Rebirth For You Episode 19 Recap
> Rebirth For You Recap
Li Qian, accompanied by Jin Xiao, visited the injured Zhao Xiao. Zhao Xiao initially believed Li Qian was there to mock him, but Li Qian instead spoke of the Xuanjia Battalion's severe losses and how the soldiers, despite their sacrifices, had not received their military supplies, lacking even winter clothing. Zhao Xiao, while blaming himself for his mistakes, refused to show any weakness before Li Qian.
When Zhao Xiao inquired about Baoning’s injuries, Li Qian sharply warned him to cease his intentions towards Baoning, leading to a heated argument. Jin Xiao intervened, defusing the tension and taking Li Qian away. Zhao Xiao then sought out his subordinate, Cai Shuang, regarding the military supplies. Cai Shuang revealed that due to their drastically reduced numbers, the Xuanjia Battalion was at the bottom of the list for supplies.
He further disclosed that of the 300,000 taels of silver allocated by the court, only half, 150,000 taels, ever reached them. Zhao Xiao's previous large-scale operation had depleted most of their annual funds, leaving him remorseful and desperate for a solution to the looming supply crisis. Just then, a subordinate of the Jinghai Marquis arrived with money and provisions.
The Marquis, aware of Zhao Xiao's reckless combat tactics that led to significant losses, had sent aid to cover the immediate need. Seeing the silver, Cai Shuang suggested that while it might suffice for winter, it wouldn't last until spring. He proposed using the money to generate more funds, promising it would secure provisions for the coming year. Tempted, Zhao Xiao agreed, and Cai Shuang promptly took the silver to an illegal money house.
Back home, Li Qian and Baoning engaged in playful banter. Qingke reminded Li Qian about the Grand Empress Dowager's instructions. Unbeknownst to them, Gao Miaorong, who was delivering soup, overheard this. She discreetly ordered her maid to investigate the nature of the Grand Empress Dowager’s command. The next day, Gao Miaorong relayed the information—that Baoning and Li Qian were not to consummate their marriage—to Li Changqing and He Cuihua.
Li Changqing, concerned about the continuation of the family line, was bewildered by the Grand Empress Dowager’s directive. Meanwhile, Li Qian approached Zhao Xiao about the military supply deficit. To prevent unrest in the army, he offered to use his family’s surplus grain to alleviate the shortage. However, Zhao Xiao, driven by pride, refused Li Qian’s assistance. He even impulsively made a military pledge, vowing to resolve the Jinxi military supply issue within a month or face severe consequences.
Frustrated by Zhao Xiao’s impetuousness, Li Qian left in anger. Gao Miaorong visited her uncle, Gao Fuyu, inquiring about Li Changqing’s preferences in an attempt to curry favor with him. Accidentally, she discovered an old betrothal letter between herself and Li Qian, written by her uncle and Li Changqing years ago. Overjoyed by this revelation, Gao Miaorong became determined. She insisted that even though Li Qian had married Baoning, he could still take her as a second wife.
She tearfully pleaded with her uncle to help her fulfill this long-held desire. Seeing her resolve, Gao Fuyu reluctantly agreed to speak with Li Changqing. Li Changqing, who had written the betrothal letter in a drunken state, naturally refused, as Li Qian was now married to a princess. He tried to persuade Gao Miaorong to give up on Li Qian, offering to find her a suitable husband in Bingzhou.
In a desperate act, Gao Miaorong dramatically threatened to cut her hair and become a nun in front of everyone. He Cuihua quickly stopped her, and with Gao Fuyu’s earnest plea, Li Changqing was forced to compromise. Li Changqing then brought Gao Miaorong and the betrothal letter to Baoning, hoping she would accept Gao Miaorong into the household. Baoning was furious.
Gao Miaorong immediately knelt, declaring her unwavering devotion to Li Qian and her willingness to accept any position, even as a concubine or a maid, as long as she could remain by his side. Li Changqing pressured Baoning, reiterating that since she and Li Qian had not yet consummated their marriage, and the Li family line needed to continue, he hoped Gao Miaorong could help "share the burden."
Feeling cornered, Baoning could only watch as Li Changqing allowed Gao Miaorong to stay in their courtyard. That night, Li Qian returned home to find himself locked out of his room by Baoning. Confused, he learned about the betrothal letter and Gao Miaorong's presence, leading him to confront Li Changqing. Li Changqing admitted his past foolishness in writing the betrothal but argued that Gao Miaorong had grown up with Li Qian and loved him.
Given that Li Qian and Baoning hadn't consummated their marriage, he claimed his actions were for the good of the Li family. Li Qian angrily rebuked his father, and their argument ended in an unpleasant stalemate. Returning to his courtyard, Baoning, still in a huff, sarcastically told Li Qian that Gao Miaorong was in the study and that he should go there. Li Qian, equally stubborn, declared he would indeed spend the night in the study.
The next morning, Baoning, having heard that Li Qian and Gao Miaorong had spent the night together, stormed into the study. She found them calmly playing chess. Li Qian, further provoking her, thanked her for her "generosity and virtuousness" that allowed him to enjoy the company of multiple women. Enraged, Baoning left, but halfway out, she turned back, fiercely accusing Li Qian of deceiving her.
Li Qian, however, was delighted by her passionate reaction, seeing it as a sign of her true feelings. Later, Gao Miaorong, recalling her conversation with Li Qian, was heartbroken. Li Qian had refused to acknowledge the betrothal, stating plainly that he did not love her and that Baoning was the only woman in his heart. Despite her elaborate schemes and even gaining the reluctant approval of Li Changqing and Baoning, Li Qian’s personal rejection left her devastated.
She blamed Baoning for all her misfortunes. Li Qian and Baoning later had a private, heartfelt conversation, during which Li Qian urged Baoning to always voice her feelings directly to him instead of bottling them up. Through this exchange, the couple finally resolved their misunderstandings. In another part of town, Cao Xuan's mother gave his childhood toys and clothes to Su Su for safekeeping.
She expressed gratitude that Su Su had married Cao Xuan even after the Cao family lost influence and hoped for a harmonious marriage between them, rather than seeking glory. That evening, Cao Xuan returned home, and Su Su shared his childhood items with him. Cao Xuan recognized his mother's subtle hint, understanding her desire for grandchildren, and they shared a tender moment. Li Dongzhi, meanwhile, was being pressured by her mother, He Cuihua, about marriage during dinner.
Unable to endure her mother's incessant nagging, she fled the house. Coincidentally, she ran into Li Qian and Baoning returning home. Li Dongzhi expressed her envy for their loving relationship. Baoning inquired about Qing An, but Li Dongzhi, still resentful over being deceived, refused to forgive him, despite still wearing the ring he had given her, betraying her true feelings.
Separately, Shao, a young master who had invested all his money in an illegal money house, visited Gao Miaorong to demand his funds back. With no money to repay him, Gao Miaorong cunningly offered to introduce him to Li Dongzhi instead. He Cuihua, still fretting over finding a suitable husband for Li Dongzhi, was overjoyed when Gao Miaorong highly recommended Shao, praising his distinguished family background, vast wealth, and handsome appearance.
He Cuihua immediately arranged for them to meet the next day. However, Li Dongzhi was instantly repulsed by Shao's effeminate scent and his constant references to Baoning, the Commandery Princess. She promptly rose to leave, but Shao attempted to prevent her. Fortunately, Qing An appeared, intervened, and led Li Dongzhi away.
Qing An attempted to explain his true identity, confessing that he was indeed the Second Prince of Yongqing and that his travels between the two countries were genuinely to search for his mother, and his feelings for her were sincere. But Li Dongzhi, still unwilling to forgive his deception, returned his ring and departed, warning him not to reappear before her again, or she would expose his true identity.
