In Episode 29, Pei Yan discovers that Jiang Ci is the daughter of Qi King Xie Chun and eagerly wants to take her back to Qingkang...However, Pei Yan is stopped at the door by Wei Zhao Jiang Ci makes it clear that her connection with Pei Yan has long ended and advises him not to pursue her any further, leaving Pei Yan dejected
Wei Zhao tightly holds Jiang Ci and repeatedly apologizes, but while Jiang Ci rejects Pei Yan, she cannot forgive Wei Zhao either. Heartbroken, Pei Yan returns home, where An Cheng and Tong Min express their discontent and consider persuading Jiang Ci to change her mind. Realizing that reconciliation is impossible, Pei Yan decides to write a letter to Emperor Xie Che of Da Liang, explaining Jiang Ci's identity, confident that Xie Che will summon her back to Qingkang.
That night, Wei Zhao crafts a small clay cat, executing it beautifully. He sends Yi Fei to bring Yan Qiao Shuang to meet Jiang Ci. Upon seeing Jiang Ci's injuries, Yan Qiao Shuang scolds Wei Zhao fiercely.
Wei Zhao asks Ping Shu to take Yan Qiao Shuang back to Qingkang, hoping she will reveal the truth from years ago to Emperor Xie Che, seeking justice for her father, Xiao Haitian, and freeing the people of Yueluo from their suffering. Yan Qiao Shuang and Jiang Ci, having not seen each other for years, share their stories, and Jiang Ci vows to protect Yan Qiao Shuang from any future hardships.
The next morning, Wei Zhao takes Jiang Ci for a walk in the mountains. As they talk about their shared experiences in Jiangjia Village with Yan Qiao Shuang, Jiang Ci playfully gives Wei Zhao a jujube laced with a sleeping drug. Wei Zhao promises to accompany Jiang Ci back to Jiangjia Village once everything is resolved but, overwhelmed by the drug's effects, he faints. Seizing the opportunity, Jiang Ci escapes with Yan Qiao Shuang.
When Wei Zhao wakes up, he finds that Ping Shu has also been affected by the drug, leaving him speechless with frustration. Meanwhile, Emperor Xie Che receives Pei Yan's letter, learning that the Qi King has a living daughter, and promptly orders Wei Zhao to bring Jiang Ci and his master back to Qingkang. As Jiang Ci and Yan Qiao Shuang depart, Jiang Ci inquires about her parents, discovering that Yan Qiao Shuang's sister, Yan Shuwan, is her mother.
Yan Qiao Shuang and Yan Shuwan were originally assassins from Wei Nation, tasked with gathering intelligence near Qi King Xie Chun. Gentle and upright, Xie Chun fell in love with Yan Shuwan. After returning to the Qingkang palace, when Yan Shuwan became pregnant, she and Yan Qiao Shuang attempted to leave the palace. Xie Chun pretended to be held hostage by the sisters and accompanied them to Yueluo.
Xiao Haitian took in Xie Che and his wife along with Yan Qiao Shuang. Meanwhile, Lu Yu launched an attack on Yueluo, intending to bring Xie Chun back to Qingkang. Not wanting to implicate the people of Yueluo, Xie Che tearfully bid farewell to Yan Shuwan. Before leaving, he left a small clay cat for his unborn child. Later, Yan Qiao Shuang heard that Xie Chun had died at the Star Picking Pavilion.
After Jiang Ci was born, Yan Shuwan followed Xie Chun, entrusting Jiang Ci's care to Yan Qiao Shuang. Upon learning of her true heritage, Jiang Ci felt a mix of emotions. Wei Zhao and Ping Shu hurriedly pursued Jiang Ci. Deliberately, Jiang Ci spoke harshly to Wei Zhao, insisting that she had no feelings for him. When Yan Qiao Shuang learned that Wei Zhao was Xiao Haitian's son and that his sister, Xiao Yujia, was Xie Che’s consort, she recalled how Xiao Yujia had secretly paid respects to Qi King Xie Chun. Yan Qiao Shuang concluded that Xiao Haitian had killed Xie Chun to curry favor with the newly crowned Emperor Xie Che, as he could not facilitate peace talks between Da Liang and Yueluo.
Yan Qiao Shuang urged Jiang Ci not to harbor any feelings for Wei Zhao, as they had a vendetta against each other. Pei Yan returned to Qingkang to report to Emperor Xie Che, who advised him to rest well. Pei Yan safely arrived back at the Jian Ding Marquis residence, where Rong Yu Die pressed him to marry Dong Juan soon. However, Pei Yan was not interested in settling down. He explained that his military reforms aimed to reclaim the Zhenyuan Army at minimal cost to stabilize the borders of Da Liang. He clearly stated his disinterest in the throne, which angered Rong Yu Die. Having plotted for years for Pei Yan’s rise, she even hired someone to kill Lu Dalang, hoping Lu Yu would rebel and that she could support Pei Yan as the next emperor with the power of Changfeng Wei.
Deputy Commander Chen Mo arrived with a secret letter from Xie Che to bring Wei Zhao back to Qingkang with Jiang Ci. Yan Qiao Shuang wanted to do everything in her power to take Jiang Ci away, but Jiang Ci wished to return to the palace with Wei Zhao. Wei Zhao wanted to kill Yan Qiao Shuang to avenge his father, Xiao Haitian, but he didn’t want to hurt Jiang Ci. He agreed to have Ping Shu take care of Yan Qiao Shuang. Jiang Ci warned him against harboring any murderous intentions toward Yan Qiao Shuang, threatening that she would not let it go easily.
Wei Zhao took Jiang Ci back to Qingkang, where Xie Che welcomed her warmly and asked after her well-being. Jiang Ci produced a letter written by her father, Xie Chun, which had become damp from falling into the water. She recited the dry portions from memory. Xie Che reassured her that she could stay in the palace and promised to compensate her well. Although Jiang Ci longed to return to Jiangjia Village with Yan Qiao Shuang for a life of freedom, she found it hard to voice her wishes.
Comments(Episode 29)