Episode Summary
Dong Yi Yan takes on a high-risk surgery to save a young patient, all while fending off attacks from Fang Xin. During the surgery, Fang Xin exposes Dong Yi Yan's hand injury to the patient's family, causing chaos and triggering an internal investigation. Dong Yi Yan's team stands by her, but she later confides in Wen Yi Jia, revealing she had a trusted colleague assist in Hai Chun's successful surgery. Dong Yi Yan also clears her name regarding the old plane crash scandal, pointing suspicion toward Fang Xin. The episode ends with Fang Xin poaching key staff from Ming Lang and announcing her intention to build a rival medical center.
Spoiler Alert
The Queen of Castle, Episode 18: Recap
The Impossible Surgery
A Risky Plan
The episode kicks off with Dong Yi Yan presenting a wild case. The patient is Wei Wei Shan. He's already had four open-heart surgeries. He even has a pacemaker that was installed in Germany. The problem is his right ventricle is failing. Other doctors have been using tech to make it pump blood, but Dong Yi Yan knows that's just a temporary fix.
She wants to perform a double switch operation. It's a huge risk. The other doctors think it's too dangerous. But Dong Yi Yan lays down the law. She says surgery is her turf. If they're in, they can stay. If not, they can leave.
A Doctor's Word
On the personal front, things are looking up between Wen Yi Jia and Hai Chun. Wen Yi Jia decides to put her faith in Dong Yi Yan. She believes the gossip about her is just speculation. When it comes to medicine, Dong Yi Yan is the authority. She's not going to follow the herd.
Hai Chun is a little down after learning his own surgery is delayed. He tries to hide it, though. He sees everyone else trying to stay positive for him and decides to pretend he's fine.
Meanwhile, Dong Yi Yan has moved out of the Wang family home. She's all in on her work now. She knows she is risking everything. The entire medical center, Ming Lang, is on the line. She has to keep it from falling into Fang Xin's hands. The patient's grandfather, Wei Xiao Tang, gives her his full support. He tells her if she can save his grandson, he'll back her in anything she does.
The Attack
Sabotage in the OR
Dong Yi Yan is worried. Her shoulder is stiff, and she's scared of making a mistake during the high-stakes surgery. Her fear comes true. During the operation, Fang Xin makes her move. She deliberately tells the patient's family that Dong Yi Yan has a problem with her right hand.
The family freaks out. Fang Xin sees her chance. She tries to get her own surgical team to take over. But Dong Yi Yan steps out of the OR. She tells everyone the patient is fine. Nobody in the hospital believes her. They are all convinced her hand is compromised. An investigative team is put together to interview everyone on Dong Yi Yan's surgical team.
The Investigation
The team closes ranks. They all back Dong Yi Yan and agree not to let the story get out. Chen Li Xue figures out what's really going on. She suspects Fang Xin is framing Dong Yi Yan to grab a seat on the board. Everyone agrees that Fang Xin has crossed a line.
Dong Yi Yan knows her hand is a serious issue. But there's no time for her to get her own surgery. She keeps thinking about her late husband. He always said the medical city was the future for Ming Lang. That memory keeps her going.
Shifting Alliances
A Secret Revealed
Wen Yi Jia eventually sees it for herself. Dong Yi Yan's hand is not okay. She immediately decides she can't let Dong Yi Yan operate on Hai Chun. But Dong Yi Yan already has a plan. She admits her condition to Wen Yi Jia. She then reveals she's asked a senior colleague to step in and help with the surgery.
Hai Chun's surgery is a success. Wen Yi Jia is relieved and agrees to keep Dong Yi Yan's secret. Then, Dong Yi Yan drops another bombshell. She tells Wen Yi Jia the truth about her father. Years ago, he willingly took the blame for a scandal to protect Ming Lang's future. This proves she had nothing to do with the plane crash. She points the finger at Fang Xin, suggesting she might be involved. Wen Yi Jia's head is spinning. She can't believe how vicious the fight for the chairman's seat has become.
Fang Xin Makes Her Move
Chen Li Xue gives her son, Ze Yu, some advice. He needs to get on Fang Xin's good side if he wants to survive at Ming Lang.
Fang Xin gathers all the people she has poached from Ming Lang. She announces her grand plan. She's going to build a new medical center, one that will be even bigger and better. She tells them that Ming Lang is falling apart without Wang Jin Tao. The real value was always the elite staff. Her words hit the mark. The defectors see an opportunity. With Ming Lang looking leaderless and employee morale at rock bottom, they decide to throw in with Fang Xin.
