Episode Summary
The fortunes of the main characters are decided: the He family is punished, while He Yan is pardoned and reinstated as General Feihong. The Xiao family's name is cleared, and Xiao Jue takes command of their army, officially introducing He Yan as his intended. The villains, He Rufei and Xu Jingfu, face justice in prison. Relationships are solidified as Xiao Jue and He Yan become a public couple, while Chu Zhao definitively ends things with Xu Pinting, revealing his long-held feelings for He Yan.
Spoiler Alert
Legend of the Female General: Episode 33
Episode 33 of Legend of the Female General begins with the Emperor finally bringing down judgment. The He family is officially stripped of their noble title for the crime of deceiving the emperor by passing off their daughter as a son. As for He Yuansheng, he's exiled to the border to live out his days.
He Yan is technically just as guilty, and the Emperor isn't inclined to let it slide. However, her incredible service to the country as a female general, fighting for Great Wei, makes him hesitate. With both Xiao Jue and Chu Zhao speaking up for her, and Lord Yang suggesting that clearing the Xiao family's name would be great for army morale, the Emperor softens. He agrees to issue a decree that will restore the honor of the Xiao family and the Xiao Family Army. He Yan is officially reinstated as General Feihong, taking back command of the Fuyue Army, while Chu Zhao gets a promotion to Vice Minister of the Secretariat.
With both the He and Prime Minister's mansions being seized, Xu Pinting is in shock. Her usual arrogant attitude doesn't help, and she's nearly bullied by the soldiers before Chu Zhao arrives just in time. He calms her down and takes her back to his residence. Chu Zhao knows she was kept in the dark about her father's crimes and had already pleaded with the Emperor for her safety. His plan is to use her as leverage; with Xu Jingfu's allies likely to cause trouble, having his daughter on hand could be the key to persuading him to cooperate and prevent chaos.
This is a huge win for He Yan, but it's bittersweet. She has lost Lady He, the woman who gave her a name and wished her a life of peace and happiness. Lady He always wanted to be kind to He Yan but was held back by He Yuansheng's presence. As He Yan grieves, Xiao Jue is right there to hold and comfort her. Meanwhile, some of her old friends, Jiang Jiao and Wang Ba, who were recruited by Xiao Jue back in Rundu, are now in the capital. They're surprised to learn she's the famous General Feihong but agree it makes perfect sense. They even offer to join her Fuyue Army if she's short on soldiers.
The Emperor's official decree finally clears the Xiao family's name. Xiao Zhongwu is posthumously honored as Grand General Zhongwu and given a grand burial. Xiao Jue is named the new commander of the Xiao Family Army, tasked with restoring its former glory. After the announcement, Lord Yang humbly apologizes to Xiao Jue for being a pawn in Xu Jingfu's schemes. Later, in front of their parents' memorial tablets, Xiao Jue introduces He Yan to them as the woman he loves.
The crimes of He Rufei and Xu Jingfu are posted publicly, and the people are furious. Before their sentences are carried out, Xiao Jue and He Yan visit He Rufei in the Dali Temple prison. He's still delusional, ranting that He Yan stole his life and the title of General Feihong—a title she earned with her own blood and sweat on the battlefield. Walking out of the prison, He Yan is in high spirits, and Xiao Jue takes her hand. Chu Zhao sees this public display of affection, but the two don't let go.
Chu Zhao is also at the prison to see Xu Jingfu, who calls him ungrateful. Chu Zhao retorts that his loyalty is to the nation. Xu Jingfu's only request is that Chu Zhao treats his daughter well, but Chu Zhao coldly informs him that he never had feelings for Xu Pinting. Enraged, Xu Jingfu lunges at him, only to slam his own head into the doorframe.
When Xu Pinting learns it was Chu Zhao who exposed her father, she confronts him, and he admits it. The final nail in the coffin is when she sees a portrait of He Yan, realizing instantly that Chu Zhao was never in love with her. The drama continues at court, where some officials gossip about He Yan's rapid rise from a lowly soldier. Chu Zhao quickly shuts them down, declaring she was always a general—a "pearl covered in dust" who never needed anyone's help.
Later, Chu Zhao catches up to He Yan and she agrees to treat him to a meal sometime. Xiao Jue, standing right there, makes it pretty clear he has no intention of letting them dine alone. The episode ends on a political note: the King of Wutuo agrees to a trade deal with Great Wei, giving them a favorable 70/30 split in the new joint markets.
