Renascence Episode 5 Recap
> Renascence Recap
Yao Zhenting expressed his surprise at Yao Mowan's unexpected encounter with Ye Junqing, deeming it a great fortune for the Yao family. He pondered who could have harmed his daughter, as she rarely ventured outside and had no known enemies. He noted that Yao Mowan's disappearance occurred on the same day Yao Moxin fell gravely ill, suggesting a potential connection between the two incidents.
Ye Junqing then inquired if Yao Zhenting knew about Dou Xiang Lan's elder brother, Dou Shiming, secretly entering the capital. Yao Zhenting was genuinely surprised, pointing out that as a governor of a district, Dou Shiming could not leave his post without imperial orders, leading him to wonder if the Emperor had secretly summoned him.
He recalled that his wife, Dou Xiang Lan, had visited her maiden home at the beginning of the sixth month and suspected it might be related to Dou Shiming's visit, questioning why she would keep it a secret from him. Ye Junqing dismissed it as mere hearsay.
Yao Zhenting then reflected on a past incident where the late emperor secretly summoned Prince Guo to eliminate Grand General Wang Ping, acknowledging that his age often led him to reminisce about old events. Yao Mowan, having learned about her family history from Mo Li, understood her place in the complicated Yao Residence. Her father, Yao Zhenting, was the current Prime Minister, and her mother, Mo Li, was a second concubine.
The primary wife was Dou Xiang Lan, daughter of a prominent Chu noble family, whose daughter Yao Su Luan was the legitimate first daughter and the current Consort Li. Yao Moxin, whom Yao Mowan once considered a rival, was her own full sister. At Jing De Palace, the concubines were preparing for Consort Li's homecoming. One concubine presented Consort Li with an "Auspicious Cloud Cloak," which Consort Li praised.
However, Consort Shu sent a bird, remarking that a "mortal bird is merely a mortal" and would never become a phoenix even if it flew high, implying Consort Li's ambition to replace the Empress by adopting imperial protocols for her homecoming. Consort Li denied any such aspirations and warned Consort Shu against slander and sowing discord, threatening her with the Empress's wrath upon her recovery.
Unfazed, Consort Shu sarcastically retorted that Consort Li often joked and challenged her to wait and see who would ultimately face consequences. Back at the Yao Residence, Yao Mowan informed Ye Junqing that her mother had told her about her sister's illness and her own disappearance coinciding on the same day, convinced it was no mere coincidence and proposing they investigate together.
Ye Junqing promptly refused, stating he could handle the investigation alone and told her to leave his residence now that she had found her identity. Yao Mowan persisted, asking if he was so eager for her to leave and who would care for him, reminding him of their prior agreement. Ye Junqing dismissed the agreement as invalid and said he would be relieved by her departure.
Frustrated, Yao Mowan questioned his coldness, asking why he repeatedly saved her if he didn't care. Ye Junqing merely called her unreasonable before leaving. Meanwhile, Thousand Face reported to Ye Hongyi that the "Calm Spirit Sachet" had been examined and found to be harmless. Ye Hongyi then inquired about "Han Jin," the palace intruder. Thousand Face explained that Han Jin was rumored to be the "king of thieves," elusive and of unknown identity.
He also reported that during the pursuit, Han Jin had escaped by holding Prince Su, Ye Junqing, captive. Ye Hongyi grew suspicious, deeming it impossible for Chu's God of War to be easily captured, and concluded that Ye Junqing and Han Jin were colluding. He ordered his guards not to alert Han Jin if he trespassed again, wanting to observe their true intentions.
Ye Junqing then instructed Ben Lei that the palace guards were currently lax, presenting a good opportunity for investigation. He planned to remain at the Yao Residence to avoid suspicion while Ben Lei went to gather intelligence from the palace. The next morning, Yao Mowan confronted Ye Junqing, questioning why he was at her residence so early if he claimed not to care for her, playfully demanding a chicken drumstick as a reward.
Ye Junqing countered that he was simply collecting interest for her prolonged stay at his residence. Yao Mowan, observing the bustling preparations, new uniforms for servants, and the tidying of her legitimate sister's unused chambers, deduced that the Emperor and Consort Li were coming for their homecoming visit. Ye Junqing advised her to prepare herself, and their conversation was interrupted by the announcement of the Emperor's arrival.
At the Yao Residence, Ye Hongyi, Consort Li, and Ye Junqing were formally greeted. Ye Hongyi questioned Ye Junqing's presence, who claimed he was delayed by personal matters. Consort Li's exaggerated display of deference was dismissed by Ye Hongyi, who understood her longing for her mother. Yao Zhenting expressed his gratitude for the Emperor's compassion towards Consort Li.
Ye Hongyi then subtly pressured Dou Xiang Lan by discussing Dou Shiming's growing power in the northern borders, his popularity, and increasing support from court ministers, which brought great honor to the Dou family. He then asked Ye Junqing for his opinion on the powerful generals and nobles in the border regions who were accumulating personal armies. Ye Junqing humbly replied that as "Chu's God of War," he was just a fighter and had no profound views on state affairs.
At this point, Yao Mowan entered and confidently proposed implementing a military-political separation to strengthen imperial power and prevent regional officials from challenging the throne. Ye Hongyi recognized her as the woman who had treated his wounds and asked why she was at the Yao Residence. Ye Junqing clarified that she was the third daughter of the Yao family, whom he had recently discovered and returned, explaining her memory loss. Yao Zhenting apologized for his daughter's "unwise words."
Ye Hongyi, however, praised Yao Mowan's exceptional courage, remarking that, besides the Empress (Yao Moxin), she was the only other woman who dared to discuss political affairs with him. Dou Xiang Lan's expression tightened with displeasure. Ye Junqing then pulled Yao Mowan aside, scolding her for being too outspoken and discussing state matters.
He warned her that the Yao Residence was far more complex than she imagined, and that a single misstep could lead to grave consequences, emphasizing that it was taboo for women to engage in political discussions. Yao Mowan challenged this traditional view, but Ye Junqing, reiterating that he was offering good advice, walked away. Later that night, Yao Mowan, reflecting on Ye Junqing's words, saw Ye Hongyi alone, admiring the moon.
She approached him, and Ye Hongyi, reminded of Yao Moxin by Yao Mowan's articulate speech, asked if Yao Moxin had taught her these political ideals. Due to her amnesia, Yao Mowan could not confirm. Ye Hongyi then fondly reminisced about Yao Moxin's unparalleled intelligence, strategic prowess, and fearless spirit in showcasing her talents.
He described her as empathetic, brilliant like the stars, a woman who vowed to astound the entire country, admitting that even he found her stubbornness challenging at times. Yao Mowan commented that her sister sounded truly exceptional. Ye Hongyi agreed, stating that Yao Moxin was no ordinary woman, never seeking the trivial pleasures of the harem or the supreme glory of an Empress. He lamented her sudden illness and expressed uncertainty about her survival.
Unbeknownst to them, Dou Xiang Lan and Yao Su Luan witnessed this intimate scene. Misinterpreting Yao Mowan's intentions, Dou Xiang Lan remarked on how Yao Mowan had transformed and become as cunning as her sister, vowing to thwart her ambitions. Meanwhile, at the dispensary, Ye Junqing accompanied the Yao Housekeeper. He noticed Dou Xiang Lan's name on a medicine checklist and inquired about the common cold and cough herbs.
He asked the Housekeeper if he always handled the Yao Residence's prescriptions, who confirmed it, crediting Mo Li's medical skills for the family's good health. Ye Junqing then pressed about Dou Xiang Lan's visit to the dispensary. The Housekeeper recalled that at the beginning of the sixth month, Dou Xiang Lan had personally collected medicine for Consort Li's urgent illness, insisting on delivering it to the palace herself, looking very anxious.
This incident, Ye Junqing noted, occurred just before Empress Yao Moxin fell ill. Later, Dou Xiang Lan met with Mo Li and Yao Mowan, subtly praising Yao Mowan's looks despite her "silly" demeanor, then suggested marrying her off quickly. Yao Mowan, recognizing Dou Xiang Lan's true motives, confronted her, questioning the propriety of arranging a marriage for someone with amnesia. Mo Li tried to intercede, arguing that it was too hasty to find a suitable match.
Dou Xiang Lan revealed she had arranged for Yao Mowan to marry Zhao Ping, the son of the Southern City Garrison, claiming he was a perfect match. Yao Mowan vehemently refused. Dou Xiang Lan insisted the marriage was decided and announced that the Zhao family would visit that evening, suggesting the Emperor might even bestow a blessing, an "utmost glory." Yao Mowan scorned such "glory."
Enraged by Yao Mowan's defiance, Dou Xiang Lan slapped Mo Li, accusing her of teaching her daughter to disrespect her elders. Yao Mowan fiercely defended her mother. That evening, at a banquet, Zhao Zhao, the Southern City Garrison, and his son Zhao Ping, were presented to Ye Hongyi, Consort Li, and Ye Junqing. Ye Hongyi, curious about the match, asked to see Zhao Ping. Zhao Ping appeared short, ugly, and simple-minded, fidgeting uncontrollably.
Zhao Zhao, unfazed, claimed his son was Yao Mowan's age and their horoscopes were perfectly aligned. Yao Mowan then made her grand entrance, having deliberately disguised herself with black moles and buck teeth, creating a comical spectacle. She then pretended to faint dramatically after eating a pastry, subtly incriminating Zhao Ping. Dou Xiang Lan, however, quickly exposed Yao Mowan's trick by wiping away her disguise, asserting that Yao Mowan would no longer faint so easily.
Yao Zhenting suggested postponing the marriage due to Yao Mowan's health, but Dou Xiang Lan insisted on proceeding. Ye Junqing then intervened, citing Yao Mowan's severe injuries and her obvious reluctance to marry. He urged Ye Hongyi to annul the engagement to prevent a "doomed relationship." Ye Hongyi confirmed Yao Mowan's disinterest, but also noted her "antics" and "quick-witted" nature, which reminded him of the Empress in her youth.
Ultimately, he granted Yao Mowan the right to choose her own husband. Suddenly, a guard delivered urgent news from Thousand Face: an assassin had been apprehended in the Empress's palace, attempting to harm her, and Ye Hongyi was urged to return immediately. Ye Hongyi instantly ordered his carriage, and Ye Junqing offered to escort him, but the Emperor instructed Ye Junqing to remain at the Yao Residence to ensure the safety of its residents, promising to send updates.
At the palace, an imperial physician reported that Empress Yao Moxin, poisoned by "heartbreak grass" and in a coma, had failed to expel the toxin and was unlikely to survive the night. Ye Hongyi was distraught and furious, expressing his profound love for Yao Moxin and refusing to accept her death, vowing to "soar together" with her.
Back at the Yao Residence, Ben Lei informed Ye Junqing about the arrest in the palace, revealing he had narrowly avoided an ambush himself. The arrested individual was Lady Li's attendant, who confessed Lady Li (Li Guiren) had ordered the poisoning. Upon hearing that Yao Moxin might not survive the night, Ye Junqing lost his composure and ordered his horse be readied to rush to the palace, ignoring Ben Lei's pleas that unauthorized entry would ruin his career.
Yao Mowan, witnessing his recklessness, slapped Ye Junqing, urging him to reconsider, warning that his impulsive act would tarnish Yao Moxin's reputation with an inappropriate association, even in death. Meanwhile, at the palace, the arrested maid, under interrogation, confessed that Lady Li was the mastermind behind the poisoning. She explained that Lady Li resented Empress Yao Moxin's iron-fisted rule, which resulted in Lady Li being repeatedly penalized and losing favor.
The maid pleaded for mercy, claiming she was merely following orders. Ye Hongyi was informed that the maid had been Lady Li's trusted confidante for three years. He immediately ordered Lady Li's arrest.
