Rebirth For You Episode 36 Recap
> Rebirth For You Recap
Li Qian warned Jiang Baoning about Gao Miaorong, revealing that she was now allied with Empress Dowager Han. Jiang Baoning dismissed his concerns, but later, out of curiosity, she sent her informer, Chan, who was stationed in Cining Palace, to gather information. Chan reported that after the late emperor's death, Empress Dowager Han returned to the palace with a female physician surnamed Gao, who was always veiled and had been studying medicine texts in Fanhua Hall.
Empress Dowager Han frequently summoned her and greatly trusted her. Jiang Baoning realized Gao Miaorong had been hiding in the palace all along. Meanwhile, in Cining Palace, Empress Dowager Han was furious, physically striking Gao Miaorong. She accused Gao Miaorong of intentionally humiliating her by advising her to go to the Imperial Mausoleums, where the Grand Empress Dowager had publicly shamed her.
Gao Miaorong vehemently denied the accusation, pledging her unwavering loyalty and stating that her own success was tied to Empress Dowager Han's triumph. Empress Dowager Han continued to vent her frustration, wishing the Grand Empress Dowager would "kick the bucket." Soon after, a servant announced that Zhao Xiao was waiting in the Imperial Garden, requesting to speak with Gao Miaorong privately. Suspicious, Empress Dowager Han decided to follow them to see what "dirty business" they were up to.
Unbeknownst to Empress Dowager Han, Jiang Baoning had arranged the meeting with Zhao Xiao as a ruse to lure Gao Miaorong out and expel her from the palace. When Jiang Baoning confronted Gao Miaorong, she denounced her as evil and vicious, asserting that such a person could not remain in the palace. Empress Dowager Han then intervened, claiming Gao Miaorong had saved her and An when they were stranded outside the palace.
A heated argument erupted between Jiang Baoning and Empress Dowager Han. Empress Dowager Han mocked Jiang Baoning, saying she had no right to interfere in palace affairs when she couldn't even manage her own household after being "dumped" by her husband. She questioned Jiang Baoning’s authority, accusing her of "throwing her weight around." The Grand Empress Dowager, who had been strolling in the Imperial Garden due to her insomnia, overheard the commotion.
She learned that Gao Miaorong had been advising Empress Dowager Han. When asked if Empress Dowager Han's words about her marriage were true, Jiang Baoning remained silent, confirming the Grand Empress Dowager's suspicions. The Grand Empress Dowager reprimanded Empress Dowager Han for bringing shame upon the imperial family and sent her back to her palace. She then ordered Gao Miaorong to be taken away.
During the interrogation, Fangling, a servant of the Grand Empress Dowager, revealed Gao Miaorong's past misdeeds: attempting to harm Princess Jiang Baoning, being expelled from the Li Family, and then secretly re-entering the palace to give Empress Dowager Han "bad ideas," even advising her against the Grand Empress Dowager regarding moving the capital. Declaring Gao Miaorong a threat, the Grand Empress Dowager ordered her flogged to death.
Jiang Baoning, despite her past grievances, intervened, explaining that executing Gao Miaorong would tarnish the Grand Empress Dowager's image and that Gao Miaorong had saved Empress Dowager Han and An, thus preserving the late emperor's bloodline. The Grand Empress Dowager relented, commuting the sentence to life imprisonment in the Bureau of Judicial Investigation, forbidding her release.
Afterward, the Grand Empress Dowager, now calmer, pressed Jiang Baoning to explain the full story of her troubles with Li Qian, starting with The Book of Supreme Weapons. Empress Dowager Han, upon hearing of Gao Miaorong’s imprisonment, secretly sent a maid to inform Li Lin, who was distressed and immediately went to visit her in the Bureau of Judicial Investigation. The maid cautioned him that his visit was short and secret.
Gao Miaorong, believing she was on the verge of death, expressed no resentment towards the Grand Empress Dowager, accepting her fate as a consequence of her past obsession with Li Qian and her recent misjudgments in advising Empress Dowager Han. She confessed her long-held envy for Jiang Baoning’s protected life but added that now, having Li Lin by her side, she felt truly fortunate. Her deepest regret, she told Li Lin, was not being with him sooner.
Li Lin, heartbroken, vowed to rescue her. Later, Empress Dowager Han’s maid returned with a new offer: if Gao Miaorong could devise a plan to sow discord between Li Qian and Jiang Baoning, Empress Dowager Han would arrange for her escape, replacing her with an unknown death row inmate.
Gao Miaorong then recalled that the Grand Empress Dowager had been taking a "balanced prescription" made of strong poisons for three months, realizing that the Grand Empress Dowager was on borrowed time. With this knowledge, she formulated a new plan to fulfill Empress Dowager Han's request. In Bingzhou, Li Dongzhi confronted her brother, Li Qian, complaining that he should not have relinquished his military power, as it left Jinxi vulnerable and failed to bring Jiang Baoning back.
Li Qian assured her he had a plan but offered no details about Jiang Baoning. Meanwhile, at a charity house, Qin Yu was teaching Qing An how to peel beans when a man accidentally bumped into her. She instantly recognized him as one of the men who had tried to kill her in the past, who was actually Empress Dowager Cao's secret guard disguised as a disaster victim, and began to scream in terror. Dongzhi and Qing An comforted her.
Dongzhi noticed Qin Yu's trust in Qing An and asked him to protect her. News reached Qing Tai that Li Qian had returned to Jinxi and surrendered his military power. He was delighted, as Li Qian’s previous defenses had frustrated his attempts to conquer Jinxi. Wu Man, Qing Tai’s advisor, suggested this was the perfect opportunity to assassinate Li Qian.
Qing Tai was skeptical, noting Li Qian’s strength and control over Jinxi, but Wu Man confidently declared he had a "perfect plan." Qing Tai then assigned his personal bodyguards to Wu Man, suggesting they could serve as a vanguard or assist in a tactical retreat if the assassination failed. Wu Man expressed concern for Qing Tai’s safety without his guards, mentioning the growing unrest among the populace and the possibility of rebels.
Qing Tai, however, dismissed these fears, boasting that no one in Yongqing dared to challenge him, least of all the exiled Prince An, whom he believed was still "brain-damaged" from Wu Man's hypnosis. Unbeknownst to Qing Tai, Siqin's informants had already learned of his plot and reported it. Siqin informed his subordinate to continue gathering intelligence and reaffirmed that the various patriotic groups, united against Qing Tai's tyranny, were ready to act on Prince An's command.
On a busy street, Steward Li attempted to teach Dongzhi about grocery shopping, but her attention drifted. She spotted someone she thought was Qing An and ran after him, only to realize her mistake. Just then, the real Qing An appeared. As they walked away, Qing An mused, wishing they lived in a peaceful era where he was merely an ordinary merchant, content to have Dongzhi's hand in his.
Elsewhere, Jin Xiao unexpectedly encountered Dong Shanhu and tried to engage her in conversation. He invited her for a drink, but she rebuffed him, especially when he referred to them as "buddies." Growing frustrated by her indifference, Jin Xiao lamented that confessing his feelings was "harder than fighting a war." Later that night, Qing An met with Siqin.
Siqin relayed that Qing Tai’s men, including Wu Man and his personal bodyguards, had infiltrated Bingzhou with the intention of assassinating Li Qian. Siqin proposed that this was the opportune moment to launch a rebellion and overthrow Qing Tai’s tyrannical rule, to which Qing An agreed, urging Siqin to proceed with caution. Qing An also requested that some of their men guard the Li residence, as his position made it difficult to directly warn Li Qian.
Qing An then expressed concern about continuing to meet discreetly to avoid Dongzhi. Siqin suggested he reveal his recovered state to Dongzhi, but Qing An hesitated, fearing that once he reclaimed his identity as the Second Prince of Yongqing, his relationship with Dongzhi would be irrevocably over. Meanwhile, Wu Man, disguised as an old man, approached the Li mansion. He feigned thirst, convincing Steward Li to let him inside for water.
Once inside, Wu Man hypnotized Steward Li to extract information about the mansion's layout and then assumed his identity. Elsewhere, Li Qian was discussing key strategic points in Jinxi with Jin Xiao, emphasizing the importance of securing a particular pass for both offense and defense. Jin Xiao then brought up Jiang Baoning, asking about her and Li Qian's relationship, but Li Qian remained silent, finding it too painful to discuss.
That night, Li Qian dreamt of Jiang Baoning returning, confessing her love and inability to let go of their marriage. He woke with a bitter feeling, realizing such affection only existed in his dreams. Separately, Zhao Xiao attempted to woo Jiang Baoning with a talking parrot that recited a love poem he associated with her. He pressed her to divorce Li Qian, promising to marry her and make her the Marquise Jinghai.
Jiang Baoning dismissed his efforts as mere "unwillingness to accept defeat," advising him to let go of his obsession and find happiness elsewhere, but Zhao Xiao insisted their union was fated. Late in the night, an agent of Empress Dowager Cao infiltrated Li Qian's study, attempting to steal The Book of Supreme Weapons.
Steward Li, the real one who had been imprisoned by Wu Man, managed to subdue the intruder and, using Wu Man's sorcery, extracted the truth about his mission to steal the powerful weapon manual. Shortly after, the disguised Wu Man, posing as Steward Li, intercepted Li Qian upon his return, luring him into the study on the pretense of urgent news. Inside, Wu Man stabbed Li Qian.
Luckily, Qing An, who had been observing from a distance, intervened and saved Li Qian, allowing Li Qian to kill Wu Man in the struggle. At the same time in Yongqing, Siqin led his forces, comprised of patriots and wanted criminals, in a swift and silent invasion of the imperial palace. Qing Tai, indulging in revelry, was oblivious until a panicked guard reported the breach.
Realizing he was outnumbered and vulnerable without his personal guards, Qing Tai quickly made plans to flee. As Qing An departed the Li mansion after saving Li Qian, Dongzhi, who had followed him, recognized him. She tore off his mask, revealing his true face. Qing An, caught, apologized, explaining that he concealed his identity because he feared she would leave him if she knew he was Prince An.
Dongzhi, however, pulled him into a passionate kiss, affirming that she didn't care about his status and would always want to be with him. They embraced, deeply in love. Back at the Li mansion, the real Steward Li, rescued and recovered, expressed his relief and gratitude to Li Qian and assured him that Wu Man had been killed. A physician treated Li Qian’s wound, noting how close it had been to his heart.
Steward Li offered additional guards, but Li Qian declined, stating he was fine. Soon after, Dongzhi and Qing An burst into Li Qian’s room, excitedly declaring their decision to be together. Li Qian, despite his injury, questioned Dongzhi about facing their father and Qing An about navigating the imminent conflict between Mu'an and Yongqing. Both reaffirmed their commitment to each other, come what may.
Seeing their unwavering resolve, Li Qian reluctantly gave his blessing, asking Qing An to take good care of his sister. Later, Li Qian sat alone, drinking, and mused with a touch of bitterness that a young girl like Dongzhi could be so true to her heart and achieve love, while he, Li Qian, found it an "absurd" impossibility.
