Episode 16 recap: A Mai's identity was discovered by Xu Jing.
While Xu Xiu Er was having a meal, she overheard a discussion about A Mai. They said that A Mai is the "Jade-faced Yanluo." Xu Xiu Er went to the military camp to visit A Mai, but they believed that women shouldn't enter the camp. Xu Jing thought it was suspicious that A Mai was determined to charge ahead to the face of the Northern Desert Marshal.
Shang Yi Zhi told him that it's not strange to capture the thieves first before capturing the king. Shang Yi Zhi renamed the Qingyu Allied Forces to the Northern Garrison, and A Mai woke up in the camp. Shang Yi Zhi asked A Mai why she forgot everything he told her and rushed forward, disregarding her safety.
A Mai felt that he was also charging ahead, and Shang Yi Zhi said he did it all for her. A Mai asked Shang Yi Zhi if they had reached Yuzhou, but he told her they weren't in Yuzhou anymore. They were currently in the Wulan Mountains. Madam Shi brought food for Shi Da Chun to eat, but he said he couldn't eat it.
While Xu Xiu Er was having a meal on the street, she overheard the common people discussing A Mai. They said that A Mai is now the "Jade-faced Yanluo" of the Northern Garrison, and she single-handedly killed over two hundred enemy soldiers. Xu Xiu Er wanted to leave the city, but the entrance was guarded by people from the Northern Desert. Just when she was worried about not being able to leave, Madam Shi arrived in a carriage and asked her to get in quickly.
Madam Shi urged Xu Xiu Er to change her clothes, and they successfully left through the city gate. Chen Qi thought about the scenes of playing together with A Mai when they were young. He looked at the things A Mai had given him and ordered his subordinates to investigate A Mai's information. A Mai was sent back by someone, and Wang Qi and Mo Ge quickly surrounded her.
They were very happy that A Mai became a hero. A Mai said she was a little hungry, and Wang Qi quickly got up to make hand-pulled noodles for her. A Mai cheerfully said she wanted to add two soft-boiled eggs. Tang Shao Yi came to visit A Mai and rebandaged the wound on her leg.
Tang Shao Yi helped A Mai out of bed and took a few steps together. He also made a crutch for A Mai. Just as Tang Shao Yi was supporting A Mai, Shang Yi Zhi arrived and asked if Tang Shao Yi had finished training and was just idling around here.
Tang Shao Yi told him that the training for the day was already over, but Shang Yi Zhi asked if they couldn't train a bit longer. Tang Shao Yi felt that he hadn't chosen the wrong person this time and immediately went to continue his training.
Xu Jing had some suspicions about why A Mai kept rushing towards Chen Qi. Shang Yi Zhi believed that A Mai didn't want to charge and kill the Marshal, as the saying goes, "Capture the thieves first before capturing the king." A Mai must have thought the same way.
Xu Xiu Er came to the camp to visit A Mai, and Wang Qi and the others mistook her for A Mai's wife. A Mai told them that she didn't even know when she got married. Wang Qi and the others suspected that she might be a spy. Just as they were discussing, Xu Xiu Er arrived. She was heartbroken to see A Mai injured.
Xu Xiu Er wanted to stay and take care of A Mai. Shang Yi Zhi was initially reluctant, but Xu Jing said that everyone here is rough men, so it would be good to let Xu Xiu Er stay and take care of A Mai. Xu Xiu Er and A Mai exchanged a few words of concern, and Xu Xiu Er noticed that A Mai had many dirty clothes. She took the clothes and went out to wash them for her.
Xu Jing asked A Mai when she would consummate the marriage with Xu Xiu Er. A Mai told him to wait until they have repelled the Northern Desert forces. Xu Jing felt that A Mai had been lying down for many days and would start to smell if she didn't clean herself. Now it seemed that Xu Xiu Er couldn't help her either.
Xu Jing told A Mai that he would personally help her clean up. In her urgency, A Mai accidentally made her wound bleed. Xu Jing felt that A Mai was not only ruthless towards the enemy but also towards herself. He told A Mai to tell him the truth, or he would dismiss her from the military and execute her.
A Mai told Xu Jing about Chen Qi's situation, and Xu Jing also figured out A Mai's identity. A Mai pleaded with Xu Jing to let her stay in the camp. She wanted to avenge her father and serve her country by killing the enemy. Just as Xu Jing and A Mai finished their conversation, Shang Yi Zhi arrived, and Xu Jing quickly pulled him aside.
He told Shang Yi Zhi that he had already understood the situation and, considering A Mai's special circumstances, letting Xu Xiu Er stay to take care of her would alleviate many suspicions. Xu Jing asked Shang Yi Zhi to think about how to punish A Mai. Her impulsiveness on the battlefield had cost the lives of many comrades.
Shang Yi Zhi told him that he would punish her after A Mai recovers from her injuries. The Emperor questioned whether to punish Shang Yi Zhi for changing the title of the Qingyu Allied Forces without permission. Prime Minister Lin suggested observing the situation and making a conclusion after the defeat of the Northern Desert Army, and it wouldn't be too late. Additionally, the Imperial Guard in Princess Shenghua's mansion could be withdrawn.
From Episode 18 onwards, the character positioning becomes vague. A Mai himself is a soldier who repeatedly violates military regulations, goes AWOL, and causes trouble. I really don't understand it. It's so inconsistent.
If it weren't for the fact that the protagonist's halo has resurrected who knows how many times, A Mai could have had the courage to become a spy and kill Chen Qi on his own, without becoming a soldier.
Or he could have become a military advisor or disciple of Dingnan Marquis and come up with strategies and plans.