The Legend of Mi Yue Episode 71 Recap, Plot

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> The Legend of Mi Yue Recap

Grand Empress Dowager Mi Yue initiated sweeping reforms across Qin. The Shangjun method was revived, ensuring all offenders would be judged by law. Chu Li Zi was tasked with overseeing land redistribution, border expansion, household registrations, and tax adjustments, while Wei Ran took charge of military records, inventorying soldiers and confirming their achievements. Mi Rong presided over the standardization of weights and measures.

Sima Cuo was assigned to affairs in Shu, and Bai Qi was responsible for integrating the customs of the Rong Di people, all carried out under Mi Yue's decree. Meanwhile, Yiqu King, still recovering from his wounds, insisted on rising despite Mi Yue's concerns about his health. He felt restless, unwilling to remain in bed while generals like Bai Qi and Wei Ran were fighting on the front lines, and dismissed his injury as minor.

Mi Yue, though worried, reluctantly allowed him to depart, and he reassured her that his role would merely be auxiliary, assisting General Sima Cuo, and would not pose great danger. Soon after Yiqu King departed, King Ying Ji excitedly informed Mi Yue that the Chu envoy had arrived at the Post. Later, Chu Li Zi confirmed that the Chu marriage envoy had arrived, accompanied by Prince Heng, the Chu hostage prince.

Mi Yue, recalling her own experiences as a hostage, instructed that Prince Heng should be treated with utmost care. Chu Li Zi then revealed that the envoy was Huang Xie. Upon hearing Huang Xie's name, Mi Yue was deeply moved. Mi Yue, overjoyed at the prospect of seeing her brother Mi Rong (who arrived with the envoy), rushed with Ying Ji to the Post, where she and Mi Rong shared a tearful embrace, profoundly happy at their reunion.

Ying Ji was also pleased by his mother and uncle’s reunion and offered thanks to Shao Si Ming. Mi Yue later met the Chu Princess, Yao Yao, Ying Ji's future bride. Mi Yue affectionately called her "Yao children" and inquired about her family and if she missed home. Yao Yao replied that she often thought of home but believed her situation was easier than her aunt's (Mi Yue's) marriage.

Mi Yue promised not to make things difficult for her, nor would Yao Yao's own mother. Yao Yao revealed she knew how to cook, having prepared dishes for her sick mother when they couldn't call servants, and lamented her mother's humiliation by Nan Zheng. Mi Yue sympathized, acknowledging Yao Yao as another who had suffered grievances, and promised to protect her from any further injustice after noticing a small wound on Yao Yao’s hand.

Prince Heng and Huang Xie then paid their respects to Mi Yue. Mi Yue advised Prince Heng to learn Qin customs, foster friendships, and avoid any actions that might disrupt the peace between Qin and Chu. Prince Heng respectfully agreed before being summoned by King Ying Ji. Mi Yue asked Huang Xie to stay for a private conversation.

Alone, Huang Xie expressed that he couldn’t freely approach her unless invited and urged her to close her eyes, promising she would see his image. He confessed that in recent years, he had nearly lost himself, but Mi Yue’s heart remained as clear as a mirror. Mi Yue, tearful, admitted that even as a Grand Empress Dowager, she could still cry like a child, and Huang Xie expressed his profound happiness at seeing her.

They reminisced about their youth in Taoyuan, recalling how Mi Yue, with her "soft whip," had defied expectations of a princess. Huang Xie remembered those days, which he once yearned to escape, as the happiest of his life because of her. Mi Yue echoed his sentiment, stating she had met the best woman in the world there. Huang Xie lamented the passage of time, noting that while the peach trees remained, the people had changed.

He acknowledged Yiqu King’s great kindness to Mi Yue during her years in Qin, and Mi Yue confirmed her deep gratitude and dependence on him. Huang Xie expressed both gratitude and envy towards Yiqu King, appreciative of his unwavering protection but envious that he could do everything for her, something Huang Xie could not. Mi Yue affirmed that no one understood her better than he did, and Huang Xie said the same.

Mi Yue then implored him to stay in Qin, even offering him the position of her "right phase". Huang Xie reminded her of his duty as a Chu official and hostage. Mi Yue argued that Chu was stagnating, with Qu Yuan exiled and powerful factions like Zheng Xiu and Jin Shang dominating, leaving Prince Heng vulnerable. She suggested that by staying in Qin, he could indirectly support Prince Heng and help him become King of Chu.

Huang Xie questioned the marriage alliance if Qin was so pessimistic about Chu. Mi Yue explained that after exhausting all other options, a Qin-Chu alliance was strategically necessary to counter the combined forces of Zhao, Han, Wei, and Qi. She pleaded with him to stay and help her, reiterating that he knew her best.

Huang Xie clarified that while he could not serve in the Qin court, he would help her as long as he remained in Qin, but could not if he left. Mi Yue declared she would never let him go, dedicating everything to keep him, to which Huang Xie replied that with the world of Daqin now hers, she shouldn't sacrifice everything for him. Mi Yue insisted he was worth it.

Meanwhile, palace servants gossiped about Mi Yue and Huang Xie, deeming them a perfect match. Yiqu King, at a tavern with his men, complained about Xianyang life, its food, and its wine, expressing a longing for the prairie. His men questioned when he would lead them to battle, and some voiced suspicions about Huang Xie, recalling his past connection to Mi Yue and his current status as a Chu hostage. They believed Huang Xie still harbored feelings for Mi Yue.

Yiqu King later returned to Mi Yue, who questioned his late arrival. He complimented her appearance, but Mi Yue, noticing his intoxication, commented on his drinking and critical gaze. Yiqu King retorted that he hadn't drunk much and subtly implied that Mi Yue's sudden embrace of her 'Motherland' (Chu) customs was due to Huang Xie's presence. Mi Yue, displeased, had her servants escort him to rest.

Soon after, Yiqu King's men caused further disruption in the Xianyang market, taking goods without payment and injuring merchants. A servant reported these escalating incidents to Mi Yue, explaining that Yiqu soldiers frequently got drunk and committed such acts, exploiting the Qin people's tolerance, who, despite their resentment, had refrained from speaking out due to Yiqu's customs and their contributions to Daqin. Mi Yue, displeased that she hadn't been informed sooner, summoned Chu Li Zi.

Chu Li Zi confronted her, blaming her for condoning the Yiqu people's behavior, which led to repeated violations of Qin law in Xianyang. He warned that Yiqu King's presence in the palace and his influence over the Forbidden Army were fueling gossip and threatened to resign if Mi Yue continued to indulge them.

Mi Yue explained that Yiqu people, accustomed to bartering and sharing on the prairie, were unfamiliar with market transactions and Qin laws, often resorting to violence without understanding the consequences. She stressed that while such behavior might be customary on the prairie, it was illegal in Xianyang. Chu Li Zi agreed, reiterating the importance of Shangjun law applying equally to all, from princes to commoners, to prevent Qin law from becoming meaningless.

Mi Yue likened Yiqu people to wild horses—valuable on the battlefield if tamed, but dangerous if untamed—and declared her intention to "rein them in." A servant then announced that someone wished to offer medicine to Mi Yue for her illness, but Mi Yue dismissed them, saying no medicine could cure her present ailment. However, Chu Li Zi stepped forward, offering his "medicine"—advice. He correctly diagnosed her "headache" as the dilemma of how to deal with Yiqu King in Xianyang.

He acknowledged Yiqu people's significant past contributions to Qin, helping Ying Ji ascend the throne and assisting in quelling rebellions. Yet, he emphasized their deep-seated customs were difficult to change. Chu Li Zi advised her to consider Zhao's successful implementation of "Hu-style cavalry and archery," which significantly bolstered their military power and allowed them to expand territory and incorporate nomadic tribes.

Mi Yue acknowledged the value of using Yiqu troops, recognizing that cavalry would be key in future warfare, but asserted her goal was to create a Qin cavalry, not just rely on Yiqu forces. She announced that the Qin and Yiqu armies would train together, combining Yiqu's natural riding skills with Qin's weapons and tactics (crossbows, armor) to forge an invincible force. Chu Li Zi understood her vision.

Mi Yue then decreed that Yiqu people would establish their camp outside Xianyang City. Within their barracks, they could follow their customs, but outside, they would be bound by Qin law, which no one, including them, could violate. For their past transgressions, as she hadn't explicitly informed them of these laws, Mi Yue declared she would pay the penalties from her own treasury.

Yiqu King, upon hearing of the new policy, confronted Mi Yue, questioning why his people, despite complaining about Xianyang being too small, must now be bound by Qin law outside their camp. Mi Yue patiently explained that residing in Qin offered them permanent security from famine and tribal invasions, but this stability depended on adhering to Qin's structured, agricultural way of life, unlike the arbitrary existence on the prairie.

She asserted that chivalrous courage was admirable, but savage violence was not, and since the Yiqu people were now part of Qin, they must be treated equally under Qin law, rather than being seen as outsiders. Yiqu King, understanding her reasoning, reluctantly agreed, accepting that her decisions were ultimately for their own good. He readily agreed to the arrangement, despite the inconvenience of commuting between the camp and the palace.

Mi Yue then subtly reminded him about his earlier inquiry regarding the Chu envoys, but Yiqu King feigned forgetfulness due to drinking, quickly redirecting the conversation to setting up his camp outside the city, avoiding any mention of meeting Huang Xie. In the main hall, Mi Yue, the Grand Empress Dowager, conferred with Chu Li Zi about the state of the nation.

Chu Li Zi reported significant progress: the Bashu rebellion had been suppressed, envoys from various states dismissed, and Gongzi Chi, along with several other princes, had formally submitted their allegiance. The only remaining challenge was the rebellion in Yongcheng, led by Ying Hua and Hui Hou Mi Shu. They resolved to issue a final edict to Ying Hua and the other rebels, offering clemency for past transgressions if they pledged allegiance and worked for the greater good of the state.

Failure to comply would result in their being declared rebels, facing full military force. In Yongcheng, Gan Mao urgently pressed Hui Hou Mi Shu to have Ying Hua lead his forces to attack Xianyang, emphasizing the immediacy of war. Under his persuasion, Hui Hou Mi Shu reluctantly crowned Ying Hua as King. When Wei Yan learned of Ying Hua's ascension, she was overjoyed, believing this act legitimized her son's campaign to conquer the "traitors" in Xianyang.

However, General Meng was dispatched to persuade soldiers in Ying Hua's army, and consequently, many of Ying Hua's troops deserted before the impending battle. Overwhelmed and outnumbered, Ying Hua and seven other rebellious princes were eventually captured. Gan Mao managed to escape to the state of Wei, while Hui Hou Mi Shu was "invited back" to Xianyang. Regarding the fate of the captured princes, Mi Yue insisted on applying Qin law strictly, advocating for their execution.

Both Chu Li Zi and King Ying Ji were hesitant and confused by her resolute stance. Mi Yue patiently explained to her son that the law must apply equally to princes and common people; otherwise, Qin's legal system would be rendered meaningless and ineffective, ultimately leading to the demise of the state.

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