Episode Summary
He Yan is framed for murder by a Liehe spy and his accomplice within the garrison. While imprisoned, she deduces the plot and, during a surprise enemy attack, escapes and unmasks the traitor. She engages the enemy leader in a duel to protect her comrades but is severely wounded while saving a friend. The episode culminates with her female identity being discovered by Xiao Jue and Cheng Lisu after her rescue.
Spoiler Alert
"Legend of the Female General" Episode 12: A Secret Unmasked
The episode begins with a hunter named Hu Yuanzhong, who was rescued by Song Taotao. He Yan is immediately suspicious, as his appearance doesn't resemble that of the Great Wei people, and he admits to being from Liehe. He Yan cleverly sends Song Taotao away to confront Hu Yuanzhong alone, noticing a distinct rash on the webbing of his thumb—a tell-tale sign of wielding a Liehe scimitar. She also discovers a letter written in the Liehe script, which he dismisses as a love letter from his deceased wife. With no concrete proof and Song Taotao being very protective of him, He Yan decides to bide her time.
He Yan's attempts to probe Hu Yuanzhong further are noticed by Song Taotao, who mistakes her actions for jealousy. Later that night, a masked assassin infiltrates the Yezhou garrison. He Yan engages the intruder, landing a solid blow to his chest with a bamboo stick. Outmatched, the assassin flees, but not before murdering Instructor Ma Damei and framing He Yan for the crime. When Shen Han questions He Yan, she voices her suspicion that the attacker was Hu Yuanzhong. However, when Hu Yuanzhong is brought in for inspection, his shoulder is completely unmarked.
With evidence pointing towards He Yan, Shen Han has her imprisoned, awaiting Xiao Jue's return to decide her fate. In her cell, He Yan pieces things together, concluding that Hu Yuanzhong must have an accomplice within the Yezhou garrison who helped set her up. She already has a suspect in mind. Song Taotao visits her, and at He Yan's request, brings her a sleeping potion and a belt. He Yan also gives her a note to deliver to Instructor Shen, who, after reading it, quietly orders Cheng Lisu and Song Taotao to be confined to their tents and tightens the camp's security.
The next morning, the Liehe tribe launches a fierce attack on the garrison. Simultaneously, the masked assassin returns to He Yan's cell to finish her off. Prepared for this, He Yan easily overpowers and unmasks him, revealing her suspect to be correct: Lei Hou was Hu Yuanzhong's inside man. After forcing the sleeping potion down Lei Hou's throat, He Yan breaks out of prison to join the battle. The invading force is led by Ridamuzi, whose older brother was once defeated by He Yan back when she fought under the name He Rufei.
Knowing the new recruits are no match for the seasoned Liehe warriors, He Yan challenges Ridamuzi to a one-on-one duel to buy time. While she is the more skilled fighter, her stamina is not as great. She sustains a cut to her waist from his scimitar but manages to wound his face in return. Tearing a strip from her clothing to bandage her wound, she continues to fight with a ferocity that reminds Ridamuzi of the legendary General Feihong.
Just as He Yan is gaining the upper hand, Cheng Lisu and Song Taotao are captured and brought to the front line. Song Taotao instinctively runs toward He Yan for safety. Ridamuzi seizes the opportunity, swinging his blade at Song Taotao. He Yan throws a rope to pull her friend out of harm's way, taking the full force of the blow on her right shoulder, which begins to bleed profusely. Just in the nick of time, Xiao Jue, having seen through the enemy's diversionary tactics, arrives with his squad and turns the tide.
With the crisis averted, Xiao Jue asks Cheng Lisu to check He Yan's pulse. In that moment, Cheng Lisu discovers that He Yan is a woman. Unsure how to proceed, he leaves it to Xiao Jue to treat her severe injuries. He Yan regains consciousness for a brief moment, asks a single question, and then falls unconscious again.
