Resumen del episodio 11 de The Romance of Hua Rong 2
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Hua Rong, annoyed that Qin Shangcheng was rushing her to bed, confronted him about the upcoming trial marriage. She questioned if he could truly sleep, considering she would be with another man tomorrow. Qin Shangcheng acknowledged her dedication to the bigger picture and her pretense with Duanmu Bai, assuring her he understood her good intentions, yet he couldn't help but feel angry.
Hua Rong then brought up the matter of the "Little White Dove," asking if he had known about the letters earlier. Qin Shangcheng admitted he had, but dismissed Duanmu Bai’s affection as mere "wishful thinking" from an "ignorant fellow," claiming it was not worth mentioning. When Hua Rong suggested he didn't care at all, Qin Shangcheng averted his gaze, mumbling that his eyes were dry from recently recovering his sight.
Hua Rong, however, saw through his excuse, laughing that the "fearless King Pirate" was finally afraid that "the most beautiful and lovely lady in the world" might be snatched away. She mused that if she were in his shoes, discovering a man who secretly adored her for ten years, she would "explode into rage" too. Qin Shangcheng quickly denied any jealousy towards Duanmu Bai, but agreed to discuss their strategy for the following day, promising to follow Hua Rong's lead.
The next morning, Duanmu Bai awaited Hua Rong, pleased that Qin Shangcheng was not accompanying her, which he took as a sign of her sincerity for the trial marriage. Hua Rong declared that she would set the day's tasks, and knowing Duanmu Bai’s close relationship with his grandmother, requested to visit her at the residence. Duanmu Bai gladly agreed.
Hua Rong prepared tea for Duanmu Bai’s grandmother, who set demanding criteria for the brew: it had to be transparent, astringent yet not bitter, light yet not fishy, with fresh leaves, and a specific water temperature. Hua Rong confidently served the tea, and Duanmu Bai praised her skilled "three-nodding Phoenix" technique. The grandmother, though finding it acceptable, only "barely passed" her. Duanmu Bai then reminded Hua Rong of a gift.
Hua Rong, having heard of the grandmother’s fondness for magic, performed a trick called "making something out of nothing," conjuring Qin Shangcheng, Zhang Xian, and Qian Dayou, who offered blessings. During the commotion, Qin Shangcheng subtly informed Hua Rong that their search of Prince Mu's Residence had yielded no trace of the emperor's son-in-law, with only Tianchi Pavilion remaining uninvestigated. Hua Rong then requested permission to visit Tianchi Pavilion, citing its renowned beauty and natural hot springs.
The grandmother agreed, but revealed a family tradition: before marriage, the bride-to-be must bathe in the holy water of Tianchi Pavilion with the groom-to-be to receive ancestral blessings. Duanmu Bai immediately protested, but his grandmother dismissed his objections, asserting it was for his own good. When Duanmu Bai expressed concern that "Little White Dove" might not agree, the grandmother simply stated that it was her own concern. Later, Qin Shangcheng vehemently opposed Hua Rong participating in the bathing ritual.
Hua Rong argued it was their only chance to find the emperor's son-in-law, reminding Qin Shangcheng of his promise to trust her the previous night, accusing him of being two-faced. Qin Shangcheng finally admitted he had been jealous since she proposed the trial marriage. While he understood her objective for the mission, he simply couldn't accept his wife having a trial marriage, let alone bathing with another man. Hua Rong found his jealous side rather endearing.
She reassured him, vowing to report any clues about the emperor's son-in-law immediately and promising that her fly-cutter would be ready if Duanmu Bai made any inappropriate moves. Qin Shangcheng, still reluctant, relented only after Hua Rong reassured him that he was the only man she would ever bathe with. During the bathing ritual, Duanmu Bai tried to reassure Hua Rong that he was an upright gentleman and would not peek.
Hua Rong challenged him to prove it, and he vowed to keep his eyes closed. Meanwhile, Qin Shangcheng, having disguised himself, stealthily entered and playfully splashed water at Duanmu Bai, taking Hua Rong's place. Later, Hua Rong firmly declared to the grandmother that she would remain loyal only to her husband and would not bathe with any man before marriage, in accordance with Tianchu customs.
The grandmother, instead of punishing her, was pleased that Hua Rong had passed the test of loyalty. She explained that if Hua Rong had actually bathed with Duanmu Bai, she would have expelled her for being "indiscreet and disrespectful." As a reward, the grandmother gifted Hua Rong a family heirloom, a jade bracelet, signifying her acceptance of Hua Rong as her granddaughter-in-law. Duanmu Bai, touched, later explained the bracelet's significance to Hua Rong.
Hua Rong, feeling increasingly uneasy about Duanmu Bai’s deepening feelings, resolved to tell him about her marriage to Qin Shangcheng soon after their mission was complete. Hua Rong discovered clues indicating that the emperor's son-in-law, Nie Yu, had been transferred to a place called Utopia. Qin Shangcheng and Hua Rong decided against ending the trial marriage prematurely. They reasoned that Utopia was heavily guarded, making rescue impossible without assistance.
Their plan was to continue the trial marriage and subtly use Duanmu Bai's influence to help them rescue Nie Yu. Qin Shangcheng, Zhang Xian, and Qian Dayou proceeded to Utopia to search. At Utopia, Hua Rong and Duanmu Bai engaged in a drinking game of pitch-pot. Suddenly, a dancing girl named Xiao Xing, recognized Duanmu Bai, claiming he had visited Utopia ten years ago. Duanmu Bai denied it and asked the girls to leave.
Meanwhile, Qin Shangcheng's group searched for Nie Yu. Zhang Xian reported no findings, but Qin Shangcheng suspected a secret room. With a little help, they found a wall that had been recently renovated, with fresh dust and a hidden step, indicating a secret door. They quickly opened it and found Nie Yu, poisoned, unable to speak, and gravely injured. Sixth Princess Chu Fengling was also there. She told Nie Yu she would save him first, then end their engagement.
Chu Fengling then urged Qin Shangcheng to inform Hua Rong that it was time to act. As Hua Rong continued the drinking game with Duanmu Bai, she realized she was getting drunk faster than him. She then cunningly discussed Tianchu wedding customs involving musicians and dancers, praising the performers in Utopia and suggesting they be redeemed for her wedding. Duanmu Bai, eager to please, agreed to redeem them all for her.
As Hua Rong was in the process of seeing the redeemed dancers away, Duanmu Bai presented her with a gift: a collection of paintings. He explained that ten years ago, he had rescued a wounded carrier pigeon carrying a letter from a little girl to her mother. Reading her letters had been the happiest part of his life, and the girl became "a light."
He had been searching for his "Little White Dove" for ten years and had finally found her. He then expressed his desire to marry Hua Rong, asking if she would be his "sunshine." Qin Shangcheng dramatically interrupted, asserting, "She will not," and told Duanmu Bai his feelings were merely "wishful thinking." At that moment, Nie Yu was struck by a hidden arrow and collapsed.
General Zou arrived with troops, accusing Qin Shangcheng and his allies of murdering Nie Yu and sabotaging peace talks, ordering their arrest. Hua Rong protested, explaining Nie Yu was hit by a hidden arrow. General Zou dismissed her, stating he was only there to arrest and she could tell her story to the Emperor. Qin Shangcheng and Duanmu Bai tried to intervene, with Duanmu Bai warning General Zou of his father's wrath.
However, General Zou revealed that these were Prince Mu’s orders, and reminded them they were in South Desolation. As the situation escalated, Chu Fengling stepped forward, claiming sole responsibility. She revealed herself as the Sixth Princess of Tianchu, stating it was a family matter regarding Nie Yu's betrayal, and questioned South Desolation's interference. General Zou, undeterred, ordered her arrest. As she was being led away, Chu Fengling discreetly handed Hua Rong a note.
In the aftermath, Qian Dayou and Zhang Xian were worried about the Princess's arrest and Nie Yu's death. Hua Rong suggested they leave South Desolation and devise a new plan. Qin Shangcheng, however, believed the Sacred Sword was their ultimate leverage. He decided they should proceed with the wedding as planned and use the Sacred Sword as a bargaining chip to secure the release of Hua Rong and the Princess.
Back at Prince Mu's Residence, Prince Mu received a report confirming the plan to capture Qin Shangcheng and seize the Sacred Sword. Prince Mu was angry at Duanmu Bai for trying to protect Hua Rong, stating that everyone who knew about the Sacred Sword must die, including Hua Rong, for the "greater good."
Duanmu Bai pleaded for Hua Rong’s life, but his father only granted her an exception "just this once," while reiterating that all others must perish, threatening military law for any failure to secure the Sacred Sword. Duanmu Bai, understanding his father's ruthless nature and knowing that Prince Mu would ultimately kill Hua Rong after obtaining the Sacred Sword, feigned compliance while secretly planning to save her.
Prince Mu’s subordinate questioned why he hadn’t informed Duanmu Bai about Qin Shangcheng and Hua Rong’s marriage, but Prince Mu dismissed it as unnecessary. On the day of the wedding, Qin Shangcheng met with his "Wang uncle" in a private room to retrieve the Sacred Sword, which he had cleverly hidden within Utopia, anticipating the dangers of South Desolation.
He apologized for not revealing its location earlier, to which Wang uncle calmly replied that it was wise to "hold back a trick or two." After Qin Shangcheng retrieved the Sacred Sword, Wang uncle’s demeanor changed. He revealed his true allegiance, stating he would take the Sacred Sword and, in a chilling offer, promised Qin Shangcheng a "whole body" for old times' sake, indicating his intention to kill him.
