And the Winner Is Love Episode 6 Recap
> And the Winner Is Love Recap
After being unjustly imprisoned, Zhong Xuezhi and her companions were released thanks to Shangguan Tou and his sister, Shangguan Zheng, who intervened with the local authorities. During their detention, Zhong Xuezhi expressed concern for Yuwen Muyuan, while Zhu Sha reassured her that the Chief Guardian was strong enough to handle himself. Upon their release, Zhong Xuezhi advised the magistrate to conduct proper investigations rather than relying on rumors.
Later, while having a meal, Zhong Xuezhi's subordinates realized that Gugu was missing. Fearing he had been abducted by the Silver Whip School, Zhong Xuezhi immediately sent a message to Shangguan Tou, and together they rushed to a branch of the Silver Whip School. There, they found numerous bodies, all killed by the Nine Moves of Lotus God. Rushing inside, Zhong Xuezhi found Gugu bound but unharmed.
Gugu recounted seeing a man in black sneak into Zhong Xuezhi's room at the inn before he was captured. He suspected the suspicious Tan Yi of the Shangqing Sect, who had been lurking near their inn. Shangguan Tou discovered a stove with the burnt remains of the Nine Moves of Lotus God manual and, realizing the danger, urged everyone to leave. However, as they were leaving, leaders from various sects, including Abbess Ciren of the Emei Sect, confronted them.
They accused Zhong Xuezhi of stealing the manual, practicing the Nine Moves of Lotus God, and killing the Silver Whip School's former leader. Zhong Xuezhi vehemently denied the accusations, pointing out their lack of evidence. When challenged, she defiantly offered to demonstrate the Nine Moves of Lotus God, prompting the sect leaders to hesitate. Shangguan Tou intervened, arguing that a fight would only lead to mutual destruction, playing into the hands of the true culprit.
His words, coupled with the revelation that Shangguan Tou was Lord Lu's brother-in-law, swayed the sect leaders to back down, as they feared both Zhong Xuezhi's potential power and Lord Lu's influence. One sect leader noted that Zhong Xuezhi had "attached herself to Lord Lu," while another clarified that Shangguan Tou was Lord Lu's brother-in-law. Soon after, Lord Lu and Shangguan Zheng met with Zhong Xuezhi and Shangguan Tou to seek their help with a severe flood disaster in Xiangzhou.
Lord Lu explained the heavy rains, collapsed houses, and the imminent threat of a dam breaching. Seeing the suffering of the people, Zhong Xuezhi readily agreed to help, prioritizing the disaster relief over her search for the Nine Moves of Lotus God. She assured Shangguan Tou that she was sincere in her decision. Lord Lu, deeply grateful, promised to repay their kindness if the Hall of Flames ever needed his assistance.
While helping with the relief efforts, Zhong Xuezhi nearly got crushed by a collapsing building. She sustained an arm injury but, true to her resolute character, tried to hide it. Shangguan Tou noticed her injury and tenderly bandaged her wound, scolding her for her stubbornness and reminding her that she didn't have to carry every burden alone. He joked about smelling "vinegar" from her, hinting at her jealousy when she teased him about his experience bandaging wounds for other women.
Zhong Xuezhi instructed her subordinate Haitang to send Gugu back to the Hall and a message via eagle to Yuwen Zhongsong, informing him that the Nine Moves of Lotus God manual had been burned. However, Yuwen Zhongsong withheld this crucial information from Yuwen Muyuan and instead ordered his grandson to personally deliver a large shipment of newly manufactured arrows to the Commandant's Office.
Yuwen Muyuan's subordinates, impressed by his leadership and the Yuwen family's contributions to the Hall, began calling him "Palace Master." Yuwen Muyuan was furious, reprimanding them and threatening expulsion if such "rumors" continued. He asserted that the Hall of Flames should not be divided, and his adopted father, Chong Ye, had entrusted the leadership to Zhong Xuezhi. Yuwen Zhongsong, however, tried to convince him that Chong Ye might have adopted him because he saw Yuwen Muyuan as a suitable successor.
Yuwen Muyuan refused to discuss the matter further, reaffirming his loyalty to Zhong Xuezhi and Chong Ye's legacy. Meanwhile, Shangguan Tou and Zhong Xuezhi continued to assist the flood victims, providing food and ensuring proper burial for the deceased. Lord Lu reiterated his gratitude, promising to assist the Hall of Flames whenever needed. As Shangguan Tou changed Zhong Xuezhi's bandage, a hint of shyness appeared on her face.
Later, Zhong Xuezhi told Shangguan Tou that she intended to return to the Hall of Flames the next day to inform Yuwen Zhongsong and Yuwen Muyuan about recent events. She sensed something was amiss, suspecting a traitor within the Hall due to how their movements seemed to be known.
She told Shangguan Tou his "mission" to protect her was complete, as she would have her guardians and Yuwen Muyuan to protect her back at the Hall, jokingly adding that she didn't want him "sticking to her forever." Shangguan Tou then received a letter from Abbess Baiyun of Emei, inviting him to come quickly if he wished to uncover secrets about his past.
Recalling a previous promise from Zhong Xuezhi to give him something "most important" to her, he reminded her of it in a farewell message. Shangguan Tou immediately departed for Emei, leaving Zhong Xuezhi to return to the Hall of Flames. On their journey back, Zhong Xuezhi's party decided to take a faster, but more treacherous, mountain path suggested by Haitang. As they traversed the path, they were ambushed by assassins.
During the chaotic fight, Zhong Xuezhi, recognizing an assassin's "Water Sword Knack" as belonging to the Hall of Flames, realized a traitor was indeed among them. As the situation grew dire, Zhong Xuezhi instructed Liuli to take Gugu to safety. Another subordinate urged Haitang to escort Zhong Xuezhi away, as the attackers were clearly targeting her. Haitang led Zhong Xuezhi through the mountain path, but during their escape, Zhong Xuezhi was struck and fell off a cliff, her fate unknown.
