Qingchuan's Veil of Vengean Episode 16 Recap
> Qingchuan's Veil of Vengean Recap
In the military camp, Wuyou was training soldiers. Xia Qiguang asked him how he could endure everything for so long. Wuyou frankly said he only wished to dedicate his broken body to serve the country with loyalty. Xia Qiguang told him the time had come to put them to use—and that this plan was to be kept secret from Mo Qingchuan. Wuyou expressed his support.
Jiang Kui uncovered a few corrupt officials and wanted to bring Xia Qiguang along, but he had no interest. Jiang Kui then passed along Mo Qingchuan’s invitation for him to come by the house that night. Xia Qiguang felt a wave of excitement. That night, drinking together, Mo Qingchuan asked Xia Qiguang what moment he most wished to return to. Xia Qiguang confessed it was twelve years ago, when Mo Qingchuan entered the city with her heroic bearing.
Mo Qingchuan admitted that though she was on horseback, she had noticed Xia Qiguang in the crowd—those bright, star-like eyes were unforgettable. She now saw Xia Qiguang as a youthful hero, forged by the times, and hoped he could defend the nation. But in Xia Qiguang’s heart, he didn’t care about being a hero—only about whether his master was happy.
Jiang Kui brought over some of Mo Qingchuan’s packed belongings, letting Xia Qiguang know they were preparing to marry and planned to travel for a few days—perhaps never returning. Xia Qiguang wanted to confess his love, but was interrupted by Mo Qingchuan. As they were leaving, Jiang Kui comforted Xia Qiguang, saying that at least her master was happy—she had pursued virtue and attained it. In truth, Jiang Kui and Mo Qingchuan had no intention of leaving.
They were preparing to assassinate the Empress Dowager, but didn’t want to drag Xia Qiguang into it or have him branded as a traitor. Su Qi helped the Empress Dowager select her accessories. The Empress Dowager asked Su Qi to place a chrysanthemum hairpin in her hair, feeling quite pleased. At that moment, Xia Qiguang and Cao Huaitai arrived. The Empress Dowager ordered Su Qi to be dismissed, having long suspected him to be Feng Shiye’s plant.
She hadn’t arrested him sooner because she wanted to see what Su Qi’s constant manipulation of those around her was truly aiming for—perhaps to uncover something unexpected. Following her instructions, Cao Huaitai had stationed guards throughout the palace. As Xia Qiguang left, he passed a street vendor selling boots. Thinking of Mo Qingchuan's upcoming departure, he bought a pair for her—no matter where she went, he just wanted her to be happy.
But when he arrived at Mo Qingchuan’s place, both she and Jiang Kui were gone. By chance, he discovered a reply Mo Qingchuan had written to the Empress Dowager, along with a memorial tablet she had prepared for him. Realizing she intended to die and had never planned to leave, he was shaken. Just then, Mo Qingchuan and Jiang Kui returned. Sensing something was wrong, Jiang Kui slipped away first. Xia Qiguang angrily accused Mo Qingchuan of deceiving him.
For the first time, he called her by name, eyes brimming with tears, declaring that he could accept not being her final destination, never calling her name again, even letting her go wherever she wished—but she had lied to him. Mo Qingchuan had told him she was going far away, but in the end, he was only left to wait for her corpse.
Xia Qiguang helplessly embraced her, kneeling before her, begging that whatever she planned to do, she just not die. Mo Qingchuan told Xia Qiguang that in two hours, she would be branded a traitor to Xia. She had named herself Mo Wang to remind herself never to forget her hatred. As dawn neared, she stopped paying attention to Xia Qiguang and instead went with Jiang Kui to the palace gates. Mo Qingchuan fired a signal flare, alerting Su Qi.
Seeing the signal, Su Qi arranged for the Empress Dowager to have breakfast early and then head to the Astronomical Observatory. Su Qi accompanied the Empress Dowager to the Astronomical Observatory, a place of peace. The Empress Dowager complimented Su Qi on his thoughtfulness. Su Qi had someone bring ginseng soup—the person who entered was actually Jiang Kui in disguise. She drew her sword and prepared to stab the Empress Dowager. Su Qi, terrified, curled up in the corner.
Just as Cao Huaitai’s men surrounded the area and were about to kill Jiang Kui, Xia Qiguang arrived with reinforcements, demanding that the Empress Dowager abdicate and return power to the emperor. The Empress Dowager did not expect Xia Qiguang to be involved. Xia Qiguang accused Cao Huaitai of pointing a sword at the emperor.
Cao Huaitai replied that he never saw the emperor as someone worth fearing—he was the Empress Dowager’s brother, and as long as he lived, he would not let anyone harm her. The Empress Dowager then questioned the emperor about what he truly wanted. Frightened, the emperor hid behind Xia Qiguang and timidly asked for the Tiger Seal.
The Empress Dowager scolded the emperor as a coward who dared to kill his mother, and even tried to sow discord—saying that in the future, people might support Xia Qiguang as emperor. But regardless, the history books would record that the emperor was one who killed his own mother.
