Episode 1 recap: Qiang Xuan decided to move the capital.
In the Purple Gold Palace, the Great Ming Palace, Qiang Xuan and Xiao Yao were drinking together. Xiao Yao congratulated Qiang Xuan on becoming the Xi Yan Wang (Western Flame King), and she also took the opportunity to return the Ruo Mu flower that Qiang Xuan had given her the previous night. Xiao Yao knew that this flower was left to Qiang Xuan by their Fourth Aunt before her passing, for him to give to the woman he loved. Xiao Yao said she did not dare to keep it, unaware that Qiang Xuan had indeed given the flower to the woman he loved. Qiang Xuan never revealed this to Xiao Yao, as she still saw him as an older brother and had no other thoughts about him. Qiang Xuan expressed his gratitude, but Xiao Yao felt they were like siblings and saw no need for such formal words.
Xin Yue was attracted to Qiang Xuan and was now the undisputed queen, but her affections seemed to be unrequited by Qiang Xuan. She had sent him a letter seven days ago but had not received a response, and she was anxious, unsure why he had not replied.
At this time, she overheard the maids whispering that many were now eyeing the position of the queen, and it was uncertain who would ultimately obtain it. The maid scolded the others, also worrying for her mistress, as Qiang Xuan's attitude towards Xin Yue had become very distant, and there was also an Hao Ling Yi who was always by Qiang Xuan's side. Hearing this, Xin Yue grew pensive.
After ascending the throne, Qiang Xuan had remained in the Central Plains, while the Western Yan City was the capital. The ministers had been suggesting moving the capital to the Central Plains, but there were differing opinions, with some arguing against casually moving the capital. Qiang Xuan believed the matter of moving the capital was significant and required careful consideration.
After the court session, Xun Shu Hui had prepared fine wine and delicacies in the palace, inviting Qiang Xuan to dine. However, an attendant informed Qiang Xuan that Xin Yue was currently in Xun Shu Hui's palace, and Qiang Xuan, not wanting to meet her, used the excuse of discussing state affairs with his grandfather to decline the invitation.
Xin Yue was saddened to hear this news.
Qiang Xuan arrived at the gate of his grandfather's palace and saw Hao Ling Yi and Xiao Yao playing chess with their grandfather. They seemed to be enjoying themselves, and Qiang Xuan couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment and happiness on his face - this was the meaning behind his mission to protect the world. Qiang Xuan told his grandfather that he planned to take the daughter of the Shang Yan clan as his wife, but this news saddened Hao Ling Yi, while Xiao Yao fully supported her brother's decision.
Later, Hao Ling Yi drank to drown her sorrow, and after getting drunk, she confessed her feelings to her grandfather. She said she liked Qiang Xuan and wanted to marry him, and she hoped her grandfather could help her. The grandfather agreed, seeing the child in front of him, and Hao Ling Yi was overjoyed, believing that with her grandfather's help, she might be able to realize this wish.
The grandfather felt that Xiao Yao should be a bit more capricious like Hao Ling Yi, but Xiao Yao felt that she and Qiang Xuan had a mission to fulfill, so they didn't have the right to be capricious and indulgent, and there was no need to deceive themselves. The Five Kings disagreed with the relocation, hoping that the old Xi Yan Wang could help them, but the old Xi Yan Wang refused them on the pretext of his poor health. In order to appease the Xi Yan clan who were unwilling to relocate, Qiang Xuan married the daughter of the Shang Yan clan, and Xin Yue, upon learning the news, was both saddened and angry, wanting to take it out on Xiao Yao. She invited Xiao Yao and Hao Ling Yi to her home, and the three of them went out to play together. Xiao Yao accidentally spilled some sweet pine incense on the ground, and Tu Shan Jing saw it and offered to have his servant refill it, but Xiao Yao politely declined.
After seeing Tu Shan Jing, Xiao Yao was in a bad mood, so she went to the gambling den to play alone. Tu Shan Jing saw Xiao Yao there, but didn't dare to appear in front of her, and could only secretly watch her from behind.
At this time, Xiang Liu also came, and he wanted to gamble with Xiao Yao, saying that the loser had to answer a question from the winner. Hao Ling Yi volunteered. In the first game, Xiao Yao lost, and Xiang Liu asked her who she liked. Xiao Yao chose an evasive answer. In the second game, the situation was reversed, and Xiao Yao won. She asked Xiang Liu that if he had a chance to choose again, would he still choose this path? Xiang Liu said he would, because he had met an important person on this path. Xiao Yao thought he was talking about his foster father, so she felt it was very meaningful and left.
Xiang Liu followed Xiao Yao and hypocritically congratulated her on her engagement, but Xiao Yao was very upset. She told Xiang Liu that once she got married, she wouldn't be able to make pills for him anymore, and she wanted to break the curse between them. Xiang Liu was bitterly disappointed, but he still agreed to Xiao Yao's request.
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