Rebirth Episode 35 Recap
> Rebirth Recaps
Yan Xun realizes that to save Chu Qiao, he must deal with Zhao Chun'er, who has gained significant influence in the Yong Empire and has the ear of Prince Zhao Yang. Knowing her volatile nature, Yan Xun approaches the Princess Manor, presenting himself as a discarded pawn willing to do anything to reclaim his status in Yanbei.
Zhao Chun'er, bitter over his past betrayal, toys with him, ordering him to kneel outside for twelve hours before "joking" and granting him entry after only two. Inside the manor, Zhao Chun'er's instability is on full display. She forces Yan Xun to change into the clothes of Li Yan, her lost love.
Caught in a spiral of grief and madness, she hallucinates that Yan Xun is Li Yan, weeping for him before lashing out and biting Yan Xun in a fit of rage. Determined to find Chu Qiao, Yan Xun endures her torment and offers her false warmth to gain her trust. Once she falls asleep, he corners her maid at knifepoint and learns that Chu Qiao is being held in Zhao Yang's dog kennel.
He manages to infiltrate the location and leaves an antidote for the muscle-softening powder next to her. The next morning, Yan Xun continues his charade by bringing Zhao Chun'er lotus dew soup, making her believe he has regained his feelings for her. However, she remains cruel, leading him to the Jiuyou Terrace to witness the execution of Chu Qiao.
Before a gathered crowd, Chu Qiao is accused of being a criminal slave who rebelled against the Yong and impersonated the "Faceless Saintess." As Zhao Yang orders the pyre to be lit, the antidote takes effect. Chu Qiao breaks her bonds, leaps from the platform, and takes Zhao Yang hostage, publicly denouncing Zhao Chun'er and Zhao Yang for using the Faceless Deity Cult to poison the people and steal the resources of Ximeng.
In the ensuing chaos, Yan Xun seizes Zhao Chun'er to hold back the army. Panicked and selfish, Zhao Yang shoves Zhao Chun'er toward Yan Xun to create a distraction, causing Yan Xun’s sword to accidentally pierce her body. As Zhao Chun'er collapses in a pool of blood, Yan Xun prepares to kill the cowardly Zhao Yang, but an arrow knocks the sword from his hand.
Zhuge Yue appears, declaring his role as the Head of Qingshan Court and protector of the Yong royals. To drive Chu Qiao away and protect her from further involvement with him, Zhuge Yue lies, claiming he was the one who orchestrated the downfall of the Yan clan by providing false evidence. Heartbroken by his apparent betrayal, Chu Qiao weeps as Zhuge Yue orders their arrest. The standoff is interrupted by a royal decree.
Because envoys from Biantang have arrived to negotiate for the release of their Empress Dowager—revealed to be Chu Qiao’s status there—the Emperor orders the immediate release of both Chu Qiao and Yan Xun. Zhuge Yue watches with hidden relief as Yan Xun leads Chu Qiao away. Shortly after the release, Zhao Yang suddenly vomits black blood and dies, having been poisoned. Zhao Che enters the palace to confront his grieving father.
He confesses to the poisoning, driven by years of the Emperor’s suspicion and his brother’s incompetence despite his own military sacrifices for the empire. Realizing he has no other choice, the Emperor signs a decree naming Zhao Che the Crown Prince. In a final attempt to secure a future peace, Zhao Che meets with General Huan and gives her his royal ring as a token of his feelings, hoping Yanbei and Yong can coexist.
They spend a night together, but by morning, General Huan has departed. She leaves a letter stating that as a daughter of Yanbei, she must put her people first. She warns him that if they meet on the battlefield again, they must forget their night together and show no mercy.
