Episode 7 recap: Gong Zi Yu embarked on the challenge in the back mountain, and Yun Wei Shan wanted to assist him.
The Elder led the blindfolded Gong Zi Yu forward with difficulty. He mentioned that there were many possibilities in the experience of groping forward in the darkness and emphasized the importance of persevering no matter how challenging it may be. He looked forward to the day when Gong Zi Yu would become a true "zhi Ren." Yun Wei Shan held a candle and discovered various mechanisms in a cave. Gong Shang Jue promised Lady Yu that he would help her leave the palace and ensured that no one from the palace would pursue her. Gong Shang Jue mentioned that if Gong Zi Yu wanted to become a "zhi Ren," he must investigate Gong Zi Yu's background.
Jin Fan recognized that Yun Wei Shan's swordsmanship belonged to the Qingfeng School and questioned her identity. Yun Wei Shan explained that when she was young, her father, who was a merchant, discovered that a female martial artist named Zhuo Mei was a traitor of the Qingfeng School. She was hiding in a cabin, and her father saved her life. He adopted Yun Wei Shan as his daughter and taught her the Qingfeng Nine Forms, with the intention of seeking revenge on Zhuo Mei. Gong Zi Shang had heard about this incident, and she testified for Yun Wei Shan. Jin Fan temporarily believed her and agreed to let her accompany Gong Zi Yu to the back mountain.
Yun Wei Shan, Gong Shang Jue, and Gong Yuan Zheng, the Minister of Justice, had something to do when Gong Zi Yu entered the mountain, but the specific details were unknown. Jin Fan learned about it and instructed Yun Wei Shan to enter the back mountain overnight to protect Gong Zi Yu. Yue Zhang Lao, worried about Gong Zi Yu, accompanied him at the entrance. Gong Zi Shang asked Jin Fan to accompany her during this interval, but Jin Fan's role was to supervise Gong Shang Jue, so she directly refused to leave. Gong Zi Yu, blindfolded, felt that they were taking a detour, but Yue Zhang Lao assured him that he was observing carefully and actually going higher. She continued to lead him forward, emphasizing that if there were no guide, he should face the challenge head-on.
Lady Wu Ji told Gong Zi Shang why a young lady kept bothering a green jade guard. Because of her actions, even the servants laughed at her. She was sad and asked Jin Fan why she didn't like her. Lady Wu Ji comforted Gong Zi Shang and remembered the love between the former "zhi Ren" and the former Lady when they were young. A single sentence from Lady Wu Ji awakened Gong Zi Shang, realizing that if she excelled, Jin Fan might develop feelings for her.
Jin Fan walked out of the cave and discovered that it was snowing heavily. She continued her journey alone and encountered a child named Xue Zhong Zi brewing tea. Xue Gong Zi had been waiting for Gong Zi Yu here for a long time. He was a descendant of Yue Zhang Lao, and they were destined to never leave the back mountain for generations. Xue Gong Zi advised Jin Fan not to rush and suggested resting for the night before continuing the battle the next day.
Jin Fan handed the night travel attire to Yun Wei Shan, who went to the back mountain and passed the herbs to the guard. While the guard went inside to deliver them, Gong Zi Shang pretended to fall into the water and went to rescue her with another guard. Taking advantage of the situation, Yun Wei Shan entered the back mountain. She followed the scent left by Gong Zi Yu and slowly searched for the entrance. She had to find Gong Zi Yu within twelve hours, otherwise, the scent would disappear and it would become increasingly difficult to track him.
Yun Wei Shan discovered a mechanism at the cave entrance and used a candle to illuminate the area, discovering more than she expected. Gong Zi Yu arrived in a room where Xue Zhong Zi used sign language to indicate that it was time to eat. The presence of snow lotus diminished, and the miasma in the back mountain became increasingly severe. Xue Zhong Zi brewed tea with snow lotus and mentioned that if the new "zhi Ren" wanted to succeed quickly, he needed to take action. At this point, Xue Zhong Zi spoke, revealing that when Gong Shang Jue was trapped for twelve days, he suffered serious injuries and it was uncertain whether Gong Zi Yu would fare any better. Xue Zhong Zi gave a jade pendant to Xue Gong Zi and instructed him to wake Gong Zi Yu.
Xue Gong Zi opened a door revealing a frozen lotus pond in the room, realizing that Gong Zi Yu had a cold constitution. At the bottom of the pond, there was a box containing the Snow Clan's knife techniques. If he obtained the manual, he would pass this test. Shang Guan Qian and a servant were planting flowers when they were reprimanded by Gong Shang Jue, who criticized Shang Guan Qian for presuming to understand his intentions. Gong Shang Jue seemingly handed her a handkerchief to wipe her face in mock anger but ultimately ordered all the azaleas to be removed, leaving only the white ones. This surprised Gong Yuan Zheng and the servant as they never expected Gong Shang Jue to agree to planting flowers for the first time.
Gong Zi Yu looked at the extremely cold lotus pond and recalled coming to this place in his childhood. Gong Shang Jue visited Lady Wu Ji's room and conducted an investigation into Gong Zi Yu's background. If she agreed to cooperate, she would have the opportunity to leave the palace without being pursued by palace personnel. Lady Wu Ji was intrigued. Gong Zi Yu's stubbornness convinced Xue Gong Zi that the rumors were true. Xue Zhong Zi intentionally went to the secret passage where Yun Wei Shan was captured and told her that it was not the place she should be. Yun Wei Shan lied, claiming that she dropped something and came to send it off. The candle in the room had a mild poison, and if she stayed there for too long, she would lose consciousness.
Gong Zi Yu looked at the porridge in front of him, which Xue Zhong Zi specially prepared with snow lotus for strengthening the body. Yun Wei Shan and Xue Zhong Zi engaged in combat, but she was no match for him. Suddenly, the poison of the Half Moon Fly started to take effect. She failed to obtain the desired outcome and did not receive the antidote for the Unfettered Blade. Xue Zhong Zi remarked that she used swordsmanship instead of the methods used by palace members. It was revealed that Yue Zhang Lao was secretly killed and hanged in the "zhi Ren" hall.
I've watched six episodes, and the character portrayal of the male lead is truly distressing. From the very beginning, he firmly believed that the deaths of his father and brother were orchestrated by the Gong brothers. Whenever there is evidence pointing towards the Gong brothers, he is quick to convict them. However, when there is evidence proving the Gong brothers' innocence, he immediately suspects the evidence to be forged and eagerly seeks new evidence to incriminate them. He never considers the possibility that they are innocent. It gives the impression that he is not seeking revenge against his enemies, but rather using the guise of seeking revenge to eliminate those who are different from him.
One thing that I appreciate about Yun Wei Shan is that she is a genuine protagonist in the world of martial arts, without any noble background. She is simply a person caught up in a chaotic era where individual rights hold little value. In this story that lacks perfect characterizations, please allow me to witness how Yun Wei Shan, as a female spy with even a darker side to her image, strives to survive with all her might.