Heart of Loyalty Episode 14 Recap
> Heart of Loyalty Recap
Zhan Zhao knelt before the Emperor, volunteering to escort Princess Zhao Yu to Liao for her wedding alliance. Zhao Yu then appeared, kneeling and asking the Emperor not only to allow Zhan Zhao to escort her but also to permit him to remain in Liao with her forever. Feeling a sense of guilt towards Zhao Yu, the Emperor readily agreed. News of this decision soon reached the Kaifeng City Office.
While Bao Zheng felt a pang of reluctance, he recognized that Zhan Zhao's journey to Liao presented a crucial opportunity. He could continue investigating the embezzlement case and potentially recover the stolen money and account ledgers. Gongsun Ce inquired if they should inform Zhan Zhao about the Gyrfalcon, a long-term Song informant in Liao who had previously helped acquire the Jianxian Rock.
Considering the Gyrfalcon's safety, Bao Zheng decided he would discreetly inform the Gyrfalcon of Zhan Zhao's arrival in Liao, allowing the informant to decide the appropriate time and method to make contact. Gongsun Ce agreed, affirming Zhan Zhao's calm, logical, and wise nature, making him a trustworthy individual for such a sensitive task. He also expressed sympathy, acknowledging the hardship this mission would bring Zhan Zhao and Mo Yan.
Later, Zhan Zhao handed a seven-leaf sophora flower to Gongsun Ce, requesting him to quickly prepare medicine for Mo Yan. He also pleaded with Gongsun Ce and Bao Zheng not to reveal the flower's purpose to Mo Yan. However, Gongsun Ce advised Zhan Zhao to tell Mo Yan about his impending departure soon, so she could prepare herself.
Zhan Zhao then met with Bao Zheng, who formally entrusted him with the mission to discreetly assist the Gyrfalcon in recovering the embezzled funds and account books in Liao. Zhan Zhao understood that his main role would be the princess's bodyguard, while secretly aiding the informant. Bao Zheng further explained that due to the Gyrfalcon's safety and years of covert work, his identity would not be revealed to Zhan Zhao, but he would make contact when necessary.
Zhan Zhao assured Bao Zheng he understood. That evening, Mo Yan was joyfully picking jasmine flowers, planning to make pastries and tea, when Zhan Zhao approached. He conveyed the gravity of his mission to Liao, explaining that he would be escorting Princess Zhao Yu and might have to remain there for the rest of his life, perhaps never returning. Mo Yan, ever optimistic, immediately declared her intention to accompany him, fearing he would be lonely alone.
She envisioned them keeping each other company daily. Mo Yan then suggested Zhan Zhao tell Bao Zheng that the princess desired both of them to escort her, and she would simply blend into the entourage. She was confident that once in Liao, the princess couldn't send her back. Zhan Zhao, however, stated the matter required discussion and promised to give her an answer the following morning.
Mo Yan then went to Bao Zheng, requesting the dowry her brother, Li Xu, had left for her. Bao Zheng, misinterpreting her intentions, believed she was considering Ning Jin as her future husband. He expressed that while Li Xu wished for her happiness, he hoped she would choose carefully and not let her brother's death influence her decision. Mo Yan quickly denied her interest in Ning Jin but refrained from naming the man she truly loved.
That night, Mo Yan delightedly counted her abundant dowry. Meanwhile, Zhan Zhao, seeing Mo Yan's room lights extinguished, decided not to disturb her. He spent the night sitting in the courtyard, troubled by Xiao Chen's earlier words about whether he could truly protect Mo Yan, concluding that bringing her to the desolate and dangerous lands of Liao would only expose her to greater peril. He resolved not to let his own desires endanger her.
The next morning, Mo Yan found Zhan Zhao practicing his sword in the courtyard. She excitedly showed him her dowry, outlining her plans to buy a house and land in Liao so they could live comfortably. However, Zhan Zhao's expression turned serious. He told her that while Bao Zheng had agreed to her accompanying him, he personally felt it was inappropriate.
When Mo Yan pressed for a reason, Zhan Zhao bluntly stated that Liao was a harsh and barbaric land unsuitable for her. He added that her martial arts skills were poor and her actions reckless, implying she would be of no use to him there. Mo Yan, recalling similar dismissive remarks from Zhan Zhao in the past, became infuriated, believing he was merely creating excuses to abandon her. She angrily turned and went back inside.
Determined, Mo Yan sought out Ning Jin, asking him to intercede with Princess Zhao Yu on her behalf. Ning Jin, however, felt that Zhao Yu's wilful nature made it unlikely she would agree. He then suggested an alternative: finding Zhan Zhao a wife from the Liao envoy. He described a general's daughter, a skilled, beautiful woman from a prestigious family, who was currently seeking a husband in Song. Mo Yan vehemently disagreed with the idea.
Ning Jin then challenged her to a bet: if Zhan Zhao married the Liao woman, Mo Yan would have to marry him. Though initially reluctant, Mo Yan accepted, eager to prove Zhan Zhao's unwavering loyalty to her. At lunchtime, a guard informed Zhan Zhao that Ning Jin urgently requested his presence at the Prince Ning's manor. Mo Yan, suspecting Ning Jin's intentions, secretly followed Zhan Zhao.
At the manor, Ning Jin offered Zhan Zhao Liao tea mixed with horse milk and began subtly probing his marital intentions. Ning Jin then introduced the idea of a marriage alliance with the Liao general's daughter. Zhan Zhao, asserting that his dangerous life serving the government made marriage unwise, initially refused. However, Ning Jin pressed the issue, fabricating a story that he had already accepted on Zhan Zhao's behalf and that refusing now would make him appear untrustworthy.
Reluctantly, to save Ning Jin's reputation, Zhan Zhao agreed to an arranged meeting the following day. Mo Yan, who had been secretly listening, was distraught. Upon returning to Kaifeng, Zhan Zhao attempted to explain the situation to Mo Yan, but she refused to open her door, declaring that their relationship would end once he left for Liao and that she was not important enough for him to explain himself to.
Through the closed door, Mo Yan sternly warned Zhan Zhao not to make promises to anyone easily, and he vowed he would not. The next morning, Mo Yan decided she couldn't let Ning Jin force Zhan Zhao into marriage. She intercepted the actual Liao general's daughter at the manor gates, mischievously claiming to also be there for an arranged meeting.
She informed the Liao woman that in Song, men often took multiple wives, and if they both married Zhan Zhao, she would be the fourteenth and the Liao woman the fifteenth concubine. Horrified, the Liao woman feigned a sudden stomachache and fled, leaving her veil behind. Mo Yan then donned the veil and, disguised as the Liao woman, met Zhan Zhao.
Unaware of her identity, Zhan Zhao politely rejected her advances, explaining that he already had a woman in his heart. He then affectionately described his beloved, "Seven," as the smartest, kindest, and bravest person he knew, albeit prone to gluttony and occasional tantrums, adding, "she is one-of-a-kind in my heart." Mo Yan, still veiled, asked if he would take his beloved to Liao.
Zhan Zhao replied that he couldn't, as Liao was a foreign land, and her dream was to savor all of Song's delicacies. He did not wish for her to endure hardship. Mo Yan pressed, asking what if she didn't mind the hardship, to which Zhan Zhao replied, "I mind." He then sincerely apologized, taking full responsibility for the misunderstanding, and promised to explain everything to Ning Jin before departing.
As Zhan Zhao left, Ning Jin confronted him, asking about the marriage, to which Zhan Zhao replied he had unfortunately disappointed him. Ning Jin then saw Mo Yan emerge, still wearing the veil, and realized the deception. Mo Yan playfully boasted that she knew Zhan Zhao wouldn't agree, and Ning Jin, realizing he had been tricked, jokingly chased an attendant with a broom. Mo Yan's demeanor towards Zhan Zhao noticeably softened after the incident.
Zhan Zhao, surprised by her acceptance of not going to Liao, asked if she was no longer upset. Mo Yan confirmed she understood he was acting out of consideration for her. As the Flower Lantern Festival approached, Zhan Zhao invited her to attend. However, Mo Yan's face swelled due to an erupting wisdom tooth, making her self-conscious and reluctant to be seen. Zhan Zhao, sensing her distress, returned with a delicate veil he had purchased for her.
Donning the veil, Mo Yan joined Zhan Zhao by the waterside to watch the enchanting fireworks. Zhan Zhao gave her the medicine prepared by Gongsun Ce, assuring her it would prevent further flare-ups of her illness, and urged her to take good care of herself. Mo Yan then confessed that her true wish was not merely to taste all of Song's cuisine, but to accompany him to Liao.
Zhan Zhao then recognized her as the woman he had met behind the white tent that day, which Mo Yan confirmed. She reiterated her unwavering resolve, stating that as long as she was with him, no hardship would deter her. Looking deeply into her eyes, Zhan Zhao asked if she truly believed he was the one she could entrust her life to. Mo Yan's resolute "Yes" deeply moved him.
He asked if she would spend her life with him until they grew old. She again confirmed with a "Yes." Overcome with emotion, Zhan Zhao tenderly kissed her forehead, and Mo Yan, through her veil, kissed his cheek in return. Zhan Zhao then promised that once Princess Zhao Yu was wed in Liao, they would settle down and marry there. Mo Yan was overjoyed.
With Zhan Zhao and Mo Yan now planning to go to Liao, Ning Jin decided to volunteer as well, reasoning that his presence would safeguard Zhao Yu's feelings and uphold the dignity of Song. The Emperor, pleased with Ning Jin's newfound maturity, readily granted his request. Before their departure, Bao Zheng privately cautioned Zhan Zhao to be wary of Grand Preceptor Pang, who had been a strong proponent of the marriage alliance, suspecting his hidden motives.
He advised Zhan Zhao to remain calm and avoid inciting any trouble. As they prepared to leave, Bao Zheng and Gongsun Ce bid farewell to Zhan Zhao and Mo Yan, urging them to take care of themselves and each other, and to send word of their safe arrival. Mo Yan playfully recited the rules Zhan Zhao had laid out for her on the journey, emphasizing that he was responsible for her care, much to everyone's amusement.
Bao Zheng then wistfully remarked that the Kaifeng City Office would return to its usual quiet without them. The escort party traveled day and night, eventually reaching Bazhou, the final stop within Song territory before crossing into Liao. Li Hu, the prefect of Bazhou and son-in-law to Grand Preceptor Pang, greeted them. Li Hu informed Ning Jin that the Emperor had specifically instructed his wife, Madam Pang, to provide Princess Zhao Yu with further etiquette lessons before she entered Liao.
Zhao Yu, however, was immediately defiant, questioning Madam Pang's authority to instruct her. Ning Jin gently reminded Zhao Yu that Madam Pang, as Li Hu's wife, was technically her aunt. Ning Jin then suggested they postpone the etiquette discussion until after dinner. At dinner, Zhao Yu found the food unappetizing, complaining that the cuisine at Jingyang City Office, being on the Song-Liao border, was unfamiliar and unpalatable.
She refused to eat and, noticing Mo Yan sitting at the table, demanded that she, as a mere personal bodyguard, not dine with them. In response, Zhan Zhao quietly set down his chopsticks, stating that since the princess's room was ready, he and Mo Yan would go patrol outside, leaving Ning Jin and Zhao Yu to their meal. This visibly displeased Zhao Yu.
A guard then announced that Madam Pang was waiting for Zhao Yu in the hall for the etiquette lesson. Zhao Yu, annoyed by the interruption, initially told the guard to make Madam Pang wait, but then changed her mind and left to meet her. Concerned that Zhao Yu hadn't eaten and disliked the local food, Ning Jin went to ask Li Hu to prepare dishes more to her taste.
Zhan Zhao and Mo Yan remained in the dining hall, awaiting the princess's return. When Zhao Yu met Madam Pang, she was impatient, demanding that the lessons proceed quickly as she was tired. Madam Pang dismissed her attendants and tried to be sympathetic, claiming she was merely following the Emperor's orders and that she empathized with the princess. Zhao Yu, however, saw through this.
She pointed out that Madam Pang had chosen the wrong person to curry favor with, as Zhao Yu would soon be married into Liao and unable to assist Li Hu with his career advancement, suggesting Madam Pang should approach Ning Jin instead. Madam Pang conceded that her husband's career was ultimately for the Emperor to decide, but then lamented that she and Zhao Yu were "fellow sufferers" in their circumstances.
