Even though I missed having scenes between Ying Zheng and Li Er in this episode, I was really happy watching Han Shen and Li Er’s reunion with Jing Ke and Lan Er. Li Er was so sad when she entered the palace because she had to leave everyone and everything that she loved behind, and she had a lot of difficult times from the very beginning. I don’t think she was ever really happy, aside from having Tian Ming. We know that she’s going to have to go back to the palace eventually, and I wish that she’s able to find the same happiness with Ying Zheng.
Han Shen and Li Er are on their way out of the palace when Li Er hesitates, worried that something will happen to Tian Ming while she’s gone. Han Shen tells her not to worry and that he will come back for Tian Ming. He can tell that Ying Zheng thinks of her as a treasure (aww) and he will protect Tian Ming while she is away since Ying Zheng also knows that if anything happens to Tian Ming, Li Er wouldn’t have any reason to return.
Jing Ke is at an inn drinking, looking like he’s already had a lot to drink and doesn’t plan to stop anytime soon. Just then, Swordsman Gao (who Jing Ke had sparred with in episode 7) arrives to see him and they have another fight in the woods. After getting the better of Jing Ke, Gao advises that he needs to put aside his worries and burdens in order to truly master the Gongsun sword technique. Jing Ke says he understands, but that it’s extremely difficult for him to do so. Meanwhile, Lan Er is looking for Jing Ke, but she’s not having any luck.
Zhao Gao discovers that Li Er has disappeared from the palace and questions Qing Er who had no idea that Li Er was planning on leaving. She tells him the truth, but Zhao Gao doesn’t believe her and accuses her of having worked with Li Er to plot her departure. Qing Er strongly denies it, but it just falls on deaf ears.
Zhao Gao declares that he will thoroughly investigate the matter, and he takes away Qing Er and Li Er’s other palace maids for torture and interrogation. Zhao Gao tells his underlings to conduct a full search of the palace and to send a messenger to inform the King.
Madam Chu’s maid lets her know the news, which Madam Chu initially cannot believe. It’s never happened before that a consort has disappeared from the Qin palace, and she soon realizes that this is a golden opportunity for her. If Li Er returns, Madam Chu plans to use it to her advantage because she doesn’t believe that the King or Grand Dowager will easily let this matter go.
Lan Er arrives at another inn in search for Jing Ke, and she happens to run into Gao. What a coincidence. After they’ve exchanged greetings and pleasantries, Lan Er tells Gao that she‘s been searching for Jing Ke. Jing Ke joins them just then, and she is very glad to see him. She informs him that Han Shen is bringing Li Er to meet them, which shocks Jing Ke.
Meanwhile, Han Shen and Li Er are on their way, both having changed into plain clothes. Li Er looks so pretty here! I love the way her hair is styled and her outfit of white, turquoise, and orange. Li Er always looks so pretty except for when she’s dressed as a royal consort. I don’t get it.
Li Er wants to confirm that Han Shen hasn’t told Jing Ke about Tian Ming, because she wants to tell him personally. Han Shen thinks that Li Er is worried that Jing Ke won’t be able to accept Tian Ming and says, “If it were me, how could I not accept a child with the woman I love?” Aww. Li Er says that’s not it, she’s worried about Tian Ming’s safety because she‘s not in the palace. Han Shen comforts her and says that Tian Ming will be fine.
Back in the palace, Zhao Gao tortures Qing Er for information about Li Er’s disappearance. She has been whipped pretty severely and looks to be in really bad shape. She keeps insisting that she‘s innocent and really doesn’t know anything, even when Zhao Gao threatens to cut off an ear. Poor Qing Er.
As Li Er walks towards the cabin where they’re supposed to meet, she remembers the sweet moments that she and Jing Ke shared as well as the moments she had with Ying Zheng in the palace. She recalls when Ying Zheng told her that she had to make everyone believe that Tian Ming was his child, when he said that he was her only King, and their red date kiss. She also recalls when Ying Zheng told her that he wouldn’t let anyone hurt her, and when he told her that he wanted to keep Tian Ming so that she would stay by his side. I don’t think that Li Er loves Ying Zheng yet, but I think her attitude towards him has softened now that she understands him better and realizes that Ying Zheng does care for her.
Jing Ke and Li Er stand on either side of the cabin doors, but neither can bring themselves to move. It’s Lan Er who finally opens the doors and they are all reunited. Jing Ke and Li Er don’t say anything to each other, but their expressions are so emotional as they stare into each other’s eyes. This is really touching. Lan Er and Han Shen decide to leave so they can be alone.
Han Shen notices that Lan Er looks sad, but when he asks what’s wrong, Lan Er just says how great it is for Jing Ke and Li Er to be reunited and that she’s crying happy tears. Han Shen realizes that Lan Er likes Jing Ke, and says that they’re the same because they have feelings of both happiness and sadness for Jing Ke and Li Er’s reunion. Lan Er says that she just hopes for Li Er and Jing Ke to be happy together even if he never finds out her feelings for him, because Li Er is really a good person. Aww, I feel so bad for these two. They’re such lovely people.
Jing Ke and Li Er finally hug. Aww. When they separate, Jing Ke takes a good look at Li Er and asks her why her eyes are so sad. He asks her how Ying Zheng has been treating her, and Li Er says that Ying Zheng doesn’t treat her badly. Jing Ke tells Li Er that when she left, he tried to storm the palace but was caught right away. Li Er doesn’t like that he put himself in danger, and asks him what happened after he was caught. Jing Ke tells her that he was almost exiled but was rescued by Tian Guang.
Jing Ke tells Li Er that all his suffering is worth it as long as Li Er is by his side. He says that he won’t ever let her leave him even if Qin pursues them to the ends of the earth. He assures her that he won’t let her be taken away before he reaches out and hugs her again. Aww. I love how dedicated Jing Ke is and how much he loves Li Er, but it’s crazy of him to think that he can stop Ying Zheng.
Chancellor Lu stands all alone in his residence recalling how Ying Zheng has banished him and declared that they will never meet again. What harsh words for a father to hear from his son. Chancellor Lu thinks that he achieved all of the money and power he’s ever wanted, but his own son won’t accept him as his father and looks down on him. Li Si and the Danding group are having a meeting when a report arrives that Ying Zheng went to see Chancellor Lu and has ordered Chancellor Lu to be exiled. Li Si is ecstatic at the news. Ugh. Can’t stand him.
Chancellor Lu has committed suicide, and this news is reported to Ying Zheng. Ying Zheng acts like he doesn’t care and this is exactly what he wanted, but his expression reveals that it has affected him greatly and he is far from being happy about Chancellor Lu’s death.
Just then, more bad news arrives as a messenger reports that Li Er has been missing for two days. Ying Zheng is stunned and rides at breakneck pace back to the palace. The news of Chancellor Lu’s death also reaches the Queen Dowager in the palace, and she is completely devastated.
Jing Ke and Li Er are having a lot of fun as they run through the woods together. They can’t stop smiling and laughing, and it’s so different from how they were when they had to be apart. When they’ve reunited with Han Shen and Lan Er, Li Er says that she has really missed the fresh air and that it feels like she’s been away forever. Jing Ke teases Han Shen that his martial arts skills have deteriorated, and Han Shen says that it’s due to a lack of competition in the palace, lol.
Aww, they’re so happy together. I wish all of them could always be so happy. Lan Er suggests that Jing Ke and Li Er show off their martial arts skills, but Li Er says that she’s gone rusty since she wasn’t able to practice martial arts in the palace. They decide to practice their paired sword technique and cover their eyes so they don’t take advantage of each other. Jing Ke gives Li Er their silk scarf to use, and Lan Er gives Jing Ke her scarf to wear over his eyes.
Thanks everyone for reading!
Previous <- Episode Recap -> Next
Unknown
Thank you so much!
Carrie
THANK YOU FOR THE RECAPS. drama is so long and i often don't understand what's going on. My chinese is so limited even though i am chinese. so thank you and hope you continue!
Lena
On the contrary to you, I found this episode really frustrating. By living the palace Lin er put so many people in danger: the guards, the servants, even Tian Ming. She broke her promise given to the king, that she wouldn't leave the palace, and expressed her arrogance and vanity in believing that she's so important to him that he would spare her whatever she does. I was very disappointed to see her acting so selfishly.
I'm pretty much disappointed with Jingyu ke too. All he is doing is just drinking and moping around. I know he's heartbroken, but still, being all self-pitying and wasted all the time is so much of his character, which was so strong before and full of ideas.
Elisabel
Yes, it is true.. but, usually, she would stay. In this drama, she escaped, which i find it kind of unique. Though, the secrets are there all right
Czaerana
Jing looks stupid with that barely there goatee. I just don't care for him. The king, Han Sheng, and Commander Li are all hotter than him! I ff through all the romance montages. I find them tedious.
I've watched enough Chinese palace dramas to know that poor Quing would be tortured.
Sunny
Thank you for the recap!
I agree with the comments from Lena above. Li Er was reckless and selfish in this episode. She left Tian ming alone in the Palace when the only 3 people who care about his welfare are out of the Palace. She broke the king's trust and her guards and servants – poor Qing Er- would be punished for allowing her to go missing.
Another person leaves Ying Zheng with the death of Chancellor Li and it's clear it really upset him no matter what he said. The to makes things worse he hears Li Er has disappeared too.
I feel so sorry Han Shen and Lan Er and their unrequited loves. They are both so likeable so it's sad to see them stand by and suffer silently.