A Prime Minister's Disguise Recap, Plot, Synopsis
A Prime Minister's Disguise Synopsis
After peace was restored, the new emperor, Huo Jingheng, selected a worthy consort and summoned Yue Ling’er—the long-missing sister of the former dynasty’s prime minister, Yue Chi—into the palace to serve. Deeply protective of his sister, Yue Chi was reluctant to let her suffer in the palace. Moreover, as Huo Jingheng had recently shown increasing interest in matters and people of the former dynasty, Yue Chi feared a potential purge of former officials. To uncover the emperor's true intentions, he decided to enter the palace in his sister’s place.
However, this was all part of a secret plan: Yue Ling’er and Huo Jingheng had conspired to use the consort selection as a means to bring Yue Chi into the palace and help him return to court. Once inside, Yue Chi used his intelligence to avoid various traps, while Huo Jingheng, through a series of calculated moves—such as exposing the misconduct of the imperial uncle—steadily elevated Yue Chi to the position of Right Prime Minister.
Though the two became estranged due to the scheming of former princess Jiang Yunqing, they eventually put aside their differences. Together, they confronted the internal strife and external threat posed by Crown Prince Yi Qingyun of the neighboring Li Kingdom, standing united to overcome the crisis.
A Prime Minister's Disguise Recap
Episode 1 Recap
Former rebel commander Huo Jingheng clashed with Prime Minister Yue's forces on the battlefield. It was actually Prime Minister Yue who had first arranged a surprise cavalry attack on Huo Jingheng. Huo Jingheng truly admired the prime minister—he believed Yue was a rare talent in governing the country. If Yue were willing to surrender, Huo would still appoint him as prime minister once Da Ning was reestablished.
Although King Ning was foolish and incompetent, Prime Minister Yue had his own reasons for standing his ground. Yue Chi, the prime minister, would only fight to the death and would never surrender. Yue Chi deliberately sought defeat on the battlefield because his family was being held hostage by King Ning. The public only knew that Yue Chi had died in battle and had been posthumously honored as Prince Anle by the new emperor.
His sister Yue Ling'er was granted the title of Consort Yue, and the emperor decreed she should enter the palace to serve at his side. Yue Ling'er was actually willing to enter the palace because she was obsessed with looks and had heard the new emperor was both handsome and well-built. Despite knowing about the palace's backstabbing schemes, she still hoped to use her status as a consort to protect the Yue family.
However, Yue Chi worried his sister would be bullied, so he disguised himself and decided to enter the palace in her place. Once he confirmed it was safe, he would switch back with her. Yue Chi’s journey to the palace was rough. He rode in a shabby sedan chair, swaying the entire way. Once he arrived, he began vomiting from the exhausting trip. He was only attended by a single maid named Xiaoyue.
Yue Chi was furious—not only was his sister being dishonored with such poor treatment, but she was also being neglected. He decided to confront Huo Jingheng. Xiaoyue stopped him, explaining that by the emperor’s order, Yue Chi was not allowed to leave Fengluan Palace. On top of that, he was assigned the task of memorizing the twelve palace rules, which filled an entire table with books. Yue Chi was devastated.
Knowing he wouldn’t finish reading them, he began scheming to get the emperor to come to him instead. Consort Hui came to Fengluan Palace with a group of other concubines. The emperor had never shown interest in women, but now that he had specially conferred the title of consort on Yue Chi’s sister, Consort Hui feared she might lose favor and her status be threatened. She decided to strike first.
As she entered the palace, intending to make things difficult for Yue Chi, the emperor unexpectedly appeared. True to his nature, he showed no interest in women, and upon seeing Yue Chi, had no suspicions whatsoever. He stayed only briefly before leaving, arranging for Consort Hui and the others to accompany Yue Chi around the palace. That night, Yue Chi received a pigeon message from Yue Ling'er.
She was worried about her brother, afraid he was suffering in the palace—after all, he had once been defeated by the emperor and now had to humble himself. Yue Chi swore to win the emperor’s favor and become empress one day. He kept a close eye on the emperor and discovered that he was actually quite diligent in state affairs.
Yue Chi eavesdropped on a conversation between the emperor and his guard and learned that in recent years, the emperor had been trying to protect Ling'er. Knowing she was an orphan from the previous dynasty, the emperor understood her hardships. To better protect and care for her, he brought her into the palace. Yue Chi was unexpectedly touched by this.
When Yue Chi returned to Fengluan Palace intending to write to Ling'er, he discovered that she had already arrived in disguise as a maid. As a maid from the Yue household visiting her mistress in the palace, her presence was not suspicious, but Yue Chi was still worried they would be discovered. Yue Chi told Ling'er that Huo Jingheng seemed trustworthy, and Ling'er expressed her willingness to become his empress.
Seeing his sister’s determination, Yue Chi decided to help her compete for the empress position. Playing to Huo Jingheng’s interests, Yue Chi “bribed” the eunuch to deliver a dagger to the emperor. As expected, the emperor, who loved weapons and novelties, immediately came to Fengluan Palace. For several days, he was captivated by the various weapons Yue Chi shared—precious items from Yue Chi's private collection—all of which Huo Jingheng liked and even accepted as gifts.
Yue Chi was distressed; he had only been trying to be polite and hadn’t expected Huo Jingheng to take them seriously. Consort Hui’s father and brother had died on the battlefield because of Yue Chi, so she regarded the Yue family as her enemies. She swore before her family's memorial tablets that she would one day avenge them.
Episode 2 Recap
Yue Chi’s entry into the palace had actually been long planned by Yue Ling'er and Huo Jingheng. Neither of them wanted Yue Chi’s talents to go to waste. Since Huo Jingheng’s ascension to the throne, he had been living decadently, which was why he and Ling'er devised this plan. Having studied together in a private school for two years, the three were old acquaintances, and Huo Jingheng was willing to help.
However, Yue Chi now faced a major problem—he had no money. Only with money could he collect the weapons he loved. Consort Hui invited Yue Chi to a tea gathering. He knew it was a trap, but refusing would make Ling’er’s future in the palace even harder. This time, Yue Chi had to win for her sake.
At the event, he was indeed challenged by Consort Hui, but he remained fearless, displaying the bearing of a general's family, which startled both Consort Hui and the other concubines. Not wanting to make enemies for Ling’er, Yue Chi had Xiaoyue bring out the rouge and powders Ling’er had sent. He shared them with the concubines. No woman could resist, and as Yue Chi spoke, the women were quickly enticed.
Taking the opportunity, he sold the products to them and easily earned a large sum of money. When Huo Jingheng heard that Yue Chi had been invited by Consort Hui, he became very worried and rushed to the scene, only to find Yue Chi and Xiaoyue busily counting money. He hadn’t expected Yue Chi to start a business in the harem.
The Empress Dowager issued a decree requiring the concubines to begin exercising, but Yue Chi was nowhere to be seen—giving Consort Hui an opening. Xiaoyue accidentally lost the ruyi (scepter) gifted to Yue Chi by the emperor. Yue Chi didn’t blame her and joined in the search. During the search, he discovered a restricted area filled with traps. There, he encountered the Empress Dowager Du Sanniang.
Having already clashed with her once, Yue Chi fled in a panic—only to realize later he had lost a shoe. The next day, the Empress Dowager had all the concubines try on the shoe in an attempt to find the intruder. Seeing this, Consort Hui added fuel to the fire and directly accused Yue Chi. The Empress Dowager brought the concubines to confront Yue Chi, who played the role of a wronged victim and denied that the shoe was his.
Just as the Empress Dowager was about to punish him, Huo Jingheng arrived in time and stepped in front of Yue Chi. He deliberately acted as if he and Yue Chi were deeply affectionate, which made the Empress Dowager extremely pleased. She had believed he had no interest in women, but it seemed the stone-hearted tree had finally bloomed. She pulled Yue Chi aside to drink and chat, even asking him to remove his veil.
Upon seeing his face, she was reminded of her own mother—Yue Chi resembled her greatly. The two had a wonderful conversation. That night, when Yue Chi returned to his palace, he was surprised to find Huo Jingheng already there. Huo Jingheng teasingly asked to sleep there, but Yue Chi declined. Once again, Huo Jingheng found something he liked in Yue Chi’s collection and left with it—never empty-handed—leaving Yue Chi utterly helpless. Du Sanniang’s younger brother, Du Tianzhao, had returned. As the current prime minister, he came to the palace to report an urgent matter to Huo Jingheng.
Episode 3 Recap
After Du Tianzhao returned to the palace, he began complaining to the emperor about his hardships—socializing outside the palace, maintaining relations with various feudal lords, and drinking until he vomited daily. However, Huo Jingheng remarked that despite all this effort, the results were negligible. When Du Tianzhao heard that Huo Jingheng wanted Ling'er to become a consort, he was furious.
The Zheng and Yue families were long-time family friends, and Du Tianzhao had known Yue Chi and Ling'er since they were young siblings. He had feelings for Ling'er, and he never expected to be beaten to the punch by his nephew. When San Niang learned that her younger brother had returned, she went to find him. As always, she found the right moment to teach a lesson to her carefree, wandering brother.
That night, after leaving his sister’s place, Du Tianzhao overheard servants heading to Fengluan Palace to deliver the emperor’s rewards, so he followed along. Just then, he happened to catch Yue Chi secretly eating a pork knuckle. Yue Chi wasn’t wearing a veil, revealing his true identity. Du Tianzhao demanded an explanation. To keep him quiet, Yue Chi had no choice but to tell the truth.
After hearing the story, Du Tianzhao burst out laughing—he never imagined the prime minister would disguise himself as his sister to get married. Du Tianzhao proposed a deal: Yue Chi would help him read memorials, and in return, Du Tianzhao would keep his secret and take good care of Ling'er. Yue Chi agreed. Du Tianzhao visited Ling’er’s residence and overheard her talking with her guards, only to realize they were living in financial hardship.
He decided to use the opportunity to bring Ling’er to his own residence and deepen their relationship. To his surprise, Ling'er brought her entire family along. Since he had promised her, Du Tianzhao had no choice but to agree. In fact, his own salary wasn’t generous, yet he treated Ling'er’s entire family with fine food and drinks every day. Yue Chi received the emperor’s permission to leave the palace and visit his family.
But when he arrived, the house was empty. Upon learning they had been taken in by Du Tianzhao, he mistakenly thought Du Tianzhao intended to imprison them. But when he barged in and saw how happy the servants were, his anger dissipated. Since Huo Jingheng became emperor, a female assassin had been trying to kill him. The assassin turned out to be Jiang Yunqing, a former princess of the previous dynasty and Yue Chi’s fiancée.
Back then, Yue Chi had gone to war while ill, and to ensure his loyalty, the former emperor arranged his marriage to Jiang Yunqing, although the two were genuinely in love. Ling’er had been sent to the palace to accompany the princess, but in truth, the emperor was using her to threaten Yue Chi. That’s why Yue Chi could never falter on the battlefield—he had people to protect.
Jiang Yunqing originally came to rescue Ling’er but was shocked to discover that Yue Chi was still alive. At the same time, Huo Jingheng heard that a female assassin was headed toward Fengluan Palace and rushed over. Outside the door, Huo Jingheng overheard Yue Chi praising him, telling Jiang Yunqing that Huo Jingheng was a benevolent ruler. As long as the people were treated well, it didn’t matter to him who sat on the throne.
But Jiang Yunqing carried deep vengeance—whether Huo Jingheng was kind or not, she was determined to avenge her blood feud. Seeing that Huo Jingheng was about to enter the room, Yue Chi panicked and knocked Jiang Yunqing unconscious. Huo Jingheng actually noticed but didn’t expose Yue Chi. After Jiang Yunqing woke up, Yue Chi asked Du Tianzhao to help hide her at his residence. Du Tianzhao reluctantly agreed. Ling’er and Jiang Yunqing were finally reunited and hugged each other tightly.
Episode 4 Recap
Huo Jingheng intended to reduce the power of the feudal lords but couldn’t act rashly. So he prepared many memorials accusing them of arbitrarily increasing taxes and deliberately showed outrage in court. Du Tianzhao seized the opportunity to suggest weakening the lords’ powers. However, Ouyang Wenming opposed the idea, saying that Danning was built jointly by Huo Jingheng and the lords, and such an act would be unjust. Huo Jingheng was merely testing everyone’s reactions and temporarily shelved the matter.
Yue Chi, secretly eavesdropping, realized from the memorials that Huo Jingheng had staged it all. Now, his suspicions were confirmed. Huo Jingheng, aware of Yue Chi’s eavesdropping, deliberately raised his voice, determined to stop waiting and start pressuring Yue Chi to help with the matter. From Du Tianzhao, Huo Jingheng forced out the truth—that Yue Chi was assisting him with reading memorials. Pretending to be furious, he dragged Du Tianzhao to Fengluan Palace to confront Yue Chi.
Yue Chi rushed back to the palace ahead of them. Du Tianzhao was anxious, fearing their relationship would be misunderstood. However, Huo Jingheng wasn’t jealous, since he knew his beloved consort was actually Yue Chi. Huo Jingheng’s real purpose in coming was to get Yue Chi’s help in devising a strategy to reduce the lords’ power. Though Yue Chi didn’t want to get involved, he agreed in the end—to prove his innocence and for Ling’er’s sake.
After leaving Fengluan Palace, Du Tianzhao asked Huo Jingheng if this had been his plan all along. He suspected Huo Jingheng had discovered Yue Chi’s identity. Huo Jingheng denied it, claiming he merely thought that since Ling'er grew up with Yue Chi, she would naturally pick up certain traits. Yue Chi stayed up one night and came up with a plan. The next day, he met with Huo Jingheng and Du Tianzhao to discuss it.
Feudal lordships were hereditary, passed down to the eldest legitimate sons. Yue Chi suggested an heir selection process, giving all the lords’ children a fair chance. They would be brought to the capital to attend the Rongying Academy, where they’d be treated well. Those who passed the selection would earn the right to manage their own territories. Initially, Huo Jingheng objected, fearing it would bring harm. Yue Chi asked him what harm it could cause.
Convinced by Yue Chi’s reasoning, Huo Jingheng gave tacit approval. Since it was Yue Chi’s idea, Huo Jingheng asked him to oversee the academy’s construction. After Rongying Academy was built, many young heirs were invited to the palace. Upon hearing the conditions, they were thrilled. This achieved Huo Jingheng’s goal—to make them too comfortable to want to leave. When the construction was complete, Huo Jingheng brought wine to Fengluan Palace to celebrate with Yue Chi.
He deliberately mentioned that on the battlefield, he had intentionally aimed his arrow wide and only used thirty percent of his strength, yet Yue Chi still "died. " They also discussed being emperor. Huo Jingheng admitted he longed for freedom and wanted to be a wandering hero. But after seeing the people starving, he chose to become emperor—solely so they could eat and stay warm.
Episode 5 Recap
Yue Chi felt that Huo Jingheng’s drunken words were meant for him and suspected that Huo Jingheng already knew his identity. Afraid of further complications, Yue Chi decided it was time to switch back with Ling'er. He sent Xiaoyue away, and Ling’er entered through the window. Yue Chi asked if she had feelings for anyone, such as Du Tianzhao. Ling’er denied it, but when Huo Jingheng came up, her praise surprised Yue Chi.
Seeing this, he felt the time was right. He wrote down all his experiences and Huo Jingheng’s habits since entering the palace and gave them to his sister to study. At that moment, Huo Jingheng arrived at Fengluan Palace. Ling’er signaled him with her eyes. Realizing that Yue Chi was hiding nearby, Huo Jingheng didn’t show any change and continued reviewing memorials with her. The two secretly communicated by writing messages in their palms.
Yue Chi noticed their ease and intimacy and became suspicious. He decided to test her. He told Ling’er he was leaving and even explained the escape plan. She dressed as a palace maid, but midway, she was discovered and had to return with Huo Jingheng. Ling’er was happy to see her brother again. Yue Chi accompanied Huo Jingheng into the night, pretending to fall asleep.
When Huo Jingheng went to court in the morning, Yue Chi tried to escape but found that imperial guards were already stationed outside to protect the emperor. Still not giving up, Yue Chi decided to escape with Ling’er. But against so many guards, it was impossible. He thought of the Empress Dowager and wrote her a letter, planning a palace event where concubines would perform for the emperor. The Empress Dowager agreed.
Meanwhile, Du Tianzhao was heartbroken after seeing Ling’er being affectionate with Huo Jingheng. He hadn’t expected to lose his beloved to his own nephew. Jiang Yunqing took the chance to leave Du Tianzhao’s residence. On the street, she saw an announcement about flower purchases for the palace and decided to use it as a way in to assassinate Huo Jingheng. At the banquet, Yue Chi performed two magic tricks. The third trick was his escape plan.
He asked the emperor for an item, claiming he would trace it back to its origin. After getting the object, he asked everyone to close their eyes and began to slip away. Halfway out, he discovered that the item contained something of his own. He realized the emperor already knew his true identity. Just then, Yue Chi accidentally bumped into Jiang Yunqing, disguised as a palace maid. At the same time, Huo Jingheng arrived looking for Yue Chi.
Unable to stop her, Jiang Yunqing fought with Huo Jingheng. Watching from the sidelines, Consort Hui hurried off to call for help. When the Empress Dowager heard, she led people to capture the assassin. Yue Chi quickly fled with Jiang Yunqing. Huo Jingheng didn’t want to pursue the matter, but the Empress Dowager disagreed. Many assassins had been let off in the past, yet none had shown mercy to Huo Jingheng. This time, she was determined to get to the bottom of it and punish the assassin and anyone connected.
Episode 6 Recap
Yue Chi brought Jiang Yunqing to Fengluan Palace and asked Xiaoyue to protect her. Then he went to deal with the Empress Dowager’s inspection party. It turned out Consort Hui had deliberately led them there. The Empress Dowager demanded a thorough search. Yue Chi dared not disobey and could only hope for Huo Jingheng’s arrival. Sure enough, Huo Jingheng arrived promptly and, to protect Yue Chi, publicly announced that Yue Chi was pregnant.
Consort Hui, suspicious, asked for a physician to confirm. Huo Jingheng agreed and signaled the eunuch. Under Huo Jingheng’s instructions, the physician falsely claimed Yue Chi had a pregnancy pulse. The Empress Dowager was delighted—finally, a grandchild. Using Yue Chi’s need for rest as an excuse, Huo Jingheng dismissed the crowd. Then, he laid all his cards on the table, stating that he wanted Yue Chi to assist him. Only then did Yue Chi realize he’d been thoroughly manipulated.
Jiang Yunqing had already been safely delivered to Du Tianzhao, who was still unaware of what had happened. Jiang Yunqing then shocked him by saying that Yue Chi was pregnant, leaving Du Tianzhao utterly dumbfounded. That night, Consort Hui sent a pigeon message to her sworn brother, revealing Yue Fei’s pregnancy. If she gave birth, their position would be threatened, so she urged him to prepare.
Hoping to leave the palace, Yue Chi once again approached the Empress Dowager, claiming she wished to honor her deceased brother. The Empress Dowager approved. Once outside, Yue Chi rushed home, planning to take Jiang Yunqing and Ling’er away from the capital. Ling’er slowly packed, stalling for Huo Jingheng’s arrival. Soon, he arrived with a ritual procession, saying he would accompany Yue Fei in honoring her late brother. At the grave, Yue Chi made a dramatic scene.
Huo Jingheng dismissed the others and finally spoke openly. Though he hoped Yue Chi would stay to help stabilize the Danning Kingdom, Yue Chi only wanted a peaceful life. After Yue Chi left, Ling’er, who had been hiding nearby, came to Huo Jingheng and asked what to do. Huo Jingheng hadn’t given up—he wanted to try once more. Back at home, Yue Chi thought about Huo Jingheng’s words and was a little swayed.
Huo Jingheng truly was a benevolent ruler, surrounded by threats on all sides, in need of capable advisors. Still, Yue Chi felt he was not the right person. Jiang Yunqing wanted a peaceful life with him, but sensing his hesitation, she reminded him not to forget the arrow Huo Jingheng had once aimed at him. Yue Chi didn’t want to hear more and said they would leave the next day.
Though Ling’er didn’t want her brother to leave, she didn’t try to stop him. Instead, she gave him the daily log he once wrote about Huo Jingheng. That night, Huo Jingheng came to Yue Chi’s residence, personally delivering the robe and jade token of the Prime Minister. He told Yue Chi that the position of Prime Minister of Danning would always be reserved for him.
Episode 7 Recap
Yue Chi diverted the imperial guards, allowing Ling'er and Jiang Yunqing to leave first. He then left a letter for Huo Jingheng, offering him guidance on how to govern the country. In truth, Yue Chi was hesitant deep down—he wasn't sure if leaving was truly what he wanted. On the road, he even saved a child and saw that the person riding through the street on horseback was none other than the Barbarian King.
The Barbarian King had entered the capital without an imperial edict, and Yue Chi sensed something was about to happen. The Barbarian King barged into the palace, ignored Huo Jingheng, and grabbed Lord Wei by the neck when he tried to attack him. The imperial guards drew their swords against the Barbarian King. Huo Jingheng reminded him that the guards were only loyal to the emperor, not the vassal kings. Hearing this, the Barbarian King restrained himself a bit.
Just as he was questioning who had advised Huo Jingheng to allow the princes to study in the capital, Yue Chi walked in and stated outright that the idea was his. Yue Chi had changed his mind—he decided to stay and help Huo Jingheng stabilize the court. With turmoil looming, peace could be shattered in an instant. He sent a letter to Jiang Yunqing, saying that the road ahead was uncertain and he couldn't risk her safety.
Though he must disappoint her for now, if he safely left the capital one day, he would seek her out and protect her for the rest of her life. In the grand hall, Yue Chi openly supported Huo Jingheng. When the Barbarian King made a move, Yue Chi suspected him of harboring rebellious intentions. His words made the Barbarian King uneasy.
The Barbarian King claimed he had merely brought rare fruits for the emperor to taste and thus hadn’t had time to report his arrival. Given the tense situation, he quickly left. Huo Jingheng decided to make Yue Chi the Prime Minister, but knowing this would spark opposition, he advised Yue Chi to be prepared for a war of words with the ministers—just enough to hold them off.
Minister Zhang claimed that Yue Chi, being from the former dynasty, had ambitions to restore it by entering court affairs. Yue Chi remained composed, accusing Minister Zhang of baseless slander. Huo Jingheng reminded Zhang that, by current law, he should be executed on the spot. Seeing this, Zhang fell silent. Yue Chi stated that he had served the people in the former dynasty and continued to do so in the present one.
Since the people are the foundation of the nation, the ministers' concerns were unnecessary. Though they had temporarily appeased the ministers in court, constant opposition was not sustainable. They now needed to shift their stance. Huo Jingheng had an idea—he found the weaknesses in the opposing ministers’ private lives and had Yue Chi confront them one by one. Eventually, Yue Chi naturally assumed the position of Right Prime Minister.
Although Lord Ouyang and Lord Wei supported Yue Chi’s appointment, they set conditions: the title "Lord of Qilin" must not be reinstated, or it would be considered treason, and no member of the Yue family could hold court office. Lord Wei, ill and bedridden, had Lord Ouyang submit the petition and even staged a melodramatic act to “force” Huo Jingheng into agreement. Furious, Huo Jingheng decided to grant Lord Ouyang’s request.
The ministers urged Huo Jingheng to reconsider, and Yue Chi volunteered to comply with Lord Ouyang’s terms. Seeing this, Huo Jingheng had no words left. Knowing her brother was being targeted, Ling'er decided to enter the palace to help him. Yue Chi couldn't manage both the court and the inner palace, but once Ling'er entered, the Empress Dowager granted her authority over the six palaces.
This displeased Consort Hui greatly, so she immediately sent a letter to her sworn brother to await his instructions. Consort Hui went to see Ling'er, curious to see how she would wield her new power, but Ling'er avoided her. Ling'er then approached Huo Jingheng, asking him to have the Empress Dowager rescind the decree. Huo Jingheng told her to follow the Empress Dowager’s orders for now and learn how to survive in the harem, while being mindful that others were watching her too.
Episode 8 Recap
Following Du Tianzhao’s advice, Ling'er ensured that Huo Jingheng favored all concubines equally. She essentially auctioned off Huo Jingheng in the inner palace—whether to meet him, have tea with him, or perform for him—all had different prices. When Huo Jingheng came to see Ling'er, he was instead met by Lady Lan, who informed him about the auction. Furious, he had Eunuch Du return the money Lady Lan had spent and stormed off.
Huo Jingheng received a ten-thousand-word memorial from Lord Wei, suggesting Yue Chi serve as a powerless puppet Prime Minister. Huo Jingheng was infuriated. Yue Chi happened to arrive just then and thought Huo Jingheng was angry at him. After understanding the situation, he comforted Huo Jingheng. The two were indeed excellent partners, sharing the same ideals and a common goal of serving the people. Yue Chi, Ling'er, Huo Jingheng, Du Tianzhao, and others were enjoying themselves in the imperial garden.
Huo Jingheng disliked how Du Tianzhao was fawning over Ling'er and sent him off on errands. Ling'er was troubled by the lives of the women in the harem, believing they shouldn't be confined and should learn to live for themselves. Yue Chi advised his sister to establish a dedicated department in the harem so that these talented women could have a platform to showcase their skills. Enlightened by the idea, Ling'er was deeply grateful to her brother.
Their joyful gathering was spotted by the Empress Dowager, who sensed something was off. She secretly followed Ling'er to Fengluan Palace and discovered that the “Consort Yue” there wasn’t the same one she had once shared wine with. Furious, the Empress Dowager seized the chance when Huo Jingheng left the palace the next day to summon Yue Chi, but he slipped away. She ordered a thorough search and eventually traced him to Fengluan Palace.
Just as Yue Chi slipped inside, Du Tianzhao came to warn them, but the Empress Dowager arrived right after. Ling'er quickly devised a plan: she disguised herself as a maid, darkened her face, and pretended to have a secret rendezvous with Du Tianzhao. At the critical moment, Huo Jingheng returned and, seeing the scene, punched Du Tianzhao several times in anger. At that point, the only option was to punish Du Tianzhao, sentencing him to twenty strokes.
Huo Jingheng wasn’t too worried—he knew his mother doted on her beloved younger son. Yue Chi still failed to leave the palace. He was caught by the Empress Dowager’s men and beaten. She demanded a duel, but Yue Chi couldn’t strike her—neither officially nor personally. Yue Chi expressed his true intentions. Trusting her son's judgment, the Empress Dowager released Yue Chi and wished him well in his duties. Under Ling'er's arrangements, her 100-day plan proceeded smoothly.
The concubines each displayed their talents. However, during one incense-making session, due to poor ventilation and the mixing of scents, everyone fainted. Fortunately, Ling'er woke up in time and helped everyone out, but Consort Hui remained inside. Ling'er went back in to find her. To prevent Consort Hui from inhaling more of the toxic fumes, she removed her veil, soaked it with water, covered her mouth and nose, and helped her out. In her dazed state, Consort Hui caught a glimpse of Ling'er's real face and sensed she wasn’t the same “Consort Yue” she had known before.
Episode 9 Recap
When Consort Hui woke up, her first reaction was that Consort Yue was not the real Consort Yue, so she wanted to report her. However, none of the other consorts were willing to join her this time. Thanks to Consort Yue, they had all been able to do things they liked, and Consort Yue had even made plans for them in the harem. Seeing everyone walk away, Consort Hui was furious.
Consort Hui sent a message to her sworn brother, but was caught by the guard Wei Zhang. Huo Jingheng and Yue Chi read the letter—it said that Consort Yue had been replaced. Yue Chi hadn’t expected Consort Hui to be far more cunning than they imagined, but for now, they decided not to act. Ling’er brought them her homemade plum wine. After one sip, both men thought it was excellent.
Huo Jingheng asked Ling’er to bring some to the Empress Dowager the next day. This angered Yue Chi—he couldn’t believe Huo Jingheng was even making his sister do chores. But Ling’er was happy to help. Inspired by the other consorts, she had found something she liked to do. Ling’er delivered the wine to the Empress Dowager, but Zhao Jieyu unexpectedly pulled off her own veil.
Before leaving, Zhao Jieyu whispered to Ling’er not to be nervous—they already believed she was Consort Yue. Ling’er sat and drank with the Empress Dowager but got drunk easily. The Empress Dowager found the adorable Ling’er very lovable. That evening, Ling’er had dinner with Huo Jingheng and Yue Chi and recounted the events of the day. Huo Jingheng realized that the Empress Dowager had known the truth all along but had stayed silent, clearly sharing his intentions.
He warned Ling’er that if anyone asked about her appearance, she should play dumb—especially when dealing with Consort Hui. Consort Hui’s sworn brother turned out to be the Barbarian King. He sneaked into her residence at night and urged her to find a way to make Ling’er miscarry. Wei Zhang overheard their conversation and reported it to the Emperor and Yue Chi.
The two had been worrying about how to move the plot forward, and now this incident could help them trap Consort Hui. But just as the mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind, the Empress Dowager had also placed people to monitor their movements. She didn't care about anything else—she only wanted a royal grandchild. Consort Hui laced Ling’er’s pastries with medicine.
Just as Ling’er was about to eat them, the Empress Dowager arrived with identical pastries and deliberately reminded Ling’er not to eat anything unclean. She ordered Xiaoyue to take away the drugged pastries. Under the Empress Dowager’s protection, Consort Hui had no chance to make a move. Wanting to uncover Consort Hui’s next move, Ling’er volunteered to disguise herself as a beautiful palace maid and eavesdrop.
However, she ate too much beforehand and let out a hiccup while hiding, nearly getting caught by the Barbarian King. Fortunately, Huo Jingheng arrived in time and held her tightly behind a large tree. They overheard Consort Hui’s plan—the Barbarian King wanted to act during her upcoming birthday. The Empress Dowager learned that Consort Hui had invited Ling’er to the banquet.
Initially, she didn’t want Ling’er to attend, but after some coaxing, she reluctantly agreed—reminding her not to eat anything carelessly. Consort Hui laced every dish with abortive medicine, determined to succeed. However, things didn’t go as planned. Ling’er didn’t eat anything and left shortly after making an appearance. Consort Hui chased her to the riverside, urging her to return and eat. Seizing the chance, Ling’er pretended to fall into the water.
Eunuch Gui loudly shouted that Consort Hui had pushed Ling’er in. Huo Jingheng arrived in time and jumped into the water to rescue her. He once again coordinated with the old imperial doctor to fake Ling’er’s miscarriage. The Empress Dowager was furious at their deception, but seeing her son’s care for Ling’er, she suspected he might truly be in love.
Episode 10 Recap
Ling’er didn’t tell the Emperor or her brother about her injury from falling into the water, afraid they would worry. When Xiaoyue was treating her wounds, Huo Jingheng arrived and personally applied medicine. Their relationship grew increasingly close and ambiguous. For harming Ling’er, the Emperor punished Consort Hui by sealing her palace—essentially placing her in cold storage. The Empress Dowager went to great lengths to match Huo Jingheng and Ling’er.
She initially wanted the experienced Du Tianzhao to give Huo Jingheng some advice. But Du Tianzhao suspected Huo Jingheng liked Ling’er, so he refused to help. The Empress Dowager arranged for Huo Jingheng and Ling’er to meet separately at her forbidden medicinal pool. The atmosphere made them both shy and awkward. They decided not to enter the pool and left together. Huo Jingheng noticed something behind a screen and, thinking it was a hidden weapon, instinctively shielded Ling’er.
They ended up in each other’s arms, feeling each other's heartbeats. Secretly watching, the Empress Dowager beamed with joy—no one knew her son better than she did. Huo Jingheng was clearly in love with Ling’er, and she was determined to see their marriage happen. Consort Hui had lost all hope. Burdened by hatred and controlled by the Barbarian King, she couldn’t live a normal life. With no chance for revenge, she decided to end her own life.
Fortunately, Zhao Jieyu and another consort arrived in time to save her. They told Consort Hui that, after over two years together in the palace, they had become family. Her self-destruction saddened them, and their scolding woke her up. Meanwhile, Ling’er also pleaded with Huo Jingheng to show leniency. She later learned that Huo Jingheng had never intended to take Consort Hui’s life. Just then, Wei Zhang reported that Consort Hui had tried to take her own life.
Huo Jingheng and the others rushed over and found her safe. He asked Yue Chi to talk to her alone. Consort Hui thanked them for pleading on her behalf but said she would never consider Yue Chi family. After that, Ling’er and Consort Hui became close friends and even card-playing companions. Consort Hui took the initiative to confess the true mastermind and many of his crimes. This time, Huo Jingheng had had enough.
He ordered Yue Chi to arrest the Barbarian King. Yue Chi had long been keeping him under surveillance and captured him immediately. Just then, Wei Zhang reported that the Barbarian King had been rescued by allies and had escaped—but they didn’t know who helped him. Yue Chi volunteered to pursue him. The Barbarian King had been rescued by Yi Qingyun, the Crown Prince of Liguo, who wanted to form an alliance.
Yue Chi was ambushed along the way, but thanks to his excellent martial skills, he escaped. He eventually caught up with Yi Qingyun’s carriage and saw his face but was hit by a hidden arrow.
Episode 11 Recap
Yue Chi was sent back home to recover. Jiang Yunqing, who served Yi Qingyun, confessed to him for her failure to carry out the plan. Yi Qingyun controlled her through poison—when he played a flute, she would be in excruciating pain unless she took the antidote. Jiang Yunqing had shot the arrow; without her, Yi Qingyun would not have escaped. Yi Qingyun also took interest in Yue Chi’s abilities and wanted to invite him to become the Prince Regent.
But Jiang Yunqing knew Yue Chi had no interest in rank—he only cared about the people and his Yue family. Jiang Yunqing returned to Yue Chi’s residence, pretending to be injured. Seeing her in that state broke Yue Chi’s heart. He begged her not to keep hurting herself, saying the late Empress would also want her to be safe and happy. They reminisced about when they first met.
Jiang Yunqing, then a princess lost to the outside world, had only returned to the palace as an adult. Yue Chi was a general at the time and often saw her. Though the Emperor acknowledged her, her position in the palace was weak and she was bullied. Yue Chi wanted to protect her, but his friend Pei Ning stopped him.
When Yue Chi’s father learned of this, he summoned him and gave him military medicine to heal the princess and the crown prince. Yue Chi noticed Jiang Yunqing eating chestnut cakes, although she had disliked them as a child. He had someone investigate and suspected that an innocent girl might have gotten involved in the massacre years ago and taken something that could change her fate.
Yue Chi took Jiang Yunqing to a place where Yunshuo lived happily with an old couple. Jiang Yunqing was deeply grateful and decided to stay with Yue Chi. Since he said Huo Jingheng was a wise ruler worth following, she was willing to observe. Yue Chi was thrilled but kept her in his residence due to her sensitive identity. One day, while Jiang Yunqing and Yue Chi were dining, Huo Jingheng suddenly came by.
Frustrated with reviewing memorials, he had come to seek Yue Chi’s help and was surprised to see Jiang Yunqing there. She pretended to be calm but deliberately left behind her jade waist token in Huo Jingheng’s carriage. Recognizing it, Huo Jingheng realized she was the princess of the former dynasty. Yue Chi had kept this from him, and Huo Jingheng was furious—not because of her identity, but because Yue Chi thought so little of him.
After Jiang Yunqing’s identity was exposed, Yue Chi hurriedly arranged for her to leave the city. At the same time, Huo Jingheng had Du Tianzhao summon Yue Chi to the palace. Huo Jingheng didn’t want to make things hard for Yue Chi and offered to arrange Jiang Yunqing’s escape. He was suspicious of her sudden appearance and worried she might be manipulated.
But Yue Chi insisted on escorting her himself, and Huo Jingheng reluctantly agreed, giving him two days to get her out. Jiang Yunqing refused to leave, so Yue Chi asked someone to inform Ling’er to return home under the pretense of a family visit. She had to act quietly and discreetly. Huo Jingheng hoped Ling’er could persuade Jiang Yunqing to leave the capital.
Episode 12 Recap
When Ling’er returned home, Uncle Liu was overjoyed and had already prepared her favorite buns. Ling’er shared them with Jiang Yunqing. Yue Chi, knowing his sister was a foodie, reminded her not to forget the task he gave her. Ling’er was happy during her time at home, but Huo Jingheng was gloomy. He missed her and, with his mother’s encouragement, went out of the palace to find her. This time, he didn’t hide his identity in front of Jiang Yunqing.
Faced with her enemy, Jiang Yunqing couldn’t stay calm. That evening, the three of them went out. When Huo Jingheng wanted to give Ling’er a lantern, Jiang Yunqing stepped in, saying she liked it too. Huo Jingheng stayed silent, and Ling’er, taking the initiative, gave the lantern to Jiang Yunqing. Huo Jingheng sent Ling’er away and spoke with Jiang Yunqing alone. He told her that some things couldn't be obtained by force.
Ling’er watched from afar and felt a twinge of jealousy. Back home, she recalled what had happened and suspected that Jiang Yunqing might like Huo Jingheng. She didn’t want to think that way but couldn’t stop herself. It tormented her all night. In the morning, she tripped at the bedside. Jiang Yunqing arrived, and Ling’er said she had a nightmare: the two of them were fighting over a pillow.
Jiang Yunqing laughed and told her if that were true, she’d give her the pillow and find the best one in the world for her. Touched by Jiang Yunqing’s kindness, Ling’er felt guilty. If Jiang Yunqing really liked Huo Jingheng, she would give them her blessing. Lately, the Empress Dowager had been paying close attention to Fengluan Palace. She learned that Jiang Yunqing might have feelings for Huo Jingheng.
As a mother, she couldn’t let anyone interfere with her son and Ling’er’s relationship. She personally issued an edict banning Jiang Yunqing from ever entering the capital again. Yue Chi was pleased, but it seemed Jiang Yunqing had other motives. Not only was she sowing discord between Huo Jingheng and Yue Chi, she also wanted to break up Huo Jingheng and Ling’er. Huo Jingheng saw through her immediately.
He helped cover for Yue Chi and Jiang Yunqing, saying she was merely Yue Chi’s savior and he had no other feelings for her. If there was any bond, it was one of karma from a past life between her and Yue Chi. Yue Chi finally realized that Jiang Yunqing’s real reason for staying wasn’t to observe if Huo Jingheng was a wise ruler—it was revenge. Yue Chi was both angry and heartbroken.
That night, Huo Jingheng snuck into Yue Chi’s residence with meat and wine. Knowing Yue Chi’s concerns, he promised he would never be influenced by Jiang Yunqing’s identity. Even if she stayed at Yue Chi’s residence, he wouldn’t interfere. All he asked was that from now on, there be no more secrets between them. Jiang Yunqing reported back to Yi Qingyun, saying that Yue Chi couldn’t be used. But Yi Qingyun didn’t give up and pressured her for solutions.
Huo Jingheng was practicing archery when someone deliberately passed him the news that Yue Chi had cared for the former crown prince Yunshuo for years. Huo Jingheng flew into a rage and demanded an explanation from Yue Chi.
Episode 13 Recap
Xiao Shuo took advantage of the break time to bring his slingshot and look for Yue Chi. Unexpectedly, Huo Jingheng suddenly arrived. He saw Xiao Shuo. In a panic, Yue Chi quickly told Xiao Shuo to leave. When Xiao Shuo left, he accidentally dropped the slingshot. Yue Chi stopped Huo Jingheng, hoping he could listen to his explanation, but before he could even speak, he received the news that Xiao Shuo had been kidnapped.
Finding Xiao Shuo was the top priority. Yue Chi requested Huo Jingheng's help. Huo Jingheng finally softened and brought a large team. He and Jiang Yunqing went out in the rain late at night to search for Xiao Shuo. Jiang Yunqing knew where Xiao Shuo was and deliberately placed the dropped slingshot on the road to guide everyone there. Finally, Huo Jingheng found Xiao Shuo, cut the iron chains binding him, and carried him away on his back.
Yue Chi was very moved by this sight. In front of everyone, he knelt before Huo Jingheng and explained the reason. He guaranteed that Xiao Shuo had no idea of restoration. He just wanted Xiao Shuo to grow up safely like a normal child, and hoped Huo Jingheng would act as if he had never seen Xiao Shuo. Huo Jingheng listened to his words, smiled, shook his head, and left.
After leaving the court, Yue Chi did not go to find Huo Jingheng. Huo Jingheng was very angry and, in a fit of pique, decided to go look for the consorts. However, they were not in their own palaces; everyone was gathered with Consort Yue playing cards. Huo Jingheng had nowhere to go, so he could only go to the Empress Dowager to vent his grievances.
Seeing her son's angry look, the Empress Dowager was amused and annoyed at the same time. However, she trusted Yue Chi, believing that Yue Chi must have his reasons for doing so. Xiao Shuo's kidnapping was deliberate on Yi Qingyun's part. He wanted to use it to sow discord between Huo Jingheng and Yue Chi, and also to test Jiang Yunqing. Jiang Yunqing led the two of them to rescue Xiao Shuo.
Yi Qingyun was very angry because she ruined his plan. It was time for Jiang Yunqing to take the antidote. She went to beg Yi Qingyun, and Yi Qingyun finally gave her the antidote. In fact, Yi Qingyun had long known that Jiang Yunqing was not the real Jiang Yunqing; he just wanted to use her. However, at this time, Jiang Yunqing was no longer as obedient to Yi Qingyun as before.
The Empress Dowager felt unbalanced after losing a lot while playing cards before, and wanted to seize the opportunity to collect some things from the consorts. Huo Jingheng knew what his mother meant, and in order to make her happy, he could only cooperate with her act. They arrived at Fengluan Palace.
Huo Jingheng used the reason that they were gathering to play cards and corrupting the atmosphere to punish the consorts by ordering them to go back and face the wall indefinitely. All gambling money was confiscated. Actually, it all ended up in the Empress Dowager's hands. However, the Empress Dowager favored Ling'er and left all her things untouched. Ling'er knew that Huo Jingheng and Yue Chi had been having a spat recently.
She took the opportunity to cheer up Huo Jingheng, hoping he would reconcile with Yue Chi quickly and stop deliberately avoiding him. Huo Jingheng denied it, but hearing Ling'er say this, he immediately summoned Yue Chi. Coincidentally, Yi Qingyun was requesting an audience at the palace gate. Huo Jingheng knew that the visitor's intentions were not good, so he directly ordered Eunuch Gui to summon Yue Chi to Fengyuan Hall.
When the three met, Yue Chi directly recounted what happened on the day of pursuing the Barbarian King. He had seen Yi Qingyun that day, and he suspected that Yi Qingyun had rescued the Barbarian King, but Yi Qingyun denied it. After Yi Qingyun left, Huo Jingheng and Yue Chi also cleared up their misunderstandings with each other. They both stated that they would not fail or betray each other.
Yi Qingyun's purpose for this visit was to win over Yue Chi, so he catered to his interests by sending Yue Chi many old weapons and blades. Yue Chi could not accept them, but the envoy did not dare to refuse Yi Qingyun directly, so he asked Yue Chi to meet with Yi Qingyun and refuse him personally. Huo Jingheng sent people to secretly monitor Yi Qingyun. Although Yi Qingyun was trying to win favor with Yue Chi, Huo Jingheng believed that Yue Chi could handle it well.
Episode 14 Recap
Yue Chi and Yi Qingyun met in private. Yi Qingyun was very direct, hoping Yue Chi could become the regent of Li Kingdom. Yue Chi had no such intention, but Yi Qingyun showed no sign of giving up, stating that once he ascended the throne, he would definitely issue an imperial decree to ensure Yue Chi's safety for life. After Yi Qingyun left, Huo Jingheng appeared.
He was very angry but did not let Yue Chi explain, only drinking with him. Seeing Huo Jingheng like this, Yue Chi could only obey and keep him company. Huo Jingheng drank too much and was taken back to Yue Chi's residence.
The next day, Huo Jingheng woke up, originally planning to have a meal at the residence before returning to the palace, but as soon as he left the room, he saw Yue Chi, Xiao Shuo, and Jiang Yunqing together, talking and laughing. He felt a little jealous, thinking they looked like a family, lost his appetite for food, and turned around to return to the palace. A disaster occurred in Qi City.
The relief grain that Zhennan General Gu was waiting for was long overdue because something went wrong during transportation midway. Behind this incident was Yi Qingyun, who had arranged for the Barbarian King to do it. At a critical moment, to provide food for the people, General Gu used military grain. As soon as this happened, all the civil and military officials in the court suggested that Huo Jingheng should punish him.
Since ancient times, military grain could not be moved; this was a rule. But Huo Jingheng knew that General Gu had done it for the people, so he had no intention of punishing him. In the court, Yue Chi remained silent and did not kneel and plead with Huo Jingheng like the other ministers. After the court session, Yue Chi went to see Huo Jingheng. He stated that he had already sent people to escort General Gu to prison.
Huo Jingheng was very angry, thinking Yue Chi would understand him. Yue Chi pleaded with Huo Jingheng to execute General Gu as a warning to others. Huo Jingheng hoped Yue Chi could understand him just this once, but Yue Chi found it difficult to comply. Huo Jingheng was furious. Since that was the case, he would let Yue Chi kneel there. Yue Chi knelt in the rain for most of the night.
Huo Jingheng had given him a chance, but he still did not change his mind. Later, he was persuaded to leave by Eunuch Gui. Yue Chi returned to his residence and learned that Jiang Yunqing was missing. He immediately rushed to find her and later found her unconscious in a Buddhist hall. Jiang Yunqing used the excuse of being weak all over to deliberately delay Huo Jingheng. She was buying time for Yi Qingyun.
Upon hearing that Huo Jingheng intended to pardon General Gu, many ministers deliberately gathered to stop him. That night, after sending Jiang Yunqing back to her residence, Yue Chi quickly left. He reached the city gate and watched from afar as the ministers pressured Huo Jingheng. He raised his bow and arrow. Seeing the situation, General Gu personally asked the emperor to punish him according to the law.
He stated that when he did this, he had already anticipated the consequences and had acted with the determination to die. At the critical moment, Yue Chi shot an arrow at General Gu, who died on the spot. Afterward, Yue Chi appeared and knelt before Huo Jingheng, stating that he had resolved the issue of General Gu on the Emperor's orders. The ministers then dispersed. Huo Jingheng was extremely angry and personally carried away General Gu's body.
Episode 15 Recap
Huo Jingheng secretly went to General Gu's residence to see him off one last time, but was recognized by the son, who believed he was the murderer of his father and drew his sword. Yue Chi, who arrived in time, stopped him. Yue Chi stated that General Gu had died by his hand. Later, General Gu's wife appeared, stopped her son, and closed the door after saying that it was inconvenient to receive visitors today.
As a convicted minister, the funeral could only be held quietly. Yue Chi arranged for his subordinates to see General Gu off. They carried General Gu's coffin, giving him a final dignity. Yue Chi was heartbroken, recalling Huo Jingheng's words, knowing the difficulty in his heart, but as the ruler of a nation, one must learn to make sacrifices.
Ling'er knew her brother and Huo Jingheng had a conflict and was very anxious, so she wanted to actively bring them together to reconcile. However, she felt somewhat powerless. At this time, she could only ask Du Tianzhao for help. Du Tianzhao felt that the Empress Dowager's help was needed at this moment. The Empress Dowager summoned Yue Chi to the palace. She told Yue Chi about Huo Jingheng's father.
Back then, Huo Jingheng's father was a prefect and also encountered a disaster. The court's relief grain was supposed to arrive soon, but something went wrong with the grain, and it was all soaked in water. Huo Jingheng's father had no choice but to lead people to seize military grain to feed the people. When the matter was exposed, the prefect was arrested. Huo Jingheng wanted to save his father, but his father stopped him.
He told Huo Jingheng that when he did this, he already knew the outcome and acted with the determination to die, so he had no regrets. Later, in prison, Huo Jingheng's father received a letter carried by a messenger pigeon from his advisor, learning that the disaster was under control. He felt his long-cherished wish was fulfilled and committed suicide in prison. Huo Jingheng's father left his son a token engraved with the character '衡' (Heng), secretly hiding a dagger.
He told Huo Jingheng that only those who can save the people can be called heroes. Huo Jingheng always remembered this sentence. Yue Chi did not expect Huo Jingheng to have such a story. He returned to his residence, holding that token and thinking about Huo Jingheng's words, and began to blame himself. He questioned whether his own actions were truly correct. Yue Chi went to General Gu's residence with a long spear.
General Gu's son mistakenly thought he was there to silence them, so he prepared to challenge him, but he was no match for Yue Chi at all. Yue Chi fought with him only hoping that he would not give up because of this, but would build a career through his own efforts, so that he could protect the people he wanted to protect. Huo Jingheng also arrived in time after receiving the news.
He was worried that Yue Chi might hurt General Gu's family, but fortunately, it was just a false alarm. Mrs. Gu hoped that Huo Jingheng could allow her son to train in the military, and Huo Jingheng agreed.
Ling'er found that her brother and Huo Jingheng had not yet reconciled, so she decided to follow Du Tianzhao's suggestion, using her own means to get Huo Jingheng and Yue Chi to meet, and then lock them in a room, hoping they could talk and reconcile. At first, the two indeed could not communicate well, until later they saw a chessboard and began to review the events that had happened in recent days.
From this, they deduced that these matters must be related to Yi Qingyun, but he could not have accomplished it alone, there must be an insider. Huo Jingheng and Yue Chi thought of the same person, but Yue Chi did not want to believe that person was Jiang Yunqing. As for whether she could be made to show a flaw, further testing was needed. So the two pretended to break up, even involving Ling'er, whose titles were removed. Jiang Yunqing overheard the news and immediately went to report to Yi Qingyun. She did not expect that Yue Chi had already sent people to secretly follow her.
Episode 16 Recap
Jiang Yunqing returned to her residence, thinking she wouldn't be discovered, but she didn't expect Yue Chi to appear just as she entered the room. Yue Chi revealed everything that had happened in the past. Jiang Yunqing admitted to everything except the matter of Xiao Shuo. Yue Chi was very sad, not expecting that he too was a pawn used by Jiang Yunqing. Yue Ling'er came to find Huo Jingheng, but he refused to see her.
He had done something wrong and was deliberately avoiding Yue Ling'er. Yue Ling'er was very angry and decided to leave the palace to find her brother. When Huo Jingheng found out, he didn't stop her, but arranged for Wei Zhang to go and protect her. Yue Ling'er returned home but was kidnapped by Jiang Yunqing.
Yue Chi stated that Yue Ling'er was innocent and hoped she would let her go, but Jiang Yunqing didn't listen at all and left with Yue Ling'er. Seeing this, Xiao Yue immediately returned to the palace to report to the Emperor. At this time, the Emperor and Du Tianzhao were chatting. Before Xiao Yue could finish speaking, he left like a gust of wind. Huo Jingheng, Yue Chi, and Du Tianzhao split up to search for Yue Ling'er.
Yue Ling'er didn't know what had happened, but she stated that she would protect Jiang Yunqing. Jiang Yunqing took Yue Ling'er to a thatched hut. It was nearing the end of the month, and the gu inside Jiang Yunqing was about to act up. After she felt unwell and fainted, Yue Ling'er took care of her by her side. Yue Ling'er saw the gu inside her body, but she didn't understand it.
She just thought there was a small bug inside her body. The naive Yue Ling'er wanted to stab the bug to death with a knife, but she couldn't bring herself to do it in front of Jiang Yunqing. At this moment, Jiang Yunqing woke up. Coincidentally, Yi Qingyun and his group had given Yue Chi directions, and Yue Chi also arrived at the thatched hut. Jiang Yunqing once again held Yue Ling'er hostage to threaten Yue Chi.
Although Yue Ling'er didn't know what had happened between them, she only had one thought: to protect Jiang Yunqing. If being held hostage could protect Jiang Yunqing, then she was willing to do so wholeheartedly. Seeing this, Jiang Yunqing couldn't bring herself to harm Yue Ling'er either, so she simply pushed Yue Ling'er towards Yue Chi and then fled. Yue Chi went to chase her. Just then, Huo Jingheng also arrived at the thatched hut.
He saw Yue Ling'er crying very sadly and felt very uncomfortable in his heart. Yue Ling'er thought of the time when Jiang Yunqing protected her. Back then, the imperial city was breached, and many people died. Jiang Yunqing took Yue Ling'er alone to escape for their lives. Later, she gave Yue Ling'er the chance to live. She had fulfilled her promise to Yue Chi.
Yue Ling'er was someone Jiang Yunqing had protected with her life, so she certainly didn't want Yue Chi and Huo Jingheng to harm Jiang Yunqing. Yue Chi caught up with Jiang Yunqing. He hoped that Jiang Yunqing could come home with him and admitted that he already knew her identity, but none of that was important. Jiang Yunqing knew she couldn't turn back, so she still chose to leave Yue Chi.
Yue Chi returned to the thatched hut by himself and reunited with Yue Ling'er and the others. Yue Ling'er saw the understanding between Yue Chi and Huo Jingheng and guessed that Jiang Yunqing had betrayed them. After returning to the palace, Yue Ling'er was always unhappy. Du Tianzhao tried to cheer her up. This time, as her uncle, he spoke fairly, saying that Huo Jingheng was the unluckiest.
He had been repeatedly assassinated, and the assassin was a former dynasty princess, but for the sake of Yue Chi and Yue Ling'er, the brother and sister, he had always been accommodating and made concessions. These past few days, Huo Jingheng had been avoiding Yue Ling'er. He wanted to give Yue Ling'er some time to ease her emotions, so he privately arranged for Consort Hui and a few others to accompany Yue Ling'er. He also gave them some treasures.
Consort Hui and the others knew the Emperor's intention, so they agreed. When Yue Ling'er saw the consorts coming, she felt a bit better. Knowing that they were there to play cards with her, she didn't dampen the mood and played cards with them.
Episode 17 Recap
The Empress Dowager learned that Yue Ling'er was kidnapped by Jiang Yunqing and was very angry. She sent people to capture her and imprison her in the Zhaoyu (Imperial Prison). Wei Zhang reported this matter to Huo Jingheng. Huo Jingheng originally thought of trying to have Wei Zhang go and rescue her, but the Empress Dowager had sent people to guard her, making it completely hopeless. Yue Chi was secretly summoned into the palace.
Huo Jingheng informed him of this matter. Yue Chi wanted Huo Jingheng to sentence him to death, but Huo Jingheng would not do so. Soon, it spread throughout the common people that the current Prime Minister had a marriage engagement with the former dynasty's princess, and that the Prime Minister was secretly hiding the former dynasty's princess. It seemed he had long harbored intentions of rebellion.
It was precisely Yi Qingyun who arranged for people to spread the news, aiming to sow discord and also make Yue Chi have no place to stand in Da Ning. The Emperor knew that the ministers would certainly propose severe punishment for Yue Chi in court, so he did not attend court for a reason. Seeing this, Lord Ouyang could only wail and protest in court.
Seeing that it was futile, he, along with the ministers, submitted a memorial to the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager came to see Huo Jingheng with a pile of memorials. Huo Jingheng decided to handle it coldly. To protect Yue Chi's innocent heart, Huo Jingheng took him into the Zhaoyu at night and rescued Jiang Yunqing.
When the Empress Dowager found out, she was very angry and reprimanded Huo Jingheng, saying there were many methods, but he chose the most foolish one. Yue Chi felt guilty. Regarding the matter of General Gu back then, he had chosen to stand on the opposite side of Huo Jingheng. He didn't expect that now Huo Jingheng could actually help him. Therefore, for several consecutive days, he did not attend the morning court, using various physical discomforts as excuses.
When Huo Jingheng found out, he personally went to his residence to find him. At this time, Yue Chi was drinking and eating. Upon learning that Huo Jingheng had arrived, he rushed to see him in a panic. He saw Huo Jingheng teaching Xiao Shuo how to use a slingshot and sent Xiao Shuo away. Huo Jingheng's visit this time was simply to express his confidence in guarding Da Ning together with Yue Chi.
He valued Yue Chi as his partner. Yue Chi looked at Huo Jingheng's trust in him, felt very grateful inside, and agreed to him. To appease the ministers, Huo Jingheng deliberately put on a performance in court. He stated that he would gain the ministers' forgiveness by dying. Lord Ouyang quickly declared that the top priority was to capture the criminal. This matter finally came to an end.
Yue Chi looked at everything Huo Jingheng had done for him and was deeply moved. Huo Jingheng wanted Yue Ling'er to leave the palace. He gave Yue Chi three days to come up with two plans to make Consort Yue die. Only then could the matter of him dressing as a woman be hidden. Yue Chi deeply regretted it. If he had known there was such a task, he would have been better off continuing to feign illness at home.
The daughter of a long-standing family who had fought alongside the Huo family to build the empire suddenly appeared. Princess Wen Rou had disappeared for a long time and now reappeared. Both the Empress Dowager and the Emperor found it somewhat strange, but they still welcomed her into the palace. Princess Wen Rou recounted what had happened. Initially, she fell into the hands of human traffickers and was rescued by an old woman.
Later, when she learned that Huo Jingheng had become emperor, she inquired and only then found out that she was in Qicheng. That was why she found the local county magistrate and reported the matter upwards. Huo Jingheng stated that he would arrange everything for the princess. The Empress Dowager also felt she could stay in the Imperial City, but the princess wanted to stay in the palace to serve the Empress Dowager and the Emperor.
The Empress Dowager was very surprised. The King of Beijun was a meritorious official who founded the dynasty and died on the battlefield. Huo Jingheng should treat his daughter generously. Therefore, he temporarily allowed her to stay in the palace, but he had no intention of letting her enter the inner palace.
Episode 18 Recap
Princess Wen Rou entered the palace to avenge her father. She believed her father's death was caused by Huo Jingheng's refusal to send troops to rescue him, so she definitely wanted to kill this scoundrel. Since Huo Jingheng was not interested in women, she could start with his favored consort, which was Consort Yue of Fengluan Palace. Huo Jingheng went to Fengluan Palace for a meal and discussed the matter of her death by illness with Ling'er.
Ling'er was actually unwilling to leave the palace in the first place and was very dissatisfied with the method of feigning death by illness. The princess specifically visited Fengluan Palace. She used her usual trick, bringing local dishes she made herself, and actively befriended Ling'er. Ling'er, seeing that Princess Wen Rou was indeed as gentle as her name, did not detect the other party's purpose due to her simplicity. The princess came to find Ling'er almost every day.
The Empress Dowager, hearing the news, specifically brought braised food made by the small kitchen to Fengluan Palace. Coincidentally, Du Tianzhao also arrived shortly after. Because the princess was constantly pestering Ling'er all day, Du Tianzhao couldn't spend time alone with Ling'er anymore, so he was a bit unhappy. The princess had a connection with the Barbarian King.
The Barbarian King was fond of the princess, and the princess happened to want to use the Barbarian King to help her get rid of Huo Jingheng. The matter of General Gu back then had not shaken Huo Jingheng's position at all. The princess was very angry and felt the Barbarian King was ineffective, so she decided to take action herself. The Barbarian King was very worried about Princess Wen Rou entering the palace.
He felt a bit of regret, thinking he should have stopped her back then. Huo Jingheng and Yue Chi thought of a new method: making Ling'er fall and get injured while riding a horse. Huo Jingheng had prepared protective gear, and Yue Chi felt relieved after personally testing it and confirming it was safe.
They planned to quickly get the matter done while the Empress Dowager was worshipping Buddha at Chengen Temple for the next few days, otherwise, they would have to explain it to the elderly lady again. The plan for Ling'er to fall off the horse failed because Princess Wen Rou appeared in time and saved her, also demonstrating her superb riding skills. Now Yue Chi and the others could only think of another way.
Huo Jingheng took out the backup plan, using the Imperial Observatory, and making them cooperate with him to have consorts born at noon donate blood daily to protect the nation. This matter could have succeeded, but unexpectedly, Princess Wen Rou burst into the court and stated that she was also born at noon and could also become a consort, donating blood daily to protect the Emperor's empire and beloved.
This method did not work, so Huo Jingheng thought of a new method: having Ling'er directly faint in front of the consorts from various palaces. Now rumors were spreading in the palace that Consort Yue had contracted a chronic illness from her previous miscarriage and was about to pass away. But unexpectedly, the princess disrupted it again by helping Ling'er recuperate.
The Barbarian King snuck into the palace and secretly told the princess that it was Yue Chi who impersonated Consort Yue back then. The princess thought about what had happened these past few days, so she would definitely not let Consort Yue simply disappear like that. It seemed the matter of dying from illness was not feasible. Huo Jingheng decided to use the method of sudden death. It happened to be close to the Lantern Festival.
Huo Jingheng would take the consorts to Chengen Temple to meet the Empress Dowager and release sky lanterns together. Then he would have Yue Chi impersonate Consort Yue and fall off a cliff. He knew qinggong (lightness skill), so he naturally wouldn't be injured. The princess guessed their plan and, after discussing with Yi Qingyun, deliberately exposed Yue Chi's true identity in front of everyone. Now everyone was spreading rumors about Yue Chi cross-dressing.
Yi Qingyun seized the opportunity to make sure this news reached the ears of Lord Wei. Lord Wei was known for his integrity and had disciples everywhere. If he could impeach Yue Chi, it was estimated that Yue Chi would find it very difficult to gain a foothold in the court.
Episode 19 Recap
Yi Qingyun intentionally showed himself in front of Lord Wei and provoked him with his words, aiming to make him impeach Yue Chi. As expected, Lord Wei fell for the trick. In the court, he impeached Yue Chi for impersonating Consort Yue. However, Lord Wei was not present on the day of prayer, so he did not see it with his own eyes. Yue Chi did not admit to this matter and stated that he had witnesses.
Beauty Xia, Zhao Jieyu, and others jointly testified for Yue Chi, stating that he had never impersonated Consort Yue. Lord Wei stated that he also had a witness. His witness was Consort Hui. Huo Jingheng reminded Consort Hui to speak carefully. Seeing this, Yue Chi recalled what Consort Hui had said back then, that she could not be part of the Yue family. Yue Chi thought, "I'm finished."
However, Consort Hui did not explicitly state that Yue Chi had impersonated Consort Yue. The matter passed just like that. Yue Chi believed that Lord Wei had been misled by someone with ulterior motives, so he did not hold him accountable. Originally, in order to make Ling'er "die suddenly", Huo Jingheng had someone knock her out and tie her up. Therefore, when he passed by Fengluan Palace, he did not dare to go in and see Ling'er.
It just so happened that Consort Hui saw this scene. While the Emperor was in her palace, she persuaded him to go and explain to Ling'er. In court today, the reason Consort Hui did not expose Yue Chi was for Ling'er's sake. She had completely transformed and cherished the people around her more and more, so she had also learned to protect others. Huo Jingheng took Consort Hui's advice and took the initiative to find Ling'er.
Ling'er was actually very angry. She had always felt that Huo Jingheng and the others looked down on women, and this time, it was women who happened to help them resolve the matter. Huo Jingheng knew Ling'er was angry, and even though her words were offensive to him, he did not blame her. This time, Huo Jingheng directly confessed his feelings to Ling'er. He was fond of Ling'er and hoped she could stay by his side forever.
When Ling'er heard the Emperor's confession, her heart fluttered like a little deer. Ling'er actually also liked Huo Jingheng. Hearing Huo Jingheng say this, she looked at him affectionately and took the initiative to "presumptuously" kiss the Emperor. Yue Chi was ordered to secretly investigate the Princess. According to the Princess's story, they did not find that household. Instead, they found that the Princess had a connection with the Barbarian King.
Huo Jingheng decided to negotiate peace with the Barbarian King. He did not want to ignite war again. The reason he ascended the throne back then was to hope that all people could return home and have fields to cultivate. Yue Chi cast an admiring gaze at him, thinking it was the fortune of the people in the world to have such an emperor. Huo Jingheng deliberately treated the Princess very well.
He even specifically searched for many flowers she liked outside and had a pair of gold hairpins specially made for her to wear. Soon, Huo Jingheng arranged for Yue Chi to preside over and handle the Princess's enfeoffment ceremony as a consort. It was just that Huo Jingheng did not tell Ling'er about this in advance. He was worried that Ling'er would be angry and could only pray silently.
As expected, Ling'er was very angry when she heard the palace maids discussing the matter of the Princess being enfeoffed as a consort. However, Eunuch Gui brought Ling'er some pastries on the Emperor's order and delivered a message, "Hard outside, soft inside." Ling'er seemed to understand Huo Jingheng's meaning. The Barbarian King learned that Wen Rou was to be enfeoffed as a consort and wanted to enter the palace to take her out, but he was stopped by Yi Qingyun. Yi Qingyun would not let him ruin his plan. Only if Wen Rou became a consort would there be a chance to strike at Huo Jingheng.
Episode 20 Recap
During the enfeoffment ceremony, the imperial decree was missing. Yue Chi looked at Du Tianzhao's appearance and knew that he had taken the imperial decree. He wanted to prevent Huo Jingheng from enfeoffing the consort. Yue Chi deliberately asked Du Tianzhao to read the imperial decree. Du Tianzhao had no choice but to take the imperial decree out of his sleeve. He did not expect Huo Jingheng to enfeoff Wen Rou as the Noble Consort.
He felt this matter was improper. Just before Wen Rou received the decree, the Empress Dowager ordered someone to bring an imperial edict. The eunuch read it on the spot. Wen Rou could only be a Consort and could not overstep. The eunuch also removed the gold hairpin she was wearing on her head and told her that she must be cautious and act properly from now on.
On the wedding night, Wen Rou wanted to assassinate Huo Jingheng, but he was prepared. Huo Jingheng subdued her. Yue Chi had been waiting for them. The two of them wanted to lure out the Barbarian King through Wen Rou, hoping to negotiate peace with him. Wen Rou deliberately wrote a letter to the Barbarian King in front of them, but while they were unprepared, she wrote small characters using invisible ink. Huo Jingheng and the others did not notice.
The Barbarian King was a little surprised after receiving the letter, not expecting Wen Rou to handle the matter so quickly. Yi Qingyun did not believe it. He roasted the note over a candle, the invisible characters appeared, and Yi Qingyun had a plan. The Barbarian King arrived as scheduled. Yue Chi always felt something was amiss on the way. Regardless, Huo Jingheng had to go. Only by doing so would there be sincerity for peace negotiations.
Upon arriving at the designated location, Huo Jingheng arranged for people to first capture the ambushers and then negotiate peace with the Barbarian King. They were very surprised why Wen Rou had such great hostility towards Huo Jingheng. The Barbarian King truthfully explained that he had saved Wen Rou back then. The Prince of Beijun had died in battle. At that time, he wanted the Emperor's position, so he tried to stop himself and Huo Jingheng. But he was defeated.
To give Wen Rou something to hope for, the Barbarian King deliberately said that Huo Jingheng had killed the Prince of Beijun. Wen Rou was very angry, feeling that living in hatred for so many years and wanting to avenge her father was a joke. She wanted to commit suicide but was stopped by Yue Chi. Huo Jingheng originally did not want them to die.
He only hoped that they could live in peace with Da Ning and protect Da Ning well in their vassal territory. The Barbarian King and Wen Rou agreed. They agreed to negotiate peace. Unexpectedly, as soon as they finished signing the peace treaty, the camp was attacked by Yi Qingyun and his men. The Barbarian King was severely wounded. Wen Rou was originally rescued by Yue Chi, but she did not want to live on alone.
For so many years, she had been using the Barbarian King and ignored his affection for her. Now, she would not let the Barbarian King leave like this alone, so she chose to die with the Barbarian King. Along with Yi Qingyun's men came Jiang Yunqing. She met Yue Chi in battle, but she wanted to give Yue Chi a way out. Unexpectedly, in the end, Yue Chi still chose Huo Jingheng. Huo Jingheng held Yi Qingyun hostage.
Yue Chi seized the opportunity to run into the woods with the two of them. Jiang Yunqing was extremely angry and ordered arrows to be shot towards the direction they escaped. Yue Chi was injured. In his haste, Yue Chi fired a signal flare, summoning the Qilin army. Seeing this, the relentless officials and soldiers temporarily gave up the pursuit. Yi Qingyun used medicine to blind Huo Jingheng's eyes.
At this time, Yue Chi was also unable to help Huo Jingheng because of his injury. So, the two of them cooperated. Under Yue Chi's guidance, Huo Jingheng subdued Yi Qingyun. Then the two of them helped each other and left this place of trouble.
Episode 21 Recap
Yi Qingyun was severely injured but not dead. Yue Chi and Huo Jingheng did not abandon him, but saved him instead. Huo Jingheng and Yue Chi would not harm him because they only wanted stability and would not incite war. Yi Qingyun revealed Jiang Yunqing's true identity. In fact, Yue Chi had known for a long time, but he never exposed it because what he valued was never Jiang Yunqing's identity as a princess, but her courage.
Huo Jingheng and Yue Chi let Yi Qingyun and his subordinates leave safely. Before leaving, Yi Qingyun gave Jiang Yunqing's antidote to Yue Chi. However, at this time, Jiang Yunqing had completely turned dark. She had lost trust in men. Now she and the leaders of the restoration society were only thinking about plotting for the former dynasty.
Jiang Yunqing told Yi Qingyun that although Huo Jingheng spoke many great principles, he still did not help Li Kingdom solve practical problems. As long as Li Kingdom did not reclaim the ten lost cities, Li Kingdom would not even have a single full grain of rice. Yi Qingyun was now powerless to contend with Jiang Yunqing and could only agree to her conditions. He would start a war upon returning to Li Kingdom.
Jiang Yunqing told Yi Qingyun that from now on, she and he were allies, with no longer a master-servant relationship. This time, the Qilin Army appeared to save the Emperor. The news spread to the court. Lord Ouyang and Lord Wei jointly suggested to the Emperor to severely punish Yue Chi and exterminate the Qilin Army. Even though Du Tianzhao spoke up for Yue Chi, it was useless.
Given the current situation, Huo Jingheng could only first dismiss Yue Chi from his official position as prime minister and imprison him in the imperial dungeon. Yue Chi behaved himself in the dungeon. Unexpectedly, his brothers outside must have listened to others' slanderous words. After all, they injured court officials, and Dugu Xing led people to break him out of prison. After Huo Jingheng received the news, he led people to the dungeon and caught them red-handed.
As the Emperor, Huo Jingheng personally stabbed Yue Chi and ordered the Qilin Army members present to be killed. Dugu Xing protected Yue Chi's escape while fighting against the Emperor's soldiers. Finally, he died by Huo Jingheng's sword. Yue Chi escaped but fell into Yi Qingyun's hands. Yue Chi was wanted throughout the city. If not for Yi Qingyun, he would have been tied up and taken for a reward. Yi Qingyun's goal was gradually being achieved.
He arranged for Yue Chi to recuperate well and promised to find a way to get Yue Ling'er out of the palace. He stated that he would reclaim the ten cities and would not harm the common people. Yue Chi would be the Regent of Li Kingdom, and Li Kingdom would be the place for him to fully display his talents. Yue Chi now hated Huo Jingheng intensely. He was determined to avenge the brothers of the Qilin Army.
After Yue Chi's injuries healed, he offered advice and strategies to Yi Qingyun but was not responsible for training soldiers. Yue Ling'er was worried about her brother's safety and kept running around in the palace. She wanted to ask the Empress Dowager for help. Just then, she met Du Tianzhao who had just come out of the Empress Dowager's palace. Du Tianzhao told Yue Ling'er about Jiang Yunqing deliberately instigating trouble and setting up a trap.
Yue Ling'er did not believe that Jiang Yunqing would put her brother to death. She decided to personally find Jiang Yunqing to get clarification. Yue Ling'er went to ask the Empress Dowager and left the palace under the pretext of going to Chengen Temple to pray for blessings. Du Tianzhao was worried about Yue Ling'er and decided to go with her. They indeed found Jiang Yunqing. Jiang Yunqing admitted that she had released the previous information.
Her fate with Yue Chi was over. Yue Ling'er, in order to find her brother, decided to follow Jiang Yunqing. Du Tianzhao was uneasy about her being alone and went with her as well. In fact, Jiang Yunqing knew they were following and deliberately slowed down her pace.
Episode 22 Recap
Yue Ling'er and Du Tianzhao struggled to move forward in the mountain forest. They hadn't eaten properly for several days and were completely out of strength. Fortunately, they persevered and walked out of the forest, finding an inn. Yue Ling'er had been eating irregularly these past few days, her stomach was uncomfortable, and she had continuous diarrhea. She checked into the inn.
Looking at the baozi Du Tianzhao brought her, she remembered eating baozi happily with her brother Jiang Yunqing when she was a child, and she couldn't help but cry. Jiang Yunqing left silver for the innkeeper and also asked them to brew anti-diarrhea medicine for Yue Ling'er. Yue Ling'er knew that Jiang Yunqing still cared about her and was very happy. Yue Chi met with Huo Jingheng, who was disguised as a soldier, in the army.
In fact, the two of them were putting on an act. Huo Jingheng's maternal grandfather commanded the Northwestern Army. Initially, they had different ideas; his grandfather believed that Huo Jingheng's entry into the imperial city was not an uprising but a rebellion, so he did not enter the palace with him and chose to retire from military service and return to his land. This time, Huo Jingheng hoped his grandfather could come out of retirement to help him.
However, based on the current terrain where Yi Qingyun and his forces were located, meeting his grandfather required bypassing their military camp. Furthermore, to surround Yi Qingyun's army, someone in the army was needed to provide support. Only then did Huo Jingheng think of having Yue Chi "defect." Huo Jingheng and Yue Chi first staged a play in front of the ministers. In fact, Dugu Xing did not die, and their fight was also fake. Jiang Yunqing was very cautious.
She didn't believe Yue Chi would simply join Yi Qingyun's faction like this. Jiang Yunqing warned Yi Qingyun to be careful, but Yi Qingyun still trusted Yue Chi. He felt that Jiang Yunqing didn't understand men; being stabbed by someone regarded as a brother would be incredibly heartbreaking. Jiang Yunqing didn't think so, believing the relationship between Huo Jingheng and Yue Chi was not as simple as it appeared. Jiang Yunqing arranged to meet with Yue Chi.
She hoped Yue Chi would help her. This time, Jiang Yunqing confessed her past. Back then, the Empress and a princess protected her and helped her survive. Now, she wanted to repay their kindness and protect Xiaoshuo to ascend the throne. In Yue Chi's heart, Huo Jingheng was the true emperor who cared for the common people, which was why he supported Huo Jingheng. Moreover, the current situation was not suitable for changing emperors again.
But Jiang Yunqing had gone mad. She made a shallow cut on Yue Chi's neck with a knife. Yi Qingyun arrived in time and shielded Yue Chi. Jiang Yunqing declared that Yue Chi had betrayed them, while Yi Qingyun retorted that she was the least qualified person to talk about betrayal now, as she had just done such a thing a few days ago.
Huo Jingheng and Yue Chi collaborated to cause some soldiers in the army to show symptoms of acclimatization issues and diarrhea. Yue Chi also pretended to be unwell and took the opportunity to suggest to Yi Qingyun that the army should move east. After considering, Yi Qingyun believed Yue Chi's words. He decided to lead the army to migrate east. By this time, Huo Jingheng had arrived at his grandfather's residence and planned to join forces with his grandfather to jointly surround and attack Yi Qingyun's main army.
Episode 23 Recap
Huo Jingheng finally met his grandfather. His grandfather prepared a lot of food for him. When Huo Jingheng spoke to him about the war outside, his grandfather initially did not want to help him. In that case, he hoped Huo Jingheng could stay there and live a free and easy life with him. It wasn't until Huo Jingheng explained the seriousness of the situation to his grandfather that his grandfather changed his mind.
Jiang Yunqing reminded Yi Qingyun, so Yi Qingyun did not lead the large army into Fengming Mountain and tied up Yue Chi. Yue Ling'er and Du Tianzhao had arrived near where the enemy army was stationed. They entered the place where Yue Chi was held captive and, following Yue Chi's guidance, were to go to Fengming Mountain to notify Huo Jingheng. However, Du Tianzhao and Yue Ling'er almost got lost on the way to Fengming Mountain.
Fortunately, Jiang Yunqing appeared in time. Although she saved Yue Ling'er, she knocked her out and took her away, and kicked Du Tianzhao away into an area with many poisonous insects, leaving Du Tianzhao's fate uncertain. Du Tianzhao found his father and cried, hugging him. General Du disliked seeing him like this and told him to get to the point.
Only then did Du Tianzhao remember what Yue Chi had told him and also revealed that Yue Ling'er had been held captive by Jiang Yunqing. Huo Jingheng was very angry and immediately mobilized troops to rescue Yue Ling'er. During this attempt, he rescued Yue Chi, but Yue Ling'er was used as leverage. He and Yue Ling'er had a tacit understanding. Under Jiang Yunqing's threat, Huo Jingheng reluctantly shot an arrow at Yue Ling'er.
In fact, his arrow would not harm Yue Ling'er. Jiang Yunqing protected Yue Ling'er. Yue Ling'er was taken to Li Kingdom by Jiang Yunqing and her people. Huo Jingheng wanted to rescue her but was stopped by Yue Chi. As the monarch of a country, he could not enter enemy territory alone. Yue Chi knew that Jiang Yunqing would not harm Yue Ling'er, so the rescue of Yue Ling'er needed to be carefully planned.
Huo Jingheng and his group needed to return to the imperial city first. General Du had no desire to serve as an official in the court, but he was willing to assist Huo Jingheng in guarding the Ning Dynasty. He would lead the Northwestern Army to garrison Fengming Mountain and defend the border for Ning. Huo Jingheng returned to the palace, missing Yue Ling'er. The Empress Dowager and Consort Hui were also worried about Yue Ling'er.
Huo Jingheng promised to bring Yue Ling'er back safely. Huo Jingheng went to Fengluan Palace. This was where Yue Ling'er had lived, containing traces of her life, but it was now covered in dust. He asked Xiao Yue to bring a rag and water and cleaned it himself. Wei Zhang saw this and felt it was improper, offering to help, but Xiao Yue stopped him. Xiao Yue knew the Emperor missed the Consort.
At this moment, he was not the Emperor but a husband waiting for his wife to come home. Yue Ling'er did not eat or drink in Li Kingdom. Jiang Yunqing hoped she could become more clear-headed, believing there was nothing to be attached to about a man who only cared about winning and shot an arrow at the woman he loved. Yue Ling'er always stood by Huo Jingheng.
She said if she were Huo Jingheng, she would make the same choice, because what was in Huo Jingheng's heart was the peace and the people of Ning, and she was also one of the people of Ning, so she understood Huo Jingheng's actions. Li Kingdom was already prepared to go to war with Ning. The current situation was severe. Yue Chi requested permission to lead the Qilin Army and the Ning army to march out and meet the enemy.
However, he was opposed by the ministers, who disagreed with deploying the Qilin Army. At this time, the Empress Dowager appeared. She stated that whoever was capable should go, and if anyone said more, they would be sent to the battlefield as human shields. Only then did the ministers fall silent. Huo Jingheng issued a decree, ordering Yue Chi to lead the Qilin Army and the Ning army to depart and engage the enemy.
Episode 24 (Ending) Recap
After many days of bitter fighting, the Northwestern Army led by General Du, outnumbered, retreated to Fengming Mountain. Huo Jingheng and Yue Chi led their men to Fengming Mountain and met with General Du. Yi Qingyun had already wavered. He had another month, so he didn't want to leave a mess for his nephew, Yi Xin, who was about to ascend the throne. Jiang Yunqing knew about his thoughts and was furious.
She told him that Yi Xin was already in her hands, and if he didn't cooperate, she would make Yi Xin die in front of him. Yi Qingyun was so angry he spat blood. He told Ying to get the flute. Jiang Yunqing took out a box of flutes for him to choose from. Jiang Yunqing had already taken poison, losing her five senses, so she was no longer afraid of Yi Qingyun's poison controlling her.
Yue Chi arranged to meet Jiang Yunqing and gave her the bone flute, but Jiang Yunqing threw it directly into the water. She would not be swayed by emotions anymore. Huo Jingheng took the opportunity to sneak into the Li army. Fortunately, he met Xiao Shuo. Xiao Shuo found him a soldier's uniform and then took him to find Ling'er. Huo Jingheng felt a pang of sorrow seeing the emaciated Ling'er. Xiao Shuo stole the commander's seal.
He didn't want to see war. Huo Jingheng told him that war was not as simple as he thought. Ling'er felt it was not the right time to discuss the overall situation. The priority was to figure out how to leave this place. Xiao Shuo knew a small path. As night fell, he took the two of them to find a way out. Unexpectedly, they were blocked by Jiang Yunqing.
To protect Huo Jingheng, Xiao Shuo blocked the arrow shot by Jiang Yunqing and died on the spot. Jiang Yunqing became even more enraged. She ordered the troops to kill without mercy. While escaping, Ling'er accidentally fell off a cliff. Afterwards, Wei Zhang was ordered to lead people to search. There was a farmhouse at the foot of the mountain, and he had already sent people to search there.
Huo Jingheng and Yue Chi led the Northwestern Army, Qilin Army, and the Ning soldiers to meet the enemy. General Pei, Huo Jingheng's old friend, also stood on the opposite side. The two sides eventually engaged in a fierce battle. In this confrontation, many people died, including Uncle Liu, Dugu Xing, Wei Zhang, General Du and his subordinates. Jiang Yunqing had already buried explosives here. She wanted everyone to be buried with the Empress and the Crown Prince.
Yue Chi was unable to persuade her at all. General Pei killed Ying and took Yi Qingyun hostage. Yi Qingyun knew that if the fighting continued like this, everyone would die. The Li soldiers would not be buried with the former Ning Crown Prince. Yi Qingyun told the Li soldiers to stop, but seeing Yi Qingyun being held hostage, they had no choice but to continue fighting. Everything should have ended.
Jiang Yunqing had planned to ignite the bombs, but unexpectedly, the bombs did not explode. General Pei had tampered with them. He could not gamble with everyone's lives. Finally, Jiang Yunqing jumped from the city wall. Yue Chi was very sad. The war ended. Huo Jingheng and Yue Chi protected the peace of Ning. Yue Chi wanted to resign from his position. He hoped Huo Jingheng could give him a break.
Yue Chi persuaded Huo Jingheng, who temporarily allowed him to resign. Huo Jingheng came to a temple. He received the bone flute that Jiang Yunqing had thrown into the water. They could have spent their lives together, but ultimately, due to their different stances, they went their separate ways, separated by life and death. Ling'er became the Empress. She and Huo Jingheng were finally able to live together happily.
