Fall in Love with a Fox Episode 23 Recap
> Fall in Love with a Fox Recap
During the martial arts contest, Qu Zheng and Qingyun set their Martial Arts Bet, drawing a large crowd. Su Zhuozhuo observed that Jin Baiwan and Jin Muqiu were conspicuously absent. Earlier, Jin Muqiu was with Jin Baiwan as she woke up, expressing surprise that she was awake so soon. Feeling dizzy, Jin Baiwan questioned what happened. Jin Muqiu confessed that Qu Zheng did not want Jin Baiwan to attend the contest, so she had given her something the previous night.
Understanding the reason, Jin Baiwan insisted on going and rushed to the Wuhu Meeting. The contest began with Qu Zheng and Qingyun fighting fiercely. Qu Zheng was surprised to find that Qingyun knew the Puyuan Canon. As Qu Zheng countered, Jing Yuan watched intently, confirming that Qu Zheng was the one who had attacked him in Yinxue Village and was shocked to see Qu Zheng knew how to counter the Puyuan Canon.
While Jing Yuan was deep in thought, Qingyun was defeated. Qu Zheng was declared the winner, but he secretly noticed a problem, glancing at his hand and recognizing the effect of the "love poison." Despite this, he maintained his composure, giving Jin Baiwan a reassuring look before preparing to claim the first prize. Jin Baiwan happily approached him, but Jing Yuan suddenly stopped them, stating he had many doubts about Jin Baiwan and demanded an explanation for everyone present.
Jing Yuan publicly declared that Jin Baiwan was actually Chu, the eldest disciple of Nonuple Palace who had disappeared five years ago. He accused Chu of being the culprit behind the extermination of the Xu family and the theft of the Puyuan Canon five years prior. He then linked Qu Zheng and Jin Baiwan, claiming they had both betrayed the martial world, with Qu Zheng's use of the Puyuan Canon in the arena being the evidence.
Jing Yuan further alleged they had brutally killed Yu Chen, the young master of the Yu family, with demon skills after he discovered their crimes. Qu Zheng calmly refuted the accusations, calling them baseless fabrications and demanding evidence, to which Jing Yuan pointed to Qu Zheng's use of the canon itself. The crowd reacted with shock and outrage, calling Jin Baiwan an "evil bitch" and accusing Qu Zheng of colluding with her. Jing Yuan ordered his disciples to apprehend them.
Su Zhuozhuo attempted to intervene but was held back by Song Jianshan. Qu Zheng told Jin Baiwan not to worry. A cloud of white smoke erupted, and when it cleared, Qu Zheng and Jin Baiwan were gone. Song Jianshan calmly led Su Zhuozhuo away, telling her to listen to him. As they traveled in a carriage, Jin Baiwan was reeling from the accusations.
She desperately wanted to regain her memories, hoping it would help clear Qu Zheng's name and uncover the truth behind the claims that she was a defected disciple and committed terrible crimes. She wondered if taking the Lingyao Herb now would help. Soon, someone announced they had arrived.
Qu Zheng helped Jin Baiwan out of the carriage, telling her they were heading to Jin's Escort Agency and that he had already sent word to Song Jianshan and Su Zhuozhuo to go ahead. Looking around, Jin Baiwan realized this was not the usual route to the agency. Qu Zheng explained he remembered her wish to visit the divine tree near Furong Town to pray and had taken a detour.
He also mentioned this route was less likely to be tracked by Jing Yuan's men. Jin Baiwan was happy to fulfill her wish. They walked towards the sacred tree, and Qu Zheng recounted the legend of a divine being who became the tree to grant wishes. They observed the wishes tied to the branches, noting their somber nature. Jin Baiwan teased Qu Zheng about not believing in wishes before.
He admitted he didn't when he had no desires, but now he did. He wished for Jin Baiwan's safety, happiness, and that she would never forget him. Jin Baiwan responded that she could grant the wish of her not forgetting him herself and then wished for his eternal love and their life together, free from trouble after she regained her memory. Qu Zheng assured her she didn't need divine intervention, as his love for her was absolute.
Internally, Qu Zheng was heavy-hearted, knowing this journey was their last time together before he took her back to the agency and faced Jing Yuan alone to keep her safe. He cherished every moment, wishing the path would never end. Later, Jin Baiwan, having changed into a red dress, waited for Qu Zheng in the rain, explaining she wanted him to see her dressed this way upon his return.
She proposed to him again, asking him to marry her and spend their lives together. Qu Zheng accepted, telling her his answer was a long one that would take a lifetime to fulfill. He privately reflected on his selfishness for prolonging their time together despite the uncertain future, but he couldn't resist the precious moments. They embraced, their future uncertain but their bond strong. Meanwhile, Jin Muqiu and her father had returned to Jin's Escort Agency.
Jin Muqiu's father, despite hearing the rumors about Jin Baiwan and Qu Zheng, trusted their character completely. A book merchant arrived, pressuring Jin Muqiu for new manuscripts. She announced she was quitting writing novels and offered compensation. Her father, concerned about her well-being, supported her decision. He later intercepted a letter from Yu Linfeng addressed to Jin Muqiu.
He returned the letter to Yu Linfeng via courier, adding a stern note reminding him of the Martial Arts Bet preventing them from meeting and warning him to stop contacting her. Back at his valley, Yu Linfeng's subordinate reported that Jin Muqiu had stopped writing, and rumors suggested she had run out of ideas.
Despite the returned letters and the reminder of the bet, Yu Linfeng lamented that he still hadn't moved on from his feelings for her, questioning how to cut ties when his heart remained unchanged. Qu Zheng and Jin Baiwan finally arrived at Jin's Escort Agency, where Su Zhuozhuo had already arrived.
Qu Zheng personally prepared the Lingyao Herb medicine for Jin Baiwan, which Su Zhuozhuo confirmed was the remedy for the "Wangyou Poison" and would induce several days of sleep before restoring memory. Jin Baiwan drank the medicine and immediately fell unconscious. Qu Zheng watched over her, speaking softly to the sleeping Jin Baiwan, telling her he had searched for her for five years and that she was his greatest blessing.
He vowed his heart would never change and he would face whatever the past held alongside her. Just then, Song Jianshan arrived with urgent news: something had happened at Tingqin Garden. Qu Zheng knew he had to leave. He decided he must face the impending danger alone to keep Jin Baiwan safe from further conflict. When Jin Baiwan woke up, she felt dizzy and had not regained her memory. She immediately asked for Qu Zheng.
Su Zhuozhuo told her he had left with Song Jianshan. Shocked that he would leave her, Jin Baiwan then heard the news that several martial schools had united and were attacking Tingqin Garden as a result of the unrest caused by Qu Zheng's actions and the accusations at the Wuhu Meeting. Hearing this, Jin Baiwan quickly resolved to go find Qu Zheng.
