Episode 22 recap: Chu Fei Yan Marries Prince Nan Zhao
In this episode, Han Zi Qing finds herself at the bottom of a valley, with only Situ and Qian Qian managing to get to safety. Meanwhile, Qin Fei realizes it’s time to inform the king, and Li Ge also senses something is amiss, prompting her to take action. She encounters Situ and Qian Qian and learns that Han Zi Qing is still trapped below. Li Ge wants to rush down to rescue her, but Qin Fei, along with Prince Nan Zhao and Zhao Xi, arrives just in time. Qin Fei explains that Zhang Qi has already ascended; anyone who falls into the valley will be poisoned. Attempting a rescue would not only fail but also put the rescuer in danger.
Situ understands their intentions toward Han Zi Qing and plans to shout a warning about the poison, but Qin Fei stops him. Everyone has their own motives. Just then, Han Zi Qing’s voice unexpectedly calls out, and she appears unharmed, asking what everyone is searching for. Qin Fei, seeing her unscathed, brings up the incident, raising suspicions among the group. Unexpectedly, Bai Li Wei Sheng arrives with his master, the herbalist Chang Ning, claiming that his master saved the Fourth Princess while gathering herbs at the foot of the mountain. Only Bai Li Wei Sheng knows he was eavesdropping on Qin Fei and Prince Nan Zhao’s conversation, which prompted him to look for Han Zi Qing. Han Zi Qing cleverly plays along with Bai Li Wei Sheng’s act, and as a result, she secures the antidote.
On another front, Jun Bei Yue ventures alone into the Ice Pool, where he is shocked to discover many corpses, each marked with island totems—some red and some black, the latter bearing grotesque expressions. As he presses further in, he finds someone bound.
Back at the Nan Zhao palace, Qin Fei and Prince Nan Zhao insist on explaining today’s events to the Fourth Prince. Han Zi Qing maintains that Jun Bei Yue is recuperating and cannot be seen, but this only raises further suspicion. Zhao Xi directly questions whether the Fourth Prince is even in his chamber. Bai Li Wei Sheng quickly calls out about an assassin to divert attention, but Zhao Xi forces her way into Jun Bei Yue’s room, only to be kicked out by him. With his appearance, Jun Bei Yue silences the speculation, leading everyone to disperse quickly.
Jun Bei Yue recounts everything he witnessed in the Ice Pool to Han Zi Qing and presents the score of the Li Shang song he found. Han Zi Qing deduces that there are ten volumes to the song, and six are still missing. Chu Tian Ge arrives at Nan Zhao, and Chu Fei Yan naively believes he has come to take her back to Xi Ling. However, it becomes clear that he is there regarding her marriage to Prince Nan Zhao. Given Xi Ling’s weakened state, marrying into Nan Zhao would be advantageous for the country. Chu Fei Yan is unwilling, but feels she has no choice, which only deepens her hatred for Han Zi Qing and solidifies her resolve to kill her. Han Zi Qing remains unfazed; Chu Fei Yan's threats have no effect, only fueling her anger further.
The next day is the wedding, but that night, Prince Nan Zhao visits Chu Fei Yan's chambers. Chu Fei Yan expresses her longing for freedom, stating she doesn’t want to be confined in the palace like other concubines. She wishes to come and go freely from Nan Zhao. Prince Nan Zhao knows that Xi Ling will not take her back. Chu Fei Yan also mentions Han Zi Qing, admitting that she only feels hatred for her. She notices that Prince Nan Zhao shares this animosity and quickly offers to cooperate with him.
The wedding ceremony officially begins the next day. Although Chu Fei Yan feels resentful, she has no choice but to comply. Han Zi Qing, however, notices that the music played during the ceremony is "Li Shang." Li Ge also observes this and takes the time to remind Han Zi Qing, who is very grateful for the heads-up.
Meanwhile, Jun Bei Yue learns that the totems are connected to the ancient music caves, but access is restricted unless there is a significant reason. Jun Bei Yue firmly insists that he must go!
Comments(Episode 22)