The Rise of Phoenixes Episode 25 Recap, Plot

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At this time, someone reported that Helian Zheng, the prince of Jinshi Kingdom, had arrived in the imperial capital. The envoy accompanying him was Zhan Bi, who had connections with Concubine Yan Yale back then. Prince Yan ordered this matter to be suppressed and sent people to monitor Zhan Bi. Helian Zheng led his people into Tiansheng, revealing himself to be a frog in a well.

Not only did he despise Tiansheng women for being frail, but he also disliked Tiansheng for being a remote and backward place. Zhan Bi told Helian Zheng to first go for an audience with the Tiansheng Emperor, but Helian Zheng insisted on finding some fun first. Helian Zheng rode his horse, whip in hand, scaring the citizens and common people everywhere, and even startled Feng Zhiwei's carriage. Helian Zheng dismounted and mocked Tiansheng women for being frail.

Feng Zhiwei couldn't be bothered to waste words with him and directly had Gu Nanyi kick him five meters away. Feng Zhiwei then ordered her people to drive the carriage away, not forgetting a taunt, while Helian Zheng looked interested. Wei Zhi, now Feng Zhiwei, returned to Qiu Mansion with Gu Nanyi disguised as a maid. Feng Zhiwei was determined to stay well in this Qiu Mansion so that Wei Zhi could be safe.

As soon as she got home, Feng Zhiwei heard Qiu Yuluo scolding someone. It turned out that she was like a shrew demanding a hairpin from Feng Hao. While Qiu Yuluo relentlessly pestered Feng Hao and insulted Qiu Mingying and Feng Zhiwei, Feng Zhiwei heard it and did not hold back, directly stepping forward and using her clever tongue to make Qiu Yuluo feel defeated.

Afterward, Feng Hao pulled out Qiu Yuluo's hairpin, and he and Feng Zhiwei went back and forth, simply not letting her get the hairpin, creating a very comical scene. Noble Consort Chang and Prince Yan seemed to hold high positions and power in the imperial harem, but their favor was actually decreasing day by day.

Although Duke Min did not have much familial affection with the mother and son, with their relationship based more on mutual interests, he was, after all, a founding hero. For now, Noble Consort Chang and Prince Yan could only stabilize their status by protecting Duke Min. Shaoning burst into the palace at this moment, hoping Prince Yan would use Zhan Bi to properly humiliate Ning Yi.

Shaoning claimed that Ning Yi had privately set up a memorial tablet for Concubine Yan Yale at Qinglong Temple and invited monks to perform rites. Shaoning stated her plan, but it was rejected by Prince Yan, who said such childish actions could not harm Ning Yi. They were determined to put Ning Yi to death, so the plan could not be simple; it had to be a series of interconnected schemes.

Noble Consort Chang then took out a hairpin and gave it to Prince Yan. Shaoning wanted to see it, but Prince Yan quickly covered it. Ning Yi ordered someone to put an arrow in a box and send it to Prince Yan. Then he also told Ning Cheng to remove the guards at the gate, saying he had a premonition that a distinguished guest would visit soon.

Ning Qi repeatedly requested to enter the palace but was always held back by Prince Yan and his mother until he was finally granted permission today. Ning Qi and Lady Wang only dared to speak openly after sending the servants away. Ning Qi asked who forced her to write that note that day.

It turned out that when Lady Wang went to Noble Consort Chang's palace to pay respects, Noble Consort Chang threatened Ning Qi's life to make her write the note's content. Ning Qi was extremely resentful after hearing this, vowing to repay all the humiliation he and Lady Wang had suffered in the future. Prince Yan received the gift from Ning Yi and could not hide his anger, calling for the hidden guards.

Ning Yi repeatedly replayed scenes of playing with his mother in his dream and suddenly woke up startled. A blood-stained sword was stuck in his headboard. At this moment, Chen Shao arrived at Prince Chu's Mansion. Chen Shao claimed to be guilty and knelt down, telling Ning Yi the truth of his escape. Chen Shao was originally an ordinary fisherman in Minhai.

Eighteen years ago, Duke Min took office in Minhai and successively issued sea bans and fishing bans, leaving the fishermen without a livelihood. Subsequently, Duke Min also increased taxes, imposing heavy levies. One year, Minhai suffered a severe drought, crops failed, and they could not go to sea. The people not only had no food but also had to bear heavy taxes.

Ning Yi knew that the silver meant for disaster relief during that drought year was probably swallowed by Duke Min. Chen Shao's father had no choice but to go to the yamen to seek justice but was beaten to death by the unreasonable county magistrate. It was under these circumstances that Chen Shao became a pirate. Later, Duke Min sent people to contact Chen Shao, and Chen Shao became Duke Min's mercenary, continuing to fiercely attack Minhai.

Duke Min's purpose for this trip was nothing else but the funds allocated by the imperial court for suppressing bandits. A month ago, Duke Min ordered Chen Shao to kill Lin Renqi's entire family and also to obtain the letters and memorials from his study. After killing the people, Chen Shao took those memorials and came to the imperial capital. Chen Shao sobbed after finishing his story, seemingly repenting for the killings.

Prince Yan invited Imperial Physician Quan and asked a question. Is it true that Dayue Sunset Tribe men develop blood-colored tribal crest patterns on their skin after turning eighteen? Indeed, it is said that this is to ensure the purity of the Sunset Tribe's bloodline. Prince Yan seemed to have a request, and Imperial Physician Quan readily agreed, as his entry into the Imperial Medical Institute was entirely due to Duke Min.

Prince Yan then instructed him that he and Shaoning would go to the Imperial Medical Institute in a few days. At this time, someone reported that Ning Yi had sent a team of men to Shunping Gate, and Prince Yan also quickly sent people there. The next day, the Tiansheng Emperor received the ten major crimes of Duke Min, written by Lin Renqi before his death. He immediately summoned Duke Min to the palace for a report.

Ning Yi believed that the House of Chang would collapse because of this, but Xin Ziyan thought he was too optimistic. Xin Ziyan immediately proposed a bet concerning Feng Zhiwei: if Ning Yi won, he would marry her as his princess consort. Ning Yi refused the bet, saying how could Feng Zhiwei be a woman to be manipulated by others. After Attendant Xu met Zhan Bi, he extended an invitation on behalf of Ning Yi.

Zhan Bi knew that Ning Yi was Concubine Yan's son but was dissatisfied that he did not clear his mother's name. Attendant Xu then added that Ning Yi had set up a memorial tablet for Concubine Yan, which could be considered filial piety. Seeing Xin Ziyan washing Da Hua's hair, Ning Yi recalled the intimate night with Feng Zhiwei. Ning Yi and Xin Ziyan's forces to impeach Duke Min were ready.

Prime Minister Yao also wrote a letter informing Ning Yi about Zhan Bi, and Ning Yi decided to send Ning Cheng to the post station to investigate. Zhan Bi arrived at Qinglong Temple and saw that what Attendant Xu said was true, but Zhan Bi mistook Prince Yan inside the tent for Ning Yi. Prince Yan also took out the hairpin given by Noble Consort Chang, which Zhan Bi had personally put on Yale.

Zhan Bi then revealed his identity to Prince Yan. Unexpectedly, Prince Yan suddenly discovered that the inner attendant bestowed upon him by the Tiansheng Emperor was eavesdropping. He feigned panic, saying he would definitely report it to the Tiansheng Emperor. Zhan Bi put the hairpin back in his hand, saying he would be back soon. Zhan Bi followed the inner attendant and killed him, but unexpectedly, he was suddenly apprehended by the appearing guards. Upon learning this, Ning Yi ordered someone to bring Zhan Bi to see him.

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Episode 26 Recap