Renascence Episode 3 Recap
> Renascence Recap
Yao Mowan persistently sought entry to Prince Su's Residence, but the guards remained unyielding. Observing a delivery of wine to the residence, she devised a plan to impersonate a courtesan to gain access. However, the guards quickly saw through her disguise, noting that Prince Su, Ye Junqing, never entertained women or took concubines. This led Yao Mowan to speculate that Ye Junqing might be a homosexual.
Undeterred, she attempted to scale the residence wall, only to be discovered by guards and forcibly removed once more. Resorting to a more public tactic, she began loudly lamenting in the street, claiming Ye Junqing had wronged her and appealing to passersby for justice. This commotion successfully drew Ye Junqing out, who then carried her into the residence, instructing her to adhere to his rules: no unauthorized movement, no reckless speech, and to mind her manners.
Meanwhile, Emperor Ye Hongyi learned that an intruder had infiltrated Empress Yao Moxin's chambers, cutting through a Tianshan silk net—a feat only possible with a Dark Iron Sword, which Ye Hongyi knew Ye Junqing possessed. He suspected Ye Junqing, believing his brother still harbored feelings for Yao Moxin. Back at Prince Su's Residence, Yao Mowan unexpectedly entered Ye Junqing's room, finding him applying medicine to a chest wound he had sustained during his infiltration of the palace.
She immediately offered to help. Shortly after, Ben Lei arrived to report that the autumn hunting escort team was fully assembled and scheduled to depart at 7 a. m. Ye Junqing sternly reminded Yao Mowan of his rules, warning her that any transgression would result in her expulsion from the residence. Ben Lei remarked on Ye Junqing's ability to manage the "little devil" Yao Mowan. During the autumn hunting ceremony, Ye Hongyi complimented Ye Junqing's exceptional archery skills.
The two reminisced about their first encounter with Yao Moxin at the same hunting ground, recalling the late Emperor's decree to select wives for his sons. Both brothers had been smitten with Yao Moxin, each offering her their bows. However, Ye Junqing's reluctance to harm a mother deer allowed Ye Hongyi to claim the prize.
Yao Moxin, in turn, divided her Couple Jade, giving one half to each brother, expressing her wish for them to support each other for the prosperity and peace of Chu. Ye Hongyi reflected on this, believing his marriage to Yao Moxin was ultimately made possible by Ye Junqing's "completion." The hunting then commenced.
Suddenly, an assassin attacked, and Ye Junqing valiantly intervened to block an arrow aimed at the Emperor, suffering an arm injury while Ye Hongyi sustained a superficial wound. General Li immediately accused Ye Junqing of collusion with the assassin. Ye Junqing retorted that it would be illogical to stage an attack in a hunting ground under his own security command and demanded a thorough investigation, leaving General Li speechless.
As this debate unfolded, soldiers presented Yao Mowan, disguised in military uniform, to the Emperor, suspecting her involvement. Ye Hongyi interrogated Yao Mowan, who admitted she had come for Ye Junqing—not to conspire, but to expose his heartless actions. She dramatically recounted risking her life to save him, only for him to repeatedly attempt to eject her from his residence. She appealed to Ye Hongyi for justice.
General Li attempted to challenge her claims, but Yao Mowan's sharp tongue deftly countered his arguments. Recognizing her as Ye Junqing's savior, and to uphold the royal family's reputation for benevolence, Ye Hongyi instructed Ye Junqing to care for Yao Mowan properly. He then decided to keep Yao Mowan in the palace to treat his injury, privately hoping to learn more about her.
As Ye Junqing left, he reflected on Yao Mowan's composure and her "killing two birds with one stone" strategy, noting her intelligence was second only to Empress Yao Moxin's. He then went to the hunting ground to investigate the assassin's movements, summoning the squad leaders. They reported a strange incident the night before: a soldier had died suddenly without any apparent cause or injury. Ye Junqing immediately ordered Ben Lei to examine the body.
Meanwhile, Ye Hongyi privately questioned Yao Mowan about how she managed to evade Shu's elite warriors while rescuing Ye Junqing. Yao Mowan confidently explained her use of various strategies. Ye Hongyi, observing her fearlessness, was reminded of Empress Yao Moxin and began to suspect that Ye Junqing had intentionally arranged for Yao Mowan to approach him.
As a result, Ye Hongyi pardoned Yao Mowan for her unauthorized entry but stripped Ye Junqing of his commander seal, citing negligence, and ordered him to return home to recuperate. Back at Prince Su's Residence, Yao Mowan prepared tea for Ye Junqing, who criticized her lack of care. Ben Lei reported his findings on the deceased soldier: a black throat but normal stomach, indicating gaseous poison. The soldier's background was suspiciously clean.
Ye Junqing, examining the assassin's blunt arrowheads, realized the attack was not meant to be lethal. Yao Mowan, recalling Ye Hongyi's shallow wound and Ye Junqing's deliberate act of taking the arrow, surmised that the entire assassination was a ploy by Ye Hongyi to seize military power, and Ye Junqing had feigned injury to avoid suspicion. Ye Junqing admonished her for speculating about state affairs.
Ben Lei voiced concerns about Ye Junqing's passive stance, but Ye Junqing explained that returning to the border army would be treason and that he could not leave with Yao Moxin in a coma. Ben Lei also reported that all palace staff connected to Empress Yao Moxin had vanished. Ye Junqing instructed him to investigate the three most favored concubines for clues.
Meanwhile, Concubine Li, worried about an upcoming homecoming ceremony, expressed dismay that an "unknown girl" could so easily gain the Emperor's favor. Later, Yao Mowan was practicing calligraphy and mistakenly wrote Ye Junqing's name. He corrected her, then she asked him to teach her how to write "Nian Xin." After he wrote the names, a pre-written "contract" magically appeared on the paper, outlining her rights within the residence.
Ye Junqing dismissed it as legally invalid, but Yao Mowan countered that his handwritten name validated it. Seeing sky lanterns outside, Yao Mowan excitedly asked to visit the East Market's Lantern Festival. Ye Junqing initially refused but eventually relented. At the lively festival, Ye Junqing explained the significance of the "Lord Fang Xiang" masks, a deity believed to ward off evil.
The explanation triggered a flashback for Ye Junqing to his youth, when a vendor had remarked on how he and Ye Hongyi looked like "twins." Amused by the memory, Yao Mowan purchased two masks, and they continued their outing, delighting in solving riddles.
