Who Rules The World Episode 18 Recap
> Who Rules The World Recap
King Yong, seeking to balance the growing influence of Prince Yongping Feng Lanxi, decreed that Feng Chang be elevated to Prince Yongxin, granting him a fief of three thousand households. The King explained that while Lanxi had enjoyed considerable attention recently, it was not yet time to name an heir. He also instructed Yuan Lu to accelerate the production of armors and weapons at the Ministry of Works during the winter break.
Prince Ju was infuriated by his father's decision, feeling that he was the only prince without a title. After calming down, he ordered his retainers to inform his mother, Queen Baili, that their pre-arranged plans should be set in motion. He then discreetly instructed Li Jiaxian to seek out his uncle, Baili Jing, to forge a decree for Feng Chang. Despite Li Jiaxian's concerns, Prince Ju insisted, viewing it as a prime opportunity.
He specifically warned against informing his mother, reasoning that her confinement rendered her unhelpful and she might complicate matters. Meanwhile, Queen Baili, through Baili Jing, sent a hairpin to Miss Qi Cheng, attempting to win her favor as part of her plan. Feng Chang, in turn, reminded Baili Jing to convey to the Queen that he would only assist her this one time, severing all ties afterward.
Prince Yongping Hei Fengxi received a sudden invitation from Feng Chang for a plum blossom viewing, immediately sensing a trap, as such an abrupt invitation was uncharacteristic of his elder brother. He ordered his men to investigate and soon discovered that Baili Jing had secretly visited Feng Chang. Later, on his way back to his residence, Hei Fengxi was accosted by a merchant who splashed him with black hound blood, shouting curses and blaming him for ruining his family.
Zhong Li's subsequent investigation revealed the assailant was a merchant who, after being implicated in bribery during Wang Minghai's downfall, harbored a deep grudge against Hei Fengxi. Unbeknownst to Hei Fengxi, this incident was deliberately orchestrated by Feng Chang, who hoped the superstition surrounding the black hound blood would deter Hei Fengxi from leaving his home.
Despite his housekeeper Miss Huan's warnings about bad luck and the need for fasting and cleansing with salt, Hei Fengxi dismissed such notions as superstition and insisted on keeping an appointment to visit Minister Liu. However, Miss Huan overheard Zhong Li revealing that Hei Fengxi's real intention was to meet Bai Fengxi. Upon learning of the incident, Bai Fengxi confidently declared she had a unique method to dispel the bad luck.
She took Hei Fengxi to a bustling street stall, assuring him that a meal rich in exotic Western spices would ward off misfortune. Though initially skeptical, Hei Fengxi found himself enjoying the delectable street food. As they wandered through the market, they unexpectedly ran into Bai Fengxi's martial sister, Bai Langhua, and Xiu Jiurong. To avoid any misunderstanding, Bai Fengxi quickly pulled Hei Fengxi into hiding.
Despite Bai Langhua's quick wit in ushering her companions away, she appeared to have caught a glimpse of them. Once they were alone, Hei Fengxi voiced his frustration at being hidden. Bai Fengxi awkwardly explained that she simply didn't want her martial siblings to misunderstand that she was neglecting her training.
The next day, Hei Fengxi arrived at the plum garden with a prepared gift, stating that regardless of the circumstances, Feng Chang was his elder brother, and he would not make things difficult for him. Prince Ju and Baili Jing were also present. A servant offered Hei Fengxi a cup of tea, which he drank before feigning unconsciousness. The servant then had Miss Qi Cheng's lifeless body brought next to him, intending to frame Hei Fengxi for her murder.
Feng Chang arrived at the pavilion, witnessing the scene and realizing the ruthlessness of Queen Baili's scheme. Before the servant could act further, Hei Fengxi, who had merely pretended to be unconscious, suddenly sprang to life, knocking out the servant. Hei Fengxi confronted Feng Chang, discerning that this was not his brother's true desire and pressing him to reveal who was coercing him.
Feng Chang, however, remained silent about the mastermind, instead berating Hei Fengxi for years of deceit and asking why he had come when he had suggested they sever ties. Hei Fengxi recounted how their mother had instilled in him the belief that Feng Chang, not acknowledged by his birth mother, deserved extra care.
He affirmed that he could not stand idly by while his elder brother suffered and acknowledged that Feng Chang had always been the one who looked after him more. As a gesture, Hei Fengxi presented Feng Chang with a Golden Rattan Whip he had acquired, lamenting that they might both disappoint their mother this time.
Feng Chang, though deeply pained, spoke harsh words to push his brother away for his own safety, then deliberately threw himself from the pavilion, simulating an accident. Royal physicians, who were conveniently present, quickly attended to Feng Chang, confirming that his life was not in danger, though his right leg was severely broken, threatening to leave him handicapped. Duke Qi, overcome with grief at his daughter's death, immediately accused Hei Fengxi of murder.
Adding to the chaos, Baili Jing stumbled into the scene, appearing disoriented and with prominent scratches on his face. Hei Fengxi, having anticipated the trap, had collaborated with Zhong Li, subtly manipulating events to shift suspicion towards Baili Jing and cause him to appear deranged. This cleverly cleared Hei Fengxi's name and provided a way out for Feng Chang. In the royal court, Duke Qi pleaded with King Yong for justice, adamantly accusing Hei Fengxi of framing Baili Jing.
Hei Fengxi calmly refuted Duke Qi's reckless accusations against the royal family, leaving the Duke speechless. Minister Zhang Zhongge intervened, suggesting that Duke Qi's grief had clouded his judgment and that a final decision should await Feng Chang's recovery. After dismissing his ministers, King Yong privately questioned Yuan Lu about the true mastermind.
He doubted that Baili Jing would commit such a grave act out of mere lust and speculated if Feng Chang had attempted to frame Hei Fengxi but was outmaneuvered. Yuan Lu countered, arguing that Feng Chang would not sacrifice himself, especially knowing that a handicapped prince could not inherit the throne.
Based on Yuan Lu's analysis, King Yong concluded that Prince Ju and Queen Baili were the most likely culprits, believing Prince Ju sought to eliminate both his elder brothers to secure his position as heir. At that moment, Queen Baili defiantly entered the court despite her confinement, offering to relinquish her phoenix crown. She insisted that she and Prince Ju were innocent, arguing that the ultimate beneficiary of the plot was the true mastermind.
She went on to offer substantial compensation to Duke Qi's family: five thousand pieces of gold, a marriage between Baili Jing's son and Duke Qi's niece, and the promise that her family's inherited title would pass to the son born of this union. She concluded by emotionally asserting that Feng Chang was her own flesh and blood. The King, somewhat mollified, told her he would investigate further.
Back in her chambers, Queen Baili angrily slapped Prince Ju, demanding to know whose idea the disastrous plan was. Prince Ju blamed Baili Jing, but Queen Baili remained unconvinced. Meanwhile, Minister Zhang Zhongge's search of the plum garden uncovered the dead body of a blue-clad servant from Xuliu Parlor. In the servant's hand, a piece of dark fox fur was found, stained with the same wine detected on Miss Qi Cheng's body.
King Yong immediately issued a decree: all noblemen who had attended the banquet, with the exception of Feng Chang, were confined to their residences. Minister Zhang Zhongge proceeded to Prince Yongping's residence to inspect Hei Fengxi's dark fox fur coat. However, Feng Qiwu had already discreetly arranged for a replacement coat to be delivered. Feng Qiwu then instructed her maid, Xiao'er, to preserve Hei Fengxi's original coat, explaining that its destruction was premature.
She emphasized that to definitively exonerate Hei Fengxi, Feng Chang would need to awaken and personally confirm Baili Jing's guilt, and the coat would serve as crucial evidence. Since Hei Fengxi was confined, Feng Qiwu took it upon herself to manage these matters, driven by her hope that Hei Fengxi would achieve his ambitions.
