Fall in Love Episode 25 Recap
> Fall in Love Recap
As Mu Wanqing had already approached Pei Xun to negotiate cooperation regarding the retrial of the Mu Yuanhang case, Tan Xuanlin, recognizing Pei Xun as a cunning opponent, adopted a two-pronged strategy to ensure success. Mr. Liao, who had good relations with several foreign newspaper offices, agreed to help publish news of the old case's retrial. Tan Xuanlin believed this public pressure would force Pei Xun to open the court quickly.
Mu Wanqing returned exhausted from her negotiations with Pei Xun. Tan Xuanlin offered her tea, and she complained about Pei Xun's extreme greed, taking 80% of the profits without contributing anything. Her sister, Sangyu, playfully teased Tan Xuanlin about relying on Mu Wanqing for financial support. Despite the high cost, Mu Wanqing felt their chances of winning were good, believing Pei Xun would not collude with Xu Bojun due to the continuous business dividends.
Sangyu added that if she married Pei Shaojun, they would all be family, keeping the "goodies within the family." The newspaper report enraged Xu Bojun, who saw it as Pei Xun's clear intention to turn against him. He was confident he could eliminate Min Dacheng before the retrial. He immediately ordered his troops north of the Yangtze River to gather at Hangu Pass and instructed Xu Guangyao to promptly escort military supplies to support them.
Despite the Revolutionary Army confronting his forces on the Yangtze River's south bank, Xu Bojun prioritized dealing with Pei Xun, stating he would not passively await his doom. News of the retrial also reached Gu Yueshuang and Su Hongchen, eliciting completely different reactions. Su Hongchen condemned Tan Xuanlin as an ungrateful man, accusing him of betraying Xu Guangyao, who had previously let him off lightly.
Gu Yueshuang, however, argued that Tan Xuanlin was simply seeking justice for the Mu family by presenting new evidence, questioning what could be wrong with that. Their heated argument over the authenticity of the evidence and Tan Xuanlin's relationship with Mu Wanqing quickly strained their newly developing relationship. Later, Pei Xun summoned Tan Xuanlin, confronting him about the news appearing in foreign newspapers.
Tan Xuanlin admitted to leaking the information, claiming he did so to ensure Pei Xun didn't miss the optimal time for the trial. Pei Xun was furious, reminding Tan Xuanlin that his life, along with his wife's and sister's, were entirely in his hands, threatening to ensure they "all have no return" if he dared to play more tricks. Tan Xuanlin then provocatively asked Pei Xun if he also wanted Xu Bojun to "have no return."
He revealed that Xu Bojun was in Beijing, staying at the Yuecheng Guild Hall, having sent an adjutant to feign politeness while secretly making his own plans. Tan Xuanlin urged Pei Xun to seize this rare opportunity, arguing that if Xu Bojun was found guilty at trial, he could be immediately imprisoned and dealt with. Convinced, Pei Xun agreed to hold the trial the very next day. Xu Bojun had planned to eliminate Min Dacheng before the trial.
However, Tan Xuanlin, anticipating Xu Bojun's move, had already arranged a substitute for Min Dacheng. On the day of the trial, a street shooting incident occurred, causing public panic. Meanwhile, in the courtroom, Tan Xuanlin grew uneasy as Xu Yuan confidently entered, but to Xu Yuan's astonishment, Min Dacheng himself appeared, foiling Xu Bojun's scheme. The Beijing Supreme Court convened to openly hear the case of Mu Yuanhang's death.
Mu Wanqing presented evidence, including footage of the Japanese passenger ship Santon Maru entering the harbor at a fixed time of 1 p. m. , showing that the wharf had already been bombarded at that time. This directly contradicted the previous ruling, linking Xu Bojun's bombing to her brother's time of death.
The defendant's representative countered, pointing to bullet holes found on Mu Yuanhang, which would not result from a bombing, and asserting that Xu Bojun's men could not have accessed the wharf, which was controlled by another military governor. Mu Wanqing then called for her witness. Min Dacheng stated he had committed a capital crime and was supposed to be executed the previous day but gained an extra day and a pension for his family.
Min Dacheng testified that Xu Bojun and his subordinates were the true culprits behind Mu Yuanhang's kidnapping and murder over a decade ago. He revealed that Mu Yuanhang had died from Xu Bojun's direct order to bombard the warehouse, not from a kidnapping gone wrong. He requested a just ruling from the judge. After two hours, the presiding judge declared Xu Bojun guilty of murder and perjury.
Following the verdict, troops immediately descended upon the Yuecheng Guild Hall, where Xu Bojun was known to be hiding, to arrest him. The guild hall staff initially denied Xu Bojun's presence, claiming he would have stayed in a more luxurious hotel and that there was no record of his stay. However, the soldiers explained that Xu Bojun was likely disguised and not using his real name.
During the search, Mr. Watanabe, the Japanese Consul, appeared, claiming that Japanese immigrants were being unlawfully restricted and demanded to take them away, citing consular jurisdiction and diplomatic immunity. Tan Xuanlin suspected someone was hiding among them and insisted on checking passports, but Watanabe refused, asserting Chinese authorities had no right to search Japanese citizens. Tan Xuanlin then pointed to a man wearing glasses, noting his strong resemblance to Xu Bojun and asking to check his passport.
Watanabe dismissed it, claiming the man Sakamoto Kazuhiko was Japanese and did not understand Chinese. Tan Xuanlin called his bluff, pointing out the man’s accent and challenging him to speak Japanese correctly. A tense standoff ensued as Watanabe brandished a gun at Pei Xun, asserting that Japanese citizens on Chinese soil held diplomatic immunity and consular jurisdiction, implying even acts of violence against Chinese officials could not be judged by Chinese law.
Pei Xun, left with no alternative, ordered his men to stand down, and Watanabe smugly led Xu Bojun, still disguised, and other Japanese citizens away in a vehicle, while Xu Bojun himself cast a defiant smile at Tan Xuanlin. Tan Xuanlin was furious, questioning why Chinese people were inferior in their own country. Pei Xun explained that he could not provoke the Japanese. Tan Xuanlin suggested intercepting Xu Bojun before he reached the Japanese concession in Tianjin.
Pei Xun, however, asserted his authority, revealing that he had already mobilized his main forces along the Yangtze River, surrounding Xu Bojun's army, and was prepared for war if Xu Bojun did not relinquish power. Later, Mu Wanqing comforted Tan Xuanlin, who was disheartened that Xu Bojun had escaped. She acknowledged that he had brought the truth to light, and her brother's name was cleared.
Mr. Liao confirmed that Min Dacheng had signed the verdict and could be taken back to Shanghai once the judgment was finalized. Tan Xuanlin expressed his frustration and uncertainty about the correctness of his actions, fearing a larger war between Pei Xun and Xu Bojun, which would cause countless civilian and soldier deaths.
Mu Wanqing reassured him that the blame for any suffering would lie with Pei Xun and Xu Bojun, not him, but conceded that in such an era of schemes and bloodshed, no one could remain untouched. Meanwhile, Watanabe took Xu Bojun to a safe property within the Japanese Concession.
Watanabe revealed to Xu Bojun that it was actually Xu Guangyao, not Pei Shaojun, who had exposed the Pei family's gun-running business, implying that Xu Guangyao might have discovered something he kept hidden from his father. Tan Xuanlin then spoke with Min Dacheng. While acknowledging Min Dacheng's significant contribution to exposing Xu Bojun, he informed him that his past murder charge meant he faced life imprisonment if he returned to Shanghai.
He offered Min Dacheng a chance to disappear and live incognito. Min Dacheng, however, expressed his weariness of life, stating he only lived to bring down Xu Bojun. He described himself as a mere "puppet" under Xu Bojun's control for years, longing to decide his own fate rather than living a prolonged, hidden existence. He revealed he was once a soldier and wished to end his life like one. Tan Xuanlin, understanding his resolve, handed him a gun.
Min Dacheng saluted Tan Xuanlin and turned away. Shortly after, a gunshot was heard, as Min Dacheng used the gun to end his own life, choosing to die as a soldier.
