Episode 4 recap: Rong Yu made great efforts to defend He Jiu Ling, while He Jiu Ling blamed Rong Yu for tarnishing her reputation.
Upon seeing the prince from Xun Nan, He Jiu Ling realized that he was her senior martial brother. He directly proposed that He Jiu Ling should marry him. However, He Liang and Zhong Yong Hou immediately opposed the idea. Zhong Yong Hou reported to the emperor, stating that ever since He Jiu Ling left the mountain, she had been threatening several influential families and the heirs of the royal palace, causing them to be too scared to leave their homes.
He Liang believed that it was the arrogance and oppression of these heirs that led to He Jiu Ling teaching them a lesson. He questioned why, as the general protecting the capital, he had not received any official reports if it were not for their own faults. Rong Yu hurriedly arrived and explained to everyone that He Jiu Ling had acted with righteousness and taught a lesson to those spoiled children. He himself had later compensated the other party generously, and they had agreed to settle the matter and not bring it up again.
Zhong Yong Hou sat down with an unpleasant expression, unable to say anything. However, the prince from Xun Nan continued to speak confidently, proposing to the emperor that as long as He Ling became his princess, Xun Nan would forever be a vassal state of Jia Lin. They would also invest in canal construction and enhance trade between the two countries, thereby supporting the economic development of Jia Lin. Rong Yu refuted his proposal, stating that trade and commerce should be mutually beneficial for both countries, not just benefiting one side.
He Jiu Ling could not marry the prince from Xun Nan because she had already been promised to Rong Yu. The emperor was surprised upon hearing this, and He Liang quickly paid his respects and assured the emperor that this was indeed true. At that moment, a eunuch hurriedly approached the emperor and whispered something in his ear, reporting the incident of He Jiu Ling spending the night in Rong Yu's residence. The emperor seemed to suddenly understand.
He rejected the prince from Xun Nan's request and ordered an immediate wedding, instructing Rong Yu and He Jiu Ling to choose a date for their union. The prince from Xun Nan left in anger. After the court session ended, He Liang expressed his gratitude to Rong Yu, unaware of the many things Rong Yu had quietly done to resolve the situation for He Jiu Ling.
Rong Yu couldn't spare the time to discuss these matters with him and only pulled He Liang and the eldest son of the He family aside, advising them that they should not accept the emperor's offer to station the He family at the border. This was to avoid causing trouble by becoming too prominent and influential.
The emperor indeed personally summoned He Liang and his son and expressed the worsening relations with Xun Nan and the critical situation at the border. The emperor commanded He Liang to lead the He family army to garrison there. However, following Rong Yu's instructions, He Liang and his son respectfully declined the emperor's request, citing their advanced age. He Liang even pleaded with the emperor to revoke his military position as the Grand General.
Nevertheless, the emperor stated that the He family had fought on the battlefield for decades, making great sacrifices to secure the prosperous empire. He believed that He Liang was fully capable of fulfilling the role of the First Grand General. He Jiu Ling was waiting outside the palace for her father and brother. The Crown Prince came over and told her how exciting the scene was when two men were competing for one woman at the banquet. He regretted being too young, otherwise, he would have joined the competition.
The Crown Prince placed a jade pendant he carried with him into He Jiu Ling's hand, saying that although he couldn't make her his princess, he would consider her as the Crown Prince's consort once she gave birth to a daughter. After all, the emperor said it only takes ten months. He Jiu Ling politely declined, and the Crown Prince left. Several girls walked past He Jiu Ling, looking at her with disdain, and accusing her of scheming to seduce Rong Yu and not hesitating to stay overnight at his residence. After hearing this, He Jiu Ling believed that Rong Yu had revealed this matter. Recalling the Crown Prince's words, she became furious and caught up with Rong Yu. She grabbed him and dragged him to a nearby inn to confront him.
Rong Yu explained the truth of that night, but He Jiu Ling simply didn't believe that her elder brother would ignore her. Without a word, she started tearing at Rong Yu. Rong Yu, who was always a gentleman, had never experienced such a situation before. Reluctant to fight back, he could only defend himself, but He Jiu Ling tore his clothes to shreds.
What hurt Rong Yu the most was that He Jiu Ling uttered words that deeply saddened him. She claimed that she had never liked him and that she admired generals who could wield their swords on the battlefield, not a man who was powerless like him. She expressed her annoyance with Rong Yu and stated that she didn't want to see him for a moment.
Seeing this situation, He Shan quickly went to fetch He Liang. Seeing his daughter in such a state, He Liang was furious. He quickly apologized to Rong Yu and then took He Jiu Ling home to give her a good lesson. Back at home, He Liang asked for the family's code of conduct, and He San rushed to protect Jiu Ling, only to end up being beaten and crying out for mercy.
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