Episode Summary
He Yan's identity as a woman is exposed in court, but with support from Xiao Jue and the Empress, she not only avoids punishment but is promoted to Marquis by the Emperor. It's revealed that He Rufei manipulated Xu Pinting into the reveal, and he blackmails her father, Xu Jingfu, to escape consequences. After realizing their shared enemy, He Yan, Xiao Jue, and Chu Zhao form an alliance. The episode ends with a tense confrontation where He Yan visits He Rufei, who threatens to kill her a second time.
Spoiler Alert
Legend of the Female General: Episode 30 Recap & Spoilers
So, the big secret is out. At a royal banquet, Xu Jingfu calls out Xiao Jue for hiding He Yan's identity as a woman, saying it's a huge breach of military conduct. But Xiao Jue and Chu Zhao immediately jump to her defense. He Yan herself steps up and gives a powerful speech, arguing that a person's value shouldn't be judged by their gender. If a woman has real talent, she should be able to serve the Great Wei empire. Her words totally win over the Empress and the other royal ladies.
Just when it seems like the Emperor is impressed with He Yan, one of Xu Jingfu's allies tries another angle. He accuses He Yan, in her role as Wu'an Lang, of being immoral for having a private relationship in the army. He argues that no matter how talented she is, her character is flawed. But Xiao Jue stands firmly by He Yan's side, showing a tender side that pleases the Emperor. The Emperor asks the Empress for her opinion, and she also voices her support for He Yan. Delighted, the Emperor promotes He Yan on the spot to Marquis Wu'an.
After the banquet, the officials can't stop talking about how General Feihong (He Rufei) lost a fight to a woman. He Rufei tries to save face by claiming he was injured, but nobody buys it. Meanwhile, Chu Zhao easily coaxes the truth out of the simple-minded Xu Pinting. She admits that He Rufei was the one who told her He Yan was a woman, pushing her to expose the secret.
When Xu Jingfu finds out He Rufei used his daughter, he's furious and done cleaning up his messes. But He Rufei, cornered, turns the tables. He threatens Xu Jingfu with letters that prove Xu Jingfu has been communicating with the Wutuo. Xu Jingfu has no choice but to back down, but he warns He Rufei to never use his daughter again.
Later, He Yan and Xiao Jue have a sweet moment. She wants to seal a pact with a high-five, and he teases her, saying it looks like she wants to become sworn brothers with him. He Yan confesses that she's liked him for a long time, and her feelings are even stronger now. Just as Xiao Jue leans in for a kiss, he notices their friends (Song Taotao and the others) are watching. A flustered He Yan quickly pulls away.
Now that her identity is public, He Yan's sister-in-law sends over a bunch of beautiful women's clothes for her. Speaking of friends, Song Taotao and Cheng Lisu, who both ran away from arranged marriages, are staying at Xiao Jue's place. Song Taotao eventually goes home, only to find out her parents are trying to cancel her engagement to Cheng Lisu. Realizing she actually has feelings for him, she rushes to the Cheng family and snatches the formal engagement letter (Gengtie) back from her mother.
He Yan is puzzled that Xu Jingfu hasn't dealt with He Rufei, correctly guessing that He Rufei must have some serious leverage on him. She and Xiao Jue meet with Chu Zhao, explaining the whole complicated history with He Rufei. Though reluctant at first, Chu Zhao is convinced by their reasoning and agrees to team up with them against Xu Jingfu.
To turn up the heat, Xiao Jue pays a visit to Xu Jingfu, subtly pressuring him. Then, He Yan, dressed as a woman, goes to confront He Rufei at his own home. He Rufei is so terrified he meets her at the door with a sword. He Yan finds it amusing that she came unarmed yet scared him so badly. Once they're alone, she lays everything out on the table. He Rufei, enraged and humiliated, snarls that if he could kill her once, he can do it again.
