Siege in Fog Episode 27 Recap
> Siege in Fog Recap
Chief Marshal Yi Jipei reflected on the complex conflict among his sons, lamenting that a man as wise as he couldn't resolve it. He acknowledged that power struggles often plague prominent families, and while clashes between two brothers were already troublesome, now all three of his sons were entangled. He felt a sense of retribution, as his own past conflict with his sixth brother seemed to manifest in his sons' generation.
Gao Mingxuan visited Qin Sang, attempting to reassure her that Yi Liankai was fortunate and she needn't worry. However, Qin Sang confessed her helplessness, stating, "Every time Lan Po is in trouble, I can only standby and watch." She expressed fear that Yi Liankai might not be as lucky this time as he had been in the past, distinguishing this crisis as being about manipulative people rather than mere events.
Gao Mingxuan promised his father, Gao Peide, would be fair, but Qin Sang worried about the other judges. She inquired about the case, learning from Gao Mingxuan that Pan Jianchi had revealed everything, including Yi Lianshen's initial skepticism of Pan Jianchi's ability to subdue Adjutant Song, leading to a test of his capabilities. Gao Mingxuan believed Pan Jianchi’s testimony would clear Yi Liankai, but also mentioned that Yi Lianyi had fainted upon hearing the full story.
Determined, Qin Sang sought help. She approached Deng Yulin, who, despite her legal expertise, felt powerless as only veteran officials were involved in the trial. Qin Sang pressed her, asking only if she was willing to help, promising to find a way if she agreed. Deng Yulin, recalling her past willingness to assist Qin Sang, consented despite the potential dangers. Qin Sang then approached Fan Yanyun, explaining the dire situation where the losing brother could face death.
Fan Yanyun, however, refused to intervene, remarking that the outcome wasn't dependent on the truth, and she was more concerned about her own husband's fate if Yi Liankai were to win. Lastly, Qin Sang appealed to Yi Lianyi. He bluntly refused, stating he wanted to observe the conflict between his two brothers to see the result, and that the judges would determine the truth. Yi Lianyi then instructed his servant to show Qin Sang out.
Late that night, Gao Mingxuan visited Qin Sang again, having heard of her efforts with Deng Yulin. He advised against Deng Yulin's involvement, arguing it would appear biased and unfair to Yi Lianshen, and offered to have his father recommend other impartial individuals. Qin Sang declined, asserting her close bond with Deng Yulin.
Later, Gao Mingxuan recounted this to his father, Gao Peide, who expressed relief at Qin Sang's refusal, realizing she had inadvertently saved Gao Mingxuan from potential repercussions from Chief Marshal Yi Jipei. Qin Sang, reflecting on the incident, understood that involving Deng Yulin would have offended not just Yi Lianshen but also Chief Marshal Yi Jipei, Yi Lianyi, and Fan Yanyun. She recognized the need to protect Gao Peide's position if she wanted his continued assistance.
The trial proceeded with Gao Peide, Zhang Xikun, and Jiang Jinyi. It was confirmed that Adjutant Song had placed a bug in the horse's ear, causing it to bolt. Gao Peide questioned Yi Liankai why he allowed Adjutant Song to commit suicide instead of keeping him as a witness. Yi Liankai revealed that Adjutant Song was not the only assassin; another attacker had made a second attempt on his life and silenced Adjutant Song.
Yi Liankai further explained that the entire military knew Adjutant Song was Yi Lianshen’s trusted aide, and only Yi Lianshen could command him. He feared that bringing Adjutant Song's body back would be perceived as framing Yi Lianshen, so he sought to downplay the incident. Gao Peide then questioned Yi Lianshen about his relationship with Adjutant Song.
Yi Lianshen recounted how he had once forced an army doctor at gunpoint to save a severely wounded Adjutant Song, and how Adjutant Song later saved his life on the battlefield. He confirmed that only he could command Adjutant Song, not even his father. Yet, he questioned Gao Peide's assumption that he would kill Yi Liankai for authority, stating, "All the troops in Jiangzuo are under my command. What about him?" Gao Peide adjourned the trial for the day.
Afterward, Gao Peide confessed to Zhang Xikun that the case was difficult, with both brothers presenting compelling arguments. Zhang Xikun suggested that the truth wasn't the real goal; rather, it was about the distribution of power, and the "truth" would be whatever served the interests of whoever Gao Peide chose to support.
Later, Deng Yulin enlightened Qin Sang, explaining that Chief Marshal Yi Jipei was not merely judging a case but observing his sons, and the case's true meaning lay in the distribution of power. Qin Sang, accompanied by Gao Mingxuan, sought out Gao Peide. She courageously declared that she had come not to beg for Yi Liankai to win, but for him to lose. Gao Peide was stunned, reminding her that the loser in this case would face death.
Qin Sang acknowledged this, explaining that she knew Yi Jipei would ultimately decide Yi Liankai's fate. She urged Gao Peide to persuade Chief Marshal Yi Jipei to spare Yi Liankai's life, swearing on behalf of herself and Yi Liankai that they would forever be grateful to the Gao family and would face a lifetime curse if they ever harbored thoughts of revenge.
Gao Peide warned that if Yi Liankai was found guilty, his career in Jiangzuo would be ruined, and Yi Jipei would banish him. He suggested that such a life would be a living death for an ambitious man like Yi Liankai. Qin Sang defiantly declared that as Yi Liankai's wife, she had the right to decide their future, and therefore, only she could be the one to determine his future and life.
Following Qin Sang's departure, Gao Peide visited Yi Lianshen in his cell. Yi Lianshen, cynical about the chief judge visiting a prisoner, asked the purpose of his visit. Gao Peide stated he had decided the outcome of the case and sought Yi Lianshen's future consideration. Yi Lianshen questioned if Gao Peide feared Yi Liankai's potential comeback, to which Gao Peide confidently replied that once a decision was made, he would ensure Yi Liankai had no chance of returning to power.
That night, Qin Sang confided in Deng Yulin, expressing her uncertainty about the gamble she had taken with Yi Liankai’s life. Deng Yulin reassured her that Qin Sang had always prioritized Yi Liankai's life over victory or defeat. She observed how deeply Qin Sang had fallen in love with Yi Liankai, noting her acceptance of his entire personality, from his arrogance to his childishness.
Qin Sang admitted her profound love for him, fearing she might never see him again, and her desperate desire for him to depend on her, even if it meant his hatred. Later, Qin Sang went to the prison to see Yi Liankai. Embracing him, she tearfully apologized for her decision, explaining she could no longer bear the agonizing wait. She admitted to taking another gamble, this time with his life.
Yi Liankai, embracing her back, acknowledged the risks of gambling but expressed gratitude that his life and death lay in her hands. Qin Sang, however, wept, fearing that her impulsiveness might lead to his death. Yi Liankai urged her to return and rest, instructing her to leave Jiangzuo at the first sign of opportunity. He explained that only with her departure could he act decisively in Jiangzuo.
He further instructed her that if their father decided to kill him to appease public opinion, she was to go to Min Hongyu's residence, retrieve his mother's tapestry, and burn it before their father. If their father chose to merely confine him, she should still take the tapestry from Min Hongyu's.
Qin Sang, distressed, questioned his intentions, but Yi Liankai firmly stated he intended to settle his mother's past grievances and fulfill the high hopes his teacher had for him, wanting to make this final stand without regrets. Meanwhile, Yi Lianyi informed Chief Marshal Yi Jipei that Gao Peide had sided with Yi Lianshen, proving this by revealing that Gao Peide's men had prioritized fixing Yi Lianshen's broken room light first.
Yi Jipei sighed, acknowledging that Gao Peide had chosen Yi Lianshen as his heir. Yi Lianyi also mentioned Yi Liankai's refusal to defend himself. Yi Jipei then ordered Yi Lianyi to prepare for a departure to Zhishan that very night. Yi Lianyi expressed concern that leaving before a verdict would finalize a potentially fatal judgment for Yi Liankai.
Yi Jipei, however, dismissed his earlier "loser must die" pronouncement as a mere declaration, stating he wanted to see who dared to sentence his third son to death. He then revealed his plans to meet with Murong Chen and Li Chongnian in Zhishan to finalize a grand political strategy. Murong Qian, Yi Lianyi’s wife, wept at the news of his departure, but he comforted her, explaining the necessity of his journey and her presence in the Yi household.
The trial resumed, and Jiang Jinyi announced the verdict: Yi Liankai was found guilty of Adjutant Song's murder and framing Yi Lianshen, while Yi Lianshen was declared innocent. Yi Lianshen immediately protested, refusing to accept the outcome. When Yi Liankai, without any defense, accepted the verdict, Yi Lianshen became enraged, demanding to know why Yi Liankai killed Adjutant Song and if he knew the full consequences of his admission.
Yi Lianshen, infuriated by what he perceived as Yi Liankai's poor judgment, angrily stormed out, declaring his intent to continue investigating. Yi Liankai calmly stated that he had only admitted fault to prevent their elders from witnessing their sibling rivalry. At the Yi family's other residence, Pan Jianchi eloquently praised a tapestry he was observing. Min Hongyu, impressed by his detailed description of what most would consider an ordinary tapestry, wondered if Yi Liankai possessed such eloquence during his trial.
Pan Jianchi expressed surprise that Min Hongyu had already learned of the verdict announced that afternoon. Min Hongyu responded that her heart was connected to Yi Liankai's, allowing her to sense his pain no matter where he was. When Pan Jianchi humbly asked for her guidance, Min Hongyu shrewdly questioned if he intended to switch allegiances. Later, Gao Peide, Zhang Xikun, and Jiang Jinyi discussed the trial's outcome.
They acknowledged the Chief Marshal's true intention in entrusting them with the case: to prevent his sons from tearing each other apart. Despite the verdict, they realized they were unable to determine the final resolution. When Gao Peide went to report the findings to Chief Marshal Yi Jipei, he was informed that Yi Jipei and Yi Lianyi had departed for Zhishan the previous night, leaving the final decision on Yi Liankai's fate entirely to Gao Peide.
