The Flame's Daughter Episode 34 Recap
> The Flame's Daughter Recap
Yu Zihan and Lie Ruge spoke in the Flower Tasting Brothel. Yu Zihan gently reminded Lie Ruge of his past promise to care for her throughout their lives. However, Lie Ruge, addressing him as Senior Brother Yu, confessed that she had already submitted a memorial to their Royal Father regarding their marriage, and preparations were underway in the palace.
She then tearfully admitted that they could not get married, explaining that she had hidden her true feelings before he went to the battlefield, but could no longer keep it secret. She started to speak of Yin Xue, but Yu Zihan interrupted her, saying he understood. He told her that he had always seen her as a junior sister, even when their Teacher suddenly entrusted her to him, and he now felt relieved by her honesty.
Lie Ruge worried if his reputation would be affected by the memorial, but Yu Zihan assured her it would not. He then told her he had urgent court affairs to handle and needed to return to his manor. He instructed her to stay hidden at the Flower Tasting Brothel, emphasizing that her being "dead" to the Jianghu world was her best protection.
Lie Ruge promised not to act rashly, and Yu Zihan pledged to return for her after his duties were done, asking her to wait patiently. As he left, he entrusted her care to the brothel’s proprietor, who guaranteed her safety. Back at his manor, despite his calm words, Yu Zihan was deeply heartbroken. He hung the bell he had intended to give Lie Ruge in the center of his room and sought solace in alcohol.
His bodyguard, Xuan Huang, expressed concern that Lie Ruge had not returned with him, suggesting the manor was safer than the brothel, but Yu Zihan dismissed the idea. Xuan Huang tried to dissuade him from drinking due to his fragile health, but Yu Zihan insisted, ordering a flask of wine and secrecy. The next morning, his attendant Chi Zhang discovered Yu Zihan had been drinking heavily all night.
Xuan Huang, arriving on the scene, was surprised to find Yu Zihan surprisingly clear-headed and not bedridden, as he typically would have been. Yu Zihan acknowledged his discomfort but, with a clear mind, instructed his attendants to spread word that he was critically ill, and secretly sent Huang Cong to the Flower Tasting Brothel to obtain a letter from Yin Xue.
Imperial Physician Shang soon heard the news and worried that Yu Zihan might not survive the winter, unknowingly helping to solidify Yu Zihan's ruse. Prince Jingxian, Yu Zihan's Third Older Brother, also heard the news and gloated, believing fate was on his side. Meanwhile, at the Flower Tasting Brothel, Lie Ruge was distressed by the news of Yu Zihan's sudden illness.
Yu Zihan's bodyguard, Huang Cong, arrived and quickly reassured her that Yu Zihan was fine and that his illness was part of a larger plan. Huang Cong then privately asked Yin Xue for a letter, which Yin Xue promptly wrote. After Huang Cong took the letter and departed, Yin Xue cryptically told Lie Ruge that her Senior Brother Yu was not a schemer, but an "earth-shattering change" was about to occur in Luoyang.
Yu Zihan, no longer feigning illness, returned to the palace. He met Prince Jingyang, his Second Older Brother, who was relieved to see Yu Zihan recovered. Jingyang Prince revealed he knew that a spy, placed by Jingxian Prince, had been responsible for Yu Zihan's crippling years ago. Yu Zihan confirmed he knew the truth. Yu Zihan then offered Jingyang Prince a "gift."
Jingyang Prince, surprised, initially thought he should be the one bestowing a gift for Yu Zihan’s victory and upcoming marriage. But Yu Zihan insisted Jingyang Prince would like this one. He then called Xuan Huang to bring in the Japanese pirate leader. Jingyang Prince was taken aback, having believed all the captured pirates were still on their way.
Yu Zihan explained that this particular leader had been brought back first because he was a key witness to Jingxian Prince's collusion with the Japanese pirates. At the Prince's manor, Jingyang Prince expressed his concerns to Yu Zihan. He pointed out that Jingxian Prince had deep roots in the imperial court, and a single witness might not be enough to convince their Royal Father. He also admitted his reluctance to "frame" his own brother.
Jingyang Prince reminded Yu Zihan of his military achievements, the Emperor's favor, and his now-cured legs, suggesting that the Crown Prince position would inevitably be his. Yu Zihan clarified that his actions were not for himself but for Jingyang Prince. He declared, "Second Older Brother, you be the leader and I'll assist you," shocking Jingyang Prince. Yu Zihan reiterated that he had no desire for the royal throne.
He explained that he was providing Jingyang Prince with the witness, and a letter would also be delivered to Jingyang Prince's manor that night, which their Royal Father would undoubtedly trust. When Jingyang Prince asked what Yu Zihan desired in return for his help to secure the Crown Prince position, Yu Zihan simply replied, "The piping times of peace." Meanwhile, Jingxian Prince remained oblivious to the unfolding plot.
Believing Yu Zihan had no evidence against him, he encountered Yu Zihan in the palace and mockingly brought up the rumors of unruly citizens stoning the Japanese war captives to death, implying Yu Zihan's negligence. He even offered to intercede for Yu Zihan if their Royal Father assigned blame. Yu Zihan merely offered a polite, noncommittal thank you. Later, in the imperial court, the Emperor expressed profound joy at seeing Yu Zihan's full recovery.
Jingyang Prince then stepped forward to report on the Japanese disaster, triggering Jingxian Prince's feigned ignorance. Jingyang Prince disclosed that he had received secret intelligence that the Japanese pirates had been attacked by stones during their journey back to Luoyang, with their leader dying in the melee. Jingxian Prince quickly seized the opportunity to blame the incident on public outcry caused by Yu Zihan's returning soldiers.
However, Jingyang Prince then revealed his foresight: he had secretly replaced the actual Japanese pirate leader with a poisoned mute one, who, through his testimony, exposed an internal spy within the court. Jingyang Prince presented this damning confession to the Emperor. The Emperor, enraged, tasked Yu Zihan with investigating this grave matter, warning him to act cautiously but decisively.
Jingyang Prince then presented Yin Xue's letter, supposedly written by "Prince Snow Robe" before his passing and delivered by his disciple, which shed light on the true origin of the Mystical Icy Cup and the mastermind behind Yu Zihan's poisoning. The letter explicitly stated the Mystical Icy Cup was the cause of Yu Zihan's poisoning.
Jingxian Prince desperately tried to discredit it as a "unilateral testimony" and denied knowing the cup was harmful, attempting to deflect blame onto the Thunderbolt Clique. However, the Emperor, recalling that Jingxian Prince himself had presented the Mystical Icy Cup to him, became furious. Disregarding all paternal affection, he again ordered Yu Zihan to handle the case, despite Yu Zihan's suggestion to avoid suspicion.
After the Emperor departed, Yu Zihan confronted Jingxian Prince, accusing him of orchestrating the assassins at Mt. Yi. Jingxian Prince denied the accusations and accused Yu Zihan and Jingyang Prince of conspiring against him. Yu Zihan stated that Jingxian Prince's greatest folly was giving the Mystical Icy Cup to their Royal Father, endangering him, and declared that no one could save him now.
As Jingxian Prince was being led away to prison, he furiously called Yu Zihan the "most vicious one." Yu Zihan then ordered a thorough search of Jingxian Prince's manor. His guards found evidence of secret correspondence and accounting books detailing ill-gotten gains and implicating numerous ministers, including Jingyang Prince. Yu Zihan commanded that these accounting books be sent directly to Jingyang Prince's manor.
He then gave Xuan Huang a letter to deliver to Dao Wuxia of World Swordless City, instructing both Xuan Huang and Huang Cong to trust his actions, even if they seemed incomprehensible. Dao Wuxia received the letter from Huang Cong. Later, while Dao Wuxia discussed the letter with An Ye Luo, Dao Liexiang was present in the general vicinity. She had recently expressed dismissiveness about her estranged husband Zhan Feng, when an attendant brought him up.
Dao Wuxia expressed his awe at Yu Zihan's recent actions and the turmoil in court, questioning if An Ye Luo was not worried about controlling such a formidable figure. An Ye Luo, however, found pleasure in working with intelligent individuals. He revealed that Yu Zihan's letter was a negotiation, asking him not to meddle in court affairs.
Dao Wuxia indignantly scoffed at a "cripple" daring to bargain with An Ye Luo, given that An Ye Luo was responsible for his recovery. An Ye Luo corrected her, stating that Yu Zihan was indeed qualified to negotiate because he possessed military power, something An Ye Luo lacked. He then instructed Dao Wuxia to observe the ongoing power struggle without interference. Soon after, Minister Liu arrived at World Swordless City, desperately pleading with Dao Wuxia to save Jingxian Prince.
He praised World Swordless City's influence and its secret backing from Dark River Palace. Initially, Dao Wuxia claimed he could not interfere in government affairs. However, Minister Liu inadvertently exposed Dao Wuxia's prior "strategy" to Jingxian Prince against Yu Zihan during the Japanese pirate incident. Dao Liexiang, who was present, overheard Minister Liu's confession of collusion. Swiftly, Dao Wuxia changed his stance, ordering his men to seize Minister Liu for conniving with the Japanese pirates.
Minister Liu, enraged, accused Dao Wuxia of betrayal. Dao Wuxia then issued a chilling command: cut out Minister Liu's tongue and send it to Yu Zihan's manor, and also place a wooden inscription around his neck, visible to all citizens, stating his crime of "Conniving with the Japanese pirates." Dao Liexiang, witnessing this, silently confirmed the truth of Minister Liu's words. Later, she cautioned an attendant not to mention Prince of Jingyuan while they were in Swordless City.
Yu Zihan went to the dungeon to visit Jingxian Prince. Jingxian Prince bitterly accused Yu Zihan and Jingyang Prince of conspiring against him, asserting that Jingyang Prince was equally hungry for the throne. Yu Zihan reiterated that he held no desire for the royal throne or power. Jingxian Prince questioned why Yu Zihan had gone to such lengths to fight him.
Yu Zihan then reminded Jingxian Prince of Feng Xixi, a woman who, once a government official’s daughter, had her family ruined by Jingxian Prince, forcing her into prostitution. She had only wished to save enough money to reunite her family, but Jingxian Prince had brutally killed her. Jingxian Prince dismissed her as a mere brothel lady, unable to comprehend why Yu Zihan would betray a brother for her.
Yu Zihan solemnly reminded him of the countless "Feng Xixis" who had perished at his hands over two decades. He then confronted Jingxian Prince about his own crippling at age three, which had confined him to a wheelchair for twenty years and prevented him from saving the woman he loved from a raging fire. Jingxian Prince, now desperate, begged for forgiveness, blaming envy and momentary confusion, appealing to their blood ties.
Yu Zihan then delivered the final blow: their Royal Father had granted Jingxian Prince a flask of poisoned wine, and tomorrow would be his burial day. Jingxian Prince erupted in disbelief, claiming his Royal Father would never kill his own son, screaming Yu Zihan's name as Yu Zihan walked away. That night, Yu Zihan and Xuan Huang burned paper offerings for Feng Xixi.
Yu Zihan spoke to her spirit, assuring her that he had avenged her and that the day for her family's case to be redressed was near. He urged her to rest in peace. Later, Ji Jinghong and Lei Jinghong arrived at Yu Zihan's manor with Lie Ruge. Ji Jinghong suggested that he and Lei Jinghong wait outside, acknowledging their current status as outsiders and even "enemies" in some circles.
Lie Ruge agreed, telling them to wait, promising to come out to them once she had clarified things inside. She added that if she did not emerge, they need not show themselves. Ji Jinghong then asked Lei Jinghong if he also suspected Yu Zihan might harm them, to which Lei Jinghong admitted his fear that Yu Zihan might "overthink" due to the rumors surrounding Lei Jinghong and Lie Ruge's disappearance. They agreed to act as witnesses.
Meanwhile, inside his manor, Yu Zihan diligently worked on reviewing and re-trying old cases, sending the initial batch to Jingyang Prince. Xuan Huang commented on Yu Zihan's tireless work for no personal gain, but Yu Zihan simply stated that the benefit to the government and its citizens was reward enough. Xuan Huang once again questioned why Yu Zihan, now fully recovered, would not pursue the throne, but Yu Zihan maintained that Jingyang Prince was more suitable.
He then casually asked for wine. Xuan Huang, firm in his refusal, finally conceded to offering him just one cup. Yu Zihan then suggested going to the Flower Tasting Brothel to bring Lie Ruge back. Just then, Xuan Huang announced the arrival of Junior Brother Ji.
