Believe in Love Episode 8 Recap
> Believe in Love Recap
Lu Yue'er and Hua Yinan welcomed Du Ruo to the mansion. Lu Yue'er appeared delighted by his return, but Hua Yinan harbored clear hostility, fueled by Du Ruo's past public declaration of love for Lu Yue'er and his attempt to snatch her during their wedding.
Hua Yinan questioned Du Ruo about giving up his prominent position as Royal Kitchen Chef in the capital to return to Flower Island, implying it was a strange decision for someone supposedly indifferent to fame and fortune. Du Ruo, now notably more steady and composed, responded that as a native of Flower Island, it was only natural for him to return and contribute to its prosperity.
He then addressed Lu Yue'er, asking if she agreed, to which she replied she was glad he was back. Throughout their tense interaction, Lu Yue'er tried to mediate between the two men. Later, she gently urged Hua Yinan not to be at odds with Du Ruo, explaining that Du Ruo's new role in Floral House would benefit the island by providing support at the royal court. Hua Yinan, with thinly veiled sarcasm, claimed he couldn't be happier.
Lu Yue'er then suggested that, according to tradition, the Food Bureau Minister should visit Floral House after meeting the Island Lord. However, Hua Yinan curtly dismissed the idea, stating that such trifles could be handled by servants, as he was the Island Lord. Du Ruo then sarcastically agreed that Hua Yinan was too busy for him and suggested Lu Yue'er accompany him instead.
When Lu Yue'er hesitantly asked Hua Yinan for permission, he angrily retorted that it was entirely up to her. After serving Du Ruo his favorite noodles in a restaurant, Lu Yue'er tried to reassure him about Hua Yinan's demeanor, describing her husband as serious and calm in front of outsiders, but sometimes childish and cute. Du Ruo then shared a significant discovery: while serving at court, he saw the roster of Floral House founders.
It listed Hua Jianshan, the late island lord, and a woman named Yun, whose name was conspicuously crossed out in red, a mark of criminal dismissal. He surmised that this Yun was likely Lu Yue'er's mother, Yun Wanxi, as she was the only woman on the island with that surname renowned for her cooking skills.
He also mentioned learning from Hua Jianshan's teacher, Cook Jin, that Hua Jianshan and Yun Wanxi were fellow students who grew up together and entered the palace. Lu Yue'er found this puzzling, as her father had told her her mother only began learning to cook after marrying him.
Du Ruo speculated that if Yun Wanxi and Hua Jianshan were indeed fellow students, and Hua Yinan was aware of their connection, he might have approached Lu Yue'er with ulterior motives, especially given how Hua Yinan had suddenly pursued her intensely after the late lord's passing. Lu Yue'er dismissed this as nonsense, unwilling to believe Hua Yinan could be involved. Meanwhile, Song Yan continued his own investigation into Yun Wanxi and his mother's poisoning.
He reflected on information that suggested Hua Jianshan was preparing for his wedding with Yun Wanxi on the night Lady Ning was poisoned. Hua Jianshan had secretly left the palace to buy wedding items and did not return as planned. Cook Jin, fearing punishment for Hua Jianshan, had lied about his early return. This meant Hua Jianshan couldn't have killed Song Yan's mother.
Song Yan realized that the Empress Dowager, who knew the full truth, had never named Hua Jianshan as the murderer, leading him to suspect she was deliberately concealing the identity of a high-status individual. Back at the mansion, Hua Yinan returned to find Lu Yue'er still out. He grew increasingly agitated, concerned about her reputation as a married woman spending so much time alone with another man.
He instructed a servant to tell Lu Yue'er to come to his study to admit her fault the moment she returned. Upon hearing of Hua Yinan's anger, Lu Yue'er, who had been contemplating finding a way to work at Floral House to uncover her mother's past, went to the study. Hua Yinan confronted her about being out for six hours with another man. Lu Yue'er insisted she and Du Ruo merely chatted and did nothing inappropriate.
Seeing his jealousy, she internally noted how cute he was, even when angry. She apologized sincerely, promising not to repeat her actions, and kissed him to appease him. She then shared a childhood anecdote about finding happiness and sweetness even without candy, reinforcing her affection. Hua Yinan, visibly flustered and blushing, admitted the kiss was sweet and his anger dissipated.
Feeling he was no longer upset, Lu Yue'er proposed joining the Floral House cook competition, explaining her desire to follow in her mother Yun Wanxi's footsteps and explore her story, having heard her mother was one of the founders. Hua Yinan vehemently refused, claiming Floral House had only one founder, his father Hua Jianshan, and accusing Lu Yue'er of wanting to join because of Du Ruo.
When Lu Yue'er insisted she would join regardless, Hua Yinan, enraged by her defiance, ordered his servants to confine her to the Island Lord's mansion, citing illness, and ensuring she could not leave. Lu Yue'er, feeling imprisoned, thought about Hua Yinan's volatile temper. Hua Yinan, after Lu Yue'er was taken away, pondered how she had learned about Yun Wanxi being a founder.
Later, Hua Yuman visited Lu Yue'er, pretending to offer comfort but primarily to have Lu Yue'er sign a document for withdrawing money. Hua Yuman remarked on how Hua Yinan had granted Lu Yue'er control over the household finances, something she clearly resented. Lu Yue'er signed without hesitation, remembering Hua Yinan's earlier promise to entrust her with such power.
As Hua Yuman was leaving, Lu Yue'er overheard her mentioning that it was the last day of the cook-qualification test at Floral House, where Hua Yinan would surely be present. Realizing this was her chance, Lu Yue'er became anxious. Determined to participate, Lu Yue'er disguised herself as a servant bringing food to Hua Yinan and managed to sneak out of the mansion past the guards. At the Floral House, she found the registration for the cook competition had closed.
After bribing an official, she was allowed to sign up under the pseudonym Li Yunyue, believing she needed to keep a low profile to avoid being recognized as the Island Lord's wife. She also overheard other contestants discussing how married women were often disqualified in the final interview round, as they were perceived as being distracted by family. Lu Yue'er successfully passed the initial three rounds, showcasing her excellent culinary skills.
When it was time for the final interview, she was shocked to see Hua Yinan, Du Ruo, and Su Tang among the examiners. To avoid being recognized, she attempted to feign facial paralysis and an inability to speak fluently, hoping to be overlooked. However, Hua Yinan, recognizing her voice and seeing through her act, stated that they did not recruit cooks with a "bad image," subtly pressuring her. Lu Yue'er then dropped her act, exclaiming she had "suddenly recovered."
Although Hua Yinan was clearly angry at her presence, he refrained from exposing her identity publicly. He then directly asked if she was married. Recalling the earlier gossip about disqualification, Lu Yue'er emphatically denied being married and claimed she had no husband. When Hua Yinan pressed her, she eventually lied, stating her husband had passed away because he "talked too much." Du Ruo, amused by her response, laughed.
Hua Yinan, outraged by her impudent remark, accused her of being irrational and rude, and tried to disqualify her and have her removed. However, Du Ruo intervened, questioning Steward Su (Hua Yinan's title as head of Floral House) whether they truly disqualified talented cooks merely for their conversational skills, effectively saving Lu Yue'er from immediate dismissal.
