Episode 18 recap: Ning Yuan Zhou apologizes to Ru Yi.
Yang Ying came to find Yuan Lu, and when Yuan Lu opened the door for her, Yang Ying accidentally knocked him down. Yang Ying quickly got up and felt a bit embarrassed because she originally came to apologize to Yuan Lu, but ended up knocking him down again. Yuan Lu felt that it wasn't her fault and found it a bit impolite for a girl to run into her room late at night. Just as she turned around, she saw Yang Ying looking like she was about to cry. Yuan Lu panicked and wanted to comfort Yang Ying to prevent her from feeling too upset, but ended up scaring her and making her cry.
Yang Ying said she cried because she was touched. No one had ever treated her as a girl before, but Yuan Lu was the first one to do so. However, Yuan Lu said that it would be evident after Yang Ying's death, and she encouraged Yang Ying to live happily so that she wouldn't feel too embarrassed when she died.
Yuan Lu told Yang Ying that when she was born, the doctor said she wouldn't live past 20 years old. However, she believed that every day she lived was a blessing, and she should be happy every day. Yang Ying agreed with Yuan Lu's words. Yuan Lu encouraged Yang Ying to recover quickly and welcome the Emperor back in a splendid manner in front of Shi Chen, leaving a lasting legacy.
Upon hearing Yuan Lu's words, Yang Ying felt happy, and her worries disappeared. Ru Yi noticed Yang Ying's relief and felt happy for her. When Ru Yi saw Ning Yuan Zhou wanting to approach and greet him, Ning Yuan Zhou's toxins acted up again, and Ru Yi left angrily.
Qian Zhao saw Ning Yuan Zhou being ignored and approached to mock him. Yu Shi San also witnessed the situation and offered to help Ning Yuan Zhou with ideas. Sun Lang felt that Ning Yuan Zhou was behaving strangely.
While discussing countermeasures, Ning Yuan Zhou mentioned Li Tong Guang with a hint of resentment, which caught Yu Shi San's attention, and he couldn't help but mention it. Yang Ying wanted to negotiate, but Du Da Ren stopped her, thinking that Ru Yi would be the most suitable for the task. Ning Yuan Zhou objected to Du Da Ren's idea, but Du Da Ren then pointed out that he noticed Li Tong Guang's different attitude towards Ru Yi, believing that the success of this mission depended entirely on Ru Yi.
Ru Yi, however, stated that she had no relationship with Liu Dao Tang and that the matter had nothing to do with her. Ning Yuan Zhou wanted Ru Yi to leave, but Du Da Ren insisted on her staying and suggested that Ru Yi meet Li Tong Guang. Ning Yuan Zhou angrily informed Qian Zhao that Ru Yi had just provoked him in front of everyone, but Qian Zhao felt that Ning Yuan Zhou was incapable of handling things.
Yuan Lu found Li Tong Guang attractive, which angered Ning Yuan Zhou. Yuan Lu kept provoking Ning Yuan Zhou persistently. Du Da Ren and Li Tong Guang discussed matters together, and Li Tong Guang became aggressive. As soon as Ru Yi appeared, Li Tong Guang's demeanor changed.
Ning Yuan Zhou and his brothers eavesdropped outside, causing Ning Yuan Zhou to feel restless. Ru Yi did not recognize Li Tong Guang and wanted to cooperate with him, but Li Tong Guang asked Ru Yi to close his eyes and started to speak the words he wanted to tell their master. The door opened, and when Li Tong Guang was seen leaning on Ru Yi's leg, Ning Yuan Zhou became very angry and told Li Tong Guang to leave.
Li Tong Guang felt that Ru Yi was not their master, but he enjoyed leaning on Ru Yi and wanted to possess him. Regardless of whether Ru Yi was genuine or fake, Li Tong Guang vowed to never let go and wanted to have him for a lifetime. Ning Yuan Zhou suddenly felt discomfort in his heart. Ru Yi thought that Ning Yuan Zhou eavesdropping outside was a sign of doubting him. Ning Yuan Zhou told Ru Yi that he was jealous and admitted that he should not impose his desires on Ru Yi.
Ru Yi told Ning Yuan Zhou that he used to ask himself if he would live a peaceful life after everything was over. Initially, Ru Yi looked at Ning Yuan Zhou with joy, but he didn't say anything because he realized he didn't like such a life and wanted to help those in need.
Ning Yuan Zhou endured the pain, and Yuan Lu thought that Ning Yuan Zhou and Ru Yi had reconciled. On the other hand, Yu Shi San believed that it was a significant event for the two to separate silently. Du Da Ren wanted Ning Yuan Zhou to use Li Tong Guang's different attitude towards Ru Yi as a threat to persuade An Guo to release the Emperor and let him return to the country. However, Ning Yuan Zhou became angry, flipped the table, and smashed a teacup. Yang Ying was eavesdropping outside and was about to confront them, but Ru Yi stopped her from doing so.
I guess Ning Yuan Zhou started pushing Ru Yi away from the mission. Jealousy might be one aspect, but there's also the reason of not wanting her to be used. After all, so many people noticed the strange attitude of Changqing Marquis towards her, and combined with their own feelings, Ning Yuan Zhou, being so farsighted, definitely wouldn't overlook these two reasons that would force her to do something she didn't want to do.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have kept getting provoked by Du Zhang Shi until it finally exploded. Ning Yuan Zhou is truly attentive, but Ru Yi has also developed her own thoughts during her interactions with the Six Paths Hall.
She no longer blindly adheres to Empress Zhao Jie's last words, resulting in the current situation where he is single-mindedly thinking of retirement while she wants to shine and make a difference. Their desires have diverged.
In these two episodes, Renjie (任姐) truly teaches men how to be better individuals, emphasizing the importance of viewing women as independent beings rather than accessories to anyone. In the 17th episode, Renjie reacts sensitively and directly when the male lead belittles her abilities due to jealousy, demanding that she withdraw from the delegation.
He wants her to be confined to a "gilded cage.
Then, in the 18th episode, Renjie openly expresses her unwillingness to follow the male lead's future plans. She has her own pursuits and can do whatever she wants, rather than simply accompanying a man and living the life he desires.
Ning Yuan Zhou's words to Ru Yi were not just out of jealousy. It's because he senses that if Ru Yi gets too close to Li Tong Guang, Li Tong Guang will cause trouble (I think Ning Yuan's intuition will prove true).
He has always been afraid that Li Tong Guang will harm Ru Yi, and that's why his reaction is so intense.
When you care, you become chaotic. Ning Yuan Zhou has gone through hellish experiences, developing extraordinary powers of observation, sensitivity, and intuition.
He clearly senses Li Tong Guang's madness and possessiveness, even though he doesn't know the specifics of their past relationship. His feelings are not just about jealousy; it's more about wanting to protect Ru Yi.