed by Ling Yun that the Yangwei Division was suffering heavy casualties and low morale due to being outnumbered. He expressed concern over Xie Yu'an's inexplicable absence, as he had expected him to intercept Cai Can's forces. Recognizing their severe disadvantage in numbers, the lack of defensive preparations at the mountain base, and the unlikelihood of timely aid from distant garrisons—which might have already been compromised—Yu Xiuming dismissed everyone but Ye Lingshuang.
Facing imminent danger, Ye Lingshuang urged Yu Xiuming to devise a plan. He inquired if she feared death, to which she truthfully admitted yes. Yu Xiuming then questioned her knowledge of Cai Can. Ye Lingshuang recounted Cai Can's historical rise and his defeat by Yu Xiuming, noting that many had once believed Cai Can would overthrow the previous dynasty.
Yu Xiuming elaborated, revealing that seven years prior, after his forced surrender, Cai Can had attempted to assassinate him with a poisoned arrow, using a guard commander as a scapegoat. He confirmed Ye Lingshuang's deduction that their long-standing "peace" had been a facade of mutual suspicion. Yu Xiuming admitted he had been steadily undermining Cai Can's alliances and had intended to use this tour to test him, but had been careless and provided Cai Can with an opportunity.
Declaring this to be his "end," Yu Xiuming presented the Zhuoyun dagger, the only weapon capable of killing him. He suggested she cut off his head and present it to Cai Can to save herself, as none of his companions would survive otherwise. Ye Lingshuang, however, defiantly stated that if Cai Can breached their defenses, she would use the dagger to take her own life, asserting that if it could kill him, it could certainly kill her.
Yu Xiuming then revealed his true plan: he had to descend the mountain alone to rally loyal forces, as without his military token, no one would dare act. Ye Lingshuang, understanding his intent, volunteered to stay and delay Cai Can, believing that some of Cai Can's troops might secretly remain loyal to the emperor. Yu Xiuming had already prepared armor for her, which he personally helped her put on, jesting that she looked like a female general.
He reaffirmed his promise to return, assuring her he would never break his word. Meanwhile, General Li, part of the reinforcements Yu Xiuming intended to summon, reported that their path was blocked by boulders and would take four to five days to clear, despite Yu Xiuming's urgent three-day deadline. Back on Zhenxia Mountain, Ye Lingshuang discussed strategy with General Cao. She ordered the Yangwei Division's engineers to set up traps on the mountain to hinder the rebels.
She then instructed the soldiers to loudly announce to the rebel army that any defector would be pardoned, and those who killed enemies would be promoted two ranks, hoping to sow disunity among Cai Can's lower-ranking troops. Despite her efforts, morale remained low, and casualties mounted, making her worry they wouldn't last another day. Fengyin arrived, sent by Yu Xiuming to escort Ye Lingshuang to safety, as Yu Xiuming's path down the mountain was blocked.
Ye Lingshuang refused to leave, feeling a bond with the fighting soldiers and insisting on staying to boost morale and buy more time. She asked Fengyin for his help, and he reluctantly agreed, on the condition that she follow his orders if the rebels managed to breach their defenses. As the battle intensified, exhausted and demoralized soldiers, who hadn't seen Yu Xiuming in a day, demanded to know if he had abandoned them.
Ye Lingshuang confirmed that Yu Xiuming had indeed left the mountain that morning. However, she passionately declared that they could not retreat; if they did, Cai Can's rebel forces would immediately advance on Tianqi, endangering their families and the city's populace. She rallied them, asserting that they were no longer fighting for the Emperor, but for their own lives and the safety of their loved ones.
Episode 18 Recap
As the soldiers of Zhenxia Mountain began to lose morale and consider retreat, fearing their duty to protect Yu Xiuming was over since he had departed, Ye Lingshuang rallied them. She implored them not to leave, warning that retreat would allow Cai Can to attack Tianqi directly, endangering their families. She declared they were no longer fighting for His Majesty, but for their own lives and loved ones, emphasizing that every moment they held on increased their chances of survival.
Knowing Cai Can's rebellion wouldn't last, she questioned if anyone truly wished to surrender and see their families banished as traitors. To bolster their spirits further, Ye Lingshuang instructed Fengyin to spread false news. Fengyin publicly announced receiving a message via Cloud Flame, indicating Yu Xiuming was now only a hundred li from Zhenxia Mountain. This news ignited hope among the soldiers, who enthusiastically agreed to hold out until tomorrow sunset.
Ye Lingshuang then dispatched Han Sheng and Yu Xiang with a letter, inviting Cai Can to meet her at the opposite hilltop, using Yu Xiuming's name to ensure his presence, despite Han Sheng's concerns about a possible archer ambush. Confidently, Ye Lingshuang stated she had received a sign from the heavens promising victory that day. After sending the messengers, Fengyin urged Ye Lingshuang to leave, but she refused.
She acknowledged that Yu Xiuming intended for her to act as bait, just as he had done years ago at Minzhong Mountain to defeat the Cao and Tang coalition and rise to power. However, she affirmed her decision to stay was her own, driven by her inherent refusal to admit defeat. Meanwhile, Yu Xiuming was desperately pushing through, expending immense celestial power to clear blocked mountain paths and reach Ye Lingshuang.
His attendants worried about his health, but he insisted he couldn't leave Ye Lingshuang alone on the mountain, vowing to reach her even if it cost him all his power. Cai Can, expecting a meeting with Yu Xiuming, was advised by his aide that the sudden invitation seemed suspicious given Yu Xiuming's previous absence. Cai Can, however, dismissed the concerns, believing it confirmed Yu Xiuming feared him.
He saw it as an opportunity for an all-out assault, confident the terrain and wind favored his army. At the meeting point, Cai Can grew impatient, declaring he wouldn't speak to Ye Lingshuang and sending a subordinate instead. Ye Lingshuang sternly ordered Cai Can's forces to surrender in His Majesty's name, warning they would be forsaken by the gods otherwise. Cai Can's subordinate scoffed, questioning if Yu Xiuming was too scared to appear.
Ye Lingshuang retorted that daring to utter the Emperor's name would bring heavenly punishment. Taking advantage of a predicted afternoon gust, Ye Lingshuang used fire to create a thick cloud of smoke, convincing Cai Can's troops that Yu Xiuming's army was attacking. Panicked, Cai Can ordered a retreat. After successfully repelling Cai Can with this deception, a soldier praised Ye Lingshuang's "spell."
Ye Lingshuang explained her actions were based on her astrological predictions of the wind and stars, allowing her to stage a convincing deception. Despite having bought half a day, Fengyin again urged Ye Lingshuang to leave, reminding her of Yu Xiuming's command to ensure her escape. Ye Lingshuang remained resolute, reiterating her belief that Yu Xiuming, who never lost, would return with reinforcements within three days as promised. She then prepared her remaining soldiers for a desperate final stand.
Angered by the deception, Cai Can realized he had been tricked and that Yu Xiuming's forces were likely scarce. He ordered his troops to regroup and attack Zhenxia Mountain again. Ye Lingshuang, now fighting alone against Cai Can's advance, struggled. As her strength waned, she resolved to take her own life with a dagger rather than be captured. At that critical moment, Yu Xiuming arrived, striking Cai Can with his sword.
He embraced a relieved Ye Lingshuang, assuring her, "I'm back. I will always keep my promise to you." Yu Xiuming diligently cared for Ye Lingshuang's wounds, expressing regret for her suffering and promising to execute Cai Can the next day for hurting her. Ye Lingshuang playfully accused him of being the one who angered her, leading to a lighthearted argument.
Yu Xiuming praised her exceptional performance, joking that if she had been born fifteen years earlier, he would have made her his Grand General. She quipped back that she would have been his formidable rival instead. Yu Xiuming later tasked Xie Yu'an with handling the captured rebels. Xie Yu'an, seeing Yu Xiuming's deep concern for Ye Lingshuang, sought her help to advocate for the rebel families, many of whom were coerced.
He revealed how Yu Xiuming, upon discovering blocked mountain paths, personally cleared them using his own power to reach Zhenxia Mountain within three days, overriding his own commanders' estimates. Ye Lingshuang agreed to try. When Yu Xiuming offered her any confiscated items from Cai Can's estate as a reward, she used this opportunity to ask for clemency for the rebel kin.
She explained that many were forced into rebellion and had not fought with full commitment, which had allowed her to hold the mountain for three days. Yu Xiuming, impressed by her perceptiveness, granted her request, sparing their lives as a reward for her service. Elsewhere, Xue Xuanjing frequently visited Moon Tower, attempting to meet Yi Wuyou, who consistently avoided him.
Tang Yuan, speaking to her father, expressed her frustration over Yi Wuyou's evasion, fearing their planned marriage alliance would fall through. She declared that Ye Lingshuang must be eliminated, as the Winged Emperor could never marry a human, and resolved to arrange her demise during the Emperor's tour. Later, Fan Ping approached Tang Yuan, noticing her distress. He lamented that her exceptional musical talent was wasted on vulgar guests.
Tang Yuan confided her feeling of being adrift, without choice in life. Fan Ping then confessed his love and proposed marriage, offering her a stable life outside Moon Tower. Caught off guard, Tang Yuan asked him to play a song and rested her head on his shoulder. Yu Xiuming and Ye Lingshuang embarked on their journey south towards Minzhong Mountain. As they approached, a commander announced that everyone must dismount and cross a narrow rope bridge on foot.
Ye Lingshuang, noticing the thick fog, saw an opportunity to slip away and investigate a nearby magic array she had heard about. While crossing the rope bridge, Ye Lingshuang was suddenly pushed off. Without hesitation, Yu Xiuming leaped after her. They awoke at the bottom of the cliff, where Yu Xiuming's leg was broken, though Ye Lingshuang was unharmed due to his protection. She teasingly questioned his invincibility, and he admitted he could be injured, but recovered quickly.
Ye Lingshuang then asked why he jumped to save her, to which he retorted, asking why she, being so capable, allowed herself to be pushed. They pondered whether the assassin was an accomplice of Cai Can or someone else who knew them both well enough to anticipate Yu Xiuming saving Ye Lingshuang. Realizing they were stranded, Yu Xiuming urged her to help him find a path.
Ye Lingshuang soon discovered an unusual, abandoned magic array whose core celestial power was still intact. Using Quad-Wondrous Purification Powder, she activated it, and they both stepped in. Ye Lingshuang found herself alone inside the Stone Vault, hearing Qi Hairui's voice. A figure, appearing as Qi Hairui, introduced herself as a Truth Master.
She explained that she, an entity often called a Star Seeker or Cloud Overlord, had given the Mirror of Youth to Yu Xiuming five hundred years ago to end a three-century-long human conflict, despite the Truth Masters' vow not to interfere.
She revealed that Yu Xiuming had since lost her blessing and could no longer enter the Stone Vault, and that the Mirror of Youth's power was fading; if he suffered a fatal blow, he would die, plunging the world into chaos again. As Truth Masters were forbidden from further intervention, she disclosed that Ye Lingshuang's life star was connected to Yu Xiuming's, making her the one destined to help him.
Ye Lingshuang, insistent on finding Qi Hairui, was told that to know her whereabouts, she would have to return to the past. Upon emerging from the illusion, Yu Xiuming, still suffering from his broken leg, asked Ye Lingshuang what she had seen. Ye Lingshuang lied, claiming she only saw Qi Hairui in a red dress, running and singing in a straw hut, but didn't receive anything. Soon after, Fengyin and his men located them.
Fengyin reported that the assassin on the rope bridge was a maidservant who had served Concubine Tian and was a member of the Winged Clan. Yu Xiuming and Ye Lingshuang continued their journey to Zhongzhou Guiyang to inspect the progress of a massive canal project. Yu Xiuming explained that the canal, requiring five years and 100,000 laborers, would connect Tianqi to Ningzhou in the north and Wanyue in the south, saving armies and merchants months of travel.
While they were discussing this, Ling Yun interrupted to confirm that the person who tried to harm Ye Lingshuang was indeed a Winged person. Yu Xiuming, annoyed by the interruption for what he considered a non-urgent matter, curtly dismissed Ling Yun.
Episode 19 Recap
On a night when the moon was full, Leng Tianxi felt her old illness resurface. She drank the herbal tea prepared from a recipe left by Bai Zhushi (Ye Lingshuang's alias) to calm her nerves. She expressed her lifelong fear of the full moon, seeing its power as both a blessing and a curse etched into her bones.
While her maid assured her that His Majesty, Yu Xiuming, would protect her as his beloved, Leng Tianxi lamented that she was trapped in the palace while Yu Xiuming was far away in danger, feeling powerless to help him. She was informed that Yu Xiuming had canceled his trip to Wanzhou and Yuezhou due to an incident and was currently in Guiyang, on his way back to Tianqi.
Meanwhile, Chu Ye returned to the Yebei tribe with ample food acquired from the Heluo Clan, enough to sustain them through the winter. Princess Qi Hailian also decided to share the provisions with the Yuezhou Army, who had previously supported them. Jie Zhuying, happy about the food, pointed out that this was only a temporary solution.
He boldly proposed marriage to Qi Hailian, arguing that their already mandated union by Yu Xiuming could provide them with a royal dowry and bride price, which would be crucial for the tribe's long-term survival until the next autumn harvest. Qi Hailian, though her elders had encouraged the marriage, hesitated, wanting to ensure Jie Zhuying's intentions were genuine and not solely for the tribe's benefit.
She asked him if he truly desired to marry her, even knowing she might sacrifice everything for her people. Jie Zhuying unequivocally affirmed his love and willingness to marry her. Overjoyed by his sincere confession, Qi Hailian happily accepted his proposal, embracing him. Having returned to the capital, Yu Xiuming had not attended court for days, entrusting all state affairs to Great Steward Fan Ruhui, a move that stirred suspicions among some officials.
Yu Xiuming had secretly tasked "Tabai," loyal Winged spies, to track down remnants of the Winged Clan, especially Yu Linkong, urging them to secure peace in Ningzhou. He also learned that Xue Xuanjing frequently visited Jianyue Pavilion, leading him to believe it might be a hideout for Winged conspirators. At the same time, Ye Lingshuang had brought Yun Wen to stay with her and Gu.
Gu mentioned how he and Yun Wen had many conversations, with Yun Wen jokingly claiming to be from another dimension. Leng Tianxi, in her palace, received a gold hairpin from Yu Xiuming, a general gift from his tour. Her initial joy turned to sadness when she realized it was a general token for all concubines and that Yu Xiuming had not visited her since his return. Meanwhile, the dark guards, under Feng Yin's command, pursued Tianying, a Winged Clan member.
Though Tianying escaped, she was struck by an arrow laced with Green Water poison. Feng Yin ordered his men to monitor all pharmacies in Tianqi for anyone seeking the antidote. Unbeknownst to them, Yi Wuyou was already treating Tianying with the necessary herbs, which he had previously procured while assisting the Taoyuan Valley. Yi Wuyou's associate, Hecrane Jin, urged him to return to Ningzhou to reclaim his princely status and lead a rebellion against the Chao Emperor.
However, Yi Wuyou refused, citing the Emperor's impending canal construction in Ningzhou as a strategic disadvantage and expressing his need to uncover a suspected spy within the Ningzhou old families, specifically Tianyao from Qingcaobin. Hecrane Jin questioned if his reluctance to leave was due to Ye Lingshuang, but Yi Wuyou dismissed it, explaining that Lingshuang's proximity to the Emperor made her a valuable asset for their cause.
Later, Tang Yuan, Fan Ruhui's sister-in-law, visited Yi Wuyou with tea, but he politely declined her entry. Ye Lingshuang continued her study of time-space arrays. Yun Wen explained that the Suizheng array could create a time-traveling passage but required a large quantity of Ice Crystals for activation. Lingshuang confidently stated she possessed many of these crystals.
She then proposed a deal: if Yun Wen helped her, she would provide the Jinzhan Incense and Juluo Plate needed for his full physical manifestation, which she revealed she already had. While out preparing for Yun Wen's body reconstruction, Ye Lingshuang witnessed Fan Zheng, the Second Young Master Fan, brutally beating a maid. Recognizing the maid as a Yebei woman she had previously rescued, Lingshuang intervened.
She boldly confronted Fan Zheng, threatening to report him to Yu Xiuming for illegally diverting dozens of Yebei women from the Imperial Office of Music for his own household before their official assignments. Realizing the gravity of her accusation, Fan Zheng hastily retreated. Back at her residence, as Ye Lingshuang and Gu were helping Yun Wen fully manifest, Duanmu Yan arrived. By the time Lingshuang answered the door, Yun Wen had already taken human form.
Simultaneously, Yu Xiuming held a discussion with Fan Ruhui and Ye Lingshuang concerning the wedding arrangements for General Jie Zhuying and Princess Qi Hailian. Fan Ruhui expressed concern over the national treasury, which was strained by the ongoing canal construction, and argued against the expense of building a princess residence in Tianqi, especially since the couple would return to Yuezhou.
Lingshuang countered, highlighting the disparity in benefits for ministers and princesses and subtly exposed Fan Ruhui's past questionable financial dealings related to the canal. Yu Xiuming sided with Lingshuang, taking responsibility for certain expenditures and tax reductions. He ultimately decided that the dowry and bride price would be converted into supplies for Yuezhou and the wedding would take place in a renovated area within the South Palace, but without constructing a new princess residence in Tianqi.
Later, Qingsu, accompanied by Qingzhan, approached Ye Lingshuang. As the only family member unable to learn secret arts, Qingsu sought her help, hoping she could ascertain if his star power was sealed. Yun Wen, observing Qingsu, revealed that he was born with inherent Guxuan Celestial Power, a power of stillness invisible to others, which rendered him incapable of learning any conventional secret arts of this era.
He could only master Guxuan secret arts, which were exceedingly dangerous, could lead to spiritual deviation, prevent him from walking under the sun, and would make him an enemy of all other arcanists. Despite Yun Wen's warning to consider carefully, Qingsu expressed his determination not to be useless and his belief that Yebei people should never grovel before the Great Chao, choosing to pursue the Guxuan secret arts with his brother's support.
As Yun Wen needed to stay with Ye Lingshuang for a while longer, Ye Lingshuang planned to help him secure a position in the Bureau of Astrology for easier access and movement. Concerned by Yu Xiuming's somber mood and distance from Ye Lingshuang, Leng Tianxi advised him to express his true feelings to Lingshuang and send her a meaningful gift. Inspired, Yu Xiuming immediately instructed Ling Yun to go to the Bureau of Astrology.
Ling Yun was to order the most capable person there to prepare a star map for tonight, as Yu Xiuming intended to use the Ice Platform for star observation, also sending the Bureau the finest gifts as a reward for their hard work. Feng Yin clarified to a confused Ling Yun that Yu Xiuming’s true intent was to observe stars with Lingshuang at the Ice Platform and speak his heart to her.
However, when Ling Yun arrived at the Bureau of Astrology, Lingshuang’s subordinate informed him that she was deeply engrossed in her research on new calendar algorithms and divination, and would thank the Emperor later. Meanwhile, Fan Zheng, still fuming from his encounter with Lingshuang, complained to his father, Fan Ruhui, about her. Fan Ruhui, fed up with his son's foolishness, scolded him for provoking Lingshuang and ordered him confined.
Shortly after, Tang Yuan approached Fan Zheng, offering to help him eliminate Ye Lingshuang through a dangerous curse, promising to speak well of him to his father if successful. Back with Yun Wen, Ye Lingshuang was ready to activate the time-traveling passage. She presented her collection of Ice Crystals, but Yun Wen informed her that their quantity and purity were insufficient for full time travel, as such a defiance of nature required immense energy.
Instead, he proposed activating a smaller array that would allow her to view past events without interacting with them. Lingshuang agreed. She asked Yun Wen to show her the moment Qi Hairui was on Ruogan Peak. Through the array, they witnessed Yi Wuyou, wounded by an arrow, attempting to rescue Qi Hairui.
Realizing she was a burden to his escape, Qi Hairui, expressing her love and asking him not to forget her, bravely let go of his hand and plummeted down the cliff.
Episode 20 Recap
Overwhelmed with grief, Ye Lingshuang retreated to cry alone, having witnessed Qi Hairui's tragic fall into the cliff through the array created by Yun Wen. She mourned, acknowledging that Rui was truly gone. Yu Xiuming found her weeping and asked why she was hiding her sorrow. Ye Lingshuang retorted that she shouldn't need his permission to cry.
She then requested to be relieved of her duties, specifically the work on the Unified Calendar of Chao and the astrological chart, suggesting someone else could handle it. Yu Xiuming offered to make her his Empress, allowing her to reside in Qihua Palace and receive his love, emphasizing his ability to protect her from the people of Yebei who viewed her as a cursed figure.
Ye Lingshuang, however, stated that such an offer was not a reward, suggesting that no one in the harem truly received his affection. She wished for time to revert to the night Qi Hairui was married, believing that if Yu Xiuming had accepted her as his woman then, everything might have been different.
She explained how Qi Hairui had been her sole source of support and light in a tragic life, stating she would leave Yebei once Qi Hairui found happiness. Yu Xiuming insisted he never wanted Qi Hairui to die, but Ye Lingshuang highlighted that the outcome remained the same—Rui was dead. She declared Qi Hairui her lifelong obsession, adding that her aspirations for Rui stemmed from her own lack of possessions, believing Rui deserved all the happiness.
Ye Lingshuang's only request was to be allowed to resign after completing the Unified Calendar of Chao. Yu Xiuming, hurt by her decision, left without another word. Ye Lingshuang, determined to turn back time, had drawn the Suizheng Array. She consulted Yun Wen about returning to the past. Yun Wen initially claimed not to remember but then confessed he was reluctant to tell her.
He explained that while she possessed the array and rune, activating the time-traveling passage required the purest core of the Suizheng Celestial Power, and her current collection of Ice Crystals was insufficient. He offered to build the passage but left the task of acquiring the Ice Crystals to her. Ye Lingshuang later confronted Yi Wuyou, questioning why he had kept Qi Hairui's death a secret.
Yi Wuyou explained that it was her late father's dying wish, who feared Ye Lingshuang would act recklessly if she knew. With a way to travel back and save Qi Hairui, Ye Lingshuang asked Yi Wuyou to help her find the high-purity Ice Crystals. Meanwhile, Tang Yuan revealed to Fan Ping that she was pregnant. Overjoyed, Fan Ping wanted to take her home immediately.
Tang Yuan, however, advised him to return later after she had packed, and they would then inform the master. Yu Xiuming visited Ye Lingshuang, informing her he would not grant her request to resign. During their conversation, Ye Lingshuang suddenly felt dizzy and collapsed into his arms. The imperial physicians were unable to diagnose her condition. Concerned, Cheng Wu sought out Yun Wen, who determined that Ye Lingshuang's life star was corrupted by dark energy, indicating a curse.
He couldn't remove the curse immediately but could set up a protective array to sustain her life for twelve hours. If the curse remained unbroken after that period, she would perish. Yu Xiuming immediately dispatched all his guards and officials to search for the sorcerer responsible. Yun Wen described the curser as operating from a secluded courtyard in Tianqi, where a beam of light would appear every hour, giving them twelve chances to locate him.
Yu Xiuming ordered a house-to-house search, threatening those who obstructed it with charges of treason. As the twelve-hour deadline approached without success, Duanmu Yan revealed that an arcanist from Yunzhou, skilled in occult arts, had recently arrived in Tianqi and was active in the city's east. Suspicious of Duanmu Yan's knowledge, Yu Xiuming warned him of severe consequences if Ye Lingshuang died.
Yun Wen cautioned Yu Xiuming that if he left and failed to find the arcanist, he might never see Ye Lingshuang again. Yu Xiuming declared he wouldn't allow that to happen and departed to confront the arcanist. He single-handedly battled dozens of assassins guarding the arcanist's compound, broke through, and killed the arcanist, thus breaking the curse. Ignoring his own injuries, Yu Xiuming rushed back to the palace.
Upon Ye Lingshuang's awakening, Yun Wen explained how he and Yu Xiuming had saved her life. Noticing Yu Xiuming's disheveled and wounded state, she expressed concern. Yu Xiuming, in turn, teased her, asking if she finally cared for him. He confessed his feelings, questioning why he loved such a "cold-hearted and ungrateful woman." When he attempted to kiss her, Ye Lingshuang feigned unconsciousness. Yun Wen, understanding, pretended she was merely weak from the curse being lifted.
Yu Xiuming, catching her subtle movements, left. Yun Wen later playfully chastised Ye Lingshuang for her deceptive act. Later, Leng Tianxi, seeing Yu Xiuming's injuries, expressed her worry and urged him to exercise restraint in his affections for Ye Lingshuang. Yu Xiuming ordered the Bureau of Justice to thoroughly investigate Duanmu Yan's involvement in the cursing incident. After her full recovery, Ye Lingshuang returned to the Bureau of Astrology.
Unwilling to believe Duanmu Yan would harm her, she visited him in prison. While he denied direct malice, Duanmu Yan confessed that he was blinded by ambition and had been manipulated, admitting to taking something from the arcanist and giving some of Ye Lingshuang's personal items to them, unwittingly facilitating the curse. He maintained he never intended to harm her.
Yi Wuyou informed Ye Lingshuang that he had located the necessary Ice Crystals, but they were very expensive and would take a few days to deliver. To avoid owing him a debt, Ye Lingshuang offered him her cherished amber pendant to sell. Yi Wuyou, saddened by her formality, chose to keep the amber and used his own funds to purchase the Ice Crystals. With the Ice Crystals secured, Ye Lingshuang pressed Yun Wen again about activating the Corridor of Time.
Yun Wen reaffirmed that while she could return to the past, whether she could change it depended on her choices. He explained that theoretically, if her obsession—saving Qi Hairui—was thoroughly changed by ensuring Qi Hairui's survival, she would succeed. However, he warned that if key individuals made different choices in the past, everything could change, including whether Yu Xiuming would still fall in love with her. Ye Lingshuang acknowledged his words, deeply pondering the potential consequences.
Meanwhile, Jie Zhuying and Qi Hailian were discussing their upcoming wedding. Jie Zhuying suggested making Qi Hailian a new wedding dress from the valuable fabrics bestowed by Yu Xiuming. However, Qi Hailian proposed selling the fabrics for gold, but Jie Zhuying explained that doing so would disrespect the Emperor, especially since he had already converted their dowry into gold. He convinced her to use the fabrics for a new gown instead.
On her wedding day, Ye Lingshuang arrived early to offer her congratulations, remarking that Qi Hairui would have been delighted to witness the event. Qi Hailian expressed hope that Ye Lingshuang would also find her own happiness, prompting Ye Lingshuang to reflect on Qi Hailian's choices.
Episode 21 Recap
On the joyful occasion of Qi Hailian's wedding, Ye Lingshuang arrived early to extend her blessings, stepping in for Qi Hairui. Qi Hailian expressed her hope that Ye Lingshuang would also find her own true match, which would help her understand Qi Hailian's decision. Later, while Qi Hailian and Jie Zhuying were celebrating their marriage, Ye Lingshuang and Yu Xiuming observed from a distance. Yu Xiuming noted that he refrained from attending the ceremony to avoid overshadowing the groom.
Seeing Ye Lingshuang moved by the grand celebration, Yu Xiuming promised she would one day have an even more magnificent wedding. However, Ye Lingshuang, referring to herself as Bai Lu, confessed that a grand wedding was not what she desired. All she truly wished for was to return to the days when Qi Hairui was still by her side. Yu Xiuming, admitting that even he, the Emperor, could not reverse time, believed it impossible for her as well.
Nevertheless, Ye Lingshuang had already gathered enough Ice Crystals and resolved to activate a time-traveling array. She instructed Cheng Wu to guard the entrance, ensuring no one, not even the Emperor, could interrupt her. Meanwhile, Qi Hailian and Jie Zhuying were distressed by news from the court that Yuezhou's taxes might increase by as much as 50 percent.
Qi Hailian sought to ask Ye Lingshuang to intercede with Yu Xiuming, but Cheng Wu, following Ye Lingshuang's orders, blocked her, explaining that Director Bai was engaged in a celestial observation and could not be disturbed. With Yun Wen's assistance, the "time-traveling passage," or Corridor of Time, was activated. Yun Wen explained that this exquisite passage used the Ice Crystals' energy to create an artificial branch in time, allowing people to revisit chosen moments and re-enact history.
However, the flow of time within it was unpredictable and beyond human control. As Ye Lingshuang stepped into the swirling energy, Yun Wen reminded her to be careful and return safely, concluding that what happened next would depend entirely on Ye Lingshuang's actions. Ye Lingshuang found herself transported back to Yebei, at the precise moment Yu Xiuming, then disguised as General Xie Yu'an, had just saved her from the Snow Wolf King.
Overwhelmed with emotion upon seeing Qi Hairui alive and well, Ye Lingshuang embraced her, tears streaming down her face. When a tribesman accused Ye Lingshuang of killing their sacred Snow Wolf King, she swiftly pointed to Yu Xiuming, declaring him the culprit. She dared the tribesmen to act against him, knowing they would fear a Great Chao general. General Xie Yu'an, observing the injustice, openly criticized the Yebei elders for bullying a young girl, calling them irrational and confused.
He praised Ye Lingshuang's courage and decisiveness, presenting her with a Great Chao token and promising to grant one wish, even if it meant killing someone. The Yebei King accepted the explanation of the Snow Wolf King's death as their destiny, and invited the Great Chao envoy to his tent. Alone with Qi Hairui, Ye Lingshuang vowed to protect her.
When Qi Hairui suggested eavesdropping on the Great Chao envoys, Ye Lingshuang stopped her, revealing that the Great Chao had come to seek a princess in marriage. Knowing Qi Hairui's fate, Ye Lingshuang pleaded with her to listen, explaining that Yebei was on the verge of change and they would change with it.
For the upcoming bonfire celebration, Ye Lingshuang asked Qi Hairui to prepare a dress for her, much to Qi Hairui's playful surprise at her friend's sudden interest in appearance. Ye Lingshuang's true intention was to prevent Qi Hairui from becoming a war bride and to ensure Yu Xiuming would fall for her earlier this time. At the celebration, Ye Lingshuang, now dressed beautifully, directly approached Xie Yu'an (Yu Xiuming) with "Spring of Yebei" liquor.
She confessed her long-standing admiration for the Great Chao Emperor, not just the general, praising his strategic genius, his ability to plan everything, and his military prowess. She claimed to have divined that his purpose in Yebei was to seek a princess in marriage.
When Yu Xiuming challenged her to prove her prophetic abilities, Ye Lingshuang pointed to Chu Ye, predicting his drunken attempt to harass her, his failure to do so, and his eventual offering of liquor to Yu Xiuming, all of which unfolded exactly as she said. Yu Xiuming, impressed, questioned why the Yebei people regarded her as a jinx. Ye Lingshuang explained that people often feared those with extraordinary abilities and the prophecies they brought.
Seizing the opportunity, Ye Lingshuang then made her audacious request: she asked Yu Xiuming to help her become the Great Chao Empress, passionately stating her deep admiration for the Emperor and proclaiming that both would regret it if they missed their chance. Yu Xiuming agreed, on the condition that she "spend the night" with him.
When Ye Lingshuang initially misunderstood his request, thinking he meant sleeping together and reaffirming her devotion to the Emperor, he clarified that he merely meant drinking. She then led him to a secluded spot. Under the bright Yebei night sky, Ye Lingshuang discussed Yu Xiuming's desire for peace. She offered to help secure Yebei's allegiance to the Great Chao if he would promise to protect those she loved.
Yu Xiuming probed her, asking if she cared more for her loved ones or the Emperor. Ye Lingshuang unequivocally stated that she could only live with a clear conscience if Qi Hairui remained alive, and that as she had agreed to marry the Emperor, he should be able to protect a few individuals. Yu Xiuming, assuring her that he would protect her friends as long as the larger political situation remained stable, agreed.
Ye Lingshuang, feeling more comfortable, shared her secret admiration for the Great Chao Emperor, describing him as a brilliant leader capable of achieving anything he desired, and a charismatic figure whom anyone would fall for. Yu Xiuming, now knowing her true feelings, revealed his own identity. He affirmed his earlier promise to make her his Empress, warning her not to back out. The next morning, Ye Lingshuang awoke in the same bed as Yu Xiuming.
He called her "Bai Lu," making her realize that this was not the Xie Yu'an from the past, but the Yu Xiuming from her own time who had followed her through the time-traveling passage to protect her. Initially annoyed, thinking he had witnessed her embarrassing moments, she was reassured by Yu Xiuming that she had not made a fool of herself. Soon after, Yu Xiuming formally sought Ye Lingshuang's hand in marriage from the King of Yebei.
He presented an ancient Mirror of Youth as a gift from the Great Chao Emperor to the "fairest lady in the world" and the future Empress of Chao, wishing for lasting peace between their lands. Qi Hairui, worried, protested that Ye Lingshuang shouldn't marry an "old man" and that no one had asked for her consent. However, Ye Lingshuang, when asked, firmly declared, "I am willing to do so."
The King of Yebei, respecting the Great Chao Emperor's choice, agreed to send Ye Lingshuang off with the honors befitting a princess. Ye Lingshuang visited Yu Xiuming in his tent, offering him liquor instead of the promised milk tea, toasting him for keeping his promise. She confirmed her earlier commitment to openly love him and embrace her role.
Yu Xiuming, in turn, issued an imperial decree to his army, stating his lack of intention to attack Yebei and forbidding any unauthorized movements. He also confirmed that Qi Hailian was no longer part of any marriage alliance. Queen Lan met with Ye Lingshuang, expressing her hope that Ye Lingshuang would speak favorably of Yebei to the Great Chao Emperor, given her friendship with Qi Hairui.
Ye Lingshuang, however, took the opportunity to advise Queen Lan: should a day come when she had to choose between Yebei and Qi Hairui, she must always choose Rui, as Rui had only one mother, and should not be made to endure undue suffering. Qi Hairui, still concerned, presented Ye Lingshuang with a beautiful wedding dress that had originally been meant for herself or Qi Hailian, as Ye Lingshuang had no bridal gown of her own.
She asked again if Ye Lingshuang truly wished to marry. Ye Lingshuang confided that she had met the Great Chao Emperor and genuinely desired to become his wife, believing that marrying into the Great Chao was the best path. Though both shed tears at their impending separation, they promised to meet again, with Qi Hairui vowing to visit Ye Lingshuang in Tianqi, hoping to see Wuyou there as well.
On the day she departed from Yebei, Ye Lingshuang, wearing the wedding dress prepared by Qi Hairui, shared a final, heartfelt farewell with her beloved friend, ready to embark on her new life with Yu Xiuming.
Episode 22 Recap
On Ye Lingshuang's wedding day, Qi Hairui was visibly upset to see her go, but Ye Lingshuang reassured her, promising they would reunite soon. Qi Hailian also entrusted Ye Lingshuang to General Xie, who vowed to protect her. Meanwhile, Yi Wuyou watched, heartbroken, as Ye Lingshuang's wedding carriage departed. Six hours later, Qi Hailian expressed concern for Ye Lingshuang and Yu Xiuming, who were in the time-traveling passage.
Yun Wen explained that if their mission succeeded, their memories, and even those of people close to them, could become confused, leading to conflicting realities. If they failed, history would remain unchanged, and only the two of them would know what truly happened. Yun Wen's greatest worry was that Yu Xiuming had unexpectedly accompanied Ye Lingshuang, questioning if the seven days' worth of Ice Crystals would suffice or if his presence would jeopardize Ye Lingshuang's plan to alter the past.
Driven by a long-standing grudge against Qihai Zhenyu, Luo Wuyi decided to forge an alliance with Xiayang to seek revenge. He sent a message to Xiayang City, dismissing concerns about the risk, citing Qihai Zhenyu's oppression and the popular outrage over his marriage alliance with Chao as opportune moments for rebellion. Ye Lingshuang awoke from a dream, startled by the sounds of the Black Water Tribe's rebellion that plunged Yebei into chaos.
In her dream, she had once again witnessed Qi Hairui's tragic death. Both Yu Xiuming and Ye Lingshuang returned from the time-traveling passage, consumed by grief. Ye Lingshuang struggled to accept reality, believing she was on the verge of success and that Qi Hairui should not have died. Yu Xiuming, however, gently reminded her that some things were beyond their control and that history could not be rewritten, despite their best efforts.
He offered to go back with her if it meant easing her hatred for him. Overwhelmed with sorrow, Ye Lingshuang fainted, her dreams filled with the horrific images of Qi Hairui's demise. Later, Qi Hailian implored Ye Lingshuang to let go of the past and her persistent obsession, emphasizing that as the remaining survivors, they must live well. Ye Lingshuang, exhausted, agreed to rest. Ye Lingshuang, however, remained resolute in her desire to re-enter the time-traveling passage.
Yun Wen vehemently warned her against it, explaining that repeated entries would shatter her mind, lead to a blur between reality and illusion, and cause severe physical strain, evident from the red marks on her body. Despite his pleas, Ye Lingshuang refused to be swayed, declaring that nothing would stop her from saving Qi Hairui, and intended to seek Yi Wuyou's help in acquiring more Ice Crystals. Unknown to Ye Lingshuang, Yu Xiuming also exhibited similar red marks.
He secretly summoned Yun Wen, who confirmed that these were the backlash from the time-traveling passage, magnified for Yu Xiuming due to his past connection to a Truth Master. Concerned by the danger and Ye Lingshuang's deteriorating condition, Yu Xiuming decided he could not allow her to continue down this perilous path. He instructed Yun Wen to destroy the time-traveling passage.
Yi Wuyou discovered that all Ice Crystals had vanished from the market in Tianqi, leading him to believe that Yu Xiuming was responsible. He arranged to meet Ye Lingshuang to inform her of his suspicions and express his concern that she was becoming too deeply entangled with Yu Xiuming. Ye Lingshuang, however, dismissed his warnings, absorbed in her calculations to locate a new Ice Crystal mine based on star pulse distribution.
Meanwhile, Xue Xuanjing renewed his efforts to form an alliance with Yi Wuyou. To demonstrate his sincerity, Xue Xuanjing offered to return Sheyun City, which had historically belonged to the Winged Clan. Yi Wuyou accepted the alliance and requested Xue Xuanjing to invite Fan Ruhui to the Moon Tower.
Tang Yuan, Xue Xuanjing's daughter, confessed to her father that Yi Wuyou (also known as Yu Linkong) was not suitable as her husband due to his emotional attachments, but she agreed that an alliance with Fan Ruhui was a strategic move that would allow her to leave the Moon Tower to nurture her child in peace. Later, Fan Ruhui arrived at the Moon Tower and met with Yi Wuyou.
They acknowledged their shared adversary, Yu Xiuming, and agreed to cooperate in their resistance against the Chao Emperor. Despite Yun Wen's dire warnings about the irreversible damage, mental instability, and hallucinations that repeated entry into the time-traveling passage would cause, Yu Xiuming resolved to proceed with its destruction. Ye Lingshuang rushed to the Ice Platform, only to find the passage destroyed and the magic array permanently inoperable.
She confronted Yu Xiuming, accusing him of purchasing all the Ice Crystals and obliterating her sole hope of saving Qi Hairui, declaring her profound hatred for him. Yu Xiuming calmly acknowledged her animosity, stating that some actions were necessary, and that ultimately, love and hate found common ground. Ye Lingshuang, despairing, succumbed to alcoholism.
Her obsession morphed into deep-seated hatred, and she vowed to force Yun Wen to rebuild the time-traveling passage to reset everything, believing it was the only way she could truly love Yu Xiuming. Knowing her destructive path, Yun Wen quietly left in the dead of night, seeking to protect her from further harm.
Ye Lingshuang discovered his absence, lamenting that no one was left to help her save Qi Hairui, and was once again haunted by visions of Qi Hairui's death. Yu Xiuming, increasingly affected by the backlash from the time-traveling passage, realized the canal construction had to be expedited. During an imperial audience, he temporarily halted the implementation of a new tax rate in Yuezhou. Fan Ruhui expressed concern that this delay would impede the Ningzhou canal project.
Yu Xiuming challenged him to find an alternative solution, implying that relying solely on Yuezhou's taxes was insufficient. Fan Ruhui, taking the hint, agreed to advance funds to ensure the construction could proceed, recognizing the importance of knowing his place to maintain his position. Meanwhile, Qi Hailian informed Ye Lingshuang that she was returning to Yuezhou due to the critical canal project there, noting that once completed, travel and trade would become much easier.
Qingzhan and Su expressed their wish to remain in Tianqi. Ye Lingshuang offered to secure them positions in the Bureau of Astrology. She acknowledged Su's desire to learn Guxuan occult skills. While not encouraging it due to its immense power, she would not prevent him, only cautioning him to always preserve his true nature while practicing. Su promised to train diligently to protect everyone and assist Ye Lingshuang in the future.
Fan Ruhui, aiming to slow the canal project, invited Yi Wuyou to play weiqi, subtly exposing military defense maps. He then overtly asked Yi Wuyou to eliminate the Tubo tribe, a Heluo clan that had significantly expedited the Yuezhou canal construction and was now heading to Ningzhou for the next phase. Yi Wuyou saw this as a triple opportunity: to disrupt the human emperor's plans, assert the Winged Clan's influence, and gain Fan Ruhui's favor.
He dispatched his subordinates, including Tianying, to Yuezhou with strict orders for a swift and clean operation, emphasizing that his actions were for Ningzhou and the resurgence of the Winged Clan. Around the same time, Tang Yuan, who was expecting a child, penned a letter to her father, Xue Xuanjing, stating her intention to leave the Moon Tower peacefully now that Yi Wuyou (Yu Linkong) and Fan Ruhui were conspiring to halt the canal construction.
However, as she prepared to depart, she was confronted first by Hejin, and then by Yi Wuyou himself, who revealed he was fully aware of her true identity as Princess Xue and her father's elaborate schemes, questioning her attempt to quietly escape.
Episode 23 Recap
As Tang Yuan prepared to discreetly leave Moon Tower, Yi Wuyou confronted her with his guards, revealing her true identity. Yi Wuyou questioned why she was trying to sneak away and alluded to her being Princess Xue and her father's schemes. Tang Yuan, also known by her alias Lan Wei, tearfully confessed that she was pregnant with Fan Ping’s child and desperately pleaded with Yi Wuyou not to disclose her true identity to Fan Ping.
Just then, Fan Ping arrived, intending to take Tang Yuan away. Yi Wuyou, seeing their genuine affection, did not press them further and allowed them to leave, even returning a letter to them. Later, Tang Yuan expressed her reluctance for Fan Ping to meet her family, likely due to her complicated background. Fan Ping, however, assured her that he understood she had many bitter reasons, and what truly mattered was that she was the mother of his child.
He promised to provide her with a loving home, cherishing and respecting her. Meanwhile, Qi Hailian sent a message reporting the tragic demise of the entire Heluo Clan (Tubo people) near the canal. Ye Lingshuang discovered that the perpetrators were from the Winged Tribe and immediately rushed to Moon Tower, only to be blocked. Ye Lingshuang demanded an explanation from Yi Wuyou, insisting that he see her at once.
Yi Wuyou eventually met with her, knowing she would eventually learn the truth. He confirmed that his men were responsible for the attack on the Heluo Clan, explaining it was necessary to prevent the Great Chao army from easily advancing once the Ningzhou canal was completed, thus protecting the Winged people. When Ye Lingshuang accused him of colluding with Fan Ruhui, Yi Wuyou retorted that she was also "asking a tiger for its skin" by staying with Yu Xiuming.
He confessed that as the last descendant of the Yu family, reviving the Winged Clan was his solemn duty. He recounted a time in Yebei when he only cared for her, seeing her as intelligent, beautiful, and gentle, willing to sacrifice everything for her. But he felt she never truly reciprocated his feelings. He believed that only by obtaining power could he win her heart.
Ye Lingshuang, deeply hurt, angrily told him to pursue his power and ambition to become the ruler of the world, but not to use her as an excuse. She declared their bond broken. Fan Ping arranged a comfortable residence for Tang Yuan, and as her pregnancy progressed, he remained attentive to her needs. Xue Xuanjing secretly visited Tang Yuan, who reassured him that she had not neglected the Xue family's grand cause.
She also updated him on the political situation in Tianqi, noting the alliance between Yi Wuyou (also known as Yu Linkong) and Fan Ruhui, who had already begun their opposition to Emperor Chao by targeting the Heluo people building the canal. Tang Yuan promised her father that once her child was born, she would return to Ningzhou to help him consolidate military affairs.
On Yu Xiuming’s true birthday, he invited Ye Lingshuang, who was still known by her official title Bai Lu, to share sweet glutinous dumplings. He recalled how his mother used to make them for him every year. He shared his desire for unity, to bridge the divides between people's hearts. Suddenly, Yu Xiuming suffered a severe backlash, causing memory confusion, and he collapsed. Leng Tianxi, worried, later confronted Ye Lingshuang, questioning why she was always present during Yu Xiuming’s episodes.
She highlighted Yu Xiuming's deep care for Ye Lingshuang, recounting how he risked his life to save her on Zhenxia Mountain, sacrificing his divine power and immortality in the process. Yet, Ye Lingshuang seemed unwilling to acknowledge it and quietly left. Recalling Yu Xiuming's past kindness, Ye Lingshuang was overwhelmed with emotion and wept as she left the palace. Gu approached her, revealing that Yun Wen, before his departure, had disclosed critical information about the time-traveling passage.
He explained that the passage's existence defied natural laws, demanding immense celestial power and inflicting irreversible mental damage with each use. Yun Wen also stated that Yu Xiuming hadn't intended to destroy the time-traveling passage that day; rather, he had used it to travel back in time to try and save Qi Hairui on Ye Lingshuang's behalf.
However, this attempt was unsuccessful, and Yu Xiuming suffered a backlash a hundredfold more severe than normal individuals due to his blessed status by the Truth Masters. Ye Lingshuang was devastated, realizing that regardless of how many times she tried to change the past, Qi Hairui's fate remained unaltered. Yun Wen had, however, shared a method to save someone, and Ye Lingshuang immediately applied it to Yu Xiuming. After she administered the medicine, Yu Xiuming quickly regained consciousness.
He noticed a fresh wound on her hand and expressed deep concern for her well-being. Ye Lingshuang then proposed to enter the palace to serve Yu Xiuming. He was overjoyed but insisted that she become the Empress of the Great Chao, not merely his woman. When Ye Lingshuang asked what he liked about her, Yu Xiuming candidly remarked that she was of ordinary appearance, had a difficult temper, and often claimed to hate him, yet she reminded him of himself.
Ye Lingshuang agreed to be his Empress but requested to continue her work in the Bureau of Astrology, a request Yu Xiuming granted, albeit with a playful jab about her attachment to the "job." As her dowry, Ye Lingshuang then conjured their combined "life stars" to shine brightly in the night sky.
Despite Yu Xiuming's disbelief in destiny, Ye Lingshuang declared that this display would make it clear to all that they were one and that he could and must marry her. Yu Xiuming promised to officially announce their marriage in court, affirming their unity to the entire world. Meanwhile, Yi Wuyou sought Aluoka's help to repair the sacred weapon of the Winged Clan. Aluoka's apprentice informed him that it required a Starstone.
She explained that Starstones were often found near those blessed by Truth Masters. This made Yi Wuyou recall a stone Ye Lingshuang had given him, realizing it was indeed the Starstone needed. He entrusted the sacred weapon to the Heluo Clan, who promised to handle it with the utmost care. Soon after, Tang Yuan gave birth to a son for Fan Ping, who was overjoyed and resolved to formally marry her.
Tang Yuan suggested he take their child to meet Fan Ruhui. Hearing the news, Yu Xiuming asked Ye Lingshuang to choose a name for his grandnephew, and she suggested "Tianshou" (meaning "bestowed by Heaven"). Fan Ruhui was pleased by the name and the Emperor’s blessing. He seized the opportunity to plan an assassination with Yi Wuyou during the baby's full moon ceremony, when Yu Xiuming would visit the ancestral hall for blessings.
Fan Ruhui instructed his son to hire handymen for the ancestral hall ritual, then have them killed and replaced by Yi Wuyou's assassins. Fan Ping, concerned about Yu Xiuming's extraordinary abilities, questioned if he could truly be killed. Fan Ruhui assured him that his spies in Concubine Tian's palace had reported Yu Xiuming was gravely ill, his divine power depleted, and his Divine Mirror shattered, indicating he had lost his immortality.
However, acknowledging Yu Xiuming's cunning, Fan Ruhui cautioned that this assassination would serve as a test, to lure him out. He declared that success was near, and they would finally reclaim what belonged to the Fan family, ready to "do or die." Leng Tianxi expressed her concern for Yu Xiuming's health and wished to accompany him to the ancestral hall for the sacrifice. Yu Xiuming, although appreciating her concern, did not agree to her accompanying him, reminding her that as Concubine Tian, she no longer needed to concern herself with such matters.
Episode 24 Recap
Yi Wuyou received an update on his assassination plot against Yu Xiuming, scheduled for the Fan family's ancestral ceremony the following day. He instructed his people, including Tianying, to be ready, emphasizing that it was a test to confirm if Yu Xiuming had truly lost his divine powers. If so, they could deliver a decisive blow. Meanwhile, Fan Zheng, a relative of Fan Ruhui, finalized his arrangements for the ceremony, using hired laborers as cover for the assassins.
He believed acting within their own ancestral hall would divert suspicion. The next day, Ye Lingshuang arrived to officiate the ceremony. She congratulated Fan Ruhui on his new grandson and inquired about the child's mother, dismissing traditional views that excluded women from such events. Fan Ruhui explained that the mother was recovering from childbirth. Soon after, Leng Tianxi arrived, sent by Yu Xiuming, though she was also deeply concerned for his health. Yu Xiuming himself then appeared for the ceremony.
Ye Lingshuang quickly spotted a hidden blade on an assassin and cried out, throwing the event into chaos. Yi Wuyou's operatives immediately attacked Yu Xiuming. Leng Tianxi, breaking a prior seal on her powers, courageously shielded Yu Xiuming. In a moment of peril, Yu Xiuming instinctively moved to protect Ye Lingshuang, leaving Leng Tianxi to intercept an arrow meant for him.
As she lay dying in his arms, Leng Tianxi expressed her unwavering loyalty, apologized for failing to protect him, and wished she could have remained his Winged Guard forever. Yu Xiuming was grief-stricken. Following the assassination attempt, an official reported to Yu Xiuming that Fan Zheng had indeed hired temporary workers, and the attackers were Winged People. The hired workers were found dead in the ancestral hall's backyard.
Yu Xiuming found the circumstances suspicious and ordered a thorough investigation, specifically instructing his men to keep a close watch on Fan Ruhui. Yu Xiuming later visited Leng Tianxi's bedchamber, consumed by sorrow. Ye Lingshuang joined him, bringing Leng Tianxi's favorite dried cheese and flower tea as an offering. She acknowledged Leng Tianxi's profound loyalty and service, even unto death, though Yu Xiuming regretted her sacrifice.
Ye Lingshuang then proposed they marry swiftly, believing it would force the true mastermind to reveal themselves. Yu Xiuming agreed. In court, he announced his intention to take an Empress to stabilize the realm, choosing a woman whose "life star was compatible with his." Ye Lingshuang, presenting herself as Bai Lu, humbly accepted his proposal. The news of Ye Lingshuang becoming Empress reached Yi Wuyou, whose subordinate expressed dismay.
Yi Wuyou, however, believed Ye Lingshuang had her reasons and asserted that he needed to become a true emperor to be worthy of her. He decided to declare himself Emperor once all Winged Clan families were united. Having successfully repaired the mythical Qionghua Spear, Yi Wuyou was recognized as the Winged Emperor. He then announced his intent to prepare for war against Yu Xiuming and unite the Nine States.
He dispatched the head of the Xue family back to Ningzhou to organize defenses and expressed confidence that Yu Xiuming's wedding preparations would prevent an immediate attack. Yi Wuyou declared the Qionghua Spear to be the decisive weapon against Yu Xiuming, promising his death and the Winged Clan's total victory. Meanwhile, Qi Hailian reacted with excitement to Ye Lingshuang's impending marriage. Jie Zhuying planned a trip to Tianqi to offer congratulations.
However, Qi Hailian revealed she was pregnant and couldn't travel, which filled Jie Zhuying with immense joy at the thought of becoming a father. He vowed to protect both her and their child. Yu Xiuming oversaw the final wedding preparations. When an official suggested canceling the tradition of opening the city gates for three days due to the recent assassination attempt, Yu Xiuming firmly refused. He believed it would draw out their enemies.
Simultaneously, Fan Ruhui, praised by his aide Yao Song for his loyalty despite resigning as Great Steward, revealed his true intention: a strategic retreat to advance his plans. Yu Xiuming had accepted his resignation but retained him as Duke Wei, allowing him to remain active in court while dissolving the Great Steward's office and redistributing power. Fan Ruhui detailed his expanded scheme: his mercenaries in Wanzhou would infiltrate the imperial army and take control of the Imperial City gates.
He also recruited powerful arcanists to assist Yi Wuyou in a coordinated attack. Later, Fan Ruhui and Yi Wuyou met with Su, an arcanist who had mastered the Guxuan occult skills. Su, after witnessing the power of the Qionghua Spear, admitted that its wielder was a formidable opponent. Fan Ruhui acknowledged his caution regarding Yu Xiuming's long history of turning the tide in battle, even after losing his divine powers.
Fan Ruhui then laid out his plan: during Yu Xiuming's wedding, with the city gates open and his forces controlling the imperial army, Su would assist Yi Wuyou in directly attacking Qianyuan Hall. Yi Wuyou's role was to severely wound Yu Xiuming, after which Su would deliver the killing blow, securing ultimate power for Fan Ruhui.
Fan Ruhui emphasized the critical nature of their alliance, stating that there was no turning back and that he would proceed with his rebellion even without Yi Wuyou's assistance. Su's brother provided him with a magical artifact for the assassination. Unbeknownst to them, Fengyin, a loyal guard of Yu Xiuming, discovered their plot to kill the Emperor. Fengyin secretly followed the brothers but was ultimately killed by them using their occult arts.
Fan Ping confronted his father, Fan Ruhui, distressed by the sight of Fan Zheng associating with a black-robed arcanist and Fan Yu secretly gathering mercenaries. He worried that these actions would jeopardize their family, much like the tragedy that befell Shengnan. Fan Ruhui dismissed his son's concerns, asserting that their family's survival hinged on his ambitious endeavors, and that Fan Ping, accustomed to a carefree life, could not comprehend a father's sacrifices.
Meanwhile, Tang Yuan left a farewell letter for Fan Ping. She revealed her true identity as a daughter of the Xue family from Ningzhou and explained that she had to return to her family due to changing circumstances, bidding him a sorrowful goodbye. Fan Ping was left heartbroken, clutching their infant son. Back in Tianqi, Yu Xiuming's guards discovered Fengyin's body. Yu Xiuming was deeply shaken, questioning how someone as skilled and cautious as Fengyin could have been killed, and demanded to know who was responsible.
Episode 25 (Ending) Recap
Following the recent assassination attempt on Yu Xiuming, Ling Yun reported that Fengyin's death was caused by an unknown occult skill, leading him to suspect a plot against the Emperor during the upcoming wedding. Yu Xiuming, however, ordered a grand state funeral for Fengyin and chose to proceed with the plan to open the city gates for the wedding, seeing it as an opportunity to lure out all those involved in the conspiracy, eager to witness their capabilities.
On the day of the wedding, officials gathered, congratulating Fan Ruhui, who was serving as the Minister of Rites. Fan Ruhui, with a hidden agenda, stalled the officials, informing them that something significant was about to occur and requesting they remain where they were for their safety. Meanwhile, Yi Wuyou's forces launched an attack on the imperial city. Inside the palace, Yu Xiuming, fully aware of the impending invasion, instructed his guards to prepare, acknowledging that his 'guests' had arrived.
A report reached Fan Ruhui that Empress Ye Lingshuang was approaching Qianyuan Hall much faster than anticipated. Yi Wuyou confronted Yu Xiuming alone in the main hall, questioning the absence of the Winged Guards. Yu Xiuming calmly declared he could handle Yi Wuyou by himself, revealing he knew of Yi Wuyou's arrival and his motives: vengeance for his annihilated clan and for Ye Lingshuang.
Yu Xiuming asserted that Yi Wuyou consistently failed to understand himself and the truth, promising to teach him a lesson that day. Outside, Ye Lingshuang's carriage was halted due to the ongoing attacks. Xie Yu'an urged her to return to the Bureau of Astrology for safety, following Yu Xiuming's orders. However, Ye Lingshuang staunchly refused, insisting on fulfilling her promise to Yu Xiuming to face life and death together, and ordered the gates opened.
Inside Qianyuan Hall, Yu Xiuming reminded Yi Wuyou that it was his intervention that brought peace to the Nine States, an assertion Yi Wuyou fiercely rejected, believing himself to be the rightful ruler. Yi Wuyou accused Yu Xiuming of taking Ye Lingshuang, confidently proclaiming that with Yu Xiuming's Divine Mirror shattered, he would kill him and claim both the empire and Ye Lingshuang. Yu Xiuming countered, stating that even without him, Ye Lingshuang would never choose Yi Wuyou.
As their battle raged, Ye Lingshuang burst into the hall, powerless to stop them as they inflicted grievous wounds upon each other. In the end, Yu Xiuming dealt a fatal blow, and Yi Wuyou died in Ye Lingshuang's arms. Simultaneously, Xie Yu'an struck down Su, finally quelling the rebellion. Ye Lingshuang pleaded with Yu Xiuming to grant Yi Wuyou a proper burial.
Yu Xiuming posthumously conferred the title of Winged King upon Yi Wuyou and ordered his body to be sent back to Ningzhou for a grand funeral. Despite his own severe injuries, Yu Xiuming then asked Ye Lingshuang if she still wished to be his empress. She affirmed her resolve, declaring that she had no regrets and would stay by his side forever as his empress. Meanwhile, Fan Ruhui's rebellion crumbled.
He was shocked to learn that Yao Song, whom he had trusted, was in fact Yu Xiuming's informant, betraying him at the critical moment. Ling Yun later reported that Fan Ruhui had committed suicide in prison using a white silk sash.
The Fan family's assets were confiscated, and while Fan Ruhui's second son, Fan Zheng, died attempting to escape, his eldest son, Fan Ping, and his grandson, Fan Tianshou, were spared from execution but stripped of their noble status and demoted to commoners, as they were deemed not directly involved in the treason. That night, as Ye Lingshuang helped Yu Xiuming undress, she discovered his severe injuries.
She realized that Yu Xiuming had deliberately kept her away from Qianyuan Hall because he had known of Fan Ruhui's treacherous plans all along and feared for her safety. Overwhelmed with guilt, Ye Lingshuang lamented that Yu Xiuming had suffered such grave wounds. Yu Xiuming expressed concern that he might not be able to fulfill his promise of exploring the Nine States with her, but reiterated that she was the one person in the world who truly understood his ambitions.
The following day, Yu Xiuming and Ye Lingshuang appeared in court together, with Yu Xiuming announcing that from that day forward, they would jointly build and protect the Great Chao. Addressing the impending construction of a grand canal, Ye Lingshuang proposed that the Yebei people, residing in Yuezhou, lead the project. She implored Yu Xiuming to pardon their past transgressions, granting them freedom of movement and full citizenship within the Great Chao.
Yu Xiuming readily agreed, entrusting Ye Lingshuang with the oversight of the canal's construction. Ye Lingshuang then outlined her plan to transform the canal into a vital trade route, encouraging the tens of thousands of residents along its path to engage in commerce. The Yunwang Canal was successfully completed. Yu Xiuming and Ye Lingshuang jointly officiated its opening, sealing its completion map with the imperial jade seal and bestowing its official name.
Years later, Yu Xiuming fell seriously ill but was fortunate to recover fully with an effective remedy. Sixteen years after his recovery, his son ascended to the throne, governing with virtue, compassion, and reduced taxes. Under his benevolent rule, the Nine States achieved an unprecedented era of unity and harmony. The once remote region of Yuezhou flourished with the new canal, transforming barren lands into fertile fields. The Yebei people finally attained equality and freedom within the Great Chao.
