The Legend of Mi Yue Episode 7 Recap, Plot

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> The Legend of Mi Yue Recap

Anxious to form a marriage alliance between Qin and Chu, Chu Li Zi offered numerous gifts to Jin Shang, seeking his help in influencing Nan Hou. Jin Shang, though feigning humility, eagerly accepted the promise of "great wealth." He lamented his subordinate status compared to other powerful Chu families and expressed frustration that King Huai was swayed by Qu Yuan, preventing him from achieving his potential.

Chu Li Zi reassured Jin Shang, stating his talent only needed an opportunity, and suggested that Nan Hou, being a favorite of King Huai and an ally of Jin Shang, could be instrumental in promoting the Qin-Chu marriage alliance, overcoming King Huai’s indecision. Jin Shang, realizing the potential, gratefully accepted this advice. Following Chu Li Zi's suggestion, Jin Shang visited Nan Hou, who initially downplayed his familial ties but granted him an audience.

Jin Shang explained that with the upcoming Ying Du meeting, there was much activity surrounding Princess Mi Shu's marriage proposals. He noted that while Queen Wei favored Zhao Hou Yong of Zhao, the King of Qin was also keenly interested in a Qin-Chu alliance and had sent a substantial gift for Nan Hou. Although Nan Hou dismissed gifts from "poor Qin," Jin Shang insisted she behold a rare "luminous pearl" from the Western Regions, captivating her with its brilliance.

Later, King Huai arrived, tired and troubled by the ongoing discussions about the five-nation alliance and Qin's persistent marriage proposal. Nan Hou, eager to please, presented the luminous pearl to him, subtly suggesting he should show some respect to the King of Qin. King Huai, however, complained about the awkward timing, as Chu was planning to ally against Qin, and the King of Qin specifically demanded the first Princess, Mi Shu.

Nan Hou, ever the strategist, proposed a clever solution: to substitute a different woman for Princess Mi Shu, hoping the King of Qin would be deterred. King Huai was greatly impressed by her plan, praising her as his "embroidered strategist" and promising generous rewards. Unaware of their conversation, Mi Yue and Mi Shu discussed the flurry of envoys arriving to seek marriage with the Chu Princess.

Mi Yue encouraged Mi Shu to observe the suitors, but Mi Shu expressed her fear of marrying an unknown man. Mi Shu then confessed her admiration for the "Qin businessman" who had saved them, noting his honorable demeanor. Mi Yue teased her about being smitten with "that old man."

Suddenly, a servant rushed in with news: King Huai had commanded the "Salt woman," a notoriously unsightly palace cook, to impersonate Princess Mi Shu for the King of Qin's blind date in the main hall. Mi Shu and Mi Yue, hiding, watched the proceedings. Mi Shu was astonished to realize the King of Qin was their former rescuer, now clean-shaven and appearing remarkably youthful and distinguished. During the audience, King Huai and the King of Qin exchanged formal greetings.

The King of Qin, despite having met the real Mi Shu previously, feigned ignorance and expressed his long-standing admiration for Princess Mi Shu's renowned beauty. King Huai then summoned the disguised "Princess Mi Shu." Mi Yue couldn't help but laugh, describing the impostor as having a "fat face, wide nose, thick arms and legs, a head as big as a bucket," and "no chin." Mi Shu, however, was mortified. The fake Mi Shu, the Salt woman, bowed awkwardly.

The King of Qin, playing along with the charade, declared that he was "enlightened" and that Princess Mi Shu possessed "four excellent virtues." When King Huai proudly assumed he referred to the traditional virtues of women, the King of Qin clarified that he meant she was "full, hungry, hot, cold," implying her robust physique and resilience.

He humorously noted her loud voice, her strong, calloused hands—uncommon for a palace lady—and her scent of "firewood smoke," proclaiming her a culinary master even greater than the legendary Yi Ya. King Huai, though humiliated, acknowledged the King of Qin's sharp discernment and dismissed the fake princess.

To King Huai's utter astonishment, the King of Qin reiterated his firm intention to marry King Huai's "sister Mi Shu," insisting she was the one he desired, and King Huai, bound by his public declaration, agreed. After witnessing the bizarre spectacle, Mi Yue revealed to Mi Shu that the King of Qin was indeed their handsome rescuer. Mi Shu was distraught, lamenting that he had been so foolishly deceived into choosing an ugly woman.

Mi Yue playfully teased Mi Shu, suggesting the King of Qin might genuinely value the "princess's" cooking skills. Mi Shu accused Mi Yue of heartlessly mocking her distress, but Mi Yue quickly offered comfort, asking how she could help. Mi Shu pleaded for someone to leave the palace and inform the King of Qin of the deception, a task Mi Yue readily agreed to undertake.

Mi Yue then sought out Huang Xie, who was initially sulking because of a past slight. Mi Yue, however, put aside their quarrel, explaining that Mi Shu was in trouble and needed their help to leave the palace to see "a person." Huang Xie, though hesitant, eventually agreed. Along the way, they encountered Zhang Yi, a dishevelled scholar, arguing with palace guards.

Zhang Yi was trying to submit a policy paper to the King but was dismissed due to his unkempt appearance. Huang Xie, recognizing Zhang Yi's intellect, offered to deliver his writings to King Huai. Zhang Yi introduced himself, revealing he was once a doorkeeper for Zhaoyang, but now considered Zhaoyang an enemy, having been accused of stealing a jade and treated like a slave.

Mi Yue, noticing Zhang Yi's desperation, invited him to join them on their journey to see the King of Qin, suggesting he could present his policy to the Qin monarch. Zhang Yi initially refused, claiming his policy was specifically for King Huai and irrelevant to the King of Qin, but Mi Yue persuaded him to come along. Meanwhile, in the King of Qin's residence, Chu Li Zi delivered an urgent letter from Gongsun Yan in Xianyang.

The letter reported political turmoil in the Yiqu kingdom: the old King had died, and Zhai Li had become the new King, sparking discontent among Yiqu's royal uncles, one of whom was heading to Xianyang with gifts to seek an audience with the King of Qin. The King of Qin, troubled by Yiqu's constant border harassment, saw this internal strife as a prime opportunity, as suggested by Gongsun Yan, to "exterminate their arrogance."

He decided he must immediately return to Xianyang. However, with King Huai having agreed to the marriage with Princess Mi Shu, the King of Qin decided he would first prepare a lavish dowry before the six-nation alliance could form, intending to challenge King Huai's intentions.

When Chu Li Zi expressed his revulsion at the "fake Mi Shu," the King of Qin confidently stated that if King Huai had the courage to offer her, he would have the courage to marry her. Just then, a guard announced visitors connected to the Chu Princess, and the King of Qin agreed to see them. Mi Yue, Huang Xie, and Zhang Yi were ushered in.

Mi Yue, addressing the King of Qin, expressed her surprise that their rescuer was none other than the King of Qin, complimenting his youthful appearance without a beard. She then introduced Huang Xie and Zhang Yi. The King of Qin, recognizing Huang Xie as Qu Yuan's esteemed student and the Crown Prince's tutor, expressed his long-standing admiration. Huang Xie, in turn, praised the King of Qin and Qin's growing national power.

The King of Qin then openly inquired if Qu Yuan, known throughout the Nine Provinces, would consider joining Qin. Huang Xie politely declined on Qu Yuan's behalf, stating that Chu was Qu Yuan's homeland, which he could not betray.

The King of Qin countered that while Qu Yuan held a high position and King Huai's trust, many in the Chu court were jealous, few supported his reforms, and King Huai himself was indecisive, potentially putting Qu Yuan in a precarious position. He argued that a truly talented man should not be a "mediocre official under a mediocre ruler," but rather one who can "gallop across the world" and "move princes" for "happiness."

Huang Xie maintained that the King of Qin only partially understood the complexities of the Chu court. The King of Qin conceded that Qin could offer Qu Yuan what Chu could, but Qin could provide "happiness," which Chu could not. Mi Yue interjected, stating that while the King of Qin's words might be true for others, they were not for Qu Yuan. Huang Xie elaborated, saying Qu Yuan would offer the King of Qin one word: "loyalty."

He explained that "a son disloyal to his father is a rebellious son; a minister disloyal to his lord is a disloyal minister." The King of Qin, impressed, accepted this, stating that "each person has their own ambition," and extended an offer of refuge in Qin should Qu Yuan ever face injustice in Chu. Huang Xie expressed his gratitude. With that matter settled, the King of Qin turned to Mi Yue, intuiting she had another purpose for her visit.

Mi Yue confirmed, revealing she was entrusted to inform him that the "Princess Mi Shu" he had met earlier was not the true Princess. When the King of Qin asked who entrusted her, Mi Yue subtly indicated he already knew. He then inquired why the real princess had not come herself, to which Mi Yue replied that a distinguished lady could not freely meet with strange men.

The King of Qin then produced a handkerchief, stating he had long wanted to return the item to its owner (the one Mi Shu had used to bandage his hand). Mi Yue promised to ensure its return. As Mi Yue and Huang Xie prepared to leave, they urged Zhang Yi to join them. Zhang Yi, however, refused, stating he did not want the King of Qin to miss a talented individual and a crucial opportunity.

The King of Qin asked Zhang Yi why he was troubled. Zhang Yi explained his concern that the Qin-Chu marriage alliance might fail due to the tumultuous Chu court, citing King Huai's lust, Jin Shang's treachery, Zhaoyang's obstinacy, and the power struggles within the harem. He argued that while the King of Qin understood the strategic value, he was currently "at a loss" due to his unfamiliarity with Chu's inner workings and lack of a reliable intermediary.

Zhang Yi then boldly declared his willingness to be that person, to "clear obstacles and build bridges" to ensure the Qin-Chu marriage and bring the King of Qin his "beauty." The King of Qin, skeptical, challenged Zhang Yi, asking how he could make such a grand claim. Zhang Yi confidently asserted it would be "by my glib tongue." The King of Qin, initially unimpressed, offered Zhang Yi twenty gold to "make a living for himself."

Zhang Yi, offended, rejected the money, declaring he served "virtuous and enlightened rulers" and sought to shape "rivers and mountains," not mere wealth. As he began to leave in a huff, the King of Qin stopped him. Acknowledging Zhang Yi's "high ambitions," he set a test: Zhang Yi had two months to prove his abilities by ensuring the "five-nation alliance meeting in Ying Du comes to naught."

Zhang Yi eagerly accepted the challenge, and the King of Qin provided him with ten gold for suitable attire. Later, as Huang Xie and Mi Yue walked away, Huang Xie commented on the King of Qin's formidable presence. Mi Yue wondered why Zhang Yi hadn't presented his policy paper to the King of Qin. Huang Xie reminded her that Zhang Yi had stated it was exclusively for King Huai.

Curiosity piqued, Mi Yue insisted on reading Zhang Yi's "Theory of Jade Maidens," a detailed exposition on various types of beautiful women. Huang Xie found it "unbearable," but Mi Yue was amused. She decided she would still deliver it to King Huai, upholding her promise, leaving Huang Xie to wonder what King Huai's reaction would be to such a peculiar document.

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