Heart of Loyalty Episode 16 Recap
> Heart of Loyalty Recap
During a banquet, Queen Dowager Xiao berated Zhao Yu for attempting to publicly annul her arranged marriage to Yelv Hongji, accusing her of disrespecting the alliance between Song and Liao. Zhao Yu countered by revealing that Yelv Hongji had disguised himself as a Song citizen in Bazhou, searching for a beloved woman, and accused him of hypocrisy.
Yelv Hongji vehemently denied this, claiming he had never left his post, which deeply saddened Xiao Guan Yin, who secretly harbored feelings for him. Zhao Yu, finding Yelv Hongji to be a coward, reiterated her demand to break off the engagement. To de-escalate the tension, Ning Jin explained that Zhao Yu's wish to annul the marriage was a fit of pique.
She had felt humiliated by the lack of welcome upon entering Liao territory and by the queen's heirloom hairpin being broken during the banquet. He clarified that her claim of affection for Zhan Zhao was merely a desperate attempt to deflect, as she mistakenly believed Yelv Hongji already had a lover. Zhan Zhao confirmed that he, too, had a fiancée.
Yelv Hongji then stated that he did not mind Zhao Yu's feelings and was willing to build a relationship with her over time. Xiao Guan Yin mocked Song, suggesting that its weakness forced Zhao Yu into a marriage alliance for stability. Infuriated by the insult, Mo Yan challenged them to a martial arts contest. Zhan Zhao stepped forward, proposing that the Gyrfalcon be the prize for victory, and pledged Song's Ten-Thousand-Year Turtle if he lost.
Yelv Hongji agreed, and Yelv Pusanu, a masked Deputy Commissioner who had suffered facial burns in a fire, accepted the challenge on behalf of Liao, proposing an archery contest. Mo Yan protested, arguing that archery was a Liao strength, but Zhan Zhao readily agreed to the archery contest and invited Yelv Pusanu to shoot first. The challenge involved shooting the wicks of 16 floating sky lanterns, extinguishing their flames to make them fall, with each participant having eight arrows.
Both displayed exceptional skill, felling several lanterns. On his final shot, Zhan Zhao’s bowstring broke. Seeing this, Yelv Pusanu intentionally shot wide, resulting in a draw. Xiao Guan Yin angrily criticized Yelv Pusanu, known as Liao's top warrior, for his performance, but Yelv Hongji, impressed by Zhan Zhao's skill, still gifted him the Gyrfalcon. To further cement goodwill, Ning Jin offered the Ten-Thousand-Year Turtle to Yelv Hongji, who suggested it would be more beneficial for Queen Dowager Xiao's longevity.
Later that night, after Zhao Yu had retired, Zhan Zhao found Mo Yan and apologized for yelling at her earlier, promising never to do so again. Mo Yan, appeased, prepared fried tofu and, with rice provided by the Song maids, shared a meal with Zhan Zhao. As they shared the meal, Mo Yan gazed at the moon, confessing a pang of homesickness, which Zhan Zhao gently acknowledged. Mo Yan then questioned Zhan Zhao about intentionally losing the archery match.
He explained that in Liao, it was crucial to restrain their capabilities and maintain a careful balance to avoid unnecessary conflict. Mo Yan found his reasoning and demeanor charming. She then playfully probed his feelings for Princess Zhao Yu, to which Zhan Zhao earnestly declared that his heart and eyes were solely for Mo Yan. As they leaned in closer, Zhao Yu suddenly appeared, asking Zhan Zhao to accompany her to deliver the Ten-Thousand-Year Turtle to Queen Dowager Xiao.
Meanwhile, Yelv Hongji questioned Yelv Pusanu during his night patrol, asking why he had intentionally held back during the archery contest. Yelv Pusanu insisted he was simply outmatched, denying any intentional concession. As Zhan Zhao escorted Zhao Yu to deliver the turtle, Zhao Yu reflected on her life as a princess. She confessed that while she appeared to have everything, she lacked true freedom.
The recent events had led her to decide to embrace her role as a true princess, fulfilling her duties to Song. She asked Zhan Zhao if he regretted accompanying her to Liao, and he replied that it was his official duty, and he had no regrets. Zhao Yu then acknowledged that her declared feelings for Zhan Zhao were not true love, admitting that she had only viewed him as an "exquisite accessory" and desired him simply because he was unattainable.
She recognized that in just two days, she was no longer the same person, understanding that some things, like freedom and Zhan Zhao, might not be meant for her. Zhan Zhao saw Zhao Yu safely back to her tent. Elsewhere, Ning Jin approached Mo Yan and confessed that the poem he recited at the banquet was written for her. Taken aback and at a loss for words, Mo Yan did not know how to respond.
Ning Jin, visibly flustered, quickly dismissed his words, telling her not to take him seriously before making a hasty exit. Mo Yan, understanding his intentions, smiled. Later, Ning Jin was found drinking alone by a river. Zhan Zhao joined him. Ning Jin lamented his perceived inferiority to Zhan Zhao, wondering why Mo Yan chose him. Zhan Zhao humbly stated that he was burdened by responsibilities, unlike Ning Jin, who lived a more carefree life.
Ning Jin jokingly retorted that apart from his free spirit, he couldn't compare to Zhan Zhao in any other aspect. Zhan Zhao expressed his admiration for Ning Jin, a prince who was willing to assist the Kaifeng City Office in investigating corruption. Ning Jin urged Zhan Zhao to treat Mo Yan well, warning that he would "snatch her back" if he failed to do so. Zhan Zhao promised to protect Mo Yan with his life.
Ning Jin also revealed that he had released the Gyrfalcon. The following morning, Queen Dowager Xiao was found deceased. Xiao Guan Yin immediately suspected foul play, believing the Ten-Thousand-Year Turtle gifted by Zhao Yu was poisoned. Yelv Hongji convened everyone in the grand tent for questioning. Yelv Chongguang, though still recovering from a cough, arrived and advised Yelv Hongji to handle the matter cautiously to avoid damaging the relations between Song and Liao.
Yelv Pusanu reported that Queen Dowager Xiao had indeed been poisoned by the turtle. Mo Yan vehemently denied Song's involvement, insisting that Song acted honorably and would not resort to such despicable acts, especially given their purpose for peace and marriage. Zhao Yu, to prove their sincerity, volunteered to remain as a hostage. Yelv Hongji granted them two hours to investigate.
Zhan Zhao instructed Wu Zi Chu to stay outside with Mo Yan, knowing she couldn't tolerate dead bodies, while he and Ning Jin entered Queen Dowager Xiao's tent to investigate. In the tent where Zhao Yu was held, Xiao Guan Yin, consumed by grief and rage, attempted to whip Zhao Yu but was swiftly stopped by Yelv Pusanu.
