Fall in Love Episode 24 Recap
> Fall in Love Recap
Tan Xuanlin, concerned for Tan Sangyu's safety, urged Mu Wanqing to persuade his sister to return to Shanghai, emphasizing that she could not remain in Beijing. Mu Wanqing expressed her dilemma, feeling caught between the siblings' disagreement. Tan Xuanlin took the opportunity to declare Mu Wanqing his future wife and fiancée, attempting to seal his ownership with a kiss, which she playfully evaded by tickling him.
Observing this interaction, Pei Xun remarked that Tan Xuanlin had openly severed his ties with the Xu family due to his affections for Mu Wanqing. Pei Xun subsequently brought a complaint to the High Court, demanding a retrial of the Mu Yuanhang murder case. Justice Liu, the grand justice, expressed grave concerns, fearing for the lives of himself and his staff if the sensitive case were mishandled.
Pei Xun scoffed, reminding Justice Liu that he was on Pei's own territory and that his family's safety depended on his cooperation. Under this thinly veiled threat, Justice Liu reluctantly agreed to open the case and immediately issue a summons for Xu Bojun to appear in Beijing for interrogation. While the outcome was favorable, Tan Xuanlin expressed his unease with Pei Xun's methods.
He had intended to leverage Pei Xun's power to bring down Xu Bojun, but he was shocked to see the judges kneel and public authority so easily manipulated. He acknowledged that Pei Xun was no better than Xu Bojun, but affirmed they had to win this battle. Upon learning of the retrial, Xu Bojun grew suspicious, especially after hearing that Pei Xun had taken Tan Xuanlin to the Legation Quarter.
He believed Tan Xuanlin might have hidden Min Dacheng in the Soviet embassy. His subordinates confirmed the difficulty of infiltration, but Xu Bojun instructed them to leverage diplomatic relations to investigate Tan Xuanlin's ties to the embassy. Xu Bojun was convinced that Min Dacheng was alive and that Tan Xuanlin had hidden him in the embassy, suspecting Tan Xuanlin kept him as a backup to prevent Pei Xun from monopolizing the gains.
Though he struggled to understand what material evidence Min Dacheng could possess, given their verbal agreement years ago, Xu Bojun was not surprised by Pei Xun's ambition to usurp him. However, he remained perplexed by how Tan Xuanlin, whom he considers a "bandit," could cultivate such deep connections with foreigners. Faced with the summons, Xu Bojun feigned illness and ordered Xu Yuan to appear in court on his behalf.
Tan Xuanlin remained preoccupied, sensing something amiss with Xu Bojun sending Xu Yuan to appear in court. Mu Wanqing found him still awake, observing that if Xu Bojun refused the summons outright, it would be an admission of guilt. By sending an adjutant, he could avoid direct confrontation and protect his life, even if he lost the case. Tan Xuanlin agreed with her reasoning but still couldn't fathom why Xu Yuan, specifically, was chosen.
Mu Wanqing reasoned that while claiming illness could buy Xu Bojun time to strategize and salvage the situation, he had chosen to send Xu Yuan, thereby engaging rather than delaying, which seemed to put him at a disadvantage given the irrefutable evidence Tan Xuanlin and Pei Xun had to collude and bring him down.
Tan Xuanlin then confided that he had anticipated Xu Bojun's refusal and had even intentionally leaked Min Dacheng's location at the embassy to lure Xu Bojun into making a move there. His plan was to catch Xu Bojun in the act of trying to eliminate a witness, which would then immediately lead to an open trial for both the witness's murder and the ten-year-old case.
He was surprised by Xu Bojun's swift decision to send his trusted confidant, Xu Yuan, unless Xu Yuan was specifically sent to turn the tide. Upon Xu Yuan's arrival, Chief of Staff Zuo personally greeted him, ushering him to the Six Nations Hotel.
Chief of Staff Zuo, a former adjutant of Pei Xun and an old acquaintance of Xu Yuan, expressed understanding for Military Governor Xu Bojun's inability to appear due to ill health, assuring that the High Court would judge impartially. Tan Xuanlin, observing this cordial exchange, found Pei Xun's politeness towards Xu Yuan suspicious, especially with their impending confrontation. He immediately instructed Tan Si to closely monitor Xu Yuan.
Tan Si later reported that Chief of Staff Zuo, after leaving Pei Xun's study, had gone to the Six Nations Hotel and engaged in a lengthy conversation with Xu Yuan. This confirmed Tan Xuanlin's suspicions; he recalled Pei Xun complaining about his financial difficulties earlier that afternoon but changing his demeanor when the trial date was mentioned, realizing that Pei Xun was indeed playing both sides.
As Tan Xuanlin suspected, Pei Xun instructed Chief of Staff Zuo to secretly meet with Xu Yuan. Chief of Staff Zuo relayed Xu Bojun's offer: if Pei Xun helped to frame Tan Xuanlin, Xu Bojun would allow Pei Xun to appoint the next Shanghai Commander. Pei Xun scoffed at this offer, stating that a mere Shanghai Commander position would not satisfy his ambitions.
He intended not only to bring down Xu Bojun but also to extract greater benefits from Tan Xuanlin, having already subtly hinted at this to him earlier that day. Pei Xun then ordered Chief of Staff Zuo to temporarily agree to Xu Bojun's terms but to stall any demands for immediate action against Tan Xuanlin by citing the need for time to select a suitable Shanghai Commander.
Meanwhile, Xu Bojun, also aware of Pei Xun's cunning, had sent Xu Yuan to Beijing to gauge Pei Xun's intentions, confirming that Pei Xun would stall to see who offered more. Xu Bojun also received intelligence that someone, possibly a revolutionary from Guangzhou, was recently visiting the Soviet Russian Minister, hinting at a connection to Tan Xuanlin. Xu Bojun ordered his men to eliminate Min Dacheng on his way to court if he couldn't be eliminated in the Legation Quarter.
Tan Xuanlin decided to leverage public opinion. He planned to seek out Mr. Liao and use embassy connections to publish news of Xu Bojun's old case retrial in foreign newspapers, aiming to create significant public pressure and compel Pei Xun to open the court session. Mu Wanqing, however, expressed concern that such a confrontational approach might provoke Pei Xun. She worried that even if Xu Bojun were overthrown, Pei Xun might then turn his vengeance on Tan Xuanlin.
She proposed a different strategy, suggesting that since Pei Xun primarily sought military funds, she had the means to satisfy his demands. She argued that providing him with the funds would ensure their safe return to Shanghai. Tan Xuanlin initially resisted, reminding her of his promise to provide for her and questioning her ability to secure such a large sum.
Mu Wanqing asserted her authority as the current head of the Mu family, explaining that the impending trial would lead to a complete break with Xu Bojun, and securing Pei Xun's financial support for the Mu family would be a worthwhile investment. The next day, Mu Wanqing personally approached Pei Xun. She explained her intention to reopen the Mu family's Beijing branch, which had ceased operations due to border trade disruptions.
Citing the lucrative trade opportunities in the north, particularly at Heihe Port, and the instability of the southern regions, she invited Pei Xun to become a major shareholder in the Mu family's Beijing branch. She offered him 80% of the profits without requiring any financial investment from him, with the remaining 20% designated for labor costs. Her sole condition was Pei Xun's assistance in clearing her brother's name and securing justice for the Mu family.
Mu Wanqing strategically explained that this indirect method of payment would avoid any appearance of bribery and protect Pei Xun's reputation. Pei Xun, impressed by her intelligence and integrity, accepted her proposal, even reducing Mu Wanqing's share for labor costs to 10%, acknowledging it was an honor to collaborate with the Mu family.
Meanwhile, Tan Sangyu, convinced that Su Hongchen still harbored feelings for her, confronted him about his reluctance to return to Shanghai, questioning if his presence was an unspoken confession of his affection. She explained that she had even sacrificed her studies, hinting that she had no intention of leaving.
Su Hongchen, though clearly hesitant, admitted his feelings but warned her that staying with him would be akin to imprisonment in the Military Governor's mansion, a fate he believed she did not deserve. He confessed his personal guilt over the student protests, where he had unwittingly led students into danger due to his father's deception, branding himself a "fool."
Tan Sangyu, however, reassured him, asserting that he was a hero in her eyes for intervening and preventing countless deaths during the conflict. She told him his actions were blameless, arguing that true heroes are not perfect and sometimes face helplessness. Su Hongchen expressed deep gratitude for her understanding and for viewing him as a hero. She then asked if she could stay by his side. Su Hongchen, burdened by his identity as the Military Governor's son, implied he had no other choice but to remain trapped in the mansion.
