Tribes and Empires: Storm of Prophecy Episode 53 Recap
> Tribes and Empires: Storm of Prophecy Recap
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Emperor Muyun Qin summoned officials Xue Or and Gusong Zhi to the palace. Fearing Muyun Sheng might perceive their true thoughts, they knelt trembling. Xue Or feigned old age and forgetfulness, a sentiment Gusong Zhi quickly echoed, claiming he dared not serve the Emperor further. Emperor Muyun Qin silenced them, stating he had summoned them to discuss which prince should be sent to Hanzhou for peace talks.
Xue Or first suggested Muyun Lu and Muyun Han, then dismissed both as unsuitable; Muyun Lu was too refined for the fierce Hanzhou people, and Muyun Han had already engaged them in battle. He then proposed Muyun Hege, acknowledging Muyun Hege's crime of treason, which typically warranted lifelong imprisonment according to the Great Duan Dynasty's laws.
Xue Or argued that peace talks in Hanzhou were inherently dangerous; if Muyun Hege succeeded, it would be a miraculous contribution, cleansing his past disgrace. If he failed, it would merely be the loss of a condemned prince, showcasing his courage and responsibility as a royal. After a period of reflection, Emperor Muyun Qin agreed to Xue Or's suggestion and commanded Wu Ruyi to deliver the imperial edict releasing Muyun Hege.
Wu Ruyi first went to the Empress's bedchamber to offer congratulations. Empress Nanku Mingyi, who had just been angered by her maid for not styling her hair in Yinrong's preferred fashion, was initially overjoyed upon hearing of Muyun Hege's release. However, her joy turned to despair when she learned Muyun Qin intended to send Muyun Hege to Hanzhou, effectively sending him to his death.
Distraught, she declared she would rather Muyun Hege remain imprisoned, as that would at least offer hope; going to Hanzhou would leave her with none. She desperately pleaded with Wu Ruyi to give his life and not deliver the edict, asserting that if Muyun Hege were to be slaughtered, she would ensure every person in the imperial city paid with their lives.
Loyal Wu Ruyi, despite knowing that concealing an imperial edict was a capital offense, tore up the document with tears in his eyes and consumed it, affirming his allegiance. The Empress, her hair now styled in Yinrong's favored "suiyunji," then prepared to seek an audience with the Emperor. Deep in his bedchamber, Muyun Qin was consumed by sorrow, deeply missing Yinrong and regretting his own greed.
He had once believed his intelligence and efforts could grant him everything, but he had irrevocably lost Yinrong, his beloved. Meanwhile, the Empress, pretending to be Yinrong, requested an audience. Muyun Qin, however, rejected her outright. He stepped out and revealed her deception, stating unequivocally that Yinrong was no longer of this world and that the person before him was Nanku Mingyi.
He reminded her that it was she who had set fire to Yongyin Palace in Yongning Year 15, killing Yinrong. Muyun Qin recounted how he had overheard the Empress's conversation with Yinrong that day, and he recalled her chilling words: that her world was devoid of daylight, filled only with night and hatred, and that she desired him to share that same sentiment.
Mockingly, Muyun Qin questioned if she believed he would hate her, coldly asserting that she was unworthy of any emotion from him. The Empress, stepping closer, expressed no regret for her past actions. She argued that love and hate were inseparable, like day and night, and that even his hatred proved her presence in his heart.
She claimed that for Muyun Qin and the stability of the Duan Dynasty, she, the dignified Empress, would sacrifice herself and impersonate Yinrong if he needed her. She observed that only by becoming Yinrong did she understand how one person could have different facets: Yinrong's Muyun Qin was warm like the winter sun, while Nanku Mingyi's Muyun Qin was cold as frost and snow.
Muyun Qin, however, refused to continue the charade, believing her impersonation was merely an attempt to elicit pity and save Muyun Hege. He stated that he had never hated her, considering her nothing more than a stranger to him. Turning away callously, Muyun Qin rejected the Empress's desperate pleas to let Muyun Hege remain, even if it meant sacrificing everything and conforming to his desires.
He coldly pushed her out of the room, declaring that Muyun Hege had been dead to him since the day he attempted usurpation. Wu Ruyi was later punished with staff beatings for destroying the imperial edict, yet the order for Muyun Hege's release for the Hanzhou peace talks remained in effect. Back in her bedchamber, the Empress went on a hunger strike, unable to eat or drink, consumed by thoughts of Muyun Hege.
When her maid reminded her that Muyun Hege still awaited her rescue, she resolved to dedicate everything to stopping him from going to Hanzhou. On the other side, Muyun Hege's manor was desolate, covered in withered leaves. Hege, stepping out of his residence for the first time in years, held a dilapidated lantern.
Reflecting on his past ambitions with Nanku Yueli, he felt a complex mix of emotions, acknowledging that this day of his release was, in fact, a journey to his death. Meanwhile, Muyun De was captivated by a melody played by Nanku Yueli. Yueli, still clinging to her dream of becoming Empress, continued to anticipate Muyun Hege's arrival and refused Muyun De's advances.
Muyun De warned her that he was the true player of this "game" and that defying him would lead to unfavorable consequences. He then left, seeking Qin Yufeng, and instructed him to carefully look after Mu Ruhanjiang, as Mu Ruhanjiang would need sufficient energy for an upcoming task. Mu Ruhanjiang, imprisoned at the Jiuzhou Inn, again met Qin Yufeng.
He inquired about Su Yuning's condition, to which Qin Yufeng revealed she was out of danger, bringing a smile to Mu Ruhanjiang's face. Qin Yufeng asked why he cared so much about her, but Mu Ruhanjiang firmly stated that he was simply "Hanjiang from Yaowang Temple," not Mu Ruhanjiang. He declared his indifference to all royal affairs and family honors, but vowed to be meticulously committed to anything he might truly care about in the future.
