Episode 23 recap: Na Zhan Threatens Huo Qing Yun to Withdraw Troops
In Episode 23, thanks to wearing protective armor, she narrowly escaped a crisis. After a careful examination, the physician reported significant depletion of her vital energy and advised her to rest properly. During this time, Huo Qing Yun stayed close by her side, fearful of any misstep.
After escaping, Ruo Wen intended to drown his sorrows in alcohol, but Ge Xin Wei intervened. With a blend of sternness and gentleness, she encouraged him to regain his spirits and snatched the wine flask from his hands, smashing it on the ground with a shatter of fragments. Half-jokingly and half-seriously, Ge Xin Wei remarked that if anything were to happen to Ruo Wen, all his possessions would become hers, even the token symbolizing the power of the Huang Tian Kuang army, which would have to be given to her as a bridal gift.
She questioned Ruo Wen about his continuous concealment of the truth. Ruo Wen smiled bitterly, admitting he was afraid that if he were to die, there would be no one left to commemorate him.
Huo Qing Yun took the time to write Ruo Wen a letter, detailing the events leading up to the current situation. It turned out that Ruo Wen's father, Rong Ruo, was a trusted minister of the Qi Da Emperor of the Yun Pei Kingdom. Na Zhan was greatly dissatisfied with General Wu, believing he had failed to resolve matters cleanly in the past, leaving potential dangers. General Wu was ordered to launch an offensive against the Fen Tian, while Na Zhan plotted to eliminate him using Ruo Wen's forced marriage to Huang Bei Shuang as a pretext. The mourning memorials from various tribes flooded in, but they were all orchestrated by Huo Qing Yun, aiming to mislead Na Zhan into believing that Huang Bei Shuang had truly passed away.
General Wu and Lord Zhu were concerned that Huang Bei Shuang might hold the secret to the Great Desert Scroll, urging Na Zhan to recover her body to avoid making Yun Pei a laughingstock. Ruo Wen opened up to Ge Xin Wei, revealing his deep-seated hatred for Rong Ruo, convinced that his mother's death was tied to him. Ge Xin Wei gently reassured him that she would always be by his side, encouraging him not to dwell too much on past pains.
Ruo Wen vowed to avenge Na Zhan but hesitated to involve Ge Xin Wei, hoping she could stay away from the turmoil and live a good life. However, Ge Xin Wei was not so easily deterred; she nestled close to Ruo Wen, and their feelings unintentionally deepened, ultimately crossing boundaries.
Na Zhan dispatched Ye Pei and Lian Huan to Tian Du, intending to bring back Huang Bei Shuang’s body for burial in Yun Pei. However, disaster struck as Fen Tian experienced a sudden sinkhole crisis, throwing everyone into panic.
Ruo Wen sought to recruit soldiers to confront the crisis, but the terrified populace fled, leaving only the elderly, sick, and weak behind. Just at this critical moment, news arrived from Mang Liu that Na Zhan's army would reach Fen Tian within five days.
Huo Qing Yun understood the strategic importance of Fen Tian; it was a crucial battleground. Analyzing the current situation, he concluded that Fen Tian could not withstand Yun Pei's assault on its own. However, he assured everyone that he had a plan to help Fen Tian out of its predicament.
When Ye Pei and Lian Huan returned with an empty coffin, Huang Bei Shuang deliberately played along, making them believe she had already passed away. It wasn't until Ye Pei discovered the truth that he was filled with both surprise and joy. Huo Qing Yun cleverly concealed letters and a jade pendant within the coffin, instructing the two to take them back to Yun Pei for Na Zhan to read personally.
After reading the letter, Na Zhan was shocked to learn that Huo Qing Yun was the true Na Yan Xing. Holding the imperial edict, he used it to threaten Na Zhan into announcing Huang Bei Shuang's death and withdrawing his troops. Although General Wu had reservations, Na Zhan, wary of the risks, ordered a retreat and redeployed his elite forces to defend the border cities.
While the sinkhole crisis in Fen Tian continued, good news arrived: Na Zhan had withdrawn his troops. Although Ruo Wen felt a twinge of regret over Huang Bei Shuang's supposed death, he felt even more resolute about the future.
Huo Qing Yun finally confessed his identity to Huang Bei Shuang, who assured him that regardless of who he was, she would stand by him. On a snowy night, the two made eternal vows in the presence of heaven and earth. Huo Qing Yun eagerly proposed to Huang Bei Shuang, and she happily accepted.
In the snow-covered night, they held each other tightly, cherishing this rare moment of warmth.
Comments(Episode 23)