Rebirth For You Episode 7 Recap
> Rebirth For You Recap
On the day of Empress Dowager Cao’s birthday celebration, she publicly expressed her wish for Emperor Zhao Yi to establish an Empress soon and produce a prince. She then directly announced that District Princess Qingyi, Lord Jian’s granddaughter, would be installed as the Empress, moving to the central palace. Although Emperor Zhao Yi was displeased, he dared not openly defy the Empress Dowager’s decree and reluctantly accepted the arranged marriage.
District Princess Qingyi, dressed in solemn attire, entered the hall to be formally invested, fulfilling the long-held desires of both herself and Lord Jian. Court officials offered their congratulations, but Emperor Zhao Yi remained inwardly discontent. That night, the assassins arranged by Emperor Zhao Yi successfully infiltrated the palace and killed Cao Guozhu. Upon seeing the six-linked-pearl lanterns hanging outside, Wei Shu reported to Li Qian, signaling Cao Guozhu’s demise.
Li Qian instructed Wei Shu to station men to guard Paiyun Hall, which was the designated escape route for the Empress Dowager from Longevity Hill. Li Qian then went alone to rescue Empress Dowager Cao. Li Qian knew he had to convince Empress Dowager Cao that he had only accidentally discovered the news of Cao Guozhu's death and the Archduke's plot to usurp power, which meant he had to go by himself.
As the birthday celebration on Longevity Hill began, with performances staged for the Empress Dowager, ministers and noblewomen gathered to watch the opera. Lord Jian, overjoyed by his granddaughter's elevation to Empress, basked in the compliments of the officials. Commandery Princess Jia’nan (Baoning) observed Li Qian’s departure and worried about the progress of his plan.
Li Qian secretly entered Empress Dowager Cao's sleeping chambers, informing her that Cao Guozhu had been killed by the Jiang family's guards, and that Emperor Zhao Yi and the Archduke (Jiang Zhenyuan) were approaching with their men, seemingly with ill intentions. He implored Empress Dowager Cao to trust him and leave quickly. Empress Dowager Cao, realizing Emperor Zhao Yi's intent to force her to return power, confirmed Cao Guozhu's death and followed Li Qian.
However, they were intercepted by Emperor Zhao Yi and the Archduke (Jiang Zhenyuan) at the exit of Dehui Hall. Emperor Zhao Yi implored Empress Dowager Cao to return the reins of government, asserting that in his youth he was ignorant of state affairs, which necessitated her control. Now, however, he found himself without other options but to seek the Archduke's assistance in reforming the imperial administration.
Empress Dowager Cao tested Emperor Zhao Yi's understanding of Mu'an State's governance, discovering to her surprise that he possessed extensive knowledge of state affairs, realizing he had long planned this day. Recognizing her position was untenable, Empress Dowager Cao reluctantly agreed to hand over the imperial jade seal. Meanwhile, Jiang Lyu, the Archduke's son, accused the Vice Minister of Rites of disrespecting imperial authority by gifting Empress Dowager Cao a dragon-carved porcelain vase, and had him arrested.
Commandery Princess Jia’nan (Baoning) surmised that Empress Dowager Cao was now besieged by Emperor Zhao Yi. She discreetly slipped away from the banquet and, with the help of Zhao Xiao, successfully evaded the patrolling guards to intercept the Grand Empress Dowager, who was also arriving at Longevity Hill. As Empress Dowager Cao retrieved the jade seal, she recalled a childhood memory of Zhao Yi displeasing the late emperor with his studies.
She had once advised him to keep a low profile and accumulate strength for the future, like a dragon. Now, seeing Emperor Zhao Yi's accumulated efforts coming to fruition, she felt he had not disappointed her. Empress Dowager Cao personally handed the jade seal to Zhao Yi, hoping he would become a wise and good emperor. She then attempted to take her own life with a dagger, but Li Qian promptly knocked the weapon away, saving her.
At that moment, the Grand Empress Dowager arrived with Fang Yiru. In front of the Grand Empress Dowager, Zhao Yi admitted that Fang Yiru’s unborn child was his. The Grand Empress Dowager declared that regardless of the dispute between the Empress Dowager and the Emperor, the child in Fang Yiru’s womb was of royal blood and must be protected. Seeing this, Empress Dowager Cao also vowed to safeguard the royal lineage.
Commandery Princess Jia'nan (Baoning), realizing that she had been kept in the dark about Fang Yiru's pregnancy, grew upset and left, ignoring Zhao Yi's attempts to explain. Soon after, Fang Yiru experienced labor pains, prompting Empress Dowager Cao to quickly summon a midwife. After some effort, Fang Yiru gave birth to Emperor Zhao Yi's eldest illegitimate son. The Grand Empress Dowager was overjoyed upon hearing of the birth of the first royal prince.
Although Empress Dowager Cao had returned power to the Emperor, she remained somewhat resentful and believed the inner palace was still under her authority. Therefore, she decided that the young prince would live with her on Longevity Hill, sharing familial happiness. She also assigned Li Qian's Guards of Li from Bingzhou to protect them. Emperor Zhao Yi, though helpless, readily agreed.
Empress Dowager Cao informed Li Qian that from that day on, he was promoted to head of the Imperial Guards of Longevity Hill, responsible for her protection. The Archduke (Jiang Zhenyuan) was relieved, noting that the Li family's involvement allowed the Jiang family to emerge from the political upheaval unscathed. Li Qian arranged for the Guards of Li to protect the Empress Dowager.
Hearing that Emperor Zhao Yi, the officials, and Commandery Princess Jia’nan (Baoning), among others, had all left Longevity Hill, Li Qian felt a sense of melancholy. He realized that from now on, he would be confined to Longevity Hill, making it difficult to see Baoning again. On her way back to the capital, the Grand Empress Dowager expressed gratitude that Baoning had informed her in advance, ensuring the preservation of the royal lineage.
She assured Baoning that after the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet, she would find her a sincere and devoted husband. Although Baoning felt a stirring in her heart for Li Qian, she did not openly confess her true feelings to her grandmother. With the Empress Dowager having returned power, Emperor Zhao Yi was eager to assert his personal rule, and many ministers were astonished by the sudden shift in power in the capital.
Han Tongxin came to congratulate Emperor Zhao Yi on his personal rule. A tea-serving maid inadvertently addressed her as "District Princess Qingyi," enraging Han Tongxin. Han Tongxin, asserting her authority as Empress, ordered the maid to be punished. Emperor Zhao Yi was displeased by her actions and mocked her, stating she was incomparable to Baoning. Han Tongxin, in a fit of pique, retorted, nearly provoking Emperor Zhao Yi to strike her.
He then warned Han Tongxin that out of respect for the Empress Dowager, she should remain in her Ciyuan Hall as Empress and avoid bothering him. Royal relatives, learning that Commandery Princess Jia’nan (Baoning) had not been appointed Empress, began to seek her hand in marriage for their respective sons. After much consideration, the Grand Empress Dowager found Zhao Xiao, the Son of Marquis Jinghai, to be a suitable match.
Given his family’s character, she believed Baoning would be well treated if Zhao Xiao also harbored feelings for her. As the Lantern Festival approached, the Grand Empress Dowager hosted a banquet for younger generations, using the occasion to discreetly assess Zhao Xiao, finding him very satisfactory. On the day of the Lantern Festival, Su Su invited Baoning to stroll outside the palace.
Baoning, having learned from Jiang Lyu that Li Qian was currently in the capital, decided to leave the palace to find him. Li Qian arranged for Wei Shu to escort Gao Miaorong back to Bingzhou, then closed his family home, preparing to depart for Longevity Hill. Baoning and Su Su became separated amidst the crowds at the Lantern Festival. Su Su unexpectedly encountered Lord Cheng’en, while Li Qian, walking leisurely through the streets, coincidentally stumbled upon Baoning.
