The Flame's Daughter Episode 11 Recap
> The Flame's Daughter Recap
Lie Ruge asked Yu Zihan if he suspected being poisoned. Yu Zihan dismissed the idea, stating his blood was clean and that even Chi Zhang, a skilled physician, found no signs of poison. When Lie Ruge pressed him about pain, Yu Zihan admitted he only felt an intense cold, especially when he slept, feeling as if he would freeze solid, like a dead person. Lie Ruge touched his hands, finding them icy, and used her Flaming Fistcuffs to warm him.
She found comfort in her practice, noting that if she had trained in a cold-based martial art, it would have been disastrous. Under her care, Yu Zihan finally fell into a peaceful sleep. Lie Ruge later mused that her martial arts seemed to have improved after dispelling his coldness. Once Yu Zihan was asleep, Lie Ruge quietly went outside and questioned Xuan Huang about her senior brother's mysterious illness.
Xuan Huang revealed that Prince of Jingyang had recently recommended the Second Madam of Thunderbolt Clique to treat Yu Zihan's ear ailment. The day after Yu Zihan regained his hearing, the Second Madam hastily departed, and the very next day, Yu Zihan vomited blood for the first time. Despite detaining her and Chi Zhang's extensive examinations, no evidence of poisoning was found. This confused Lie Ruge, as Dao Liexiang had previously insisted Yu Zihan was poisoned.
She decided she needed to see the Second Madam herself. Xuan Huang warned her about the political sensitivities involving Jianghu and Prince of Jingyang, and that Yu Zihan had specifically ordered this information to be kept from her, so if she insisted on going, she must remain hidden. Lie Ruge agreed and went to the prison. She instructed Huang Cong to question the Second Madam, Madam Yan.
Madam Yan claimed her actions were purely for Prince of Jingyang's interests, denying any involvement in Yu Zihan's illness and stating that his potential death had nothing to do with her or the Thunderbolt Clique. She offered no further revelations despite their persistent questioning. Prince of Jingyang visited Yu Zihan and requested the release of Madam Yan, the Second Madam of Thunderbolt Clique.
Yu Zihan, having no definitive proof of her culpability, agreed to her release, stating he felt obligated to her for curing his ear ailment. He explained that his recent illness had delayed her departure, and he would arrange for her return with grateful gifts. Prince of Jingyang expressed concern that such a "crude Jianghu woman" might inconvenience Yu Zihan further.
Observing from outside, Lie Ruge was disappointed Yu Zihan agreed so readily, feeling it was wrong to release someone who might have harmed him, even if there was no proof. Outside the manor, the Second Palace Master of Thunderbolt Clique, unaware of his wife's true intentions, had prepared a sedan chair for her.
Prince of Jingyang, also ignorant of the real cause of Yu Zihan's illness, confided that he had hoped to use Madam Yan's medical skills to bring Yu Zihan to his side and assist him in ascending to the throne. He emphasized that while Yu Zihan's help might not be essential for him or Prince of Jingxian to become Crown Prince, it was crucial not to offend him due to the Emperor's favor.
The Second Palace Master assured him of Madam Yan's discretion. Despite Madam Yan's insistence on her innocence during her brief detention, Lie Ruge still felt a lingering sense of unease about her. Yin Xue finally returned to Flower Tasting Brothel. An attendant informed him that many of the ladies had left due to an incident involving Feng Xixi and a subsequent fire, necessitating Madam Hua to recruit new faces.
You Qin greeted Yin Xue, asking why he was a day late. Yin Xue explained that he had encountered An Ye Luo, who had emerged from seclusion. He suspected Dark River Palace was behind the collection of private taxes in Ping'an Town and instructed You Qin to use his network of banks to investigate. Yin Xue also asked You Qin to monitor Lie Ruge, who was now at Prince of Jingyuan's Manor.
Despite You Qin's suggestion to rest and eat, Yin Xue declined, immediately ordering a carriage to take him directly to the palace, providing an imperial decree to ensure unhindered passage. With an imperial decree, Yin Xue's carriage proceeded smoothly into the palace, unimpeded, and he was not required to dismount. Meanwhile, a royal physician reported to the Emperor about Yu Zihan's grave condition.
He explained that despite Yu Zihan's youth, his body exhibited symptoms of advanced old age, coupled with extreme internal coldness, indicating he was gravely ill and his life was nearing its end. The physician admitted that conventional medicine offered little practical use beyond symptomatic relief. The Emperor was deeply distressed, lamenting that Yu Zihan, his only child from his beloved mother, was only 20 yet afflicted with such a strange, aging illness.
Just then, a report came that Prince Snow Robe had returned from his travels. Seeing this as a glimmer of hope, the Emperor eagerly ordered him to be ushered in. The returning Prince Snow Robe was indeed Yin Xue. The Emperor greeted him warmly, remarking on Yin Xue's unchanging appearance while lamenting his own aging.
He reminded Yin Xue how, many years ago, when the Emperor first ascended the throne amidst internal strife and external threats from the Wo people, the four great disciples of Ethereality Clique had assisted him in forcing the invaders to retreat, saving his life. In gratitude, the Emperor had bestowed princely titles upon them, and now, with three of them deceased, only Prince Snow Robe remained by his side.
The Emperor then pleaded with Yin Xue to save his seventh son, Yu Zihan, recalling how Yin Xue had once saved the young prince, who was born deaf and frail, and later crippled by palace intrigue. He confessed his fear that Yu Zihan would not survive the current year. Yin Xue agreed to try, but advised against openly summoning Yu Zihan, cautioning that news of the critically ill Prince of Jingyuan could cause unrest given the Emperor's own chronic illness.
Instead, Yin Xue suggested the Emperor host a grand banquet for his subjects, where he could discreetly examine Yu Zihan. The Emperor immediately agreed and announced a welcoming banquet for Prince Snow Robe that evening, ensuring Yu Zihan's attendance. Under the clear autumn sun, Lie Ruge brought Yu Zihan some freshly made pastries, but he could only manage a few bites before losing his appetite.
She observed he had been sleeping less and asked if he felt better, to which he nodded. Noticing his vacant gaze, she playfully asked if he thought she had become more beautiful. Yu Zihan smiled, remarking that she had always been beautiful, evolving from adorably innocent to possessing a new sense of maturity. Lie Ruge agreed, adding that she recently felt she resembled her mother more than her father, Lie Mingjing, though she had never seen her mother's portrait.
Yu Zihan teased her, pretending to shiver from her "cold" words, making her laugh. Their pleasant exchange was cut short when Yu Zihan was suddenly overcome by pain. He quickly found an excuse to send Lie Ruge out, claiming he needed to read official reports. Feeling uneasy after leaving, Lie Ruge immediately returned and caught Yu Zihan piercing his own wrist with a silver needle to stay awake.
Distraught, she snatched the needle, pulling back his sleeve to reveal numerous needle marks on his arm, clear evidence of his self-inflicted injuries. With tears in her eyes, Lie Ruge confronted him for concealing his suffering and bearing the pain alone. Yu Zihan then coughed up blood and collapsed, losing consciousness. Lie Ruge remained by his side, tirelessly caring for him.
That night, she penned a letter to her father, Lie Mingjing, describing Yu Zihan's strange illness: his extreme cold, prolonged sleep, and the unsettling lack of breath that made him appear lifeless. She urged her father to consider if he knew of such an ailment and, if so, to promptly share any possible remedies.
Carefully, she delivered the letter to an Azure Dragon Hall informant that very night, specifying that she chose not to include details about Snap Thunder Village to avoid Zhan Feng's potential interference, emphasizing that Yu Zihan's illness was her most urgent concern. Beautiful dancers captivated the assembled princes and high-ranking officials with their graceful movements, as they celebrated amidst exquisite golden wine goblets and ruby-encrusted ivory chopsticks.
Earlier, Yu Zihan had received an imperial decree summoning both him and Lie Ruge to the evening's banquet for Prince Snow Robe. Lie Ruge was initially hesitant, concerned about appearing as a mere maidservant to the palace's elite, but Yu Zihan reassured her, reminding her she was his junior sister. During the banquet, Lie Ruge complimented Yu Zihan on his improved complexion and his handsome appearance in formal attire, playfully suggesting he venture out more often.
However, Yu Zihan soon felt a returning chill, prompting Lie Ruge to excuse herself to fetch a blanket from Xuan Huang at the hall entrance. It was there that Prince of Jingxian spotted her. Struck by her extraordinary aura and fiery presence, even without elaborate adornments, he inquired about her identity. Minister Liu informed him that she was Lie Ruge, daughter of Lie Mingjing from Flaming Manor, specially invited by the Emperor due to her presence at Jingyuan Manor.
Intrigued, Prince of Jingxian expressed a desire to meet her privately, dismissing Minister Liu's caution about Yu Zihan, whom he disdainfully referred to as a "cripple." When Prince Snow Robe arrived, Yu Zihan and Lie Ruge were astonished to see that he was none other than Yin Xue. The Emperor instructed his sons to toast Prince Snow Robe one by one.
When it was Yu Zihan's turn, Yin Xue boldly suggested that the lady in red beside him, Lie Ruge, should drink on his behalf. This public and unusual request in the brightly lit Qunyang Palace surprised everyone. Under the watchful eyes of the court, Yin Xue specifically named Lie Ruge to toast him. Feeling that Yin Xue's demand was an insult to Lie Ruge's dignity, Yu Zihan met her gaze, seeing her discomfort.
In a quiet, significant gesture, he slipped his jade thumb ring onto her finger, then turned to the Emperor and formally requested permission to marry his junior sister, Lie Ruge. The Emperor, delighted that his son had finally found a suitable companion, happily granted his consent and invited all the officials to raise their cups in celebration.
Lie Ruge, having grown up with Yu Zihan, understood that his proposal was a noble act to protect her honor, and her heart swelled with gratitude. While the officials merrily drank, the Emperor discreetly summoned Yu Zihan to meet Yin Xue. Yu Zihan excused himself to Lie Ruge, saying his Royal Father wished to see him.
In his absence, Prince of Jingxian's intense gaze unsettled Lie Ruge, causing her to quietly leave the main banquet hall, intending to return to Prince of Jingyuan's Manor. Meanwhile, Yin Xue examined Yu Zihan. Yu Zihan, still trying to downplay his condition, assured his father he was fine, but Yin Xue, recalling having saved him as an infant, insisted on a thorough examination.
After taking Yu Zihan's pulse and examining his back, Yin Xue was alarmed, diagnosing Yu Zihan's condition as the "Chill Spell," a poison of extreme cold. He then dismissed Yu Zihan. As Yu Zihan was being escorted away, looking even more frail and ill, Lie Ruge rushed to his side, distraught, asking why his complexion was so poor after seeing the Emperor and urging him to return to the manor to discuss what had happened.
The Emperor, left alone with Yin Xue, pressed him for details, asking if even he, Prince Snow Robe, could not cure Yu Zihan's illness, which had been deemed incurable by medicine.
