Renascence Episode 16 Recap
> Renascence Recap
Han Jinyi, returning from his investigation of An Bing Shan's alchemy room, informed Ye Junqing that the burner contained not medicine, but amalgamated gunpowder, with a clear fuse trace on the ground. Ye Junqing deduced that this was a trap set by An Bing Shan and Dou Shiming to cover up gunpowder smuggling and eliminate him and Yao Mowan. Soon after, a servant from Consort Shu arrived with healing medicine for Ye Junqing.
He instructed the servant to return the medicine, assuring them he was fine, and to convey to Consort Shu that he would fulfill his promise to her at any cost, but she shouldn't trouble herself with his injuries. Upon hearing this, Consort Shu wept, realizing Ye Junqing was determined to distance himself from her. She recalled a past conversation where Ye Junqing had vowed to give his life to save Yao Mowan.
Believing he owed her greatly for her efforts, Consort Shu was heartbroken and resolved to use any means necessary to make Ye Junqing hers, vowing he would not escape her or be with Yao Mowan. As Yao Mowan prepared for bed, Yao Su Luan visited, feigning concern and offering a calming remedy.
Their conversation was laden with veiled threats; Yao Mowan commented on Yao Su Luan's continuous "generosity," while Yao Su Luan warned her to be careful in her words and actions, lest she meet the same fate as Yao Moxin. Both spoke with polite smiles, but their words betrayed deep animosity, each testing the other's resolve.
Meanwhile, Duan Ting Ting complained about an odd smell from the pears she had brought back, which Princess Han Yue immediately recognized as the scent of black gunpowder. Duan Ting Ting explained she had acquired the fruit at Ping Fu Pier from three large boats, whose owner claimed they were transporting palace provisions. Princess Han Yue quickly realized the connection between the boats and the gunpowder and decided to inform Ye Junqing.
Duan Ting Ting eagerly volunteered to go in her stead. At Pingle Palace, Han Jinyi expressed his concern to Ye Junqing, urging him to leave the capital as he was trapped. Han Jinyi worried that both Ye Junqing and Yao Mowan's mutual care made them vulnerable to being exploited. Before Ye Junqing could inquire further, Duan Ting Ting burst in. She playfully flirted with Ye Junqing, asking him to kiss her in exchange for the information.
Irritated, Han Jinyi intervened, aggressively flirting back with Duan Ting Ting to extract information, though he was kicked for his trouble. Duan Ting Ting eventually revealed that the black gunpowder was hidden on three large boats at Ping Fu Pier. Acting on this intelligence, Han Jinyi ambushed the convoy transporting the black gunpowder. He successfully apprehended the lead escort, but a group of black-clad assailants suddenly appeared, silencing the captive.
Despite this setback, Han Jinyi managed to seize a large quantity of the illicit gunpowder. That night, Ye Hongyi sat beside Yao Moxin's body, drinking heavily. It was Yao Moxin's birthday, and he expressed his deep fear of losing her and his hope that An Bing Shan's Revival Pill would awaken her. Later, in a drunken stupor, he stumbled into Yao Mowan's room, mistaking her for Yao Moxin. He embraced her, attempting to force himself upon her.
Yao Mowan resisted, reminding him that she was Yao Mowan and that Yao Moxin was dead, along with their unborn son, Zhong'er, whose fate would surely break her heart if she were alive. Ye Hongyi grew angry at her rejection, reminding her of her role as a substitute. However, Yao Mowan, refusing to be merely Yao Moxin's shadow, boldly declared her desire for his unique affection. Ye Hongyi, struck by her honesty, acknowledged her courage.
He promised never to force her again and would wait until she willingly accepted her role as Yao Moxin's substitute, but he also reminded her that as emperor, there was nothing he desired that he could not obtain. He then stormed out of the room. Distraught, Yao Mowan stood alone in the courtyard. She reflected on how she had prepared herself for palace life, yet could not deceive her own heart.
Her true love was before her, yet separated by the vast palace walls, obscured by her quest for revenge. When she heard the palace bells, she realized it was her birthday—also Yao Moxin's—and lamented how much time had passed, and how things and people had changed. Still seeking comfort after the encounter with Yao Mowan, Ye Hongyi went to Yao Su Luan's chambers. He drank while watching her dance, and in his drunken haze, he saw Yao Moxin in her.
Unable to control his emotions, he caressed Yao Su Luan and carried her to bed, where they became intimate. Meanwhile, Ye Junqing and Han Jinyi continued their investigation. Ye Junqing theorized that the suspicious escorts transporting the gunpowder could not have dealt directly with Dou Shiming due to their identities, suggesting a middleman and a legitimate front in the capital.
Han Jinyi confirmed Ye Junqing's suspicions, explaining that the Lord Mayor was evasive and unwilling to investigate the dead escorts, claiming they were not locals and that missing persons inquiries would take too long. Ye Junqing proposed drawing portraits of the deceased and conducting private inquiries to find leads, prompting Han Jinyi to playfully complain about all the legwork he had to do.
Back in the palace, Yao Mowan noticed her personal servant, Xiao Xing Zi, was gone, replaced by an unfamiliar attendant. She learned that Xiao Xing Zi had, without a word, gone to serve Yao Su Luan. Yao Mowan calmly accepted this, instructing her maid, Ting Yue, to send Xiao Xing Zi his monthly wages, saying her palace didn't need disloyal servants.
Later, Dou Xiang Lan visited Yao Su Luan, urging her to continue taking fertility medicine to conceive a royal heir, which would secure her position even if Yao Mowan regained favor. Upon hearing that Yao Mowan was no longer favored, Dou Xiang Lan decided to personally confront her to avenge past grievances. Dou Xiang Lan intentionally dropped and shattered a jade bangle that had belonged to Mo Li, Yao Mowan's mother.
Enraged by this deliberate provocation and recalling her mother's injustices, Yao Mowan furiously slapped Dou Xiang Lan and retaliated by smashing the jade bangle on Dou Xiang Lan's wrist. Just then, Yao Su Luan entered and, citing Yao Mowan's disrespect towards her step-mother, punished her by ordering her to kneel in the Imperial Garden in the pouring rain, forbidding her to rise without her permission. Later, Ye Junqing found Yao Mowan kneeling in the rain and offered his umbrella.
However, Yao Mowan gently pushed him away, stating that their positions were now different and he should not involve himself. Ye Junqing left the umbrella with her and walked away, allowing the rain to soak him.
