Who Rules The World Episode 22 Recap
> Who Rules The World Recap
Ren Rusong presented his findings on Liangcheng to Prince Lanxi. He revealed that Liangcheng, situated at the border of Yongzhou and Qingzhou and surrounded by rapid waters, was a strategic military training ground. However, it was firmly controlled by military commissioner Yu Ming, making it difficult for royal decrees to be implemented smoothly. Yu Ming had proposed building a dam on the upstream rapid waters to solidify his control, but this project was merely a slow-moving facade.
Ren Rusong advised Prince Lanxi that eliminating Yu Ming was the prerequisite for entering Liangcheng. Prince Lanxi affirmed his determination to proceed to Liangcheng despite the difficulties. He acknowledged the rule forbidding princes from forming vassal states or leaving the capital and planned to use the upcoming spring tide, in conjunction with Yu Ming's fake dam project, as his opportunity to depart. Zhong Li then reported that Prince Ju had visited Yu Wuyuan after the morning court.
Prince Ju left shortly after, appearing displeased, which suggested a possible fallout with Yu Wuyuan. Immediately after, Yu Wuyuan was seen leaving the capital of Yongzhou with his servants. Prince Lanxi, however, was not easily fooled. He reasoned that Yu Wuyuan was not one to admit defeat so readily, and the numerous loopholes in the recent treasury theft case did not align with Yu Wuyuan's usual meticulous methods.
Prince Lanxi suspected that Prince Ju’s relentless entanglement had forced Yu Wuyuan to make a strategic departure. He instructed Zhong Li to continue monitoring Prince Ju, anticipating that he would devise new schemes in Yu Wuyuan's absence. It was revealed that earlier, Yu Wuyuan had advised Prince Ju that the only way to become the heir apparent was to make the King wary of Prince Lanxi, as the King would not allow his heir to outshine him.
Yu Wuyuan had promised Prince Ju a sachet containing methods to defeat Prince Lanxi, to be opened only after Prince Lanxi left the capital. He also requested Prince Ju to cooperate in a staged performance. That night, Bai Jiande, the leader of the Tianshuang Sect, convened a secret meeting with two other Token Keepers: Zeng Jiuhai, the Head of Escort of the Jiuhai Security Escort of Jizhou, and Qian Henian, the owner of the Xiangyun Wares of Beizhou.
Bai Jiande explained that someone was using fake Empyrean Tokens to sow chaos throughout the realm. He revealed that a fake token had previously been given to him, and another was acquired by Bai Fengxi and later handed to the heir of Jizhou, Huang Chao, only to be stolen en route to the Imperial City.
Through his covert investigation, aided by Prince Lanxi's intelligence from Hidden Spring Pavilion, Bai Jiande discovered that Gongye Zhi, an ironsmith and fellow Token Keeper, had gone missing. He suspected Gongye Zhi of forging these fake tokens, possibly in collusion with another Token Keeper. Bai Jiande sought their assistance in identifying the remaining Token Keepers to uncover the truth. Both men pledged their support, vowing not to stand idly by.
As the first snow fell, Zhong Li suggested to Prince Lanxi that it was an opportune moment for a romantic confession, reassuring him that Bai Fengxi likely harbored feelings for him. Despite feeling a touch of nervousness, Prince Lanxi denied it and instructed Zhong Li to invite her over. Unbeknownst to him, Bai Fengxi was enjoying Qingzhou's hot pot, known as "To Dine On Dusk," with Feng Qiwu. Feng Qiwu, accustomed to a milder diet, found the dish surprisingly flavorful.
Noticing Bai Fengxi's deep familiarity with the dish, Feng Qiwu inquired if she was from Qingzhou. Bai Fengxi confirmed she was, proudly stating that "Feng" was the national surname of Qingzhou. Feng Qiwu lauded Qingzhou as a land of remarkable heroines, from the founding Lord Feng to Princess Xiyun, and now Bai Fengxi herself. Bai Fengxi, however, asserted her belief in universal equality, particularly between men and women, emphasizing everyone's right to pursue their desires.
Their conversation flowed, and they enthusiastically agreed to dress as men the following day to ride horses in the wild and explore courtesan houses, free from societal constraints. Prince Lanxi waited for Bai Fengxi, but she never arrived. Zhong Li returned with news that Bai Fengxi had spent the entire day with Feng Qiwu, strolling through the streets, indulging in hot pot, watching an opera, and returning home only after dinner.
Prince Lanxi was annoyed by her eventful day and his missed opportunity. Zhong Li, undeterred, advised Prince Lanxi not to be disheartened, reminding him of other upcoming festivals and the possibility of creating their own romantic moments. Inspired by a storybook, Prince Lanxi decided to invite Bai Fengxi to his residence to watch fireworks. He meticulously arranged everything, awaiting her arrival. However, as night fell, Bai Fengxi was nowhere to be seen.
Zhong Li investigated and reported that Bai Fengxi and Feng Qiwu, disguised in men's attire, had entered the Xiangle Parlor and remained inside. Furious, Prince Lanxi rushed to the parlor. Inside, the renowned courtesan Shao Yin was hosting a poetry contest, with the prize being a night in her company. Driven by curiosity, Bai Fengxi penned a poem that earned widespread acclaim and Shao Yin's favor.
Shao Yin invited Bai Fengxi to her private chambers, but Bai Fengxi, recalling her forgotten appointment, hastily declined and departed with Feng Qiwu. Prince Lanxi arrived just as the poetry contest concluded. Without a word, he forcefully pulled Bai Fengxi out of the parlor, expressing his anger that she never took his warnings about the Lan Yin Bi Yue and the dangers of places like brothels seriously.
Bai Fengxi, realizing his distress, attempted to placate him with a playful remark, but then got angry when he yelled at her, claiming her guilt had vanished and he had hurt her pride. Prince Lanxi tried to calm her, and Zhong Li, seeing an opening, immediately ordered the fireworks to be lit. Seizing the moment, Prince Lanxi put his arm around Bai Fengxi's shoulder. Unexpectedly, she reciprocated, placing her hand on his shoulder like a comrade rather than a lover.
She then casually dismissed the fireworks as a "cliche trope from storybooks," oblivious to Prince Lanxi's darkening expression. Exasperated and embarrassed, Prince Lanxi stormed back to his room, leaving Bai Fengxi alone, who belatedly realized the fireworks had been carefully prepared for her. Despite the failure of his snowy night fireworks plan, Prince Lanxi refused to give up. He instructed Zhong Li to bring him numerous storybooks, hoping to find new romantic ideas.
He ultimately decided to invite Bai Fengxi to admire lanterns on the Lantern Festival night. Miss Huan, serving tea, overheard their conversation and appeared thoughtful before quietly leaving. From that day onward, Bai Fengxi seemed preoccupied, often replaying the events of that night in her mind, even during a game of chess with Feng Qiwu.
Feng Qiwu, recognizing Bai Fengxi's unique spirit and fully acknowledging that her own relationship with Prince Lanxi was purely one of subject and ruler, decided to subtly encourage Bai Fengxi. She teasingly pointed out that even when Bai Fengxi listed Prince Lanxi's flaws—his calculative nature, overbearing control, and cold demeanor—her eyes sparkled with a smile, revealing her true feelings. Bai Fengxi, flushed with embarrassment, admitted her realization but hesitated to make the first move, citing the importance of timing.
Feng Qiwu reminded her that Prince Lanxi had searched for her all day on the first snow, suggesting his earnestness. She pressed Bai Fengxi on how she would respond if Prince Lanxi confessed his feelings again, leading Bai Fengxi to blush and inwardly fantasize about such a scenario, finally feeling a sense of relief and anticipation. Concerned for Prince Lanxi's future, Miss Huan approached Ren Rusong.
She informed him of Prince Lanxi's unwavering determination to marry Bai Fengxi, regardless of the obstacles. She urged Ren Rusong to discreetly meet with Bai Jiande, Bai Fengxi's master, to persuade Bai Fengxi to withdraw. Ren Rusong initially refused, unwilling to act against Prince Lanxi's wishes. However, Miss Huan had already taken matters into her own hands and sent an invitation to Bai Jiande in Ren Rusong's name.
Although Ren Rusong was furious at her audacity, he was compelled to agree when Miss Huan invoked the late queen's dying wish for him to protect Prince Lanxi. After much deliberation, Ren Rusong met with Bai Jiande at the Pagoda Tree Estate. He directly stated his purpose: to discuss Bai Fengxi.
He pointed out that while the Tianshuang Sect was a renowned martial arts school, it was still a part of the jianghu, making it difficult for Bai Fengxi to marry into the royal family. Furthermore, he suggested that Bai Fengxi, being accustomed to a carefree life, would struggle to adapt to the constraints of a royal consort. Bai Jiande understood Ren Rusong's clear intention to separate Prince Lanxi and Bai Fengxi.
