![]() |
Zhou Ye’s Warrior Journey Ends in Peaceful Finale for Legend of the Female General |
But did the ending live up to the hype? Let’s break it down.
Quick Recap of Legend of the Female General Final Episode
The last act of Legend of the Female General goes full circle with He Yan (Zhou Ye) and Xiao Jue (Ryan Cheng Lei) returning in triumph after their hard-won battles.
![]() |
The courtroom showdown: He Yan exposes her brother He Rufei’s crimes — from impersonation to betrayal and collusion with the enemy. With evidence and testimony stacked against him, the He family is stripped of titles and exiled, while He Rufei and his allies are jailed.
Chu Zhao’s downfall: Once a refined gentleman, his schemes finally collapse. He’s left powerless, burdened by his own choices, and forced to watch from the sidelines as He Yan and Xiao Jue claim victory.
![]() |
The royal dilemma: The emperor, wary of generals holding too much power, tries to force separation between He Yan and Xiao Jue. For a moment, it looks like politics will crush their happiness. But fate turns — and they are granted marriage in the end.
Final battle: The war with the Utuo kingdom peaks with devastating losses, including the death of Yan He. He Yan once again proves her leadership, leading troops to victory.
![]() |
Resolution: Despite imperial suspicion, He Yan and Xiao Jue return to the capital as heroes. The emperor, finally convinced, blesses their marriage. The drama closes not on tragedy but on hard-earned peace.
Characters Wrapped
-
He Yan (Zhou Ye): Once forced to disguise herself as her brother to protect the family legacy, she rises to become a legendary general. By the end, she chooses not power, but love and a new sense of belonging. Her journey from strength to vulnerability and back shows her humanity beneath the armour.
-
Xiao Jue (Ryan Cheng Lei): The cold, calculating general who doubted her at first, ends up her fiercest ally and eventual husband. His arc softens beautifully, shifting from suspicion to trust, then finally sacrifice for her freedom.
-
Chu Zhao (Zhang KangLe): He represents ambition gone astray. Though clever and refined, his obsession with control and survival costs him both allies and love. His ending — stripped of influence — mirrors his moral downfall.
-
He Rufei (Bai Shu): The brother who stole her identity faces poetic justice, losing everything he schemed to gain.
-
Supporting cast: From Song Taotao’s sweet subplot to Yan He’s tragic sacrifice, the side characters each leave ripples in the finale.
Legend of the Female General Ending Explained: What It Really Means
![]() |
At its heart, Legend of the Female General isn’t just about war and politics — it’s about identity, resilience, and the cost of survival in a rigid world.
He Yan’s final choice to embrace life with Xiao Jue marks her breaking free from years of disguises, betrayals, and burdens forced on her by her family and society.
She once fought as a masked general, hiding her face and feelings. Now, stripped of titles and masks, she wins a different kind of battle: the right to live as herself.
![]() |
The emperor’s suspicion symbolises how power always threatens personal happiness in ancient dramas. Yet, unlike many tragic C-dramas, Legend of the Female General gifts us a rare ending — a marriage, peace, and a sense of healing. It’s a reward for both leads who endured loss, blindness, betrayal, and war.
Chu Zhao’s exile is a cautionary note: intelligence without integrity leads to ruin. His obsession with control leaves him hollow, a stark contrast to He Yan’s growth.
In the end, the story closes not on spectacle, but on fulfilment: love after hardship, and peace after war.
![]() |
TLDR + Short Review
-
The Good: Strong leads, excellent chemistry, solid cinematography, addictive pacing. Zhou Ye fits the role perfectly, Ryan Cheng Lei nails the stoic-to-soft arc.
-
The Weak: Plot holes (the poisoning twist, identity loopholes) and overuse of plot armour. Some rushed bits make you scratch your head.
-
Overall: Despite flaws, it’s one of the year’s most satisfying costume dramas — blending battle strategy, romance, and emotional pay-off. Worth the wait.
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5) — A little messy but still delivers on heart.
FAQs
![]() |
Q: Do He Yan and Xiao Jue end up together?
Yes! Despite political hurdles, the emperor grants their marriage in the finale.
Q: What happens to Chu Zhao?
His schemes collapse, and he’s left powerless. Eventually, he’s exiled, symbolising his fall from grace.
Q: Does the story end tragically?
Surprisingly no — it ends on a hopeful note. Unlike many war dramas, this one lets the leads find peace and happiness.
Q: Was the poisoning subplot ever explained?
Not fully — it remains one of the drama’s weak spots, with rushed execution and a miraculous recovery that felt like pure plot armour.
Q: Is it worth watching despite the flaws?
Absolutely. If you enjoy strong female leads, military intrigue, and romance with pay-off, this drama will keep you hooked