Better Halves Episode 15 Recap
> Better Halves Recap
Lu Chi, concerned for Shi Fa'ke's safety, assigned Lu Yi to protect her. However, Shi Fa'ke misinterpreted this as surveillance and confronted Lu Chi, initially hinting at her displeasure before directly asking why he had her followed. Lu Chi clarified that his actions were for her protection, explaining that Marquis Wu'an's unusual quietness lately suggested imminent danger.
He added that he hesitated to inform her directly to avoid causing her fear, especially since she was a prominent marriage broker at the Official Matchmaking Agency. Understanding his true intentions, Shi Fa'ke's annoyance dissipated. She apologized for her misunderstanding, promising not to easily doubt him again, and asked him not to speak of them being apart or maintaining distance. Lu Chi readily agreed, making a promise.
Meanwhile, Marquis Wu'an learned that Lu Zhuxi of Xibao Pavilion had proposed marriage to Lord Zhu's granddaughter, Yanyan. Fearing a blow to his own prestige should the match succeed, Marquis Wu'an instructed his nephew to interfere and sabotage the union. News of Lord Zhu's rejection of Lu Zhuxi's proposal left Shi Fa'ke distraught. When Lu Chi suggested the betrothal gifts might be insufficient, offering to add more, Shi Fa'ke clarified that Lord Zhu valued Yanyan's happiness more than material wealth.
Despite Lu Chi and Shi Fa'ke's tireless efforts and anxieties over Lu Zhuxi's marriage, Lu Zhuxi himself remained surprisingly composed, calmly sipping tea. This infuriated Lu Chi, who had worked closely with Shi Fa'ke on the matter. Unfazed, Lu Zhuxi confidently asserted he had a brilliant plan to secure the marriage, then departed with Lu Yi to prepare.
On the day set for presenting the betrothal gifts, Lu Chi ensured a lavish display, significantly increasing the gifts from before, emphasizing that sincerity was paramount, even if Lord Zhu didn't care for mere wealth. However, Lu Zhuxi arrived with a unique offering: a bundle of his personal writings and a diary. He revealed he had sent Lu Yi back to Mount Qianya specifically to retrieve these.
Lu Zhuxi shared an excerpt describing Lu Chi's dedicated care for him during a harsh winter in their childhood, highlighting Lu Chi's selfless nature. He then explained that the writings chronicled his entire life on Mount Qianya and his daily thoughts and joys since meeting Yanyan. He intended for Yanyan to be the first to read them, hoping she and her grandfather would gain a deeper understanding of him, thus reassuring Lord Zhu about entrusting Yanyan to his care.
Shi Fa'ke was deeply moved by Lu Zhuxi's candidness, proclaiming that the bundle of writings was "indeed more precious than any treasure," and confidently predicted the marriage would succeed. Upon their arrival at Lord Zhu's mansion, Yanyan was touched by Lu Zhuxi's profound sincerity as revealed in his diary. Convinced her grandfather would now approve, she eagerly suggested they go find him. However, they discovered Lord Zhu deceased in his study.
The sight overwhelmed Yanyan, causing her to faint from grief. Lu Chi quickly assessed the situation, noting the body's stiffness indicated Lord Zhu had been gone for several hours, and instructed immediate reporting to the authorities rather than summoning a doctor. Lu Zhuxi rushed to Yanyan's side, comforting her and promising to stay by her side always. Shi Fa'ke remained deeply troubled, not only by Yanyan's profound grief but also by the mysterious death of Lord Zhu.
She feared for Yanyan's safety, worried the killer might return. Lu Chi shared her suspicions, revealing that Lord Zhu had recently caused Marquis Wu'an public humiliation in court and rejected his marriage proposal, making Marquis Wu'an a prime suspect, though no concrete evidence existed. Lu Chi confessed his sudden fear, believing Marquis Wu'an had descended into madness and might target others. He expressed anxiety for Shi Fa'ke's safety, lamenting his inability to protect her constantly.
Shi Fa'ke, while acknowledging life's uncertainties and the inevitability of eventual separation, urged him to cherish their time together with sincerity, assuring him this would leave them with no regrets. They embraced, finding solace in each other's presence. Later, Lu Zhuxi reasoned that the murder of a prime minister in his own home without a sound suggested a long-planned assassination, possibly triggered if attempts to win Lord Zhu over failed.
Lu Chi agreed with his analysis but stressed the immediate need to protect others, given their lack of evidence. Lu Zhuxi then proposed taking Yanyan back to Mount Qianya, as he couldn't ensure her safety at the mansion. Lu Chi approved, recognizing that with the enemy's identity concealed, Yanyan's immediate return to Mount Qianya was the safest course of action, and Lu Zhuxi promised to care for her diligently.
That evening, Lu Zhuxi tried to persuade Yanyan to leave the mansion, but she insisted on staying to mourn her grandfather. Lu Zhuxi then presented a dowry list, explicitly pre-written by Lord Zhu, explaining that her grandfather had long approved their marriage and had only been testing Lu Zhuxi's sincerity. He emphasized that it was Lord Zhu's final wish for Yanyan to live a joyful and peaceful life.
Lu Zhuxi promised to protect her relentlessly and accompany her throughout her mourning period, unable to leave her alone. Despite her reluctance to leave her home, Yanyan eventually agreed, trusting Lu Zhuxi's reassurances that he would arrange for the mansion's care and bring her back when circumstances allowed.
When Yanyan expressed concern about Mount Qianya's infamous reputation, Lu Zhuxi reassured her that the rumors were false and that he and his brother, though bound by a mission and duties he couldn't fully disclose, were good people. Confident in his character, Yanyan finally agreed to accompany him. Before her departure, Yanyan shared heartfelt farewells with Shi Fa'ke and other friends, who promised to visit and urged her to take care.
Later, Lu Chi sought out Shi Fa'ke to discuss a personal matter. He revealed that he was the Master of Mount Qianya, a responsibility he inherited after his adoptive father's passing. He clarified that the people of Mount Qianya were not bandits, as rumored, but rather individuals with a significant mission and duties. Shi Fa'ke assured him she already believed in their good character and he didn't need to explain further.
Lu Chi insisted he wanted her to know everything about him because he intended to propose marriage. He explained that he had initially planned to wait until the country was stable, but Lord Zhu's murder underscored the current dangers, compelling him to act sooner. He declared her the only one for him. Shi Fa'ke, visibly overjoyed, immediately accepted his proposal, expressing her gratitude for him finally arriving.
She fondly recalled their childhood meeting when he was a beggar, and their promise to marry when she came of age. Reflecting on her own matchmaking philosophy of cherishing the present, she readily agreed. Lu Chi then assured her he would handle her family, including her parents and two protective brothers, promising to resolve any concerns.
True to his word, Lu Chi meticulously prepared his entire fortune as betrothal gifts, demonstrating his profound sincerity, believing that marrying Shi Fa'ke was the only way to ensure her safety and his peace of mind amidst the uncertain times. Accompanied by Marriage Broker Zhao, Lu Chi formally sought Shi Fa'ke's hand at her home. Marriage Broker Zhao presented the extensive gift list, emphasizing it represented Lu Chi's entire wealth and deep sincerity.
Lu Chi reiterated his pledge to devote all his assets to ensure Shi Fa'ke's lifelong safety and happiness. However, Shi Fa'ke's mother reacted with immediate anger, scolding her sons for not keeping a better eye on their sister. She questioned Lu Chi's background, noting Shi Fa'ke's frequent praise of him but expressing reservations about his unknown family origins, especially since Shi Fa'ke was their only daughter.
Lu Chi explained he and Lu Zhuxi were orphaned, with no distant relatives, but considered Lu Yi and Li Pan'er as family. He then revealed his ancestral home was Mount Qianya. Hearing this, Shi Fa'ke's mother was appalled, linking Mount Qianya to rumors of bandits. Shi Fa'ke quickly intervened, asserting the rumors were false and that Lu Chi and his brother were good people, but her mother dismissed her words as hearsay.
Citing Shi Fa'ke's youth, their brief acquaintance, and the tradition of elder brothers marrying before their sisters, Shi Fa'ke's mother flatly rejected the proposal and asked Lu Chi to leave. Defying her mother, Shi Fa'ke passionately recounted her childhood encounter with Lu Chi when he was a young beggar, and their promise to marry when she came of age, stating he was there to fulfill that promise. Her mother was shocked by her daughter's boldness.
Lu Chi, while apologizing for his presumed rashness, reaffirmed that Shi Fa'ke was the most precious person to him. He vowed to protect her and make her happy throughout their lives, promising to address her parents' concerns if given more time. Shi Fa'ke's mother reluctantly agreed to grant him time, but insisted on a swift explanation, before dismissing him.
As Lu Chi left, Shi Fa'ke comforted him, explaining her mother was merely testing his resolve due to her deep care for her daughter's marriage. Lu Chi reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to marry her. The next day, Lord Zheng announced the successor to the Chief Matchmaker position. The other matchmakers, including Marriage Broker Zhao, had confidently assumed the position would go to Shi Fa'ke, praising her abilities.
However, Shi Fa'ke herself seemed subdued, even as Lu Chi had reassured her the night before that he would marry her regardless of her mother's initial rejection. Early the next morning at the agency, Shi Fa'ke was greeted by a woman named Fang Yue, who had arrived even earlier. Shi Fa'ke, ever helpful, introduced herself and offered assistance.
Fang Yue, inquiring about matchmaking for "unobtainable" lovers, revealed she had traveled specifically to the capital to find a man she couldn't have. She described him as a courageous and extraordinary leader, skilled in both martial and civil arts, who was widowed early and never remarried, believing he was too focused on greater deeds to be bound by romance.
Just as Shi Fa'ke wondered about this mysterious man, Lord Zheng arrived and, to everyone's astonishment, announced Fang Yue, the renowned "Moon Goddess" and Chief Matchmaker of Suzhou Prefecture, as the new Chief Matchmaker of the capital's Official Matchmaking Agency. The other matchmakers expressed their shock and concern for Shi Fa'ke, who, when questioned about her uniform, simply stated that the new Chief Matchmaker had been appointed, and it wasn't her.
