And the Winner Is Love Episode 37 Recap
> And the Winner Is Love Recap
Xia Qingmei poured out his heart to Lin Fengzi, telling her he has never been disappointed in her or looked down on her, only worried. He reminded her they have known each other since childhood, just as she has known Shangguan Tou. He compared her to a precious and elegant peony, which he longs to protect from hurt and sadness.
He assured her every word he has ever spoken was sincere and expressed his desire to be like a butterfly, always by her side. He stated that in his heart, their engagement banquet was never called off. Lin Fengzi, teary-eyed, asked if he is afraid she will break off the engagement again. Xia Qingmei confessed he is afraid but trusts every decision she makes. She then leaned into his embrace, ready to embrace a new future with him.
Hongxiu diligently cared for Zhong Xuezhi, who acknowledged feeling better and thanked Hongxiu for the fresh flowers she picks daily. Despite her weakness, Zhong Xuezhi expressed a desire to walk around while she still can. Hongxiu advised against it, citing her fragile health, but Zhong Xuezhi insisted. As she attempted to get out of bed, she collapsed. Shangguan Tou arrived just in time with the Tianling Stone.
He instructed Hongxiu to prepare her courtyard so he can use the spiritual stone to heal Zhong Xuezhi. Yuwen Muyuan journeyed to Lord Lu’s Mansion and requested an audience. Lord Lu, intending to test his patience, had Taishi Cheng meet him first. Yuwen Muyuan, however, insisted on speaking directly with Lord Lu, questioning Taishi Cheng’s authority. After learning Yuwen Muyuan’s offer was "a person, a sword" – himself and his loyalty – Lord Lu made him wait.
Eventually, Lord Lu appeared, feigning apology for his delay. Yuwen Muyuan promptly offered his assistance in establishing Lord Lu’s Sects Alliance. Lord Lu inquired about his change of heart, reminding him of his past rejections. Yuwen Muyuan explained that his recent struggles in the martial arts world had opened his eyes to the world's harsh realities and the potential benefits of Lord Lu's alliance. Lord Lu, pleased, asked what Yuwen Muyuan desired in return.
Yuwen Muyuan stated his wish to revive Hall of Flames, promising that a restored Hall of Flames would serve Lord Lu. He then made a bold request: an antidote for the Wuse Skill, for Zhong Xuezhi. Lord Lu questioned the shift in focus, but Yuwen Muyuan clarified that it was both a duty to his former leader and a final personal attempt to win her heart.
He vowed that if he succeeded, they would serve Lord Lu together, and if he failed, he would sever all ties with Zhong Xuezhi, viewing her as a stranger. Lord Lu, impressed by his candidness, handed him a bottle, claiming it was the antidote. When Yuwen Muyuan hesitated, Lord Lu shrewdly noted that it was the only bottle, implying that testing it would deprive Zhong Xuezhi.
Yuwen Muyuan accepted it, and Lord Lu cautioned him to remember that he was the only one Yuwen Muyuan could now trust and rely on. After Shangguan Tou's treatment with the Tianling Stone, Zhong Xuezhi's pulse strengthened, and her life was no longer in danger, though a full recovery would take time. Hongxiu warned Shangguan Tou that using the Tianling Stone greatly depleted his inner energy and would take time to recover, urging him to rest.
However, Shangguan Tou insisted on personally gathering fresh flowers for Zhong Xuezhi, wanting his sincerity to be the first thing she saw upon waking. Meanwhile, Lord Lu instructed Taishi Cheng to begin recalling the dispersed disciples of Hall of Flames, for which Yuwen Muyuan would seemingly be given control. Taishi Cheng questioned Lord Lu's trust in Yuwen Muyuan, but Lord Lu clarified that their arrangement was merely a "clear deal."
Taishi Cheng further expressed concern about giving Yuwen Muyuan an antidote, fearing Zhong Xuezhi’s recovery would create another adversary and even suggested assassinating Yuwen Muyuan. Lord Lu then revealed that the Wuse Skill had no antidote, and the bottle he gave Yuwen Muyuan was merely a ruse. He reasoned that with Shangguan Tou by her side, Zhong Xuezhi wouldn’t trust an unfamiliar antidote and take it immediately.
This act would resolve Yuwen Muyuan’s emotional turmoil, leaving Shangguan Tou to deal with the potential false hope and outcome. Lord Lu’s ultimate goal was simply to have Yuwen Muyuan return and serve him. Taishi Cheng then reported a new discovery: Xia Qingmei of Sword Manor was secretly practicing the Nine Moves of Lotus God. He also revealed that Lin Zongxing had already preemptively gathered many former Hall of Flames members.
Lord Lu, surprised by this information, decided to visit Lin Zongxing. Lin Zongxing visited Lin Fengzi, initially observing her embroidery before asking if she was truly committed to marrying Xia Qingmei. He explained he didn’t want to force her, acknowledging that emotions cannot be coerced.
Lin Fengzi tearfully confirmed her decision, stating she now saw Xia Qingmei as a trustworthy man who had remained devoted to her, even after her public rejection, and had been her constant companion during her sorrows. She confessed that her past feelings for Shangguan Tou were merely a childhood obsession, and she resolved not to repeat her master’s mistake of loving the wrong person. Lin Zongxing was deeply relieved to hear her newfound maturity.
Xia Qingmei then joined them, reassuring Lin Zongxing of his lifelong commitment to Lin Fengzi. Lin Zongxing, in turn, expressed his long-held belief that Xia Qingmei was the ideal husband for his daughter and entrusted both Lin Fengzi and the future of Sword Manor to him, urging him to cherish their bond.
Due to the presence of hidden Hall of Flames disciples within Sword Manor, Lin Zongxing proposed a modest wedding without a grand banquet, to which both Lin Fengzi and Xia Qingmei readily agreed, prioritizing the safety of the disciples and avoiding past gossip. Meanwhile, Xia Qingmei visited Hong Sheng and offered him wedding cakes, revealing his upcoming marriage to Lin Fengzi.
Hong Sheng, furious, accused Xia Qingmei of being a "man of low quality" consumed by "love affairs" and reminded him that cultivating the Nine Moves of Lotus God required abandoning desires. Xia Qingmei retorted that Hong Sheng, as a monk, had fabricated these rules to manipulate him into forsaking everything for cultivation, just as Hong Sheng had.
In a heated argument, Xia Qingmei denounced Hong Sheng as selfish and unworthy of practicing the Nine Moves, accusing him of stealing the manual, killing innocents, and caring only about his own ambition. Infuriated, Hong Sheng produced the original Nine Moves manual, revealing the one he had previously burned was a forgery. He threatened to destroy the real manual, preventing Xia Qingmei from achieving his dream of becoming the world's greatest martial artist.
In a desperate struggle to reclaim the manual, Xia Qingmei accidentally struck Hong Sheng with a fatal blow. Seeing Hong Sheng take his last breath, Xia Qingmei quickly set the cottage ablaze to conceal his crime and fled with the Nine Moves manual. Shangguan Tou continued to pick fresh flowers daily for Zhong Xuezhi, speaking to her while she was unconscious, expressing his longing for her to wake and share the world's beauty.
Finally, Zhong Xuezhi regained consciousness, to Shangguan Tou's immense relief and joy. She thanked him for saving her, inquiring about the "highly skilled physician" who cured her. Shangguan Tou explained it was the Tianling Stone from Xueyan Sect, and that he had acquired it from Lin Fengzi after promising to embrace her and then, if necessary, to marry her, if it would save Zhong Xuezhi's life.
Zhong Xuezhi, touched, expressed her gratitude, though Shangguan Tou insisted they never use "thank you" between them. He also mentioned he had sent a letter to Lin Zongxing, Zhong Xuezhi’s "uncle," to inform him of her recovery. Meanwhile, Yuwen Muyuan arrived at Moon Valley, where Zhusha greeted him. He inquired about Zhong Xuezhi, and Zhusha reassured him she was well. Yuwen Muyuan then requested to speak with Chequ privately.
Chequ informed him that Lin Zongxing had already gathered most of the Hall of Flames disciples at Sword Manor. Yuwen Muyuan cautioned Chequ against fully trusting Lin Zongxing and entrusted him and Zhusha with the safety of the disciples. Later, while Yuwen Muyuan was at Moon Valley, he secretly observed Zhong Xuezhi and Shangguan Tou, who were playing the zither and sharing intimate moments.
Seeing Zhong Xuezhi fully recovered and deeply in love with Shangguan Tou, Yuwen Muyuan felt a profound sense of futility regarding his own unrequited efforts and silently left, his heart heavy with resignation. Zhong Xuezhi and Shangguan Tou were together, and Zhong Xuezhi commented on her improved zither playing, attributing it to deeper emotion. She asked Shangguan Tou if he would truly die for her, and he confirmed that he would find no meaning in life without her.
When he asked if she would avenge him, she readily agreed. However, Shangguan Tou urged her not to, explaining that her life was far more significant than his. As Chong Ye's daughter and the only master of Lotus Wing, her unique status made her crucial to the martial arts world. He revealed that Lord Lu intended to seize control of the entire martial arts world, and her mission was to stop him.
Zhong Xuezhi, feeling overwhelmed and aware of her reputation as a "witch" who practiced evil techniques, questioned how she could possibly succeed without Hall of Flames' support. Shangguan Tou emphasized that she must rely on "the entire martial arts world" and change their perception of her. He outlined their strategy: they would unite the martial arts world against Lord Lu, as he would inevitably fall when everyone opposed him. Zhong Xuezhi acknowledged the need for a comprehensive plan.
A disciple informed Lin Zongxing that Lord Lu had arrived at Sword Manor. Lin Zongxing greeted Lord Lu with apologies for his belated welcome. Lord Lu graciously returned the pleasantries, expressing regret for not having had a deeper conversation at their previous family gathering. He announced his purpose for the visit was to congratulate Xia Qingmei and Lin Fengzi on their impending marriage, offering gifts.
Lin Zongxing initially tried to decline, but Lord Lu insisted, stating his long-standing admiration for Lin Zongxing's exploits in the martial arts world and his respect for Xia Qingmei, especially since his victory at the Hero Assembly. Xia Qingmei thanked Lord Lu for his visit and promised that he and Lin Fengzi would visit Lord Lu’s mansion later to express their gratitude formally.
