Oh! My Emperor Season 1 Episode 18 Recap
> Oh! My Emperor Season 1 Recap
Shang Yu continued his pursuit of the men in black, following them into an arid desert region. During a period of rest, he overheard the men discussing their true intentions for bringing their captives here and administering medicine. One of the leaders openly stated their goal was to ignite a conflict between the Ophiuchus people and other constellations, allowing them to benefit from the resulting chaos.
Understanding their malicious plan, Shang Yu seized the moment when the men went to relieve themselves to attempt to rouse Xifeng Lie. However, upon waking, Xifeng Lie was disoriented and did not recognize Shang Yu, leading them to engage in a struggle. Fortunately, the guards reported no suspicious activity, and the group remained unaware of the brief altercation. As they prepared to move again, Shang Yu saw an opportunity to rescue Xifeng Lie.
He attempted to ambush the men, but was swiftly subdued by their leader, who critically injured him with a sword, rendering him unconscious. The leader left Shang Yu in the desert, confident that wolves would soon dispose of his body. The men then made their way back towards Orion State, leaving Shang Yu for dead. Meanwhile, Bei Tang Yi noticed Luo Feifei's recent coldness towards him and pressed her for an explanation.
She finally revealed her annoyance, admitting she had witnessed him in a compromising physical interaction with Bilian in a room recently. Bei Tang Yi immediately sought to clarify, assuring her there was nothing between him and Bilian. He explained that Bilian held significant positions as the Major Pharmacist of Zodiac State and a favorite of the Empress Dowager, making it complicated to outright dismiss her, despite the Empress Dowager having proposed a marriage alliance which he had already declined.
Luo Feifei's mood visibly lightened with his explanation. Bei Tang Yi then went on to confess that he had fallen in love with her at first sight, dismissing other women like Xie Yanran, who came from a rich family and was conventionally prettier, as women he never liked. He playfully teased Luo Feifei about her perceived lack of traditional advantages in knowledge, appearance, and figure, further cementing her delight. Later, Xie Yanran approached Luo Feifei, distraught over her predicament.
She recounted the events of the previous day's Constellation Lord Conference, where the Emperor and Prince Chen had decided on a tournament, and her vote had been crucial. She confessed to voting for the Emperor, fearing that if Prince Chen won without a fight, the Emperor would lose military power, and she would be forced to marry the Emperor. Now, she was unsure how to handle Prince Chen after her vote.
Xie Yanran pleaded with Luo Feifei for help, stating their friendship depended on it, as she desperately wanted to know how to make Prince Chen fall in love with her. Luo Feifei tried to console her, reminding her that the core issue was military power, and the royals weren't truly concerned with who Xie Yanran married. She offered her support, even though she felt limited as a maid in the Service Department.
To lift Xie Yanran's spirits and help her find a solution, Luo Feifei decided to take her to the Hongluan Brothels. Upon their arrival, the proprietress initially hesitated to admit them, as the establishment was not typically for women. Xie Yanran herself was reluctant, acknowledging that such a place was considered inappropriate for a daughter of an eminent family. However, Luo Feifei prompted Xie Yanran to display a large sum of money.
The proprietress's eyes widened at the sight of the cash, and she immediately welcomed them inside. Luo Feifei then presented Xie Yanran to the courtesans, asserting that "every missy here" could teach her how to charm Prince Chen. Xie Yanran humorously interpreted the art of "chasing men" as being similar to "making tea," requiring precise temperature and timing to capture their hearts, taste, and smell. Impressed by her unique perspective, the courtesans enthusiastically agreed to instruct her thoroughly.
After spending a considerable amount of time at the Hongluan Brothels, both Xie Yanran and Luo Feifei became thoroughly intoxicated. As they were escorted out by the proprietress, Luo Feifei drunkenly lamented her fate, transported to another era and seemingly falling for a "capricorn nerd." Xie Yanran, though inebriated, pointed out that the Emperor only seemed to like Luo Feifei, questioning her dissatisfaction.
Luo Feifei quickly redirected the conversation back to Xie Yanran's original problem, emphasizing that Aquarius individuals, like herself, are often better friends than lovers. They continued their drunken, philosophical conversation until it was time to head home. Meanwhile, Shang Yu, having been left for dead in the desert, regained consciousness after a prolonged period. Despite his injuries, he began his arduous journey back to report on his findings.
In preparation for the upcoming tournament, which was less than three days away, Commander Fang Jian rallied his soldiers. He emphasized each soldier's crucial role and demanded their faith in victory. He then instructed them to wrap the heads of their spears with cloth to prevent injuries during the tournament, adding a cautionary note about not using too much expensive cloth. He also directed them to apply powder to their spears once finished, again stressing not to use excessive amounts as he was covering the cost.
