Renascence Episode 11 Recap
> Renascence Recap
After attending Mo Li's funeral, where her father Yao Zhengteng implored her to live well and promised justice for Mo Li and Yao Moxin, Yao Mowan reassured him that she had her own plans. Returning to the palace, she discovered a secret passage. Following it, she found Yao Moxin's body, clad in a red phoenix robe, lying in an ice coffin. At that moment, Yao Mowan's memories merged with her sister's, revealing that the poisoning had made them one.
She realized she now possessed both Yao Moxin's and Yao Mowan's memories. Tears streamed down her face as she recalled Emperor Ye Hongyi's deep suspicion of Yao Moxin's unborn child, Zhong'er. Ye Hongyi had confided his unease to his eunuch, who then promised to alleviate the Emperor's worries, subtly implying his involvement in tampering with the prenatal medicine. Meanwhile, Emperor Ye Hongyi gazed at a portrait of Yao Moxin, drinking and speaking to himself.
He confessed his past desire to protect Mo Xin, admitting that his heart had changed and he had unknowingly fallen in love with someone else. He apologized to Mo Xin, wondering if this was what she would have wanted. He resolved to let go of the past and vowed to protect Yao Mowan on Mo Xin's behalf. Disheartened, Yao Mowan returned to her residence.
Upon seeing Han Jinyi, she involuntarily blurted out "this empress," startling him and making him question what she had discovered in the palace. Yao Mowan then revealed that she had found the residue of Yao Moxin's prenatal medicine, which contained three poisons: Suqingfeng herb, aconite gum, and poison nut.
She explained that Suqingfeng herb, a rare and precious guiding herb used by the Shu royal family, was likely brought in by Dou Shiming—who had connections with Shu royalty and a relationship with Yao Su Luan—shortly before her sister's death. Han Jinyi confirmed that he had seen aconite gum in the Pavilion of Treasures when he was previously there. This led Yao Mowan to conclude that only the Emperor could have placed it there.
She further deduced that Lady Li was merely a scapegoat for the poison nut, as the maid who accused her was a distant relative of Cai Die, Wang Qingruo's head maid. Yao Mowan was stunned to realize that Yao Moxin's sudden death was not a simple matter but a collective conspiracy involving the imperial harem and the Emperor himself.
She lamented the futility of emotions, heartbroken that her beloved, Ye Hongyi, and her own sisters had been the ones to betray and poison Yao Moxin, ultimately leading to her death and the loss of her unborn child. She vowed to avenge her sister and mother. Despite Han Jinyi's concerns that she might suffer the same fate as Yao Moxin, Yao Mowan, with tears in her eyes, declared her unwavering resolve for revenge.
She asked Han Jinyi to keep their conversation a secret from Ye Junqing, as he had already sacrificed too much for Mo Xin, and she could not burden him with this responsibility. She entrusted Han Jinyi with the care of Ye Junqing. Yao Mowan, knowing her time with Ye Junqing was limited, found him after he had spent the night with Yao Moxin's portrait, which he kept from their past encounter.
Feigning anger, she accused him of being two-faced and asked if he truly loved her, then insisted he complete a "dating list" with her that day as she was "being willful." The list included visiting a market, releasing Kongming lanterns, guessing riddles, and revisiting their first dangerous encounter spot. They shared candied haws and hung wish ribbons, then released Kongming lanterns, with Ye Junqing writing a wish for them to be together through life and death, constantly missing Mo Wan.
They arrived at the place where they first met, recalling how that peril had brought them together from being strangers. Yao Mowan playfully asked Ye Junqing to carry her, as she had carried him before. While he carried her, she repeatedly asked him what he would say if Yao Moxin reappeared, hinting that Mo Xin would choose him if given another chance.
Ye Junqing, growing somewhat puzzled by her constant mention of Mo Xin, affirmed that he would simply wish Mo Xin well and would protect her from afar, as he only cared about Yao Mowan now. They returned to a tranquil spot, where Yao Mowan reminded him that he had given her the name Nian Xin there. She then reflected on their journey, noting that their initial relationship, based on gratitude, had now blossomed into something wonderful.
Overwhelmed, Ye Junqing embraced her and promised that once their current affairs were settled, they would leave the imperial conflicts behind and live a carefree life together. Deeply moved, Yao Mowan stood on tiptoes to kiss Ye Junqing, making what she knew was their final farewell. As their final act, Yao Mowan asked Ye Junqing to row a boat to the opposite bank, promising to answer if she could hear him.
While he rowed away, she tearfully spoke her farewell aloud, apologizing for letting him down and for ruining half his life. She confessed that he was now her everything, but she had more important tasks to accomplish for her mother and Yao Moxin. She expressed no expectation of his forgiveness or continued love, but vowed to live only for him from that day forward.
After Ye Junqing reached the other side and found her gone, he returned to his residence, where a servant handed him a farewell letter from Yao Mowan. In the letter, she explained that she was leaving not because she no longer loved him, but because loving an "uncertain person" was too exhausting.
She then included detailed instructions for his future partner, describing his personality, preferences, and how to win his affection, with a specific note about his sensitivity regarding Mo Xin. She concluded the letter with a poignant farewell, acknowledging that their love was separated by insurmountable obstacles and expressing her hope for his happiness and peace in this life, while only wishing to know of his well-being in the next.
Ye Junqing immediately began a frantic search for Yao Mowan, unknowingly passing her sedan chair in the streets. Upon returning to his residence, his servant informed him that palace guards had reported seeing Yao Mowan enter the palace. Yao Mowan appeared before Ye Hongyi, dressed in Yao Moxin's attire, leaving him stunned, as he momentarily mistook her for Mo Xin. With her dual memories, her every gesture and movement mirrored Yao Moxin's.
She thought to herself that Ye Hongyi wouldn't know she was both Mo Wan and Mo Xin, and that her merged memories allowed her to understand his deepest desires. After introducing herself as Yao Mowan, she explained that she had come to perform a dance on the seventh day after her sister's passing, fearing he would be sad. Ye Hongyi, however, sensed she had a request.
Yao Mowan boldly asked him to grant her status and honor, arguing that the status of Prince Su's consort was incomparable to that bestowed by the Emperor, who commanded the world. She asserted her ambition, reminding him that this was what he once admired in her sister. She then offered to fill the void in his heart left by Yao Moxin's death, confident in her ability to do so.
Meanwhile, Ye Junqing arrived at the palace, demanding to see the Emperor. The eunuch tried to block him, mentioning the Emperor was with a "pretty lady," leading Ye Junqing to suspect it was Yao Mowan. Inside, Yao Mowan requested permission from Ye Hongyi to speak with Ye Junqing outside, promising to resolve matters. She confronted Ye Junqing, who couldn't comprehend her behavior, believing she was merely jesting.
He reminded her of her farewell letter, which stated she would no longer accompany him. When he tried to pull her away, she sternly reiterated that their connection was severed and he should not get into trouble because of her. Producing their written agreement, which stated that Nian Xin was part of Prince Su's residence and he must fulfill her requests and that Nian Xin was always right, Ye Junqing tried to appeal to their past.
However, Yao Mowan cruelly retorted, accusing him of being fickle and asserting that she was simply re-directing her affections to the Emperor, as any woman would choose the ruler of the world over a prince. Ye Junqing, deeply hurt, pleaded with her to stop speaking. Ye Junqing was utterly heartbroken and refused to believe that Yao Mowan was truly abandoning him, despite her cutting words. He was repeatedly provoked by her coldness. However, Yao Mowan, maintaining her facade, turned and retreated inside, leaving him alone and distraught outside the door.
