Rebirth For You Episode 5 Recap
> Rebirth For You Recap
After the Grand Empress Dowager and her entourage departed, Li Qian accidentally tripped, causing him to fall on top of Baoning. Their eyes met, and a spark ignited between them. Li Qian quickly handed her an ointment, telling her to remember to use it, before hastily leaving. Baoning, in turn, thought to herself that she didn't need him to care about her. Meanwhile, Su Su accompanied her mother to a temple.
She had secretly bribed a fortune teller to declare that her fate of spouse was far-off, and a late marriage would bring prosperity to her and her husband. Su Su's mother accepted this, saying they would do as the fortune teller advised. Lord Cheng’en, who was also at the temple with his mother, observed Su Su's actions but did not expose her.
Baoning later explained to Su Su that Empress Dowager Cao had already made her move by introducing District Princess Qingyi, also known as Han Tongxin, to Zhao Yi and arranging for her to study in the palace school. Baoning planned to take advantage of District Princess Qingyi's arrogant and impulsive nature and her jealousy to intentionally sabotage her own impending marriage.
At a lively banquet in Shoukang Palace, Zhao Yi presented azaleas from the Qi Family in Jinxi to the Grand Empress Dowager, who was delighted. Baoning proposed a painting competition with Su Su and District Princess Qingyi, using the azaleas as their subject. District Princess Qingyi eagerly agreed. Zhao Yi offered a turquoise as a reward for the winner. During the competition, Baoning deliberately painted poorly, ensuring District Princess Qingyi's victory.
When District Princess Qingyi received the turquoise, Baoning feigned disappointment, causing Zhao Yi to promise her a more precious water-clear bead instead. Enraged and jealous that Baoning received something better despite losing, District Princess Qingyi declared Jiang Baoning "backhanded" and threw her turquoise, calling it a "useless rock" without Zhao Yi's affection. She then instructed her servant Baihe to keep a close eye on Baoning.
Later, Su Su found an opportunity to return Lord Cheng’en's jade pendant, which she had picked up at the temple. Lord Cheng’en questioned her previous actions at the temple, and Su Su explained that she didn’t want to marry early and leave Baoning alone in the palace.
She also expressed her longing for a marriage based on love rather than family interests, stating that as a lineal daughter in a noble family, her marriage was merely a strong link between families. Lord Cheng’en was impressed by her words, remarking that if he could find a soulmate, he would feel contented. He also noticed that Su Su had braided a new string for his jade pendant.
Baoning's servant, Qingke, was caught trying to sell a water-clear bead, which District Princess Qingyi discovered. Qingke pleaded that her mother was gravely ill, forcing her to steal the bead. District Princess Qingyi bought the bead from Qingke and blackmailed her into becoming a spy, demanding reports on Baoning's every move. Qingke soon informed District Princess Qingyi that Baoning had injured her wrist. At another banquet, District Princess Qingyi deliberately proposed that Baoning play the zither.
Baoning claimed she hadn't brought her own Jiaowei Zither, but District Princess Qingyi produced her grandmother's famous Lyuqi Zither, insisting Baoning use it. Though Baoning's wrist was still sprained, she was forced to perform. Noticing Baoning's struggle, Zhao Xiao, who had learned to play the zither since he was little, bravely offered to play a duet with her, using the same zither.
Their harmonious performance earned widespread praise from the guests, but a jealous Zhao Yi was furious, believing Zhao Xiao was exchanging glances with Baoning. Unable to openly confront Zhao Xiao, Zhao Yi took out his anger by deliberately smashing District Princess Qingyi's zither. District Princess Qingyi, in turn, blamed Baoning for everything and swore she would not let her go.
Meanwhile, Empress Dowager Cao was displeased by the impending decree to make Baoning the Empress, believing Baoning was unworthy of the title without the Grand Empress Dowager and The Archduke's influence. Upon learning from Baihe that Qingke had confessed under torture about her involvement in stealing the water-clear bead, District Princess Qingyi quickly ordered Baihe to secretly return the bead to Baoning's room in the Three Abodes of the East and then summon Empress Dowager Cao.
When Baoning arrived at District Princess Qingyi's room in the Three Abodes of the South, accusing her of theft, Empress Dowager Cao suddenly appeared. District Princess Qingyi immediately feigned innocence, threatening to take her own life to prove it, and accusing Baoning of slandering her. Just then, a eunuch reported that the water-clear bead had been "found" in Baoning's own bedroom.
Empress Dowager Cao scolded Baoning for her "naughty" behavior, disregard for rules, and for "slandering District Princess Qingyi" without evidence. Although the Grand Empress Dowager tried to dismiss it as a "little conflict between girls," Empress Dowager Cao sternly argued that Baoning's actions undermined her authority and would displease Lord Jian and other officials.
As a lenient punishment, Baoning was ordered to kneel in the Introspection Chamber for a night, and the empress coronation was postponed until after Empress Dowager Cao's birthday. Outside, palace servants gossiped that the coronation was now "nullified," and expressed concern about Baoning enduring the cold chamber on her birthday. Baoning, however, was secretly pleased that her plan had succeeded. Hearing of Baoning's punishment, Su Su decided to help her friend get some fresh air.
She pretended to have lost a bracelet awarded by the Grand Empress Dowager and asked Lord Cheng’en to help her search for it, leading him away. Lord Cheng’en, though aware of her true intentions, graciously agreed, seeing it as a thank you for the new string she had braided for his jade pendant. He also assured Su Su that he would ensure Baoning did not suffer.
Li Qian, too, heard of Baoning's punishment and secretly climbed over the palace wall to visit her in the Introspection Chamber. He found her quite comfortable with quilts, books, and candles provided by the Grand Empress Dowager. Li Qian confronted Baoning directly, having observed her calm and strategic behavior in past situations, such as with Fang Yiru's child. He deduced that she never truly wanted to marry Zhao Yi and that the day's events were her deliberate plan.
Baoning, seeing her facade pierced, admitted that she indeed had no intention of becoming Zhao Yi's Empress and had orchestrated the entire incident, including allowing District Princess Qingyi to take the water-clear bead. Li Qian recognized that Baoning was unlike other women, valuing happiness and freedom above all else. Later, Lord Jian praised District Princess Qingyi, informing her that Empress Dowager Cao intended to name her Empress at her birthday banquet. District Princess Qingyi was overjoyed.
Back in the Introspection Chamber, Baoning complained about Li Qian visiting her empty-handed. Li Qian, who had climbed the wall and could not carry much, produced two boiled eggs. As an apology, he led her to the palace kitchen, where he made her a bowl of longevity noodles, explaining that the palace bells striking midnight signaled her birthday. Eating the noodles, Baoning was deeply moved.
She remembered her mother, Princess Yong’an, making her longevity noodles many years ago, and commented that Li Qian's bland noodles tasted just like her mother's. The memory brought back the painful day of her birth, when her father, Zhenying, died on the Hunting Ground saving the Emperor from a berserk, tranquilized bear. Her mother, Princess Yong’an, rushed to his side but tragically died after her carriage fell off a cliff on a rainy day.
Baoning cried, remembering how the Grand Empress Dowager had taken her into the palace, promising to protect her forever. Li Qian, flustered by her tears, tried to cheer her up by offering garlic, a custom from his hometown of Jinxi. Baoning, amused by his attempt, playfully called him dirty.
