The Blessed Girl Recap, Plot, Synopsis
The Blessed Girl Synopsis
In a mysterious and unknown continent named “Su Chuan”, there were many beautiful legends of the mythical era.
A cataclysmic event led to the fall of the gods, and Su Chuan entered a chaotic era of division.
A few years later, a young monarch, Yuan Yi (played by Lin Yi), took the throne and vowed to end the chaos.
Believing that the source of the chaos was the fall of the gods, Yuan Yi escaped from the imperial city in disguise and finds a young girl, Huotu Linglong (Zhao Jinmai), who had the power of the gods.
Huotu Linglong lived with her father, Huotu Xin (Yuan Hong), in a remote village, and she lost her mother at a young age, she was independent and excellent.
For Yuan Yi’s request, Huotu Xin left the village together with Huotu Linglong and Yuan Yi to embark on an adventure to save Su Chuan.
Evil could never rival good. Linglong and her father, with their friends, eventually defeated the forces of evil and led Su Chuan to a new and beautiful era.
The Blessed Girl Recap
Episode 1 Recap
According to ancient records, the Witch Tribe lives in seclusion in the hidden forest of Li Jingtian, never entering the mortal world. The people of the Witch Tribe gather the spirits of all things, assist enlightened emperors, and take it upon themselves to protect the people of the four directions. Today is the day of the executive witch assessment in Li Jingtian.
Only by becoming an executive witch can one leave Li Jingtian to protect the royal family and the world. Amidst the serene cliffs, Witch Tribe Elder Tao Yao, dressed in white, holds a chess piece, playing a game with her senior martial brother Xi Xie. Silver butterflies dance with her every move, her delicate brows like autumn water, her jade-like skin brushed by the gentle breeze, revealing her noble and elegant demeanor.
She knows her senior martial brother is worried about his apprentice Feng Qingchen, but she merely observes the situation. Inside Li Jingtian, the scenery is picturesque. Several purple-clothed women climb green vines, racing each other, using all their skills to face this crisis-ridden assessment. However, some fall into traps one after another. In a flash, a purple-clothed woman appears unperturbed, arriving on the wind, successfully passing the last challenge.
The woman's beautiful hair is like a waterfall, her skin like congealed cream, her arched eyebrows reaching her temples, and her cherry lips smile sweetly. This is Feng Qingchen. After several twists and turns, Feng Qingchen and two other women reach the final stage. The Witch Tribe stands upon its understanding of heaven and earth. The first two to find a water source among the blooming peach blossoms will pass. On a ten-mile battlefield, the three armies stand solemnly.
The Emperor stands high above, quietly watching the princes bravely compete for a bow. In the struggle, a man in black armor stands out and takes the first prize. This man has sword-like brows and star-like eyes, exuding heroic spirit. He is the Fourth Prince Yuan Ling, who has repeatedly achieved military successes leading the Black Armored Army.
The Emperor praises him greatly and orders him, along with the Seventh Prince Yuan Zhan and others, to enter the military formation to retrieve the golden token. The military formation is filled with smoke and lurking dangers. Yuan Ling, accompanied by the Eleventh Prince Yuan Che, bravely fights off enemies and obtains a brocade pouch, only to find that it contains not the golden token, but the long-stolen Nine Cities Military Talisman.
Just then, the Ninth Prince Yuan Ming arrives, claiming that the Fourth Prince Yuan Ling was caught red-handed stealing the military talisman, and he is acting on the Emperor's secret decree to arrest him and bring him back to the palace. This is clearly a frame-up, but Yuan Ling understands that it is a trap set by his Father Emperor. As the saying goes, if the ruler wants a subject to die, the subject must die.
But Yuan Che is still righteously arguing with Yuan Ming, determined to stand by his Fourth Brother. Yuan Ling is forced to a dead end at the edge of a cliff. Indeed, his merits overshadow the ruler, and it is not just the Emperor who cannot tolerate Yuan Ling. But he truly cannot imagine how someone who would frame his own brothers could govern the Great Wei Empire. Yuan Ling is open and upright, fearless and unafraid.
His eyes are deep as he says, "Under the Gui Li Sword, there are never surrendering generals. My life and death are for me to decide; I will certainly not be manipulated by anyone." He then turns and resolutely jumps off the cliff. At the same time, a sharp arrow pierces the wind and shoots into Yuan Ling's chest. Amidst Yuan Che's shouts, Yuan Ling weakly falls to the bottom of the cliff.
At this moment, Feng Qingchen is searching for a water source at the bottom of the cliff. She turns around and sees Yuan Ling rapidly falling. She extends her hand and uses magic to save him. Approaching, she sees the man has a tall, straight figure, but his thin lips are tightly pressed, clearly indicating a serious injury. Feng Qingchen warns the man that outsiders are forbidden in the restricted area of Li Jingtian and advises him to leave quickly.
Yuan Ling, hearing this, grabs Feng Qingchen, knowing she is a member of the Witch Tribe, but he faints before finishing his sentence. On the other side, the moment Yuan Ling entered Li Jingtian, Tao Yao and Xi Xie already knew. However, they also knew that Yuan Ling is the Yang Star and Feng Qingchen is the Yin Star of the Twin Stars. When the Twin Stars converge, what is destined to happen ultimately cannot be avoided.
After Feng Qingchen saved Yuan Ling and carefully applied medicine for him, she went to report the location of the water source to her master Xi Xie. Xi Xie gave Feng Qingchen a key related to the Witch Tribe's secrets. Watching Feng Qingchen's departing back, Tao Yao was very worried, believing that when the Twin Stars converge, one must fall.
Xi Xie, however, said that he had set up this game for twenty years and was certain he could protect the world and the Witch Tribe. Feng Qingchen returns to the small wooden house to look after Yuan Ling. In truth, Yuan Ling had already woken up, but seeing Feng Qingchen return, he continued to pretend to sleep. Feng Qingchen had no choice but to take Yuan Ling to a safer place.
Mister Mo in the imperial palace sends news: changes have occurred in the palace, and Prince Ling's whereabouts are unknown. Years ago, considering enemy nations, the Witch Tribe supported the current Emperor. But Prince Ling is actually their atonement for the late Emperor. Now, decades have passed, and Prince Ling's true identity may have been exposed. Xi Xie knows that if Prince Ling is indeed in Li Jingtian, the royal family will not give up.
He will have to go and find this person himself. Meanwhile, Feng Qingchen places Yuan Ling in the Spiritual Light Flower Mirror and then departs. Yuan Ling gets up, and scenes of his Father Emperor and brothers believing rumors and suspecting him of treason constantly flood his mind. Even if he was willing to surrender the military talisman, he still suffered this disaster. Thinking of this, his deep eyes show some sadness, but their depths are dark and bottomless.
Feng Qingchen returns, finding it strange that Yuan Ling is still unconscious after so long in Li Jingtian. Being intelligent, she slyly says she will use her heart's blood as medicine, but from then on, he would have to listen to her. With that, she playfully taps the man's nose. Yuan Ling, who was pretending to sleep, suddenly sits up, his head slightly bowed, his eyes smiling, genuinely startling Feng Qingchen.
Seeing Yuan Ling awake, Feng Qingchen seriously tells him that Li Jingtian is no place to stay long. Yuan Ling, however, wants to see the beautiful scenery of Li Jingtian before leaving. The two walk to a cliff with waterfalls all around, the sound of water faintly heard. In reality, beneath these waterfalls is a bottomless abyss, a snow-covered deadly place, where one would be shattered if they fell. Just then, someone comes looking for Feng Qingchen.
In a panic, Feng Qingchen takes the man's arm and leaps to hide among the sheer cliffs. After the person leaves, Feng Qingchen almost falls, but Yuan Ling protects her. Their eyes meet, their posture ambiguous, and the atmosphere becomes subtle. Xi Xie comes to the Spiritual Light Flower Mirror looking for Feng Qingchen. It turns out he wants Feng Qingchen to deliver the late Emperor's Imperial Seal to the palace and give it to Mister Mo.
This seal concerns the fate of the Great Wei Empire, and this trip is crucial for the safety of the royal family and Great Wei. After her master leaves, Feng Qingchen guesses Yuan Ling's identity. Yuan Ling is also frank, offering to escort Feng Qingchen back to the palace to repay her for saving his life. Feng Qingchen uses spirit butterflies to discover that Ninth Prince Yuan Ming is still searching for Yuan Ling outside Li Jingtian.
The clever Feng Qingchen speculates that Yuan Ling came here solely for this Imperial Seal. If he seized the seal, he could gain the support of important court officials and contend with the current Emperor. However, what she didn't expect was that Yuan Ling did not take the Imperial Seal from her. Instead, he chastised her for being too naive and kind. Therefore, he will protect her into the palace.
As for who the Imperial Seal should be given to, it depends entirely on Elder Xi Xie's judgment. And he does all this simply because he owes Feng Qingchen a life. The Third Prince Yuan Ji and the Ninth Prince Yuan Ming finally couldn't hold back. They led heavy troops, attempting to trespass into Li Jingtian. Fortunately, Tao Yao stepped forward and repelled them. Feng Qingchen takes Yuan Ling to meet Xi Xie.
Yuan Ling speaks frankly, stating that even though he was misunderstood by his Father Emperor, as a son, he still wishes to use the elder's power to resolve this matter. Xi Xie agrees to escort His Royal Highness Prince Ling back to the palace early tomorrow morning.
Episode 2 Recap
At night, the Emperor dreamt that Yuan Ling stabbed him in the chest with a sword. He awoke in a panic, muttering that Prince Ling wanted to kill him. He knew deep down that even if Yuan Ling had surrendered his military power, he had commanded the army for years, all six armies obeyed his orders, and the common people revered him as a deity. How could he possibly hand over the empire he had painstakingly seized to another?
Meanwhile, within Li Jing Tian, Yuan Ling stood quietly in the night. He suddenly understood that his Imperial Father's gaze had always been one of fear towards him, but he still intended to return and get a clear explanation. Feng Qingchen walked over and admonished Yuan Ling, her words full of worry. Hearing this, Yuan Ling's lips curled into a smile, and he embraced Feng Qingchen.
These past few days had been the most relaxed time he had experienced in over twenty years, truly difficult to part with. Xi Xie entered the palace to meet the Emperor, pointing out that His Majesty had murdered his brother and usurped the throne back then, but the Former Emperor had only voluntarily relinquished it out of pity for the suffering people.
At the same time, the Former Emperor had also left behind the Imperial Seal and an imperial edict, and now the Wu Clan wished to exchange these for Prince Ling's lifelong peace. Hearing this, the Emperor's heart was troubled. He had only learned two years ago that Yuan Ling, his most beloved son, was actually the Former Emperor's orphaned child.
After careful consideration, the Emperor promised that as long as Elder Xi Xie lived, he would not harm anyone he protected. When Yuan Ling returned to his residence, Shi Yi informed him of the recent developments. Although the Emperor had relocated the Xuanjia Army out of the city, some loyal soldiers had secretly snuck back. Yuan Ling was relieved, knowing that all the Xuanjia Army members were his brothers who had faced life and death with him.
Although Shi Yi suggested that the Imperial Father might have already believed his Fourth Brother, Yuan Ling still harbored reservations. If he were truly to rebel, it would go against the natural order, but he would also repay Elder Xi Xie's life-saving grace by ensuring peace throughout the land.
However, at this moment, Eunuch Sun arrived with an imperial edict, declaring that Prince Ling's residence harbored a large force, intending to rebel, and by His Majesty's secret decree, ordered Prince Ling to be arrested and brought to the palace. Although Yuan Ling bowed his head, his heart was filled with melancholy. His Imperial Father, after all, still refused to let him go.
Shi Yi rose in anger, asserting that it was easy to trump up charges, and he could not bear to see his Fourth Brother thus wronged, but he was stopped by Yuan Ling. " Imperial Father may be unkind, but we cannot be unjust," Yuan Ling stated. " Today, I am willing to enter the palace, only asking that those around me are not implicated." Upon exiting Prince Ling's residence, Eunuch Sun attempted to shackle Yuan Ling.
Gao Jun, a Xuanjia Army officer, stepped forward to protest. Prince Ling had spent his entire life in military service, making immense contributions to Great Wei, yet he was met with such treatment, which was truly disheartening. The entire Xuanjia Army was willing to escort Prince Ling back to the palace. However, at that moment, several hidden arrows pierced through the air, directly taking Gao Jun's life.
Until his death, Gao Jun murmured that the Xuanjia Army would always be loyal to His Highness. Yuan Ling watched his brother die before his eyes, utterly enraged. " They killed the loyalty of the entire Xuanjia Army," he cried. " I can die, but not one of my brothers can be missing! This is my bottom line!" Having said that, Yuan Ling roared, "Xuanjia Army, where are you? !"
His shout resonated, and in an instant, buildings collapsed, and tiles flew as several Xuanjia warriors appeared one by one. They had been waiting for a long time, and today they would join Prince Ling to test the blades of the Xuanjia Army. A fierce battle thus began. Inside Prince Ling's residence, swords flashed and blades clashed, but outside, heavy troops had already been laid in ambush, making it difficult for the Xuanjia Army to win against overwhelming numbers.
Yuan Ling, holding Gui Li, fought valiantly, bathed in blood. Unexpectedly, an arrow flew from behind. In a split second between life and death, the world froze, and time stopped as Xi Xie descended from the sky, saving Yuan Ling and Shi Yi. Just as Xi Xie was seething with indignation at the Emperor's treachery, Dark Witches launched a sneak attack. Yuan Ling instructed Shi Yi to take the Elder and leave first. The battle resumed.
At their wits' end, silver butterflies fluttered in, and several attendant sorceresses came to assist. Amidst the chaos, Feng Qingchen, in a white gown, gracefully descended, beautiful and sharp, swiftly repelling a large number of enemy soldiers. Shi Yi and Xi Xie were pursued by Yuan Ming on Snake Mountain.
Xi Xie insisted that even if the Imperial Seal were destroyed, it would not be handed over to traitors and rebels like them, and from now on, the Wu Clan would choose a new master. Outnumbered, Xi Xie sent Shi Yi away, telling him to inform Prince Ling that the tyrant was unjust and the empire could be seized. Afterward, he plunged into the melee alone.
Even with Xi Xie's formidable magic, he could not withstand the surprise attack and encirclement by the Dark Witches. When Yuan Ling and Feng Qingchen arrived, Xi Xie's life force was waning. With his last breath, he entrusted Feng Qingchen to Yuan Ling. Yuan Ling and Feng Qingchen brought Xi Xie back to Li Jing Tian. Tao Yao tried to save him but was stopped by Xi Xie. Xi Xie knew his end was near.
Those Dark Witches were originally his disciples, who later betrayed Li Jing Tian and left, yet now they had injured Xi Xie. Tao Yao, in tears, felt indignant that the royal struggles required the Wu Clan as sacrifices. Xi Xie quietly wiped away her tears and tenderly caressed her cheek. He always believed that Tao Yao could protect Li Jing Tian in his stead. Outside the wooden house, Feng Qingchen summoned lightning from the sky. In the flash of electricity, her resolute eyes were illuminated. She was determined to save her Master.
Episode 3 Recap
Feng Qingchen was willing to sacrifice the rest of her life for her master's safety. Yuan Ling couldn't bear to see her harm herself and was filled with sorrow. Just then, Elder Tao Yao sent a message, asking Feng Qingchen to go to the scripture library to see her master. Feng Qingchen left in a hurry. Inside the imperial palace, Crown Prince Yuan Hao brought the Eleventh Prince back to meet the Emperor.
The Eleventh Prince was defiant in his heart, not understanding why his Royal Father was so aggressively persecuting his Fourth Brother. As a result, the Emperor severely punished the Eleventh Prince, attempting to use him to lure Yuan Ling to come to his rescue. The Eleventh Prince couldn't believe that his Royal Father was truly as heartless and disloyal as rumored in the streets. At the Seventh Prince's Mansion, Yuan Zhan sat quietly at his desk, calmly brewing tea.
Elder Mo of the Wu Clan came to thank Prince Zhan for saving his life. Yuan Zhan stated that he could only protect Elder Mo for a short time and hoped he would quickly return to Li Jing Tian. He also entrusted Elder Mo to bring the poppies he had carefully cultivated to Miss Feng Qingchen, to thank her for cultivating the exotic flowers in his mansion.
Inside the Wu Clan's scripture library, ancient books were piled high, and the scent of books permeated the air. One could glimpse the entirety of worldly affairs here. Xi Xie brought Feng Qingchen to a secret chamber within the pavilion and handed the late Emperor's last edict to Feng Qingchen. This edict revealed the mystery of Prince Ling's true identity. It turned out that Yuan Ling was the posthumous son of the late Emperor and Lian Fei.
That year, Yuan An usurped the throne and took his brother's wife. The late Emperor died with resentment in Li Jing Tian. Although the Wu Clan had kept this a secret, Yuan Ling eventually found out. Now, Xi Xie handed the imperial seal and the last edict to Feng Qingchen, leaving it to her to decide whether to assist Prince Ling. Feng Qingchen feared she might not be capable.
Xi Xie merely asked her if Yuan Ling was in her heart, and Feng Qingchen lowered her gaze, saying nothing. On the other side, Tao Yao suspected that Yuan Ling had deliberately come to Li Jing Tian precisely because he knew his true identity, using Xi Xie's guilt to lure him into the palace. However, Yuan Ling was magnanimous and concerned for his country and people.
As long as Yuan An could treat the common people well, he was actually willing to stay away from court politics and disregard the grudge of his father's murder. Although Tao Yao admired Prince Ling's magnanimity upon hearing this, she could not forgive him for causing her senior brother Xi Xie to be severely wounded because of it.
That year, she and her senior brother had worked together to delay Lian Fei's due date by two months to save the late Emperor's surviving son. But on the other hand, considering the safety of the realm, after weighing the options, they still concealed the matter and supported the new Emperor. Subsequently, Xi Xie waited for Tao Yao in the Hall of Stewards.
Under the gaze of the many witch priestesses, Tao Yao walked into the hall with heavy steps, one by one. Feng Qingchen also secretly resolved that she absolutely could not leave Elder Tao Yao to guard Li Jing Tian alone. But as soon as she turned around, she saw Yuan Ling standing quietly not far behind her, his gaze intense, yet seemingly unable to cross the distance that felt both so near and so far.
Feng Qingchen and Yuan Ling strolled to a quiet mountain stream. She solemnly handed the imperial seal and the last edict to Yuan Ling. She had decided to follow Yuan Ling and take on the Wu Clan's responsibility of protecting the imperial family. If he were a rebellious minister, she would be a bandit, advancing and retreating with him. Yuan Ling was moved and immediately promised that, regardless of success or failure, he would protect the Wu Clan completely.
Feng Qingchen said earnestly, "May His Royal Highness Prince Ling ascend the throne soon and protect the people of the four directions." Unexpectedly, upon hearing this, Yuan Ling embraced Feng Qingchen again. The woman in his arms spoke repeatedly of her master and the common people, yet she never mentioned herself. Feng Qingchen was saddened but also resolute, for this was the only thing she could do for her master.
In her heart, her two responsibilities and loyalties were, one, to protect the imperial family, and two, to Li Jing Tian, but she did not know that she had long been the two poles in Yuan Ling's heart. Tao Yao and Xi Xie gazed at each other, hand in hand. Xi Xie felt sorrow; in just one night, Tao Yao, whose appearance was always youthful, had grown white hair. But he could no longer accompany her to old age.
He owed her too much and could not repay her more; it seemed spending his last moments with her was the only thing left. Amidst the vast expanse, the two elders, who had witnessed the ways of the world, leaned closely on each other. Alas, their love was deep but their fate short, leaving an unsettled feeling. Feng Qingchen handed what Xi Xie had entrusted to her to Elder Tao Yao.
Tao Yao reached out and took it; it was the art of dream-weaving. In the dream, she and he wore splendid red wedding attire, nestled in the vast white snow, turning white-haired overnight, as if in eternal life. Tao Yao looked at Xi Xie, sleeping in the crystal coffin, tears streaming down her face, yet at the same time, she made a solemn vow: she would dedicate her life to guarding the world he cared so deeply about.
At night, Mr. Mo brought the poppies to Feng Qingchen. Feng Qingchen knew that His Royal Highness Prince Zhan must have a deeper meaning in sending these flowers, but with the current critical situation, no one could remain aloof. Meanwhile, a vast net had been laid outside the imperial palace, waiting only for Yuan Ling to come and rescue people. Yuan An was incompetent and tyrannical, leading to continuous wars.
Even for the sake of the people of Great Wei, Yuan Ling would come. At that moment, silver butterflies circled above the imperial palace. Feng Qingchen used her spiritual power to incapacitate all the guards. Yuan Ling arrived before Yuan An without losing a single soldier. Mr. Mo, carrying the imperial seal and the last edict, followed closely behind, and the imperial guards only obeyed Yuan Ling's summons.
Yuan An still tried to threaten Yuan Ling with the Eleventh Prince, but unexpectedly, Yuan Ling had already rescued him. Yuan Ling was furious; his Gui Li Sword was already raised. Yuan An had killed his father, disgraced his mother, and Great Wei suffered immensely under his rule. Such an incompetent emperor truly deserved to be killed immediately. However, for the sake of the Eleventh Prince, he would not kill him, but this imperial throne, he would no longer yield.
On the other side, Yuan Zhan learned that the overall situation was settled. Having intended to use his Royal Father's hand to restrain Prince Ling, he suppressed his anger and said, "Though Royal Father has lost, this Prince will not lose." Overnight, the realm changed hands. Yuan An abdicated, and Prince Ling ascended the throne. After ascending, Yuan Ling still addressed Crown Prince Yuan Hao as Elder Brother, treating him with respect.
He knew that his Elder Brother had always been kind-hearted and would harbor no resentment. Sure enough, Yuan Hao merely stated that Yuan Ling's ascension and the pacification of the four seas were commendable. However, the Seventh Prince Yuan Zhan remained an onlooker. Yuan Ming and Yuan Ji were also imprisoned in the dungeon. Yuan Ling ascended to a high point, gazing over the vast rivers and mountains. Feng Qingchen arrived gracefully.
Yuan Ling held the fair lady's hand, taking Heaven and Earth as witness, and Great Wei's dominion as the betrothal gift, he wanted to marry her and for her to join him in ushering in a prosperous era for Great Wei. However, Feng Qingchen refused, because if she entered the imperial harem, she would not be able to participate in politics. It would be better to remain with the Wu Clan and be his sharpest blade.
Feng Qingchen was drawn by the fragrance of the twelve exotic flowers to Prince Zhan's Mansion. She walked into the room filled with the scent of flowers, only to see a blue-robed man standing by the window, playing the xiao. The melodious and lingering sound of the xiao added a touch of elegance and tranquility to the room. Yuan Zhan turned around.
The two were connected by flowers, and now he invited Feng Qingchen with the fragrance of ten li of flowers. In terms of flower appreciation, they were truly soulmates hard to find. Just then, Dark Wu attacked. Although Feng Qingchen repelled the Dark Wu with silver butterflies, she also fainted, falling softly into Prince Zhan's arms.
Episode 4 Recap
The dark sorceress who launched the sneak attack was called Wu Pinting; she was actually Yuan Zhan's subordinate. They lifted the Saint Sorceress seal from Feng Qingchen, only to make the Twin Stars reappear and cause changes in the world. Tao Yao, far away in Lijingtian, sensed that Feng Qingchen was in trouble, and knowing her seal had been lifted, her face showed worry.
It turned out that decades ago, when Feng Qingchen was still in her infancy, she was sealed by Xi Xie, solely to ensure peace in the world and Feng Qingchen's safety. Feng Qingchen woke up in Yuan Zhan's manor. Yuan Zhan pretended to be enchanted by dark sorcerers, gaining Feng Qingchen's trust. As soon as Feng Qingchen left Yuan Zhan's manor, she met her senior sister who was looking for her and learned that Yuan Ling was looking for her.
Feng Qingchen went to see Yuan Ling. Yuan Ling was extremely worried by Feng Qingchen's sudden disappearance and once again deeply promised to make Feng Qingchen his empress. Feng Qingchen was at a loss for how to choose and remained silent. Finally, the day came for the Sorcerer Tribe to select the Saint Sorceress.
Yuan Ling wholeheartedly thought that once Feng Qingchen was chosen as the Saint Sorceress, she could lay down the heavy responsibility of protecting Da Wei and be with him. However, what he never expected was that the Sacred Butterfly of Shaohua actually flew into Feng Qingchen's hands. She turned out to be the Saint Sorceress who had not appeared for a hundred years. Feng Qingchen looked back and gazed deeply at Yuan Ling.
In the end, she still knelt down to accept the consecration. Elder Tao Yao handed the Nine-Turn Spirit Stone, which could activate the Nine-Turn Linglong Formation, to Feng Qingchen. Only the Saint Sorceress could use it to reverse the situation, predict the future, and reorganize the state of Da Wei. From then on, Feng Qingchen was the Saint Sorceress of the Sorcerer Tribe; it was absolutely impossible for her to marry into the imperial family.
She walked in wearing a magnificent black feather gown, but it was to divine the wedding date of her beloved with someone else. Inside the high walls of the deep palace, a golden butterfly gracefully flew and landed on Yuan Ling's palm, quietly transforming into the character "wang" (forget). At the place of the sorceress's divination, Feng Qingchen sat upright before the table, resting with her eyes closed. The nine spirit stones in front of her glowed brightly.
Yuan Ling pushed the door open and entered. The golden butterfly conveyed the character "wang" (forget). To forget means to lose one's heart; losing one's heart means losing one's life. How could he allow himself to risk his life to forget her? But now Feng Qingchen was already the Saint Sorceress; her every word was about the nation and the world, yet she no longer spoke of Yuan Ling. Yuan Ling's eyes were cold, and his voice was stern.
He didn't believe Feng Qingchen could forget him, nor did he believe that so-called heaven could accurately predict human hearts. When emotions ran deep, Yuan Ling bowed his head and forcefully kissed Feng Qingchen. He resolutely declared, "Since Feng Qingchen has chosen an auspicious day, I will make her my empress on that day." Yuan Ling came to Lijingtian, requesting Elder Tao Yao to grant him permission to marry Feng Qingchen.
It turned out that as long as the Saint Sorceress severed her ties with the Sorcerer Tribe, she could regain her freedom, and he was willing to trade ten years of his lifespan for Feng Qingchen's freedom. Tao Yao was shocked to hear this. She questioned, "Your Majesty, as the ruler of a nation, you are willing to easily give up ten years of your life; do you truly have the people of the world in your heart?"
But Yuan Ling only wished to have no regrets with Feng Qingchen in this lifetime. For a moment, Tao Yao also didn't know what to do. The night sky was desolate. Tao Yao informed Feng Qingchen that with the convergence of the Twin Stars, the aura of killing was too strong and might be impossible to resolve. Feng Qingchen, too, was calm.
He came with a lifetime of splendor, and she would guard him with half her spiritual power, willing to protect him completely with her life. Tao Yao was deeply moved by the two who shared the same heart, but also helplessly acknowledged that fate was difficult to defy. In the imperial court, Yuan Ling announced that he would choose the Saint Sorceress Feng Qingchen to be the Empress. All civil and military officials knelt down, vehemently protesting.
But Yuan Ling's resolve was firmer than the heavens; even without a Saint Sorceress, he could protect Da Wei completely. Subsequently, an imperial decree reached Lijingtian, stripping Feng Qingchen of her Saint Sorceress status and ordering her to enter the palace as empress. Tao Yao was deeply troubled; to obey this decree was not right, but to disobey it was even less so.
Feng Qingchen, however, stepped forward and declared that she was willing to endure the six punishments and pass through the 'death gate' to relinquish her identity as Saint Sorceress, swearing to follow Yuan Ling to her death, without regret even if she died ten thousand times. Memorials frequently arrived, all opposing His Majesty making the Saint Sorceress his empress. They claimed that the great drought and plague were all caused by His Majesty marrying the Saint Sorceress.
However, Yuan Ling was not at all worried about the accusation of being a foolish emperor. He merely said bitterly, "These civil and military officials fail to produce any practical solutions, only shifting all blame onto one woman." Shi Yi comforted Yuan Ling, saying this was the situation left by his imperial father. Yuan Ling directly ordered Yuan Che to place the skeletons of the common people in the manor of Duke Qin, who was exploiting his age.
He wanted to tell everyone that the title of foolish emperor should be decided by the hearts of all the people under heaven. Just then, news arrived that Feng Qingchen was going to attempt the Sorcerer Tribe's Blade Mountain and Fire Sea Formation. Shi Yi was greatly shocked upon hearing this. Yuan Ling, however, looked into the distance with a profound and solemn expression; he had indeed not misjudged Feng Qingchen.
Inside the Blade Mountain and Fire Sea Formation, snow raged and wind howled, the environment was harsh. Feng Qingchen struggled arduously within it, resolutely unyielding. At the same time, Yuan Ling, clad in armor and holding Gui Li, was determined to take Feng Qingchen away. Even knowing that one more step forward meant no chance of turning back, he had no regrets.
Episode 5 Recap
In the icy wilderness, Feng Qingchen was struggling in the frozen cliff. At a critical moment, Yuan Ling, dressed in dark robes, came through the wind and snow to bring her to solid ground. Feng Qingchen chided Yuan Ling, blaming him for forcing her into this situation with two imperial decrees. Yuan Ling, however, looked at her with a beaming smile, saying that he would accompany her through wind and rain, through mountains of daggers and seas of flames.
As they were speaking, a fierce gale struck, tearing the two apart. They could hear each other's voices but couldn't see each other. Yuan Ling knew Feng Qingchen was on the cliff, and he mustered all his strength to climb up. Fortunately, Feng Qingchen noticed in time and pulled him up. Exhausted, they lay in the snow, their eyes full of deep affection for each other.
Having passed the Ice Mountain Realm, they soon arrived at the Sea of Fire Pass. Everywhere they looked, magma churned and volcanoes erupted. Although both were skilled, they could only flee in a panic. However, to save Feng Qingchen, Yuan Ling willingly plunged into the raging sea of fire. Feng Qingchen immediately leaped down after him. They fell, embracing tightly, not wishing to live together but to die together. Yet they did not die.
Instead, they passed through the Trial of Daggers and Flames hand in hand, arriving in the Li Jing Tian. At the Seventh Prince's manor, Yuan Zhan learned that the Emperor had gone to Li Jing Tian to save Feng Qingchen. He planned to blow the matter out of proportion, making the common people and officials believe that Yuan Ling was a debauched and incompetent ruler.
Under Yuan Zhan's instigation, Duke Qin led the officials to kneel for a long time outside the palace gates, carrying a coffin as a form of remonstrance, determined to oppose the Emperor's decision to make the Saintly Sorceress his empress. Yuan Zhan stood on the city wall, using dark sorcery to exacerbate Duke Qin's misunderstanding of the Emperor.
Duke Qin, loyal and valiant, even slammed his head against the coffin and died, crying out that the Saintly Sorceress must not be made empress. Meanwhile, within Li Jing Tian, Yuan Ling carried the injured Feng Qingchen to Elder Tao Yao. Feng Qingchen looked troubled, knelt to bid farewell, and handed over the Nine-Turn Spirit Stone, which only a Saintly Sorceress could guard.
Tao Yao solemnly declared that from this day forward, the Sorcerer Tribe would no longer have Feng Qingchen, nor would they interfere in royal affairs. Tao Yao knew in her heart that Feng Qingchen and Yuan Ling's love was deep and steadfast. Since they had passed the Trial of Daggers and Flames, they could break the Twin Star Curse. Furthermore, she couldn't bear for Feng Qingchen and Yuan Ling to have regrets. Finally, the wedding day arrived.
Outside the palace gates, the officials, with Duke Qin's corpse, still knelt and refused to rise. Yuan Zhan appeared, feigning comfort, and used this opportunity to drape robes imbued with dark sorcery over everyone. On the other side, Yuan Ling, dressed in red robes, ordered Eleven to keep a close eye on Duke Qin's sons, ensuring no further mishaps.
However, when Eleven arrived outside the palace gates with his men, he found that everyone was dead, and even transformed into dark sorcerers, beginning to attack. At this moment, Yuan An also received a note from Yuan Zhan. He begged his imperial father to die to fulfill his own ambitions. On the Jiuyi Platform, Feng Qingchen, resplendent in her phoenix coronet and bridal robes, was led by Yuan Ling step by step towards the altar.
Everywhere they looked was a dazzling, vibrant red. The two bowed to each other, then stood hand in hand, accepting the worship of ten thousand people. He wanted to see all the myriad landscapes of this world with her. After the ceremony, daytime fireworks lit up the sky, celebrating with the people. Feng Qingchen happily watched the scene of the ten-li long procession of red, while Yuan Ling gazed at her with deep affection.
Just then, Yuan Ling's mind clouded, and he instantly realized the fireworks were poisoned. Beneath the altar, rebels rose in arms, swords flashed and shadows danced. In an instant, a grand wedding became an unforeseen calamity. Yuan Ling and Feng Qingchen had already been severely wounded in the Trial of Daggers and Flames, but at this moment, they still resisted stubbornly.
However, amidst the chaos, Yuan An deliberately lunged towards Yuan Ling's sword, creating the illusion that Yuan Ling had murdered his father. He would never willingly give up the throne. It was only Yuan Ling's misfortune that he still cherished their father-son bond until the very last moment. How could such a benevolent fourth son compete with the ruthless seventh son?
At this moment, Yuan Zhan finally revealed his true colors, declaring that the Fourth Prince Yuan Ling had murdered his father and usurped the throne, and thus deserved death. Feng Qingchen suddenly realized that all of this was Yuan Zhan's conspiracy. Yuan Ling, however, simply caressed Feng Qingchen's cheek, asking tenderly if she was willing to follow him through life and death. She replied, "If you live, I live. If you die, I die."
Just as Yuan Zhan was about to make his move, Tao Yao, along with the sorceresses, descended from the sky, repelling the crowd. In this critical moment, Tao Yao placed the Nine-Turn Spirit Stone high in the air. In an instant, the world changed color, and rain poured down. Only if Feng Qingchen activated the Nine-Turn Linglong Formation could the Great Wei be prevented from falling into the hands of dark sorcerers.
Yuan Zhan's eyes turned red with urgency, and he charged forward with his troops. Behind Yuan Ling, Feng Qingchen used her blood as a guide. The Spirit Stone began to turn, and time and space came to a standstill. Everyone was frozen in an instant. Even the large raindrops were suspended in the void. Feng Qingchen slowly walked to the motionless Yuan Ling, her eyes filled with sorrow. Tears flowed before she could speak.
She was, after all, the Saintly Sorceress, and still couldn't spend her life with him. She only wished for another chance, where he would not fall in love with her again. After bidding farewell to Yuan Ling, Feng Qingchen flew into the Nine-Turn Linglong Formation, her figure vanishing.
Episode 6 Recap
Entering the Nine-Turn Linglong Formation, Feng Qingchen fell into the void realm along with the spirit stones. Now, she can only change everything that has happened by reassembling the nine spirit stones. However, amidst the scattered rocks, a man claiming to be Ling Long Shi appeared, obstructing her from taking the spirit stones.
The man argued vehemently, accusing Feng Qingchen of opening the Nine-Turn Linglong Formation for her own selfish desires, stating that tampering with fate was already a grave mistake. If she were to re-enter the formation and change realms again, she would become a stranger in the past timeline, losing everything. Furthermore, if she did not return soon or revealed her origins, everything would vanish, including herself.
Yet, Feng Qingchen was determined to try, just as Yuan Ling had unreservedly braved the perilous Blade Mountain and Fire Sea Formation to save her. After a fierce struggle, Feng Qingchen, despite narrowly escaping death, finally fled from Ling Long Shi's grasp. When she awoke again, she was in a wooden hut of the Witch Clan. A strange purple flower danced around Feng Qingchen and eventually merged into her body, which was quite miraculous.
Feng Qingchen hurriedly walked out of the hut, only to find desolation everywhere she went. The once peaceful and harmonious Lijing Heaven was now dilapidated, and this might be the price of activating the Nine-Turn Linglong Formation, leaving her as the only person left in the entire world. In a daze, Feng Qingchen remembered her master's words: although activating the Nine-Turn Linglong Formation could reverse time and space, it would come at an enormous cost.
At this moment, Feng Qingchen finally collapsed to the ground as if all her strength had left her. Feng Qingchen gathered herself and arrived in Tiandu, where soldiers were posting notices to apprehend the Witch Clan. Feng Qingchen learned that the Witch Clan had rebelled, and the witch maidens were all banished to Pingxing Commandery, a border town outside Baishui Pass, to become slaves. She looked at the notice in shock, realizing that she had returned to one year ago.
With yellow dust swirling and the boundless wilderness beyond the pass, Feng Qingchen walked while searching for the location of her clan members. She finally met her exiled clan members by the roadside. She joyfully went to recognize Biyao, but Biyao did not recognize her. Feng Qingchen confronted the general in charge, stating directly that she was also a witch maiden and that she wanted to advance and retreat with her clan.
The soldiers immediately detained Feng Qingchen as well and ordered her to drink the reed grass water that sealed spiritual power. From Biyao, Feng Qingchen learned that the Witch Clan had been accused of rebellion, their entire clan massacred, and even Elder Tao Yao's whereabouts were unknown. Just as they were speaking, a man in black robes slowly approached.
He still had that cold, jade-like expression, and that proud, dashing figure, but in his eyes, the deep affection, vast as the sea, was no longer visible. Feng Qingchen stared blankly at Yuan Ling, a moment feeling like an eternity, the sorrow of meeting yet not being recognized. Yuan Ling passed by her side without stopping, only stating that he and Shi Yi intended to buy all the witch maidens.
Feng Qingchen grabbed Yuan Ling, but in that instant, she foresaw a future where the Xuanjia Army suffered heavy casualties. However, the officials' asking price was too high and completely unreasonable. Yuan Ling, disregarding Feng Qingchen's pleas, departed coldly. In a simple inn, a refined young man was sipping tea and studying a map. On the table lay a sword and a mask. An arrival called him General and reported the whereabouts of the detained witch maidens.
It turned out she was a general disguised by the princess of the A'cai tribe, intent on rescuing the powerful witch maidens for the A'cai tribe's use. Feng Qingchen and the others were held in the prison. She took out the Furong Stone from the Nine-Turn Spirit Stones, remembering her master saying that if her spiritual power was sealed, she could use it to reverse the effect. Immediately, she seemed to have an idea.
Just then, an official came to deliver food. The resourceful Feng Qingchen secretly stole the official's keys, preparing to rescue herself. Late at night, Feng Qingchen led the witch maidens in an attempt to escape, but they were intercepted midway by people from the A'cai tribe. However, after only a few steps, they were taken away by another group who claimed to be rescuing them.
Meanwhile, Yuan Ling and Shi Yi returned to the prison but found no trace of Feng Qingchen and the others. Feng Qingchen and her clan were taken outside the city. Yuan Ling and Shi Yi then rode up on horseback. It turned out they were the ones who rescued the witch maidens. Yuan Ling said that the Witch Clan had assisted the imperial family for many years, and now, due to a misunderstanding, this situation had arisen.
With a royal decree on him, he could only secretly rescue them. Having said that, he no longer escorted them. Feng Qingchen watched Yuan Ling's departing figure, remembering the scenes she had previously foreseen. Knowing the path ahead was perilous, she called out to Yuan Ling and told him about the illusion. However, Shi Yi, standing by, teased her, saying she was trying to curry favor with Prince Ling.
Watching his fearless demeanor, Feng Qingchen could only pray in her heart for his safety. Yuan Zhan was traveling to the A'cai tribe for a marriage alliance. His mother, Consort Yin Gui, also ordered someone in the palace to send a message for Yuan Xi to assist him. If he could marry into the A'cai tribe in place of Crown Prince Yuan Hao, it would certainly consolidate the Yin family's influence in the imperial court.
Meanwhile, Xiao Ji, the Prince of Southern Liang, received a secret message knowing that Yuan Ling and others were on their way, and intended to send people to kill Yuan Ling and obstruct the marriage alliance. On the way, Feng Qingchen caught sight of Liang Kingdom cavalry pursuing Yuan Ling and others and decided to go to their rescue.
Feng Qingchen united the witch maidens and used the blood of a Holy Witch Maiden to water the Furong Stone, thus restoring everyone's spiritual power. However, she herself suffered a backlash, spitting out blood. Biyao left the witch maiden Meiya to look after Feng Qingchen, while she herself took the rest of the witch maidens to rescue Yuan Ling. Feng Qingchen watched their backs as they went to help, finally unable to sustain herself and fainted.
Episode 7 Recap
Yuan Zhan and his soldiers, tired from their journey by boat and carriage, advanced towards the border. A subordinate reported that they were being followed. Yuan Zhan calmly replied that with the two nations forming a marriage alliance, forces from all four directions were stirring, and the Liang Kingdom also harbored malicious intentions. It would be better not to alert the enemy before finding out the true identity of the newcomers.
Meanwhile, King Fulianchou of A'chai Kingdom sat upright at his desk, holding a scroll, when the maid bringing bird's nest suddenly revealed a fierce look and directly took his life. Princess Duo Xia of the A'chai tribe, far beyond the pass, rushed back to the imperial palace on horseback after hearing the news of His Majesty's assassination. She ordered General Mukesha to immediately return to the city to check for any suspicious individuals.
Li Lin, who had been sent by Yuan Zhan to scout for information within A'chai Kingdom, was coincidentally suspected and fell into Mukesha's hands. Yuan Ling and Shi Yi, with dozens of confidants, rode to a narrow valley but were suddenly ambushed by Southern Liang cavalry. In an instant, countless boulders rolled down from the canyon. Yuan Ling's men were no match and could only ride away. Unexpectedly, archers were ambushed ahead, and the Black Armored Army suffered heavy casualties.
At the same time, Fifth Prince Yuan Xi learned of the Xiao Liang army's attack and ordered a retreat from Pingxing Commandery, leaving only a portion of the Black Armored Army to provide support within the commandery. As soon as Feng Qingchen woke up, she took Meiya to General Wei, who previously guarded the witches, for help. Unfortunately, Meiya was detained by General Wei, and Feng Qingchen could only go alone to rescue her.
Yuan Ling, upon reaching outside Xieyang Valley, was again ambushed. Almost all the confidants he had brought were killed in battle, with only Shi Yi and himself left, stubbornly resisting. Yuan Ling realized that their whereabouts might have been leaked. Just as Yuan Ling was surrounded, Biyao arrived in time with the witches, using witchcraft to repel the enemy army. Yuan Ling, like a tiger with wings, quickly defeated the enemy and broke through the encirclement.
Feng Qingchen rescued Meiya, and the two rode to Xieyang Valley. She saw corpses scattered everywhere and couldn't find Yuan Ling anywhere. The heavily wounded Feng Qingchen was deeply worried. At the same time, Biyao and others had already escorted Yuan Ling and Shi Yi to a safe place. Yuan Ling learned that Feng Qingchen had lifted everyone's restraints but began to suspect her because of Feng Qingchen's identity.
On the other side, Feng Qingchen and Meiya suddenly encountered an attack by Liang soldiers. Even though Feng Qingchen tried her best, she couldn't save Meiya. Meiya breathed her last in Feng Qingchen's arms, and Feng Qingchen was heartbroken. General Wei brought his men to meet with Yuan Ling but insisted on taking the witches back.
Yuan Ling and Shi Yi had no choice but to buy the witches and promised that before the decree was changed, these witches would leave the border city and not reappear. Feng Qingchen buried Meiya. She swore she would never let Meiya die in vain; someday, the Witch Tribe would reappear in the light. Liang soldiers were everywhere within the border, so Feng Qingchen could only change into Liang soldier clothes to hide her identity.
Yuan Ling returned to the Pingxing Commandery military camp and found that the central army had withdrawn, with only dead and wounded Black Armored Army soldiers littering the ground. Shi Yi didn't understand. Xiao Ji ordered men to encircle and annihilate them and then attacked the military camp, but why did Yuan Xi also suddenly withdraw?
Yuan Ling immediately told General Wei to return and guard the commandery upon hearing this, while he and Shi Yi would go to investigate the truth. In fact, Yuan Xi had long colluded with Xiao Ji, attempting to kill Yuan Ling and severely wound the Black Armored Army. As long as he achieved merits in the army, he could support his mother Consort Yin's scheme and consolidate the Yin family's position in the court.
Mukesha tortured Yuan Zhan's attendant Li Lin. It turned out that the maid who assassinated His Majesty was also from Great Wei. Princess Duo Xia carefully attended to her imperial father at his bedside. The assassin had escaped, but the martial arts style was very similar to that of Wei people. Fulianchou, however, believed that Wei had come for a marriage alliance and had no reason to assassinate.
Instead, it was highly probable that Liang Kingdom wanted to use them to eliminate the Seventh Prince Yuan Zhan of Wei Kingdom. At this moment, Mukesha brought his men, intending to make trouble for Yuan Zhan outside the city, but was captured by the trap Yuan Zhan had set. Feng Qingchen encountered Biyao and others on the road. Biyao learned the news of Meiya's death and believed Feng Qingchen's origins were unknown and her identity strange, which was truly suspicious.
She took action to trap Feng Qingchen and left with her people. Feng Qingchen, in her helplessness, saw Yuan Ling and Shi Yi riding past and quickly called out for help. But after Yuan Ling rescued Feng Qingchen, he thought she was Xiao Ji's person and suspected her at every turn. Feng Qingchen had no words to defend herself; she just gazed steadily at Yuan Ling with her beautiful and candid eyes.
Yuan Ling tied up Feng Qingchen and interrogated her about her identity. Feng Qingchen insisted she didn't know Xiao Ji. Just then, Yuan Ling's poison wound acted up, and Shi Yi could only go to find medicine. Feng Qingchen seized the opportunity to propose a deal, persuading Yuan Ling to release her to treat his wounds. Yuan Ling, however, drew a dagger and held it against Feng Qingchen's throat.
He believed Feng Qingchen served the Liang army and caused the deaths of many innocent people. However, at this moment, the poison attack worsened, and Yuan Ling forcefully fainted into Feng Qingchen's arms. Just then, the boulder trap Yuan Ling had set above Feng Qingchen's head began to activate. Seeing the boulder about to roll down, Yuan Ling was unconscious, and Feng Qingchen's hands were bound; the situation was truly critical.
Episode 8 Recap
In the nick of time, Feng Qingchen untied the ropes and saved Yuan Ling and herself. Feng Qingchen immediately used witchcraft to heal Yuan Ling's injuries. After Yuan Ling woke up restlessly, he instead accused Feng Qingchen of having ill intentions. Feng Qingchen, playful on a whim, boldly flirted with Yuan Ling, commenting on his robust physique. Yuan Ling fainted again after only a few words.
Feng Qingchen had no choice but to use the Golden Butterfly to draw out the poison and save Yuan Ling. After Yuan Ling awoke, he quickly stood up and pointed his sword at Feng Qingchen, stating that if Feng Qingchen had escaped last night, there wouldn't be this trouble.
Feng Qingchen, with a slight mischievous curl of her lips, cunningly said that the Golden Butterfly had linked their lives, adding that she feared His Royal Highness Prince Ling wouldn't be willing to kill her. After saying this, she scraped her finger, and blood seeped from Yuan Ling's fingertip as well. Now, they were truly of one life and one body, sharing life and death. Yuan Ling deeply felt Feng Qingchen's cunning.
He shamelessly moved closer to Feng Qingchen, declaring that he would keep a close eye on her. However, the moment Feng Qingchen touched Yuan Ling, she clearly sensed a vision of Yuan Ling being about to be cut down by Yuan Xi. She warned Yuan Ling to be careful of the Fifth Prince, but Yuan Ling mistakenly thought Feng Qingchen was trying to sow discord between him and his brothers. But before he could finish his sentence, he fainted again.
Inside the hot spring valley, mist swirled. Yuan Ling was immersed in the spring water, his bright eyes twinkling like stars. Even when ill, he possessed an admirable cool handsomeness and free-spirited air. Feng Qingchen leisurely rested on a rock behind him. She wanted to use the hot spring water to help Yuan Ling clear the remaining poison. Yet, Yuan Ling looked petty, as if he had been taken advantage of.
Feng Qingchen, with a slight tilt of her phoenix eyes, wondered how much advantage a mere woman like her could take of him, especially since she had saved his life. Hearing this, the smile on Yuan Ling's lips deepened. He mischievously pulled Feng Qingchen down. As they laughed and played, they were spotted by Eleven. Feng Qingchen shyly got up and left, leaving Eleven standing there with a stunned expression.
That night, Feng Qingchen wanted to apply medicine for Yuan Ling. However, Yuan Ling was engrossed in discussing military matters with Eleven and ignored her. Feng Qingchen huffed, saying that if the poison acted up and attacked his heart, it would result in two lives lost. Eleven, unaware of the Golden Butterfly's linked fate, immediately let his imagination run wild and gaped. Yuan Ling coldly stated that although he had no concubines, he was not desperate either.
Feng Qingchen retorted that she saved him purely because he was high-ranking, powerful, and offered money-making opportunities. The two bickered back and forth, making for a truly comical scene. Feng Qingchen pointed out that Yuan Ling's poison was caused by internal ingestion. Yuan Ling recalled Yuan Xi pouring wine for him but did not say much. Suddenly, Yuan Ling pulled Feng Qingchen down. It turned out several men in black had appeared outside the wooden house.
Yuan Ling and Eleven went out to fight. When they returned, Feng Qingchen was already gone. Princess Duo Xia brought people to see Yuan Zhan and informed him of the assassination of the King of the A'cai tribe. Yuan Zhan raised an eyebrow and said he had a plan to catch the real culprit. The two sat down for a detailed discussion. Yuan Zhan ordered someone to bring Mu Kesa.
Princess Duo Xia also bowed and took her leave, developing respect in her heart for this Seventh Prince, who seemed gentle and refined yet was exceptionally cunning. However, Mu Kesa wore a displeased expression. Afterward, on the streets of A'cai Kingdom, Princess Duo Xia hogtied Yuan Zhan and escorted him all the way back to the palace. Liang soldiers tied Feng Qingchen and brought her before Xiao Ji. Xiao Ji interrogated her about her relationship with Prince Ling.
Feng Qingchen naturally refused to answer. Instead, she tempted Xiao Ji to release her as bait to lure Prince Ling to rescue her. Xiao Ji immediately had Feng Qingchen write a letter to arrange a one-on-one duel with Prince Ling. In the tent, while writing the letter, Feng Qingchen released the Golden Butterflies to scout the surrounding defenses. She also incorporated the information into the letter.
She thought that if Yuan Ling had a telepathic connection with her, he would surely know her intentions. When Yuan Ling received the letter, he indeed discerned the hidden deployment map within it. Realizing Feng Qingchen was setting a trap to survive, this time, he chose to believe her. Outside the pass, sandstorms raged. Feng Qingchen was bound within Xiao Ji's army, waiting only for Yuan Ling to come and rescue her.
Sure enough, in the vast wilderness, a man in black, magnificent and holding Gui Li, emerged against the faint light of the sky under the scorching sun. However, Xiao Ji had long since laid an ambush to deal with Yuan Ling. Yuan Ling fought against the encirclement of the Liang soldiers alone. With Xiao Ji ambushing him with arrows from outside, for a moment, even though Yuan Ling's martial arts were unparalleled, he gradually began to lose ground.
He was trapped under long chains and struck by several arrows. At this moment, Xiao Ji leaped up, thrust his sword into Yuan Ling's abdomen, and mercilessly killed Yuan Ling in front of Feng Qingchen.
Episode 9 Recap
In the military camp, Xiao Ji laughed heartily as he looked at Yuan Ling's corpse. He raised his hand to kill Feng Qingchen, but Feng Qingchen was not afraid. Instead, she seriously bargained with Xiao Ji using the Xuanjia Army's marching formation. As night fell, Shi Yi, with several warriors, stealthily infiltrated the main camp like shadows, silently killing enemy soldiers. Inside the main tent, Feng Qingchen already knew that Yuan Ling was impersonated by someone else.
Yuan Ling was setting a death trap to survive. She secretly decided to help Yuan Ling eliminate Xiao Ji this time. Just then, Xiao Ji came looking for her. Feng Qingchen, catching him off guard, cast a spell and fought. However, with her spiritual power injured, she was once again captured by Xiao Ji. Xiao Ji intended to kill Feng Qingchen. At the critical moment, the Gui Li sword energy forcefully pierced Xiao Ji's chest.
Yuan Ling silently appeared behind Xiao Ji. Two years ago, he had warned Xiao Ji that if he ever stepped into Da Wei territory again, he would surely take his life. Feng Qingchen was relieved; the person she admired had never disappointed her, no matter where he was. When she woke up again, Feng Qingchen was already in Yuan Ling's wooden cabin. He brought her medicine.
After this ordeal, the two finally resolved their misunderstandings and were bound by life and death. Feng Qingchen asked Yuan Ling to take her with him. Yuan Ling knew he couldn't always be by her side, so he instructed her to bite her finger if she encountered danger, and he would sense the pain and come to her rescue. Looking at Yuan Ling's proud and tall back, Feng Qingchen murmured, "If I miss you, how should I let you know?"
This night was not peaceful. Several assassins infiltrated the Achai Kingdom's dungeon, attempting to rescue the captured assassins, but they were all apprehended by Duo Xia and Yuan Zhan, who were lying in ambush. However, the assassins all chose to bite their tongues and commit suicide. Meanwhile, Xiao Xu, Xiao Ji's younger brother and the Prince of Luling in the Liang Kingdom, looked at his brother's corpse with a fierce expression.
Yuan Ling killed his brother and set fire to the camp; he swore he would not rest until this vendetta was settled. The Fifth Prince, Yuan Xi, learned of "Prince Ling's" death and planned to send the remaining Xuanjia Army to attack the Liang army camp, intending to silence witnesses and cover up his misdeeds.
Unexpectedly, at this moment, Yuan Ling lifted the tent flap and entered, questioning him why no one from the Xuanjia Army in the main camp had survived. Yuan Xi feigned sincerity, trying to gain Yuan Ling's trust, but he did not know that Yuan Ling had long suspected him.
Yuan Ling had not exposed him because he remembered Yuan Xi taking an arrow for him years ago, but he knew well that Yuan Xi's collusion with the enemy to ambush him might involve the Yin family. Feng Qingchen happened to see Yuan Xi's subordinate meeting secretly with someone claiming to be from the Bi Xue Ge (Azure Blood Pavilion). The two conspired that Yuan Xi was no longer useful and should be killed as soon as possible.
The Bi Xue Ge was a martial arts sect controlled by Dark Witches. Feng Qingchen thought, "This is bad." If she didn't find a way to protect Prince Xi, Yuan Ling might be framed. Feng Qingchen hurried to the main camp to look for Yuan Xi, only to learn that Yuan Xi and Yuan Ling had gone out. Deep in the bamboo forest, Yuan Ling had already confronted Yuan Xi.
Yuan Xi still argued that he was doing it for a great cause and would not let Yuan Ling discover the mastermind behind it. Yuan Ling's face was cold, and anger welled up in him. " As a prince of Da Wei, who could possibly use you? I truly don't know. If you want my life, come and take it. You should never collude with the enemy and betray the country without any remorse." Yuan Xi was heartbroken and indignant.
It turned out that for all these years they had faced life and death together, yet only Yuan Ling received attention. He was unconvinced. After speaking, Yuan Xi drew his sword to threaten. Swords clashed fiercely, but Yuan Xi was no match and ultimately fell beneath Yuan Ling's sword. At the same time, Feng Qingchen was rushing to help. She knew it was too late, so she could only bite her finger to alert Yuan Ling.
On this side, Yuan Ling felt a sharp pain in his fingertip during the intense battle, knowing Feng Qingchen was calling him, and wanted to quickly disengage. Unexpectedly, someone secretly attacked and took Yuan Xi's life. Yuan Ling was shocked. As he bent down to check, he was seen by the arriving soldiers. He had ultimately been framed. As Feng Qingchen ran, she suddenly felt an intense pain in her chest.
She saw a cluster of mysterious purple flowers fly out from her body, emitting a dazzling light. However, one of the petals quietly withered. Feng Qingchen guessed that Prince Xi might have passed away. Inside the Achai Kingdom's palace, Yuan Zhan was having an audience with the Emperor. He was polite and sincere in his words.
This time, he had brought a marriage proposal, offering 100,000 elite soldiers for the Crown Prince to marry Duo Xia, the Princess of the Achai tribe. Duo Xia was the apple of the Achai tribe's eye. Although her heart was with her country, she was unwilling to marry far away to another country as a hostage. Yuan Zhan gently suggested, "The princess can go to Pingxing Commandery to witness the might of Da Wei's soldiers before making a decision."
Inside the Pingxing Commandery's main camp, Yuan Ling sat leaning on his Gui Li sword on a couch. Feng Qingchen told him that she had found Prince Xi's death was related to the Bi Xue Ge (Azure Blood Pavilion). She wanted to examine Yuan Xi's corpse to find out more. Feng Qingchen came before Yuan Xi's corpse and released the Shaohua Sacred Butterflies to search for clues. Sure enough, she found an extremely thin poisoned needle on Yuan Xi's neck.
Feng Qingchen then went to the bamboo forest where the incident occurred and used the Golden Butterflies to investigate again. Utilizing the spirits of all things to reconstruct the scene, she discovered it was the same subordinate of Yuan Xi she had seen earlier, but he had already died in the bamboo forest. Fortunately, Feng Qingchen found the Bi Xue Ge's poisoned needle on him.
However, after only a few steps, she was held hostage by someone from the Bi Xue Ge. Feng Qingchen was fearless; instead, she subdued the person and demanded that he take her to meet the leader of the Bi Xue Ge. At the same time, Yuan Ling also felt the pain in his fingertip, guessing that Feng Qingchen must have entered the capital alone to investigate the Bi Xue Ge.
Feng Qingchen followed the person to the Bi Xue Ge's stronghold. A woman in black walked in, who turned out to be Wu Pinging, the Dark Witch who had attacked her at Prince Zhan's mansion that day. Feng Qingchen slowly explained the current situation, attempting to persuade Wu Pinging to join forces with her. Unexpectedly, Wu Pinging did not fall for it.
Instead, she imprisoned Feng Qingchen with other witches, intending to escort them to Tiandu (Heavenly Capital) to be dealt with by her master. In the prison cell, Feng Qingchen surprisingly saw her senior sister, Ming Yan. They had all been poisoned by Dark Witches. Feng Qingchen falsely claimed that she was a disciple Xi Xie had taken outside. From Ming Yan, she learned that they would all be sold to the Tianwu Zuifang brothel in Tiandu.
Outside the pass, Duo Xia, disguised as a man, wore a mask and galloped on horseback to Yuan Ling's army. She claimed to be a prince of the Achai tribe and wanted to seek Yuan Ling's guidance on the Gui Li sword technique. The two clashed swords in the yellow sand. During the fight, Yuan Ling lifted Duo Xia's mask. In an instant, her long hair cascaded down like a waterfall.
The "prince's" face was as beautiful as a peach blossom, and her charm was extraordinary. Yuan Ling, realizing that the opponent was actually a princess, modestly returned the mask. Duo Xia secretly rejoiced, thinking that Prince Ling was so graceful and skilled; he was indeed worthy of being her consort. In Tiandu, Yuan Zhan was leisurely reading scrolls in his carriage when he encountered his ninth brother, Yuan Ming, who was drunk and passed out outside the Tianwu Zuifang.
Yuan Ming kept shouting that he was looking for his wife, Xian Wu, but the Third Prince Yuan Ji's persuasion was useless. Yuan Zhan settled them down and prepared to return to the palace to report. Just then, Feng Qingchen and others were also brought here by Wu Pinging. She saw Yuan Zhan, who was still as elegant as ever, and recalled how he had meticulously plotted a rebellion last time. This time, she would use her own methods to keep him there.
Episode 10 Recap
Just in time, Bi Yao and others who rushed to save them appeared one after another. After Ming Yan and the other witches were rescued, they flew away. Feng Qingchen deliberately stumbled and bumped into Yuan Zhan, catching his attention. At Tianwu Zuifang, Feng Qingchen and the other abducted women knelt on the ground.
She recounted everything about Bixuege forcibly seizing common girls, but Yuan Zhan at this time seemed genuinely detached from court affairs and unaware of what Dark Witches were. Yuan Zhan flicked his sleeves and left, preparing to hand them over to the authorities. Feng Qingchen called out to him, saying that she was willing to play her zither in harmony with Zhan Wang's flute, and if they harmonized, she asked Zhan Wang to save these innocent women.
Yuan Zhan, renowned throughout Tiandu for his jade flute, was naturally full of interest in music and gladly accepted the invitation. In the main hall, Yuan Zhan held his jade flute, his eyes clear as jade and water. A beautiful flute melody rose, drifting gracefully. Feng Qingchen closed her eyes to listen. In no time, her glowing white fingertips lightly plucked the zither strings, producing a soft, clear resonance. The zither music, like flowing water, responded, continuous and endless.
Yuan Zhan was shocked. Watching Feng Qingchen's gentle, fluid movements, he felt a ripple stir in his heart; Feng Qingchen was the first person who could harmonize with his flute music. Yuan Zhan then ordered Li Lin to settle the women and planned to personally interrogate Tianwu Zuifang. After thanking him, Feng Qingchen tried to leave but fainted in Yuan Zhan's arms due to severe injuries.
Fortunately, thanks to Yuan Zhan's careful tending, night had fallen when Feng Qingchen awoke again. She got up and left the room, only to find her vision blurry, followed by a complete descent into darkness. Feng Qingchen tripped at the door. Yuan Zhan rushed over and helped her up, informing her that she was temporarily blind due to poisoning, but would recover if she took her medicine on time.
Feng Qingchen thought to herself that she had contracted this poison from Yuan Ling, but hadn't expected Yuan Zhan to be so familiar with it. As they were speaking, a woman in plain clothes arrived gracefully. She appeared gentle, dignified, and well-educated. It turned out to be Yuan Zhan's concubine, Jin Hui. Jin Hui showed great care for Yuan Zhan and was also gentle and courteous towards Feng Qingchen, even offering to look after her.
Although Feng Qingchen was blind, she was constantly exploring the layout of the mansion. Meanwhile, Yuan Zhan also grew suspicious, discerning that Feng Qingchen, as a member of the Witch clan, had used the zither duel to attract his attention. Was it a coincidence or a deliberate arrangement? As night fell, Feng Qingchen groped her way out of the room, wanting to investigate if the flower room was a hiding place for Dark Witches.
Yuan Zhan had actually already known Feng Qingchen went to the flower room but chose to wait and see. As Feng Qingchen was using a golden butterfly to investigate, Yuan Zhan appeared behind her. Feng Qingchen claimed she was drawn there by the scent of flowers. Yuan Zhan indulged her, not exposing her, but instead carefully applied orchid dew to Feng Qingchen's eyes and led her back to her room. The next day, Feng Qingchen had recovered her sight.
Yuan Zhan was still exceptionally caring towards her. Feng Qingchen thought to herself that Yuan Zhan was clearly testing her, and for a moment, she couldn't discern how much of the person before her was genuine and how much was feigned. As Feng Qingchen pondered what kind of person Yuan Zhan truly was, Yuan Zhan arrived with medicine. Feng Qingchen still maintained a humble and polite demeanor. Yuan Zhan pressed her about when she would play a piece for him.
Feng Qingchen replied that to show her sincerity, she would compose a special piece for Zhan Wang, but having resided in the mansion for so long, she hoped Zhan Wang would give her a chance to repay him. Yuan Zhan, hearing this, smiled and led Feng Qingchen to admire a painting. The painting depicted several royal brothers drinking wine, composing poetry, playing the zither, and practicing swordplay. Yuan Zhan said those were very happy moments for them.
Feng Qingchen saw a smaller prince in the painting, and Yuan Zhan explained that it was his twelfth brother, Yuan Li, who had been living in a temple due to poor health. Just then, Yuan Zhan received news of Yuan Xi's accident and rushed into the palace to meet his mother, Imperial Consort Yin.
Imperial Consort Yin had actually already known about Yuan Xi's death but deliberately feigned ignorance, pretending to anticipate her son's triumphant return to the capital, and asking Yuan Zhan to take on more court affairs, saying that everything the Yin family contended for and gained would be for him in the future. Yuan Zhan's eyes were already tearful. He painfully interrupted Imperial Consort Yin and announced Yuan Xi's death. Instantly, both mother and son were overcome with grief.
Episode 11 Recap
After court, Yuan An, who had painfully lost his beloved son, stood for a long time in the great hall, his eyes hollow, sighing at the impermanence of life and death. Back then, Yuan Xi had bid farewell here in high spirits, but now only a coffin had returned. He ordered Eunuch Sun to investigate Yuan Xi's true cause of death. Suspicious by nature, he had no intention of believing the truth as told by Yuan Ling.
At Prince Zhan's Residence, Feng Qingchen stopped Li Lin and learned the news that Yuan Ling was leading the Black Armored Army back to the capital. She recalled that when she discovered the assassin "Yin Su," a retainer who had killed Yuan Xi, dead in the bamboo forest, upon tearing off the human-skin mask, it turned out to be someone else. She then informed Yuan Ling to search for Yin Su's whereabouts.
Yuan Ling also learned that Yin Su was currently hiding in Tiandu, but he wanted to follow the vine to find the mastermind. In front of the towering city gates, Consort Yin and Yuan Zhan quietly stood with Yuan Xi's wife and son, who were dressed in mourning clothes. Yuan Ling and Shi Yi escorted Yuan Xi's body back. Consort Yin, overwhelmed with grief, asked about Yuan Xi's cause of death.
Yuan Ling frankly stated that Yuan Xi had colluded with the enemy and committed treason. A prince who breaks the law is to be punished the same as a commoner, and as the commander of the three armies, he had no choice but to deal with him according to military law. Consort Yin, however, resolutely declared that she would not accept Yuan Xi's body until the matter was thoroughly investigated. In the great hall, Yuan Ling repeated the same explanation.
Yuan An was furious, believing that he had indiscriminately killed a prince and disregarded the laws of Great Wei. Yuan Ling could only clasp his hands and accept the blame. At Prince Zhan's Residence, Yuan Zhan sat quietly at his desk with a worried expression, deeply concerned about the death of his fifth brother.
Feng Qingchen asked him the reason, and Yuan Zhan slowly explained that he believed Yuan Ling was upright and honorable in his conduct, and that his fifth brother's death might have other hidden circumstances. Just then, Li Lin reported that Consort Yin was leading Prince Xi's former subordinates to the great hall. Yuan Zhan left in a hurry.
In the great hall, Consort Yin questioned Yuan Ling, asking where he had gone after entrusting the Black Armored Army to Yuan Xi that day, having left the camp without permission. At that time, Yuan Ling and Shi Yi had gone to rescue the witch, and this matter absolutely could not be revealed, so Yuan Ling was speechless for a moment.
Consort Yin continued to press aggressively, saying that Yuan Ling had no evidence, and he had also killed Xiao Ji, so there was no one to testify; she feared that Yuan Ling was afraid Yuan Xi would block his path. Yuan An grew irritated. He ordered Yuan Zhan to first arrange Yuan Xi's body. As for Yuan Ling, he was punished to kneel outside the ancestral temple, forbidden to rise without an imperial decree. "
"" In the Achai Kingdom, Duo Xia requested permission from her father, the Emperor, wishing to venture deep into Wei under the guise of a marriage alliance, to ascertain Wei's strengths and weaknesses, and gain an advantage for the Achai Kingdom in the competition among the three states.
In Yuan Xi's memorial hall, Consort Yin instructed Prime Minister Yin Jian to eliminate Prince Ling during the sacrificial ceremony, so that Yuan Xi's death would not be in vain, and to pave the way for Yuan Zhan. However, their scheme was overheard by Yuan Xi's concubine, Lady Zheng, who was hiding in the memorial hall.
Upon hearing that they also planned to use Yuan Xi's son, Ting'er, as bait to eliminate Prince Ling, Lady Zheng made a sound in her panic. Consort Yin then led people to forcibly take Ting'er away. Lady Zheng was completely distraught and collapsed, unable to get up. Duo Xia and Mu Kaisha arrived in Tiandu in disguise, learning that the matter of Yuan Ling killing Yuan Xi had become a widespread uproar.
She intended to see how Yuan Ling, whom she admired, would handle this matter. Yuan Ling and Shi Yi came to Prince Zhan's Residence to mourn Yuan Xi. Consort Yin, however, instigated Ting'er to settle scores with Yuan Ling. Feng Qingchen, hiding behind a pillar, witnessed all of this. Coincidentally, Yuan Ling also saw Feng Qingchen. Just as he was in a daze, Ting'er opened his mouth and bit Yuan Ling's hand.
Yuan Ling, fearing he would harm Feng Qingchen, who shared his fate and feelings, accidentally caused Ting'er to fall. Ting'er fell into a coma. For a moment, Prince Zhan's Residence was in chaos. Feng Qingchen then used her golden butterfly to check Ting'er's injuries and learned that Ting'er was also poisoned. That night, Yuan Ling secretly infiltrated Prince Zhan's Residence to find Feng Qingchen. Feng Qingchen analyzed the current situation with him.
Yuan Ling, however, chuckled softly, saying, "Such careful planning, interconnected step by step. Feng Qingchen is more interesting than I imagined." Just as Feng Qingchen was about to ask Yuan Ling to protect Lady Zheng, Yuan Zhan came looking for her. Feng Qingchen had no choice but to have Yuan Ling extinguish the lamp and lie, saying she had already retired. After Yuan Zhan left, Yuan Ling actually fainted in front of Feng Qingchen.
Feng Qingchen used her golden butterfly to revive him. After Yuan Ling slowly awoke, Feng Qingchen told him that he had been poisoned again, and that the poison was contracted because Ting'er bit him. Just then, Feng Qingchen heard crying from outside the door. It turned out to be Lady Zheng pleading with Jin Hui to see Ting'er. Feng Qingchen returned to the room, and she and Yuan Ling both realized that Lady Zheng must have known something.
Yuan Ling asked her why she went to such lengths to help him clear his name. Feng Qingchen explained that she hoped Yuan Ling would one day clear the Witch Tribe's injustice. After Yuan Ling left, Feng Qingchen finally couldn't hold on, and a worried expression appeared on her face. It turned out that she had used her golden butterfly to draw all of Yuan Ling's poison onto herself, and had resolved their life-and-death calamity.
She feared that from then on, she would no longer have a reason to be by his side. Lady Zheng cried out, pleading with Yuan Zhan to take her into the palace to see Ting'er. Yuan Zhan couldn't bear to see his fifth sister-in-law so sorrowful and decided to take her into the palace. At the same time, Consort Yin summoned the Emperor, tearfully claiming that Ting'er had been poisoned and was unconscious after being injured by Yuan Ling.
In reality, Ting'er's poison was administered by her own hand. Yuan Zhan entered the palace with Lady Zheng, where he encountered Eunuch Sun, who was about to deliver an imperial decree summoning Prince Ling to the palace. Yuan Zhan, feeling suspicious, asked Lady Zheng if she knew anything. Lady Zheng dared not speak the truth, but only begged Yuan Zhan to protect Ting'er for the sake of their familial ties.
Yuan Ling was in the midst of explaining to Consort Yin when Eunuch Sun delivered an intercepted letter sent to Liang. It surprisingly bore Prince Ling's military seal. Consort Yin adamantly asserted that Prince Ling was the one colluding with the enemy and committing treason. Yuan An issued an imperial decree confining Yuan Ling to his residence. Feng Qingchen inquired about the origin of the poison from Yuan Zhan.
Yuan Zhan said that the imperial physician who treated the poison did not know its origin. Feng Qingchen revealed that Ting'er also had this poison on him. Perhaps because Feng Qingchen was too cautious, Yuan Zhan grew suspicious of her, asking if she had any ulterior motives. He stated that regarding spies who infiltrated his residence, he would rather kill a thousand innocent people than let one guilty person go.
He spoke such dangerous words, yet his smile remained gentle and elegant. Feng Qingchen was not afraid of him either, stating that she knew the origin of the poison. Yuan Zhan came to see Ting'er and indeed saw Consort Yin poisoning Ting'er. He guessed that his fifth brother's death also had hidden circumstances. Consort Yin's constant schemes, however, chilled Yuan Zhan's heart.
Yuan Zhan could not forgive his imperial mother for using the flesh and blood of a relative to pave the way for him, and even suspected if he was the last pawn in her hands. Yuan Zhan was deeply pained and forcibly took Ting'er away. He declared that he would not be anyone's pawn; he wanted to be the one playing the game. Yuan Zhan entrusted Ting'er to Feng Qingchen.
He had long known that Feng Qingchen was a member of the Witch Tribe, but he also believed that she would never harm a child. As long as Feng Qingchen took good care of Ting'er, he would allow her to leave Prince Zhan's Residence, and would not pursue any other matters.
Episode 12 Recap
Inside the deep palace walls, an elegant and serene woman put down her book and calmly knelt to welcome Yuan An's arrival. The woman was Lian Fei, Yuan Ling's birth mother. She knew Yuan An had come to test her attitude towards Yuan Ling's matter. She also knew that there was nothing Yuan An couldn't protect; if he couldn't, it meant he had harbored murderous intent from the start.
Although Lian Fei appeared unconcerned, she clearly told Yuan An that if her son Ling'er was killed, then the only connection between her and His Majesty would be severed. In the deep mountains and wild forests, Crown Prince Yuan Hao was hunting. Now that everyone involved was his own brother, he had no desire for palace struggles and would not interfere in this matter. Just then, a young maiden with almond-shaped eyes and crimson lips came before him.
It turned out to be Luan Fei, a female official in the imperial presence. Luan Fei knew Yuan Hao's temperament and gave him the 'Yue Feng Lun' (Treatise on Music) that Yuan Hao had been searching for for a long time. Yuan Hao was deeply moved, embracing Luan Fei and calling her his thoughtful person. However, he did not see the indecipherable emotions in Luan Fei's eyes.
Yuan Hao wholeheartedly wanted Luan Fei to become his Crown Princess, but alas, the Princess of the Achai tribe had already arrived, and the matter of the marriage alliance would likely be difficult to refuse. In the imperial court, Duo Xia came to pay respects to Yuan An, bringing a marriage contract. Yet, in her words, she constantly praised Yuan Ling. Yuan An knew that this princess was actually pleading for Yuan Ling.
He could only point out that the princess's marriage alliance was with a prince of Da Wei and that from then on, there was no need to mention Prince Ling again. In Prince Ling's residence, Yuan Ling sat quietly on the stone steps, wiping a treasured sword. His gaze was like a sharp blade, silent and cold. Yuan An walked up to him, discerning that the sword was forged by Yuan Xi.
He questioned Yuan Ling how he could still have the leisure to do such things in his current predicament. He wanted Yuan Ling to strive to prove his innocence and not let him suffer the pain of losing another child. Moreover, Shi Yi had even pledged his life to request a three-day investigation period. Feng Qingchen was wholeheartedly taking care of Ting'er. Lady Zheng rushed in and embraced her son.
Ting'er cried, wanting to go see the lantern festival, because it was his father's last promise to him. Yuan Zhan felt pity for Ting'er and agreed to their request. Consort Jin had reservations about Consort Yin's demand. Yuan Zhan, full of anger, shouted, "This is Prince Zhan's residence!" At the same time, Yuan Hao was accompanying Duo Xia at the lantern festival. Suddenly, someone in the crowd shouted, "Assassins!"
The first person Yuan Hao protected was unexpectedly Luan Fei, who was by his side. The intelligent Duo Xia saw through the situation at a glance. Yuan Hao recognized that it was Yuan Zhan's carriage and immediately ordered the Imperial Guards to go and assist. Indeed, Feng Qingchen and others were inside the carriage. Chancellor Yin stood in the inn's attic, watching the show. Yuan Zhan silently appeared behind him and took him hostage.
He remarked that even now, the Yin family was still not giving up and wanted to assassinate his fifth sister-in-law, which truly disappointed him. Fortunately, he had already withdrawn the Yin family's assassins. Just then, someone reported that another group of people had abducted Lady Zheng, and this matter had alarmed the Crown Prince, who had already entered the palace to report.
Yuan Zhan coldly warned Supervisor Yin, "If it's for the Yin family, then please tell Mother Consort not to act rashly again." After Lady Zheng woke up, she found that Yuan Ling had saved her. Yuan Ling told her that Lady Zheng's life and death now concerned everyone's innocence, and Ting'er would also safely stay in Yuan Zhan's residence. As for Yuan Xi's death, he would definitely give her an explanation. Lady Zheng was deeply grateful upon hearing this.
Late at night, Yuan Zhan was pondering the conspiracy behind this assassination. He then learned that the Yin family's account book was missing. The Yin family's account book actually recorded Chancellor Yin's embezzlement of disaster relief funds last year, and the account book was very likely stolen by Yin Su. Meanwhile, Yuan Ling also learned of this matter. He ordered Shi Yi to capture Yin Su. However, he still needed to gauge Yuan Zhan's attitude before deciding what to do.
Feng Qingchen brought Ting'er to the small wooden house to visit Lady Zheng. Just as she was about to close the door, she pricked her finger. However, Yuan Ling, who was walking briskly, did not feel any pain. He realized that the life-and-death ordeal between him and Feng Qingchen had been resolved. Yin Su told Shi Yi that the account book was actually in his wife's hands. However, Yuan Zhan was one step ahead of them and had taken Lady Yin away, obtaining the account book.
Episode 13 Recap
Yuan Ling sat quietly alone in the bamboo hut, his eyes deep, not knowing where he was looking. He had already anticipated that Eleven had not obtained the ledger. The Yin family truly wanted to support Yuan Zhan, and now Yuan Zhan releasing news was merely to lure him to meet him. The success or failure of this chess game actually depended on Yuan Zhan's attitude.
After instructing Eleven, Yuan Ling prepared to meet Yuan Zhan, but unexpectedly ran into Feng Qingchen. He told Feng Qingchen that Yin Su might not testify now, and Feng Qingchen might have to be buried with him. Feng Qingchen raised an eyebrow; she did not believe that His Royal Highness King Ling was someone who would give up easily. Yuan Ling, however, smiled wickedly, grabbed Feng Qingchen's hand, and bit it lightly on his lips.
Feng Qingchen frowned in pain, but Yuan Ling did not feel any pain. It turned out he had long known that Feng Qingchen had drawn the poison for him and had also broken the cycle of life and death.
Although Feng Qingchen kept saying that she helped him to preserve the hope of the Wu clan and that she would spare no effort for it, Yuan Ling told her that he wanted to save not only the Wu clan but also the common people of the world. At Prince Zhan's mansion, Yuan Zhan unhurriedly brewed tea. The fragrance of tea, blended with the scent of flowers, was refreshing.
He was curious about the deeper meaning of the "common people of the world" that his fourth brother spoke of. Yuan Ling honestly spoke of the current situation where officials in the court shielded each other and exploited the common people. He had painstakingly found a few clues about these corrupt officials, and now whether these clues would be considered evidence depended on Yuan Zhan. Yuan Zhan knew his fourth brother was referring to the Yin family's ledger.
He stood with his hands behind his back, only advising Yuan Ling to first find a way to prove his innocence. Yuan Ling did not care. He only hoped that Yuan Zhan would protect Madam Yin.
For this, he could sacrifice the chance to prove his innocence and hand Yin Su over to Yuan Zhan, because only Yin Su knew the true cause of Yuan Xi's death, and Yuan Xi's death was related to whether the aristocratic families had colluded with the enemy and betrayed the country, disregarding the common people and the nation. As for what was more important, he believed Yuan Zhan would make his own choice.
As night fell, Yuan Ling filled the area outside the bamboo hut with warm, bright flower lanterns. He gently told Ting'er that his wish was to help Ting'er fulfill his wish. However, young Ting'er righteously declared that his wish was to kill the murderer of his father, an eye for an eye. Yuan Ling smiled upon hearing this, thinking he was indeed a descendant of his Yuan family. Then Madam Zheng led her son into the room.
Yuan Ling's kindness had already made Ting'er realize that he would not be the murderer. Ting'er solemnly promised his mother that in the future, he would definitely uncover the truth about his father's death and also clear his fourth uncle's name. Deep in the bamboo forest, the moonlight was cool. Feng Qingchen, holding a wine pot, stumbled towards Yuan Ling.
Her cheeks were flushed, her phoenix eyes slightly narrowed, and she drunkenly questioned Yuan Ling, asking why he didn't care about life and death at all when tomorrow was the deadline, and if there was nothing or no one he couldn't bear to part with. Yuan Ling had fought on battlefields, galloping far and wide, without any worries. Feng Qingchen looked at him, and finally embraced him tightly, burying herself deep in his arms.
Yuan Ling became suspicious, picked her up, and asked who she really was. Feng Qingchen, with a sudden idea, struggled and threw herself back into Yuan Ling's arms, calling out "Daddy." Seeing this, Yuan Ling finally shook his head helplessly. In the imperial court, Eleven brought Yin Su to testify. Unexpectedly, Yin Su lied brazenly, insisting that King Ling had killed King Xi and that she was forced to give false testimony.
Within the palace walls, heavily armed soldiers surrounded the area. Yuan An sat in the center, and Yuan Ling, dressed in plain clothes, knelt below. Unexpectedly, Yuan An actually designated Yuan Zhan to carry out the execution. Even though Yuan Zhan's sword was already unsheathed, Yuan Ling did not defend himself, because he believed Yuan Zhan already knew the whole truth. As expected, when the sword fell, it was aimed at Yin Su, who was standing nearby.
Yuan Zhan rebuked her for her endless lies and presented the Yin family's ledger of corruption. Seeing this, Yin Su confessed everything, stating that she was instructed by Noble Consort Yin to kill Yuan Xi and then frame Yuan Ling. Yuan An was furious upon hearing this. Noble Consort Yin was still trying to argue.
Yuan Zhan was heartbroken; his own mother had committed numerous crimes yet still wanted to use Ting'er to frame his fourth brother, and he himself had actually been present yesterday when she ordered Jin Fei to entice Yin Su. At this moment, Feng Qingchen, in disguise, arrived at the execution ground with Ting'er. Ting'er tremblingly knelt beside Yuan Zhan and revealed that Noble Consort Yin had made him poison his fourth uncle and steal the military seal.
Just then, Eleven also presented evidence of treason and collusion with the enemy, which was found in Noble Consort Yin's secret chamber. With this, Noble Consort Yin finally had no more excuses for rebuttal. Yuan An felt a chill at Noble Consort Yin's many crimes: poisoning her own son, framing the royal family, crimes for which even death would not suffice.
However, unable to resist Yuan Zhan's and Ting'er's pleas, he ordered Noble Consort Yin to be banished to the cold palace and imprisoned for life. Ting'er and Madam Zheng were also sent to Yuan Xi's fiefdom. He further ordered Yuan Ling and Eleven to thoroughly investigate the Yin family's corruption case, showing no leniency to anyone. After everyone had withdrawn, Yuan Ling pleaded with the Emperor to bury Yuan Xi in the imperial mausoleum.
Although Yuan Xi's crimes in life were unforgivable, where he was buried after death affected the living, and young Ting'er should not have to grow up bearing the mistakes of his father. Yuan An was deeply moved upon hearing this and granted Yuan Ling's request, hoping that no matter what happened in the future, he would not forget this original intention of brotherly love and respect.
On the other side, Prime Minister Yin frantically came to find Yuan Zhan, but was surprised to learn from Yuan Zhan that the ledger that had been handed over had already been tampered with by him. They would find nothing that shouldn't be found. From now on, if the Yin family wanted to rise again, they could only do so with a clean slate. " If you want to take, you must first give."
In the heart of the gentle and refined Seventh Prince Yuan Zhan, there was such a grand and profound scheme. Feng Qingchen asked Yuan Ling why he had given the leading role to Yuan Zhan. Yuan Ling calmly replied that he knew Yuan Zhan seemed indifferent to everything, yet he was most clear about the political landscape of the court.
By giving him the leading role, he could bring down the Yin family without using a single soldier, change the situation where powerful aristocratic families controlled the government, and also give fair opportunities for commoners to rise, thereby injecting fresh blood into the administration. Feng Qingchen was amazed by Yuan Ling's far-sighted vision and ambitions, and felt greatly relieved.
On the other side, Yuan Ji was ordered to bring the Twelfth Prince Yuan Li, who had been recuperating in a temple, back to the palace, but Yuan Li entangled him and made him stay in the wilderness for more than ten days. Yuan Li was born delicate and pretty, with a face full of childishness.
Having lived outside for a long time, he knew nothing about court affairs and was inevitably a bit timid, pressing Yuan Ji about why the royal family and the Wu clan had become enemies. Yuan Zhan came to visit the disgraced Noble Consort Yin. He kowtowed to his mother to apologize, but Noble Consort Yin said that if the Yin family could not regain control of the government, she would not see Yuan Zhan again.
She wanted Yuan Zhan to become her greatest hope. As mother and son, at the same time, Lian Fei worried that Yuan Ling might not be so lucky to escape next time. Yuan Ling calmly stated that he simply did not want the people of Great Wei to suffer. Lian Fei, upon hearing this, murmured distractedly that an old friend of hers had also said such words, but he had been killed by his own siblings.
Episode 14 Recap
Yuan Li wandered alone in Li Jingtian of the Witch Clan, discovering that the once prosperous Witch Clan was now dilapidated. Just as he was joking, Yuan Ji found him with his men. Yuan Ji was worried that the Witch Clan was strange and unsafe for a long stay. Hearing this, Yuan Li pretended to be surprised and climbed onto Yuan Ji's back, asking him to quickly take him away.
After they left, a woman with a plain face appeared behind them. It was none other than Elder Tao Yao, who had been missing for a long time. Feng Qingchen came to bid farewell to Yuan Zhan. She believed that Yuan Zhan must hate her for putting him in a situation where he was betrayed by everyone and abandoned by his relatives.
However, Yuan Zhan held her hand and comforted her, telling her not to feel guilty and not to leave him. Feng Qingchen looked up, perplexed as to why the current Yuan Zhan was completely different from the one she first knew, suspecting that the Nine-Turn Ling Long Array had reversed Yuan Zhan's fate.
Late at night, Feng Qingchen went to Li Jingtian with a candle to consult ancient texts, learning that the Nine-Turn Ling Long Array could reverse heaven and earth and change people's hearts, but it would also backfire on the caster, causing them to suffer from incurable diseases or even become living dead. At the end of the texts was that mysterious purple flower, which turned out to be the Flower of Life.
Feng Qingchen summoned it, but then found that the Flower of Life on the texts had disappeared. Just then, the Hibiscus Stone in Feng Qingchen's hand vibrated slightly. She suspected there were other spirit stones nearby. Meanwhile, in a village beneath Li Jingtian, Tao Yao summoned Ming Yan because the Moonlight Stone in her hand had also reacted, indicating that the Holy Witch must have appeared.
Ming Yan was ordered to lead her junior sisters to search for whoever had intruded into Li Jingtian, but she brushed past Feng Qingchen. The next day, Yuan Zhan received news that assassins had committed murders in the imperial city last night, very likely related to the Dark Witches. Yuan Zhan told Feng Qingchen that the victims were all the singing girls rescued from the brothel that day.
He asked Feng Qingchen to help him find the whereabouts of the Dark Witches, and he would also give her justice, just as he had promised that day. Yuan Ji finally brought Yuan Li into the palace. Yuan An doted on his youngest son, whom he hadn't seen in a long time. Yuan Ji watched with a somewhat dim gaze.
Yuan Li requested his imperial father to let him go to Taichang Temple to study astrology and divination, as he did not wish to concern himself with court affairs. Yuan An had no choice but to give him one year to adjust. Yuan Li happily arrived at Taichang Temple. The one currently serving there was Minister Mo. Minister Mo told Yuan Li that divination merely followed imperial decrees and would not be unlucky.
At Prince Zhan's Residence, Yuan Ling was enjoying tea and chatting with Yuan Zhan when a servant reported that Prince Li had returned to the palace and was now heading towards Prince Ling's Residence. Hearing this, Yuan Ling quickly rushed back. Yuan Zhan looked at his Fourth Brother's panicked back and gloated, "Good luck to you." It turned out that the last time Yuan Li visited Prince Zhan's Residence, he almost tore down his courtyard.
Indeed, at this moment, the maids and guards of Prince Ling's Residence were scurrying about, and the inner rooms were in a complete mess. Even more pitiable was Eleven, who was pressed to the ground by Yuan Li, unable to move. Yuan Ling rushed back to find such an exaggerated scene. Yuan Li refused to leave, insisting that his Fourth Brother play with him, but Yuan Ling tied him up and took him back to Taichang Temple.
Yuan Ling took the opportunity to see Minister Mo. It turned out that Minister Mo had entrusted him to rescue the Witch Clan women in Pingxing County. Yuan Ling wanted Minister Mo to help him find a Dark Witch named Wu Pingting, as he suspected that the disappearances of women in Tiandu were the work of the Dark Witches. Yuan Zhan came to meet his imperial father. Yuan An had already relieved him of all his duties.
Now, he wanted to ask his imperial father to let him investigate the matter of Tianwu Zuifang. Yuan Zhan knew that when his imperial father had killed Yin Su, he did not want him to uncover more matters concerning the Yin family, lest it implicate Yuan Zhan. Yuan An praised Yuan Zhan's clear understanding. He allowed Yuan Zhan to investigate the case, but he would not provide him with a single soldier.
If he uncovered the truth, there would be a reward; if not, it would be the beginning of the Yin family's complete decline. Yuan Zhan returned to his residence and found flowers and plants scattered all over the ground. He glanced at them indifferently, then simply ordered the butler to find the Young Miss. This time, he wanted to tell her what she should do as a member of the Yin family at this very moment.
On the other side, Eleven was holding a plate of fragrant roast goose when he was called by Yuan Ling. Yuan Ling tore off a leg of the roast goose and was about to eat it when drool splattered down from the beam above. It turned out that a girl was hiding on the beam, now staring at the roast goose leg in his hand with sparkling eyes. Yuan Ling raised his hand and coaxed the girl down.
Eleven quickly caught her. The girl was elegant and lovely, exuding a nimble aura, and was now clamoring to Eleven for the roast goose. She was none other than Yin Caiqian, the Young Miss of the Yin family. Yuan Ling guessed that Caiqian had caused trouble with Eleven, but he didn't expect her to have actually ruined her Seventh Brother's garden, so he could only leave with a smile. Yin Caiqian returned to Yuan Zhan's residence.
Yuan Zhan questioned her for venting her anger on the plants. Caiqian lowered her eyes and said, aggrieved, that she simply couldn't bear her paternal aunt suffering in the Cold Palace. Yuan Zhan earnestly told her that he hoped she would stay away from all these disputes. At Tianwu Zuifang, the singing girls, like orioles and swallows, sat together, laughing and playing.
Among them lay a beauty in red, relaxed and leisurely, with peachy cheeks and a smile, yet her beautiful eyes shone with a wild light. This was Wu Pingting, the proprietress of Tianwu Zuifang. Feng Qingchen walked up to her and slowly sat down. She told Wu Pingting that she had long said she could help her. Wu Pingting, however, rose abruptly and seized Feng Qingchen's throat.
Feng Qingchen was not afraid and calmly explained the stakes between the Dark Witches and Bixue Pavilion, stating that she was willing to be used by her. Wu Pingting's lips curved upwards, and she caressed Feng Qingchen's gentle cheek, telling her to enter Tianwu Zuifang under the name Wen Qing.
Episode 15 Recap
In Tianwu Zuifang, red gauze curtains hung lightly. A beauty with skin like snow, Feng Qingchen, just out of her bath and wearing a white dress, sat in front of the stage, getting ready. Wu Pinging looked at the exquisitely beautiful Feng Qingchen and sighed, saying it was no wonder those men could spend a fortune just to meet Feng Qingchen once.
Feng Qingchen, however, smiled and replied that what she wanted was to meet the leader of the Jade Blood Pavilion. Wu Pinging leaned closer to Feng Qingchen, smiling seductively. She handed Feng Qingchen a sachet, claiming that no man could resist its intoxicating fragrance. By the lake outside the city, a melodious flute tune drifted over.
Yuan Zhan was dressed in a brocade robe the color of a clear sky after rain, with a light green jade belt around his waist, looking handsome and elegant like a jade tree in the wind. Feng Qingchen walked up from behind him. Since she entered Tianwu Zuifang, with Yuan Zhan's secret assistance, Miss Wen Qing's zither playing had now become famous throughout the capital.
Feng Qingchen took out the sachet Wu Pinging had given her, stating that the sachet was made from a medicinal poison, and Tianwu Zuifang controlled those women precisely with these sachets. Yuan Zhan told Feng Qingchen that the Jade Blood Pavilion was the front for the Dark Witches, Wu Pinging's intentions were by no means simple, and finding out who was backing her was of utmost importance. Feng Qingchen came to see Yuan Ling.
She asked Yuan Ling about the Jade Blood Pavilion. It turned out the Jade Blood Pavilion had suddenly risen in the martial arts world, and Yuan Ling had been ordered to investigate but had found nothing. If they were the Dark Witches, then there was a reasonable explanation, because the people of the Jade Blood Pavilion were hidden among the crowds, and Tianwu Zuifang was merely a branch.
There were many "pavilion masters" like Wu Pinging, but none of them were the masterminds. Luan Fei came to Crown Prince Yuan Hao to retrieve a memorial. Yuan Hao asked her how she viewed the matter of the Azhai Tribe's marriage alliance. In his heart, Luan Fei's opinion was very important. Just as they were speaking, Ninth Prince Yuan Ming came to see Yuan Hao. He came to inquire about Yuan Hao's views on Yuan Zhan investigating Tianwu Zuifang.
Yuan Hao was kind-hearted and was not averse to Yuan Zhan's return to court. Yuan Hao heard that Yuan Ming was still investigating the cause of death of his deceased wife, Xian Wu, and advised him not to be too fixated. After Yuan Ming left the Crown Prince's palace, he caught up with Luan Fei. Luan Fei was the sister of his deceased wife, Feng Xianwu.
Luan Fei trusted her brother-in-law and told him about the relationship between Tianwu Zuifang and the Dark Witches one by one, also advising him not to act rashly. Having said that, Luan Fei looked at Yuan Ming with some expectation, asking if he would still go to the Feng family mansion. Yuan Ming coldly replied that the Feng mansion was just a place for him to mourn Xian Wu, and in his heart, there had always only been Xian Wu.
Yuan Ling was preparing to go to Tianwu Zuifang with Shi Yi, but encountered the clever and eccentric Yuan Li. Yuan Li clung to Shi Yi, teasing him, so Yuan Ling could only go to Tianwu Zuifang alone. Yuan Ling had already booked a private room to see Miss Wen Qing, but Wu Pinging told him that a young master had already requested Miss Wen Qing's zither playing before him.
Yuan Ling entered the room and saw it was Duo Xia disguised as a young master. Duo Xia then invited Yuan Ling to drink with her. Feng Qingchen and Yuan Ling secretly conspired to force Duo Xia to leave so they could take action tonight. While Feng Qingchen was playing the zither, she suggested the two young masters compete.
Hearing this, Yuan Ling directly took off his upper garment in front of Duo Xia, claiming that what men competed on in Tianwu Zuifang was self-control: whoever removed their upper garment and allowed Miss Wen Qing to apply rouge all over them without showing any emotion would win. Feng Qingchen egged them on from the side. Unexpectedly, Duo Xia actually prepared to take off her upper garment, but Yuan Ling stopped her in time.
After Duo Xia left, Mu Kai Sha told Duo Xia that the dagger used in the last assassination attempt on the King contained chronic poison, and it had now recurred. Yuan Hao immediately came to see Duo Xia after hearing the news. Now the eight tribal leaders of the Azhai Tribe each harbored their own intentions. Duo Xia couldn't return, nor could she not return; this matter still required careful consideration.
Meanwhile, at Tianwu Zuifang, Feng Qingchen straightened Yuan Ling's upper garment. Yuan Ling glimpsed Wu Pinging peeking outside the door and seized the opportunity to embrace Feng Qingchen. The two changed the topic, and Feng Qingchen deliberately teased Yuan Ling about the incident where he competed with the Azhai Princess by taking off clothes. Wu Pinging's suspicions were dispelled, and she quietly retreated. Feng Qingchen also flicked her sleeve and left.
At the Taichang Temple, Master Mo went to Tianzi Mountain to observe the celestial phenomena and instructed a guard to follow Yuan Li without leaving his side. Yuan Li seized the opportunity to acupressure the guard and swaggered away. On the other side, Feng Qingchen came to see Yuan Zhan, hoping Yuan Zhan would help her enter the royal forbidden land, Tianzi Mountain.
Because her spiritual power had been damaged by poisoning earlier, and the spiritual energy gathered in Tianzi Mountain would help her heal, Yuan Zhan promised to find a way to get her in. As night fell, Feng Qingchen, accompanied by Yuan Ling, entered Tianzi Mountain. In fact, she wanted to see Master Mo to inquire about the elder's whereabouts, but Master Mo was not there. The moonlight was slightly cool, and stars twinkled.
Yuan Ling and Feng Qingchen stood side by side. Yuan Ling raised an eyebrow, asking Feng Qingchen to admire the moon with him. Feng Qingchen playfully replied that if Yuan Ling could retrieve the stars from the water for her, then she would accompany him to admire the moon. Yuan Ling was surprised to hear this, but confidently said, "It's a promise," and went off alone. His tall figure gradually disappeared into the hazy night. Feng Qingchen was slightly stunned.
How could she not want to admire the moon with him? But with the gathering of the twin stars and the changing tides, she could no longer repeat past mistakes. While waiting, Feng Qingchen fell asleep. Yuan Ling woke her up and led her to a water vat. A wooden box floated in the water.
Feng Qingchen opened it, and several fireflies flew out towards her, lighting up the night as dense as ink, truly comparable to the twinkling stars in the sky. Feng Qingchen gave a graceful smile, which also became the most beautiful star in Yuan Ling's eyes. Just then, Master Mo and Elder Tao Yao returned. Yuan Ling introduced Feng Qingchen to Master Mo. Feng Qingchen knelt down and paid respects to the two elders, but Tao Yao did not recognize her.
Feng Qingchen still claimed to be a disciple taken in by Elder Xi Xie during his travels outside. Master Mo thought that since she could gain Xi Xie's favor, Feng Qingchen must have extraordinary qualities. Feng Qingchen pressed the two elders for her master's whereabouts, but now even Tao Yao's clairvoyance could not sense Xi Xie's presence.
Tao Yao said that when the Witch Clan suffered calamity, Xi Xie was investigating the Dark Witch lineage and had since disappeared without a trace. She worried that Xi Xie's spiritual power had been sealed. Feng Qingchen requested Master Mo to inform His Majesty of the prophecy of "twin stars gathering, the world changing" to entice His Majesty out of the palace, so she could personally clear the Witch Clan's grievances before His Majesty.
The Moonlit Stone on Tao Yao's person had been sensing. She asked Feng Qingchen if she had the Hibiscus Stone. Now that the spirit stones were scattered, Feng Qingchen still needed to find the other spirit stones. Feng Qingchen summoned the Glorious Sacred Butterfly, intending to use it to communicate with Tao Yao later. Tao Yao looked at the Glorious Sacred Butterfly on her fingertip and showed a surprised and doubtful expression.
Episode 16 Recap
After Yuan Ling led Feng Qingchen away, Tao Yao and Elder Mo knew that only the Holy Sorceress could summon the Shaohua Sacred Butterfly, showing that Feng Qingchen was not simple. Tao Yao secretly thought that after the matter of the Dark Sorcerers was settled, they would welcome the Holy Sorceress back to her position, but she did not know where her senior brother was now. Just then, Yuan Li rushed over to find Lord Mo.
Yuan Li clearly saw someone leave, but when he entered the room to search, he found no one. He had doubts. Yuan Li also noticed that the Celestial Twin Stars phenomenon was becoming more prominent and asked Lord Mo why he didn't inform his imperial father. Lord Mo merely said that he had come to a realization and would report to His Majesty in a few days.
Feng Qingchen returned to Tianwu Zuifang, claiming she had gone to Lord Yin's banquet, and only by presenting the unique red plum blossoms from the Yin residence did she evade Wu Pinging's persistent questioning. However, Wu Pinging knew that the fewer flaws there were, the more suspicious it became. On the other side, Yuan Li returned to Taichang Temple and found that the guard had already unblocked his pressure points.
The young guard then followed Yuan Li closely and took the opportunity to get revenge by blocking Yuan Li's pressure points, pretending to be unaware. Poor Yuan Li was stuck in the corridor, suffering from mosquito bites and crying incessantly. At Tianwu Zuifang, Feng Qingchen was teaching a group of singing girls to play the zither when suddenly a singing girl collapsed, convulsing and repeatedly whispering not to become a poisonous fiend.
Feng Qingchen wanted to investigate further, but Wu Pinging forcibly took the person away. Wu Pinging watched Feng Qingchen's hurried appearance and knew that her entry into Tianwu Zuifang must have had another purpose. That night, Feng Qingchen snuck into Wu Pinging's room, unaware that Wu Pinging was hiding behind her. Wu Pinging, taking advantage of Feng Qingchen's inattention, turned a switch, and the hidden compartment beneath Feng Qingchen's feet opened, causing her to instantly fall.
Feng Qingchen fell into a spacious secret chamber, where she saw several humanoid poisonous fiends sleeping. It seemed they intended to train those singing girls into humanoid poisonous fiends. At this moment, Wu Pinging appeared. It turned out that everything today was her prearranged plan, solely to make Feng Qingchen reveal a flaw, but she didn't know that Feng Qingchen had also deliberately fallen into her trap.
At Lingwang Manor, Eleven told Yuan Ling that his investigation into the missing women revealed a commonality: they all seemed to be connected to the Feng family. Many years ago, these gentry families had dealings with the Feng family, but later, for unknown reasons, all contact was lost. Yuan Ling suspected that the court influence behind Tianwu Zuifang was the Feng family.
Meanwhile, at the Feng family residence, Yuan Ming was sacrificing to Xian Wu at the Feng Clan Ancestral Temple. He still couldn't understand why Xian Wu had come to the Feng Clan Ancestral Temple when she left that year, not even leaving a memorial tablet for him. Yuan Ming asked Prime Minister Feng if he knew Xian Wu's greatest wish was to find her younger sister who was abducted as a child.
Prime Minister Feng merely said that life and death are destined by heaven, and he dared not hold too much hope, but Yuan Ming resolutely declared that as long as it was Xian Wu's wish, he would fulfill it even if it cost him his life. Yuan Zhan told Yuan Ling that twenty years ago, Prime Minister Feng was responsible for investigating imperial examination fraud, which incurred resentment.
Someone took the opportunity to abduct the Feng family's second young lady, who was less than one year old. Madam Feng also passed away after giving birth to Luan Fei. Yuan Ling stated that most of the missing women he investigated were twenty-one years old and were connected to the gentry families that the Feng family investigated at the time.
From this, it seemed they were not kidnapping, but searching for someone, because if the Feng family's second young lady were still alive, she would presumably be this age. Just as they were speaking, Yuan Ling received a Golden Butterfly message from Feng Qingchen, saying she was in a secret chamber. In the secret chamber, Feng Qingchen released a Golden Butterfly, wanting to investigate thoroughly. She found that all the Golden Butterflies disappeared into a wall.
Feng Qingchen wondered why this wall was impenetrable even to Golden Butterflies; it must be hiding something. On the other side of the wall, Elder Xi Xie sensed the spiritual power of the Witch Clan from outside the wall. He cast a spell and saw that it was indeed a Shaohua Sacred Butterfly.
At the same time, Feng Qingchen also sensed the presence of a living person behind the wall and was utterly puzzled as to who was hidden behind the secret room. Lord Mo informed Yuan An about the Celestial Twin Stars phenomenon, pointing out that only by Yuan An making an imperial procession to offer sacrifices to Heaven could it be resolved.
Since the Witch Clan was suppressed, Yuan An had never left the palace, clearly fearing the two elders of the Witch Clan who had escaped. Lord Mo reassured him, saying that the two elders were not enough to accomplish anything, and furthermore, this matter concerned the safety of His Majesty's procession, and Taichang Temple would also make preparations. Yuan An listened but still looked hesitant.
Wu Pinging returned to the secret chamber, wanting Feng Qingchen to reveal the purpose of Tianwu Zuifang, or else she would train her into a poisonous fiend. Feng Qingchen was not afraid of her. Wu Pinging even forced Feng Qingchen to swallow a pill restricted by Dark Sorcerers. Fortunately, Feng Qingchen was resourceful and, after Wu Pinging left, she forced the pill out. On the other side, Yuan An was still hesitating about the matter of offering sacrifices to Heaven.
Yuan Hao suggested that he was willing to lead the Imperial Guards to protect His Majesty. Yuan An profoundly ordered Luan Fei to draft an imperial edict, deciding to leave the palace to offer sacrifices to Heaven, but what he had in mind was to lure out the remnants of the Witch Clan to eliminate them completely and forever eradicate future troubles.
In the secluded bamboo forest, Wu Pinging came to consult her master on how to deal with Feng Qingchen. The master, cloaked in black, turned around, revealing himself to be Ninth Prince Yuan Ming. It turned out that the women Wu Pinging had captured were all being sought by Yuan Ming for Xian Wu, and he also intended to create a contingent of humanoid poisonous fiends that he could use.
Tomorrow, when Yuan An offers sacrifices to Heaven, he would transport a batch of humanoid poisonous fiends, using the opportunity to frame the Witch Clan. Simultaneously, Yuan Zhan and Yuan Ling both learned that the humanoid poisonous fiends were being transported to Tianzi Mountain. The two decided to act separately, determined not to let the Dark Sorcerer's plot succeed. Wu Pinging wanted to deal with Feng Qingchen. Feng Qingchen confronted her directly, questioning who was imprisoned in the secret chamber. Unexpectedly, Wu Pinging played demonic music, which awakened the humanoid poisonous fiends in the secret chamber.
Episode 17 Recap
Feng Qingchen was besieged by several humanoid Du Sha. During an intense battle, Feng Qingchen accidentally discovered that the Du Sha would burn when exposed to fire. She then used fire to defeat the humanoid Du Sha. Seeing the situation turn grim, Wu Pinging had to act herself. In an instant, she, dressed in red, approached with fierce killing intent. Feng Qingchen was also agile; she danced the Shao Hua Holy Butterflies, turning water into ice to attack Wu Pinging.
Wu Pinging was no match; she feigned unconsciousness on the ground and counterattacked when Feng Qingchen came to check on her. In this critical moment, the Gui Li Sword cut through the air, and Yuan Ling subdued Wu Pinging in one move. He said in a deep voice that the Xuanjia Army had surrounded Tianwu Zuifang, and any further resistance would lead to death. Only then did Wu Pinging stop.
Yuan Ling then lowered his gaze to Feng Qingchen, chiding her for risking danger alone. Wu Pinging knew she was at a dead end. She offered Xi Xie, the elder held in the secret room, in exchange for Yuan Ling letting her go. Just then, a wild laugh came. The person said with extreme contempt, "You think you can open the stone door with just yourselves?"
After speaking, he struck and injured three people, then snatched Xi Xie with lightning speed, without ever revealing his face during the entire process. All the singing girls from Tianwu Zuifang were arrested and were being interrogated one by one. Just then, a singing girl secretly appeared and rescued Wu Pinging. Yuan Ling looked at the well opening through which the two had escaped, guessing that the well connected to the city moat outside the city walls.
He ordered Shi Yi to quickly give chase. Feng Qingchen found a sachet by the well. This sachet was different from the one Wu Pinging had given her; it was not poisonous, but instead had a calming effect. Yuan Ling saw it and remembered having seen this sachet with his Third Brother. However, among his brothers, the Third Prince was the most modest. Because he was not favored by the Emperor, he stayed away from court politics.
Yuan Ling did not believe that his Third Brother, with his warm gaze, could be a sinister and ruthless person. But Feng Qingchen advised him to be more cautious. Yuan Ling, upon hearing this, smiled contentedly, teasing Feng Qingchen, "Are you perhaps worrying about me?" Yuan Ling comforted Feng Qingchen, telling her to relax. He had fought on battlefields for many years and was not someone ordinary people could harm.
Yuan Hao led the Imperial Guards, escorting Yuan An, and traveled tirelessly to Tianzi Mountain for worship. Suddenly, several Dark Sorcerer Du Sha descended from the sky. Their intentions were malicious, and their moves were sinister, directly forcing Yuan An out of his carriage. Fortunately, at the critical moment, Yuan Zhan arrived with his troops to rescue him, taking a blow from a Dark Sorcerer for Yuan An.
After the Dark Sorcerers were repelled, Yuan An was furious, concluding that those who practiced such dark magic must be from the Wu Clan. He ordered a strict search for the remnants of the Wu Clan. Tao Yao and her group had originally intended to use this incident to resolve the grievances between the Wu Clan and the Imperial family, but unexpectedly, it backfired. Xi Xie, already seriously injured, was imprisoned in a secret room.
Just then, a black-clad, masked woman strolled in, playing with a glowing Nine-Turn Spirit Stone in her hand. She told Xi Xie that her actions were merely to use the Wu Clan against the Yuan clan. Xi Xie was shocked to realize, upon hearing this, that it was this person who had framed the Wu Clan, forcing the Imperial family to encircle and annihilate Lijing Tian, and wipe out the Wu Clan. The woman, however, laughed wildly.
What she wanted was the overthrow of the court; soon, she would make both the Wu Clan and the Imperial family perish together. On the other side, Feng Qingchen informed Tao Yao that Xi Xie had been kidnapped by the Grand Elder of the Dark Sorcerers.
Tao Yao said that several years ago, the Wu Clan had executed two Grand Elders of the Dark Sorcerers, and since then, the Dark Sorcerers had been in decline, until now, when their power has resurfaced. Feng Qingchen had a plan to investigate the Dark Sorcerers. She asked Elder Tao Yao to help investigate Bixue Pavilion.
Tao Yao agreed to her request, but stated that if Feng Qingchen could not find evidence against the Dark Sorcerers, Tao Yao would resolve the matter in her own way. The singing girl who rescued Wu Pinging was actually Yuan Ming in disguise. Yuan Ming angrily said that with Yuan Ling and Yuan Zhan teaming up this time, it was inevitable that Wu Pinging would fall into their hands. Fortunately, Elder Xi Xie was not rescued by them.
Yuan Ming thought that besides the Grand Elder of the Dark Sorcerers, no one could keep Xi Xie of the Wu Clan imprisoned. He ordered Wu Pinging to continue searching for the whereabouts of the Second Miss Feng. After Wu Pinging left, the Elder of the Dark Sorcerers sent a message via a sorcery butterfly, warning Yuan Ming and his group not to make any more big moves.
She would ensure Yuan Ming's throne, but if he knew too much, he would inevitably be unable to protect himself. In the palace, although Yuan An was injured by the Dark Sorcerers, he was not seriously harmed. He suspected that the Wu Clan still harbored intentions of overthrowing the Imperial family.
Upon learning that the women of Tianwu Zuifang had been harmed by sorcery, he was filled with hatred for the Wu Clan and ordered that anyone from the Wu Clan found should be killed rather than accidentally let go. In the Zhanwang Residence, the imperial physician sent by Yuan An was carefully diagnosing Yuan Zhan. Jin Fei stood by, extremely worried, wondering what she would do if anything happened to Yuan Zhan.
Prince Luling Xiao Xu of the Liang Kingdom came to visit the Achai Tribe. The First Prince of the Achai Tribe received him, and secretly accused the Liang Kingdom of previously sending assassins to kill the King of the Achai Tribe. At this moment, the King of the Achai Tribe emerged, feigning wellness, and asked Xiao Xu to assist in investigating the assassination. After Xiao Xu left, the long-poisoned King coughed incessantly.
After Duo Xia learned of this, she discussed it with Yuan Hao, guessing that Xiao Xu's actions were to test the King of the Achai Tribe's condition. Feng Qingchen came to the Zhanwang Residence to thank Yuan Zhan for his timely assistance at Tianzi Mountain; otherwise, the Wu Clan would have been accused of regicide. Feng Qingchen had never imagined that Yuan Zhan would protect the Wu Clan to such an extent.
Yuan Zhan said that the Wu Clan had made invaluable contributions in helping Da Wei ascend to the throne, and the Emperor was merely temporarily misled. However, loyalty and treachery are clear in people's hearts. Upon hearing this, Feng Qingchen merely said that Yuan Zhan was indeed different from what she had imagined. Yuan Zhan smiled gently and took the opportunity to ask Feng Qingchen to move back to the Zhanwang Residence.
Feng Qingchen decided to stay in the Zhanwang Residence to treat Yuan Zhan's injuries. Yuan Ling came to the Third Prince's Residence to find Yuan Ji, but found the residence unusually quiet and deserted. Yuan Ji joked that he was naturally a leisurely person and accustomed to tranquility. Yuan Ling took out the sachet, saying he had obtained it while investigating the case at Tianwu Zuifang.
Yuan Ji's expression faltered for a moment, then he said his sachet had been lost long ago. After Yuan Ling left, Yuan Ji indeed took out an identical sachet from his person. With a somber expression, he called out a name, "Jiu'er," and sighed, wondering why she hadn't contacted him for so many years.
Shi Yi investigated and found that the reason the aristocratic families represented by the women of Tianwu Zuifang had severed ties with the Feng family was that Chancellor Feng had impartially enforced the law twenty years ago when investigating a case of imperial examination fraud, punishing these aristocratic families one by one. Chancellor Feng had consequently risen quickly through the ranks and gained significant trust, making the Feng family one of the three major families.
After those women were arrested, all of them were checked for tattoos on their bodies. Yuan Ling, upon hearing this, guessed that this action was to search for the Feng family's Second Miss, who had gone missing twenty years ago. The Feng family arresting these aristocratic women was likely due to their concern that the aristocratic families had kidnapped the Second Miss Feng in retaliation back then. It seemed they were getting closer to the truth.
As night fell, within the palace, Luan Fei was organizing memorials. The Ninth Prince Yuan Ming quietly appeared and embraced Luan Fei. He stroked Luan Fei's cheek. Luan Fei only said that recently the Crown Prince and Duo Xia had been inseparable, and she had not yet found an opportunity to act.
Episode 18 Recap
The next day, Yuan Ling came to report everything he had investigated to Yuan An. Upon hearing this, Yuan An was even more determined to exterminate the Witch tribe. Yuan Ling informed Yuan An of the antagonism between the Dark Witches and the Witch tribe, stating that those Witch tribe members who had been wronged should not be killed.
Yuan Ling also said that the symptoms of the person poisoned by the Dark Witches that day were the same as the Empress's symptoms when she fell ill back then. Harming the Empress might not have been the Witch tribe's doing. Yuan Ling requested a thorough investigation of this matter to ensure the peace of Great Wei.
Feng Qingchen chided Yuan Ling for easily agreeing to investigate the Dark Witches, asking how she would protect herself if there were no results. Yuan Ling said that the Witch tribe members he had saved before were only a small portion, and he wished even more that all Witch tribe members could stand on the land of Great Wei and live freely in Lijingtian. Feng Qingchen felt boundless gratitude upon hearing this.
Yuan Ling learned that Feng Qingchen had moved back to Zhan Prince's Estate, and with a slight sarcastic smile, he said that Feng Qingchen was truly comfortable there. He then raised an eyebrow and said that he also wanted to go to Zhan Prince's Estate to look after his seventh brother, then pulled Feng Qingchen to Zhan Prince's Estate. Yuan Zhan appreciated his fourth brother's concern but did not want to trouble him.
Yet, Yuan Ling was eloquent and spoke logically, appearing determined to move into Zhan Prince's Estate, so Yuan Zhan had no choice but to order someone to prepare a side room. Yuan Ling smiled smugly, but then saw Feng Qingchen and Yuan Zhan chatting happily about flowers and plants, and his face immediately turned to disapproval.
Yuan Zhan and Feng Qingchen were tending to flowers and plants when Yuan Ling, with his hands behind his back, strolled into the courtyard and asked Feng Qingchen to return to his estate with him to get medicine. Just as they were about to leave, Yuan Zhan called out to Feng Qingchen and gently reminded her not to forget their arrangement for tonight. Feng Qingchen agreed. It turned out they were planning to play a duet that evening.
Back at Ling Prince's Estate, Feng Qingchen again wanted Yuan Ling to help her enter Feng Mansion to investigate. Yuan Ling refused her; he absolutely could not let Feng Qingchen put herself in danger again. While they were talking, Yuan Ji came to find Yuan Ling. He confessed that his conscience had been uneasy because he had not been able to reveal the truth about the sachet.
It turned out that after Yuan Ji lost his mother, the Imperial Consort, when he was a child, he was so heartbroken that he wanted to take his own life. Fortunately, a small maidservant stopped him. The girl's name was Jiu'er, and she claimed to have received kindness from the prince. Jiu'er was clever and sensible, and even managed to fulfill Yuan Ji's wish through some unknown method, allowing Yuan An to come and offer incense for his mother.
The two small children huddled together. Jiu'er gave the sachet to Yuan Ji, wishing him peace of mind, and then left in a hurry. Since then, Yuan Ji had never seen Jiu'er again. Yuan Ling listened and comforted Yuan Ji, saying that although he was in the royal family, he should not bow to fate. Brothers are brothers after all, and he would always be the third brother he admired most.
The two brothers shook hands and looked at each other, their bond deep and meaningful. Yuan Zhan informed Feng Qingchen about the sachet. Feng Qingchen wondered what connection there was between the palace maid and the Dark Witches. The next day, Yuan Ling and Yuan Zhan invited Prime Minister Feng to their estate, asking him to identify if any of the women in Tianwu Zuifang were the second miss of the Feng family.
Prime Minister Feng asked the women to roll up their sleeves and reveal their left wrists. It turned out that all daughters of the Feng family had a unique tattoo on their wrists. Upon hearing this, Feng Qingchen sent a message via a golden butterfly to Ming Yan, who was with Master Mo, asking them to definitely ascertain the tattoo on Feng Luanfei's wrist.
Master Mo gave Ming Yan the wedding date previously entrusted to him by Crown Prince Yuan Hao for selection and told her to use the opportunity to deliver it and act according to the situation. Ming Yan went to the Crown Prince's Palace and used magic to clearly see the tattoo on Luanfei's wrist; it was indeed a golden butterfly.
Feng Qingchen received the information sent back by Ming Yan and then used a golden butterfly to engrave a tattoo on her own left wrist, seemingly having a plan in mind. Yuan An issued an order, commanding the Xuanjia Army to exterminate all Dark Witches in the Bixue Pavilion in the city. On this day, Feng Qingchen and Yuan Zhan were again tending to flowers and plants in the conservatory.
Yuan Zhan informed Feng Qingchen about the extermination of Bixue Pavilion. Feng Qingchen brought up Jin Fei, thinking of sending some flowers she liked to Jin Fei. Yuan Zhan sighed, saying that Jin Fei actually disliked flowers and music, and he only felt guilt towards her. He did not want Feng Qingchen to deliberately try to match him with Jin Fei. Feng Qingchen helped Yuan Zhan back to his room, but on the way, Yuan Ling took his arm.
Yuan Ling joked, "If Seventh Brother needs someone to help him, I'd be happy to oblige," and with that, he pulled Yuan Zhan and walked away. Feng Qingchen watched his back, knowing in her heart that he was entangled with her, but she had to find a way to make Yuan Ling stop. On the other side, Duo Xia was greatly worried.
Her imperial father was gravely ill, Liang State was pressing hard, and the marriage alliance with Wei State had been delayed. Mu Kaisha advised her to return to her country soon, stating that Wei State might not be their best choice. Duo Xia, however, dismissed it, saying she would just calmly await the actions of Great Wei's Crown Prince.
Luanfei handed the auspicious date chosen by the Taichang Temple to Yuan Hao, with an expression of dissatisfaction that he was eager for the marriage alliance. Yuan Hao watched Luanfei's annoyed figure depart and sighed helplessly in his heart, saying that the birth characters on the paper were actually Luanfei's own. As night fell, the conservatory was filled with a delicate fragrance.
Yuan Zhan stood tall and elegant, he gently brought his jade flute to his lips, and a clear, ethereal flute melody drifted out softly, blending with Feng Qingchen's bright and soothing guqin music. One in a noble green robe, the other in fluttering white attire, it was truly a harmonious scene, a rare sight of kindred spirits. This scene, falling into Yuan Ling's eyes from not far away, actually made him feel extremely irritated.
Yuan Ling did not understand why he cared so much about a woman of unknown origin. He ran to practice swordplay under the moonlight to vent his frustration. A silver light rose in the courtyard; his sword was like frost and snow, its aura piercing through the sky like a rainbow. Even the moonlight seemed to lose its brilliance before such a Yuan Ling.
After calming down, Yuan Ling sat quietly on the steps, his eyes sharp as a blade, appearing serene but intensely chilling. He recalled the scenes of his encounters with Feng Qingchen and realized that this witch, who claimed to be a disciple of Elder Xi Xie, was truly full of suspicions.
Episode 19 Recap
Ming Yan came to wake Yuan Li up. A solar eclipse, a rare celestial phenomenon, occurred. Yuan Li mocked her, saying that she, as the chief disciple of the grand minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, hadn't predicted it. The eclipse passed quickly. Ming Yan, seeing Yuan Li's disheveled appearance, blushed and hurried away. Yuan Li was very puzzled because he didn't know that Ming Yan was actually a female disguised as a male guard.
The crown prince, Yuan Hao, came to see Duo Xia. Yuan Hao was very grateful to her for helping him come up with a plan to use the selection of a date to find out what Luan Fei was really thinking. Duo Xia smiled slightly and took the opportunity to ask Yuan Hao to help her choose a husband from the A'chai tribe. Yuan Ling told Eleven about his doubts about Feng Qingchen.
Feng Qingchen had been on their side since she appeared. No matter what happened, she always seemed to be helping him silently. She also used his and Yuan Zhan's power to eliminate their opponent, the dark witch. He didn't believe that Feng Qingchen was doing all this just for Li Jing Tian. Yuan Ling then realized that he had unknowingly allowed a woman to integrate into his life, and he was completely unprepared.
Upon hearing this, Eleven decided to start the investigation from Pingxing County to find out about Feng Qingchen's background, because Feng Qingchen's power was too strong, and they had to be careful since they couldn't tell whether she was a friend or foe. Feng Qingchen came to say goodbye to Yuan Zhan. Now that Yuan Zhan had recovered from his injuries, it was no longer appropriate for her to stay in Zhan Wang's residence.
She planned to buy Tianwu Drunken Workshop and turn it into a clinic, both to have a place to stay and to take in those homeless women. Yuan Zhan decided to help Feng Qingchen fulfill her wish. Feng Qingchen was worried that the Tianwu Drunken Workshop case had already caused trouble for Yuan Zhan, but Yuan Zhan said that as long as the Yin, Feng, and Wei families didn't move, there would be no problem.
Feng Qingchen was relieved to hear this. The two then talked about Consort Yin. Feng Qingchen learned that Lian Fei was still alive, which puzzled her, because in the previous timeline, Lian Fei had already passed away. Yuan Zhan then came to meet Yuan An and told him everything about joining forces with Yuan Ling to subdue the dark witch. Yuan An was grateful for his meritorious service in saving him and decided to reward him.
Yuan Zhan naturally asked for Tianwu Drunken Workshop as a reward. At Ling Wang's residence, Yuan Ling quietly prepared tea for Feng Qingchen before her arrival. Feng Qingchen saw a floating leaf in the cup and deduced that Yuan Ling had been having a lot on his mind lately.
Yuan Ling asked Feng Qingchen in return if she could deduce whether he would stay in Zhan Wang's residence or come to his residence, based solely on this leaf, and that no matter what Feng Qingchen chose, the doors of his Ling Wang's residence would always be open to her. Feng Qingchen wanted to wait until everything settled down before telling Yuan Ling where she would go. Yuan Ling leaned down and looked at Feng Qingchen intently.
He was willing to wait for her answer, but he hoped that one day, Feng Qingchen would be willing to take the initiative to tell him where she was going. Feng Qingchen asked Master Mo and Ming Yan to help her investigate Lian Fei. The Nine Transformations Exquisite Array had changed everything she knew, and she needed more facts to investigate clearly. On the other side, Eleven brought back the information he had found about Feng Qingchen.
What shocked them was that Feng Qingchen had no origin before she appeared in Pingxing County, but she was indeed a personal disciple of Elder Xi Xie. It seemed that only Elder Xi Xie could explain Feng Qingchen's origin. Eleven also told Yuan Ling about Yuan Zhan's request for Tianwu Drunken Workshop for Feng Qingchen.
Yuan Ling was amazed at how much Feng Qingchen meant to Yuan Zhan, and wondered whether Feng Qingchen was using Yuan Zhan, or Yuan Zhan was using Feng Qingchen to set up the Yin family. Perhaps only they themselves knew. At night, Feng Qingchen was about to undress and go to sleep when Yuan Ling suddenly broke in. He went straight to the point, because he didn't like living in the dark.
Yuan Ling admitted that he had investigated Feng Qingchen. He believed that Feng Qingchen was plotting something by maneuvering between him and his seventh brother. Feng Qingchen said coldly that her choice had always been Zhan Wang's residence. To dispel Yuan Ling's feelings for her, Feng Qingchen continued to lie, saying that she had hit it off with Yuan Zhan and felt that it was difficult to find a kindred spirit.
Yuan Ling didn't want to believe that he was unrequited, but Feng Qingchen continued to say coldly that she couldn't repay unrequited feelings. Yuan Ling was heartbroken, his dark eyebrows furrowed slightly, and he directly pounced on Feng Qingchen and kissed her passionately. Feng Qingchen resisted unsuccessfully and slapped Yuan Ling to wake him up. Yuan Ling realized how ridiculous he was.
Feng Qingchen said heartlessly that if Yuan Ling still felt that she was using him, they could become strangers from now on. Yuan Ling thought that Feng Qingchen was going to use Yuan Zhan after she was done using him, and said hatefully that if he found out that Feng Qingchen was hurting the people around him, he would kill her with his own hands. The two parted unhappily. Feng Qingchen was heartbroken and her eyes were filled with tears.
From the beginning, she had no choice. This was an unchangeable destiny. Yuan Zhan also knew that Yuan Ling had quietly entered Zhan Wang's residence, but he didn't want to understand too much. Wasn't he also worried about Feng Qingchen? But the next day, Yuan Ling came to Yuan Zhan again to ask for Tianwu Drunken Workshop, wanting to turn it into a clinic to repay the Witch Clan for a favor. Yuan Zhan generously handed over Tianwu Drunken Workshop.
Eleven teased his fourth brother, asking whether he was doing it for Feng Qingchen or for the people? Yuan Ling decided to personally participate in the clinic's design, to make it the best clinic in the capital. Eleven laughed even more when he saw this, and thought to himself that his fourth brother was truly deeply in love. Yuan Hao led Duo Xia to meet Yuan An. The two told Yuan An that they both wanted to choose other people.
Duo Xia even directly stated that she had taken a liking to the Fourth Prince, Ling Wang. After thinking it over, Yuan An decided to issue an imperial decree to bestow a marriage, and while Duo Xia was happy, she didn't want the marriage to be bestowed, she wanted to tell Ling Wang herself. Immediately after, Duo Xia came to Ling Wang's residence.
Eleven came to welcome her, but Duo Xia made things difficult for Eleven, believing that the reason why Ling Wang had not married yet was because of Eleven. As they were talking, Yuan Ling returned to the residence. Duo Xia was naturally very happy to see Yuan Ling, and Eleven wanted to slip away when he saw this. Duo Xia also deliberately moved closer to Yuan Ling, and said with a smile that she wanted to visit Ling Wang's residence.
Master Mo told Feng Qingchen that when he was investigating the Feng family, he discovered that the eldest daughter of the Feng family, Feng Qianwu, was once the princess consort of the Ninth Prince, Yuan Ming, but for some reason, Feng Qianwu contracted a serious illness and died in the Feng family. The secrets behind this had always been hidden from outsiders, and Ming Wang had also been searching for the Feng family's second daughter.
Master Mo then took out Feng Qianwu's portrait, which was somewhat similar to Feng Qingchen's. Feng Qingchen decided to approach Ming Wang first and then find an opportunity to enter the Feng family. At the same time, Yuan Ling also learned about Jiu'er's news. There was no record of this person in the palace. He didn't know if his third brother had misled him in the first place, or if that Jiu'er had approached his third brother with a purpose from the beginning.
Episode 20 Recap
Feng Qingchen looked at Qianwu's portrait, then at the tattoo on her own hand. Qianwu was a skilled dancer, so imitating her wouldn't be difficult. With the tattoo, entering the Feng Mansion wasn't impossible; the difficulty was lacking an opportunity. The Muyuan Hall medical clinic, renovated from Tianwu Zuifang, was completed. Feng Qingchen and Yuan Zhan were selecting medicinal herbs inside, while Yuan Ling stood outside, watching from a distance.
Shi Yi didn't understand why, after all the effort Fourth Brother had put in, it would ultimately be given to Seventh Brother. Yuan Ling quietly said, "From now on, she and I are even." To express her gratitude to Yuan Zhan, Feng Qingchen suggested leading all the sisters to perform songs and dances for the princes, recreating the scene of the princes' banquet from back then for Yuan Zhan. Yuan Zhan naturally didn't know Feng Qingchen had other plans.
He gladly agreed and even invited Duo Xia along, hoping to facilitate a marriage alliance between the two countries. Feng Qingchen later went to see Tao Yao. Muyuan Hall could actually be responsible for collecting intelligence for the Witch Tribe from various sources and recruiting talented individuals from humble backgrounds. Senior Mo also stated that he could provide information from the palace.
On the night of the full moon (fifteenth day), Prince Zhan's Mansion hosted a banquet for all the princes to admire the moon together. As soon as Yuan Li entered, he drew laughter from the princes, and the atmosphere at the banquet was unusually lively. Only the Ninth Prince, Yuan Ming, drank alone. Luan Fei stood in the shadows of the long corridor, watching Yuan Ming.
It turned out that Yuan Ming had previously asked her to find a way to stop the marriage between the Crown Prince and Duo Xia. Yuan Hao was looking for books in the study. Luan Fei arrived gracefully and actively embraced him. Yuan Hao already had deep feelings for her, and for a moment, he couldn't control himself, only wanting to spend a romantic night with Luan Fei.
As the two were in a passionate embrace, Feng Qingchen stumbled upon them. Feng Qingchen was greatly surprised but quietly retreated. At that moment, Yuan Zhan introduced Feng Qingchen, saying he had invited singing girls from Tianwu Zuifang to entertain. The sound of the zither rose continuously. In the night sky, a bright moon hung high. Beneath the moon, a peerless woman with a graceful figure appeared. Her pure face, white gown, and jade-like sleeves seemed to generate a breeze.
Her black hair cascaded over her shoulders like a waterfall. She would sometimes raise her wrist and lower her brows, and other times gently extend her cloud-like hands, resembling a fairy from the nine heavens descended to the mortal world, with an indescribable grace and transcendence. Just as everyone was immersed in Feng Qingchen's exquisite dance, Yuan Ming knocked over his wine cup, his expression highly agitated. He rushed forward, grabbed Feng Qingchen's hand, and called out "Qianwu!"
Feng Qingchen looked bewilderedly at the distraught man. Just as she was flustered, Yuan Ling pulled Yuan Ming away and shielded Feng Qingchen behind him. The princes stopped Yuan Ming. Yuan Ming insisted that Feng Qingchen bore a striking resemblance to Qianwu. Luan Fei came out and explained that her sister Qianwu had passed away many years ago. Feng Qingchen seized the opportunity to deliberately reveal the tattoo on her wrist.
Although Luan Fei was surprised to see it, she conspicuously did not mention it. After Yuan Ming was sent away, Yuan Hao brought up the matter of Princess Duo Xia choosing a consort. Duo Xia chuckled, then, with deep affection, declared that her intended was the God of War, Prince Ling. Feng Qingchen could only pretend to close her eyes and not hear. At the banquet, Yuan Ling approached Duo Xia.
He frankly admitted that he admired Duo Xia's straightforward personality, but he already had someone in his heart. Duo Xia was persistent, stating directly that there would be plenty of time in the future, and she would find a way to make Yuan Ling fall in love with her. Yuan Ling was quite helpless.
On the other side, Feng Qingchen was apologizing to Yuan Zhan for the commotion caused today, and she cordially invited Yuan Zhan to visit Muyuan Hall often. As Feng Qingchen was about to leave, Yuan Zhan called out to her. He looked at the tattoo on Feng Qingchen's wrist and pressed her, asking if she truly knew nothing about her own background. Feng Qingchen feigned ignorance about her origins, claiming she also wanted to find out.
Luan Fei returned to the Feng Mansion. She told her father that Feng Qingchen was very likely her second sister who had been missing for a long time. Upon hearing this, Chancellor Feng decided to personally meet this woman named Feng Qingchen. In the suburbs, Yuan Ming, having sobered up, came to Qianwu's grave. Overwhelmed by unbearable grief, the hardest part was missing the deceased, the hardest part was being separated by life and death.
Qianwu, whom he thought about day and night, was no longer in this world, which was also an endless sorrow for him. At Prince Zhan's Mansion, Jin Fei handed an ancestral jade pendant of the Yin family to Feng Qingchen, wholeheartedly wanting Feng Qingchen to enter Prince Zhan's Mansion as the primary consort. Feng Qingchen listened, then lowered her gaze and said, "In this world, which wife would willingly hand her husband over to another with her own hands?
Prince Zhan and I are merely confidants, nothing more." But Jin Fei knew that Prince Zhan had admired Feng Qingchen for a long time and insisted on leaving the jade pendant with Feng Qingchen. As night fell, Feng Qingchen was deeply worried. The Nine-Turn Linglong Array had changed everything, and all had gone beyond her expectations. With the spirit stone's whereabouts unknown, how was she to proceed?
Episode 21 Recap
Feng Qingchen brought the silver for purchasing the Heavenly Dance Pavilion and the Princess Consort Zhan's jade pendant to bid farewell to Yuan Zhan. Yuan Zhan accepted the silver but refused to take back the jade pendant. His fervent feelings were evident. Feng Qingchen paused, then calmly stated that she wished to be neither a flower carried by leaves nor a leaf protecting a flower; she only desired to live the peaceful life she wanted.
Yuan Zhan then questioned Jin Hui, who was in tears. She explained that she was only devoted to the man she loved, wanting to fulfill his wish. Feng Qingchen was doing needlework, stitching indescribable thoughts with every thread. Here, she could not openly express her admiration for Yuan Ling like Duo Xia. Thinking of the suspended timeline and the bloody wedding, she wondered when she could finally return a splendid kingdom to him.
Just then, a man in black infiltrated Muyuan Hall. Feng Qingchen fought him, pulling off the jade pendant from his waist. Knowing he was no match for her, the man used his spiritual power to escape. Feng Qingchen looked at the jade pendant, full of doubt. It turned out that the man in black was none other than the Twelfth Prince Yuan Li.
Yuan Li suspected that the phenomenon of the twin stars appearing was related to Feng Qingchen, but he was no match for her after she recovered her spiritual power. As he sighed, Ming Yan quietly appeared. Yuan Li immediately hid his suspicious expression, claiming he was there to study, and pulled Ming Yan to accompany him. This bickering pair once again came together boisterously. Yuan Ling came to Muyuan Hall to find Feng Qingchen.
He had already seen through the banquet, realizing that Feng Qingchen was strategically planning to enter the Feng Manor, and he questioned her purpose. Feng Qingchen revealed the tattoo on her wrist, insisting that she was a daughter of the Feng family.
But Yuan Ling was extremely shrewd; he knew deep down that the second daughter of the Feng family would not be a sorceress, and suspected that Feng Qingchen intended to use the Feng Manor to avenge the Sorcerer Tribe. Faced with Yuan Ling's persistent questions and concern, Feng Qingchen could only cruelly say that she wanted to enter the Feng Manor to be a suitable match for Prince Zhan and to secure a place to settle down.
Hearing this, Yuan Ling understood. He left with a grave expression, his hands clasped behind his back, while Feng Qingchen felt distraught. If Yuan Ling showed her even a shred of kindness again, she feared they would eventually repeat their past mistakes. Meanwhile, the wily Prime Minister Feng learned that Feng Qingchen's origins were unknown and that she was maneuvering between Prince Zhan and Prince Ling.
He suspected she had ulterior motives, but he would play out this father-daughter recognition charade with this mere young woman. Feng Qingchen came to see Elder Tao Yao. When discussing the man in black from earlier, the accompanying Ming Yan recognized the jade pendant as Yuan Li's. Feng Qingchen did not understand why Yuan Li, a prince who had long resided in the palace, possessed spiritual power and even fought with her.
She entrusted Ming Yan to investigate further to uncover the reason. Tao Yao then led Feng Qingchen to Li Jing Tian. Although the exterior was dilapidated, through a secret passage, the interior was surprisingly peaceful. It turned out this was the last sacred mirror created by Tao Yao and Xi Xie for Li Jing Tian.
Tao Yao told Feng Qingchen that among the nine spirit stones, only the Moonlight Stone in her hand and the Hibiscus Stone in Feng Qingchen's hand were related; the other spirit stones were scattered but showed no resonance. Yuan Ling ultimately could not stop worrying about Feng Qingchen, fearing she would be unable to protect herself once she entered the Feng Manor, as Prime Minister Feng was no simple character.
He arranged for Shi Yi to go and prevent this recognition. At the same time, Yuan Zhan was also questioning Feng Qingchen about why she wanted to enter the Feng Manor. Feng Qingchen candidly stated that she had longed to reunite with her family for a long time, and moreover, the Feng Manor was full of suspicious points that she had to investigate.
She hoped Yuan Zhan would help her enter the Feng Manor, and Yuan Zhan gently agreed to her request. Crown Prince Yuan Hao came to Yuan Ling concerning Princess Duo Xia's marriage proposal. Only then did Yuan Ling realize that Yuan Zhan intended to use Yuan Hao to tie him down, so he rushed to find Feng Qingchen. At this moment, Prime Minister Feng had already brought Luan Fei to Prince Zhan's Residence.
After inspecting the tattoo on Feng Qingchen's wrist, he exclaimed that heaven had eyes, and with tears streaming down his face, declared Feng Qingchen to be his second daughter who had been missing for many years. Feng Qingchen also had tears in her eyes, and a "father-daughter" recognition scene immediately unfolded. After Prime Minister Feng left, Yuan Zhan reminded Feng Qingchen to abide by the rules once she entered the Feng Manor.
When they discussed freedom, Yuan Zhan slowly said that he did not long for freedom without power or influence. Although power brings constraints, it also provides the ability to pursue what one desires. Shi Yi told Yuan Ling that Yuan Zhan had already informed the Emperor about Feng Qingchen entering the Feng Manor. Yuan Ling sighed, saying that since the boat was already made, they could only go with the flow.
Although he did not know Feng Qingchen's true intentions, allowing her to investigate the matter of the Heavenly Dance Pavilion was not impossible. Prime Minister Feng's power overshadowed the entire court, and even his family matters garnered the Emperor's inquiry. Yuan An instructed Luan Fei to bring Feng Qingchen to see him. Feng Qingchen looked at the majestic and solemn imperial palace; she had finally approached the center of power once again.
But this time, she was determined not to let Yuan An scheme against Yuan Ling again. Yuan An learned that Feng Qingchen was currently residing in Muyuan Hall and asked her what made her small medical hall different from the many others in the capital Tiandu. Feng Qingchen eloquently explained that her medical hall healed the heart, and by enlightening the people's wisdom and clarifying their morals, the world would prosper, detailing the profound implications.
Yuan An praised Feng Qingchen's intelligence and, recognizing her meritorious service in solving the Heavenly Dance Pavilion case, thus conferred upon her the title of Princess Qingping. However, he did not know that Feng Qingchen was intentionally catering to his preferences to get close to him and gain an advantage for Yuan Ling. Yuan Ling and Feng Qingchen met in the long corridor. The news of Feng Qingchen receiving the Emperor's favor and bestowal had already reached his ears.
He did not know what matter could compel Feng Qingchen to disregard life and death. Feng Qingchen, however, replied that if it were truly for some matter, she would not hesitate, even at the cost of her life. But Yuan Ling was equally resolute; if he wanted to clearly understand a person, nothing could stop him. Yet, how could he know that everything Feng Qingchen did was for him alone?
After the news of Feng Qingchen entering the Feng Manor spread, Wu Pingting came to see Yuan Ming. Yuan Ming had not expected Feng Qingchen to be the person they had been desperately searching for, but Feng Qingchen bore a striking resemblance to Xian Wu, and he was very willing to keep her by his side. Duo Xia also learned about Feng Qingchen.
Mu Kaisha felt it was unfair to her; Princess Duo Xia had never been treated this way since childhood. The matter of the marriage alliance remained unsettled, clearly showing a lack of sincerity. Duo Xia knew that she was willing, but others were not, yet she preferred to wait because she absolutely could not come all this way for nothing.
At this time, the King of the A Chai Tribe received news that the Liang Kingdom had suddenly increased its troops by tens of thousands at the border. The situation was now critical, and with no news from Duo Xia, he decided to submit a state letter, urging Yuan An to make an early decision on the marriage alliance.
Episode 22 Recap
In Muyuan Hall, Feng Qingchen was busy diagnosing patients. Bi Yao and several other sorceresses also helped with dispensing medicine, and Muyuan Hall presented a peaceful scene. After the busy period, Feng Qingchen thanked the sorceresses for their help. They said they were ordered by Elder Tao Yao to assist, and besides, Feng Qingchen had saved them before.
Feng Qingchen hoped everyone would work together to help more common people, protect the Witch Clan, and uphold justice in the human world. After everyone dispersed, Feng Qingchen entrusted Bi Yao to investigate Yuan Ming. Cai Qian was just about to sneak out to play when she was caught red-handed by her father, Prime Minister Yin.
Prime Minister Yin knew his headstrong and willful daughter was spoiled by Consort Yin and wanted her to return to her room to learn needlework and quietly await marriage. However, the mischievous Cai Qian was not afraid of her father and decided to climb over the wall to escape. Shi Yi was also anxiously waiting outside the wall.
Cai Qian climbed onto the top of the wall and asked Shi Yi to catch her, but she unexpectedly lost her footing and fell. The two fell together, their lips touching, and the atmosphere became ambiguous for a moment. Cai Qian hastily got up and blamed Shi Yi for taking advantage of her. Shi Yi ran off with a red face, and Cai Qian pursued him relentlessly. Shi Yi bought a roasted goose for Cai Qian.
Cai Qian ate it while indignantly asking about Duo Xia's proposal to her fourth brother. She planned to meet this Princess of the A'chai Tribe if she got the chance. Feng Qingchen entered the Feng Mansion. Prime Minister Feng had Luan Fei lead Feng Qingchen around. Passing Xian Wu's former residence, Feng Qingchen was about to push the door open but was stopped by Luan Fei. It turned out that Prime Minister Feng did not like anyone entering there.
Feng Qingchen and Luan Fei called each other sisters, and Feng Qingchen asked if Luan Fei had anyone she fancied. Luan Fei, however, expressed her distress, saying that as an imperial female official, she could not casually discuss marriage, let alone marry a prince. Feng Qingchen was surprised, realizing that Luan Fei knew all the rules yet still secretly associated with Crown Prince Yuan Hao. If this matter were to be known, it would likely shake the Crown Prince's position.
Just then, a servant reported that Prince Zhan's Residence had sent gifts for Miss Feng Qingchen. When Feng Qingchen went to the front hall to see, they were all old items she had used in Prince Zhan's Residence. Yuan Zhan's care was truly all-encompassing. When Shi Yi learned about Yuan Zhan sending gifts, he urged his fourth brother to act quickly, otherwise Feng Qingchen would be snatched away by someone else.
Yuan Ling, however, ignored him, saying he was going to find Princess Duo Xia. By Breeze Lake Shore, Yuan Ling and Duo Xia walked side by side. Yuan Ling frankly admitted that his heart belonged to someone else and that he did not want his marriage to be dictated by others. Duo Xia was also an enlightened person; although she admired Yuan Ling, she would not force him. She believed their fate had not yet arrived.
Yuan Ling appreciated Duo Xia's free spirit and decided to be her friend, promising that if the A'chai Tribe ever faced difficulties, he would not stand idly by. Duo Xia, however, showed herself to be no less capable than a man, stating that if one day the A'chai Tribe went to war with the Liang State, she would not ask for Yuan Ling's help, only wishing that Great Wei would not take advantage of their vulnerability.
Yuan Ming and Luan Fei met in private. He could not wait any longer; he had to remove Yuan Hao from his position as Crown Prince as soon as possible. Luan Fei knew that with just one word from her, he could achieve his desire, but she yearned to hold a place in Yuan Ming's heart. Hearing this, Yuan Ming pulled Luan Fei into his arms and kissed her deeply.
Seeing this, Luan Fei became even more willing, ready to go through fire and water for the man she loved, without regret. As Luan Fei walked out of the room, she was coincidentally seen by Feng Qingchen. Only then did Feng Qingchen realize that Luan Fei was actually Yuan Ming's accomplice. As night fell, Feng Qingchen entered Xian Wu's room.
She still did not believe Prime Minister Feng's words that Xian Wu had died of severe illness in the second year after her marriage. As Feng Qingchen was looking around, Luan Fei pushed the door open, and Feng Qingchen quickly hid. Luan Fei knelt before the portrait of her elder sister Xian Wu and talked to herself.
Feng Qingchen grew even more suspicious of how many secrets Xian Wu held, so much so that even Luan Fei did not know the cause of her death. Feng Qingchen then went to see Ming Yan, learning that Lian Fei could no longer find any information, and Yuan Li was also fine. However, Feng Qingchen believed that Yuan Li, who had been in a daze in the temple for a long time, suddenly returning to sobriety was too suspicious.
Ming Yan also told Feng Qingchen the inside story of the Empress's matter. It turned out that the Empress had secretly summoned Elder Xi Xie into the palace, but Elder Tao Yao later received a message. Yet, when she brought people into the palace, they were heavily surrounded by the imperial guards. Yuan An claimed that the Empress died from a witch's curse, and the Witch Clan's harm to the Empress was an unforgivable crime.
He did not listen to Tao Yao's explanations and ordered the extermination of the Witch Clan. The reason behind all this was unknown to anyone until Tao Yao later discovered a letter from the Empress to Xi Xie, which stated that Ding Shui was not dead. Ding Shui was an elder of the Witch Clan, and Feng Qingchen speculated that the deaths of the Empress and Xian Wu were inextricably linked to Ding Shui.
Yuan Hao came to inquire about Yuan Ling's feelings regarding the marriage alliance. Yuan Ling, however, said that he had already rejected Princess Duo Xia. Yuan Hao felt a great sense of foreboding upon hearing this. Today, their Imperial Father had already received the national letter from the A'chai Tribe and was quite serious about the marriage alliance.
If Yuan Ling did not have a suitable reason to refuse this marriage, he was afraid it would lead to a dispute with their Imperial Father. Yuan Ling came to Muyuan Hall late at night. Feng Qingchen talked to him about Lian Fei, only then realizing that Lian Fei had lived a quiet life all these years, being very indifferent not only to Yuan An but also to Yuan Ling, unwilling to let them enter Lianchi Palace freely.
Yuan Ling confessed to Feng Qingchen that he had already rejected Duo Xia, because the Princess Ling he desired was right in front of him. Feng Qingchen, upon hearing this, still cruelly claimed that her heart already belonged to someone else. Yuan Ling felt deeply disappointed and left with a flick of his sleeve. Feng Qingchen was heartbroken. How could Yuan Ling know that the person in her heart was him?
But if she could trade her heart for his life, what did a piercing pain matter? Yuan Ling returned to his residence, heavily burdened with worries, sitting at his desk with his chin resting on his hand. The night was as dark as ink, but it was not as deep as his affectionate eyes.
Episode 23 Recap
Yuan Ling rested his chin on his hand in front of the table, recalling the scenes of meeting and getting to know Qingchen in the quiet late night. It was clearly a warm affection from the start, so why had it come to this? How should he treat her? The next day, Yuan Ling met Yuan An and told him that he had already refused Duo Xia. Yuan An was furious upon hearing this.
The marriage alliance between the two countries was easily rejected, which could lead to war if not handled carefully, and might even push the Achai tribe towards the Liang Kingdom, with unthinkable consequences. However, Yuan Ling was equally firm; he had led troops to battle since he was sixteen, preferring to shed blood on the battlefield rather than enter a marriage alliance.
Yuan An was enraged and punished Yuan Ling by ordering him to kneel outside the hall to reflect on the matter. Duo Xia knew that the marriage alliance had been decided, so she ordered her return to the Achai tribe. Mu Kaisha guessed that Yuan Ling had come yesterday to refuse the marriage.
He had actually admired Duo Xia for a long time and immediately declared that as long as he was there, he would never allow the Liang Kingdom to step half a foot onto Achai territory. On the other side, Qingchen learned that Yuan Ling was punished for refusing the marriage. She knew the current situation was urgent, and Yuan An's purpose in arranging the marriage was simply to consolidate his power.
After much thought, she secretly instructed Biyao to go through the back door to find Princess Duo Xia and bring her to the medical hall, as she had important matters to discuss. Duo Xia arrived at Muyuan Hall. The two intelligent and straightforward women found each other congenial. Qingchen told Duo Xia about Yuan Ling's punishment and wanted Duo Xia to intervene to appease the Emperor's anger.
Duo Xia, however, said that Yuan Ling refused the marriage only because he had feelings for Qingchen, so why should she meddle? Qingchen, however, stated that compared to Great Wei, the Achai tribe needed this marriage alliance even more, and furthermore, she had a way to make Yuan Ling change his mind. At the Feng Manor, the person sent by Prime Minister Feng returned to report, stating that he had been monitoring Muyuan Hall, but found nothing unusual.
Prime Minister Feng remained suspicious upon hearing this. Just then, Qingchen returned, and Prime Minister Feng once again assumed the guise of a benevolent father, showing concern for Qingchen. After seeing Prime Minister Feng off, Qingchen learned that today was the day Yuan Ming would enter the manor. She planned to use this opportunity to uncover the cause of Xian Wu's death. As expected, Yuan Ming arrived on time.
Qingchen used a Golden Butterfly to cast a spell, making Yuan Ming disoriented. Yuan Ming indeed mistook her for Xian Wu and revealed that Xian Wu had actually died from witchcraft poison. Everyone had said Xian Wu colluded with the Witch Tribe to poison the Empress, and Prime Minister Feng had even destroyed all the evidence.
Qingchen obtained the information she wanted, took the sachet from Yuan Ming's hand, and quietly left, leaving Yuan Ming alone, dazed and calling Xian Wu's name. After returning to her room, Qingchen looked at the two identical sachets—one belonging to the Third Prince Yuan Ji, and the other to Yuan Ming—but wondered why their scents were so different. Outside the Yin Manor, Yin Caiqian climbed over the wall and escaped again. Unexpectedly, Eleven was waiting outside the back wall.
Eleven protected Caiqian as they fled. The two discovered that Yuan Zhan had arranged for both of them to come out, and they immediately realized that Yuan Zhan's intention was for them to enter the palace at once. Duo Xia entered the palace, intending to speak up for Yuan Ling, and happened to meet Yuan Zhan, who was also in the palace.
The two exchanged a smile, and Yuan Zhan said that his method for saving Yuan Ling was also the method Duo Xia had in mind. Caiqian and Eleven entered the palace and came to the front of the grand hall with Yuan Zhan and Duo Xia. Caiqian looked at her fourth brother, who was kneeling for a long time, and felt great pain in her heart; she constantly thought of Yuan Ling's kindness towards her. Just then, Yuan An emerged.
Duo Xia proactively suggested resolving the matter by selecting a consort for Prince Ling. Yuan Zhan and Caiqian also urged the Emperor. Yuan An issued an edict, proclaiming to the world the selection of Prince Ling's consort. After being freed, Yuan Ling expressed his gratitude to Yuan Zhan, but the person he wanted most was unwilling to enter Prince Ling's manor. Upon hearing this, Yuan Zhan surprisingly proposed fair competition with Yuan Ling. Yuan Ling smiled at this.
Yuan Zhan knew that Qingchen was unwilling to enter the manor, but he would not stand idly by while Yuan Ling was in trouble. He wasn't saving himself, but rather doing Qingchen a favor. The gentle and elegant Seventh Prince Yuan Zhan was indeed renowned for his cunning. But Yuan Ling had fought on battlefields for many years; how could he fight a battle he wasn't sure of, unless he gave up?
Meanwhile, Duo Xia also came to Qingchen to state her position, hoping to compete fairly with her for Prince Ling. Qingchen admired Princess Duo Xia's magnanimity, praising her as someone who dared to love and hate. Yuan Ling learned of Duo Xia's visit to Muyuan Hall and guessed that Duo Xia's plea was all arranged by Qingchen. But he didn't understand, since Qingchen had no feelings for him, why she would push him towards others.
Since she had offered help, he would reciprocate her kindness. Prime Minister Feng secretly came to meet a masked woman. This woman was the one who had taken Xi Xie from Tianwu Zuifang back then. She told Prime Minister Feng that Qingchen was actually a member of the Witch Tribe. Unexpectedly, Prime Minister Feng already knew that Qingchen was an imposter, but he insisted on keeping Qingchen at the Feng Manor to see what her true intentions were.
It turned out that this masked woman was the one who had killed the Empress and framed the Witch Tribe, and Xian Wu was also personally killed by Prime Minister Feng. He was willing to sacrifice Xian Wu's life to ensure the safety of everyone in the Feng Manor. The masked woman said bitterly that Tao Yao had personally executed her back then.
Now, she not only wanted to kill Xi Xie but also Tao Yao to vent her deep-seated hatred. This time, she would definitely make the world see clearly who was truly in charge of the Witch Tribe. Yuan Ling handed the sachet clue he had found to Master Mo, asking him to pass it on to Qingchen. Although he was suspicious of Qingchen, he did not want her to be harmed.
Furthermore, he had promised to clear the Witch Tribe's name, which was consistent with Qingchen's intentions. After Qingchen received Yuan Ling's message, she learned that Yuan Ming possessed the art of disguise, and all mysteries seemed to unravel at once. Ming Yan told Qingchen that before Xian Wu died, she was studying a medical classic written in Western Region script.
Qingchen remembered the Western Region documents she had seen in Xian Wu's room, immediately took up a brush, wrote down the book title, and asked Ming Yan to investigate it. Yuan Ling came to see Lian Fei. Lian Fei was overjoyed to know that her son was about to choose a consort. Lian Fei had always wanted Yuan Ling to secretly protect the Witch Tribe.
Yuan Ling asked her if she knew an elder of the Witch Tribe named Ding Shui, and if she knew the inside story of the former Empress's death. Lian Fei only said that when Xian Wu left the palace, she had seen a dark red mark on Xian Wu's finger. Later, the former Empress died from the Witch Tribe's Flame Poison, and folk rumors claimed that Xian Wu had killed the former Empress.
At this moment, Qingchen also learned about the Flame Poison. Ming Yan presented the Western Region books she had investigated; these books were on Xian Wu's desk. Qingchen learned from them that Qilan flower juice could make characters visible. Qingchen suddenly realized that the stain on the bronze mirror in Xian Wu's room was the clue she had left. Perhaps the truth was about to come to light.
As night fell, Qingchen was in her room casting a spell to make the characters on the bronze mirror appear. Meanwhile, Yuan Ling also stood guard outside the Feng Manor with Eleven. Eleven knew that his fourth brother couldn't let go of Qingchen, but Yuan Ling insisted that he was only there at Master Mo's request. As they were speaking, a black-clad figure broke through the door and, with a single strike, shattered the bronze mirror in front of Qingchen. Qingchen saw that the newcomer's skills were extraordinary, and a slight smile appeared at the corner of her mouth. Elder Ding Shui had finally appeared.
Episode 24 Recap
Feng Qingchen and Elder Ding Shui fought. Feng Qingchen injured her. Seeing Ding Shui flee and the house servants rushing over, Feng Qingchen could only pretend to faint. When Feng Qingchen woke up again, Prime Minister Feng was guarding by her side. Feng Qingchen hurriedly claimed that she only went to Xian Wu's room after hearing a sound. After Prime Minister Feng left, Feng Qingchen took out the real bronze mirror from under her pillow.
On one corner of the mirror, there was a "Lotus" character. The masked person fled all the way, with Yuan Ling in hot pursuit. He discovered that the person had escaped into the forbidden palace, so he could only first report to his Imperial Father and ordered Eleven to guard outside the forbidden palace.
At this time, Feng Qingchen also used a Golden Butterfly to track them to outside the forbidden palace, but she didn't expect a powerful restriction outside the forbidden palace that even the Golden Butterfly could not break through. Inside Lianchi Palace, Lian Fei had fresh blood at the corner of her mouth, clearly due to injuries from a fight. It turned out she was the masked woman, Ding Shui, the Grand Elder of Dark Sorcery.
Ding Shui learned that a Golden Butterfly was nearby and knew that the Saintly Sorceress had appeared. Just then, Yuan Ling arrived, ordered to check if his Imperial Mother was well. Ding Shui, who had taken over Lian Fei's body, sent Yuan Ling away, experiencing severe abdominal pain. It turned out that when she first entered the ancestral temple to take over Lian Fei's body, she was coincidentally seen by the Empress who had come in to pray.
In her helplessness, she could only kill the Empress. After Ming Yan received Feng Qingchen's message, she tracked her to Lianchi Palace, but was discovered by imperial guards. She fled all the way and coincidentally met Yuan Li. Yuan Li saved her and asked her why she appeared in Lianchi Palace. Ming Yan fended him off by claiming she was observing the celestial phenomena, focusing intently on sending a message to Feng Qingchen.
The injured Ding Shui arrived at the secret chamber. She truly couldn't believe that Xi Xie actually had a disciple named Feng Qingchen who could set a trap to injure her. Xi Xie saw that the one who had imprisoned him was his junior sister Ding Shui, but he was not surprised. Back then, Ding Shui violated the ancient rules and fell in love with the former Emperor.
Determined to be with the former Emperor, Ding Shui knelt for a long time, begging Xi Xie to grant her wish. She didn't believe that all the rules of the Sorcerer Clan were correct. She also thought that Tao Yao and Xi Xie clearly had feelings for each other, yet insisted on adhering to the Sorcerer Clan's precepts for the sake of the so-called nation and its people, but not everyone was willing to be like them.
Ding Shui did not hesitate to brave the Blade Mountain and Fiery Sea Array to sever her ties with the Sorcerer Clan, but she deliberately faked her death in the Blade Mountain Array, changed her appearance, and married the former Emperor, yet this led to the former Emperor's early demise. However, the current Ding Shui adamantly insisted that Yuan An had murdered his brother and taken his sister-in-law, causing the former Emperor's death.
Since the Sorcerer Clan stood by idly, then she, the Dark Sorceress, would make Yuan An pay for his blood debt and destroy the Sorcerer Clan. After Ding Shui finished speaking, she actually summoned a sorceress identical to herself. It turned out she had used the Sorcerer Clan's Purple Soul Crystal to reshape her own body, having already prepared a fallback plan. Even a slight mistake with such forbidden magic could cause her to suffer a backlash.
Xi Xie was astonished that Ding Shui had become so obsessed. He wanted to break through the restriction but didn't expect it to be placed by Ding Shui using eight living palace maids. If Xi Xie forcibly broke the array, he would kill these eight palace maids, so Xi Xie could only stop. After Ding Shui left, Xi Xie guessed that the Feng Qingchen mentioned by Ding Shui was the Saintly Sorceress he had sensed in Tianwu Zuifang back then.
However, he didn't understand why Feng Qingchen claimed to be his disciple, nor where she truly came from. Feng Qingchen came to Yuan Ling to inquire about Ding Shui's whereabouts. She had already guessed that Ding Shui was the one who abducted her master, Xi Xie. Now that Ding Shui was in the imperial palace, everyone in the palace was in danger. Feng Qingchen knew that Ding Shui's infiltration of Lianchi Palace was no accident.
For now, she could only keep it from Yuan Ling, but Yuan Ling was very worried about Feng Qingchen's safety; he truly couldn't bear to watch her put herself in danger again. Eleven escorted Feng Qingchen back to the Feng Residence. From the frontier to Tiandu, he watched Feng Qingchen and his Fourth Brother, who clearly had feelings for each other, push each other away.
With the selection of a consort imminent, Yuan Ling would not be happy regardless of whom he married. He hoped Feng Qingchen could be honest with Yuan Ling, but Feng Qingchen coldly said that it was none of her business whom Yuan Ling married. Inside Lijingtian, Feng Qingchen told Tao Yao that she had inferred her master's whereabouts, but needed Elder Tao Yao's help to expose the Dark Sorcery Elder.
She planned to arrange for Tao Yao and her group to enter the palace on the Empress's death anniversary. Yuan Ling also took Eleven to guard outside Lianchi Palace overnight. Yuan Ling knew that Dark Sorcery was full of cunning tricks and not easily dealt with; it would be better to act according to Feng Qingchen's plan.
Upon hearing this, Eleven praised Feng Qingchen for her numerous clever schemes, acknowledging her intelligence, but felt she seemed to be hiding something, yet also appeared very contradictory. Yuan Ling playfully teased Eleven, asking when he had learned to see into people's hearts. In truth, Yuan Ling also knew that Feng Qingchen had something on her mind, but also held affection in her eyes, which was why he was willing to accompany Feng Qingchen in setting up this scheme.
Meanwhile, at Zhan Wangfu (Prince Zhan's Residence), Yuan Zhan already knew everything that was happening outside. He also knew that Feng Qingchen's apparent goal was to find her master, but her true objective was more than that. He guessed she actually wanted to clear the Sorcerer Clan's name. But what of it? He was willing to wait and see how Feng Qingchen would clear their name.
Episode 25 Recap
Shi Yi told Cai Qian not to make things difficult for Princess Duo Xia again, or he would never take her out next time. Cai Qian, who had initially looked stern and cold, then coquettishly called Shi Yi, shyly saying that her Fourth Brother's affection for her would attract jealousy from people like Duo Xia. Shi Yi, displeased, turned and left. The headstrong Cai Qian once again brought Shi Yi to provoke Duo Xia.
Seeing Cai Qian and Duo Xia spar, Shi Yi calmly observed, knowing that the mischievous Cai Qian was no match for Duo Xia, and that he intended to use Duo Xia to dampen Cai Qian's arrogance. Cai Qian lost the match and angrily asked Shi Yi what kind of woman Fourth Brother truly liked, but Shi Yi only felt concern for Duo Xia's injured hand. Feng Qingchen, dressed in colorful clothes, stood by the lake.
Yuan Ming walked up behind her. He suspected that the woman in Xian Wu's room yesterday was actually Feng Qingchen. Feng Qingchen smiled faintly, saying that she had a way to investigate Xian Wu's cause of death. Although Yuan Ming did not know Feng Qingchen's true intentions, he was willing to cooperate with her for Xian Wu's sake. Yuan Ming asked Feng Qingchen to hand over the sachet.
Feng Qingchen knew that Yuan Ming was involved with the Tianwu Drunken Pavilion incident, but unfortunately, he also didn't know the details of the Dark Sorcerers' Grand Elder. The two reached an agreement. Yuan Ming promised to ask the Emperor for a memorial service on the Empress's death anniversary, and Feng Qingchen also agreed that she would surely find out the truth on that day.
Ming Yan brought Yuan Li to the outskirts, claiming she was taking him to see the daytime stars. As the two were bickering, Feng Qingchen quietly appeared. Yuan Li smiled and said, "So it turns out Princess Qingping wants to see me." Feng Qingchen took out the jade pendant Yuan Li had left behind in Muyuan Hall that day. She smiled faintly and said, "Nine-Revolving Ling Long Shi, you are well."
It turned out that Prince Li was the Ling Long Shi, and he had come here to collect nine spirit stones. Feng Qingchen was now relieved and asked Yuan Li to first help her clear the Witch Tribe's name. Inside the palace, Yuan An summoned several trusted ministers to discuss the selection of officials.
Afterwards, Prime Minister Feng asked why the Imperial Guards had been conducting extensive searches inside and outside the imperial city recently, fearing that such a high-profile operation would cause public panic. Yuan An, upon hearing this, decided to withdraw the Imperial Guards and, appreciating Prime Minister Feng's hard work and great achievements, permitted him to participate in Xian Wu's memorial service on the Empress's death anniversary. Prime Minister Feng later informed Lian Fei of this matter.
Lian Fei knew that Yuan An would still secretly pursue the assassin. She instructed Prime Minister Feng to bring people from Li Jing Tian into the palace on the Empress's death anniversary; only then could she make the Witch Tribe and the Imperial Family fight amongst themselves. Yuan Ling and Shi Yi had been slow in finding the killer.
Yuan An ordered them not to inquire further into the Empress's death, or if it caused unrest, he would not let them off lightly. On the other side, Prime Minister Feng returned to his residence and informed his two daughters that he was preparing to go to the palace to participate in the late Empress's memorial service. At night, Yuan Li learned from Feng Qingchen that Lord Mo was a Witch Tribe elder.
He brought him and Ming Yan to set up a barrier outside Lotus Pond Palace, so that as soon as Ding Shui appeared, they could catch him like a turtle in a jar. However, Ming Yan still did not know Yuan Li's true identity and was very confused as to why Feng Qingchen trusted Yuan Li so much. Crown Prince Yuan Hao pressed Yuan An, asking why he had suddenly issued an edict to stop the search.
Yuan An angrily replied that he actually knew the Dark Sorcerers hiding in the palace were provoking him, but as the Emperor of Great Wei, he would definitely capture Ding Shui, even if it meant using himself as bait, and sacrifice the Witch Tribe members for the late Empress's death.
Meanwhile, Feng Qingchen asked Yuan Ling for help, requesting him to assist her in bringing the elders into the palace, stating that this was the only way to clear the Witch Tribe's name. However, Yuan Ling believed that by doing so, she would be making an enemy of his father, taking a dangerous gamble and pushing everyone to the brink.
But Feng Qingchen knew she was out of time and had to force Yuan An to clear the Witch Tribe's name in public. Cai Qian came to Prince Ling's Manor to find Fourth Brother. She always felt that her marriage to Fourth Brother would be fraught with twists and turns.
Shi Yi looked at Cai Qian, who was earnestly determined to marry Fourth Brother, knowing that she had misunderstood and misplaced her affections, yet he couldn't bear to tell her that Fourth Brother's heart belonged to Feng Qingchen. For now, the only thing he could do was to make Cai Qian happier before she learned the truth. Yuan Zhan learned that Feng Qingchen and her allies planned to act on the Empress's death anniversary.
He did not hesitate to use the dark guards he had placed in the Imperial Guards for many years to ensure Feng Qingchen's safety. For Feng Qingchen, he believed everything was worth it. In Muyuan Hall, Feng Qingchen handed over the evidence that could clear the Witch Tribe's name to Yuan Ling.
As long as Ding Shui was lured out, combined with the late Empress's letter stating "Ding Shui is not dead," Ding Shui could be forced to confess his crimes. After speaking, Yuan Ling looked at Feng Qingchen with deep concern, feeling for her the exhaustion and worries she had endured at the Feng Manor during this time. He told her that if she ever had any more issues, she should simply send a message to Prince Ling's Manor. Feng Qingchen was deeply moved by this, and also admitted that she had been too extreme earlier, and she understood Yuan Ling's intentions.
Episode 26 Recap
Yuan Ming had Wu Pingting send a message to Ding Shui, only to discover that she was hiding in the palace. Wu Pingting thought Yuan Ming wanted to use the Witch Clan's hand to eliminate Ding Shui, who had been controlling them. Yuan Ming, however, said that perhaps Ding Shui wanted to eliminate Tao Yao and the others, but no matter who won or lost, it would be entirely beneficial to them.
As night fell, Shi Yi brought Cai Qian to the dilapidated Li Jing Tian, wanting to show her its beautiful scenery. However, Cai Qian found the place too eerie and terrifying. Tao Yao learned that it was Prince Che, who had always been on good terms with the Witch Clan, and merely instructed the witches to follow cautiously without disturbing them.
Currently, the Witch Clan had to fully deal with the Empress's death anniversary and absolutely could not afford any more casualties. Deep in the dense forest, fireflies twinkled like a fairyland. Cai Qian was delighted to see them. Shi Yi thought she was happy, but Cai Qian said she wished her fourth brother could be there to admire the beautiful scenery with her. In the secret chamber, Lian Fei exhausted her spiritual power to reshape a "fake Ding Shui."
Even if this fake Ding Shui died, her cultivation would be greatly diminished, but as long as she could set up a perfect scheme to make the Witch Clan pay, she would not hesitate. Xi Xie saw this and was deeply worried, hoping that Tao Yao would be able to see through her plot. Meanwhile, in Muyuan Hall, Feng Qingchen informed her Witch Clan sisters of the next day's action plan.
Bi Yao and the others were grateful to Feng Qingchen, knowing that the Witch Clan had hope of having their injustices cleared, but Feng Qingchen merely reminded them to act cautiously. Lian Fei, masked and dressed in black, came to see Yuan Ming, hoping he would honor their alliance and help her eliminate the Witch Clan tomorrow. If he betrayed her, she would never forgive him lightly.
Faced with this provocation, Yuan Ming remained unconcerned, because he had already conspired with Feng Qingchen, and everything would be revealed tomorrow. Yuan Hao, under Yuan An's instruction, had also placed his trusted aides throughout the Buddhist hall, even dousing the area around it with lamp oil. If the Witch Clan resisted, he would surely burn down the Buddhist hall to trap them, because in his heart, the Witch Clan was the murderer of his birth mother, the Empress.
With a fierce battle imminent, Yuan Ming, clear-headed and bright-eyed, brought refreshments to Feng Qingchen, comforting her that only with a calm mind could things be accomplished. He also believed that the intelligent Feng Qingchen would surely have the confidence to control the overall situation. However, Feng Qingchen said that Yuan Ling's help in sending the elders into the palace was already sufficient, and he must not get further involved.
Otherwise, if anything went wrong, she would absolutely not forgive him. Yuan Ling heard this and thought he had never seen such a contradictory person as Feng Qingchen, asking him for help yet not wanting his help. He feared that if her contradictions persisted, she would not know what she truly wanted to do. He comforted Feng Qingchen, assuring her that he would never give her the chance to not forgive him.
No sooner had Yuan Ling left than Yuan Zhan came to find Feng Qingchen. He handed her a jade pendant, saying that if anything unexpected happened tomorrow, this item could save her life. Feng Qingchen then realized that although Yuan Zhan remained outwardly calm, he knew everything. Yet, often she wished Yuan Zhan was still like he was in the previous timeline; at least then she would know how to face him.
The next day, in the grand halls of the Forbidden City, everything was ready. Inside the Buddhist hall, all the princes knelt in unison. Feng Qingchen attended by their side, and Tao Yao and others blended in with the people offering prayers. Shortly after the ritual began, spiritual butterflies flew in. All the doors and windows of the Buddhist hall were closed. Yuan An recognized Tao Yao.
Tao Yao stated that the Witch Clan had come this time to seek vindication, and Feng Qingchen also knelt, pleading with Yuan An to investigate the matter. Yuan Ling then disclosed the matter of the 'flame poison' that he had previously learned from Lian Fei. Yuan An saw that everyone was clamoring for the truth and hoped that Tao Yao could produce conclusive evidence, otherwise the Witch Clan would be forced to disappear forever.
Tao Yao presented the former Empress's letter, stating that Ding Shui had faked her death to murder the former Empress and also secretly harmed Elder Xi Xie. At the same time, Ding Shui, nourished for years by Lian Fei's heart blood, finally appeared. She feigned injuring Lian Fei and fiercely fought Ming Yan, who was guarding Lotus Pond Palace. In the critical moment, Yuan Ling arrived, stepping through the air with the Gui Li Sword, to rescue his birth mother.
Yuan An and others also rushed over. Yuan An questioned if Ding Shui was involved in the Empress's death. Ding Shui vehemently denied it. Feng Qingchen presented Xian Wu's bronze mirror. Seeing this, Ding Shui simply stopped hiding and confessed all her crimes, including murdering the Empress and framing Li Jing Tian. She declared that she wanted everyone to be buried with her and the former Emperor's love.
After speaking, Ding Shui went mad, channeling all her spiritual power to attack Feng Qingchen and the others. Yuan Ling saw this, drew his sword, and stood in front of Feng Qingchen to protect her, fighting Ding Shui to the death. The Gui Li Sword's momentum was swift, piercing Ding Shui's vital point, killing her. However, Yuan Ling also suffered severe injuries as a result.
Feng Qingchen rushed to Yuan Ling's side, and in her urgency, was about to cast a spell to save him, but Yuan Zhan stopped her. She couldn't expose her identity as the Saint Witch, so she could only ask Elder Tao Yao to come and examine him. Tao Yao followed the Imperial Guards to the secret chamber, only to find that Xi Xie had already died.
Overwhelmed with grief, she embraced the lifeless Xi Xie, unaware that this Xi Xie was actually a fake created by Lian Fei. In Li Jing Tian, Tao Yao stayed by "Xi Xie's" side, deeply saddened. Now the Witch Clan's injustices were finally cleared, and they could rightfully return to Li Jing Tian, but he could never come back. Feng Qingchen stayed by the unconscious Yuan Ling's bedside, her face streaming with tears.
In a moment of life and death, Yuan Ling had risked everything for her, but she had come here precisely to ensure his lifelong safety. If she lost him, what would be the meaning of everything she had done? Feng Qingchen tearfully vowed that as long as Yuan Ling survived this ordeal, she would never push him away again; she would stay by his side forever. Just then, Lian Fei came to visit Yuan Ling.
She used the matter of Xi Xie to send Feng Qingchen away, then stroked her son's cheek, realizing she had not expected Yuan Ling to actually fall in love with Feng Qingchen.
Episode 27 Recap
Inside Li Jing Tian, Tao Yao stood alone in front of the wooden house, her silhouette looking very lonely. Feng Qingchen saw her and knew she was grieving for Xi Xie, but she also knew that if Xi Xie had truly passed away, the Flower of Life within her would have reacted. Tao Yao handed the Purple Soul Crystal to Feng Qingchen for safekeeping.
Feng Qingchen felt it would be inconvenient to take it while she was staying at the Feng residence, so she did not accept it. On her way back, Feng Qingchen felt an intense pain in her chest; it turned out that another petal of the Flower of Life had withered.
Although Yuan An knew the Witch Clan had been wronged, he believed that as long as the Witch Clan was not eliminated, the supreme power of the world would not truly be in his hands. He summoned Yuan Ming, comforted him over Xian Wu's death, and subtly urged Yuan Ming to completely eradicate the remnants of the Witch Clan.
Feng Qingchen learned the details of Xian Wu's death from Luan Fei; dying from flame poison should take at least a day, but Xian Wu passed away in less than half an hour. There must be something wrong. When Feng Qingchen returned to her room, she was surprised to find her hand starting to appear and disappear. It seemed her time was running out. Lian Fei, despite her severe injuries, used dark witch magic to revive Yuan Ling.
Yuan Ling woke up to find himself in his mother consort's palace and smiled, saying it was his first time spending the night in Lianchi Palace since childhood. Lian Fei comforted him, saying that as a prince, he should have been able to stand on his own long ago, and fortunately, Tao Yao had treated his injuries in time yesterday, so he would be fine now that he had woken up.
After waking up, Yuan Ling returned to Ling Wang Fu to recuperate. He noticed that many flowers had suddenly appeared in Ling Wang Fu. Eleven chattered beside him, saying that these flowers were beneficial for his recovery. Amidst the blooming flowers, Feng Qingchen quietly looked up at Yuan Ling, a radiant smile in her eyes. Yuan Ling also looked back at her tenderly. Seeing this, Eleven discreetly walked away.
Yuan Ling and Feng Qingchen walked to the Lakeside of Gentle Breeze. After the great disaster, Feng Qingchen finally understood her true feelings. Yuan Ling, to this day, still wholeheartedly protected Feng Qingchen. At that moment of life and death, he knew that sacrificing himself to save Feng Qingchen would make her angry, and he remembered Feng Qingchen's words that if anything happened to him, she would never forgive him.
But even so, he was willing to protect Feng Qingchen at the cost of his life. Even though Feng Qingchen stated that she would bring him pain and disaster, Yuan Ling passionately promised to only love Feng Qingchen, and hoped that Feng Qingchen would no longer push him away. Feng Qingchen was deeply moved by his words. Now, she could not bear to push him away, nor could she push him away.
The two held hands and looked at each other, knowing that even if time and space were twisted, the love that was meant to be would still wait in its place. Duo Xia learned from Mu Kai Sha that Yuan Ling was injured while saving Feng Qingchen. Mu Kai Sha reiterated that Great Wei had no sincerity for a marriage alliance and advised Duo Xia to return to her country soon.
He expressed his willingness to die on the battlefield for her and protect the A'chai Tribe. Duo Xia, upon hearing this, only wished that Mu Kai Sha could live a peaceful and happy life like the people of the A'chai Tribe. After Yuan Ling recovered, he entered the palace to meet Yuan An. After inquiring about his injuries, Yuan An asked for their opinions on the Witch Clan matter.
Yuan Hao and Yuan Zhan both believed that the Witch Clan should be cleared of their charges, suggesting that a ruler who cares for his people and is willing to admit mistakes would better display his virtue. Yuan Ling also seconded this, suggesting that the grand event of the royal military training could continue to be entrusted to the Witch Clan for arrangement, thereby resolving the animosity. Feng Qingchen came to Li Jing Tian.
Tao Yao thanked her for clearing the Witch Clan's name. The day Feng Qingchen appeared on Tian Zi Mountain as the Saintly Witch, Tao Yao knew that the Witch Clan's situation would take a turn for the better. Now, over a year of displacement and wandering had finally ended, and from now on, the heavy responsibility of the Witch Clan would be shouldered by Feng Qingchen.
Feng Qingchen promised that she would not fail her master's words and the elders' trust. Yuan Ling again came to Lianchi Palace to visit Lian Fei. Lian Fei instructed him to pay more attention to matters of the imperial court. Yuan Ling asked his mother consort if she had any suggestions regarding his selection of a consort.
Lian Fei said earnestly that Yuan Ling had already been granted a title and established his own residence, so he should make his own decisions regarding the selection of a consort, but no matter what, he should not betray his own heart. Luan Fei and Yuan Hao stood quietly by the lotus pond. Luan Fei knew that what Yuan Hao had entrusted her to give to Lord Mo that day was not Duo Xia's birthdate.
She pressed him, asking whose it was. Yuan Hao responded affectionately that as long as Luan Fei wanted to know, he was willing to tell her everything. However, Luan Fei remained silent upon hearing this, only saying that she had overstepped by asking too much. Yuan Hao, upon hearing this, flicked his sleeve and left in disappointment. The selection of Prince Ling's consort was imminent.
The daughters of court ministers were all required to report for selection, and Feng Qingchen, Cai Qian, and others were among them. Eleven rushed to find his Seventh Brother, Yuan Zhan, hoping Yuan Zhan could help prevent Cai Qian from participating in the selection, because he knew that his Fourth Brother wanted to choose Feng Qingchen as Prince Ling's consort, and he did not want Cai Qian to lose face in front of everyone.
Yuan Zhan merely smiled faintly upon hearing this and told Eleven to go back and wait for news. At this moment, in the Yin family, Cai Qian was pleading with Chancellor Yin to find a painter to create a good portrait of her for the selection. She was determined to marry Prince Ling and was bent on winning this consort selection. Inside Muyuan Hall, Yuan Ling waited for Feng Qingchen.
The two, now open and honest with each other, went up to the pavilion and conversed happily. Feng Qingchen had prepared many medicinal herbs for Yuan Ling, and her words were full of care. Yuan Ling was delighted in his heart. He pulled Feng Qingchen into his arms from behind, his deep, star-like eyes filled with boundless love. Feng Qingchen in his embrace also smiled brightly and clearly.
Episode 28 Recap
Feng Qingchen was tidying up herbs, and Yuan Ling was painting beside her. Every stroke depicted Feng Qingchen's graceful silhouette. Feng Qingchen looked back at him; her smiling eyes were bright, like a new crescent moon in the sky. Her pure smile warmed Yuan Ling's heart. A talented scholar and a beautiful lady, a perfect match, this fated couple finally came together.
As night fell, deep in the bamboo forest, Yuan Ming told Wu Pinging that the Dark Witch Elder had been eliminated. Now the Dark Witches were to be put under Wu Pinging's command, and he wanted her to quickly consolidate their power to help him. Wu Pinging was willing to stay by Yuan Ming's side.
It turned out that a year ago, Wu Pinging, a disciple of the Jade Blood Pavilion, made a mistake and was being punished by Ding Shui. Fortunately, Yuan Ming rescued her, and since then, she had wholeheartedly followed Yuan Ming. Yuan Ming said that after their goal was achieved, he would return Wu Pinging's freedom. Upon hearing this, Wu Pinging suddenly embraced Yuan Ming. She didn't want freedom; she only wanted him.
However, Yuan Ming gently pushed her away, admitting that a share of his future empire would be hers, but in his heart, there was only Xian Wu. In the secret chamber, the real Xi Xie was still imprisoned. Lian Fei was badly injured, but she still warned Xi Xie not to dream of escaping.
As long as she drew breath, she would personally make Yuan An suffer the loss of his beloved, for which she had been dormant for so many years. After Lian Fei left, Xi Xie laughed up at the sky, because the Witch Clan's grievances had finally been cleared. But when he thought of his junior sister Tao Yao, who was grieving for him at that moment, he couldn't help but frown.
After Yuan Ling finished his painting, he found that Feng Qingchen had already fallen asleep at the desk. He quickly closed the doors and windows and draped a coat over Feng Qingchen. Meanwhile, Yuan An was also dozing off at his desk. Yuan Hao considerately urged his imperial father to rest. Yuan An seized the opportunity to instruct Yuan Hao, saying that as the Crown Prince, he must master the art of knowing when to advance and retreat.
However, Yuan Hao asked his imperial father if he enjoyed being the ruler of the country. Yuan An chuckled, saying that he longed for it when he didn't have it, and enjoyed it when he did, relishing the freedom of holding the world in his hands. Now, he only wished to safeguard this realm and be a wise monarch.
In Moyuan Hall, Yuan Ling, worried that Feng Qingchen might catch a cold, started a fire in the room to warm it up, but unexpectedly filled the room with smoke, which choked Feng Qingchen awake. Feng Qingchen quickly came to put out the fire, and for a moment, the two were close, their eyes meeting, creating an ambiguous atmosphere.
Yuan Ling let slip, and Feng Qingchen finally realized that Moyuan Hall had been designed by Yuan Ling for her, making her very happy. Yuan Ling returned to his residence and handed the completed portrait of Feng Qingchen to Shi Yi, instructing him to give it to Yuan Hao as a portrait for the selection of imperial consorts.
Shi Yi lowered his head and admitted his mistake to Yuan Ling, confessing that he had asked Yuan Zhan not to let Cai Qian participate in the selection. Yuan Ling smiled slightly upon hearing this, thinking that Shi Yi, who wasn't afraid to fight on the battlefield, was completely smitten by Cai Qian. Yuan Zhan sought out Prime Minister Yin to discuss Cai Qian's participation in the selection, explaining the pros and cons one by one.
Prime Minister Yin fully agreed, stating that he could not allow a daughter of the Yin family to become a casualty in court struggles. The next day, Elder Tao Yao came to the imperial court to meet Yuan An. Tao Yao's attitude was firm, hoping to clear the Witch Clan's grievances. Yuan An, however, was not angered; he frankly admitted that the annihilation of the Witch Clan a year ago was due to his biased belief and oversight.
Yuan An then questioned his officials for not daring to remonstrate and for being confused along with him, causing all the officials to kneel. Seeing this, Tao Yao also admitted that what happened that day was indeed a misunderstanding and that the Witch Clan also had faults. Yuan An then issued an imperial decree to restore the Witch Clan's position of assisting the royal family and to rebuild Lijing Heaven.
After the Witch Clan's innocence was cleared and the news of Prince Ling's selection of consorts was announced to the world, the whole nation celebrated. Cai Qian excitedly went to prepare rouge and powder for the selection of imperial consorts. Her wish since childhood was to marry her fourth brother.
Shi Yi saw her so happy, and though he knew Cai Qian's name was not on the selection list, he couldn't bear to tell her, and could only accompany her as she ran around playfully. Meanwhile, Feng Qingchen and Yuan Ling were once again walking hand in hand by the lake. Yuan Ling noticed that Feng Qingchen's current carefree demeanor was much more beautiful than her previous worried, frowning appearance.
Feng Qingchen thanked Yuan Ling for helping the Witch Clan clear their grievances and for staying faithfully by her side. Hearing this, Yuan Ling embraced Feng Qingchen deeply, saying, "If you want to repay me, then be my Princess Ling." Feng Qingchen smiled, and readily replied, "Alright." Feng Qingchen returned to her residence. Prime Minister Feng told her that His Royal Highness Prince Ling had personally drawn a portrait of Feng Qingchen and sent it to the palace.
It seemed Prince Ling's decision was made, but he wondered what Feng Qingchen's intentions were. Feng Qingchen, in turn, asked Prime Minister Feng which prince he had chosen. Prime Minister Feng replied that as a daughter of the family, she would one day understand that she could only rely on herself. Yuan Zhan saw Feng Qingchen's portrait. He asked Feng Qingchen if she truly wanted to participate in the selection of consorts.
Feng Qingchen frankly stated that this time, it was her willing choice and she was determined to succeed. Yuan Zhan finally confirmed Feng Qingchen's intentions, but he was wrong, wrong for betting with Feng Qingchen's heart, and now only sorrow remained for himself. As for Feng Qingchen, she was grateful for Yuan Zhan's constant care, and from now on, she would choose to trust Yuan Zhan.
Cai Qian came again to make things difficult for Duo Xia, but she learned from Duo Xia that she was not on the list for the selection of imperial consorts. She guessed that her seventh brother, Yuan Zhan, was behind it. Cai Qian angrily went to find Yuan Zhan, questioning why he wouldn't even give her this chance.
She mistakenly thought Yuan Zhan was worried that if she became Princess Ling in the future, she would hinder his competition with her fourth brother, but she declared that she would definitely participate in the selection. Yuan Zhan knew Cai Qian had misunderstood him, but he didn't say much, only worried that Cai Qian's affection for her fourth brother was something even Shi Yi couldn't stop.
Ming Yan talked to Feng Qingchen about her master, Tao Yao, who often found it difficult to sleep alone by lamplight due to the death of Elder Xi Xie. Ming Yan even wished, at times, that they could be a little more selfish. Feng Qingchen also sighed upon hearing this, but secretly resolved in her heart to cherish the present and stay with Yuan Ling.
Episode 29 Recap
Yuan Ming came to Yuan An, claiming he had already thought of a way to deal with the Wu clan. Yuan An was deeply pleased to hear this, thinking, "How could the realm of his Yuan clan allow others to sleep soundly?" Shi Yi was urging Yuan Ling to look at the portraits of the chosen consorts, but then someone from the Yin family came to report that Caiqian had disappeared since arguing with Yuan Zhan.
Shi Yi, upon hearing this, rushed out to search. Sure enough, he found her again in Caiqian's hiding place. Caiqian pouted, disappointed, saying that last time her Fourth Brother had found her first. But she didn't know that last time Shi Yi had also found her first; he had just let Fourth Brother appear to find her. Caiqian was very sad because she couldn't participate in the selection for Ling Wangfei. She shed tears and refused to go back.
Shi Yi felt sorry for Caiqian and could only promise her to beg Fourth Brother. Shi Yi then went to find Yuan Zhan and Yuan Ling, hoping they would allow Caiqian to participate in the selection. However, Yuan Zhan did not agree; he wanted Caiqian to find true happiness. Although Shi Yi liked Caiqian, he wanted her to be happy even more.
He believed that if Caiqian faced defeat in the selection directly and experienced a setback, she would wake up from her admiration for Fourth Brother. Yuan Zhan and Yuan Ling listened and could only agree to Shi Yi's request. Because of Caiqian's matter, many people misunderstood Yuan Zhan, thinking he was cunning and used Caiqian. But in fact, it was not so.
However, Yuan Zhan did not want to explain; he merely said indifferently, "Those who understand me call my heart troubled; those who do not understand me ask what I worry about." The day of the consort selection finally arrived. On this day, the noble young ladies sat quietly in one place to begin the selection. Feng Qingchen and Duo Xia were naturally among them. This first round was a competition of needlework.
Delicate hands were seen threading needles and drawing thread, creating a very beautiful scene. Time was up. The imperial candidates presented their works. Feng Qingchen embroidered a cloak for Yuan Ling depicting magnificent rivers and mountains, wishing him to hold the world in his heart and return victoriously from every expedition. Such embroidery was not merely about skill; what was even more rare was the sentiment within it. Duo Xia embroidered a camel in a sandstorm, which was also unique.
What was both funny and embarrassing was Caiqian's embroidered long-life turtle; although she intended to wish Yuan Ling longevity, Yuan Ling joked that no matter how long-lived it was, it was still just a tortoise. After the needlework competition, Yuan Ling, Master Mo, and others discussed that Feng Qingchen should win the championship.
However, Yuan Zhan pointed out that Feng Qingchen's embroidery of magnificent rivers and mountains might lead uninformed people to believe Yuan Ling had rebellious intentions, so they could only let Princess Duo Xia win the first round. Everyone then decided that the second round would be a martial arts competition. Yuan Ling, upon hearing this, thought that Feng Qingchen's exceptional skills would surely lead to her victory, and he readily agreed.
Duo Xia was shocked upon learning that she had won the first round. Mu Kaisha, however, seriously praised Duo Xia's embroidery, saying it was much better than Feng Qingchen's. Duo Xia chuckled at this, thinking that Mu Kaisha had fought on battlefields for years, so how could he understand needlework? This statement was probably just to amuse her.
Yuan Zhan told Feng Qingchen that she should have won the first round and that he had persuaded everyone to change the result, slowly explaining the reason. Feng Qingchen knew it was her oversight and was instead very grateful to Yuan Zhan. The second round of the competition began. Drums sounded in unison on the wide drill ground. Master Mo announced the rules: the one who first shot the colored ball behind the jade ring would win.
The first match was Duo Xia versus Caiqian. Both of them had comparable perseverance in pursuing Yuan Ling, making it truly a captivating match. So, even before the match began, the playful Yuan Li was already urging the various princes below the stage to place bets. As they spoke, the match began. Duo Xia and Caiqian almost simultaneously began shooting arrows with lightning speed.
But after only a few moves, Caiqian was defeated, allowing Duo Xia to hit the colored ball. Caiqian cried out in pain from her seat. Feng Qingchen saw this and recalled what Yuan Ling had told her earlier about Duo Xia's martial arts characteristics, thinking that Duo Xia was determined to win this match. And Yuan Ling also only cared about her. The second match was Feng Qingchen against Duo Xia.
On the arena stage, Duo Xia was seen donning armor for the battle, her brows revealing heroic and spirited valor. Feng Qingchen, in a dark blue wide-sleeved gown, flipped onto the stage, also showing that women are no less capable than men. Both of them simultaneously picked up their bows and arrows and began the competition, both demonstrating perfect aim, making it difficult to determine who was superior.
When arrows were flying without missing, Feng Qingchen took a risky move, intentionally shooting off the jade ring. Immediately afterwards, she leapt up and shot down the colored ball with a single arrow, winning a round of applause. In the evening, Shi Yi bought a roasted goose to comfort the injured Caiqian, advising her not to be foolish anymore.
Caiqian, however, firmly stated that the final result was not yet out and that she would persevere until the end; even mountains and rivers could not stop her. Shi Yi sighed, saying, "The farthest distance in this world is the distance between Caiqian and Fourth Brother, an endless expanse." Caiqian, however, took the opportunity to playfully coax Shi Yi into revealing the content of the third round.
Shi Yi, with no choice, could only tell her that the third round would be a competition of demeanor: several women would enter the palace together, and the one who received the most praise from the princes would win. Feng Qingchen and Ming Yan were walking on the road. She knew Yuan Li was secretly following behind, so she simply called him out. But Yuan Li, even after being discovered, was not flustered.
Instead, he pointed at Ming Yan and said, "Feng Qingchen has already gone to participate in the consort selection, don't you know her intentions yet?" It turned out he still didn't know Ming Yan was a woman and had misunderstood that Ming Yan liked Feng Qingchen. Feng Qingchen smiled and teased, telling Yuan Li to open his eyes wide and look carefully at Ming Yan. Yuan Li scrutinized her from top to bottom but still couldn't see anything different.
After Ming Yan left, Yuan Li warned Feng Qingchen not to disrupt the order of this timeline again. Feng Qingchen, however, said that as long as she could change everything that had been harmed by her in the past, she would leave. Yuan Hao and Yuan Zhan were selecting portraits of the participating women. From this selection, it seemed only Feng Qingchen and Duo Xia were equally matched.
Yuan Hao saw Yuan Zhan's distracted look and thought he cared about Feng Qingchen. Yuan Zhan, however, said that he was ordered to select a consort for Yuan Ling and would naturally handle it impartially. The next day, the third round of the competition began. Several princes stood on the pavilion. Below, they saw that all the noble ladies possessed extraordinary grace, charming beauties with clear eyes and delicate features.
Among them, the most outstanding were the refreshingly elegant Feng Qingchen and the distinctive Duo Xia. Although Caiqian was clever and charming, she ultimately lacked a bit of dignity and elegance. Just as the princes on the pavilion were discussing, the impatient Caiqian looked left and right, secretly making up her mind, saying, "I must win this round."
Episode 30 Recap
Caiqian suddenly stepped forward, smiling and wanting to show off, but she awkwardly spun a few times, believing her demeanor to be extraordinary and beautiful. This, however, drew light laughter from the noble ladies below. What was unexpected, though, was that Minister Mo announced that all the noble ladies in this competition were tense and overly reserved, and only noble lady Caiqian of the Yin family stood out. This delighted Caiqian, leaving the other noble ladies bewildered.
Privately, the princes discussed that Caiqian's victory in the third round should actually be voided; it was a tie, so an additional round was needed. Yuan Ling was also willing to give Caiqian another chance, considering it fulfilling her wish. Yuan Li, however, proposed that instead of repeated similar competitions, there should be an innovative one. This final round should be a drinking contest.
Yuan Li presented his convoluted reasoning so logically that he even gained the approval of the other princes. Yuan Ling cast a sidelong glance at his twelfth brother, who was sincerely causing trouble, and was momentarily at a loss for what to do. The fourth round, a drinking competition, began. Feng Qingchen, Duo Xia, and Caiqian, who had won previously, sat at the wine table, each refusing to yield, drinking bowl after bowl.
After several cups of wine, Caiqian and Duo Xia gradually lost their stamina, and Feng Qingchen also felt dizzy and passed out. Yuan Ling pulled the intoxicated Feng Qingchen, playfully scolding her for trying so hard when she couldn't drink. Feng Qingchen, however, retorted angrily, "How can I win if I don't try? How can I become Prince Ling's Consort if I don't win?" At this moment, Feng Qingchen's face was slightly flushed with wine, her cheeks rosy.
She boldly reached out and touched Yuan Ling's thin lips, leaned in, and kissed him. Yuan Ling was slightly stunned, but Feng Qingchen released him in an instant because she clearly foresaw the scene of Yuan Ling being assassinated, which greatly alarmed her. When Feng Qingchen woke up again, she was already at the Feng Manor. Prime Minister Feng and Luan Fei were guarding her, helping her sober up.
Upon learning that the sobering floral dew was sent by Yuan Ling, Feng Qingchen could only ask Prime Minister Feng to return it for her. She was now determined to become Prince Ling's Consort and absolutely did not want to be involved with Yuan Zhan anymore. The night was cool. Yuan Zhan stood in the moonlit night, playing his flute, but then he received the floral dew returned by Feng Qingchen.
He knew that Feng Qingchen didn't want to owe him now, but if she were to follow Yuan Ling, wouldn't that also be a kind of pain for him? However, if this marriage didn't happen, then at that time, he would take her back at any cost. Meanwhile, Duo Xia also lay unconscious. Mu Kaisha carefully guarded her by the bedside, feeling deeply pained watching Duo Xia fight so desperately for others. Just then, Duo Xia woke up.
Although they were currently in a stalemate, a woman of her A'chai tribe feared nothing, having strangled horse bandits in the desert. What was there to fear in a mere competition? The next day, Yuan Hao and Yuan Zhan reported back to Yuan An, stating that after several rounds of competition, Duo Xia and Feng Qingchen were evenly matched. According to ancestral tradition, Yuan Ling should make the final decision.
Although all the ministers believed they should follow ancestral tradition, some ministers proposed that since Duo Xia had come for a political marriage, involving the border security of Great Wei, an imperial decree should be issued for Princess Duo Xia and Prince Ling to complete their marriage on an auspicious day. Yuan An looked around, then asked Yuan Zhan for his opinion. Yuan Zhan suggested that Duo Xia participate in Great Wei's autumn military drills.
Perhaps she would witness the excellence of the other princes and make a different decision. Feng Qingchen learned that Yuan An had issued an imperial decree for her, Duo Xia, and Caiqian to participate in the Royal Military Exercise, which would take place in Lijingtian. Feng Qingchen, feeling uneasy, met Yuan Ling at Muyuan Hall, hoping he wouldn't participate in this military exercise because she foresaw Yuan Ling being assassinated in Lijingtian.
Yuan Ling, however, dismissed her concerns, believing that resolving issues didn't necessarily mean escaping; the best defense was offense. With that, he unhesitatingly pulled Feng Qingchen into a deep kiss. Duo Xia, upon hearing about the military exercise, praised it, saying she wondered whose suggestion it was. This move could avoid offending the A'chai tribe and allow Yuan Ling to observe further; truly killing two birds with one stone.
Yuan Hao told the Eleventh Prince that the Royal Military Exercise was imminent, and he planned to first invite the princes to appreciate flowers so everyone would be in good spirits for the exercise. The Eleventh Prince happily planned to implement this, but Yuan Hao reminded him to deal with Caiqian's matter soon.
Inside Lijingtian, Feng Qingchen hoped that Tao Yao, when setting up the formation, could find a way to make her hibiscus stone resonate with the golden phoenix stone within the formation, helping her to acquire the golden phoenix stone first. Tao Yao, learning that Feng Qingchen had a premonition of Prince Ling's danger, wondered if this was the intuition between the twin stars. The princes were invited to appreciate flowers.
Yuan Ming saw Yuan Zhan standing alone at the side and stepped forward to suggest, "Why doesn't Seventh Brother marry Princess Duo Xia himself? This would both ease Father Emperor's worries and fulfill Fourth Brother's wish. Wouldn't everyone be happy?" Before Yuan Zhan could answer, Yuan Li quipped, "Ninth Brother has been without Ninth Sister for many years; it would be better if he married Duo Xia himself."
Yuan Ming was furious upon hearing this, believing it to be disrespectful to Xianwu. In a moment of desperation, the two even started fighting. Watching the princes in a commotion, Yuan Zhan calmly played his flute, appearing as if it had nothing to do with him. It wasn't until Yuan Ling arrived and shouted angrily that the farce stopped. The princes came before Yuan An to confess their guilt, but none were willing to tell the truth.
In a fit of anger, Yuan An ordered all of them to receive ten planks each. The princes lay prostrate on benches, enduring the punishment, all looking miserable. However, except for Yuan Li, not a single one uttered a sound. Although these princes had vastly different personalities, they were all upright and steadfast men.
In the evening, Yuan Ming met Wu Pinging again and instructed her to make all the necessary preparations, because there were some people he didn't want to see return alive. Caiqian came to find the Eleventh Prince, cheerfully asking about his injuries. The Eleventh Prince was delighted to hear this. Unexpectedly, Caiqian suddenly began to unbutton her clothes, startling the Eleventh Prince, who quickly turned away. But Caiqian smiled proudly, saying that no one could stop what she, Yin Caiqian, wanted to accomplish.
Episode 31 Recap
Facing Caiqian's bold move, Eleven's heart pounded, but more than that, he felt a secret delight. However, what he never expected was that Caiqian had merely changed into an outfit for entering the military formation, and she giggled, "Fourth Brother will surely be pleased to see this." Outside Li Jing Tian, Tao Yao cast a spell to place the Golden Phoenix Stone somewhere inside Li Jing Tian.
The Golden Phoenix Stone could reverse time and space, and was also the Emperor's most cherished treasure. The first person to find the Golden Phoenix Stone this time would be the winner of this exercise and could also ask the Emperor for a wish. The royal military exercise officially began, and Yuan Ling and several other princes took separate actions. However, Crown Prince Yuan Hao encountered an ambush after only a few steps.
It turned out that Wu Pinging was also here, leading a group of Dark Witches disguised as Dark Guards, intending to kill Yuan Hao and Yuan Ling. Duo Xia was walking within the formation and also encountered successive ambushes. Fortunately, Yuan Zhan stepped in to rescue her, and Yuan Hao also arrived at this moment. The three of them concluded that this military exercise might have undergone a change, and it would be best to be careful from now on.
At the same time, Yuan Li also sensed that something was wrong with the formation. He guessed it was because of the Dark Witches, and then deliberately fell into a trap, wanting to exit the formation to investigate what the Dark Witches were truly planning. After exiting the formation, Yuan Li directly complained that the formation was boring. Prime Minister Feng and Lord Wei, however, wanted to accompany him back. Yuan Li skillfully used eloquent words to decline them.
Tao Yao learned that the spirit butterflies in the formation had been attacked and also sensed the presence of Dark Witches. She immediately ordered all exits of Li Jing Tian to be sealed and tried to contact Feng Qingchen. Tao Yao's spirit butterfly gracefully landed in Feng Qingchen's hand, but only conveyed the message of a change in the formation before disappearing. Feng Qingchen immediately felt an abnormality. Remembering the illusions she had seen, she rushed to find Yuan Ling.
Meanwhile, Yuan Ming quietly removed the arrow that had wounded Feng Qingchen and took the Holy Sorceress's blood from it. Tao Yao also tried to cast a spell to stop him but was injured by the backlash of spiritual power. Yuan Ming and his group brought tourmaline. This tourmaline absorbed all spiritual power, rendering everyone in the formation unable to use spiritual power.
It turned out that Yuan Ming had earlier told Yuan An about the importance of the Golden Phoenix Stone, and he had conspired with Yuan An to use this formation to eliminate the Witch Clan, but what he wanted to do even more was to eliminate Yuan Hao and Yuan Ling. Yuan Ji saw Yuan Ming acting suspiciously, so he quietly followed behind him, wanting to find out the truth.
He discovered that it was his Ninth Brother who had personally arranged Li Jing Tian to become everyone's graves. Yuan Ji wanted to go and tell Yuan Hao and the others, but he was stopped by Yuan Ming. Yuan Ji earnestly advised Yuan Ming to turn back, but Yuan Ming, in turn, threatened him not to act rashly. Seeing his stubbornness, Yuan Ji heartbrokenly called out "Jiu'er."
It turned out he had long since figured out that Jiu'er was actually Yuan Ming in disguise, which was why only the two of them had identical sachets. Yuan Ming refused to admit it, only focusing on completing his plan, but Yuan Ji insisted on stopping him, not wanting him to continue making mistakes. Feng Qingchen finally found Yuan Ling. At this moment, Tao Yao's message arrived again, stating that the tourmaline was absorbing spiritual power.
Feng Qingchen guessed that someone had placed the tourmaline in the formation. If so, no one in the formation would be able to use spiritual power, and the elders would surely be trapped outside. Yuan Ling listened, then fired a signal flare, deciding to gather everyone together first. Wu Pinging saw it, knew the situation had changed, and ordered them to quickly retrieve the Golden Phoenix Stone, killing anyone else without mercy.
Outside the military formation, Mu Kaisha angrily questioned Lord Mo, asking why the princess had not yet come out. He declared fiercely, "If the princess suffers any mishap, the Achai tribe will surely go to war with the Wei Kingdom." After saying this, he intended to personally enter the formation to rescue the princess, but he was repelled by spiritual power. Inside the formation, Wu Pinging cautioned Yuan Ming to be careful with everything.
Yuan Ming told her to check on the lives of others. Yuan Ji saw this and was shocked to realize that Ninth Brother intended to use others to kill, eliminating Yuan Hao and Yuan Ling. After receiving Yuan Ling's signal flare, everyone quickly gathered together. Yuan Ling clearly explained the current situation to everyone. They planned to divide into two groups to break out.
He would take Feng Qingchen, Yuan Ming, and Yuan Ji to draw away the Dark Witches, while the others would follow the Crown Prince out. This was actually arranged by Feng Qingchen. She wanted to separate everyone first, seize the opportunity to find the Golden Phoenix Stone, and Yuan Ling intended to lend her a hand. Feng Qingchen cast a spell to lure Yuan Ming away.
Even though the tourmaline absorbed her spiritual power, she would rather endure the pain of backlash to break this formation. Ming Yan attempted to forcefully break the formation but was stopped by Yuan Li. He decided to personally tear open a gap in the formation to rescue Feng Qingchen and the others. Lord Mo, seeing Yuan Li cast a spell, exclaimed that his spiritual power was surprisingly greater than his own. Yuan Ming and Feng Qingchen laid out their cards.
Feng Qingchen knew that Yuan Ming had been meticulously planning every step, calculating every scheme, all to eliminate Yuan Ling and Yuan Hao within this formation, so that he could ascend to the throne. Feng Qingchen tried to retrieve the tourmaline spiritual stone. Yuan Ming vigorously tried to stop her, but unexpectedly, Feng Qingchen seized the opportunity to pluck off the tourmaline spiritual stone.
The moment the stone was retrieved, Feng Qingchen's spiritual power was released, and Yuan Ming was injured as a result. However, Feng Qingchen did not make things difficult for him; instead, she healed his wounds and let him walk out of the forest on his own. The barrier had been broken. The Imperial Guards then arrived and rendezvoused with Yuan Hao and the others, safely escorting Duo Xia and the rest out.
Yuan Zhan and Yuan Ming led the Imperial Guards back to rescue Yuan Ling. In fact, Yuan Zhan had long since discerned that the internal traitor was on Yuan Ling's side and wanted to help Yuan Ling capture the traitor. As he wished, they finally surrounded the injured Yuan Ming and Yuan Ji. Just as Yuan Ming was about to argue, Yuan Ji suddenly held Yuan Ming captive with a sword, claiming the entire plan was his own elaborate arrangement.
He was determined to protect Yuan Ming. Yuan Ji, holding Yuan Ming captive, retreated step by step. Yuan Zhan could only order Yuan Ling to be informed to fully pursue and capture the two of them. Meanwhile, Yuan Ling, holding Feng Qingchen's Hibiscus Stone, found the Golden Phoenix Stone. Although Dark Witches appeared to obstruct him, they were no match for him. Yuan Ling stepped forward and plucked off the Golden Phoenix Stone.
However, the moment he touched the spiritual stone, time and space twisted, and all his memories with Feng Qingchen from their previous life flashed rapidly before his eyes: the bloody wedding, the halting of heaven and earth, separation of life and death. . . Yuan Ling marvelled at the vividness of these memories, wondering what he and Feng Qingchen had truly experienced before.
Episode 32 Recap
Yuan Ji successfully escaped with Yuan Ming. The two fled in panic, but Yuan Ming snatched the sword and questioned his Third Brother Yuan Ji why he helped him. Yuan Ji knew he had no intention of harming him and told Yuan Ming to leave quickly, saying he would bear all responsibility. Yuan Ming did not appreciate it and wanted to leave alone, but after only a few steps, he fainted. Yuan Ji cared for him with deep concern.
He asked Yuan Ming, "If only one of us can live, what would you choose?" In fact, Yuan Ji had already planned everything. His birth mother had a humble status, and his imperial father did not value him. He was gentle by nature and had to act cautiously around others since childhood. Upon hearing this, Yuan Ming could only reveal the plot he had conspired with his imperial father, believing that his imperial father would ensure their safety.
Yuan Ji, however, said that his imperial father was merely using him to lay out a scheme and would likely not spare him. Yuan Ming, after hearing his Third Brother's analysis, couldn't believe that his imperial father genuinely wanted him dead. Yuan Ji continued, "Now, only one person's death can resolve this. So, I am willing to die in Yuan Ming's place. Anyway, I no longer care about life and death." Time flowed on.
Yuan Ji was once punished to kneel outside the palace gate. A heavy rain fell, and he couldn't bear it, fainting. When he woke up, he found an umbrella over his head. He knew it was sent by Jiu'er. If it weren't for Yuan Ming, how could he have survived until now? Although he could not be buried in the imperial mausoleum, he had no regrets; after all, his birth mother was also not buried there.
He only hoped that after his death, Yuan Ming would come and offer him incense. Yuan Ming was extremely grieved. He had failed to protect Xianwu before, and now he couldn't protect his Third Brother either. He blamed himself for not doing enough. With that, he once again pointed his sword at Yuan Ji, forcing him to leave. However, what he didn't expect was that Yuan Ji approached his sword step by step.
Yuan Ming turned and fled, and Yuan Ji chased him all the way to a cliff above a towering waterfall. It was then that Yuan Ling and Feng Qingchen and others also arrived. Seeing this, Yuan Ji quickly took Yuan Ming hostage. He pushed Yuan Ming away, shouting, "I'm sorry to everyone!" Then, resolutely, he raised his sword and committed suicide. Yuan Ling was greatly shocked.
Yuan Ming cried out and collapsed onto his Third Brother's body, believing that they had killed his Third Brother! He sorrowfully picked up Yuan Ji's body and left step by step, saying he wanted to take his Third Brother home. Meanwhile, Feng Qingchen was severely weakened because another petal of the Flower of Life had withered. Yuan Li told her that now only eight petals of the Flower of Life remained, which meant Feng Qingchen only had eight months left.
During this period, if she couldn't collect all the Spirit Stones, she would die permanently in this timeline, and with her departure, no one would remember her existence. Upon hearing this, Feng Qingchen became even more determined to quickly help Yuan Ling ascend to the throne and restore peace and prosperity to Great Wei. Just then, Yuan Ling arrived, following the sound. Yuan Li had to quickly help Feng Qingchen heal and quietly withdrew.
Yuan Ling found Feng Qingchen, worried deeply, and insisted on carrying her away on his back. He told Feng Qingchen about the memories he had seen, but Feng Qingchen said they had not met before. As they spoke, goose feathers of snow suddenly fell from the Li Jing Sky, landing on their shoulders one by one. For a moment, it was silent and beautiful. Feng Qingchen said, "During the first snow, all lies are forgiven."
Yuan Ling, however, smiled and asked, "Does Feng Qingchen still have something to hide from me then?" He also mentioned hearing a legend that on the day of the first snow, lovers would more easily feel the presence of happiness. Upon hearing this, Feng Qingchen's eyes reddened.
How she wished she could accompany Yuan Ling to witness every first snow in this world, but alas, their love was deep yet their fate shallow, and whether they could reach the end was still unknown. Inside the imperial palace, Yuan An blamed Yuan Ming for using dark sorcery, calling it "scheming with a tiger for its hide." Yuan Ming, however, did not admit his mistake.
He believed that as long as he could make the dark sorcerers and the Witch Clan fight among themselves, the imperial realm would belong to the royal family alone. Yuan An then questioned Yuan Ming why he would harm his own kin. At this moment, Yuan Ming seemed to no longer fear his imperial father. His Third Brother took the blame for him, but also repaid a debt on behalf of his imperial father.
Yuan An was furious and ordered Yuan Ming to get out. Yuan Ming laughed maniacally, saying, "The one who resembles imperial father the most in this world must be me, because we are equally ruthless." At night, a chill wind blew. Yuan Ming recalled his Third Brother's constant care for him.
For so many years, his Third Brother had always supported him from behind, comforted him, encouraged him, accompanied him through numerous difficulties, and even considered taking care of him his own responsibility. Now that his Third Brother had left, he would stay with him. He would not let his Third Brother depart without even an incense stick. Before Yuan Ji's memorial tablet, Yuan Ming sincerely kowtowed again and again.
Tears streamed down his face, and he couldn't help but quietly sob. He wished they would still be brothers in the next life. Yuan Ling asked Yuan Zhan how he viewed his Third Brother's suicide. Yuan Zhan, however, said that what mattered was how their imperial father viewed it, but their imperial father remained silent. He feared that the truth of the matter would be buried with his Third Brother's death.
After discussing, the two decided to first gauge their imperial father's attitude before making further plans. Mu Kaisha again urged Duo Xia to consider whether Wei was truly reliable. In a moment of urgency, he grabbed Duo Xia's hand, begging her to give up the selection of consorts, promising to protect the A'chai tribe with his own life. Duo Xia, however, pushed him away, insisting on waiting for the results of the consort selection.
Mu Kaisha's persuasion was futile, and he left disheartened. Duo Xia, seeing Mu Kaisha like this, although puzzled, only thought she was overthinking things. Yuan Ling handed the Golden Phoenix Stone to Feng Qingchen, telling her to use it to ask his imperial father for a death-exemption tablet. Feng Qingchen, however, smiled slightly and asked, "What if it could be exchanged for an empire?" Yuan Ling calmly replied, "Between Feng Qingchen and an empire, I choose Feng Qingchen."
Feng Qingchen then entered the palace with the Golden Phoenix Stone. In front of everyone, Feng Qingchen stated that she had no immediate requests, only wishing to make a request to His Majesty later. Duo Xia then stepped forward, asking His Majesty when he would decide on the marriage alliance between the two countries. Yuan An stated that he would give the princess an answer after the Third Prince's seventh day. Upon saying this, Yuan Ling also knelt down.
He requested that his imperial father posthumously enfeoff his Third Brother as a king, stating that although his Third Brother had committed a grave mistake, a person's death closes the matter, and the posthumous enfeoffment was merely the imperial father's loving heart as a father. Other princes also seconded the motion. Yuan An could only grant their request and admonished them that only by working together as brothers could they ensure the peace of Great Wei.
After the imperial court adjourned, Yuan Ming, however, mocked everyone for forcing his Third Brother to his death and then hypocritically putting on a show. In this life and the next, he would remember that they were the ones who drove his Third Brother to a dead end. At Muyuan Hall, Ming Yan asked Feng Qingchen why Yuan Li also possessed spiritual power. Feng Qingchen feigned ignorance.
Seeing Ming Yan's concerned look, she playfully suggested Ming Yan try to win over Yuan Li. Just then, Bi Yao delivered information about Yuan Ming. It turned out Feng Qingchen now wanted to approach Yuan Ming again by using Xianwu. As night fell, Feng Qingchen again came to see Tao Yao. The two discussed and agreed that Yuan An was now single-mindedly intent on annihilating the Witch Clan, and coupled with his incompetence and tyranny, the people everywhere were suffering. The Witch Clan should, therefore, choose another wise ruler.
Episode 33 Recap
The matter of selecting a concubine has never had a clear result. Mu Kaisha was furious that Wei was so dilatory. He demanded that Duo Xia return to the Achai tribe with him. He couldn't bear to see Duo Xia being so wronged in Wei, but Duo Xia believed that Yuan Ling always deferred to Wei's decisions. Duo Xia simply didn't believe that Mu Kaisha could truly protect the Achai tribe when facing Liang's army.
Mu Kaisha knew Duo Xia's thoughts and was heartbroken, deciding to return to his country alone. He would definitely fulfill what he promised Duo Xia. Shi Yi hurriedly prepared to buy a roasted goose for Cai Qian, and Yuan Zhan happened to see him. Yuan Zhan stopped Shi Yi, smiling that this silly boy only put in effort but no thought, and didn't understand Cai Qian's true feelings.
In fact, though Cai Qian was simple, she wasn't determined to marry only Yuan Ling. Shi Yi wanted Cai Qian to be happy, but Yuan Zhan asked him if he wanted to know Cai Qian's true feelings. Two days passed, and Cai Qian didn't see Shi Yi, so she ran to Ling Wang's residence to look for him.
Yuan Ling asked, and only then realized that this silly girl Cai Qian had become accustomed to being with Shi Yi, and Shi Yi had finally learned the trick of playing hard to get. Meanwhile, Shi Yi was at Yuan Zhan's residence. He was worried, fearing that Cai Qian would cause trouble if she didn't see him, but Yuan Zhan told him to wait two more days. Duo Xia found Mu Kaisha, who had left in a huff.
She sincerely apologized to Mu Kaisha, admitting that she had been self-willed. But both publicly and privately, she absolutely did not want to regret it. In a person's life, it's truly not easy to meet someone they both love and respect. Now that she had met such a person, it was her good fortune. On the other hand, only by marrying into Wei could they resist Liang's army and protect their people.
Mu Kaisha listened and finally understood Duo Xia's heart, willing to wait with her. Yuan An summoned all the princes to discuss personnel changes for the next year. Yuan Ling suggested that now that the aristocratic families held official positions but did not strive for progress, it would be better to encourage open discussion and heavily rely on scholars from humble backgrounds.
Yuan Zhan, however, said that the fundamental resources of the nation were all in the hands of the aristocratic families. If their interests were harmed, it might shake the foundation of the country. The Crown Prince believed both had valid points, but through education, both aristocratic families and scholars could be utilized. Yuan Ling's strong recommendation was fruitless. Yuan An ordered Yuan Zhan to assist the Crown Prince in managing court affairs.
As for Yuan Ling, he was only to lead the Xuanjia Army well. Feng Qingchen knew what Yuan Ling was worried about and planned to use Muyuantang to help him shelter refugees, resolving Yuan Ling's worries. The two happily laughed and played by the river, extremely sweet. At Muyuantang, Feng Qingchen was tallying disaster relief funds.
Yuan Ming, however, suddenly brought a large bag of silver, claiming it was a small token of his regard and asking Feng Qingchen to repay him. Feng Qingchen merely held a pen and wrote something on the back of his hand, but Yuan Ming panicked and dodged away. It seemed he recalled Xian Wu, and this scene was coincidentally seen by Luan Fei. Luan Fei seemed rather unhappy.
Cai Qian searched for someone and found her way to Zhan Wang's residence. Yuan Zhan lied that Shi Yi wasn't there. In fact, Shi Yi was hiding behind the rockery. Cai Qian said she was not used to it these past few days. Yuan Zhan smiled faintly, saying, "It's right not to be used to it. One day, when you truly understand, you will naturally see Shi Yi." Yuan Ming secretly met with Luan Fei.
Luan Fei was uncontrollably infatuated with Yuan Ming; she could even give him her life. Yuan Ming incited Luan Fei to kill the Crown Prince. Luan Fei looked into Yuan Ming's eyes, and whatever he desired, she would surely get it for him. At the same time, Feng Qingchen received news from Ming Yan, knowing that Yuan Ming and Luan Fei had already taken action. At night, Luan Fei came to find Yuan Hao.
With downcast eyes and a look of grievance, she hesitantly said that she was pregnant with Yuan Hao's child. Yuan Hao was surprised and deeply troubled. If their affair could no longer be hidden, Luan Fei, as a female official, could not escape death. But he would definitely protect Luan Fei and the child. He declared, "Live together, die together," and wanted to take Luan Fei away from here.
The next day, Yuan An immediately received a letter from Yuan Hao. He learned that the Crown Prince had actually given up his position in the Eastern Palace for a female official. How could he save face? He ordered Yuan Ling to lead the Xuanjia Army to bring back this incompetent Crown Prince, but he instructed him specifically not to harm his life. Feng Qingchen also learned about Luan Fei's matter and entered the palace with Prime Minister Feng.
Yuan An was furious, blaming Feng Luanfei for seducing the Crown Prince. If anything untoward happened to the Crown Prince, he would demand Prime Minister Feng's head. Feng Qingchen analyzed, "Now, the Crown Prince will surely protect Luan Fei." She requested Yuan An to allow her to go and persuade Luan Fei and the Crown Prince. Yuan Hao and Luan Fei traveled to the outskirts.
Zhang Shu, the leader of the Imperial Guards, informed them that further ahead was the border of Liang. Yuan Hao stated his plan. Just then, the Xuanjia Army caught up. Zhang Shu could only protect the Crown Prince and take a small path to leave first. Yuan Hao met Yuan Ling. He knew that the Emperor wanted him to return safe and sound, but Luan Fei would only face death.
Shi Yi comforted Yuan Hao, saying, "The world is full of ups and downs in human relationships; if one were to truly pursue it, where would one not feel disheartened?" Yuan Hao, however, said that he couldn't even protect Luan Fei now. He had no choice. Yuan Ling listened and decided to find a way to let Luan Fei go, even if this would greatly anger the Emperor. Yuan Hao was extremely grateful.
He expressed his willingness to return with them to beg for forgiveness, saying that he and Luan Fei, even if they were separated by vast distances and never saw each other again, it would be better than a separation of life and death.
Episode 34 Recap
Yuan Zhan comforted Yuan An, assuring him that Eleventh Prince and Yuan Ling would soon bring back the Crown Prince. He offered to lead a mission to ascertain the situation of the Liang army and stabilize the invading forces. Yuan Zhan seized the opportunity to beg Yuan An to pardon Consort Yin. His sincere plea and filial piety made it difficult for Yuan An to refuse, so he reluctantly agreed.
At the border, Yuan Hao instructed Luan Fei that the Imperial Guards and the Black Armored Army were locked in a fierce and indecisive battle. If they couldn't break through, he hoped Luan Fei would survive and protect their child. Meeting Luan Fei was his greatest happiness, but now even this last happiness was about to be lost. Luan Fei gently leaned into Yuan Hao's arms, expressing her willingness to stay with His Highness, through life and death.
Yuan Hao then gave the signal for the Imperial Guards to begin the battle; he was determined to fight for survival, come what may. Zhang Shu planned to take an empty carriage to divert the Black Armored Army, but Yuan Hao insisted Luan Fei leave first, while he himself would go to divert the Black Armored Army. Luan Fei adamantly refused, determined to stay with Yuan Hao no matter what.
Yuan Hao steeled his heart and ordered his men to take Luan Fei away. Yuan Ling learned that the Imperial Guards were preparing to break out and planned to cooperate with Yuan Hao by leaving a small path for Luan Fei to escape. Just as the two armies were about to engage, Feng Qingchen finally arrived. She had been ordered to speak with the Crown Prince. Feng Qingchen knew that Yuan Ling had already intended to let Luan Fei go.
She explained the current situation in detail, eventually convincing Zhang Shu to let her meet Yuan Hao. When Feng Qingchen and Yuan Hao entered their temporary lodging, they found that Luan Fei had not left. Feng Qingchen asked to speak with Luan Fei privately. She revealed the affair between Luan Fei and Yuan Ming, blaming Luan Fei for being so reckless for Yuan Ming. Luan Fei, however, declared that she would rather die.
But if that was the case, why did she accept Feng Qingchen's medicine? That medicine was the Lychee Grass that Feng Qingchen had given her earlier, which could induce a state of suspended animation. If the antidote was taken within ten days, one would be perfectly safe. This way, there would no longer be a Crown Prince and Feng Luanfei in the world. Luan Fei told Yuan Hao about the Lychee Grass.
Yuan Hao ordered Zhang Shu to take Feng Qingchen as a hostage, and Feng Qingchen was very cooperative. Yuan Hao, holding Feng Qingchen captive, took a small path to the edge of a cliff. When they were at their wits' end, both expressed their willingness to face life and death together and took the medicine made from Lychee Grass. Luan Fei immediately vomited blood and collapsed into Yuan Hao's arms.
Yuan Hao also became gravely ill, stating that from then on, no one would be able to separate them, whether in the heavens or in the underworld. With that, they both died. Feng Qingchen was deeply worried at the sight, as these were not the symptoms that should occur after taking the Lychee Grass.
In Tiandu, before the Crown Prince's mourning hall, Yuan An looked at Yuan Hao, his son whom he had diligently raised for decades, lying peacefully in the coffin. He was heartbroken. He had entrusted the vast empire to him; how could he just let go and leave now? Yuan An then blamed Yuan Ling, who was kneeling, for bringing back only a cold corpse.
Yuan Ling, however, stated that he had failed the imperial command and was willing to accept punishment, while Zhang Shu was cast into the heavenly prison. At the Feng Residence, Prime Minister Feng similarly held Luan Fei's body, grieving profoundly. Now his only remaining daughter was gone; how could he not be heartbroken? Feng Qingchen told Yuan Ling about her conspiracy with Luan Fei.
She didn't know why the Lychee Grass had turned into a fatal poison and was full of self-reproach. Upon hearing this, Yuan Ling deduced that the problem must lie with Luan Fei. Feng Qingchen, listening to his words, suddenly realized that Luan Fei had not actually told His Royal Highness the Crown Prince about the Lychee Grass. Instead, she had intentionally led the Crown Prince to his death, likely all for Yuan Ming.
On the day of Luan Fei's burial, white silk ribbons fluttered. Prime Minister Feng shed tears before the grave, a white-haired person burying a black-haired one; even Feng Qingchen's eyes became moist. Prime Minister Feng had weathered many storms in his lifetime of officialdom, but he had lost his daughter. Luan Fei's unwavering devotion remained, ultimately undone by the word 'love'.
Prime Minister Feng scooped up a handful of earth and, with tears streaming down his face, scattered it onto the coffin, watching as Luan Fei was buried beside Xian Wu. Feng Qingchen sent a letter to Yuan Ming, inviting him to meet. At this moment, Wu Pinging walked over and advised Yuan Ming to be wary of a trap. She decided to go along to secretly protect Yuan Ming.
Yuan Ming arrived at the outskirts as agreed, but to his surprise, the one waiting there was Luan Fei; Luan Fei had not died. Although Yuan Ming was startled, he pretended to be calm and embraced Luan Fei, preparing to kill her. Fortunately, Feng Qingchen appeared in time and saved Luan Fei, allowing Luan Fei to finally see Yuan Ming's true colors.
It turned out that the Lychee Grass had coincidentally detoxified the Red-Crowned Crane poison, and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince had also harbored a death wish. Luan Fei quietly walked up to Yuan Ming, merely asking him if the reason Sister Xian Wu could remain in his heart was because she had already died, thus forever remaining beautiful.
Yuan Ming, however, stated that a heart could only hold one promise, and no one in the world could replace Xian Wu. Hearing this, Luan Fei picked up a blade, expressing her willingness to trade her life for his, even if he did not love her, even if she could not melt his heart. After Yuan Ming left, Luan Fei only apologized to Feng Qingchen and then quietly departed. At the same time, all the hidden Dark Witches appeared, surrounding Feng Qingchen and the other sorceresses.
Episode 35 Recap
After being in a coma for several days, Yuan Hao also woke up restlessly. As soon as he woke up, he asked about Luan Fei's whereabouts. Eleven had no choice but to take Yuan Hao to see Luan Fei. At the same time, Luan Fei was pulling Yuan Ming and running away. The two of them were eventually surrounded by Eleven and others.
Yuan Hao was still concerned about Luan Fei at this time, asking her if she was willing to return to his side. However, Luan Fei wanted to exchange herself for Yuan Ming's life. She hoped that Yuan Ming could live well. Yuan Ming was furious when he heard this. Life and death were determined by fate, and he didn't care. However, Luan Fei walked towards Yuan Hao step by step.
She was grateful for Yuan Hao's love for her, but she still owed him an apology. As she spoke, she collapsed into Yuan Hao's arms. Yuan Hao's fingers were already stained red with Luan Fei's blood. It turned out that Luan Fei had already stabbed the dagger into her chest. She could neither let go of Yuan Ming nor betray Yuan Hao. Perhaps only death was her final destination, and now dying in Yuan Hao's arms was ultimately warm.
After Luan Fei left, Yuan Hao was heartbroken. In fact, he had known about Luan Fei and Yuan Ming for a long time, but he loved her too much and only hoped that one day she would change her mind. But now she had actually embarked on a dead end. Seeing that Luan Fei was lifeless, Yuan Ming embraced Luan Fei in his arms, heartbroken.
He had spent his life calculating and unwilling to admit defeat, but in the end, he had ended up in such a state. After saying that, he took poison and committed suicide. Wu Pingting also arrived just in time. Her eyes turned red, and she flew away with Yuan Ming. In the Liang army camp, Yuan Zhan came to see Xiao Xu as an envoy of the Wei Kingdom.
Xiao Xu bluntly said that as long as the A'Chai tribe and the Wei Kingdom successfully formed a marriage alliance, he would immediately send troops to attack the city. However, Yuan Zhan still had that indifferent look, but his tone carried a bit of sharpness. The Great Wei was not a weak country. If Xiao Xu sent troops this time, it would inevitably force the A'Chai tribe to marry the Great Wei.
At that time, the Liang soldiers might not be able to resist. Yuan Zhan briefly explained the pros and cons, but he also put the choice in Xiao Xu's own hands. In this way, Xiao Xu had no better option than to withdraw his troops. Yuan An was saddened to learn of the death of the Ninth Prince Yuan Ming. He blamed Yuan Hao for acting recklessly and not taking his father seriously.
Yuan Hao also knew that he had failed his ancestors and the country, and voluntarily removed his crown as crown prince to plead guilty. Yuan An was both angry and reluctant to part with his eldest son, and he was worried for a while. Yuan An then issued an edict to depose the crown prince as a commoner and punish him to reflect on his mistakes in the East Palace.
Yuan Ling persuaded Yuan An to think twice, and Eleven also agreed. However, Yuan Hao himself accepted the decree and was willing to be punished. Not long after, Xiao Xu personally came to find Yuan Zhan. He told Yuan Zhan that the marriage alliance was actually told to him by someone from the A'Chai tribe themselves. Yuan Zhan did not take the matter to heart. The Great Wei naturally did not refuse to ally with the strong.
As long as the Liang Kingdom temporarily held its troops, he would give him a satisfactory answer in no more than two days. At night, Feng Qingchen was discussing the events of the day with Yuan Ling when she suddenly discovered that her hands were beginning to flicker. Feng Qingchen quickly made an excuse to slip away. Sure enough, she vomited blood after only a few steps.
Yuan Ling immediately came to find her, but fortunately Yuan Li appeared in time and took Feng Qingchen away. Yuan Li treated Feng Qingchen's injuries. He told Feng Qingchen that the backlash from this space-time was getting stronger and stronger, and there was not much time left for her. Even if she completed the plan, she would fall into a void more terrifying than death.
However, Feng Qingchen said that once the mission was completed, she would have no regrets even if she died, because she remembered that Yuan Ling had once said that he would never leave her, in life or in death. Yuan Zhan returned to Tiandu, but first went to the post to see Princess Duo Xia. Yuan Zhan told Duo Xia about his alliance with Xiao Xu. Duo Xia was stunned when she heard this.
Yuan Zhan continued to explain that his trip was to be honest. The alliance was actually a delaying tactic, and he told Duo Xia that there was a traitor in the A'Chai tribe who had leaked the marriage alliance, and instructed her to be vigilant. Duo Xia also promised that since this matter occurred in the A'Chai tribe, she would give Yuan Zhan a satisfactory answer. Prime Minister Feng complained to Lian Fei that his last daughter had also died.
Lian Fei said that all of this was caused by the Holy Witch from Lijing Heaven, and now it was time to close the net. Yuan Ling came to find Feng Qingchen and asked her if she was hiding something from him, but he saw the Feng residence butler monitoring them, so he could only take his leave first. Yuan Zhan also told Yuan Ling about the leaked marriage alliance.
Yuan Ling speculated that someone in the A'Chai tribe wanted to sabotage the marriage alliance. Although the Great Wei and the A'Chai tribe were interdependent, he really didn't want to rely solely on marriage alliances. Feng Qingchen sent a message to Tao Yao, saying that Ming Prince was not dead. If that was the case, he would definitely seek revenge on the Witch Clan. Tao Yao ordered the witches to search for Yuan Ming's whereabouts with all their might.
Yuan Zhan entered the palace to report his mission. He had already arranged for Xiao Xu to enter the capital for peace talks, and he would use this time to seize the opportunity to form an alliance with the A'Chai tribe. By then, the two countries would have formed an alliance, and there would be no need to fear the threat from the Liang Kingdom. Openly repairing the plank road while secretly crossing Chencang, this move was used too well. Yuan An decided to entrust the matter entirely to Yuan Zhan.
Episode 36 Recap
Shiyi hesitantly asked his fourth brother if he had made a decision regarding the selection of Prince Ling's consort. Yuan Ling knew what he was worried about and frankly stated that he would not choose Cai Qian. Shiyi was overjoyed to hear this, and teased his fourth brother, saying he should just look after his own Feng Qingchen. Hearing this, Yuan Ling recalled seeing the Feng residence steward monitoring Feng Qingchen at the Prime Minister's residence earlier today.
He worried that something might happen to Feng Qingchen and ordered Shiyi to send someone to keep an eye on the Feng residence. Duo Xia unhappily summoned Mu Kaisha. She asked Mu Kaisha who had revealed the marriage alliance to the Liang Kingdom. In fact, she suspected it was Mu Kaisha who leaked the information, as the spy who revealed the entire selection process and results to the Liang Kingdom could only be someone close to them.
However, Mu Kaisha said that the spy could also very likely be a member of the A-Chai royal family. Duo Xia could only tell him to proceed cautiously for now. Shiyi was walking on the street, worrying if Cai Qian could understand his fourth brother's intentions, when Cai Qian suddenly appeared behind him.
When Shiyi saw Cai Qian, he feigned a serious and cold demeanor and walked away, leaving her anxious and furious, believing Shiyi had someone else in his heart. On the other side, Shiyi himself was also very worried by the lakeside, afraid that he had truly hurt Cai Qian. At this moment, Cai Qian chased after him again. Shiyi knew Cai Qian had been worried about him and couldn't help but pull her into his embrace.
Cai Qian would always be the most precious presence in his heart, and now, the two of them finally saw each other's true feelings. Yuan Ling received news that someone was inquiring about his past dealings in witch slaves in Pingxing Commandery. Yuan Ling did not understand what this person wanted to investigate.
At the same time, Prime Minister Feng entered the palace to confess his sins to Yuan An, stating that he had failed to be vigilant and allowed a witch to enter the palace, and he then revealed Feng Qingchen's identity as a Saintly Witch. Yuan An was furious upon hearing this, one wave after another, truly not a moment of peace. Yuan An immediately summoned Feng Qingchen to the palace.
Prime Minister Feng had already turned against her, claiming that he had been momentarily confused that day and failed to see that the tattoo on Feng Qingchen's wrist was fake. He accused Feng Qingchen of being ruthless and causing Luan Fei's death.
It turned out that the tattoos of the Feng family daughters were all different; the butterfly pattern on Feng Qingchen's wrist should have had twenty-eight lines, but it was twenty-four lines, just like Luan Fei's, which confirmed the tattoo was indeed fake. Feng Qingchen knew she was cornered and had nothing to say, but she still refused to admit to the crime of killing Luan Fei.
Prime Minister Feng then produced a so-called note, claiming it was found in Feng Qingchen's room, and that the note was conclusive evidence that Feng Qingchen intended to murder the Crown Prince. Feng Qingchen refused to admit it and requested that the Eldest Prince be summoned to testify. Yuan Ling and Yuan Zhan also arrived at this time. Both vehemently denied Feng Qingchen's identity as a witch.
Yuan Hao also stated that Feng Qingchen was noble in character and upright in her actions, and would never harm him. Yuan An wanted to invite Master Mo to verify Feng Qingchen's identity and ordered everyone from Muyuan Hall to be brought in to be identified. Master Mo, upon learning of this matter, decided to find a way to help Feng Qingchen overcome this ordeal. The situation was constantly changing and unpredictable.
Within the imperial palace, Yuan An ordered Master Mo to set up the Sundial formation to verify Feng Qingchen's identity. The Sundial formation was exceptionally fierce, drawing the Yang energy of heaven and earth to form blood flames. Ordinary people would enter the formation unharmed, but a witch would surely die upon entering. Master Mo still wanted to decline, but Feng Qingchen declared that she was not afraid and was willing to enter the formation.
Just as Feng Qingchen was about to enter, Yuan Ling stepped forward and stated that Feng Qingchen was now his consort, and he was willing to accompany her into the formation. Seeing Yuan Ling's resolute demeanor, Feng Qingchen was deeply moved. The Sundial formation was complete. Yuan Ling, without fear, tightly clasped Feng Qingchen's hand in his and led her into the formation. The moment they entered, the midday Yang energy soared into the sky, enveloping both of them.
The flame's poison attacked their hearts; Feng Qingchen could only use spiritual stones to resist. Master Mo had actually set up an escape route within the formation, and as long as Feng Qingchen could hold on past noon, she would be able to escape. However, Lian Fei, hidden in the shadows, saw through this and secretly cast a spell to create chaos. Just as Feng Qingchen was about to resist, Yuan Ling fainted.
In the instant he lost consciousness, scenes from the past flooded his mind: going through mountains of knives and seas of fire together, the Nine Revolutions Exquisite Pagoda changing time and space—it turned out he and Feng Qingchen had experienced so much. Yuan Ling, upon opening his eyes, felt a rush of emotions. He pulled Feng Qingchen into a deep embrace and kissed her, thinking he could no longer miss out on her like this.
It turned out that Lian Fei's spell was not intended to intensify the formation, but rather to use Feng Qingchen's witch power to go back to the past and save the former Emperor. The time had come. Yuan Zhan advised his Imperial Father to prioritize Yuan Ling's safety. Yuan An could only order Master Mo to withdraw the formation. The moment the formation ended, Feng Qingchen and Yuan Ling appeared before everyone, hand in hand and unharmed.
Now that Feng Qingchen had proven her innocence, Yuan An decided to appoint her as an Imperial Female Official and also placed the Imperial Guards under Yuan Ling's command. Yuan An's actions were tantamount to forcing Yuan Ling and Feng Qingchen to repeat the tragic fate of Yuan Hao and Luan Fei. As soon as Yuan An left, Yuan Zhan concernedly asked Feng Qingchen about it. He had actually seen that in that very moment, his Imperial Father had almost wanted to kill his fourth brother.
Episode 37 Recap
Yuan An had actually already seen that Feng Qingchen was a member of the Wu clan, because the reactions of Yuan Ling and Yuan Zhan in the formation earlier had explained everything. Yet Yuan An still arranged for Feng Qingchen to be by his side, and in his heart, he had already planned for Yuan Ling to marry Duo Xia as his consort. At Muyuan Hall, Elder Mo used magic to help Feng Qingchen heal her injuries.
The Sundial Formation had actually injured her quite badly. Elder Tao Yao also sent Moon Essence Stone and Purple Soul Crystal to aid her recovery. Feng Qingchen suspected that Prime Minister Feng's sudden attack was prompted by someone secretly. Master Mo also said that when he cast the spell and set up the formation, he felt the power of dark Wu. Yuan Ling waited downstairs at Muyuan Hall.
He was puzzled, wondering how there could be an identical version of himself in another place. After seeing Master Mo off, Feng Qingchen reprimanded Yuan Ling for entering the formation for her. Yuan Ling, however, turned a deaf ear to her nagging. Putting himself in her shoes, how could he not be anxious in such a situation? Yuan Ling then recounted everything Feng Qingchen had done for him.
How could a woman who could become Princess Ling not have some ability to turn things upside down? Yuan Ling knew that Feng Qingchen had things she couldn't or wouldn't say. Since that was the case, from now on, he would protect her and everything she cherished. On the other side, Yuan Zhan leaned alone on the railing. Sadness was evident in his eyes, as he gazed far into the direction of Muyuan Hall.
At this moment, Duo Xia came to visit. Duo Xia comforted him, saying that this situation was not bad for Yuan Zhan. Now that Yuan An was suddenly obstructing Feng Qingchen and Yuan Ling in this way, perhaps he had thoughts of forming a marriage alliance with the Achai tribe. Yuan Zhan, however, suggested that Duo Xia should probe for information, because he knew his imperial father most disliked being forced into making decisions.
In the secret chamber, Elder Xi Xie advised Lian Fei not to practice dark Wu forbidden techniques anymore, otherwise she was very likely to suffer a backlash. Hatred blinded people, and he feared Lian Fei would lose her life because of it. Lian Fei, however, laughed maniacally, saying, "Feng Qingchen came from another time-space just to change Yuan Ling's fate, so why can't I?" It turned out she had also seen everything that happened in the previous time-space.
Now she wanted to use Xi Xie to obtain the Nine Revolutions Spirit Stone, reshape time-space, and bring back the former emperor. Inside Lijing Tian, green trees provided shade, and sunlight scattered across the treetops. Yuan Ling, dressed in a dark green gown, stood on a wooden bridge. Green leaves rustled down onto his shoulders, and it was unknown what he was thinking. Tao Yao learned that Yuan Ling had come, and asked him why.
Yuan Ling's purpose for this trip was to ask Tao Yao about the memories he saw in the Sundial Formation. Tao Yao learned that Feng Qingchen was actually from another time-space. She told Yuan Ling that the Nine Revolutions Linglong Formation could indeed reverse heaven and earth, but it would also stake the life and death of the formation opener.
If the Nine Revolutions Spirit Stone could not be returned to its place within the given time, the formation opener would surely fall into eternal darkness and vanish into thin air. Tao Yao then told Yuan Ling about the mutual generation and restraint of the twin stars. Yuan Ling finally understood that the reason Feng Qingchen pushed him away was that she didn't want to repeat the same mistakes.
Yuan Ling wanted to know what exactly happened in the previous time-space that forced Feng Qingchen to come here. But the only way was to bring Feng Qingchen to Lijing Tian, and then use the power of the spirit stones to investigate the matters of the previous time-space. Yuan Li came to find Shi Yi, stammering as he expressed his feelings for Ming Yan, saying he had fallen in love with a guard.
Shi Yi was greatly surprised, saying this was something the world would not tolerate. Since that was the case, why not just tell the guard directly and see what he thought. Xiao Xu learned that the State of Wei wanted to choose the Achai tribe for a marriage alliance, and decided to strike first to disrupt this alliance.
Yuan An summoned Yuan Zhan, asking him how much of the disaster relief silver for the Liangzhou flood had reached the common people, and how much had gone into the private coffers of officials. Yuan Zhan spoke eloquently, showing considerable expertise in flood control. Yuan An then ordered him to go to Lingzhou to supervise the flood control efforts, and gave him the power to dismiss Lingzhou officials at will.
He even promised that after the task was completed, he could deploy members of the Yin family in Lingzhou. Yuan Ling also came to see Yuan An afterward. Yuan An asked him to play chess together, and inquired about Yuan Ling's thoughts on Princess Ling. As the chess pieces were played, every word and phrase between them was meant to sound sincere but concealed sharp intentions.
Yuan Ling saw that his imperial father already knew Feng Qingchen's identity and wanted to use Feng Qingchen to force him into a marriage alliance with the Achai tribe. After Yuan Ling left, Yuan An was furious and overturned the chessboard. Now Yuan Ling dared to display military tactics in front of him. These two sons, one was soft on the outside but sharp inside, the other was firm yet gentle. But his empire, only he had the final say.
Tao Yao told Master Mo that Feng Qingchen had opened the Nine Revolutions Linglong Formation and came here. Master Mo suddenly realized why he had not been able to trace Feng Qingchen's origins before. Tao Yao then said, "Now, with the foolish emperor acting without principle and refugees rising everywhere, it seems it is time for the Wu clan to make a choice for the people of the world."
Episode 38 Recap
Ming Yan was bathing when she heard Yuan Li's hurried calls. Ming Yan was afraid Yuan Li would discover her identity and insisted he not enter the room. However, Yuan Li, out of curiosity, pushed the door open, only to see Ming Yan with her clothes half-undone and a shoulder slightly exposed. He was astonished that Ming Yan was a woman. In a moment of panic, Ming Yan punched Yuan Li in the face.
Although he was hit, Yuan Li smiled foolishly, because the person he liked was not a man, but a stunning beauty. Yuan Zhan came to seek advice from Yuan Ling and Feng Qingchen on how to control the floods. Yuan Ling and Feng Qingchen speculated that Yuan An's move was intended for war with the Liang Kingdom, which would inevitably bring up the marriage between Yuan Ling and Duo Xia.
Not long after, Feng Qingchen was urged to return to the palace. After Feng Qingchen left, Yuan Zhan told Yuan Ling that Feng Qingchen's situation was very dangerous, and there might be room for negotiation regarding the marriage alliance, but they must first protect Feng Qingchen from the Imperial Father.
Duo Xia met Yuan An, stating that if there was no further reply regarding the marriage alliance, then the A'cai Tribe would have no choice but to cooperate with the Liang Kingdom, in which case the Wei Kingdom would be the first to suffer. Having just seen Duo Xia off, Yuan An received a letter from the Liang Kingdom, realizing they were forcing him to choose between the Liang Kingdom and the A'cai Tribe. Yuan Zhan visited Imperial Consort Yin.
Imperial Consort Yin knew that the Yin family had now established a firm foothold in court, but the aristocratic families Yuan An now wished to move against were those connected to the Yin family, which would be like cutting off their own roots. Yuan Zhan, however, stated that this matter was beneficial to the family and the country. Imperial Consort Yin instructed Yuan Zhan that his only opponent now was Yuan Ling.
Upon hearing this, Yuan Zhan anxiously said that the Yin family owed its present position to his clean dealings, and that by joining forces with his Fourth Brother, outsiders would be unable to cause trouble. Yuan Li came to find Feng Qingchen, mysteriously telling her that Ming Yan was a woman. Feng Qingchen listened, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. Yuan Li then realized that Feng Qingchen had known all along.
He worried that something might happen to Ming Yan in the Taichang Temple, so he conspired with Feng Qingchen to send Ming Yan out of the Imperial Palace, and he had actually already planned how to send Ming Yan out of the palace. Yuan Ling took Feng Qingchen back to Li Jing Tian. Yuan Ling looked at the beautiful scenery of Li Jing Tian, planning for a beautiful future of building a home here.
Feng Qingchen was listening happily when she suddenly fainted. It turned out that Tao Yao was secretly casting a spell. She used a spirit stone to allow Yuan Ling to enter Feng Qingchen's memories, to explore what happened in the previous life. At the same time, Yuan Li also felt unwell, knowing that someone was activating the spirit stone. Ming Yan asked him concernedly what was wrong, but he coldly pushed Ming Yan away.
Yuan Li accidentally broke a jade pendant himself but blamed it on Ming Yan, accusing her of breaking his Imperial Concubine mother's only memento. In reality, he wanted to use this opportunity to drive Ming Yan out of the palace. Inside Li Jing Tian, Tao Yao was casting a spell to reshape Yuan Ling's memories. Yuan Ling awoke, but Feng Qingchen remained unconscious.
Yuan Ling was holding Feng Qingchen when he saw a life-flower overflow from her chest, and another petal silently withered. He then realized that Feng Qingchen did not have much time left. He tenderly embraced Feng Qingchen, having seen what happened in the previous timeline.
He finally understood that Feng Qingchen entered the Zhan Wang Manor and the Feng Manor for him, risking her life to remove all obstacles for him, yet now he could only watch her turn to dust. Feng Qingchen stirred and woke up amidst Yuan Ling's repeated apologies. She did not suspect anything and did not know that Yuan Ling already knew everything.
She only gazed at Yuan Ling deeply with her bright eyes, but Yuan Ling did not know how much longer those clear eyes could sparkle. Above the night sky, two stars converged, emitting a dazzling light. Sir Mo observed the celestial phenomena and worried about how this death trap could be resolved. Yuan Ling told Tao Yao everything he had seen and also learned that Yuan Li was the incarnation of Ling Long Shi.
As they were speaking, Feng Qingchen came looking for them. Tao Yao was filled with emotion and entrusted Feng Qingchen to Yuan Ling. Yuan Li cried and wailed as he sought out his Imperial Father, requesting his Imperial Father to drive Ming Yan out of the palace on the grounds of Ming Yan's disrespect towards an imperial prince. Ming Yan then received an imperial decree ordering her to leave the palace.
She anxiously explained to Sir Mo that she did not break the jade pendant. Sir Mo went to Feng Qingchen for a solution. Feng Qingchen informed Sir Mo of Yuan Li's worries, and only then did Sir Mo realize that Yuan Li actually wanted to protect Ming Yan. In Lingzhou, refugees were displaced. Yuan Zhan, upon seeing this, first opened granaries to provide food, then punished the aristocratic families.
Chancellor Yin immediately rushed to Lingzhou, advising Yuan Zhan to act cautiously and not to go against the officials of the entire court. However, Yuan Zhan was determined to punish corrupt officials, firmly believing that only by doing so could he win the empire. Meanwhile, within the Imperial City, Yuan An strolled to Lian Fei's palace, but found her keeping her doors shut.
He believed that even if he handed the throne to Yuan Ling, it might not be enough to change her mind. He decided to consult court officials for their views on the matter of the crown prince. At this moment, within the Lotus Pond Palace, Lian Fei tightly held the late emperor's memorial tablet, wholeheartedly wishing to bring back the late emperor using the Nine Revolving Exquisite Formation.
Episode 39 Recap
Ming Yan waited nervously, hoping Master Mo could help her stay in the palace, but Master Mo said he was powerless. As Ming Yan was leaving, she gave Master Mo a sachet extracted with spiritual power, hoping he would pass it on to Yuan Li to ensure his peace of mind. After Ming Yan left, Yuan Li, who had been hiding behind the wall, walked out with a grave expression, staring blankly at Ming Yan's lost back.
He felt terrible inside, and unknowingly, tears streamed down his face, yet Ling Long Shi should not shed tears. Yuan Li sat outside Qingchen's house, weeping. After being Ling Long Shi for so many years, he finally understood what heartache felt like. Qingchen, however, softly said that this was also her reason for coming here. Only at this moment did Yuan Li truly understand that he should not stop Qingchen.
Qingchen comforted the crying Yuan Li, telling him that as long as there was a glimmer of hope, he should not give up. Prime Minister Feng received intelligence that half of the officials in Lingzhou were under investigation, but he was unable to protect his own people. He knew that Yuan Zhan was acting on orders and could only go to see Lian Fei. Lian Fei, however, sneered, asking what mere officials mattered.
Prime Minister Feng had once helped Yuan An seize the throne; he knew too much, and Yuan An would surely not spare him. Now, the only solution was to establish a new army and help Prince Ling seize the throne. After Prime Minister Feng and Lian Fei left, Yuan Ming quietly emerged. It turned out he was not dead; now he knew the cause of Xianwu's death and was solely focused on avenging her.
Feng Qingchen was assisting Yuan An in reviewing memorials. She was greatly surprised to see the news that Yuan Zhan had punished corrupt officials in Lingzhou and recovered millions in relief funds. Yuan An also praised him highly but believed that Yuan Zhan, being young and impetuous, might go too far. He ordered Eunuch Sun to recall him. Feng Qingchen surmised that Yuan An's move might be to appease the aristocratic families.
Duo Xia received a letter from her royal brother. After repeatedly ruling out possibilities, she discovered that only Mu Kaisha could have leaked the news of the marriage alliance. Outside the post station, Mu Kaisha was practicing martial arts with a heavy aura of menace. Duo Xia walked up to him with a stern face and reprimanded him, ordering him to kneel. Mu Kaisha knelt instantly but still refused to admit to leaking the marriage alliance.
In a fit of anger, Duo Xia told him to think carefully before getting up. Xiao Xu arrived in Tiandu, and Eleven was ordered to welcome him. The arrogant and rude Xiao Xu, however, found fault with everything at Tiandu's post house. Eleven secretly thought about teaching him a lesson, but on the surface, he greeted him politely, his words subtly filled with sarcasm.
Consort Yin was helping Yuan An style his hair when Eunuch Su reported that Prince Luling had entered the capital. Yuan An, however, irritably refused to meet him. Seeing this, Consort Yin, wanting to protect Yuan Zhan's interests, tried to persuade Yuan An to form a marriage alliance with the Liang Kingdom, even suggesting that Caiqian marry to alleviate worries. Meanwhile, Caiqian and Eleven were shopping. Eleven listed all her preferences, making Caiqian incredibly happy.
Eleven led Caiqian to a jewelry shop. It turned out he had long placed a meticulously crafted hairpin there, the very hairpin of Caiqian's that he had broken in his youth. Eleven promised to only marry Caiqian as his consort in this life. Caiqian, being mischievous, also said that one lifetime was too short, and she wanted to make the most of it to get to know Eleven better. The two laughed and played, disappearing into the bustling street.
Yuan Ling pondered methods to rescue Feng Qingchen. The immediate priority was to gather the Nine-turn Spirit Stones, but the Ghost Stone, Obsidian, Blood Ling Long, and Ice Blue Crystal were all missing. Just then, Eleven returned with Caiqian. Seeing Eleven and Caiqian's loving appearance, Yuan Ling knew that Caiqian was about to become Princess Che.
As soon as Yuan Zhan returned to the capital, he reported back to Yuan An but was told that Caiqian was to marry into the Liang Kingdom as part of a marriage alliance. Yuan Zhan wanted to refuse, but after pondering, he surmised that the alliance was merely to balance the power among their brothers. Yuan An, however, told him that Consort Yin had proposed this matter, which made Yuan Zhan's expression darken considerably.
Meanwhile, Yuan Ling and Eleven also received the news. Yuan Ling immediately entered the palace, intending to stop this, but encountered Yuan Zhan lingering outside the palace gate. He questioned Yuan Zhan whether this marriage alliance was related to the Yin family. He thought Yuan Zhan had single-handedly facilitated Caiqian and Eleven's relationship, and now, for a tiny bit of benefit for the Yin family, he was disregarding their happiness.
Yuan Zhan felt completely innocent upon hearing this; if there was even the slightest room to maneuver, why wouldn't he want to stop it? Feng Qingchen overheard Yuan Ling and Yuan Zhan's conversation. She knew Yuan Zhan was misunderstood. Feng Qingchen stated that having served before the emperor, she could see that Yuan An had always wanted to dispatch troops against the Liang Kingdom.
Yuan An's move was likely a feint, intended to force Yuan Ling to yield and personally lead the Xuanjia Army to attack the Liang forces. As expected, when Feng Qingchen returned to the emperor's presence, she heard Yuan An talking to Yuan Ling. Yuan An repeatedly claimed he wanted to form a marriage alliance with the Liang Kingdom to eliminate the Achai Tribe, even offering Duo Xia for Yuan Ling to deal with.
Yuan Ling, however, believed this act was a betrayal and would incur the contempt of the world. Yuan An rebuked him, saying that as Prince Ling of Great Wei, his heart should not only hold one person but also the people of the world. Between Duo Xia and the world, Duo Xia was the one who should be sacrificed. Yuan Ling, valuing loyalty and righteousness, would never harm Duo Xia, but he also couldn't break the deadlock and was momentarily at a loss for ideas.
Episode 40 (Ending) Recap
Feng Qingchen told Yuan Ling that if they didn't marry into the A'chai tribe, she feared for Duo Xia and Cai Qian's lives. However, Yuan Ling said that if he were to marry, he would betray Feng Qingchen's deep affection, and then would she ignore him? Feng Qingchen firmly said, "No, she doesn't believe that the Saint Sorceress of the Sorcerer Tribe and the future prosperous monarch, working together, cannot win this game."
Yuan Ling also stated that he had always been waiting for a woman who could walk with him, fearless of birth, aging, illness, and death. However, Feng Qingchen worried that she would leave one day. Yuan Ling simply embraced her, saying he would accompany her to live each day well and cherish every single one.
Yuan Zhan questioned Consort Yin, asking how she could marry her own niece to Liang Kingdom, stating it was no different from sending her to her death. Consort Yin, however, stubbornly replied, "For Yuan Zhan, what's wrong with sacrificing Cai Qian? If needed, I myself am always ready to pave the way for Yuan Zhan." However, all Yuan Zhan hoped for was a scene of filial piety and brotherly harmony.
Consort Yin merely said, "If the older brother is not friendly, then the younger brother will not be respectful. One day Yuan Zhan will know the truth and will no longer blame me for being heartless." Minister Yin seized Lord He, who had just taken Consort Yin's pulse, seemingly plotting something.
Lian Fei also sensed this matter but did not intend to stop it, thinking, "If no one does anything excessive, how would my Yuan Ling develop a desire to seize the throne, fulfilling my wish?" Minister Feng, however, said that although the Crown Prince had been deposed, Yuan An still had not appointed an heir. Lian Fei merely told Minister Feng to act carefully and not to meet her directly again.
Inside Li Jing Tian, Lord Mo worried that Tao Yao's help in enabling Yuan Ling and his companions to activate the formation would endanger her life. Tao Yao, however, sighed, "Now that Senior Brother has passed away, that responsibility can only be borne by me. Time and space have twisted, with endless variables. The situation where two stars converging means one must die has now formed.
All we can do is help Prince Ling seize the throne, and when the Saint Lord appears, peace will be established across the four seas." At the Yin Residence, Cai Qian was crying before Minister Yin. Minister Yin, however, told her to prioritize state affairs. Cai Qian was willful yet resolute, stating bluntly that if no one could protect her, she would rather die than marry into Liang Kingdom. She decided to confront the main person responsible.
Late at night, Cai Qian, masked, escaped from the Yin family, intending to assassinate Xiao Xu, but she was stopped by Eleven. Eleven chastised her, saying that even a slight misstep would lead to war between the two nations and cause immense suffering for the people. Cai Qian also felt extremely wronged. Eleven could only embrace Cai Qian to comfort her, vowing that he would never let Cai Qian marry Xiao Xu.
Eleven led Cai Qian to Prince Ling's Residence, where Feng Qingchen and Yuan Ling were already waiting. Feng Qingchen reassured them not to worry, saying she would find a way. Eleven escorted Cai Qian home. Along the way, Cai Qian was full of worry.
Eleven told Cai Qian that Fourth Brother (Yuan Ling) was cold on the outside but warm on the inside, and Seventh Brother (Yuan Zhan) actually cared for her more than anyone else and would definitely not stand by idly. Yuan Li was missing Ming Yan when Yuan Ling suddenly burst in, directly stating that he already knew everything and wanted Ling Long Shi Yuan Li to help Feng Qingchen slow the wilting of her Flower of Life.
Feng Qingchen wondered why Yuan Ling's attitude towards Yuan Zhan had suddenly changed dramatically. She pondered, feeling something was amiss. What could have caused Yuan Ling's transformation while Yuan Zhan remained unchanged? Feng Qingchen immediately went to ask Yuan Li. She suspected Yuan Ling knew something. Yuan Li naturally denied it, instead pestering Feng Qingchen for the Saint Sorceress's blood.
Feng Qingchen encountered a weak and unconscious palace maid and realized that someone was using dark sorcery to drain the maid's vital energy. She immediately found Lord Mo, hoping he would investigate the matter and use the opportunity to prevent the marriage alliance. Meanwhile, Yuan Zhan also told Xiao Xu that Cai Qian was suffering from a serious illness and that there might be hidden complications regarding the marriage alliance. He was eloquent and resourceful, quickly gaining Xiao Xu's trust.
At the East Palace, Yuan Ling and Eleven came to visit Yuan Hao, just as Eunuch Sun delivered an imperial decree. Yuan Hao was re-appointed as Prince Hao, feeling somewhat at a loss for a moment. Mu Kai Sha came to apologize to Duo Xia, admitting he shouldn't have revealed the marriage alliance to Liang Kingdom.
Duo Xia was very sad; she was alone in a foreign land with no relatives, and now even Mu Kai Sha was going to betray her? Just then, Yuan Zhan arrived at the post station. He promised solemnly that he would never let Cai Qian marry into Liang Kingdom, and subtly hinted for Duo Xia to confront Xiao Xu and ask him to leave.
All along, he had only sought peace in the world, but now he had to break this deadlock. Yuan Ling brought Yuan Li to Li Jing Tian to see Tao Yao. Yuan Li produced the Saint Sorceress's blood. Because Yuan Ling and Feng Qingchen were "twin stars," Yuan Ling's blood could be used to nourish the Flower of Life in Feng Qingchen's heart, enduring the pain brought by the flower's wilting on her behalf.
However, this act was tantamount to exchanging Yuan Ling's life for Feng Qingchen's time. Yet, even so, Yuan Ling immediately began to draw blood without hesitation. Yuan Li then cast a spell to forge a jade bracelet, instructing Yuan Ling to give it to Feng Qingchen to wear, to bear the burden of her two flower wilting episodes. Still, they needed to find the spirit stone as soon as possible.
Ming Yan was sitting lost in thought in the dense forest of Li Jing Tian. At this moment, she had changed back into women's attire, with her long hair like a waterfall and her features as beautiful as a painting. Yuan Li quietly appeared behind her. Ming Yan concluded that Yuan Li was hiding something from Feng Qingchen and angrily rushed to tell Feng Qingchen, but Yuan Li pulled her back.
She lost her balance and fell into Yuan Li's arms, their lips touching, their gazes meeting. Both their expressions softened, and Yuan Li could only tell Ming Yan everything about Feng Qingchen. That night, Yuan Li and Yuan Ling returned to the residence. Yuan Ling repeatedly instructed him not to tell Feng Qingchen the truth.
However, Yuan Li told Yuan Ling that as Ling Long Shi, once all the spirit stones were gathered, he would have to return to the Ling Long formation. He and Ming Yan would not have a future, but this timeline must have a good outcome. Otherwise, upon returning to the previous timeline, Yuan Ling and Feng Qingchen would still die unexpectedly. Therefore, Yuan Ling absolutely had to seize the throne. Upon hearing this, Yuan Ling merely said that from the moment he knew why Feng Qingchen had come, he had never hesitated again.
