Episode 20 recap: Huo Qing Yun Learns the Truth About His Mother's Murderer
In Episode 20, Huo Qing Yun arrives at Yun Ci Quan for a meeting, where his elder brother, Huo Yan, has been waiting. Huo Yan pretends to invite Huo Qing Yun for a bath, expressing concern that his back injury has not yet healed. Filled with guilt, Huo Qing Yun admits that he hasn’t been able to share Huo Yan's burdens. Huo Yan produces a jade pendant that he had taken from Huo Qing Yun during their childhood, intending to return it. He suggests that they should wait until the next life to be brothers, then hints for his soldiers to draw their swords against Huo Qing Yun.
Huo Qing Yun pleads with Huo Yan not to be blinded by outsiders. At that moment, Sha Qu and others arrive to protect Huo Qing Yun. Huo Qing Yun presents a letter revealing Liu Qi's collusion with Yun Pei, shocking Huo Yan, who realizes he has been deceived by Liu Qi for years. In a panic, Huo Yan offers to relinquish his position as city lord, fearing that Liu Qi might expose secrets that could cost him his life.
Huo Qing Yun kneels and expresses that he never sought the position of city lord; he only wishes to loyally assist Huo Yan and will not trust outsiders. Under severe interrogation, Liu Qi, unable to bear the pain, begs Huo Qing Yun for his life. He reveals his collusion with Yun Pei, claiming it was due to a promise made during the war and that his mother is also in danger.
Sha Qu examines the letters revealing Liu Qi’s correspondence with Na Zhan, discovering plans to assassinate Ma Sui and her daughter. Liu Qi admits to falsely conveying orders and later concealing the truth. Enraged upon learning the truth, Huo Qing Yun nearly kills Liu Qi, but Sha Qu stops him, arguing that if Liu Qi dies, no one will be able to prove the truth. Huo Qing Yun insists that Liu Qi write a confession.
Huo Qing Yun has no intention of confronting Huang Bei Shuang and instructs Sha Qu to deliver the confession to her. Sha Qu hopes he will reconsider, but Huo Qing Yun feels a heavy responsibility and believes he should not involve Huang Bei Shuang in this matter.
Meanwhile, Huang Bei Shuang has been kidnapped by Ruo Wen and taken back to Fentian. Her goal is to obtain the architectural manuscript. Before Ruo Wen attacks Ma Sui, Huang Bei Shuang had struck a deal with Ruo Wen, offering to provide information about Ma Sui’s defenses to help General Hua Yu coordinate their attack.
Before Ruo Wen can find the architectural manuscript, he prepares a grand gift for Huang Bei Shuang, sending her Ge Er Jin Qin.
Ge Er Jin Qin boasts that Ma Sui belongs to him and refuses to take responsibility for his fratricide, inadvertently revealing that Na Zhan assisted him. Upon learning the truth, Huang Bei Shuang wastes no time plunging a dagger into Ge Er Jin Qin, blood splattering her face as Ruo Wen watches, cheering her on.
In front of her parents' spirit tablets, Huang Bei Shuang pays her respects, expressing her vow to make Na Zhan pay for the blood he has spilled. She prays for her parents' forgiveness and confesses her feelings for Huo Qing Yun, saying she cannot take his life. Ruo Wen bursts in, unconcerned about being used by Huang Bei Shuang; instead, he is drawn into the secret hidden in her gaze and forcefully pushes her onto the bed.
Ge Xin Wei rushes in to pull Ruo Wen away, accusing him of having ulterior motives. Ruo Wen reluctantly leaves, and Huang Bei Shuang states that she will leave Fentian once she finds the Desert Manuscript. Furious upon hearing that Huang Bei Shuang has been kidnapped by Ruo Wen, Na Zhan orders General Wu to seal off the news; he plans to use the lives of the E Na Qi tribe to threaten Huang Bei Shuang into returning.
Ruo Wen paints Huang Bei Shuang's eyes, causing Ge Xin Wei to feel jealous. Huo Qing Yun enters Fentian to congratulate Ruo Wen, deliberately probing to confirm his identity. However, Ruo Wen does not remember Old Rong, stating that he suffered an injury in childhood and has difficulty recalling many things.
Huo Qing Yun proposes an exchange of information about Mang Liu in order to take Huang Bei Shuang with him. Ruo Wen realizes Huo Qing Yun cannot take her away but agrees to let them meet. When Huang Bei Shuang sees Huo Qing Yun, she turns to leave. Huo Qing Yun tells her that another person is responsible for killing Lady Jiu and swears under her parents' spirit tablets, presenting Liu Qi's confession to her.
Huang Bei Shuang recognizes the note as Na Zhan's handwriting. Upon realizing Liu Qi transmitted a false order, she can no longer hide her inner anguish and kneels before her parents' spirit tablets, crying bitterly.
Comments(Episode 20)