Renascence Episode 36 (Ending) Recap
> Renascence Recap
Young Master Ben Lei was urged to change into his wedding suit as the auspicious hour for his marriage to Ting Yue was approaching. Yao Mowan helped Ben Lei with his jacket, complimenting his appearance and warning him to treat Ting Yue well, or she would be held responsible, as Ting Yue was her biological sister. Ben Lei assured Yao Mowan that marrying Ting Yue was a great blessing and he would certainly cherish her.
However, a servant soon reported that Ting Yue had suffered an accident. Everyone rushed outside to find Ting Yue in her wedding dress, covered in blood and already without breath. Ben Lei cradled her, heartbroken, as she had already passed. Distraught, he declared that he didn't care about auspicious hours, vowing to take Ting Yue as his wife for eternity, never to leave or forsake her.
He completed the remaining kowtows on her behalf, explaining to the onlookers that his wife was unwell. Afterward, Ben Lei drowned his sorrow in alcohol, consumed by the pain of losing his beloved wife and feeling he had failed to protect her. Later, Moxin (in Yao Mowan's body) woke from a nightmare, calling out Ting Yue's name, with Night Junqing by her side.
She questioned why he was there, and he explained his worry for her after Ting Yue's tragic death. Moxin expressed her determination to avenge Ting Yue. When Moxin suggested he attend to urgent state affairs, Night Junqing insisted that she was his priority. He then offered her a bowl of white fungus soup he had personally stewed.
Moxin playfully bit his arm, leaving a mark, and explained it was a reminder to any future concubines that only she could be so unrestrained with the emperor. Night Junqing solemnly promised to never take another concubine, declaring his eternal love for her until death. Meanwhile, Thousand Faces, who was thought to be dead, was still alive and orchestrating assassinations. Night Junqing had anticipated Thousand Faces's actions.
When news of various generals being killed at different locations but around the same time emerged, Night Junqing deduced that only the Iron Blood Army possessed the capability to execute such a coordinated attack. He set a trap, allowing Thousand Faces to believe he was targeting General Wei. Night Junqing confronted Thousand Faces, exposing his ruse.
Thousand Faces accused Night Junqing of treason, but Night Junqing countered that he was fighting against Night Hongyi's tyranny, not the Kingdom of Chu itself, and that Night Hongyi's reign was doomed. Night Junqing offered Thousand Faces a chance to surrender, but Thousand Faces, defiant, refused to yield even unto death. After a struggle, Night Junqing captured him, realizing Thousand Faces wouldn't betray his master.
Knowing that death would be an easy escape for him, Night Junqing decided to keep him alive. At the same time, Moxin (in Yao Mowan's body) was in a room, examining a portrait of Yao Moxin that Night Junqing had painted. Unbeknownst to her, Night Hongyi, disguised as Night Junqing, approached from behind and embraced her.
Moxin, believing it was Night Junqing, reflected on the differences between his portrait of Moxin, which captured her essence and emotion, and Night Hongyi's portrait, which emphasized regality and power. She mused that Night Hongyi was too consumed by power and control, mistaking possessiveness for love, and that his eventual downfall was a consequence of his own actions. Night Hongyi, struggling to maintain his disguise, listened to her words.
He hinted at feeling pity for Night Hongyi, which Moxin found uncharacteristic of Night Junqing. She reaffirmed her unwavering love for Night Junqing, envisioning a future where they would have many children and rule the Kingdom of Chu together, while Night Hongyi would be relegated to the scorn of history. As Night Hongyi considered attacking Moxin, Yin Xue arrived, reporting the capture of Thousand Faces's accomplices and questioning Night Junqing's presence.
Night Hongyi quickly sent Yin Xue away, directing her to assist Han Jinyi in the prison. Moxin (in Yao Mowan's body) then decided to reveal the truth to "Night Junqing" and led him to a hidden ice coffin containing Yao Moxin's original body. She confessed that her (Moxin's) own body had been hidden there since she entered the palace, a secret she had kept from Night Junqing to prevent him from acting impulsively.
As she spoke, Yao Moxin's original body in the ice coffin awakened, and the spirit of Yao Mowan regained consciousness within it. Moxin (in Yao Mowan's body) then explained their body-swapping predicament to her sister. " Night Junqing" (who was actually Night Hongyi) was stunned to realize that "Yao Mowan" was actually Yao Moxin's spirit, and that Yao Moxin's true body had just awakened with Yao Mowan's spirit.
Enraged by what he perceived as Moxin's betrayal, he choked Moxin (in Yao Mowan's body) and then knocked out Yao Mowan (in Yao Moxin's original body). He tearfully recounted his daily repentance and self-reproach for his past misdeeds, feeling that Moxin had manipulated his feelings and stabbed him in the back. As Moxin (in Yao Mowan's body) tried to console her sister, Night Hongyi tore off his mask, revealing his true face.
He confirmed that the Night Hongyi killed previously had been a mere decoy. He then demanded to know if Moxin had ever truly loved him, to which Moxin (in Yao Mowan's body) retorted that her love for him had long been replaced by hatred, a consequence of his own actions. Meanwhile, Night Junqing and his allies were interrogating Thousand Faces.
Ben Lei, furious, beat Thousand Faces, who callously admitted to accidentally killing Ting Yue while attempting to assassinate Moxin, claiming Ting Yue's death was worthwhile for the pain it caused them. A soldier then delivered a note found in Thousand Faces's hiding place. Night Junqing immediately recognized Night Hongyi's handwriting and realized he was alive and that Thousand Faces's capture was a diversion to buy him time.
Fearing for Moxin's safety, Night Junqing and Han Jinyi rushed to the secret chamber, only to find the ice coffin empty. Another note from Night Hongyi instructed Night Junqing to meet him alone at Zijin Peak, or both Moxin (in Yao Mowan's body) and Yao Mowan (in Yao Moxin's original body) would die. Night Junqing arrived at Zijin Peak, where Night Hongyi was holding both Moxin (in Yao Mowan's body) and Yao Mowan (in Yao Moxin's original body) hostage.
Night Junqing pleaded with Night Hongyi to release them, promising to agree to anything. Night Hongyi, consumed by hatred, refused to negotiate, mocking the lovers and vowing to make them experience the agony of losing everything. He then cruelly demanded that Yao Mowan (in Yao Moxin's original body) push Night Junqing off the cliff, threatening to kill Moxin (in Yao Mowan's body) if she refused.
As Night Junqing braced himself for death, Moxin (in Yao Mowan's body) declared that it was her turn to protect her sister. With a fierce resolve, she grabbed Night Hongyi and pulled him off the cliff, sacrificing herself to ensure his demise. Both plunged into the abyss. Following Night Hongyi's death, Night Junqing ascended to the throne of the Kingdom of Chu. Moxin, in Yao Mowan's body, stood by his side as his Empress during the coronation ceremony.
They reflected on the numerous hardships and trials they had endured, acknowledging the preciousness of their love. Night Junqing vowed that they would rule the Kingdom of Chu together. Five years later, the Emperor and Empress revisited a cherished location.
Moxin mused that meeting Night Junqing was destiny, loving him was the karma of a past life, and their arduous journey had been a form of spiritual cultivation, all for the sake of a world where she could be with him. Night Junqing gently caressed her hair, promising to love her just as deeply, even when her hair turned white, and to grow old together.
As they shared a tender kiss, their young son ran up to them, interrupting their moment. They lovingly embraced their child, then joined him to fly kites, finally living a peaceful and joyful life as a family, ruling the Kingdom of Chu together.
