Episode 31 recap: A Mai was wrongly imprisoned.
Prime Minister Lin told Shang Yi Zhi that the day of his coronation was also the day of a grand wedding, a double celebration for the nation. Prime Minister Lin locked A Mai in a dungeon and planned to kill her. In the court, Prime Minister Lin accused A Mai of treason and deceiving the emperor. A Mai told all the soldiers that their duty was to protect the country, and the emperor was the ruler who should not be offended.
Prime Minister Lin informed Shang Yi Zhi that General A Mai, the commander of the Northern Army, had colluded with the enemy and betrayed the nation. He questioned whether they should wait until she and the Northern Desert Army attacked Southern Xia. Shang Yi Zhi asked why A Mai would betray the country, and Prime Minister Lin told him that A Mai had already confessed.
He presented a letter with A Mai's handprint, but Shang Yi Zhi suspected that it was obtained through torture. Prime Minister Lin also brought up the incident of A Mai disguising herself as a man, and Shang Yi Zhi asked Xu Jing for her opinion on the matter.
Xu Jing told him that on the day of the emperor's wedding, amnesty could be granted to the whole country. Shang Yi Zhi realized that Prime Minister Lin wanted him to marry his daughter. Prime Minister Lin told Shang Yi Zhi that their wedding would be a double celebration on the day of his coronation, and Shang Yi Zhi remained silent, implying his acceptance.
Shang Yi Zhi asked Xu Jing why she pretended not to see the signals he had been giving her. Xu Jing told him that he needed to prioritize and make decisions wisely. If he had not agreed to marry Lin Ze Rou just now, A Mai would undoubtedly be killed. A Mai and Chang Yu Qing were both imprisoned together, and Chang Yu Qing told A Mai that it was Shang Yi Zhi who had ordered their confinement.
A Mai didn't believe that Shang Yi Zhi would do anything harmful to her. Chang Yu Qing informed A Mai that during their interrogations, they were only asked about collusion and not questioned about the Northern Desert Army. Shortly after, Chang Yu Qing was taken away, and Prime Minister Lin visited A Mai with food and wine.
Xu Jing found Chang Yu Qing and told him that the Northern Desert Army had reached the city's gates. If he led the army in retreat, he would be released. Chang Yu Qing asked why they should do that, and Xu Jing told him that the emperor did not want to see further bloodshed. Chang Yu Qing expressed concern about A Mai's fate, but Xu Jing assured him that A Mai would be fine.
A Mai initially thought that Prime Minister Lin had given her a drink of death, but Prime Minister Lin told her that it was a gift of celebration for the emperor's wedding.
After hearing that, tears welled up in A Mai's eyes. She drank three cups of wine and left the prison cell. Chang Yu Qing secretly watched her from a distance.
A Mai arrived at a liquor shop intending to buy a jug of wine, but she realized she didn't have any money. The shopkeeper recognized General Mai and, especially on the day of the emperor's wedding, offered her the jug of wine as a gift. A Mai went to a quiet place alone, reminiscing about the moments she had with Shang Yi Zhi while drinking the wine.
Shang Yi Zhi looked at Lin Ze Rou and told her that he was occupied with political affairs and needed to rest in the study. Lin Ze Rou threatened to kill herself unless Shang Yi Zhi stayed. Shang Yi Zhi ordered wine to be served, unaware that it had been drugged. After taking a few sips, Shang Yi Zhi collapsed, and Lin Ze Rou helped him onto the bed.
A Mai went to see Shang Yi Zhi and asked him to give her father's mansion, the Marquis Chengguo's Residence. Shang Yi Zhi agreed, and he was about to explain the situation regarding his marriage when A Mai thanked him and turned to leave. A Mai returned to her former home and at every corner, memories of joyful times with her parents flooded her mind.
After much consideration, Shang Yi Zhi felt it was not right. He ordered his subordinates to prepare a horse, as he intended to go out for a trip. A Mai secretly watched the soldiers of the Northern Army training near the military camp, feeling as if she had returned to the day when she first joined the army. As soon as A Mai left the tent, she saw Wang Qi and Tang Shao Yi kneeling before her. They informed A Mai that they had learned about what Shang Yi Zhi had done to her.
They declared that A Mai would always be their respected leader, and if she gave the command, they would remove Shang Yi Zhi from his position. A Mai told them that Shang Yi Zhi was the ruler of the country, and their duty as soldiers was to protect and defend their homeland against external threats. A Mai and Chang Yu Qing prepared to leave together for the Northern Desert. Chang Yu Qing asked if she had finally come to her senses, and A Mai told him that her decision to go to the Northern Desert was not because of him.
After learning about their plans, Shang Yi Zhi, accompanied by Mu Bai, intercepted A Mai and Chang Yu Qing on their way. He told A Mai that if she wanted to leave today, she would have to step over him. A Mai had no choice but to stay behind. Chang Yu Qing gave her a jade finger ring and told her that with it, she would be able to find him in the Northern Desert.
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