Fall in Love with a Fox Episode 17 Recap
> Fall in Love with a Fox Recap
Holding the unconscious Baiwan, Qu Zheng told her he only wanted her to be safe. A disciple asked if Qu Zheng was alright, and Qu Zheng ordered a carriage to escort "Mrs Qu" back to Tingqin Garden. News quickly spread that Lord Qu had brought "Mrs Qu" back and that she was merely in a temporary coma. Yu, the Young Lord of Taoyuan Valley, and Jin Muqiu heard the news.
Yu told Jin Muqiu that since Baiwan was stable, she should return to Taoyuan Valley with them. Jin Muqiu refused, stating she needed to go to Tingqin Garden to care for Baiwan while she was unconscious. Yu pressed her, offering alternative destinations like Jin's Escort Agency or traveling, promising that no one in Taoyuan Valley would blame her upon her return. Jin Muqiu replied that Yu still didn't understand why she left.
She thanked "Brother Shu" (Yu) for his care but explained that her fear was not the blame itself, but Yu's lack of understanding. Yu was left looking confused as Jin Muqiu departed. Qu Zheng and Song Jianshan were discussing a wedding dress. Due to the sudden events of the previous day, they agreed it wouldn't be needed for the time being and should be stored away.
Song Jianshan expressed concern about Qu Zheng's lingering poison and suggested Su Zhuozhuo examine him. Qu Zheng worried that if Su Zhuozhuo knew, Baiwan would find out. Song Jianshan pointed out that Baiwan already knew about the matter involving Xing Laoliu. Just then, Baiwan arrived, demanding to know how long they intended to keep secrets from her. Song Jianshan left. Baiwan directly confronted Qu Zheng, asking if he was responsible for the events concerning the Canon and Xing Laoliu.
Qu Zheng admitted he was. Baiwan then accused him of manipulating her from the start, orchestrating their engagement and trip to Taoyuan Valley because he knew she was a disciple of Nonguple Palace and wanted to prevent her memory recovery to further his own goals. Qu Zheng denied ever intending to involve her in conspiracies and asked if she would believe him if he said his feelings for her had never changed.
Baiwan declared she would never believe anything he said again, regretting trusting him so completely and feeling foolish for not realizing he was the one plotting against her. Qu Zheng asserted that while anyone else in the world could disbelieve him, she should not.
He explained that he couldn't tell her the truth of five years ago because it was entangled with memories she shouldn't have, and he couldn't bear for her to know and hate herself, preferring that she resent him instead. At the Disciplining Hall within Nonguple Palace, Jing Yuan berated Qingyun for failing to retrieve Chu as promised.
Qingyun addressed Jing Yuan as "Father," but Jing Yuan sternly corrected him, reminding him they were in the formal setting of the Disciplining Hall. Qingyun accepted full responsibility and requested to receive additional whips. Jing Yuan questioned if Qingyun's death would achieve his objectives and stated this was Qingyun's last chance after a previous failure. A servant announced that Qingyun had received two hundred whips and should go recuperate.
Zi Jing approached the injured Qingyun, offering support and mentioning she had arranged for a doctor. Qingyun dismissively told her he didn't need her sympathy and that her concern meant nothing to him. Zi Jing questioned if the two hundred whips were worth it for Chu, who had lost her memory, was with Qu Zheng, and would never return. Qingyun insisted Chu was merely amnesiac and would come back when she remembered.
Zi Jing then suggested Qingyun knew he couldn't defeat Qu Zheng and had returned to Nonguple Palace to seek Jing Yuan's help, despite the expected punishment. Qingyun warned her not to speak such words again, emphasizing that Chu was unique and no one else could compare. Meanwhile, prominent figures from various martial arts sects gathered at Nonguple Palace.
They discussed Qu Zheng's recent actions, including attacking guests at the Taoyuan Valley wedding and harming people outside Tingqin Garden, deeming it a provocation to the martial arts alliance. They suspected him of being behind the Puyuan Canon incident, noting that Jin Baiwan, whom he took, was rumored to be a Nonguple Palace disciple. Jing Yuan confirmed Nonguple Palace was investigating. The discussion then turned to the tri-annual Wuhu Meeting.
Despite the issues with Qu Zheng, they agreed not to delay the significant martial arts event and, given the current state of affairs, proposed and decided that Nonguple Palace would host the Wuhu Meeting this year. Baiwan was determined to leave Tingqin Garden and confronted Qu Zheng again. She asserted he couldn't keep her there if she was set on leaving.
Qu Zheng countered that if he was determined not to let her go, even if it meant risking losing her forever, he would keep her. Baiwan accused him of acting and reiterated her complete distrust, stating he was unworthy of talking about affection. She picked up the pieces of the peach blossom hairpin they had shared, calling herself foolish for ever believing it represented his true feelings, and declared its breaking signified the end of their bond.
Qu Zheng explained his actions stemmed from fear – fear of not being able to protect her outside Tingqin Garden and fear of losing her again – but admitted her lack of trust was unbearable. Elsewhere, Jin Muqiu discussed their predicament with Baiwan, noting that the entire garden was heavily guarded and Qu Zheng seemed intent on trapping them. Baiwan vowed to escape.
Jin Muqiu mentioned overhearing servants talking about the upcoming Wuhu Meeting and suggested it might be their opportunity. Su Zhuozhuo arrived excitedly, having received a letter from her father regarding Baiwan's memory condition. Her father's reply confirmed that Baiwan's memory wasn't lost but sealed by a special spell, a technique tied to the mark on her hand which also suppressed her martial arts abilities. The letter stated that only the precious Lingyao Herb could break this seal.
Jin Muqiu then recalled hearing from disciples that the grand prize at the upcoming Wuhu Meeting was indeed Lingyao Herb. Realizing this was their chance, they resolved to find a way to attend the meeting. Song Jianshan reported to Qu Zheng that Baiwan had again attempted to leave and had slightly injured two guarding disciples in the process.
Qu Zheng dismissed the disciples' injuries, stating that as long as Baiwan was safe, it was acceptable, and that she must not be allowed to leave Tingqin Garden, even if it resulted in more casualties. Song Jianshan was aghast, asking if Qu Zheng had lost his mind and truly intended to imprison Baiwan forever. Qu Zheng responded that he would, if it meant keeping her by his side permanently.
Song Jianshan vehemently criticized Qu Zheng, stating that his current behavior would drive anyone away and accusing him of being fundamentally wrong from the beginning. He argued that Qu Zheng had hidden everything from Baiwan – the events of five years ago, the truth about Jing Yuan, and her real identity – and demanded to know why he didn't tell her, especially now that she already knew some things.
Song Jianshan argued that even if discovering her past and the truth about being manipulated by Jing Yuan would be painful, it was still her true identity, and Qu Zheng had no right to control her life like Jing Yuan did. Qu Zheng denied manipulating her. Song Jianshan countered by asking why he didn't tell her the truth then, particularly since she no longer trusted him.
Song Jianshan insisted that Qu Zheng must respect Baiwan's desire to reclaim her past, as he could not stop her. Song Jianshan's impassioned words visibly affected Qu Zheng. While walking, Baiwan noticed servants carrying red fabric. Her curiosity prompted her to investigate, and she found a beautiful wedding dress. Seeing the dress triggered a strong emotional reaction, causing tears to stream down her face as memories surfaced.
Qu Zheng appeared and told her he had ordered the dress put away and that it was never connected to any schemes. Baiwan countered that it shouldn't exist, that their relationship was flawed from the start, and their engagement should be broken. She told him that the more he tried to keep her, the more she would hate him.
Qu Zheng, influenced by Song Jianshan's earlier words, agreed to let her leave, stating there was no point in keeping her if her heart was not with him. As she prepared to depart, Baiwan went back to gather the scattered pieces of the broken peach blossom hairpin. Qu Zheng watched her, his heart filled with pain.
The following morning, Baiwan, Jin Muqiu, and Su Zhuozhuo headed towards the exit of Tingqin Garden, noting that the protective maze seemed to have disappeared, indicating they were free to leave. A disciple stopped them, reminding them of Qu Zheng's condition: they must keep silent about everything they learned inside Tingqin Garden. Su Zhuozhuo defiantly accepted the condition to ensure their safe departure but warned the disciple not to make threats.
Both she and Jin Muqiu promised to abide by the silence but also told the disciple to relay a message to Qu Zheng: he should never bother Baiwan again, calling him shameless. The disciple asked Baiwan if she regretted leaving and if she wished to return, stating the gate remained open. Baiwan offered no response and walked away with her companions.
Soon after they left, Qu Zheng told Song Jianshan that he had finally come to understand and admitted Song Jianshan was right. He confessed he was wrong to prevent Baiwan from seeking her past and wrong to force her to stay if she wanted to leave. Song Jianshan asked what their next course of action was. Qu Zheng instructed him to prepare for their own departure, stating they would also be going to the Wuhu Meeting.
Song Jianshan noted that Lingyao Herb was the grand prize and questioned if the meeting was a trap intended for Baiwan or Qu Zheng. Qu Zheng confirmed it was a trap, but stated he could not allow Baiwan to go there alone, knowing the danger.
