And the Winner Is Love Episode 23 Recap
> And the Winner Is Love Recap
Shangguan Tou arrived at the Winehouse of Fairyland with Feng She and was stunned to learn that a Huashan Sect disciple named Zhang Shan had died from the Nine Moves of Lotus God, indicated by a five-petal lotus pattern on his body. Hongxiu, knowing of the discord between Shangguan Tou and Zhong Xuezhi, hoped to reconcile them by keeping him there to investigate the murder until Zhong Xuezhi arrived.
Shangguan Tou agreed to help, further disclosing his suspicion that the recent flu epidemic and Man Feiyue were backed by a mastermind targeting Chonghuo Palace and Zhong Xuezhi, with clues pointing to government involvement. Hongxiu pledged her full support. During their investigation in Zhang Shan’s room, no immediate clues surfaced, much to Shangguan Tou’s frustration. Hongxiu revealed that Zhang Shan was a dissolute former Huashan disciple, generally disliked by the girls in her establishment.
Shangguan Tou also inquired about the death of the Shark Sect Leader, Tie Xiao, who also died from the Nine Moves, suggesting the case was more intricate. Hongxiu then led Shangguan Tou to an intelligence room. Finding no new leads there, Shangguan Tou sat dejectedly, eyes reddened from searching.
Hongxiu, consoling him, mentioned she had quit drinking because there was no one to support her when drunk, lamenting her lost love, Langya, whom she considered her only husband despite not formally marrying him. She urged Shangguan Tou not to let regrets define his relationship with Zhong Xuezhi, asking if he still thought of her. Meanwhile, Zhong Xuezhi and Yuwen Muyuan were en route to the Winehouse of Fairyland.
Xuezhi, looking at the moon, openly yearned for Shangguan Tou, confessing she couldn't forget him despite his secrets and their unresolved issues. Elsewhere, Lin Fengzi was disheartened by Xia Qingmei's avoidance after their broken engagement. Yuan Shuangshuang suggested a journey to cheer her up. Lin Zongxing approved, hoping the exposure to the wider world would help Fengzi realize her "infatuation" for Shangguan Tou was merely youthful naiveté.
Feng She, waking up in a tavern without a penny after Shangguan Tou’s previous treat, sought out Shangguan Tou for money. Shangguan Tou offered to settle his bill and give him twenty taels monthly if Feng She helped investigate Man Feiyue. Despite initially feigning illiteracy, Feng She recalled seeing characters, "官制" (Made by Authority), on Man Feiyue's gold, corroborating Shangguan Tou’s suspicion of government involvement. Feng She also revealed he knew the Emei spy in Chonghuo Palace.
As he was about to disclose the spy's name, he noticed Hongxiu in distress. Zhong Xuezhi and Yuwen Muyuan arrived at the bustling Winehouse of Fairyland, with Muyuan cautioning her to be wary of the mixed crowd. Suddenly, Mr. Qian, the aggressive Leader of Sharp Knife School, tried to forcefully propose to Hongxiu, demanding a kiss. Shangguan Tou intervened, admonishing Qian Mingyi for his rude behavior in such an elegant place and demanding an apology.
Qian Mingyi, boasting of his sect, attacked, but Shangguan Tou quickly subdued him, forcing him to flee. Relieved, Hongxiu declared all drinks on the house. In the commotion, Shangguan Tou's eyes met Zhong Xuezhi's, igniting a wave of emotions between them. Hongxiu then invited Zhong Xuezhi to stay and catch up. Shangguan Tou later confronted Zhong Xuezhi, asking if she truly trusted Yuan Shuangshuang and Lin Fengzi over him.
Still angered, Xuezhi retorted that his silence regarding the rumors, even if he was slandered, made a mockery of their public association. Shangguan Tou apologized, explaining his silence was to protect Lin Fengzi's reputation and stemmed from his own inner turmoil. However, Xuezhi remained unyielding, stating his concealment and deceit were unforgivable. She declared that Chonghuo Palace's current struggles left her no room to be "one of his trifles," and they should part ways and forget each other.
Hongxiu later tried to sway Zhong Xuezhi, asking her to reflect on what she truly loved about Shangguan Tou, beyond his appearance, family, or wealth. She highlighted Shangguan Tou's unjust suffering from baseless accusations and the pain of seeing Xuezhi abandon him without explanation, reminding her how he had stood by her when others branded her a "witch." Zhong Xuezhi countered that his lies and deception were inexcusable.
Hongxiu gently urged her to consider his past actions and give him a chance to explain, warning against the bitterness of unaddressed regrets. Meanwhile, Yuwen Muyuan confronted Shangguan Tou, asserting that past actions have consequences and cannot be erased, adding that a woman like Xuezhi could never accept him. Shangguan Tou, admitting his affection for Xuezhi, directly asked Muyuan if he loved her.
When Muyuan confirmed his feelings, Shangguan Tou, though firm that he would not yield Xuezhi to anyone, implored Muyuan to protect her during this period of misunderstanding. Muyuan scoffed at the request, stating he had protected Xuezhi since childhood and needed no one's permission, adding that in his view, Shangguan Tou was unworthy of her. Zhong Xuezhi then intervened, asking Muyuan for a moment alone with Shangguan Tou.
Following Feng She’s tip about the Emei spy, Shangguan Tou had asked him to arrange a meeting with Liu Li. Feng She lured Liu Li to a pavilion in the western suburb by fabricating a story that Zhong Xuezhi needed her urgently for a murder investigation. There, Shangguan Tou met Liu Li and asked if she was "Huan." Liu Li denied knowing anyone by that name.
Shangguan Tou then recounted his deceased aunt, Abbess Baiyun, had entrusted him with finding her long-lost daughter, Huan, who was his cousin. His aunt revealed that Emei Sect, weaker than other sects, had sent young children as spies, including eight-year-old Huan to Chonghuo Palace. She had marked Huan's right arm with a fish-shaped brand.
Liu Li, upon hearing this, broke down, confirming the mark and sharing her painful memory of her mother branding her while crying, believing that completing her mission would reunite them. Shangguan Tou then told her of Abbess Baiyun's death and offered her a safe haven in Moon Valley, freed from Emei's control. Finally, in a private moment, Shangguan Tou complimented Zhong Xuezhi's attire. Influenced by Hongxiu's words, Xuezhi agreed to hear his explanation.
He apologized for his concealment, stating that the matter was a profound personal blow, which led to his silence. However, before he could fully elaborate, officials burst in, identifying Zhong Xuezhi as the Leader of Chonghuo Palace and ordering her to the Suzhou Magistrate's office. At the court, the magistrate accused her of murdering a Huashan disciple using the Nine Moves of Lotus God, citing the lotus mark as evidence.
Zhong Xuezhi vehemently denied the charge, explaining that while the Nine Moves belonged to Chonghuo Palace, it had been stolen, and thus she wasn't the sole practitioner. She further argued that she was in Chonghuo Palace at the time of the murder in Winehouse of Fairyland, making her involvement impossible.
