The Legend of Mi Yue Episode 26 Recap
> The Legend of Mi Yue Recap
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To express her gratitude to the King of Qin, Mi Yue played the pan pipes outside his bedchamber. The King, captivated by the melody, inquired if it was a Chu love song, to which Mi Yue replied it was merely a country folk song. He noted her somber tone, suggesting she was mourning a sweetheart, and Mi Yue apologized for any impropriety.
The King then invited her to spend the night in his chamber, advising her to take an extra quilt to avoid the cold before he retired for the night. They shared the room, although Mi Yue later clarified that they had slept in the same room, but not the same bed. The following day, Mi Yue was seen leaving Chengming hall in the King's sedan chair, sparking widespread gossip among the palace staff.
Some whispered that even a crow could appear as a phoenix if it ascended the phoenix tree. Meanwhile, Mi Shu, feeling out of sorts and lamenting her confinement, found her appetite strange, complaining about the coarse Qin wheat and longing for Chu rice. Her maid, Zhenzhu, informed Mi Shu that Mi Yue had been seen in the King's sedan chair.
Dai Mao, already upset by this development, confirmed to Mi Shu that the King had "graced" Mi Yue the previous night. Mi Shu was astonished, reminding Dai Mao of Mi Yue's prior vow to only assist with palace affairs and never to serve the King. Dai Mao admitted she had prevented Mi Yue from seeing Mi Shu when Xiao Ran was in trouble, fearing Wei Yan's schemes against Mi Shu's unborn child.
She then painted Mi Yue as cunning and ambitious, one who overshadowed Mi Shu and would become a formidable rival. Dai Mao confessed her plan to use Wei Yan to drive Mi Yue from the palace had backfired, inadvertently pushing Mi Yue closer to the King. Mi Shu, however, resignedly accepted it as fate. Shortly after, eunuchs delivered opulent gifts from the King to Mi Yue, explaining that the King found her attire too plain.
Aunt Kui remarked on the King's evident affection for Mi Yue. Wei Changshi expressed concern to Wei Yan that Mi Yue's newfound favor might prompt her to revisit the issue of the copper pass. Wei Yan acknowledged the copper pass as a significant threat and vowed to retrieve it from Yiqu as soon as possible, noting previous attempts to reclaim it from Gong Sun Yan had failed.
Mi Yue, aware of the rumors, confided in Aunt Kui, clarifying that she and the King had only shared a room, not intimacy, but predicted no one would believe it. Her primary concern was Mi Shu's potential misunderstanding. The King granted her permission to visit Mi Shu. Opting for humility, Mi Yue chose simple attire and minimal jewelry, deliberately avoiding the lavish gifts from the King.
In Jiao Feng hall, Mi Shu spoke of her child kicking and her longing for the comforts of flowers and cushioned chambers, much like her mother, Weihou, enjoyed during her pregnancy. Dai Mao vehemently opposed Mi Yue's visit, suggesting a firm rebuke. However, Mi Shu, considering Mi Yue a potential ally against Wei Yan, decided to receive her.
As Mi Yue entered, Dai Mao demanded a formal bow befitting someone of Mi Yue's newly elevated status, but Mi Shu dismissed the need for such formality, though her tone was laced with sarcasm regarding Mi Yue's ride in the King's sedan chair. Mi Yue earnestly explained her desperate plea to the King to save Xiao Ran from castration, confessing she had been without options and willing to sacrifice herself.
She then clarified that the King, understanding her plight, had graciously allowed her to share his chamber but had not been intimate with her. Mi Shu, immensely relieved and delighted by this revelation, reprimanded Dai Mao for her concealment and embraced Mi Yue, reaffirming their sisterly bond. Mi Shu then presented Mi Yue with her most cherished purple jade gold jewelry, pledging her full support.
Mi Yue, in turn, expressed concern for Mi Shu's well-being during pregnancy and promised to intercede with the King to lift Mi Shu's confinement. As Mi Yue departed, Aunt Kui remained unconvinced of Mi Shu's sincerity, interpreting the expensive gift as a subtle assertion of Mi Shu's superior status. She recognized Mi Yue's modest appearance as a clever tactic to avoid aggravating Mi Shu's resentment.
Mi Yue, however, chose to believe in Mi Shu's good nature and focused on securing her sister's freedom, sensing the King's anger had begun to wane. Meanwhile, Dai Mao, misinterpreting the situation, told Mi Shu that the King's respect for Mi Yue's wishes meant Mi Yue now held complete sway over him. The King summoned Mi Yue to Chengming hall again. Mi Yue carefully selected two of the King's gifted hairpins and an elegant, understated yellow gown.
The King was engrossed in Qu Yuan's "Chu Ci: The Great Summons," praising its vivid portrayal of Chu beauties and acknowledging Qu Yuan's talent despite his animosity toward Qin. Mi Yue then spoke of Qu Yuan's "Ode to the Orange," highlighting its unwavering resolve, and suggested that while Chu's loyal talents might not serve Qin, its vast knowledge could certainly be utilized.
Mi Yue then, claiming it was Mi Shu's idea, offered to organize the dowry of 500 volumes of Chu books and a complete set of bronze instruments, which had remained untouched due to the language barrier. She explained that Mi Shu, despite her confinement, was eager to serve the King through this contribution. The King, pleased, mentioned Mi Shu's past transgression concerning Zhangzi.
Mi Yue compassionately argued that Mi Shu's initial actions were born from a natural longing for her homeland, likening it to a Chu plant struggling to take root in foreign soil. She assured the King that Mi Shu's roots in Qin would eventually strengthen, and her primary loyalty would reside with him.
Convinced, the King agreed he might have been overly severe and vowed to visit Mi Shu the next day, sending her new mink and white fox fur garments to keep her warm. The King visited Mi Shu, presenting her with the luxurious furs and expressing his desire for her to be the most glamorous queen. Mi Shu, though pleased, noted her pregnancy made the clothes unsuitable for immediate wear.
Mi Yue visited Mi Shu again, bringing ginger honey that Aunt Kui had prepared. Mi Shu was delighted, mentioning the King was dining with her that evening and her plans to make osmanthus lotus porridge. Mi Yue suggested serving the porridge that night and the ginger honey the following day to entice the King to return. Mi Shu, however, eagerly desired the ginger honey immediately, recalling her mother's fondness for chrysanthemum ginger honey.
Dai Mao interjected, implying Mi Yue wouldn't remember such specific details, to which Mi Yue conceded that such luxuries were never part of her life in Chu. Elsewhere, Wei Yan pressed Gong Sun Yan for the copper pass. Gong Sun Yan reported that Yiqu Jun was now demanding 500 carriages of grain in exchange, a sum too large to move discreetly.
Wei Yan instructed Gong Sun Yan to offer equivalent jewels and money instead, emphasizing the urgency of recovering the pass without alerting anyone. The King of Qin visited Mi Yue again, remarking on the simplicity of her living quarters. Sima Cuo then arrived with Xiao Ran. Sima Cuo praised Xiao Ran's fierce spirit and martial potential. The King proposed that Sima Cuo take Xiao Ran into the army for personal training.
Xiao Ran enthusiastically accepted, declaring his ambition to achieve military glory. Though hesitant to part with her brother, Mi Yue ultimately consented, recognizing that she couldn't protect him indefinitely and that a military career was his true calling. Sima Cuo pledged to diligently train Xiao Ran. Xiao Ran boldly declared he was no longer afraid and was ready to protect Mi Yue and Aunt Kui. The King set Xiao Ran's departure with Sima Cuo for two months later.
Mi Yue and Aunt Kui expressed their gratitude to the King and Sima Cuo. Later, the King showed Mi Yue different written forms of the character for "horse" from various states like Zhao, Wei, and Qin, illustrating the stark differences. He explained how the fragmentation of states after the Western Zhou Dynasty led to divergent scripts, currencies, and weights and measures, creating significant barriers.
Mi Yue shared her personal experience of nearly failing to procure medicine for Mi Shu due to conflicting standards of measurement. The King acknowledged the complexities, revealing his own struggles to unify such systems even within Qin's own territories. Mi Yue then drew a parallel to smaller states annexed by Chu, where people initially resisted but eventually adapted to a unified script and found advantages.
She concluded that unifying the territory would naturally pave the way for a unified script and measurements over time, as customs aligned and the people willingly submitted. The King affirmed this grand ambition and asked Mi Yue if she would accompany him in achieving it. Mi Yue wholeheartedly agreed.
