Your Highness Episode 17 Recap
> Your Highness Recap
Despite being gravely wounded by Yu Chen, who wielded Qin Zhan's Xuan Tie Treasure Sword, Xiao Tianzhen's status as Grand Tutor of Liao remained unaffected. He leveraged his position, threatening the Liao king to launch invasions of neighboring countries with the aim of unifying the world under Liao rule and collecting princesses from the conquered nations. The obsequious General Jiang Shuai eagerly volunteered to lead the initial expedition against Xixia, which was Qingxue's country.
Qingxue, however, continued to mount a fierce resistance with her troops. Within two months, the Liao army, significantly strengthened by Xiao Tianzhen's "Transmission Power Pills" and "Death Warriors," had rapidly expanded its territory, plunging many regions into widespread warfare. Princesses from the various conquered nations were subsequently sent to serve Xiao Tianzhen. The Liao expansion soon posed a severe threat to the Song Dynasty, prompting Zhao Xu to deploy his forces in a desperate attempt to resist the invasion.
During this period, Yu Chen, having gradually recovered from her own injuries, remained heartbroken by the thought of Qin Zhan. She refused to believe he was dead, visiting the cliff from which he fell. After jumping into the water below, she discovered a piece of his red wedding attire on the shore, which convinced her that Qin Zhan had not only survived but successfully escaped. Her conviction remained unwavering despite Zhao Xu's implicit hopes that she would forget Qin Zhan.
Yu Chen actively participated in the resistance against Liao, assisting Zhao Xu and the Beggar's Sect leader, Xu Huazi, in repelling Liao forces from Song territory. She then ordered Xu Huazi to gather martial artists from across the land to form a united front against Liao. Later, while still holding the red cloth and deeply missing Qin Zhan, Yu Chen received news from Xiao Bing that Qin Zhan's traces had been found in Niujia Village.
Rushing there on horseback, Yu Chen discovered it was a carefully laid trap by Xiao Tianzhen. Shu Er and Han Yi, under Xiao Tianzhen's control, ambushed and captured her. Xiao Tianzhen then deliberately spread the news of Yu Chen's capture far and wide, intending to demoralize the populace and force their surrender.
Meanwhile, after falling from Duanxin Cliff, Qin Zhan and Ming Yue were saved by Tan Taiziyu, a white-haired old man associated with the Linglong Chess Formation, who brought them to his residence for healing. Ming Yue later ventured into a city, disguised, to buy medicine. Qin Zhan eventually awakened after a two-month coma, but he was completely paralyzed and in immense pain. Filled with hatred for Xiao Tianzhen, he initially yearned for a swift recovery.
However, upon seeing news of Yu Chen's capture, which he believed to be her death, he was utterly heartbroken and fell into deep despair, spending his days drinking heavily. When Ming Yue attempted to prevent him from buying more wine, Qin Zhan went to the city alone, where he was brutally beaten by Liao soldiers at the city gates.
A young boy named Ling Er, who was skilled in the Dugu Sword Art and whom Qin Zhan had once saved in Kaifeng, witnessed the bullying and intervened, single-handedly defeating the Liao soldiers. Ling Er recognized the drunken Qin Zhan, but Qin Zhan vehemently denied his identity, calling himself a "waste." Ling Er insisted he wasn't mistaken and brought Qin Zhan back to their residence.
Ling Er's actions, however, attracted the attention of the Liao army, who quickly converged on their location. Ming Yue confronted the soldiers and could have easily fended them off, but the Liao soldiers, captivated by her beauty, attacked and knocked her unconscious. Ling Er bravely fought again but was no match for a Liao leader who had consumed a Transmission Power Pill.
Seeing the escalating danger, Qin Zhan, unable to bear watching, rushed out from the house, only to be immediately surrounded and beaten by the soldiers. Ling Er desperately urged him to stand and fight, reminding him that he was the one who taught him the Dugu Sword Art. Qin Zhan, although devoid of internal energy, suddenly remembered that the Dugu Sword Art did not require it. He then grabbed a broom and began to fight the Liao army using his sword art.
