And the Winner Is Love Episode 38 Recap
> And the Winner Is Love Recap
Lord Lu arrived at Lingjian Manor with ill intentions, remarking on his admiration for Xia Qingmei since the Hero Assembly and hinting at future reliance. Xia Qingmei politely responded that he and his junior sister would visit to express gratitude another day. Lin Zongxing, however, harbored no affection for Lord Lu, stating that he was merely a commoner and his apprentice, Xia Qingmei, was just a martial artist, unworthy of such high praise.
Lord Lu clarified he only wished to be closer to them, professing a childhood fascination with martial arts, especially for talented individuals like Xia Qingmei, but lamented his own poor health prevented him from practicing. He then emphasized Lingjian Manor's esteemed position in Wulin and suggested that if Lin Zongxing aided him, unifying Wulin would be effortlessly achieved.
Taishi Cheng interjected, praising Lord Lu's modesty and talent appreciation, but sternly warned that Lord Lu showed no mercy to those with disloyal hearts, citing the downfall of Hall of Flames as an example and urging Lin Zongxing to secure his own future. Lin Zongxing directly questioned if Lord Lu was involved in Hall of Flames' sealing. Lord Lu smoothly deflected, then suggested Xia Qingmei spar with one of his warriors.
Lin Zongxing instructed Xia Qingmei to hold back, which he did, yet his profound internal energy was apparent. As Lord Lu departed, he urged Lin Zongxing to consider his offer, promising success if they united. Afterward, Lord Lu's warrior admitted Xia Qingmei's internal strength was far superior.
Lord Lu, noting Xia Qingmei's reluctance to exert full force against his men, decided he would find an adversary with whom Xia Qingmei would have a personal grudge to force out his true abilities. Lin Zongxing cautioned Xia Qingmei never to reveal his full power and expressed concern that Lord Lu’s true motive was to exploit the Hall of Flames incident as a warning, aiming to coerce Lingjian Manor into his service and assert control over Wulin.
He recognized that Lord Lu had coveted Wulin for a long time and now, with Hall of Flames eliminated, Lingjian Manor might be next. Lin Zongxing resolved to alert Wulin to Lord Lu’s schemes and foster unity, even if it meant inviting "unrelated persons" to Xia Qingmei and Lin Fengzi's wedding, a decision Xia Qingmei readily accepted.
Lin Zongxing dispatched disciples with invitations to the Emei Sect, Shangqing Sect, and Luduan Temple, ostensibly for his daughter’s wedding, but in truth, seeking their aid against Lord Lu. Lord Lu, whose spy had already reported Lin Zongxing's late-night dispatches, was aware of the invitations, noting Lin Zongxing had deliberately omitted Huashan Sect.
He then instructed Taishi Cheng to arrange for Chief Feng of Huashan Sect to attend uninvited, recognizing Feng Mo as a crucial, albeit foolish, pawn in his larger game. Lord Lu revealed his strategy to Taishi Cheng: the daytime pressure on Lin Zongxing had set the stage, and while Lin Zongxing thought he was rallying support to protect himself, he was unknowingly gathering Wulin leaders for Lord Lu.
The day of Lingjian Manor's wedding, Lord Lu declared, would be the founding day of his Wulin Alliance. He inquired about Yuwen Muyuan, who had not yet returned, and expressed hope that Chong Xuezhi had taken the "fake antidote"—a poison he had concocted, whose discovery he was relieved to hear had been avoided. He also acknowledged the imperial guards were prepared to act if necessary, but were currently only on standby.
Meanwhile, Shangguan Tou, while playing Go with Chong Xuezhi, received news of Lin Zongxing's widespread invitations. Chong Xuezhi found this unusual, as Uncle Lin rarely involved himself in Wulin affairs. Shangguan Tou reminded her of Lin Zongxing's past intervention on behalf of Hall of Flames, explaining that his neutrality and Lingjian Manor's prestige commanded respect. He concluded that Lin Zongxing’s current actions signaled an event of great importance to Wulin.
Agreeing that the situation was strange, Shangguan Tou decided they, with their sensitive identities, should "wait and see" to avoid provoking Xue Lie and jeopardizing Lin Zongxing's plans. Chong Xuezhi reluctantly consented, making him promise not to hide anything from her, which he did. Yuwen Muyuan returned to Lord Lu’s manor, pledging his allegiance. Lord Lu, feigning concern, asked if Chong Xuezhi was cured.
Yuwen Muyuan, with a heavy heart, declared that Chong Xuezhi no longer needed him, believing she had never truly cared for him, especially with Shangguan Tou by her side. He confessed he had thrown away the antidote Lord Lu provided in a fit of rage, begging forgiveness. Lord Lu dismissed the loss as trivial, lamenting Yuwen Muyuan's failed attempts to win her heart.
Yuwen Muyuan, however, stated that since Chong Xuezhi repeatedly trampled on his affections, he would cast aside all romantic entanglements and dedicate himself solely to rebuilding Hall of Flames and serving Lord Lu’s Wulin Alliance. To prove his sincerity, he dramatically drew a dagger and sliced his palm, offering his bloodied hand as a vow of eternal loyalty from both himself and Hall of Flames.
Lord Lu, immensely pleased, raised him, praising his choice to abandon personal affection for a grander cause, and pledged his full support for Hall of Flames. Privately, Lord Lu discussed Yuwen Muyuan's loyalty with his advisor, who advised caution, despite believing Muyuan seemed sincere. Lord Lu confirmed he still intended to test Muyuan further.
Later, alone, Yuwen Muyuan clutched an earring he had once given Chong Xuezhi, wistfully recalling their peaceful days in the mountains, a time he knew was irrevocably lost. Shangguan Tou and Chong Xuezhi shared a tender moment, dreaming of a future together in Moon Valley, away from worldly affairs. Soon after, Shangguan Tou received a secret letter from the Crown Prince, summoning him to Dongdu for an urgent matter.
Unwilling to involve Chong Xuezhi in the looming dangers, he left a farewell note, promising to return in three days, and departed for Dongdu. Upon arrival, he met with the Crown Prince, who confirmed his suspicions about Lord Lu. The Crown Prince expressed unease about Lord Lu's uninvited attendance at Lin Zongxing's daughter's wedding and hinted at Lord Lu's prior involvement in the Imperial Advisor’s (Shangguan Tou’s father) unjust conviction.
Shangguan Tou, acknowledging Lord Lu's cunning, offered to investigate at the wedding, expecting Lord Lu to be present. The Crown Prince, grateful but concerned for Shangguan Tou’s safety given Lord Lu's past attempts on his life, promised secret protection using cuckoo calls as signals. Shangguan Tou also inquired about his sister, Princess Lu, and was relieved to learn she had remained in Xiangzhou. Meanwhile, back at their residence, Chong Xuezhi grew increasingly anxious awaiting Shangguan Tou's return.
On the third day, despite Hongxiu's attempts to reassure her, Chong Xuezhi, determined to find him, secretly slipped away, telling Hongxiu she would go meet Shangguan Tou herself. At Lingjian Manor, Xia Qingmei and Lin Fengzi's wedding ceremony was underway. Just as the final bows were completed, Chief Feng of Huashan Sect, uninvited by Lin Zongxing, burst in, feigning congratulations while questioning why Huashan Sect had been excluded from the festivities.
Lin Zongxing, understanding Feng Mo's disruptive intent, calmly directed Xia Qingmei to escort Lin Fengzi away. He then announced to the assembly that the true purpose of their gathering was not the wedding, but a grave matter concerning Lord Lu. He highlighted the inexplicable downfall of Hall of Flames and exposed Lord Lu's ambition to unify Wulin, challenging the sects to declare their stance should Lord Lu move against them.
Feng Mo vociferously advocated aligning with Lord Lu, using the fate of Hall of Flames as a stark warning and pledging Huashan Sect's loyalty. As Lin Zongxing was about to respond, Lord Lu made a dramatic entrance, accompanied by Yuwen Muyuan, surprising everyone. Feng Mo, ever opportunistic, immediately bowed in subservience. Lin Zongxing confronted Yuwen Muyuan, calling him a "rat," but Lord Lu intervened, declaring Muyuan his honored guest.
Lord Lu, feigning innocence, explained his unexpected presence as a desire to personally congratulate the newlyweds, despite having already sent gifts. Lin Zongxing stated the ceremony was concluded, but Lord Lu insisted on discussing another matter in a private hall. Once in the inner room, Lord Lu pressed Lin Zongxing to acknowledge his demands.
Lin Zongxing argued that his sheltering of Hall of Flames disciples was merely out of Wulin chivalry, as they were innocent of any crime, and questioned why Lord Lu relentlessly pursued them. Lord Lu countered that Hall of Flames' sealing was sanctioned by the imperial court, not him, and accused Lin Zongxing of carelessly leaking information about harboring the disciples to the imperial guards, risking a major conflict that even he could not help mitigate.
Lin Zongxing, unafraid, declared his willingness to die for a clear conscience. Lord Lu then delivered a shocking blow, revealing that if the Hall of Flames disciples knew that someone in Lingjian Manor was secretly practicing the forbidden Nine Moves of Lotus God, continually stirring up trouble, and making Hall of Flames a scapegoat, the manor's reputation would be ruined. Lin Zongxing vehemently denied the accusation, insisting his disciples adhered to strict codes of conduct.
Lord Lu then exposed the truth: the culprit was none other than Lin Zongxing's chief disciple, now his son-in-law, Xia Qingmei. Lin Zongxing, aghast, dismissed it as "nonsense." Lord Lu, however, offered immediate proof, suggesting a martial contest between Yuwen Muyuan and Xia Qingmei.
He then presented an ultimatum: acknowledge him, and he would resolve the crisis, withdraw the imperial guards, suppress the rumors about Xia Qingmei, and entrust Hall of Flames to Yuwen Muyuan, allowing Lingjian Manor to emerge unscathed. Lin Zongxing, seeing the full depth of Lord Lu's intricate web of deceit and manipulation, acknowledged he had "underestimated" him. Lord Lu, with a chilling smile, retorted that he was not the only one.
