And the Winner Is Love Episode 31 Recap
> And the Winner Is Love Recap
Yuwen Muyuan, accompanied by Chong Xuezhi, hastily buried his grandfather, Yuwen Zhongsong, on a remote hill, as the Hall of Flames had been seized by the court. Kneeling before the makeshift grave, Muyuan was overcome with sorrow and self-reproach, apologizing for disappointing his grandfather and feeling incompetent for failing to live up to his expectations. He took the blame for the closure of the Hall of Flames, regretting that he had failed to uphold his ancestors' achievements.
He promised that one day he would properly coffin both his grandfather and father. News of the Hall of Flames' seizure quickly reached Lin Zongxing at Sword Manor, astonishing him. Xia Qingmei informed his master that Chong Xuezhi and Muyuan had reportedly failed to deliver military supplies, leading to their arrest, the disbandment of the Hall, and their potential execution.
Lin Zongxing found it unbelievable that the Hall, which had endured years of animosity from other martial sects, could suddenly collapse. He speculated if Chong Xuezhi mastering the Nine Moves of Lotus God might have incited the court's fear.
Recognizing the close alliance between Sword Manor and the Hall of Flames, and fearing his own sect might be the next target, Lin Zongxing instructed Xia Qingmei to widely announce that Sword Manor would offer refuge to all displaced Hall of Flames disciples. He also tasked Xia Qingmei with discreetly investigating the true reasons behind the Hall's sudden demise, stressing the need for caution.
Meanwhile, Lord Lu, having his complex scheme prepared, gave final instructions to his retainer, confirming that all was ready for the "last step" and that there would be no turning back. He ordered the Imperial Guards to be on standby. Yuwen Muyuan and Chong Xuezhi found refuge in Anping County, where Muyuan purchased a small, simple house from a local farmer.
The farmer, recognizing Muyuan as the former Chief Guardian and Xuezhi as the former Leader, was deeply grateful to the Hall of Flames. He recounted how the Hall, with Shangguan Tou's help, had saved thousands in Anping County, including himself, during a severe flu epidemic. Feeling indebted, the farmer was happy to help them. Muyuan gave him extra money for daily necessities.
Chong Xuezhi found the new dwelling better than she expected, while Muyuan expressed regret that she had to endure such humble living conditions. The farmer, having no news of other dispersed Hall disciples, promised to seek information for them. Lord Lu once again sought out Shangguan Tou. Their meeting was cordial on the surface but seethed with unspoken conflict. Lord Lu sternly warned Shangguan Tou to "go with the flow" and not "against the tide," implying his opposition was futile.
He asked if Shangguan Tou wanted his "pawns" to be utterly defeated. Shangguan Tou countered, offering to withdraw from the "game" if Lord Lu would abandon his obsession. However, Lord Lu, resolute, declared that his objectives "must" be achieved. Shangguan Tou then threatened to expose Lord Lu's schemes to the entire martial world. Unfazed, Lord Lu dismissed the threat, explaining that with the Hall of Flames eradicated, he had nothing to fear.
He openly admitted that the Hall's destruction was a calculated move to remove a major obstacle, as he believed the martial world was an obsolete threat to the court and no longer needed. Shangguan Tou sarcastically suggested that if that were the case, Lord Lu should simply kill all martial artists, which Lord Lu confirmed was his intent.
Lord Lu revealed he had already informed the Emperor that the Hall of Flames had secretly hoarded imperial weapons and conspired with other martial sects to rebel, thereby justifying his plan to assist the Emperor in "fully suppressing all martial sects." Shangguan Tou accused him of fabricating evidence, but Lord Lu dismissed it, claiming the Imperial Advisor should understand how "something can be born from nothing, and nothing from something."
When Shangguan Tou pressed about the Hall's specific wrongdoing, Lord Lu coldly stated their only mistake was choosing the path of martial arts. Shangguan Tou argued that martial artists merely assisted the court in upholding justice, but Lord Lu insisted that was solely the court's responsibility. After this chilling exchange, Lord Lu departed for Xiangzhou.
Left alone, Shangguan Tou swore a solemn oath to the heavens: he would protect Chong Xuezhi regardless of the perils ahead, her status as a fugitive or former leader, or her affiliation with any sect, and regardless of whether he could spend his life with her. He sought divine blessing for his unwavering resolve. Chong Xuezhi and Yuwen Muyuan settled into a quiet, simple life.
Xuezhi now wore coarse clothes and cooked for them, a sight that captivated Muyuan, making him feel happy to see her cooking for him for the first time. Xuezhi, reflecting on their new life, found it peaceful and liberating. She no longer had to manage the Hall's myriad affairs or endure the constant noise of the forging workshop.
She admitted her past ambition to "meet the martial world" was naive and recalled her old wish to be an ordinary girl if she wasn't the Leader, a wish that had now come true. Muyuan suggested they go hunting after dinner, eager to embrace their newfound freedom. On the Dragon Boat Festival, Muyuan prepared a humble meal of wild vegetables and wine.
He spoke of his hope to rebuild the Hall of Flames and restore her father's legacy once the current troubles subsided. However, Chong Xuezhi, understanding the immense difficulty, expressed that her father's true legacy resided not in buildings, but in the hearts of their disciples. She wished only for no one else to suffer on her behalf. Muyuan, perceiving her underlying feelings, knew she still cared deeply for the Hall, but Xuezhi insisted on leaving the past behind.
Later, Muyuan picked a hollyhock flower and recounted a legend of a beautiful illusion, which made Xuezhi deem the flower ominous. Muyuan, however, found a bittersweet beauty in the illusion, fearing their current idyllic life was too good to be true, like a fragile illusion that could vanish with a "gust of wind." He yearned for this moment to last forever, wishing only to retain this peaceful time and her presence.
The next morning, when Xuezhi couldn't find the hollyhock, Muyuan philosophized that even if found, it would be changed by the night, and that beautiful things are "easily missed." When Xuezhi asked if everything truly changes, Muyuan earnestly promised that he would not. He then presented her with a colorful braided rope he had laboriously made, pledging to celebrate every future festival by her side. He told her that he didn't need her gratitude, only for her to "see him."
Xuezhi, in turn, sent him off to hunt, promising to prepare delicious food upon his return. Under Hong Sheng's tutelage, Xia Qingmei's proficiency in the Nine Moves of Lotus God soared, reaching the formidable sixth move, which demonstrated a power capable of collapsing wooden structures and defeating numerous opponents. Hong Sheng was impressed, confirming the legendary martial art's reputation.
He offered to teach Xia Qingmei the final three moves, explaining their unique challenge: a single technique with three distinct states, requiring profound comprehension, perhaps even from the mythical Lotus Sutra, to master. Xia Qingmei expressed concern, fearing that like Chong Xuezhi, who was almost killed and whose sect was disbanded due to the court's fear of the Nine Moves, he too would invite disaster if he fully mastered it.
Hong Sheng dismissed his fears, clarifying that the Hall's collapse wasn't due to the art itself, but because it remained outside government control. He pointedly advised Xia Qingmei to align with influential powers to ensure his safety and rise.
Hong Sheng, having long discerned Xia Qingmei's deep-seated ambition despite his humble origins – from striving to win the Hero Assembly to gain Lin Zongxing's approval, to seeking more powerful martial arts beyond Sword Manor's "Void Extremity Seven Swords" to become the martial world's top figure – urged him to seize the opportunity. He highlighted the disparity: Xia Qingmei could be a general in the court's army but remained a mere disciple, subservient even to Lin Fengzi, in Sword Manor.
Concurrently, Che Qu and Zhu Sha were struggling to find employment in the common world. People refused to hire them due to their association with the now-disgraced Hall of Flames. Xia Qingmei, while investigating the Hall's situation, encountered them in the market. Recalling his master Lin Zongxing's directive, Xia Qingmei extended an invitation for them to reside at Sword Manor, emphasizing their long-standing alliance and Sword Manor's responsibility to aid the dispersed Hall disciples.
Che Qu saw this as a chance to gather their scattered comrades, hoping that their combined strength could contribute to the Hall's eventual rebuilding. Zhu Sha readily agreed, and they resolved to find other former disciples and lead them to Sword Manor. Since the death of Feng Cheng, Yuan Shuangshuang had fallen into a deep state of melancholia and depression. Lin Fengzi, putting aside any past grievances, diligently cared for her, even taking her to a doctor.
The physician diagnosed Yuan Shuangshuang with "emotional stagnation," explaining it as an illness of the heart caused by unresolved emotional distress. While acknowledging that it could not be completely cured, the doctor prescribed calming medicine to nourish the heart and spleen. He cautioned that Yuan Shuangshuang must avoid strong emotional stimuli to prevent a relapse, adding that her ultimate recovery would depend on her own will.
On a tranquil summer night, Yuwen Muyuan and Chong Xuezhi sat in their courtyard, enjoying the scent of the earth and the sight of fireflies. Muyuan expressed his contentment with this idyllic life, wishing for it to last. He likened Xuezhi to a pure crystal, hoping she would remain untouched by the world's harshness, and assured her that even in the darkest times, hope, like the fireflies, always exists.
He then presented her with a small box containing a pair of beautiful earrings. Chong Xuezhi was touched but practical, suggesting they pawn the expensive jewelry for essential rice and flour, as such ornaments were impractical for their current humble life. Muyuan gently refused, explaining that while past gifts were merely "icing on the cake," these earrings were different – they were his "betrothal gift" for their future marriage.
Overwhelmed, Chong Xuezhi tried to stop him, but Muyuan insisted on speaking. He fondly recalled their carefree childhood, where his greatest joys were training and playing with her. He reminded her of the oath he made in the Hall's ancestral hall to protect her throughout his life, an oath he now regretted having failed. He then earnestly asked if she would be willing to join him in restoring the Hall of Flames to its former glory.
Sensing her hesitation, Muyuan, true to his word, told her not to rush her answer, giving her time to consider, and assuring her that he would accept whatever decision she made. Lord Lu, admiring the finely crafted Blades stolen from the Hall of Flames, remarked on their superior quality, lamenting the Hall's destruction. He then instructed his subordinate to send a box of these very blades as a "gift" to Shangguan Xingzhou's mansion.
At the Imperial Advisor's mansion, Shangguan Tou was discussing Lord Lu's plans with his father, Shangguan Xingzhou. Shangguan Xingzhou informed his son that the Emperor had rejected Lord Lu's proposal to suppress the martial world, recognizing that such a move would lead to chaos and harm many innocent lives. He stressed the importance of preventing another incident like that of the Hall of Flames, but suspected Lord Lu, being a cautious man, would undoubtedly devise a new scheme.
Shortly after, a servant announced that several "martial artists" were at the gate, claiming to thank Shangguan Xingzhou for upholding justice for the martial world and bearing gifts. Shangguan Tou immediately grew suspicious, as his father's actions and statements in court were highly confidential. The supposed "martial artists," claiming to be from Sword Manor and other sects, presented several boxes, insisting they contained medicinal herbs as a token of their gratitude.
Shangguan Tou, however, instinctively sensed a trap and stopped them. Upon inspection, he discovered the boxes were not filled with herbs but with the Blades of the Hall of Flames. He furiously demanded to know who sent them and if they had brought the Imperial Guards. Before he could get answers, the "martial artists" quickly committed suicide. At that very moment, Imperial Guards arrived with an imperial warrant, ready to search the mansion.
Shangguan Tou immediately realized they had fallen into Lord Lu's elaborate trap: the report was merely a ruse, and the true aim was to frame his father. With the Blades serving as irrefutable evidence, the false accusation was now solidified. Recognizing Lord Lu's intent to kill him, Shangguan Xingzhou urgently commanded Shangguan Tou to flee. Shangguan Tou, refusing to abandon his father, insisted on staying to prove his innocence.
His father sternly explained that as Imperial Advisor, he could not flee, as it would brand him a traitor and forever disgrace the Shangguan family. He insisted that Shangguan Tou escape to confront and stop Lord Lu's machinations. He then ordered his guard, Wuming, to forcibly escort Shangguan Tou away as the Imperial Guards were breaching the gates. Shangguan Tou, calling out to his father to be careful, was reluctantly led away.
