Renascence Episode 7 Recap
> Renascence Recap
At the imperial court, Ye Hongyi presented a document containing seditious words and immediately branded Ye Junqing a traitor. When Ye Junqing questioned the accusation, Ye Hongyi told him to read the document himself, which claimed Ye Junqing intended to conspire with Shu to take the throne. Ye Junqing vehemently denied writing it, stating that while the handwriting resembled his, it was clearly a forgery meant to frame him.
He argued that after years of guarding the frontier and being at odds with Shu, it was impossible for him to conspire with them. However, Ye Hongyi, who claimed to know Ye Junqing's handwriting well from their youth, refused to believe him. Ye Junqing then recalled a meeting with a Shu envoy the previous day. The envoy had shown him a precious pearl meant as a tribute for the Emperor.
After Ye Junqing left the room, the envoy had secretly placed the incriminating document within the gift box. In court, the Shu envoy claimed he had merely wished to establish good relations, but after Ye Junqing departed, the seditious letter was found in the gift box. Ye Junqing realized this was a deliberate setup, leaving him no room for defense.
Ye Hongyi recounted numerous past accusations against Ye Junqing—embezzling military funds to gain influence and colluding with Shu—all of which he had chosen to overlook. But this latest act of alleged conspiracy was unforgivable. Ye Junqing swore he had never betrayed the Emperor and begged for a thorough investigation, stating he did not fear death but refused to be branded a traitor.
Princess Han Yue interjected, pointing out the suspicious nature of Shu exposing Ye Junqing if he were truly an ally. However, the Shu envoy quickly silenced her, accusing her of malicious slander. Overwhelmed, Ye Hongyi ordered Ye Junqing to be stripped of his official garments and thrown into prison to await trial. Upon hearing of Ye Junqing's arrest, Yao Mowan rushed back to the Prince's Residence to inform Ben Lei. Shocked, Ben Lei immediately sought to spread the news.
However, a guard reported that Thousand Face and his royal guards were already on their way to raid the residence. Realizing the danger, Yao Mowan quickly gathered Ye Junqing's calligraphy and paintings, instructing Ben Lei to stall the approaching guards so she could escape through a hidden passage in the backyard's artificial mountain. Ben Lei insisted on staying behind, fearing his absence might further incriminate Ye Junqing.
Thousand Face then ordered his men to force open the residence gates and begin a thorough search. Meanwhile, Ye Hongyi appointed Dou Shiming and Prime Minister Yao to jointly investigate the case. Dou Shiming, having secretly arrived in the capital, met with Prime Minister Yao, acknowledging their familial ties as in-laws. While Prime Minister Yao stressed the importance of thoroughly investigating the case, Dou Shiming attempted to sway him.
He revealed his ambition to seize control of the frontier military, which was now leaderless due to Ye Junqing's imprisonment. He proposed that if he obtained this power, their combined influence in court would be unstoppable, subtly warning Prime Minister Yao not to choose the wrong alliance. Prime Minister Yao, however, expressed a preference for a peaceful retirement. Despite his private suspicion of an ulterior motive in the case, he was clearly intimidated by Dou Shiming.
During Ye Junqing's interrogation, Prime Minister Yao cautiously inquired about any hidden agenda, which Dou Shiming swiftly picked up on, questioning how he could know of such a thing before an investigation. Dou Shiming then confronted Ye Junqing with the letter, pointing to the similar handwriting and the "witnesses and evidence" as proof, demanding a confession.
When Ye Junqing refused to speak, Dou Shiming, overriding Prime Minister Yao's objections that "no punishment can be executed upon high-ranking officials," ordered thirty canings. Dou Shiming callously remarked that Ye Junqing was "almost a dead man," rendering his status irrelevant, leaving Prime Minister Yao powerless as Ye Junqing was subjected to the brutal punishment. The capital was under strict lockdown.
Yao Mowan, carrying Ye Junqing's collected calligraphy and paintings, sought to retrieve the seditious document from the Supreme Court to compare the handwriting and find evidence of foul play. Han Jinyi, having discreetly followed her, intercepted her at a corner and led her to a safe room. He revealed he had deduced her movements after Ye Junqing's arrest. Yao Mowan explained her plan to compare Ye Junqing's authentic handwriting with the conspiracy letter.
Han Jinyi, however, emphasized the Supreme Court's impenetrable security, suggesting only someone with exceptional skills could infiltrate it. He playfully offered his help if she would "beg him," to which Yao Mowan retorted that she would rather risk her life to steal it herself. Han Jinyi then offered his assistance, but only if she agreed to one condition. Back at the Yao Residence, Dou Shiming confronted Yao Mowan, warning her against arrogance now that Ye Junqing's "backer has fallen."
He threatened that if she continued her defiant behavior and brought disgrace to the Yao family, they would disown her. Unfazed, Yao Mowan fearlessly retorted, sarcastically lauding Dou Shiming as a patriotic and upright official who would never engage in power struggles or injustice, subtly humiliating him. Enraged, Dou Shiming fumed, but Prime Minister Yao quickly intervened, reprimanding Yao Mowan for disrespecting her uncle and sending her to her room.
That night, Yao Mowan secretly entered Dou Shiming's room and drugged him into unconsciousness. Just as she was leaving, Dou Xiang Lan unexpectedly walked in. Yao Mowan quickly hid behind a screen, overhearing Dou Xiang Lan discuss advancing Yao Su Luan's position to Empress. Dou Xiang Lan further suggested eliminating Yao Mowan to prevent her from recalling "the account book."
From this, Yao Mowan realized that her own past disappearance and subsequent memory loss were orchestrated by Dou Xiang Lan and the Dou family. Ye Hongyi visited Ye Junqing in prison, observing his injuries. Ye Junqing defiantly stated that he would endure any torture if it meant proving his innocence. Ye Hongyi offered Ye Junqing some coarse wine, recalling how they relied on it to survive a freezing winter campaign as young men.
Ye Hongyi remarked that people and their desires inevitably change, implying this included Ye Junqing. Ye Junqing boldly asked if Ye Hongyi truly believed him or "them." Ye Hongyi admitted he wanted to believe his brother but was swayed by the "witnesses and evidence." Ye Junqing, in turn, declared his readiness to die if it was the Emperor's will, but he would never confess to a false accusation of treason. Ye Hongyi coldly told him that death awaited him.
Later, Ben Lei was also thrown into the same prison. Seeing his loyal subordinate, Ye Junqing expressed deep remorse for having implicated him. Ben Lei, however, pledged his unwavering loyalty, vowing to follow Ye Junqing even in future lives, hoping to be brothers. True to his reputation as the "number one thief," Han Jinyi skillfully infiltrated the Supreme Court from under Thousand Face's nose and successfully stole the seditious document.
He delivered it to Yao Mowan, who immediately compared it with Ye Junqing's collection of calligraphy. She noted a distinct difference, as the handwriting on the document was too neat, confirming it wasn't Ye Junqing's. However, Han Jinyi pointed out that this might not suffice as evidence, given the difference between Ye Junqing's casual cursive script and the formal style of the official document.
Yao Mowan reaffirmed her unwavering love for Ye Junqing, declaring she would face any hardship for him. With Princess Han Yue's assistance, Yao Mowan gained entry into the palace. She sought out Consort Shu, Ye Junqing's cousin, hoping for her help. Consort Shu, secretly enamored with Ye Junqing herself, initially showed annoyance and tried to dismiss Yao Mowan. Yao Mowan then made a heartfelt appeal, urging Consort Shu not to let personal affections prevent her from saving Ye Junqing's life.
Moved by Yao Mowan's sincerity, Consort Shu agreed to help. Yao Mowan then requested access to the prison to see Ye Junqing, a favor that only Consort Shu's father, Prince Dun, could grant. Consort Shu promised to arrange it. Yao Mowan visited Ye Junqing in his cell, her heart aching at the sight of his severe wounds. She tearfully promised to prove his innocence and secure his release.
Ye Junqing, however, tried to dissuade her, expressing faith that Ye Hongyi would ultimately discern right from wrong. He entrusted her with a jade pendant, the sole keepsake from her sister, Yao Moxin, asking her to return it only if he survived. Yao Mowan then left, determined to retrieve Ye Junqing's official pass. Later, at the execution ground, Prime Minister Yao made a final, desperate plea to Ye Hongyi.
He argued that the case was filled with ulterior motives, emphasizing that Ye Junqing's consistent denial of the charges, even under brutal torture, was proof of his innocence. He urged Ye Hongyi to see the truth. Yet, Ye Hongyi remained stoic. As the appointed hour arrived, the executioner raised his blade, while Ye Hongyi showed a flicker of reluctance in his expression.
