Episode Summary
Yue Chi aborts his plan to leave the capital after witnessing the Man Wang's unauthorized and aggressive entry into the imperial city, realizing the precariousness of the current peace. He decides to stay and support Huo Jingheng, leading to his controversial appointment as Prime Minister. Despite facing opposition from court officials, which Huo Jingheng helps him overcome by exploiting their weaknesses, Yue Chi's new role comes with conditions imposed by influential lords: the Qilin Jun designation cannot be revived, and Yue family descendants are barred from official positions. Meanwhile, Ling'er enters the palace to aid her brother, where the Empress Dowager grants her significant authority in managing the harem, immediately drawing the ire of Consort Hui.
Spoiler Alert
"A Prime Minister's Disguise" Episode 7 Recap: A Change of Plans and New Alliances
Episode 7 of "A Prime Minister's Disguise" throws viewers right back into the thick of political intrigue and personal sacrifice.
We open with Yue Chi orchestrating a diversion, allowing Ling'er and Jiang Yunqing to slip away from the watchful eyes of the imperial guards. Before his planned departure, Yue Chi leaves a letter for Huo Jingheng, outlining his vision for governing the state and ensuring its stability. However, Yue Chi is a man conflicted; a part of him questions whether leaving is truly what his heart desires. His indecision is momentarily interrupted when he saves a young child on the street, only to spot the Man Wang (Barbarian King) riding brazenly through the imperial city—an unauthorized entry that signals impending trouble.
True to Yue Chi's premonition, the Man Wang storms into the palace, completely disregarding Huo Jingheng and violently grabbing Lord Wei by the throat when Wei attempts to intervene. Huo Jingheng's imperial guards immediately draw their swords. Huo Jingheng coolly reminds the Man Wang that his guards are sworn to protect the throne and do not recognize the authority of vassal kings. This dose of reality seems to temper the Man Wang's aggression slightly. As he demands to know who advised Huo Jingheng to have the feudal lords' sons educated in the imperial city, Yue Chi makes a dramatic entrance, openly admitting the idea was his.
This marks a pivotal moment: Yue Chi has changed his mind. Witnessing the volatile undercurrents and realizing that peace is precariously balanced, he decides to stay and help Huo Jingheng navigate the treacherous political landscape. He sends a heartfelt letter to Jiang Yunqing, explaining that the path ahead is fraught with danger, and he cannot, in good conscience, let her share his perilous journey. He promises that if he manages to leave the imperial city safely in the future, he will find her and protect her for the rest of her life.
Back in the grand hall, Yue Chi staunchly defends Huo Jingheng. Confronting the Man Wang's audacious behavior, Yue Chi voices his suspicion that the Man Wang harbors treasonous ambitions. This accusation visibly rattles the Man Wang, who hastily claims he was merely bringing rare fruits for the Emperor to sample and thus failed to report his arrival in a timely manner. Feeling the pressure, the Man Wang makes a swift exit. Impressed and needing a strong ally, Huo Jingheng decides to appoint Yue Chi as Prime Minister. He anticipates significant opposition from the court officials and warns Yue Chi to prepare for heated debates, advising him to make his points decisively but avoid escalating conflicts unnecessarily.
As expected, resistance emerges. Lord Zhang, citing Yue Chi's past service to the former dynasty, accuses him of plotting to restore it. Yue Chi, unfazed, calmly refutes the baseless accusation. Huo Jingheng steps in, reminding Lord Zhang that under the current dynasty's law, false accusations carry the death penalty. This effectively silences Lord Zhang. Yue Chi then eloquently states his position: in the previous dynasty, he worked for the welfare of the common people, and he intends to do the same under the current rule, emphasizing that the people are the bedrock of the nation, rendering the ministers' fears unfounded.
While Yue Chi manages to temporarily pacify the ministers in court, their underlying opposition remains a challenge. Huo Jingheng, ever the strategist, devises a plan to sway them by targeting their vulnerabilities—many lead lifestyles marked by corruption and impropriety. Yue Chi systematically confronts these officials, exposing their misdeeds and thereby dismantling their opposition. This clears the path for him to be officially appointed as the Right Prime Minister.
However, his appointment comes with strings attached. Lord Ouyang and Lord Wei, while supporting Yue Chi’s rise, present conditions: the prestigious "Qilin Jun" (Qilin Army/Unit) designation must not be reinstated, as doing so would be considered an act of rebellion. Furthermore, no descendants of the Yue family are to hold official positions in court. Lord Wei, feigning illness, has Lord Ouyang present this petition. Lord Ouyang then puts on a dramatic display, almost like a shrewish woman, to pressure Huo Jingheng into accepting. Infuriated, Huo Jingheng seems inclined to grant Lord Ouyang's demands. As other officials plead for him to reconsider, Yue Chi steps forward, surprisingly requesting the Emperor to agree to Lord Ouyang's terms. This leaves Huo Jingheng speechless and with little room to maneuver.
Meanwhile, Ling'er, aware that her brother Yue Chi is being targeted, decides to enter the palace to support him. She recognizes that Yue Chi cannot effectively manage affairs of the state and the complexities of the inner palace simultaneously. Upon her arrival, the Empress Dowager immediately grants Ling'er the authority to assist in managing the six palaces. This move greatly displeases Consort Hui, who quickly sends a letter to her adoptive brother, presumably to make counter-arrangements. Consort Hui then pays Ling'er a visit, eager to see what "three fires" (a term for a new official's initial bold moves) Ling'er will light in her new position, but Ling'er skillfully sidesteps any confrontation. Later, Ling'er approaches Huo Jingheng, hoping he can persuade the Empress Dowager to retract the edict. Huo Jingheng advises her to comply with the Empress Dowager's wishes for now, urging her to learn the art of survival in the harem, while also cautioning her that she is under scrutiny.
