And the Winner Is Love Episode 33 Recap
> And the Winner Is Love Recap
Shangguan Tou seeks help from the Crown Prince, who is aware that Imperial Guards found weapons and armor belonging to the Hall of Flames hidden in Shangguan Xingzhou's mansion. The Crown Prince offers to plead with his father if Shangguan Tou can provide evidence to clear his father's name, though he warns that the chance of a full pardon is slim. Shangguan Tou expresses his gratitude.
Later, his subordinate, Wuming, questions why Shangguan Tou didn't reveal that Lord Lu framed his father. Shangguan Tou explains he isn't sure if the Crown Prince is trustworthy, believing that if the Crown Prince's intentions align with Lord Lu's, revealing the truth prematurely could solidify the accusations against his family. He decides to wait for the Crown Prince's actions to gauge his true stance; if the Crown Prince genuinely intervenes, it means he is not involved.
If not, Shangguan Tou is prepared to "fight it out." Meanwhile, Shangguan Zheng, unaware of Lord Lu’s machinations, is deeply worried about her father. Lord Lu approaches her, assuring her that he knows she is concerned for her father's safety and promising to clear his name if he was indeed framed. He feigns helplessness, claiming he cannot prove Shangguan Xingzhou's innocence without evidence, despite believing his father-in-law would never rebel.
Shangguan Zheng, distraught, kneels before him, pleading with him as a daughter of the Shangguan family to save them. Lord Lu gently makes her rise, promising to personally investigate the matter in Dongdu to clear Shangguan Xingzhou’s name and save the entire family. Shangguan Zheng, trusting her husband, puts her hope in him. Yuwen Muyuan meets an associate, who informs him that not only the Hall of Flames but also Shangguan Xingzhou's mansion is in trouble.
Imperial Guards discovered blades forged by the Hall of Flames hidden there, leading to Shangguan Xingzhou’s imprisonment, while Shangguan Tou's whereabouts are unknown. Yuwen Muyuan's associate advises him against getting involved directly, fearing it could bring trouble to the Hall of Flames. He speculates that Zhong Xuezhi would likely travel to Moon Valley via Dongdu, where Lin Changran would ensure her safety. Yuwen Muyuan agrees to wait and see, asking his associate to gather information on Zhong Xuezhi.
Thanks to the Crown Prince’s intervention, the Emperor agrees to spare the rest of the Shangguan family from collective punishment, though Shangguan Xingzhou’s death penalty remains. This ensures Shangguan Tou’s safety, and the Crown Prince arranges for him to visit his father in prison. Upon seeing his wounded father, Shangguan Tou is overcome with emotion, apologizing for being an unfilial son.
Shangguan Xingzhou reassures him, stating that he is the one who implicated Tou and that his past actions were to forgive himself, not to gain Tou's forgiveness, especially when considering the girl whose life he saved. He reminisces about his wife, pleased that their son has found a wonderful girl, and shares his dream of her. Shangguan Tou desperately suggests they find a compromise, unwilling to see his father die without meeting his beloved or having grandchildren.
Shangguan Xingzhou, however, reveals he has long been prepared for this fate since entering officialdom. He warns Tou not to make a wrong move now, as it could lead to ruin. He asserts that his death will ensure the safety of his children and prevent the Shangguan family from being permanently stained with the crime of rebellion, thwarting Lord Lu’s plans and averting a catastrophe for the martial arts world.
He urges Tou not to try to save him, but instead to save his "crazy" brother-in-law, Lord Lu, who is succumbing to madness from his martial arts cultivation, and protect the martial arts world, emphasizing that Tou is the only one who can stop Lord Lu. Tou, heartbroken, declares he doesn't care about grand principles or minor duties; he only wants his loved ones to live in peace.
Shangguan Xingzhou reiterates his wish for Tou to live a good life for him, accept fate, let go of past regrets and grievances, and forge his own happy path. Lord Lu also visits Shangguan Xingzhou in the prison, expressing his expectation that Shangguan Xingzhou understands the purpose of his visit. Lord Lu questions why Shangguan Xingzhou, a loyal official, repeatedly interferes in martial arts affairs, leading even Shangguan Tou to oppose him.
He offers Shangguan Xingzhou freedom from the dark prison and reunion with his family if he can persuade Shangguan Tou to serve the court and cease their opposition. Shangguan Xingzhou staunchly refuses, stating he is content and no longer seeks worldly attachments. He warns Lord Lu about the formidable power of the martial arts world, which values chivalry and honor, suggesting it's beyond royal comprehension.
Lord Lu dismisses the warning, confidently declaring that anyone who offends him will face a brutal end. Shangguan Xingzhou's only request is for Lord Lu to treat Shangguan Zheng kindly, as she is innocent of court politics. Lord Lu’s demeanor softens slightly when discussing Zheng, affirming that she is his wife and he will certainly protect her.
Zhong Xuezhi, having learned the truth from Yuan Shuangshuang about Shangguan Tou being framed and his valiant rescue of her at Huashan, confronts Shangguan Tou. She asks why he lied and never explained anything. To push her away and keep her safe from the court's dangerous political struggles, Shangguan Tou hardened his heart.
He coldly tells her there is no need for explanation as they are "meant to part," questioning if she truly loved him or only his family background, as their love seemed so fragile. He declares he has long given up on her and that there is no possibility for them to be together.
Xuezhi, heartbroken, accuses him of lying, reminding him of all he has done for her, including saving her life at Huashan and helping clear the Hall of Flames. Shangguan Tou dismisses his past actions, claiming his rescue at Huashan was merely out of his disdain for Feng Cheng's hypocrisy, and his help for the Hall of Flames was simply an act of a "decent man" to aid any sect in danger.
He firmly tells her she is "overthinking" and orders her to leave, never wanting to hear any rumors about them again. Devastated but believing his words, Zhong Xuezhi leaves, vowing to disappear so he can never find her again. Lin Changran, who witnessed Shangguan Tou's harsh dismissal of Zhong Xuezhi, confronts him, sensing that Shangguan Tou is hiding a painful secret.
Lin Changran recounts Shangguan Tou's past sacrifices for Xuezhi, including nearly dying to save her at Huashan, confirming his deep love. Shangguan Tou then reveals the devastating news: his father, Shangguan Xingzhou, framed by Xue Lie for rebellion, is imprisoned and scheduled for execution in two days.
Lin Changran is shocked and suggests appealing to the Emperor, but Shangguan Tou explains it's futile; the Crown Prince already successfully pleaded for the Shangguan family to be spared from collective punishment, but Shangguan Xingzhou’s death sentence stands. Faced with no other options, Shangguan Tou intends to rescue his father from the execution ground—an act of treason punishable by death.
He admits he could not bear to watch his father die unjustly and was prepared to risk his life, which is why he cruelly drove Zhong Xuezhi away to protect her from involvement. He entrusts Lin Changran with Zhong Xuezhi's care if anything happens to him. Shangguan Zheng is informed by Lord Lu that while the Shangguan clan has been spared, her father's death sentence remains. Devastated, she insists on seeing him immediately, and Lord Lu, pretending sympathy, agrees.
In the prison, Shangguan Zheng weeps, seeing her father's wounded state. She then reveals to him that she is pregnant with Lord Lu's child, a fact she hasn't yet shared with her husband. Shangguan Xingzhou advises her to tell Lord Lu, emphasizing that he is the child's father. When Zheng presses him to reveal who framed him, he declines, stating that he long anticipated this outcome and the situation is too complex.
He recalls his past opposition to her marriage to Lord Lu due to political disagreements but now believes Lord Lu genuinely cares for her. He reiterates that court affairs have nothing to do with her. With time running out, Shangguan Xingzhou makes a final plea, urging her not to do anything foolish for the sake of her unborn child.
Most importantly, he implores her to stop Shangguan Tou from seeking revenge, instructing her to help him let go of the court and martial arts world, release all grievances, and live a happy life. As Shangguan Zheng cries and begs him not to die, guards arrive to take Shangguan Xingzhou to his execution, forcefully separating a screaming Zheng from her father. That night, Shangguan Tou and his men scout the execution ground.
Wuming notes its three entrances would allow Imperial Guards to surround them from multiple sides during a rescue attempt, making it a fierce battle. Shangguan Tou, however, insists their sole purpose is to save his father without harming innocents. Unknown to them, Zhong Xuezhi has followed them and overheard their entire conversation. She confronts Shangguan Tou, realizing he pushed her away in Moon Valley to protect her from the dangerous mission of rescuing his father.
Shangguan Tou tries to brush her off, but Xuezhi is resolute. She proclaims that they have endured too many misunderstandings, and if fate decrees they die together, she wishes for honesty between them. She directly asks if he truly meant he no longer loved her in Moon Valley. Shangguan Tou responds by kissing her passionately, admitting he thought he would never see her again. Zhong Xuezhi makes him promise never to leave her again, a promise he readily gives.
She wholeheartedly decides to stay and assist him, prepared to face whatever comes. As the time for Shangguan Xingzhou's execution draws near, Shangguan Tou and Zhong Xuezhi, with their allies, wait along a planned route to intercept him. However, they are met by Lord Lu, who appears smugly.
He taunts Shangguan Tou, claiming to have anticipated his every move, and reveals that Shangguan Xingzhou has been taken to the execution ground via a different, undisclosed path, rendering their rescue plan futile. Shangguan Tou threatens to kill Lord Lu, but Lord Lu, confident in his preparations, suggests he came to help Shangguan Tou "reunite with him in the underworld." Shangguan Tou's subordinates prepare to create a diversion for him and Zhong Xuezhi to escape. During the skirmish, Zhong Xuezhi attacks several of Lord Lu's men, but they mysteriously vanish after being struck, leading her to realize it's a form of mystic arts.
