Rebirth For You Episode 8 Recap
> Rebirth For You Recap
Jiang Baoning encountered Li Qian on the street, mentioning she had visited his empty mansion. She requested they meet the next morning outside the city. The following day, Jiang Baoning burned the commitment letter she had made with Li Qian, stating that the alliance between their families was over and the letter was a liability. She then asked if Li Qian had found any news about The Book of Supreme Weapons through his service to Empress Dowager Cao.
Li Qian confirmed that Empress Dowager Cao had mentioned the book was located in the Treasure House at Longevity Hill, which Baoning noted was full of traps and secret doors, offering to gather more information about it. Taking the opportunity, Li Qian reminded Baoning of his promise to teach her to ride a horse. He guided her, urging her to hold the reins firmly and be careful, even offering a hand when she initially refused his help.
As they prepared to part, Baoning mentioned she had been out too long and needed to return, suggesting Li Qian not escort her to avoid being seen together. Li Qian expressed his uncertainty about when they would meet again, wishing her well and concealing his reluctance to part. Emperor Zhao Yi continued to persecute Cao Xuan, Empress Dowager Cao’s nephew, by assigning him menial tasks and punishing him for minor infractions.
Zhao Yi had Cao Xuan kneel for an entire day, during which he refused water from a sympathetic Su Su, fearing it would implicate her. He even fainted, but Su Su discreetly gave him water to revive him before leaving. Despite her efforts, Cao Xuan continued to avoid Su Su, believing his current disgraced state would only drag her down. Su Su's parents then tried to arrange a marriage for her with Han Qizong.
Su Su, usually obedient, vehemently rejected the proposal. After spending a sleepless night, Su Su went to Duke Chengen’s Mansion and directly asked him to marry her, arguing that her family’s status would benefit him. However, Cao Xuan again refused, believing she merely pitied him. Distraught, Su Su confided in Jiang Baoning, who immediately confronted Cao Xuan.
Jiang Baoning exposed Han Qizong as an abusive drunk who had caused the mysterious deaths of his two previous wives, escaping justice due to Empress Han’s influence. She emphasized that Han Qizong was now seeking to marry Su Su as his third wife, solely relying on Empress Han's power. Realizing the danger, Cao Xuan immediately went to Marquis Dingbei’s Mansion to propose to Su Su, declaring his sincerity and hoping for approval. Su Su, secretly listening, was overjoyed.
Cao Xuan later told Su Su that he changed his mind because life is too short for regrets. Emperor Zhao Yi, upon hearing that Zhao Xiao had praised Jiang Baoning to the Grand Empress Dowager, summoned Zhao Xiao and angrily demanded he choose between his life and Baoning.
Zhao Xiao, undeterred, declared his sincere love for Baoning, stating he would be "with a heart so dear, until death do us part," and bravely stepped towards Zhao Yi’s drawn sword, getting stabbed in the shoulder. The Grand Empress Dowager arrived, stopping Zhao Yi and scolding him, reminding him that he already had an empress and a son, and Baoning was no longer his to claim.
Later, she asked Zhao Xiao, who had risked his life for Baoning, how he would protect her if they were married. Zhao Xiao pledged to return to Nanmin, inherit his father's legacy of fighting pirates, cease the expansion of his family's power, and never again set foot in the capital, all for Baoning's sake. The Grand Empress Dowager praised his wisdom and devotion.
She then discussed the matter with Baoning, emphasizing that her future husband must possess the courage and strength to defy the Emperor and protect her. Though Baoning initially hesitated, thinking of Li Qian, she ultimately agreed to the Grand Empress Dowager’s arrangement. The Grand Empress Dowager immediately decided to travel to Longevity Hill in two days to inform Empress Dowager Cao of the betrothal and gain her approval, as she was still nominally in charge of harem affairs.
Baoning asked to accompany her, and the Grand Empress Dowager agreed, suggesting Zhao Xiao also join them to pay his respects to Empress Dowager Cao. Empress Han Tongxin, learning of the Grand Empress Dowager's plan to betroth Jiang Baoning to Zhao Xiao, immediately decided to interfere. She rushed to Longevity Hill, aiming to speak with Empress Dowager Cao before the Grand Empress Dowager and Baoning arrived.
Han Tongxin warned Empress Dowager Cao that the alliance between Baoning's family, the Archduke's Mansion, and Zhao Xiao, who commanded significant military power in Nanmin, would inevitably lead to political instability. However, Empress Dowager Cao, having retired from state affairs, dismissed her concerns. She stated that the Emperor was now in charge and she trusted Zhao Xiao's loyalty.
Empress Dowager Cao further clarified that she had no authority over Baoning's marriage and that the Grand Empress Dowager's visit was merely a formality to issue a standard edict. Frustrated by this rebuff, Han Tongxin secretly vowed that Jiang Baoning would not achieve a happy marriage after causing discord in her own life. Meanwhile, Emperor Zhao Yi investigated Song Xianyi and confirmed that she had secretly visited Empress Dowager Cao at Longevity Hill.
Concluding that Song Xianyi was also the one who tipped off the Grand Empress Dowager, Zhao Yi ordered her immediate confinement to the Cold Palace. Later, Li Qian, on patrol at Longevity Hill, encountered Zhao Xiao, who was still injured. Zhao Xiao joyfully announced that the Grand Empress Dowager was arranging his marriage to Jiang Baoning and that he was there with Baoning and her grandmother to seek Empress Dowager Cao's approval, even inviting Li Qian to their wedding.
Li Qian was visibly disheartened but wished him well. Sometime after, Li Qian unexpectedly saw Jiang Baoning. He feigned composure and congratulated her on her upcoming marriage to the Son of Marquis Jinghai, describing him as a talented man of noble birth who would surely make her happy. Baoning, sensing his indifference, angrily retorted that he didn't know anything.
Jiang Baoning visited Emperor Zhao Yi, feigning disinterest in marriage and expressing a desire to relax at Longevity Hill with the Grand Empress Dowager. She then cunningly requested the layout of the Treasure House at Longevity Hill, claiming she was fond of delicate gadgets and wanted to know what to ask for. Zhao Yi, still trying to win her favor, readily provided the blueprints.
Later, while secretly making her way towards the Treasure House, Baoning encountered Qing Tai, the First Prince of Yongqing. He mistakenly thought she was attacking him, but Baoning was actually killing a poisonous snake, earning his respect for her beauty and combat skills. Although initially planning to go to the Treasure House, she changed her mind. The next morning, she and her maid arrived at the Treasure House before the Guards of Li had fully deployed.
Leaving her maid outside, Baoning entered, using the blueprints to locate and twist a hidden ornament, which opened a secret passage leading to The Book of Supreme Weapons. Just as she found the book, someone deliberately set the Treasure House on fire, trapping Baoning amidst the spreading flames as she desperately called for help.
