Bloody Romance Episode 33 Recap
> Bloody Romance Recap
The snake vine potion brought Gongzi back to recovering well three days after it was administered. Upon waking, he expressed a desire for Wan Mei to accompany him on a stroll through the town, as it was the Zhongyuan Festival. As they admired the Kongming Lanterns, Wan Mei remarked that such lanterns should only be lit with one's beloved.
Gongzi acknowledged that he was not that person for her, stating that someone else in the world valued her far more than he did. Wan Mei asked if he was trying to reject her, to which Gongzi replied that he would not easily give away someone he sincerely liked. Gongzi then informed Wan Mei that Cha Luo had entered the capital and met with His Majesty.
He decided it was time for them to part ways, instructing Wan Mei to return to Gui Hua City while he would go to the capital to investigate. Wan Mei initially refused to leave, citing his incomplete recovery. Gongzi, however, insisted, explaining that Cha Luo's sudden appearance in the capital and the uncertain situation in Gui Hua City necessitated her return.
When Wan Mei still hesitated, reaffirming her loyalty and reluctance to abandon him, Gongzi revealed that he had set a trap. He had instructed Yue Ying to create a rift between Liu Guang and Cha Luo, leading to Liu Guang being ensnared and using Chang An to provoke Cha Luo.
Liu Guang was destined to be killed by Cha Luo, and given Cha Luo's temper, Chang An, who had aligned himself with Liu Guang, would also face severe consequences, likely death. Wan Mei was shocked, asking about Liu Guang's innocence. Gongzi coldly stated Liu Guang's only fault was blocking Wan Mei's path. When Wan Mei expressed concern for Chang An, Gongzi questioned whether her feelings for him had surpassed those for her shadow.
He then offered her a horse, telling her it was not too late if she wished to save Chang An. Upon hearing of Chang An's peril, Wan Mei immediately departed for Gui Hua City. Gongzi, enduring his physical pain, was left to contemplate their shared moments, heartbroken but knowing he had to let her go. He privately acknowledged that Wan Mei was right: there was someone in his life who truly treated him sincerely, implying Yue Ying.
Gongzi returned to the capital and immediately went to the Imperial Preceptor's residence to pay his respects to Yue Qingya, whose funeral was being arranged. Eunuch Yu questioned Gongzi about his recent trip to Southern Jiang, to which Gongzi curtly replied that he was showing filial piety to his mother. Soon after, His Majesty arrived. His Majesty acknowledged the deep, more-than-monarch-and-subject bond he shared with Yue Qingya, expressing regret that the killer had not yet been found.
He also noted that Yue Qingya, who had no children, lacked someone to keep vigil for him. Seizing the opportunity, Gongzi volunteered to keep vigil for Yue Qingya. Despite having been the one to kill Yue Qingya, and harboring deep hatred for him, Gongzi remained at the memorial, refusing to eat.
When Yue Ying brought him food later, he still refused, explaining that these moments allowed him to fully confront his hatred for Yue Qingya's past cruelties: sending his mother to the altar, blinding him, and forcing him to consume his wet nurse's flesh. Yue Ying observed that Gongzi resembled Chief Lan He, Gongzi's mother, though Gongzi himself noted that his mother disliked his eyes because they resembled Yue Qingya's.
He also revealed that Yue Qingya's body was sunk into the river, leaving him with no grievances as he had fulfilled his promise to his mother. Gongzi felt a newfound appreciation for Yue Ying's genuine care for him. Upon her return to Gui Hua City, Wan Mei was immediately summoned to Cui Xing Tower by Cha Luo.
Cha Luo informed her that Liu Guang had foolishly challenged her authority as City Lord and, upon her failure, was executed according to the rules. Wan Mei, maintaining a calm demeanor, offered her condolences. Cha Luo then brought up Chang An, accusing him of turning to Liu Guang and orchestrating the failed challenge, claiming he was now locked in the Torture Room. However, Xing Feng intervened, revealing that Chang An had already escaped Gui Hua City.
This news brought a subtle sense of relief to Wan Mei, though Cha Luo was visibly annoyed by Xing Feng's interruption. Xing Feng then reassured Wan Mei that Chang An's escape, given he had aligned with others, was not her responsibility. Cha Luo then revealed that Gongzi had sent a letter recommending Wan Mei for the position of Supreme Killer.
Despite this, Cha Luo expressed her dilemma, stating that while Wan Xiang's past mission performance made her a strong candidate, Wan Mei had the influential recommendation from Ting Zhu House. Wan Mei calmly stated that she would accept whatever decision Cha Luo made. After his escape from Gui Hua City, Chang An reunited with Madam Ruan and began gathering supporters. He donned magnificent robes, and those around him treated him with immense deference, acknowledging his elevated status.
Madam Ruan informed him that she had contacted supporters of Princess Taiping's descendants, and they had all pledged their allegiance. Chang An instructed them to meet him in Jiang City, explaining that the ongoing flood there provided a strategic advantage. In Jiang City, the various regional leaders gathered their forces and officially proclaimed Chang An as King Chu, ready to rebel against Later Tang and reclaim the world that once belonged to Emperor Wu.
From his newly ascended throne, Chang An's thoughts turned to Wan Mei, hoping for her safety and eagerly anticipating the day he could return triumphantly. Back in her room, Wan Mei felt a profound sense of loss, realizing Chang An was truly gone. That night, Liu Zhi from Ji Gu Pavilion visited Wan Mei, bringing her Hua Hong and a Yue Ying stone, a special accessory to aid in cultivating inner strength.
Liu Zhi explained that Ji Gu Pavilion, honoring Liu Guang's dying wish, would stand entirely by Wan Mei's side. They expressed their hope that Wan Mei would swiftly assume leadership of the Supreme Killers' House and eventually the entire Gui Hua City, believing she was the only one who could transform Gui Hua City into a place where they could find true hope and escape Cha Luo's grip.
Wan Mei, though unable to promise outright, assured them she would not shirk her responsibilities and would do her utmost. Cha Luo summoned Wan Mei and Wan Xiang to Cui Xing Tower, feigning a difficult decision regarding the Supreme Killer position. While Wan Xiang's past mission performance made her a strong candidate, Wan Mei had the influential recommendation from Ting Zhu House.
Wan Mei proposed a fair competition between them, but Cha Luo dismissed the idea of a martial arts contest, claiming it would be unfair due to Wan Mei's training. Instead, Cha Luo announced her own devised test: in three days, at Bi An Palace, Wan Mei and Wan Xiang would draw lots. The name drawn would correspond to a senior killer whose Red Evil Umbrella was supposedly hanging outside Bi An Palace.
The first to retrieve the specified Red Evil Umbrella would become the new Supreme Killer. Both Wan Mei and Wan Xiang agreed to the terms, and Cha Luo set the meeting for three days hence. Wan Mei, shrewdly suspecting Cha Luo's trickery, sought out Xing Feng. She found him near Bi An Palace and discussed Liu Guang, lamenting how Liu Guang naively considered Gui Hua City her home, while in reality, it was merely a place for survival.
Wan Mei brought up Liu Guang's final wish to have her body submerged in the Death Pond and her Red Evil Umbrella hung outside Bi An Palace forever. She subtly urged Xing Feng to ensure Liu Guang's wish for the umbrella was fulfilled, but Xing Feng, visibly uncomfortable, evaded the topic and departed, advising Wan Mei to focus on winning her upcoming competition.
After Xing Feng left, Wan Mei visited Ji Gu Pavilion and commissioned Liu Zhi to create a new Red Evil Umbrella. She specifically requested one imbued with the blood of dozens of people and adorned with a golden fringe, then subtly instructed Liu Zhi to allow Qian Tong's observers to discover this "fake" umbrella if necessary. Later, Xing Feng confronted Wan Mei, having learned about the umbrella being made.
He warned her that a new umbrella, even with a quality golden fringe, could not fool Cha Luo, as Cha Luo herself had destroyed Liu Guang's original umbrella. Wan Mei confirmed her suspicion: Liu Guang's true Red Evil Umbrella was not hanging outside Bi An Palace. She explained that Cha Luo, desiring her failure, had designed the competition to make her seek an unreachable item. Having confirmed her suspicions with Xing Feng, Wan Mei proposed a deal.
Appealing to Xing Feng's deep bond with Liu Guang, she asked him to retrieve and repair Liu Guang's actual Red Evil Umbrella, which she believed was in his possession. In return, Wan Mei promised to publicly hang Liu Guang's restored Red Evil Umbrella upside down outside Bi An Palace, thereby fulfilling Liu Guang's last wish in front of everyone. Seeing Wan Mei's resolve and understanding her appeal, Xing Feng, recognizing Wan Mei's strategic mind as far superior to Cha Luo's, silently agreed to her proposal.
