Episode Summary
In Episode 15 of "A Prime Minister's Disguise," the conflict between Huo Jingheng and Yue Chi deepens after General Gu's death. The Empress Dowager intervenes, revealing the tragic story of Huo Jingheng's father, a prefect who sacrificed himself to save his people from famine. This revelation causes Yue Chi to understand Huo Jingheng's difficult choices, leading to their reconciliation. Realizing they are victims of a larger conspiracy likely orchestrated by Yi Qingyun with an inside accomplice, they devise a plan. They feign a major falling out to trick the suspected mole, Jiang Yunqing, into revealing herself, who is then secretly followed as she goes to report the news.
Spoiler Alert
A Prime Minister's Disguise Episode 15 Recap & Spoilers: A Father's Sacrifice and a Feigned Feud
The emotional fallout from General Gu's death continues to fracture the court, driving the wedge between Emperor Huo Jingheng and former Prime Minister Yue Chi even deeper. However, a tragic story from the Emperor's past provides a new, painful perspective that leads to remorse and eventual reconciliation. With their alliance secretly reforged, the two men realize they've been pawns in a larger game and set a clever trap to lure a traitor out of the shadows.
A Heavy Conscience
Huo Jingheng makes a clandestine visit to the Gu residence, hoping to pay his final respects to the general he was forced to condemn. The visit turns hostile when General Gu’s son confronts him, drawing a sword and accusing the Emperor of being his father's killer. Yue Chi arrives just in time to stop the boy, claiming responsibility for the General's death himself. The tense standoff is finally ended by General Gu's widow, who calmly states that it is not a good time for guests and closes the door on them both.
Later, Yue Chi arranges for his own men to carry the coffin for the disgraced general's modest funeral, ensuring he has some measure of dignity in death. Yue Chi is tormented by his actions and Huo Jingheng's difficult position, wrestling with the immense sacrifices a ruler must make.
A History of Heroism and Heartbreak
Worried about the escalating conflict between her brother and the Emperor, Ling'er seeks advice from Du Tianzhao. He suggests that only his sister, the Empress Dowager, has the influence to mediate their dispute.
The Empress Dowager summons Yue Chi to the palace and shares the heartbreaking story of Huo Jingheng's father. Years ago, his father was a prefect governing a region struck by a terrible famine. When the official relief grain was unexpectedly destroyed in a flood, he was faced with the mass starvation of his people. In a desperate act to save them, he led his men to seize a shipment of military grain.
For this crime, he was arrested. He forbade a young Huo Jingheng from trying to rescue him, explaining that he took this path knowing it would lead to his death and that he had no regrets. In prison, he received a message by carrier pigeon that the disaster was contained and the people were safe. His duty fulfilled, he took his own life. He left his son with a single memento: a small token engraved with the word "Heng" that concealed a tiny dagger. He told his son that a true hero is not defined by title or power, but by their willingness to save the people.
This revelation shakes Yue Chi to his core. He returns to his home and looks at a similar token given to him by the Emperor, finally understanding the profound meaning behind Huo Jingheng's difficult choices. He is filled with remorse, questioning whether his own rigid stance was truly the correct one.
Reconciliation and a Ruse
With a new perspective, Yue Chi visits the Gu residence again. He challenges the general's son to a duel, not to harm him, but to test his spirit and motivate him to become strong enough to protect his family. Huo Jingheng rushes to the scene, fearing Yue Chi means to eliminate the family, but arrives to find the situation peacefully resolved. Impressed by Yue Chi's intentions, Huo Jingheng grants the widow's request to allow her son to enlist in the army.
Despite this progress, the tension between the two men remains. Taking matters into her own hands, Ling'er, with Du Tianzhao's help, tricks them into meeting in a room and locks them inside. At first, they refuse to speak, but their attention is drawn to a Go board. As they begin to play, they also start to analyze the recent string of political disasters. Working together, they deduce that the exiled prince Yi Qingyun is likely behind the chaos, but he must have an accomplice working from the inside.
Spoilers: The Trap is Set
Both Huo Jingheng and Yue Chi suspect the same person: Jiang Yunqing. Though Yue Chi is reluctant to believe she is a traitor, they agree they must confirm their suspicions. They hatch a plan to expose the mole by faking a complete and total falling out. To make the ruse believable, they even involve Ling'er, publicly stripping her of her royal titles.
The bait is taken almost immediately. Jiang Yunqing overhears the news of their "irreparable" rift and hurries off to relay the information to Yi Qingyun. However, she is unaware that she is being followed. Yue Chi has already assigned men to shadow her, setting the stage for her inevitable exposure.
