Who Rules The World Episode 7 Recap
> Who Rules The World Recap
Yu Wuyuan, who was on his way to Jizhou to meet Huang Chao, diverted his journey to King Ma's castle upon hearing that Bai Fengxi was there. He was keen to meet the "world's oddest woman" Huang Chao had so highly praised. Bai Fengxi, who had long admired Yu Wuyuan, was surprised by their unexpected meeting. Hei Fengxi observed their pleasant conversation, occasionally interjecting with wry comments about Bai Fengxi's talkativeness, even when injured.
He then informed Bai Fengxi that he had already sent people to ensure the safety of her master, Bai Jiande, and the other Tianshuang Sect disciples. Grateful for Hei Fengxi's foresight, Bai Fengxi invited Yu Wuyuan to join them. As they journeyed, Bai Fengxi continued to praise Yu Wuyuan, highlighting his ethereal nature and his benevolent approach to the world, contrasting him sharply with Hei Fengxi, whom she playfully accused of constantly scheming against everyone.
She then casually mentioned that she had arranged to meet Yu Wuyuan on Mount Tianzhi the following day, a revelation that clearly unsettled Hei Fengxi. The next morning, Hei Fengxi encountered Yu Wuyuan, who possessed a delicate pearl hairpin. Hei Fengxi, seeing the item, questioned if it was for a sweetheart, to which Yu Wuyuan replied it was for a recently made friend—Bai Fengxi.
Hei Fengxi sarcastically advised against giving it to her, claiming she would merely trade it for wine. Yu Wuyuan, however, acknowledged that both he and Hei Fengxi deeply understood Bai Fengxi's carefree spirit. As Yu Wuyuan prepared to depart for Mount Tianzhi, Hei Fengxi issued a veiled warning, asking, "Why can't the Empyrean Yu Family live as long as heaven?" —a pointed reference to the Yu family's curse of not living past thirty.
When Bai Fengxi met Yu Wuyuan on Mount Tianzhi, she first thanked him for his crucial intervention at King Ma's castle and for arranging for Jizhou's garrison to protect the Ma family while pursuing the Soultaker Sect. She then challenged him to a duel, explaining that Huang Chao had ranked Yu Wuyuan as the first person he couldn't defeat, and her as merely the second. Refusing to be second to anyone, she sought to prove her prowess.
Yu Wuyuan, amused and impressed, remarked that only a woman of Bai Fengxi's unique spirit could earn such a high compliment from Huang Chao and provoke Hei Fengxi's subtle threats. As they considered each other friends, Bai Fengxi proposed a Qinggong contest across a lake, rather than a direct fight. Hei Fengxi, secretly observing from a distance, was visibly relieved that their meeting was a competition. The contest ended in a tie, with both landing on the opposite bank simultaneously.
Yu Wuyuan then bid her farewell, reflecting on how worldly ambitions ultimately pale in comparison to the simple joys of music and wine. Back at their lodging, Bai Fengxi's Martial Sister, Bai Langhua, remarked on the exciting world outside and the good care Hei Fengxi had arranged for their recovering master, Bai Jiande. Bai Langhua then playfully teased Bai Fengxi about having feelings for Hei Fengxi, causing Bai Fengxi to quickly cover her mouth and shush her.
At that moment, Bai Jiande entered, confirming his recovery and noting the temporary calm in the martial arts world following the Soultaker Sect's weakening. He announced his intention to visit an old friend nearby and instructed Bai Fengxi to lead their martial siblings back to the Tianshuang Sect, placing her in temporary charge of all sect affairs.
Meanwhile, in Yongzhou, Yong Wang issued a decree: Prince Chang was appointed to the Ministry of Civil Service Affairs, Prince Lanxi to the Ministry of Works, and Prince Ju as an adviser to the Ministry of Revenue. Feng Qiwu explained to her family elder that this was Yong Wang's cunning strategy to assess the three princes.
Given their varied origins—one as the eldest, one as the legitimate son of the first queen, and one whose mother was the current queen—the ultimate choice for Crown Prince would be based solely on their demonstrated wisdom and competence. Feng Qiwu visited Prince Lanxi, congratulating him on his new appointment. She informed him that Vice Minister Liu of the Ministry of Works, an ally of the Feng Family, would deliver all necessary documents to his residence by nightfall.
Feng Qiwu subtly suggested that Prince Ju's choice of the Ministry of Revenue, where his maternal uncle Minister Baili served, was a tactical misstep, as any success wouldn't be attributed to him, but any failure would greatly tarnish the Baili family's reputation. Hei Fengxi, in turn, requested Feng Qiwu's assistance for his elder brother, Prince Chang.
Despite Feng Qiwu's warning against emotional ties in the intense competition for the position of Crown Prince, Hei Fengxi firmly reiterated his unwavering loyalty and brotherly affection for Prince Chang, declaring that his only true adversary was Feng Ju. Feng Qiwu then pledged to keep Hei Fengxi informed of all future court developments.
On Hei Fengxi's first day overseeing the Ministry of Works, Prince Ju, accompanied by officials from the Ministry of Revenue, forcibly stormed into the premises, claiming to be acting on a verbal instruction from Yong Wang to audit the Ministry of Works' accounts. Minister Zheng Kui of the Ministry of Works was visibly agitated.
Under Hei Fengxi's stern questioning, Zheng Kui confessed that a hailstorm the previous year had severely damaged the Xuncheng city wall, for which the Ministry of Works was responsible. To avoid incurring Yong Wang's wrath, he had reluctantly misappropriated 500,000 silver leaves, funds specifically designated for the royal mausoleum. Prince Ju, confident in his alleged discovery, smugly demanded an explanation for the missing silver leaves.
Hei Fengxi calmly revealed that the large quantity of silver leaves had already been converted into silver notes for secure storage, effectively debunking Prince Ju's accusations. He then publicly exposed Prince Ju's false claim of a royal oral instruction, ordering his attendant Zhong Li to immediately verify the court records with the Eunuch Director of Brush-Writing. Faced with undeniable evidence and the threat of severe punishment for fabricating a royal decree, Prince Ju quickly recanted, labeling it a "misunderstanding."
However, Minister Zheng Kui, seizing the strategic advantage, declared his intention to formally report Prince Ju's actions to Yong Wang to clear the Ministry of Works' name, and Hei Fengxi agreed to join him. In court, the ministers vociferously condemned Prince Ju for his arrogant fabrication of a royal decree and his attempt to frame an entire ministry. Yong Wang, though protective of his son, was compelled to address the situation.
Hei Fengxi, ever strategic, suggested a lenient punishment for the "young and error-prone" Prince Ju, but advocated for severe consequences for Minister Baili Heng, Prince Ju's maternal uncle and head of the Ministry of Revenue. Hei Fengxi argued that Minister Baili was not only derelict in his duties by allowing inter-ministerial conflict but also malicious in fueling discord between the legitimate son of the first queen (himself) and the son of the second queen (Prince Ju).
With widespread ministerial agreement, Yong Wang decreed that Minister Baili Heng be demoted to governor of Jiangzhou, and Prince Ju be removed from the Ministry of Revenue, confined to his residence for reflection, and fined 5,000 silver. Immediately after, Hei Fengxi requested permission to lead a team from the Ministry of Works to Decheng to survey and repair the dykes on the rapidly swelling Lianjiang River. Yong Wang, commending his dedication to national affairs, readily approved.
Following the court session, ministers speculated on Hei Fengxi's profound cunning. They deduced that by seemingly going easy on Prince Ju while harshly punishing Minister Baili, Hei Fengxi had effectively weakened the Queen's faction. They also realized his strategic request to leave the capital for Decheng was a move to preempt any immediate nomination for the position of Crown Prince, showcasing his long-term brilliance.
That evening, Prince Chang visited Hei Fengxi, complaining that he wasn't told in advance about the confrontation, thus missing the chance to see Prince Ju's defeat. Hei Fengxi insisted that Prince Ju brought the trouble upon himself. Later, he and Zhong Li discussed the urgency of addressing the flood, prioritizing it over further conflict with Prince Ju.
Bai Fengxi and her martial siblings embarked on a journey back to the Tianshuang Sect via waterway, a route chosen by Bai Fengxi at Xiu Jiurong’s request so that Bai Langhua, who had not been out of the mountains for a long time, could experience more of the world. However, Bai Fengxi suffered severe seasickness on the turbulent Lianjiang River, known for its "three feet waves on windless days."
Xiu Jiurong thoughtfully provided tangerine oil for her, prompting a jealous reaction from Bai Langhua. Bai Fengxi, noticing Bai Langhua's feelings for Xiu Jiurong, encouraged her martial sister to express herself openly, embracing the straightforward spirit of martial artists. Meanwhile, Hei Fengxi, accompanied by Vice Minister Liu, was surveying the dykes in Decheng along the treacherous Lianjiang River. Their boat was suddenly attacked by assassins, who deliberately damaged the deck, causing the vessel to capsize amidst the turbulent waters.
News of the incident reached Prince Ju's residence. His subordinate confessed to having orchestrated the attack independently, believing it would please Prince Ju after his recent humiliation. Prince Ju, however, was enraged, emphatically stating that despite their rivalry, he had never intended to take his brother's life. Realizing the gravity of the situation, he immediately ordered a return to the capital to avoid arousing his father’s suspicion.
Back in the palace, Yong Wang was distraught by the news of Hei Fengxi's disappearance, mobilizing all troops from Decheng for a search. On the Lianjiang River, Bai Fengxi spotted an unconscious Hei Fengxi clinging to driftwood. Despite the treacherous current, she bravely plunged into the water to rescue him, knowing he had a severe fear of water. She found him unresponsive, his lungs damaged from the cold water.
As she tended to him, a feverish Hei Fengxi, in his delirium, tightly grasped her hand and murmured, "Don't leave me, Mother." This raw display of vulnerability deeply affected Bai Fengxi, revealing a fragile side to the usually calculating "Black Foxy."
