The Lament of Autumn episode 26 recap: Lan Qing's story

In short

Lan Qing admits she wanted Ye Pingjun gone, her past with Yu Mingxuan comes out, and Ye Pingjun moves into the Yu home.

What happens in episode 26

Yu Changxuan confronts Lan Qing. She says she did it on purpose: since Ye Pingjun came along he no longer comes to hear her sing, and opium filled the lonely nights. She asks him to shoot her. He shatters a lamp beside her instead, reminds her he is not Yu Mingxuan and sends her for treatment. He also sets up a squad to close the opium dens.

He tells Ye Pingjun the story. Ten years ago Yu Mingxuan saved Lan Qing from harassment and gave her that name. His father made him marry Jun Minru, whose family money would buy arms. Yu Mingxuan died at the Battle of Heishiqiao; Lan Qing, three months pregnant, lost the baby and could never have children. When she tried to end her life, Yu Changxuan stopped her and she mistook him for his brother.

Kuang Bingwen beats the teacher he saw with Yu Jinxuan and forces himself on her in his car. She swears he'll regret it.

At the Yu home, Yu Zhongquan leaves Ye Pingjun holding out her tea until Yu Changxuan kneels beside her; only then does he drink. Zhao Baoru gives her a jade bracelet. That night Yu Changxuan sits up with their marriage certificate, and in the morning she finds he has had flowers planted for her.

Why it matters

Lan Qing's backstory explains her betrayal, and Ye Pingjun now lives inside the family whose army her mother's last clue points to.

Based on the episode synopsis, summarized in our own words: TVmao (电视猫) episode synopses