Episode 15 recap: "Seeking revenge for the righteous mother."
Yu Shi San wanted to show off in front of Jin Mei Niang, but ended up being slapped by her. Jiang Xiu thought Jin Mei Niang was skillful and capable in various situations, and she had a fiery relationship with the members of the envoy. She was truly the former vice leader of the Six Dao Hall and had remarkable skills.
Jiang Xiu knew that Ning Yuan Zhou was the one in charge of the envoy and instructed her subordinates to report to the superior promptly and follow their arrangements. They believed in the authenticity of the letter sent back by Yu Lang and wanted to personally investigate the scene at noon. To be cautious, they decided to bring more people and suspected that Ru Yi was also siding with them.
Jiang Xiu found it somewhat unbelievable and carefully recalled past events, realizing that they might have fallen into a trap and someone was secretly plotting against them. Ru Yi asked Yuan Lu for two smoke bombs. Ru Yi knew that the Crimson Guards probably knew she was going to Qing Feng Guan and most likely would ambush her there. Yuan Lu believed that this trip was extremely dangerous and wanted to accompany Ru Yi.
Ning Yuan Zhou, with a serious expression, refused to let Yuan Lu go, stating it was too dangerous and insisted on going with her. Ru Yi felt that this matter between her and the Crimson Guards didn't need to involve the Six Dao Hall. However, Ning Yuan Zhou earnestly said that he was just going there coincidentally, as the main purpose was still to buy medicine. He also mentioned some medicinal materials he must purchase, making it sound reasonable.
Qian Zhao and the others had already sensed that Ning Yuan Zhou's intentions were not solely about liquor, but they didn't expose it directly. Yang Ying was very worried because if she arrived in An Guo, she might lose control over her own actions. She hung her belt on a tree to reminisce about the past in Qing Yun. Yang Ying was burdened with worries and sought tranquility before the Buddha, hoping to encounter Qing Yun once again in her lifetime.
When she turned her head, she saw Qing Yun approaching, and she feared it might be an illusion. Yang Ying told Duke Du that she wanted to protect Qing Yun, and her purpose in coming here was to save her imperial brother and request permission to marry Qing Yun.
Yuan Lu felt that Zheng Qing Yun's background was somewhat unclear, and Qian Zhao also thought that there were too many coincidences involved.
Yu Shi San felt that these big men didn't understand the thoughts of young girls and speculated that at this point, the princess and Zheng Qing Yun might have already secretly run away together. Yuan Lu hurriedly went to check, afraid that something bad had happened. Ru Yi wanted to separate and go with Ning Yuan Zhou. She kissed Ning Yuan Zhou and left without any hesitation.
Ru Yi arrived at the inn and sensed a heavy atmosphere of killing. Suddenly, many assassins appeared, carrying poisoned needles. Inattentive, Ru Yi was poisoned and fell to the ground. Taking advantage of her distraction, she killed the assassin. The poison used by the Crimson Guards was the one Ru Yi had practiced with, so it couldn't defeat her. Ru Yi overheard from the assassin's mouth that her righteous mother had been kidnapped, which made her angry. Ning Yuan Zhou saw a signal in the sky from a distance and instantly realized that Ru Yi might be in danger. He hurried to find her.
Ru Yi saw that the Crimson Guards had mobilized, but her righteous mother was in Jiang Xiu's hands. She felt a bit hesitant and fearful. Her righteous mother realized that she was affecting Ru Yi and decided to sacrifice herself to avoid burdening Ru Yi. After her righteous mother's death, Ru Yi suppressed her grief and turned into a killing machine. The Crimson Guards knew that Ru Yi was not an opponent, so they summoned more people. At that moment, Ning Yuan Zhou arrived, and Ru Yi personally killed Jiang Xiu. Overwhelmed by the sudden turn of events, Ru Yi was knocked unconscious by Ning Yuan Zhou.
Yang Ying met Qing Yun in secret and took advantage of the chaos to kill people and escape with Yang Ying. Ru Yi, accompanied by Ning Yuan Zhou, paid respects to her righteous mother, feeling grateful for Ning Yuan Zhou's assistance the day before. Ning Yuan Zhou couldn't bear to see Ru Yi in such despair, so he told her that Empress Zhao Jie actually had a foster son but still cared deeply for Ru Yi. It indicated that Empress Zhao Jie knew she had loved the wrong man, which was why she said those strange words to Ru Yi. The Empress hoped that Ru Yi could live peacefully and safely.
Ru Yi didn't understand why Ning Yuan Zhou was being so good to her. Ning Yuan Zhou believed that Ru Yi was the person he liked.
Does anyone think that Empress Zhao Jie was the former leader of the Zhu Yi Wei? Or perhaps the Empress established the Zhu Yi Wei. Now it's commonly assumed that the Empress might have aroused suspicion due to her growing influence or clashed with the Emperor over differing opinions, and Emperor An was the mastermind behind the killing of the Empress.
Ruyi went back to save the Empress but ended up being framed herself. Based on this speculation, Emperor An had already planned to shift the blame onto Ruyi and take down the Zhu Yi Wei in the process.
This explains why the current commander of the Zhu Yi Wei harbors such hatred towards them. Because Emperor An wants to dismantle the Zhu Yi Wei, which he once supported, it's natural for him to harbor such strong animosity.
Hence, the exchange of subordinates' lives for gold was not only agreed upon by the commander but also exactly what Emperor An needed, as he wants the Zhu Yi Wei to disappear and also needs money for war.
But I don't understand, is it necessary to rescue the emperor? Ning Yuan Zhou's explanation is that bringing back the emperor would prove the innocence of his brothers who were wrongly accused.
However, Ning Yuan Zhou also admits that the current crown prince would definitely make a better emperor than the current one. So, is it worth sacrificing the princess and all these brothers just for the reputation of one brother?
And they are even carrying 100,000 taels of gold, which is basically handing over ammunition to the enemy.
After enduring such humiliation under an incompetent ruler, wouldn't the emperor want to seek revenge and start another war?
Can these witnesses even survive? The rest of the people involved would become thorns in the emperor's side, once again plunging the people into turmoil and danger.