The Legend of Mi Yue Episode 54 Recap
> The Legend of Mi Yue Recap
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King Huiwen of Qin, nearing his end, spoke with his sister, Lady Ying, reminiscing about a childhood memory where he had acted as an old man. He expressed his regret about having to leave before her. Acknowledging his limited time, he entrusted her with a personally drafted silk manuscript, stating there were matters he could not die in peace without addressing. He explained that current circumstances were complex and consequences unpredictable, requiring him to be prepared.
He told her that she would need to use this edict to stabilize the world, emphasizing that she was the only one he could trust. He instructed her to burn the edict if the feared situation did not arise. Lady Ying expressed concern about her own mortality, to which King Huiwen replied that Daqin would then have to resign itself to fate. Mu Jian retrieved the silk manuscript, an action secretly observed by Feng Jia.
King Huiwen then summoned all the officials, princes, and ladies. He addressed Prince Dang, reciting a verse about the importance of brotherhood and stressing that as the future ruler, all his thoughts and actions must always benefit Daqin. He reminisced about the unity he shared with his few brothers, particularly his royal uncle (Chuli Zi), and urged Prince Dang to foster similar unity with his own numerous half-brothers.
He then demanded an oath from Prince Dang: to never harm any of his brothers, under penalty of divine retribution. Prince Dang swore to uphold this, pledging that fratricide would never occur during his reign and that he would accept heavenly punishment if he broke his vow. King Huiwen then commanded Chuli Zi to declare the edict, formally naming Prince Dang as his successor, praising his innate virtue and skill in state affairs.
The edict also stipulated that all other princes were to be immediately enfeoffed and that their mothers could accompany them. Feeling weary, King Huiwen dismissed everyone. King Huiwen then summoned Mi Yue privately. He confessed that while he had been decisive throughout his life, he had been indecisive regarding her and Ying Ji, missing the opportune moment to make Ying Ji the crown prince. Mi Yue comforted him, promising to care for Ying Ji and urging him not to worry.
King Huiwen reminisced about Mi Yue's unique character and breadth of mind, urging her not to refuse if Daqin ever needed her support in the future. He then questioned if she had ever truly loved him, or if he was merely a father or brother to her. Mi Yue insisted he was her husband, but King Huiwen, with a touch of melancholy, said he wished he had a daughter like her and asked her to call him "old man."
Overcome with emotion, Mi Yue tearfully begged him not to leave. King Huiwen, unable to part with her and Ying Ji, requested a lock of her hair to take with him. Despite her plea for him to recover, King Huiwen, gathering his strength, asked her to play one last tune for him. As Mi Yue played the phoenix flute, King Huiwen closed his eyes, his life ending amidst his memories of her.
In 311 BCE, King Ying Si of Qin passed away, receiving the posthumous title King Huiwen of Qin. His reign was marked by the continuation of Shang Yang's legal reforms, the appointment of talented individuals from various states, and significant territorial expansion, including the capture of Hanzhong, the annexation of Bashu, and campaigns against the Yiqu, vastly increasing Qin's land area. King Huiwen was a pivotal monarch in Qin's history, linking past and future.
He was succeeded by Prince Ying Dang, who became known as King Wu Qin. After King Huiwen's funeral, Mi Shu felt estranged from her late husband, reflecting on their distant relationship before his death, where only a title remained between them. Feng Jia then reported to her that he had observed Mu Jian secretly retrieving a wooden box, specifically meant for edicts, for the dying King Huiwen.
Feng Jia caught a glimpse inside and saw silk manuscripts, leading him to suspect it was a secret edict unfavorable to Mi Shu and Prince Dang, given its clandestine nature and the late King's concealment from her. Mi Shu initially dismissed this as nonsense, reminding Feng Jia that the succession was publicly declared to Prince Dang.
Feng Jia vehemently swore to his truthfulness and loyalty on his life, and a maid corroborated his character, suggesting he wouldn't fabricate such a serious accusation, though he might be greedy. Convinced, Mi Shu ordered Feng Jia to find the suspected edict immediately. Feng Jia brought Mu Jian a bowl of green bean soup. Mu Jian spoke of his impending retirement and the principle that a servant should only serve one true master.
Feng Jia then questioned him about the rumored secret edict. Angered, Mu Jian ordered Feng Jia to leave. Feng Jia retorted that times had changed, and Mu Jian no longer held supreme authority in the palace. He then revealed that he had poisoned Mu Jian's soup with a potent tendon-softening and bone-weakening powder, offering the antidote in exchange for the edict's location.
Feng Jia also threatened him with the Qin palace's tortures and a miserable burial, while promising a grand one if he cooperated. Mu Jian, defiant, refused, declaring that his time was over and he would follow the late King. He then took his own life with a sword, much to Feng Jia's surprise, given the poison should have prevented such an action.
Shortly after, Mu Xin arrived, witnessed Mu Jian's death, confronted Feng Jia, branding him a traitor, and was fatally stabbed by Feng Jia. Feng Jia then ordered a thorough search of the area for the edict. Word of Mu Jian's suicide and Mu Xin's death reached Mi Yue, who learned that Doctor Tang had taken Mu Xin's body to the Changning Palace.
Feng Jia, failing to find the edict, reported back to Mi Shu, suggesting that Mi Yue might have it. Mi Shu, initially dismissing the edict as irrelevant if its supposed "bearer" (Mu Jian) was dead, quickly concluded Mi Yue was the likely recipient after considering who else King Huiwen had privately summoned. She summoned Mi Yue and dramatically burned an edict that formally appointed Ying Ji as Marquis of Shu and allowed Mi Yue to accompany him to Bashu.
Mi Shu cynically asked if this was the outcome Mi Yue desired, offering this edict in exchange for "another" supposed edict from the late King. Mi Yue feigned ignorance about any second edict, then chillingly suggested that if Mi Shu sought clarification, she should "ask the late King" herself, implying Mi Shu should die. Mi Yue expressed disappointment in having misjudged Mi Shu over the years, but Mi Shu retorted that she was the one who had been deceived.
Mi Shu accused Mi Yue of hypocrisy, listing how Mi Yue allegedly broke promises: by pushing for Prince Hua to be named Crown Prince, aiming to create conflict and weaken Mi Shu's position; by staying in the palace despite agreeing to go to Bashu; and by fiercely competing for King Huiwen's favor after claiming she wouldn't serve him.
Mi Yue attempted to defend her actions, stating she was bound by the King's will, that her decision to share the King's bed was not her choice, and that circumstances prevented her from leaving with Huang Xie. Mi Shu dismissed these as lies, accusing Mi Yue of seeking palace glory and the King's favor. Mi Shu then brought up the "killer bee incident," accusing Mi Yue of using it to manipulate her and making her live in fear.
She further claimed that Mi Yue's actions almost led to Mi Shu's downfall as Queen and Ying Ji's rise to power, had the King not died prematurely. Mi Yue calmly stated that Mi Shu didn't need excuses if her intent was to harm.
Mi Shu then chillingly revealed her true intention, stating she had initially considered sparing Mi Yue after the King's death, but the sudden appearance of "another edict" (presumably the secret one King Huiwen entrusted to Lady Ying) left her with no choice. She declared her intent to kill Mi Yue and mockingly promised a "grand send-off" and "speedy reunion" with Ying Ji.
Mi Yue warned that such widespread slaughter by a new Queen Mother, before the new King's rule was stable, would inevitably bring retribution. Mi Shu, dismissing Mi Yue's warnings, ordered Feng Jia to guard her, declaring that Daqin's affairs were no longer Mi Yue's concern and to prepare for her journey.
