Shining Just For You Episode 5 Recap
> Shining Just For You 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.
