Episode 18 recap: Xie Wei killed Gong Yicheng.
Lord Gu from the Ministry of Justice, fearing that Zhang Zhe would ruin the Emperor's mood, diverted the topic and consulted the Emperor on how to handle Yan Mufu and his son. The Emperor deliberately asked for Xie Wei's opinion. To avoid arousing suspicion, Xie Wei took the Emperor's perspective and said that although the half-sealed letter couldn't conclusively prove Yan Mufu's connection to the Prince of Pingnan, the handwriting on it was indeed his. Furthermore, when Xue Yuan apprehended Yan Lin, Yan Lin openly defied the imperial order, and he should also be punished. Therefore, he suggested that the Emperor exile Yan Mufu and Yan Lin to Huangzhou. Huangzhou is far away from Tongzhou and the location of the Prince of Pingnan, so there is no fear of Yan Mufu colluding with the Prince of Pingnan. The Emperor felt that Xie Wei's words were reasonable and instructed Lord Gu to act according to Xie Wei's suggestion.
After leaving the palace, Zhang Zhe expressed his suspicions to Lord Gu once again, stating that the Yan family father and son were innocent, but Xie Wei persuaded the Emperor to exile them to a desolate place. Zhang Zhe suspected that Xie Wei had ulterior motives and believed that he should not be allowed to remain by the Emperor's side. Lord Gu advised Zhang Zhe not to be single-minded, even if Xie Wei is worthy of suspicion, the Emperor is unlikely to listen now. This matter cannot be rushed; they must wait until they have solid evidence against Xie Wei.
Upon learning that Xie Wei handed over Yan Mufu's military token to the Emperor, Lv Xian couldn't help but express regret. With that token, the Yan family's army would obey their commands, and Xie Wei could even aspire to become an emperor. Following Xie Wei's instructions, Lv Xian brought Gong Yicheng to the capital. Gong Yicheng questioned Xie Wei, asking if they weren't afraid that the Prince of Pingnan would find out. Xie Wei told Lv Xian that he intended to use the Emperor's hand to eliminate all the Prince of Pingnan's spies in the palace, preventing the news from spreading.
Due to Yao Xi's action of pushing down Lady Qin, she lost her position as a companion reader. When she was being escorted out of the palace, Xue Shu ordered the palace maids to search her belongings. Jiang Xue Ning approached and tried to speak up for Yao Xi, but Yao Xi told her not to pretend. Jiang Xue Ning reminded her that she still didn't understand why she was expelled from the palace and that she should first figure out who her real enemy is.
Upon hearing Jiang Xue Ning's words, Yao Xi broke out in a cold sweat. She knew well the consequences if Lady Qin were to have a miscarriage. She confronted Xue Shu, but he mocked her instead.
Jiang Xue Ning went home to rest, and Zhang Zhe came to her to inquire about Xie Wei's situation. He also told Jiang Xue Ning that it was Xie Wei's idea to exile the Yan family father and son. Jiang Xue Ning was taken aback. She had exerted so much effort but couldn't change the outcome of the Yan family's exile. She decided to confront Xie Wei and get some clear answers.
Xie Wei had the Gong Yicheng brought before him. Gong Yicheng reminded Xie Wei not to forget his own identity and warned him that as soon as the Prince of Pingnan exposed his true identity, he would become a prisoner at any moment. If he stopped meddling in the Yan family's affairs, he could choose not to inform the lord about what had happened before. As soon as Gong Yicheng finished speaking, Xie Wei plunged a dagger into his body from behind.
After Gong Yicheng was injured, Xie Wei watched him crawling in the snow, and he approached him to deliver another blow. Jiang Xue Ning arrived to find Xie Wei just at that moment, witnessing his ferocious appearance. She was frightened and kept stepping back. Xie Wei had lost his sanity at this point. He slowly approached Jiang Xue Ning with the dagger and suddenly grabbed her neck. Jiang Xue Ning pleaded for Xie Wei to let go and reminded him that she was Ning Er. But Xie Wei still raised the dagger in his hand. Jiang Xue Ning closed her eyes in fear, and when she opened them, she realized that Xie Wei had used his right hand to hold the dagger in his left hand. Seeing blood flowing from Xie Wei's hand, Jiang Xue Ning didn't know what to do. However, Xie Wei told her to leave quickly.
Jiang Xue Ning went to the prison cell to see Yan Lin, but the guards informed her that no one could see him without the Emperor's decree. Jiang Xue Ning then went to see You Fang Yin. Seeing Jiang Xue Ning's distressed expression, You Fang Yin comforted her with her mother's words of wisdom. Jiang Xue Ning suddenly had a clear realization. Although the outcome remained the same, she had made efforts to change the process, and perhaps Yan Lin wouldn't have conspired against Xie Wei.
After leaving the dungeon, Jiang Xue Ning unexpectedly encountered Xie Wei. Xie Wei explained to her that the reason for exiling the Yan family father and son was to rebuild from destruction. Only in this way could they leave this troubled place.
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