The Legend of Mi Yue Episode 5 Recap, Plot

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> The Legend of Mi Yue Recap

Life in the secluded cemetery for Mi Yue was simple, requiring her to hunt for food to supplement the meager provisions for herself, her brother Mi Rong, Aunt Kui, and Wei Ran. Though it was a stark contrast to the sheltered life of a princess, Mi Yue found a sense of freedom there.

Huang Xie frequently visited, bringing books like the 'Rites of Zhou' and continuing her education, building upon the shallow rituals, music, and medical knowledge she had already acquired from Aunt Kui and Lady Zhi. He often expressed his regret that she couldn't learn the formal "six arts" of the palace, but Mi Yue, ever practical, pointed out her skills in using a soft whip, riding, and playing panpipes, appreciating the hands-on lessons from Aunt Kui.

Huang Xie, however, stressed that such practical skills were superficial compared to the profound understanding of etiquette and music gained through palace rituals and grand performances. Despite his reservations, Mi Yue maintained she preferred her current life to the constraints of the palace. One day, after an outing, Mi Yue experienced her first menstrual period, mistaking the blood for a serious injury and fearing for her life. Huang Xie, finding her in distress, carried her back to Aunt Kui.

Aunt Kui gently explained that Mi Yue was simply growing into a woman, but Mi Yue was upset, declaring she did not want to become a woman. She recalled how women in the palace constantly vied for the King's attention and how her own mother stood foolishly waiting by the door each day. Aunt Kui gravely reminded her that such matters were beyond their control; it was fate.

During this time, Huang Xie also shared news of the palace, remarking that it was once again selecting concubines for the King. He noted how women in the palace fought each other fiercely, while Mi Yue wondered why so many would choose such a life. Huang Xie explained that for girls reaching marriageable age at fifteen, the palace offered a safer alternative to marrying ordinary men in a time of constant war, where brides could quickly become widows.

Meanwhile, in the palace, the King held his concubine selection. Zheng Xiu, a young woman, approached the King despite rumors of his peculiar body odor. Unlike other candidates who were either too afraid to speak or held their breath in his presence, Zheng Xiu boldly affirmed she detected a unique, captivating scent, one that was "imposing" and "eclipsed all others."

Her clever flattery instantly endeared her to the King, and she quickly became a favored consort, later elevated to Nan Hou after giving birth to a prince. As the annual memorial for the former King approached, Mi Yue continued her studies with Huang Xie, often reading poetry together. Aunt Zhi, a local, warned Mi Yue to be careful during the memorial, as many people from the palace with "mixed feelings" would be present.

During the ceremony, Nan Hou, now Zheng Xiu, was reprimanded by Wei Hou for not adhering to proper etiquette. Disgruntled, Zheng Xiu wandered away and was stung by scorpion grass near Mi Yue's residence. Mi Yue, hearing her cries, rushed to her aid and used a medicinal herb to treat the sting.

During their conversation, Zheng Xiu learned that Mi Yue was a princess, the daughter of the late Xiang Fei, and that she and her brother had been sent to guard the former King's coffin as punishment by Wei Hou. Touched by Mi Yue's kindness, Zheng Xiu promised to repay her if she ever had the chance. Soon after, Mi Shu, who had slipped away from the memorial procession, found Mi Yue's residence.

The two sisters, separated for years, shared a joyful reunion. Mi Shu expressed her longing for Mi Yue and her desire to help her and Mi Rong return to the palace. She mentioned her efforts to persuade Wei Hou, noting that Qu Yuan was also trying to find ways for their return. However, Mi Yue, accustomed to the freedom of the cemetery, initially resisted, cherishing her unrestrained life.

Mi Shu, concerned for Mi Rong's future, emphasized that at ten years old, he couldn't remain in the cemetery forever, deprived of proper education in poetry, literature, government, and military arts. Without a title, his adult life would be unsettled, a point that resonated deeply with Mi Yue. Mi Yin, having observed Mi Yue and Mi Shu's reunion, maliciously reported to Wei Hou.

She claimed that Mi Yue had forcibly called Mi Shu away from the memorial procession, portraying Mi Yue as rude, uneducated, and potentially leading Mi Shu astray, and worrying about the delay to the memorial. Enraged, Wei Hou confronted Mi Yue, accusing her of disrespect. When Aunt Kui stepped forward to defend Mi Yue, Wei Hou coldly stated that a slave should not interrupt. She then ordered Aunt Kui to be flogged twenty times.

Mi Yue desperately pleaded for Aunt Kui, offering to take the punishment herself, but Wei Hou dismissed her, reminding her that the former King's protection no longer applied, and forced Mi Yue to offer incense at the memorial. After the ordeal, a heartbroken Mi Yue tended to the injured Aunt Kui. Aunt Kui, despite her pain, urged Mi Yue to put aside her hatred for Wei Hou and focus on enduring their hardship.

She revealed that Mi Yue's mother and Ju Ji had both died at Wei Hou's hands, and that Wei Hou was eager for Mi Yue and Mi Rong to disappear. Aunt Kui emphasized that for Mi Rong's future and for their own safety, Mi Yue must seize the opportunity to return to the palace, make her presence known to the clan courtiers, and secure a title for Mi Rong.

Mi Yue, finally understanding the gravity of their situation, resolved to endure for the sake of her brother and their future. True to her word, Zheng Xiu used her influence with King Huai. She reminded him that Mi Yue had once helped her and that keeping his own flesh and blood exiled in the cemetery for six or seven years, preventing them from learning the Six Classics, was improper and a laughing stock to other nations.

Qu Yuan had also spoken on their behalf. King Huai confirmed that he wanted Mi Yue and Mi Rong to return to the palace to study, though he knew Wei Hou would strongly disagree. Swayed by Zheng Xiu's logical arguments and her charm, he promised to bring Mi Yue and Mi Rong back to the palace. Wei Hou, though displeased, had to comply. Mi Yue was then sent to Mi Shu's palace to perform hard labor.

Mi Yin, ever the schemer, comforted Wei Hou by suggesting that bringing Mi Yue back into the palace would make her easier to control than if she remained unrestrained outside. Mi Yin was then assigned to be Mi Shu's companion. Back in the palace, preparations were underway for a grand sacrifice ceremony, with princesses practicing their dances. Mi Yin practiced diligently but her performance was deemed superficial and criticized for "buying the caskets and returning the pearls."

Mi Shu, though not as proficient, was praised for capturing the true essence of the dance, deepening Mi Yin's jealousy and sense of injustice towards the female teacher. Another year brought the Pan Gong Grand Competition, where talented scholars from Chu gathered at Yang Ling Tai. Princesses from the palace attended to watch. Huang Xie, with his refined manners and literary grace, impressed the assembled officials and captivated the princesses, ultimately winning the competition.

Afterward, Mi Yin, smitten with Huang Xie, approached him in the garden under the pretext of having lost her sachet, hoping to flirt and get closer. However, Huang Xie remained a steadfast gentleman, politely disregarding her advances, leaving Mi Yin to retreat in disappointment. The court was then abuzz with news of Zhao Ji's pregnancy. Wei Hou, eager to see the King produce more heirs, encouraged King Huai to spend his nights with Zhao Ji.

This development greatly displeased Nan Hou, Zheng Xiu. In an attempt to reclaim the King's favor, Nan Hou falsely reported that Prince Lan was ill, hoping to draw King Huai's exclusive attention. Instead, King Huai and Wei Hou both went to see Prince Lan. Wei Hou, aware of Nan Hou's transparent ploy to incite rivalry, dismissed her theatrics, but Nan Hou persisted, escalating the tension between them.

Meanwhile, Mi Yue was deeply concerned about Aunt Kui, whose eyes had developed a growth from overwork. Mi Yue vowed to find a cure. She learned that Coptis chinensis was known for its eye-brightening properties and searched for it throughout the palace without success. Coincidentally, Huang Xie informed her that King Huai, to please Nan Hou, had recently collected many rare and exotic plants from various kingdoms and housed them in Nan Hou's Lan Gui Tai palace.

He suggested that Coptis chinensis might be among them. That night, Mi Yue and Huang Xie decided to secretly enter Lan Gui Tai to look for the herb. Their search for Coptis chinensis in Lan Gui Tai was cut short when they accidentally disturbed Baoguan, Nan Hou's dog. Mi Yue quickly used her soft whip to ward off the dog, but guards were already closing in. Mi Yue managed to escape, but Huang Xie was captured.

Later, in the main hall of Lan Gui Tai, Huang Xie attempted to take full responsibility for trespassing. However, Mi Yue bravely intervened, claiming the entire plan was her idea. Wei Hou considered punishing Mi Yue, but Nan Hou, still eager to undermine Wei Hou, shrewdly persuaded King Huai to pardon Mi Yue. Consequently, both Mi Yue and Huang Xie were spared from punishment.

Looking ahead, envoys from five kingdoms were preparing to visit Ying Du, the capital of Chu, to form alliances and propose marriages. Wei Hou, with the kingdom's interests at heart, planned to marry Mi Shu to the ruler of a powerful nation. For Mi Yue, she intended for her to follow in her late mother's footsteps, serving as a dowry girl accompanying Mi Shu to her marriage.

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