The Flame's Daughter Episode 19 Recap
> The Flame's Daughter Recap
At the Thunderbolt Clique, before Lei Hentian's spirit tablet, the elders convened to discuss the succession of the sect leader position. Some suggested finding Young Master Lei Jinghong, but others argued that he was too frivolous and would ruin the clique. They proposed that Anye Jue, who had served Lei Hentian for over ten years, should take the position. Anye Jue, however, suggested they postpone the discussion until after the funeral rites were complete.
Lei Jinghong and Feng Huang departed Flaming Manor. As they left, Die Yi saw them off, urging them to be careful and stay safe. She informed Lei Jinghong that Lie Ruge had dispatched members of the Azure Dragon Hall to secretly protect them. Lei Jinghong thanked her. Die Yi then hesitantly asked Lei Jinghong if he was truly her biological older brother.
Lei Jinghong, understanding her unspoken question, promised to reveal the truth after he successfully reclaimed Thunderbolt Clique from Anye Jue. Once their carriage was out of Die Yi's sight, Feng Huang, with a hint of jealousy, asked Lei Jinghong if Die Yi was his beloved. He clarified that Die Yi was merely his younger sister and assured Feng Huang he would explain the full story as they continued their journey.
In the shadowy depths of Dark River Palace, illuminated by the eerie glow of a great fire, An Ye Luo, clad in vibrant red, proudly surveyed his accomplishments. He boasted to Zhan Feng that Thunderbolt Clique was now under his control, with Anye Jue as its new leader, and Dao Wuxia of World Swordless City was his obedient puppet. Only Flaming Manor remained.
An Ye Luo urged Zhan Feng to personally kill Lie Mingjing, claiming it was the ultimate act of revenge for Zhan Feng's father and a path to reclaiming Flaming Manor. Zhan Feng hesitated, admitting he couldn't do it. An Ye Luo dismissed his sentimentality, explaining that Yu Zihan was Lie Ruge's main supporter. An Ye Luo planned to orchestrate Yu Zihan's temporary absence, creating an opportunity for Zhan Feng to eliminate Lie Mingjing and secure his claim to Flaming Manor.
He then ordered Dao Wuxia to meet with the Prince of Jingxian to arrange Yu Zihan's departure. Dao Wuxia met with the Prince of Jingxian, who initially questioned the benefit of removing Yu Zihan from Flaming Manor. Dao Wuxia, however, presented the Prince with a "Mystical Icy Cup," suggesting he gift it to the Emperor for Yu Zihan. The cup, he explained, could be used to poison Yu Zihan, then revert to an ordinary jade cup, leaving no trace.
When the Prince expressed concern about potential witnesses, Dao Wuxia assured him that any witness would be silenced. The Prince then inquired about Dao Wuxia's personal vendetta against Yu Zihan, to which Dao Wuxia clarified that Yu Zihan was a significant hindrance to both Dark River Palace's plan to control Flaming Manor and the Prince's ambition to ascend the throne.
The Prince, agreeing that his "crippled younger brother" was a nuisance who should have died at birth, promised to not only make Yu Zihan leave Flaming Manor but also trap him, allowing ample time for their schemes to unfold. In return, the Prince declared his full allegiance to Dark River Palace, vowing to help An Ye Luo become the supreme leader of Jianghu, provided An Ye Luo assisted him in his bid for the Crown Prince position.
Dao Wuxia assured the Prince that, once their plans succeeded, World Swordless City and Flaming Manor would follow his lead. After enduring long travels, Lei Jinghong and Feng Huang arrived at Thunderbolt Clique. Along the way, Feng Huang expressed her impatience with their meager existence, prompting Lei Jinghong to promise he would reclaim his position. Upon arrival, Lei Jinghong sent Feng Huang to discreetly gather information. Posing as Lei Jinghong's woman, Feng Huang attempted to meet with a Chief Helmsman.
However, he refused, citing Anye Jue's growing power, the late sect leader's dying wish, and Lei Jinghong's perceived frivolous and unreliable nature, calling him a "fiend in human form." With no other choice, Lei Jinghong made a public appearance before his father's spirit tablet. He immediately confronted Anye Jue, accusing her of killing Prince Snow Robe and attacking his manor, using a black cloth as evidence of her involvement.
Anye Jue vehemently denied the accusations, skillfully deflecting blame onto Flaming Manor and World Swordless City, claiming they were conspiring to destroy Thunderbolt Clique. Lei Jinghong then exposed her deeper connection, revealing her allegiance to Dark River Palace. He challenged her to remove her mask, which she did, revealing a scar on her face. Lei Jinghong declared it was a wound from Flaming Fisticuff, sustained during her attempt to kill Yin Xue, further proving her identity.
However, Anye Jue twisted his words, claiming the scar was received during his father's murder, thereby implicating Flaming Manor in Lei Hentian's death. The majority of the Thunderbolt Clique members, convinced by Anye Jue's narrative and distrustful of Lei Jinghong, dismissed his claims and urged him to leave, calling him "useless garbage." Anye Jue, in a private confrontation, confessed to killing Lei Hentian but stated she had promised his father to spare Lei Jinghong's life.
Feeling utterly betrayed by his own sect, Lei Jinghong departed, but not without some hope: three chief helmsmen from small branches pledged their loyalty and followed him. Lie Ruge received intelligence from the Azure Dragon Hall that Anye Jue had seized control of Thunderbolt Clique and that Lei Jinghong had been driven out, accompanied only by three small branches. Die Yi, deeply worried about Lei Jinghong's plight, implored Lie Ruge to help him.
Lie Ruge, however, explained the complexity of the situation. She was one of the few who knew Anye Jue's true identity as the Third Sect Leader of Dark River Palace. Yet, she reasoned that given the current animosity between Flaming Manor and Thunderbolt Clique, neither a letter nor even her personal appearance would convince the clique members.
They would undoubtedly choose to believe their Second Madam, Anye Jue, over the First Miss of Flaming Manor, likely perceiving her intervention as an attempt to meddle in their affairs. Die Yi lamented Lei Jinghong's unfortunate circumstances. You Qin Hong traveled a great distance to Ethereality Peak, inquiring about the "Ethereality Sect" from a young scholar at the mountain peak. The scholar, observing You Qin Hong's travel-worn appearance, feigned ignorance.
Afterward, the scholar reported to his Grand Teacher that someone was looking for their sect and its leader. The Grand Teacher, who had discovered Yin Xue covered in frost outside a cave, explained that Yin Xue had fallen into a deep slumber caused by a severe "Chill Spell" in his bones, a condition expected to last a hundred years.
The Grand Teacher quickly had Yin Xue brought into the cave, resolving to use a "cold to counter cold" method to save his life. The realm suffered continuous invasions from the Japanese Kingdom, causing immense hardship for the populace, increasing the number of refugees, and leading to repeated defeats for the imperial army. Seeing the widespread suffering, Lie Ruge observed numerous refugees, noting the significantly higher numbers compared to previous attacks.
In the imperial court, the Emperor, troubled by the situation, was informed by the Prince of Jingxian that the Japanese Kingdom had expressed a desire for peace through a marriage alliance. While the Emperor initially welcomed this prospect for the coastal citizens, the Prince then revealed the specific demand: their Eldest Princess wished to marry Prince of Jingyuan, Yu Zihan. The Prince of Jingyang quickly reminded the Emperor of Yu Zihan's existing engagement.
However, the Prince of Jingxian subtly suggested that Yu Zihan might prioritize his personal affections over the welfare of the people. The Emperor, believing in Yu Zihan's character, dismissed the notion and instructed his attendants to send a message to Yu Zihan. Lie Ruge observed the frequent visits of palace officials, such as Minister Liu, to Flaming Manor, which placed a heavy burden on Yu Zihan.
Concerned for his well-being, she gently suggested he delegate imperial matters to the Prince of Jingxian or the Prince of Jingyang, noting their eagerness for such tasks. She also worried that his accumulation of power might cause unease among certain individuals and asked if he harbored ambitions for the throne, to which he replied negatively. As Yu Zihan rested, his eyes closed in exhaustion, Lie Ruge tenderly covered him with a cloak.
He subtly reached out and clasped her hand, asking her to stay and talk. She spoke of the Japanese bandits' escalating terror and the surge of refugees. Yu Zihan then informed her about the proposed marriage alliance, in which the Japanese Eldest Princess sought to become his consort. That night, Yu Zihan penned a letter to the Emperor, expressing his conviction that the Japanese offer of reconciliation was a mere delaying tactic, masking their burgeoning ambition.
He announced his intention to personally lead a military expedition in a few days to confront the Japanese pirates, break their morale, and drive them back to their island. Upon learning of Yu Zihan's personal letter to the Emperor, which detailed his refusal of the marriage alliance and his decision to lead the expedition against the Japanese, the Prince of Jingxian confirmed his earlier suspicion that the "cripple" would not agree, attributing it to Yu Zihan's devotion to Lie Ruge.
He then saw a new opportunity. Since Yu Zihan rejected the marriage, he would be compelled to personally resolve the Japanese pirate issue to appease the public and the Emperor. The Prince plotted to orchestrate Yu Zihan's death on the battlefield, envisioning it as a heroic sacrifice for the empire.
This plan would not only remove a formidable rival for the throne but also, as he privately mused, pave the way for him to claim Lie Ruge, whom he had desired since their encounter at the imperial banquet. The following day, in the bamboo courtyard, Yu Zihan sought Lie Ruge's opinion on the proposed marriage alliance. Lie Ruge, after reflecting through the night, candidly declared her belief that it was nothing more than a conspiracy.
She explained that Yu Zihan faced a no-win scenario: if he refused, he would be held accountable for any continued military and civilian casualties; if he agreed, and the Japanese Kingdom renewed its attacks, he would find himself in an incredibly awkward and vulnerable position. She concluded that from every perspective, the proposal was disadvantageous to him and strongly suggested it was a trap orchestrated by the Prince of Jingxian. Yu Zihan then looked intently at her and asked if her opposition would persist if it were a straightforward marriage alliance, devoid of any ulterior motives.
