The Double Episode 39 Recap
> The Double Recap
Zhao Ke, who had been drugged, awoke to hear Jiang Yunxing murmuring to himself, revealing that Wanning had kidnapped Yang to threaten him, leaving him no choice but to follow Wanning's demands. Meanwhile, Lord Cheng instructed Wanning to temporarily leave Xue Fangfei alone, planning to use her to lure Xiao Heng and exploit his weaknesses.
Wanning initially felt they shouldn't be distracted by Xiao Heng, but Lord Cheng insisted on eliminating him swiftly, fearing he might uncover the truth about Xiao Minghan's death and disrupt their grand scheme. Wanning reassured her brother, promising that if Xiao Heng came to rescue Xue Fangfei, he would not leave the Princess Residence alive. Inside the palace, Xiao Heng was mapping out defense routes when Zhao Ke rushed in, recounting Jiang Yunxing's coercion and Xue Fangfei's capture.
Worried about her safety, Xiao Heng prepared to go to the Princess Residence himself, instructing Lu Ji and others to get ready. However, General Xiao Senior appeared, asserting that a commander should not abandon his post during an imminent battle. He declared that he would personally go to rescue his granddaughter-in-law, asking if he was not as capable as his grandson. Shen Yurong sent a nourishing stew to Wanning, deliberately stalling before going to find Xue Fangfei.
Wanning, pleased and believing he was finally showing her affection, readily drank the stew. When Shen Yurong reached Xue Fangfei, he told her he was there to take her away. Xue Fangfei, however, expressed sympathy for Wanning and accused Shen Yurong of cowardice and betrayal. Emotionally charged, Shen Yurong claimed Wanning had forced him into everything. Xue Fangfei feigned agreement to leave with him, but as he embraced her, Shen Yurong stealthily drugged her, knocking her unconscious.
Moments later, Wanning began to vomit blood, realizing the stew was poisoned. As heavy rain began to fall, Shen Yurong emerged, carrying the unconscious Xue Fangfei. Wanning stood in the rain, confronting him, her heart shattered. She questioned if he had ever truly loved her. Shen Yurong coldly revealed that she was merely a pawn in Lord Cheng's strategy, to be used and discarded.
Completely disillusioned, Wanning removed the hairpin Shen Yurong had given her and, feigning to return it, plunged it into her own chest twice. With her dying breath, she told him she would await him in hell. Shen Yurong watched, stunned, as she collapsed. Shen Yurong carried Xue Fangfei away. She regained consciousness but was too weak to resist, fiercely accusing him of being selfish.
Shen Yurong insisted he had avenged her by killing Wanning, but Xue Fangfei demanded he take his own life. Infuriated, Shen Yurong brandished a fish talisman and vowed to kill Xiao Heng, blaming him for stealing Xue Fangfei's heart. The grand banquet proceeded, while outside, Zhang Wei commanded his troops, awaiting Lord Cheng's signal. Suddenly, Xu Zhi burst in, accusing Zhang Wei of treason. However, Zhang Wei's soldiers remained motionless.
Zhang Wei revealed he had known all along that Xu Zhi was General Xiao Senior's spy and had deliberately fed them false information. He then ordered Xu Zhi's arrest. Shen Yurong brought Wanning's body to Li Jin. Initially believing it was an act, Li Jin was secretly pleased to learn she was truly dead. Shen Yurong instructed him to proceed with Lord Cheng's original plan.
After leaving Xue Fangfei under guard to confront Xiao Heng, General Xiao Senior arrived to rescue her. Lai Biao and other allies soon appeared to take over the fight, allowing the general to escort Xue Fangfei away. At the banquet, the Emperor attempted to feign illness and leave with Consort Li, but Lord Cheng blocked his path. To ensure the Emperor's escape, Consort Li courageously stayed behind.
Soon after, Li Jin dramatically entered, carrying Wanning's body and loudly accusing Emperor Zhao Ye of her murder. Lord Cheng feigned grief and declared he would "act for Heaven." When a minister accused him of treason, Lord Cheng slew him. Witnessing this, Li Zhongnan pledged his allegiance, and other terrified ministers followed suit. As the Emperor fled with Lu Ji, Xiao Heng intercepted Lord Cheng to buy them time.
Xiao Heng accused him of framing his father, Xiao Minghan, eight years prior. Lord Cheng brazenly admitted that Xiao Minghan had blocked his path to the throne. Vowing revenge, Xiao Heng engaged Lord Cheng in a fierce battle. Meanwhile, Lord Cheng's forces launched their attack. On the city wall, Shen Yurong used the fish talisman to command General Yang Qing of the Longwu Army to open the gates for Lord Cheng's northern army.
Chu Lan's troops stormed the palace, but were confronted by Wen Ji and Situ Jiuyue, who managed to capture Chu Lan alive. The Emperor's escape path was then blocked by Li Zhongnan's men. Jiang Yuanbai arrived with his own troops, defeating the soldiers and capturing Li Zhongnan before escorting the Emperor to the safety of the Duke's Residence. General Xiao Senior brought the rescued Xue Fangfei to find Xiao Heng.
She warned him that Shen Yurong possessed the fish talisman and was determined to kill him. To protect the Emperor's retreat, Xiao Heng lured the pursuing Longwu Army away from the palace and found himself surrounded beneath a tower. From above, Shen Yurong ordered the archers to fire, bitterly accusing Xiao Heng of stealing Xue Fangfei's heart. Xiao Heng retorted by reminding Shen Yurong of his past crimes. Facing insurmountable odds, Xiao Heng declared this a fight to the death, where survival was not an option.
