Episode 18 recap: Huo Qing Yun Faces Imminent Danger from Punishment
In this episode, Ge Xin Wei refuses to leave Ruo Wen's residence, feeling upset with him for making her angry. She insists that he fulfill a promise he made earlier about giving her a stable home in Ma Sui City. Ruo Wen playfully teases her, claiming that Ge Xin Wei is just a stranger to him.
Ge Xin Wei, not holding back, confesses to Ruo Wen that she is actually Na Xiu. She expresses her belief that Huang Bei Shuang has abandoned her identity as the Ninth Princess and is no longer invested in Ma Sui City. Ruo Wen laughs at her naivety, but Ge Xin Wei tightly hugs him, declaring that she wants to stay by his side and build a small home together.
Meanwhile, Huo Qing Yun is rescued from danger by Sha Qu and leaves Tiandu. Sha Qu realizes that Huang Bei Shuang was behind the attack and chastises her for being too ruthless, nearly costing Huo Qing Yun his life. Thankfully, he had armor to protect him. Huo Qing Yun, however, comforts Sha Qu, saying that he owes Huang Bei Shuang and asks Sha Qu to retrieve the lost armor, acknowledging that it’s understandable for her to hold a grudge against him.
Old Master Rong rushes to see Huo Qing Yun upon hearing of his injuries, feeling anxious. Huo Qing Yun is puzzled as to why his existence seems like a secret, considering his mother was the Princess of Huaming in Tiandu. Old Master Rong reveals the truth: he and Qi Da were saved by the Huaming Princess during their travels in the desert, which led to their bond. They had planned to return to give her a rightful title after finishing their work on "The Great Desert Chronicles," but tragically, the princess passed away after giving birth to Huo Qing Yun.
Huo Qing Yun is steadfast in his beliefs; he doesn't want to hastily change the current state of Yun Pei's rule over the desert without an official decree. However, Old Master Rong cannot bear to see the people of the desert suffer. He urges Huo Qing Yun to take action when necessary, without fearing bloodshed or sacrifice.
On the other side, Huang Bei Shuang reflects on Huo Qing Yun's past promises, hesitating with a letter of intent in her hand as she spends an entire day and night in contemplation. Na Zhan believes that the rule of Yun Pei should be based on strength, while Old Master Rong adheres to the principle of bloodline. He learns from a spy in Tiandu that Huo Qing Yun is alive and that Ruo Wen has taken control of Ma Sui. Sensing something significant, he instructs General Wu to send a response to Tiandu, planning to stir up trouble and involve the Ge He tribe.
After Ruo Wen establishes himself in Ma Sui, he declares himself the Lord of Fen Tian City. Seizing the opportunity, the Ge He tribe attacks E Na Qi, demanding they surrender the oasis. Huo Qing Yun is alarmed and pleads with his elder brother for military assistance, but instead, his brother reprimands him for taking the ice toad without permission and threatens to punish him with two hundred lashes.
Huo Qing Yun is determined to accept the punishment in order to mobilize troops. Huang Bei Shuang, not willing to back down, uses "The Great Desert Chronicles" as leverage, demanding that Na Zhan fulfill his promise to make her the rightful wife of Yun Pei and send troops to rescue E Na Qi.
Huo Qing Yun hands the military command token to General Wei, urging Sha Qu to push for the rescue of E Na Qi. Coincidentally, Huang Bei Shuang's coronation ceremony is scheduled for the same day Huo Qing Yun is to be punished.
Seeing Huo Qing Yun fall, his elder brother feels a sense of satisfaction. Na Zhan attempts to subdue Huang Bei Shuang, but she counters with the strange scroll and ends up punishing him to kneel for an entire night.
After enduring the lashes, Huo Qing Yun's condition deteriorates. His brother even sends a eunuch under the guise of a visit, secretly intending to harm him. However, Sha Qu is alert and stops the eunuch. Both the brother and the eunuch believe their plan is foolproof, waiting for Huo Qing Yun to breathe his last. After receiving information from his spies, Na Zhan instructs General Wu to add to Huo Qing Yun's troubles, even considering framing him for something.
While Ruo Wen and Ge Xin Wei are out shopping, they are pointed at by the citizens of Fen Tian, making Ruo Wen feel uneasy. Ge Xin Wei comforts him, urging him not to take it to heart, and envisions a bright future for them, hoping Ruo Wen will give her a grand wedding. Ruo Wen deliberately changes the subject, and Ge Xin Wei even makes him new clothes, wanting him to stop looking like a desert bandit.
As they playfully bicker, Ruo Wen suddenly becomes lost in thought, memories flooding back and nearly overwhelming him. Man Hu rushes in to inform Ruo Wen about the situation with E Na Qi, advising him to stay alert. Meanwhile, Zhan Bie is summoned by Na Zhan, who thanks him for burying his mother’s remains. Na Zhan also deliberately reveals Huo Qing Yun's whereabouts and hands Zhan Bie a dagger, inciting him to seek revenge.
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