Episode 17 recap: Huang Bei Shuang Stabs Huo Qing Yun Twice

In Episode 17, Zhan Bie denies that Huang Bei Shuang is Na Xiu, claiming he has met Na Xiu and that she isn’t as cold and aloof as Huang Bei Shuang. Guo Er, frustrated, accuses them of colluding together. Zhan personally asks Huang Bei Shuang who she is, and she firmly insists that she is the wife of Yun Pei Shuang.

Zhan orders Guo Er to be dragged out and executed. Guo Er calls for help from Zhen Qu You Jia, but Zhen is too preoccupied with her own troubles. After the banquet, Huang Bei Shuang prepares to return to Yun Fang Pavilion, but Zhan stops her, saying he doesn’t care about her identity and only recognizes her as Huang Bei Shuang.

Zhan rushes back to his room and tells Huo Qing Yun not to use his mother as leverage; he doesn’t reveal Huang Bei Shuang’s identity. Huo Qing Yun reminds him that Ma Sui will soon be attacked by Ruo Wen, and a change of leadership isn’t necessarily a bad thing. He advises Zhan not to act rashly and promises to rescue his mother.

Their conversation is overheard by General Wu, who takes note of Huo Qing Yun’s facial features. After Zhan sees the sketch, he realizes that Huo Qing Yun is the lord of Tiandu. General Wu suspects that there is a secret passage in the residence, especially after witnessing Huo Qing Yun disappear from Yun Fang Pavilion. Zhen Qu You Jia gets punished for not informing Zhan about Ruo Wen, and Zhan confines her to Yu Fu Pavilion.

Furious, Zhan blames General Wu’s guards for their incompetence, but then he considers the situation as an opportunity to watch the drama unfold between Huo Qing Yun and Huang Bei Shuang. Ruo Wen leads his brother Huang Tian Kuang to attack Ma Sui City, and Ge Xin Wei confidently walks into the city tower, discovering food still warm on the table.

Ruo Wen surveys the area, sensing an ambush, and calls for the hidden attackers to reveal themselves. Ma Sui soldiers surround Ruo Wen, shouting to kill him as a bandit. Ruo Wen decides to toy with them and single-handedly takes on the Ma Sui soldiers. Ge Xin Wei trips while dodging soldiers, and Ruo Wen steps in to protect him. While fighting, they exchange flirtatious banter, ultimately defeating all the soldiers.

Ge Er Jin Qin is captured and voluntarily offers his sincerity to Ruo Wen, pleading for his life. Ge Xin Wei can’t help but scold him for being cowardly. Ruo Wen dismisses the Ma Sui City seal, joking that Man Hu should turn it into a chamber pot.

Seizing the moment, Ge Er Jin Qin uses a knife to take Ge Xin Wei hostage, believing Ge Xin Wei is important to Ruo Wen. Ruo Wen mentions Ge Xin Wei’s identity, but Ge Er Jin Qin claims not to know him. As his identity is about to be exposed, Ge Xin Wei attempts to kill Ge Er Jin Qin, but Ruo Wen stops him.

Huo Qing Yun learns that Ma Sui City is under attack by Ruo Wen and suspects that this is all within his control. His primary concern is for Huang Bei Shuang, believing that the fall of Ma Sui City is just the beginning. He knows that Huang Bei Shuang's next target will be Tiandu and plans to take her away from Yun Pei City.

Huang Bei Shuang has feelings for Huo Qing Yun. When Huo Qing Yun visits Yun Fang Pavilion, he promises to give her everything. General Wu discovers a secret passage in Yun Fang Pavilion, and Zhan follows it to Huang Bei Shuang's chamber, realizing that the situation is more complicated than he thought.

Huang Bei Shuang urges Huo Qing Yun to think carefully, as they would soon be enemies of Yun Pei and Tiandu. Huo Qing Yun intends to keep this hidden for now and wants to take Huang Bei Shuang away first. They agree to meet at Ju Yun Pavilion the next day. Zhan overhears their conversation but does not act.

Huang Bei Shuang packs her belongings and ensures Ye Pei and Lian Huan are settled. After taking care of everything, she plans to leave. However, she unexpectedly encounters Zhan in the secret passage. Zhan reveals Huo Qing Yun's identity to her, saying that Ge Er Jin Qin conspired with Tiandu to kill Huang Bei Shuang's mother.

The next day, Huo Qing Yun arrives early at Ju Yun Pavilion to wait for Huang Bei Shuang. However, when she finally appears, she stabs him in the chest with a dagger. Huang Bei Shuang exposes his identity as the lord of the Northern Territory, and Huo Qing Yun does not deny it; he feels a sense of relief.

Zhan has already stationed archers at Ju Yun Pavilion. Although Huo Qing Yun is injured, he insists on taking Huang Bei Shuang with him. Huang Bei Shuang, emotionally unsettled, stabs him again and then kicks him into the well.

Zhan praises Huang Bei Shuang for making the right choice, believing she has helped him eliminate Huo Qing Yun. He states that they can pretend nothing happened and continue their partnership. Man Hu and Lang Tou shout about calling Ruo Wen, but Ruo Wen says the city has other uses, which displeases Ge Xin Wei.

Huang Bei Shuang hesitates to open the letter Huo Qing Yun left her. General Wu discovers that Ju Yun Pavilion is a stronghold for the Mang Liu faction; since the lake water is flowing, they find no trace of Huo Qing Yun. Zhan realizes that Huo Qing Yun still has ties to Mang Liu and orders the news to be sealed. He insists on finding Huo Qing Yun alive or dead.