Fall in Love with a Fox Episode 5 Recap
> Fall in Love with a Fox Recap
A group of people had been waiting and quickly surrounded Jin Baiwan, Su Zhuozhuo, and Qu Zheng. Qu Zheng of Tingqin Garden introduced himself and inquired about their purpose there. The group accused Jin Baiwan, an escort from Jin's Escort Agency, of killing the hero Qing Songke and stealing the Puyuan Canon. Jin Baiwan retorted that the villagers claimed Qing Songke had died years ago and accused her opponents of fabricating the story to steal the Canon themselves.
An argument ensued, and in the resulting struggle, the box containing the Canon broke open. To everyone's surprise, instead of a full scripture, only two pages with writing were found, the rest being blank paper. The attackers immediately claimed Jin Baiwan had swapped the real Canon. Jin Baiwan began to protest her innocence, but Qu Zheng stepped forward. He declared that Qing Songke was likely a fictitious figure and the purported Canon only contained two pages.
He suggested that those who were fighting over it had fallen into a trap due to their own greed. As the Lord of Tingqin Garden, Qu Zheng stated he would investigate the matter thoroughly and warned anyone who interfered under the guise of justice would face his ruthlessness. The crowd dispersed. Jin Baiwan was confused about the fake Canon, while Su Zhuozhuo confirmed it was a scam.
Despite the confusion, Jin Baiwan insisted her mission was to deliver the Canon, real or fake, to its intended recipient to complete her duty, leaving the two pages behind. Jin Baiwan asked Qu Zheng what they should do next. Qu Zheng instructed Su Zhuozhuo to immediately return to the Yan School to inform all the Grandmasters of the situation. Su Zhuozhuo asked Qu Zheng to accompany her, but he declined, citing important matters, and stated she must travel alone.
Su Zhuozhuo was reluctant to leave him alone with Jin Baiwan, but Qu Zheng clarified this was not a leisure trip. Su Zhuozhuo reluctantly agreed to return to the Yan School and departed. Jin Baiwan felt Qu Zheng was eager to be rid of her. Qu Zheng then informed Jin Baiwan that, given the circumstances with the Canon delivered, he saw no further reason to travel with her and it was time for them to part ways.
Jin Baiwan protested, saying she hadn't even gotten a signed receipt for the delivery, but Qu Zheng pointed out Qing Songke was dead. She suggested accompanying him, but Qu Zheng stated traveling alone was easier. Jin Baiwan expressed concern about being secretly observed or pursued by the people who had just accused her. Qu Zheng reminded her they had agreed to part ways after the delivery.
Jin Baiwan insisted she knew he wouldn't abandon her, but Qu Zheng argued that the current situation was dangerous, and being with him might put her in greater peril. He advised her to take care, and Jin Baiwan, putting on a brave face, walked away alone, though inwardly feeling hurt. Unseen by Jin Baiwan and Qu Zheng, one of Qu Zheng's dark guards observed a masked figure approach the place where the pages were left.
The dark guard confirmed only two pages remained, and the masked figure seemed to be the leader of the group encountered previously at the lantern festival. Shortly after Jin Baiwan departed, she was attacked. Her assailant stated they were specifically looking for her. Just as she was in danger, a masked figure, one of Qu Zheng's dark guards, intervened and helped her, telling her to escape.
Jin Baiwan was reluctant to leave her rescuer behind, but the dark guard dismissed her concern, saying they had just met by chance. Meanwhile, Qu Zheng confronted the masked figure at the old house. Qu Zheng revealed he had expected the figure to come and noted they employed various martial arts styles, asking them to reveal their true identity. The masked figure attacked with a powerful palm strike, which Qu Zheng blocked.
The figure was surprised by Qu Zheng's ability to restrain their force. Qu Zheng deduced that the masked figure was familiar with the Puyuan Canon and suspected their animosity was personal, possibly related to an incident five years prior. The masked figure then fled. Qu Zheng quickly went to check on Jin Baiwan. Finding her safe, he asked why she was looking for her rescuer, pointing out he was there.
Jin Baiwan clarified she meant the masked figure who had directly saved her. Qu Zheng then inquired if he himself had been injured in the fight. Jin Baiwan expressed concern for his well-being, calling him chivalrous and saying she knew he would come for her. Qu Zheng claimed he was merely passing by. Since they were both safe, he again suggested parting ways. Jin Baiwan, feeling unsafe in the dangerous forest, proposed they return to the previous inn.
Qu Zheng agreed. That night at the inn, sharing a room, Jin Baiwan decided to seize the opportunity to convince Qu Zheng to travel with her further. She tried flattering him by recounting his impressive reputation and achievements, such as dominating the Wuhu Meeting and founding the Tingqin Garden. Qu Zheng noted her knowledge.
Jin Baiwan, hesitant to directly state her needs, confided that she couldn't return to the Jin's Escort Agency yet because the Canon matter was unresolved, and going back would only jeopardize the agency. She then asked if Qu Zheng could take her to Taoyuan Valley. Qu Zheng immediately refused, citing pressing family affairs.
Jin Baiwan pressed him for details, but Qu Zheng claimed fatigue and suggested they talk the next day, despite Jin Baiwan's repeated attempts to get an answer from him. Meanwhile, the masked figure, who was revealed to be Jing Yuan, the master of Nonguple Palace, was being examined by his doctor.
The doctor noted that Jing Yuan's injuries were complex, partly from an external martial art and significantly from backlash caused by his own palm power, indicating his opponent was very familiar with the Puyuan Canon. Jing Yuan confessed that years ago, in his eagerness to dominate the martial arts world, he had killed the Xu family and taken the Puyuan Canon, but it was missing two pages.
He had practiced the incomplete scripture anyway, which had resulted in serious internal problems and recurring backlash, causing him to lose control periodically. The doctor confirmed the backlash was worsening and stated that the last two pages of the Canon were crucial. He added that Jing Yuan's severe meridian injuries could only be healed by Saussurea involucrata, the last specimen of which was believed to be in Taoyuan Valley.
Qu Zheng's dark guard reported that they had found no trace of the attackers from the previous day, including the female assassin, noting their extreme caution over the years. Qu Zheng wasn't surprised but mused that the female assassin's attack on Jin Baiwan seemed driven by personal vengeance, possibly linked to the incident five years ago. He regretted not capturing them to uncover the truth.
He then told his subordinate not to worry, revealing he knew exactly where the masked figure, injured by his palm strike, would go: Taoyuan Valley. His subordinate questioned why he hadn't agreed to go with Jin Baiwan then. Qu Zheng explained he would go, but not under his current identity. His subordinate understood, remarking that the woman Qu Zheng favored seemed to have a difficult fate. The next morning, Jin Baiwan again asked Qu Zheng about going to Taoyuan Valley.
Qu Zheng reiterated the dangers of traveling with her, mentioning past encounters and yesterday's killer, and stated he would have to constantly protect her, calling it inefficient. Jin Baiwan reminded him that she had protected him once, saving him from an attack, and thus he owed her a life debt. Qu Zheng acknowledged this. Jin Baiwan pressed him to repay it by helping her. Qu Zheng again cited his unavoidable family affairs.
He introduced Song Jianshan as his dark guard and clarified that Song Jianshan had saved her yesterday on his orders. Song Jianshan then initiated a staged conversation, urging Qu Zheng, the Lord of Tingqin Garden, to return home immediately for a blind date to fulfill his parents' dying wish for him to marry before the age of twenty-five.
Qu Zheng feigned reluctance and conflict, stating his twenty-fifth birthday was approaching and the matter was urgent, implying he didn't want to make Song Jianshan's duty difficult. Jin Baiwan was surprised that Qu Zheng was being forced into marriage. Song Jianshan emphasized the importance of fulfilling his parents' wishes. Jin Baiwan argued that escorting the Canon was also a major martial arts affair, but Song Jianshan insisted nothing was more important than his Lord's marriage.
Song Jianshan, with deliberate prompting, drew Jin Baiwan into discussing the criteria for choosing a bride, hinting that Jin Baiwan's resistance suggested she might have feelings for Qu Zheng. Jin Baiwan denied this. Song Jianshan expressed mock disappointment at not being able to complete his task easily but then thanked Jin Baiwan for helping him "persuade" Qu Zheng. Song Jianshan and Qu Zheng prepared to depart immediately.
Jin Baiwan, seeing them ready to leave, asked if they were truly going right now. Qu Zheng confirmed he had no choice. Jin Baiwan, sensing his reluctance, impulsively suggested they run away together. Qu Zheng refused, citing his parents' will, saying there was no escaping it unless his marriage was resolved immediately, as he didn't want to trouble Song Jianshan further.
Jin Baiwan pleaded with him not to rush, but Qu Zheng stated they would part ways eventually, perhaps never seeing each other again, which visibly distressed her. Qu Zheng reiterated his gratitude for her saving his life and offered assistance if she ever needed it at Tingqin Garden, then began to leave. Song Jianshan also bid her farewell, echoing the idea of never seeing each other again. Upset, Jin Baiwan chased after the carriage and stopped it.
She directly asked Qu Zheng if getting married was the only way he didn't have to return. He confirmed this. Taking a deep breath, she proposed, "Then marry me." She quickly added that he should just ignore it if he didn't agree. After a moment of silence, Qu Zheng responded, "Okay." Jin Baiwan was utterly stunned by his unexpected acceptance.
