Episode 20 recap: Qi Yan faked his death to deal with Cui An Shi.
After drinking the beverage given by Qi Su, Qi Yan felt extremely dizzy and realized that the drink was drugged. But it was too late, as Qi Su immediately stabbed Qi Yan with a sword. Qi Yan stumbled out, and Li Meng Meng happened to arrive. Upon seeing Qi Yan's condition, she immediately called for help, while Qi Su coldly watched everything from the side.
The ministers gathered around Qi Su and Cui An Shi, inquiring about the Emperor's condition. Cui An Shi informed them that the Emperor's lung disease was becoming increasingly severe. Cui An Shi suggested that they should make plans early, but the ministers believed that the Emperor was still present. Qi Yan, Li Meng Meng, and their group arrived at the border, where Sai Xue informed them that there was news from the escort agency about someone causing trouble with the transportation. Therefore, she had returned.
Qi Yan suspected that Cui An Shi was behind this, and he instructed Sai Xue to contact him if anything happened. Qi Su claimed that he had already given a letter to Qi Yan, asking when he could release Cui Wan Er. Cui An Shi stated that he would release Cui Wan Er only if Qi Su helped him with one more thing, leaving Qi Su speechless.
As Li Tao, the Prince of Ximi, wanted to enter the city, Qi Yan and Li Meng Meng hid inside a box on the carriage. The guards questioned Li Tao about the contents of the box, and he claimed it was a gift for attacking the Qi Kingdom. The guards suspected foul play since he had been obstructing them all along and threatened to open the box for inspection.
Fortunately, Qi Su arrived in time and scolded the guards. Li Tao believed that they could escape this time thanks to his help, but Qi Yan told him to return to the inn and promised to show his gratitude later. After they all left, Qi Yan asked Qi Su about the recent situation.
Qi Su informed him that Cui An Shi would publicly announce the Emperor's death tomorrow. Qi Yan knew that Cui An Shi had coveted his throne for a long time. Unaware that Kong An outside the room had already been drugged, Qi Su and Qi Yan had barely exchanged a few words before Qi Yan was also drugged.
As he struggled to go outside, Qi Su stabbed him with a sword. Qi Yan stumbled to the door and encountered Li Meng Meng. Seeing Qi Yan bleeding profusely, she cried out of fear. Li Meng Meng claimed that she could heal him no matter what, but Qi Yan told her to leave quickly and that her safety was all that mattered.
Looking at the blood on the tip of Qi Su's sword, Li Meng Meng shouted at him, asking why.
Qi Su detained Li Meng Meng and informed her that he would grant her freedom after he returned the Emperor's body to the palace the next day. Li Meng Meng told Qi Su that she wanted to see Qi Yan again, and Qi Su agreed.
Facing Qi Yan's body, Li Meng Meng expressed her disappointment, asking him if he hadn't promised not to leave her so early. She mentioned that they had many things planned together, such as drinking milk tea, going shopping, and watching movies.
She mentioned that Qi Yan hadn't even asked her if she was willing to marry him before leaving. Li Meng Meng told Qi Yan what weddings are like in her hometown. She explained that they needed a beautiful ring first and used a red string to make a ring, which she put on Qi Yan's finger.
Cui An Shi's subordinate asked a maid about her condition. The maid informed him that she had witnessed Qi Su stabbing Qi Yan with a sword. Qi Yan was already dead, and Cui An Shi's subordinate asked how the people around the Emperor reacted. The maid told him that there was a woman crying sorrowfully.
Cui An Shi confirmed Qi Yan's death and decided to burn his bridges. He accused Qi Su of treason and ordered them to capture Qi Su and throw him into the dungeon for further punishment. Qi Su managed to escape their capture and fled. Cui An Shi asked his subordinate if they had seen a girl, but the subordinate informed him that they hadn't.
Cui An Shi had a physician come to verify if Qi Yan was truly dead. The physician informed him that the Emperor had already passed away. Cui An Shi pretended to be saddened and started ringing the funeral bell. Qi Su heard it from outside the palace. He told Zhui Ying that Cui An Shi was indeed in a hurry. He realized that they had planned Qi Yan's fake death, and they had already discussed how to deal with Cui An Shi.
Unable to wait any longer, Cui An Shi spread rumors that Qi Yan had contracted a contagious lung disease and needed to have his body cremated. The High Priest stated that the time had not yet come, but Cui An Shi insisted on setting the body on fire. Inside the coffin, Qi Yan heard Li Meng Meng's heart-wrenching screams. He woke up and desperately pounded on the coffin, but no one heard him.
Cui An Shi's true intentions were exposed, and Qi Yan managed to defeat him and throw him into the dungeon.
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