A Love Never Lost Episode 26 Recap
> A Love Never Lost Recap
Xie Shuhong and Liang Xiang were locked in the same cell, sitting face to face. Both initially suspected the other of alerting the concession police, but after a deeper conversation, they realized it hadn’t been a trap set by either of them. Xie Shuhong sighed, remarking on how the naive young man who once tried every trick to strike up conversations on the ship had now become like this.
Perhaps due to their past, Liang Xiang didn’t want to see Xie Shuhong’s name appear on the imperial investigation list in the future—that would be too cruel. Xie Shuhong didn’t take it seriously and retorted that he should first worry about how he would get out of there himself. Liang Xiang replied frankly that she hadn’t changed—she’d just gained a bit more maternal instinct. The camp commander summoned Liang Xiang outside.
Unaware of Liang Xiang’s background, he tried to extort money from him to avoid trouble. Liang Xiang calmly said he could call the Jiangnan Governor’s residence in Shanghai. The police chief then changed his tune, claiming that even with guarantees, heavy taxes would still have to be paid. Liang Xiang stopped playing along and brought up the Sino-British Port Treaty.
Realizing Liang Xiang was no ordinary man, the police chief then received a call confirming that this man was none other than General Liang Xiang. Zhu Laixi arrived with troops from the patrol battalion and surrounded the concession police station, even setting up machine guns. Not understanding English, Zhu Laixi shouted for them to release Liang Xiang. Liang Xiang came out and told Zhu Laixi to return to the battalion.
The commander had no choice but to release Liang Xiang and the goods, not daring to demand money again. The transaction with Song Baoquan and Xie Shuhong, though bumpy, was ultimately completed successfully—a case of good things coming after hardship. Upon learning that Xie Shuhong had known Liang Xiang since Tokyo, Song Baoquan admitted she had surprised him once again. Just after boarding the ship, Liang Xiang was informed by Duan Fang’s men to remain behind.
Duan Fang had a general idea that Liang Xiang was working on behalf of Prince Chun, but he told Liang Xiang that the Prince’s household was currently overwhelmed and couldn’t handle more because the Empress Dowager had already consulted with the Grand Council ministers and decided to appoint Zai Feng’s son, Puyi, as heir. Liang Xiang was stunned. Emperor Guangxu was barely in his thirties, and they were naming a three-year-old as heir—truly astonishing.
Duan Fang also told Liang Xiang that the Empress Dowager was on the brink of death, clinging to a final burst of energy, believing she could still manipulate politics with her old prowess. Knowing Liang Xiang was close to the Prince and could speak candidly with him, Duan Fang asked him to influence Prince Chun to ensure the nation’s policies stayed aligned with the course of reform.
Liang Xiang returned to the Prince Chun’s residence in Beijing and found out that the Prince was currently waiting outside the Yiluan Hall in the Western Garden, along with many of the Empress Dowager’s ministers—it was likely the final hour. The Prince needed Liang Xiang by his side, so Liang Xiang entered the Forbidden City with two inner guards. That night, many ministers waited outside the hall.
The Prince instructed Liang Xiang to stay as well, so he could respond promptly if anything happened. The Empress Dowager had dysentery and had dragged it out too long; her time was nearly up. Liang Xiang asked another minister nearby and learned that the Emperor was only mildly ill and not seriously affected. Two palace maids brought a cup of tea to the Emperor, but soon after, shocking news came—His Majesty had passed away.
The next day, Empress Dowager Cixi died, and Aisin Gioro Puyi, son of Prince Chun Zai Feng, was named Emperor, with Zai Feng serving as Prince Regent. Wu Tianbai appeared before Xie Shuhong again. Leaning on a cane, he was now able to walk. Wu Tianbai was ecstatic—the iron-fisted woman had fallen, but he, Wu Tianbai, was still standing tall and determined to carry out the assassination mission for the Restoration Society to the end.
He also brought back a woman named A-Xia, completely disregarding Xie Shuhong’s feelings. Xie Shuhong, unwilling to show even a hint of jealousy, gave up her spot at the shop and left with Song Chen to stay at his place. The commander of the Third Division ordered Li Renjun to immediately go to Beijing and stay close to Liang Xiang, using him to gauge the Regent’s intentions—to see whether the Regent would ultimately move against Yuan Xiangcheng.
