Rebirth For You Episode 18 Recap
> Rebirth For You Recap
Jiang Baoning carried a heavily injured Li Qian, encountering Gao Miaorong and others. Gao Miaorong immediately blamed Baoning for Li Qian's injuries, remarking that he always gets hurt because of her. Seeing approaching soldiers, Baoning bravely decided to draw them away, telling Li Qian to wait for her while she ran off.
Though his men tried to force him to leave, Zhao Xiao, witnessing Baoning being pursued by Yongqing soldiers, immediately rushed out to protect her, carrying her away to safety and urging her to hurry. Qing An, accompanied by Siqin, pursued by Qing Tai, narrowly escaped due to his familiarity with the city's intricate alleys. He then hurried to meet Li Dongzhi, intending to take her to safety.
As they met, Dongzhi questioned him about a mysterious ring and his true identity. Before Qing An could explain, Qing Tai arrived and exposed Qing An as the Second Prince of Yongqing State, claiming he had only approached Dongzhi to gather intelligence for Yongqing's southern campaign. Deeply hurt and feeling deceived, Dongzhi declared their relationship over, riding away as Qing An fought Qing Tai's men to protect her.
Qing Tai declared his intention to use Qing An's blood for a sacrificial ritual the next day and had him captured. In his prison cell, Qing An wept, recalling Dongzhi's words about hating deception and ending their relationship. Siqin secretly infiltrated Qing An’s prison and rescued him, explaining that he was sent by the King.
Qing An was then brought to his father, the ailing King of Yongqing, who revealed that his own days were numbered and he was powerless to stop Qing Tai. The King entrusted Qing An with the Dark Force badge, signifying his hope for Yongqing State, and urged him to use it to overthrow the ruthless Qing Tai, who could not bring peace. The King then questioned if Qing An still harbored resentment for his past coldness.
He confessed that seeing Qing An reminded him of his mother's betrayal, filling him with hatred and agony, but admitted he also missed her deeply, just as Qing An did. Qing An, in turn, vowed to find his mother and clear her name. As Qing Tai's men approached, the King instructed Siqin to take Qing An to safety.
When Qing Tai entered, finding Qing An gone, he furiously declared his intention to brand Qing An a traitor and hunt him "like a rat," ensuring he would "never see daylight again." Enraged by his son's cruelty, the King called Qing Tai a "rebellious son" and, in a fit of anger, collapsed and died after attempting to strike him.
Qing Tai, now the undisputed king, immediately ordered his men to search for the Dark Force badge, growing furious when they couldn't find it, realizing his father had given it to Qing An. He then issued a decree for Qing An to be killed on sight, accusing him of treason and parricide. Upon waking, Li Qian frantically searched for Baoning.
When Gao Miaorong admitted that Baoning had willingly gone to draw away the Yongqing soldiers and that they were helpless to stop her, Li Qian was furious, accusing them of watching Baoning go to her death and rejecting Gao Miaorong's touch. Gao Miaorong attempted to comfort him, recalling a promise she believed he made to her when he was delirious and mistook her for his mother, vowing to always protect him and never leave him.
She explained her medical studies were solely for his well-being, reiterating her belief that his marriage to Baoning was merely a strategic necessity. Li Qian, however, unequivocally declared his feelings for Baoning, stating that he only saw Gao Miaorong as a sister, like Li Dongzhi, and that his heart belonged to Baoning alone. Dismissing her protests and tears, Li Qian ordered Yun Lin to send Gao Miaorong home while he himself would go to Yunyang to rescue Baoning.
Despite Gao Miaorong's attempts to stop him, reminding him of his injuries and suggesting Baoning might already be dead, Li Qian became enraged, nearly striking her before leaving with Yun Lin. A subordinate remarked that Gao Miaorong was lucky Li Qian didn't hit women. Li Qian's search for Baoning led him to a post house where he encountered Zhao Zhong, who informed him that Zhao Xiao had already rescued Baoning and taken her away, confirming she was safe.
Relieved, Li Qian continued his journey back to Jinxi, but noticed a strange lack of people on the main road, deducing that Zhao Xiao was intentionally leading him on a wild goose chase. Meanwhile, Zhao Xiao, having taken Baoning to an inn, apologized for taking a "detour." However, Baoning, ever perceptive, questioned his motives and realized he had deliberately sent Zhao Zhong and his large escort away to mislead Li Qian and isolate her.
Zhao Xiao then confessed his intention to take her away, far from Jinxi and Li Qian, to be a "heavenly couple" in Nanmin, even implying that since the Grand Empress Dowager had prevented her from consummating her marriage with Li Qian, she was "still intact." Baoning vehemently rejected his advances, affirming her marriage to Li Qian and demanding to be taken back to Bingzhou, threatening to sever ties if he persisted.
Zhao Xiao, admitting he had "scrupled too much" in the past, vowed not to lose her again and tried to force her to accompany him. Just as Zhao Xiao tried to force Baoning to leave with him, Li Qian arrived, intervening to protect his wife, warning Zhao Xiao to stay away. Zhao Xiao, enraged by Li Qian's presence and earlier accusations of abandonment, retorted, questioning Li Qian's right to claim Baoning, before starting a fight.
Li Qian, still recovering from his injuries, coughed blood. Seeing this, Baoning turned on Zhao Xiao, unequivocally stating that while she appreciated his past help, she was Li Qian's wife, loved him, trusted him, and would never leave him for anyone else. She declared that at this moment, Li Qian was the only man truly deserving of her unconditional trust and love.
With that, she left with Li Qian, leaving a distraught Zhao Xiao proclaiming himself the only one worthy of her. Back at the Li Mansion, Li Dongzhi returned home safely, and her mother, He Cuihua, expressed concern for both Li Dongzhi and then Baoning's whereabouts. Gao Miaorong cruelly suggested that Baoning, if captured by Yongqing soldiers, might be dead. However, a butler soon announced the safe return of both Li Qian and Baoning.
Baoning informed her father, Li Changqing, that Zhao Xiao, the Son of Marquis Jinghai, had rescued her. Gao Miaorong immediately seized the opportunity to insinuate that Zhao Xiao's actions stemmed from his long-standing admiration for Baoning, implying an inappropriate relationship developed during their journey together. Li Qian, furious at the slander against his wife, vehemently defended Baoning, warning anyone in the household against speaking ill of her.
Li Changqing also chastised He Cuihua, calling her a "shrew" for supporting Gao Miaorong's accusations. Li Qian then publicly demonstrated his unwavering devotion by carrying Baoning away. Later, a doctor confirmed that Li Qian's injuries were healing, advising complete rest. Baoning tenderly cared for him, but Li Qian, still feeling guilty for not protecting her, wondered if she would have been better off marrying Zhao Xiao.
Baoning quickly dispelled his insecurities, assuring him that her heart had no room for Zhao Xiao, only for him, humorously calling him a "fool covered in injuries." Gao Miaorong attempted to bring a tonic to Li Qian, but Baoning intercepted her, asserting her right as Li Qian's wife to care for him and dismissing Gao Miaorong's past claims of care.
Though Gao Miaorong tried to insist on visiting Li Qian, Baoning politely but firmly refused, stating he was asleep, leaving Gao Miaorong frustrated. Li Qian also reported to his father, Li Changqing, his discovery regarding the massacre from that year. He expressed his belief that King Qing had no reason to lie in that situation and vowed to thoroughly investigate the truth.
When Li Qian later engaged in a sparring match with Jin Xiao, he feigned injury upon seeing Baoning approach, hoping to gain her sympathy, but she easily saw through his act. Meanwhile, Su Su's cold-body illness had fully recovered after a period of medicinal baths. The Grand Empress Dowager received a letter from Baoning confirming her and Li Qian's safety, bringing her great relief.
Emperor Zhao Yi, upon learning of Zhao Xiao's command failure and defeat, demoted him to Military Supply Commissioner, tasking him with managing provisions. Qing An and Siqin found refuge in Mu'an State, specifically in a tavern in Bingzhou. Qing An, feeling like a sinner due to Qing Tai's false accusations of parricide and treason, was reminded by Siqin of his late father's final wish: to gather the Dark Force and overthrow Qing Tai.
Siqin stressed that fulfilling this wish would be the greatest act of filial piety. Inspired by this, Qing An vowed not to disappoint his father's expectations. Zhao Xiao, now demoted, faced a group of Xuanjia Battalion soldiers. They confronted him, explaining that their blows were for their fallen comrades, whose lives were lost due to his command failures, and for the wages he had reportedly docked. A subordinate quickly intervened, calling for a medic and confirming that Zhao Xiao's ribs appeared to be broken.
