Renascence Episode 13 Recap
> Renascence Recap
Yao Mowan returned to the palace for her conferment ceremony. Before her arrival, An Bing Shan reported rumors of Consort Wan being found unclothed, implying impurity, which displeased Ye Hongyi. He questioned Yao Mowan, who explained she was kidnapped by a thug intending to throw her into a lake, framing her for escaping the conferment. Prince Su, Ye Junqing, and Han Jinyi arrived in time to rescue her, preserving her purity and life.
Yao Mowan suspected someone wanted her dead and her reputation ruined. Ye Junqing reported that his security at the Yao Residence meant only an insider could have kidnapped Yao Mowan. The masked assailants committed suicide by ingesting poison after fighting his men, leaving only their bodies. Thousand Faces reported the poison, Suqingfeng herb, was exclusive to Shu and only obtainable by those with Shu connections.
Prime Minister Yao confirmed the deceased was Dou San, a distant relative of his wife's family who had become a bandit. Despite Dou Xiang Lan's claims of innocence, Ye Hongyi reminded her that her uncle, Governor Dou, had ties with Shu. Han Jinyi presented testimony from Yao Residence servants who had heard Dou Xiang Lan express resentment towards Yao Mowan.
Based on these circumstances, Ye Hongyi stripped Dou Xiang Lan of her First Rank Lady title and sent her to the Supreme Court for interrogation. As Ye Junqing escorted Yao Mowan back to the palace, he noted her residence, Guanju Palace, indicating the Emperor's favor. Ye Junqing acknowledged Yao Mowan's "good show" and Han Jinyi's assistance. In a flashback, Yao Mowan asked Han Jinyi to stage a kidnapping to suppress the Dou family.
She explained her philosophy of not allowing her boundaries to be continually pushed and that a tree’s roots must reach into darkness to grow strong. Han Jinyi agreed to help, suggesting they use a notorious Dou family thug he had long wanted to eliminate. Ye Junqing felt like a pawn in her plan and offered to take her away unconditionally if she wished.
Yao Mowan coldly rejected him, asserting that he could not protect her, just as he could not protect Mo Xin, and that only the Emperor's supreme power could. Heartbroken, Ye Junqing congratulated her on achieving her desires before departing. Later, Ye Junqing held a sachet, lamenting ever meeting her. He tossed the sachet into a box and drowned his sorrows in alcohol. Ben Lei worried about Ye Junqing's health and urged Han Jinyi to intervene.
Recalling Yao Mowan's words, Ye Junqing became agitated and brandished his sword. Han Jinyi cautioned Ye Junqing against complacency, citing the Dou family's lingering threat and Ye Hongyi's ruthless methods. Observing Ye Junqing's distress, Han Jinyi acknowledged Yao Mowan's change but suggested she had her reasons. He promised to dispatch the elite hidden guard Yin Xue from the savanna to protect Yao Mowan in the palace, relieving Ye Junqing of his worries.
Han Jinyi offered to drink with Ye Junqing that night but insisted he quickly regain his composure, reminding him that Chu's God of War should not be consumed by matters of the heart. Meanwhile, in Dezhao Palace, Ye Hongyi spoke to a memorial for Yao Moxin, seeking her forgiveness.
He confided that seeing Yao Mowan felt like seeing Mo Xin again, bringing a sense of rediscovery, and he intended to bestow upon Yao Mowan all the adoration he once held for Mo Xin to mend the void in his heart. Later, Princess Chang Feng, Duan Ting Ting, forcefully entered Ye Junqing's residence, expressing her concern and reiterating her affection, declaring she had been unable to forget him since they first met when she was fifteen.
Ye Junqing, feigning drunkenness, excused himself and left. In her palace, Yao Mowan was visibly dejected, prompting her maid, Ting Yue, to question why she chose such a difficult path. Yao Mowan responded that this was her only viable path. She admitted to repeatedly hurting Ye Junqing and feeling deserving of her current pain. Yao Mowan then advised Ting Yue on surviving the treacherous palace: "pretend to be dumb, endure, and stay loyal and vigilant."
An Bing Shan delivered extravagant gifts to Yao Mowan on Ye Hongyi's behalf. Yao Mowan recognized these lavish gifts as a "hot potato" that would instantly make her a target among the other concubines. Deciding to confront the situation head-on, she prepared to visit the other ladies in the harem. During her visit, Noble Consort Li openly refused Yao Mowan's offering, remarking that using connections as stepping stones would only lead to trouble.
On her way back to her chambers, Yao Mowan observed Concubine Cai and Guard Commander Huangfu Junxiu engaged in a secret rendezvous. She revealed her knowledge of their forbidden love, recalling how Yao Moxin had often facilitated their meetings in the past. Yao Mowan knew that Concubine Cai's marriage to Ye Hongyi was a mere contractual arrangement to secure military support, with no true affection.
She promised to continue aiding them in fulfilling Yao Moxin’s unfinished task, but warned them that she had been followed and that their current meeting spot was no longer safe. Later, Han Yue, accompanied by Duan Ting Ting, visited Yao Mowan. Duan Ting Ting expressed her anger at Yao Mowan for causing Ye Junqing's sadness. Han Yue sent Ting Ting away, then directly addressed Yao Mowan as Mo Xin, having recognized her true identity.
Yao Mowan confirmed she was indeed Mo Xin, explaining that fate had granted her a second chance through Mo Wan's body to change her destiny, and affirming her intention for revenge. Han Yue, concerned for her friend, warned that her current predicament was even more dangerous than before. Mo Xin, however, declared her resolve to "counter whatever comes my way." That night, Ye Hongyi arrived at Guanju Palace.
He inquired about her comfort, and then, reminiscing about Mo Xin, he initiated intimacy. Yao Mowan, visibly reluctant and nervous, hesitated to undress him. He dismissed her concerns, promising to teach her Mo Xin's ways. As their intimacy deepened, numerous poisonous snakes suddenly swarmed into the room, causing Yao Mowan to break out in a rash. Ye Hongyi immediately summoned a doctor and Thousand Faces. Thousand Faces discovered snake-luring incense hidden under Yao Mowan’s bed.
Ye Hongyi grew suspicious, questioning whether Yao Mowan had entered the palace with genuine intentions or if she was conspiring with Ye Junqing to assassinate him. He decreed that she would remain confined to Guanju Palace until the truth was uncovered.
