Fall in Love with a Fox Episode 8 Recap
> Fall in Love with a Fox Recap
Su Zhuozhuo called Qu Zheng out and directly stated that she knew his engagement to Jin Baiwan was fake. She confessed her long-standing affection for him and revealed she had actively sought the assignment to investigate the Puyuan Canon case from her father. Expressing her hopes for his consideration, she claimed that Jin Baiwan, who had appeared suddenly, had ulterior motives.
Su Zhuozhuo cited Qu Zheng having knocked Baiwan out, taken her scripture, and even hung her, yet Baiwan still clung to him. She further alleged that Baiwan had cooked for him on the journey and repeatedly asked about him, suggesting Baiwan was infatuated despite being merely a kitchen maid with no right to pursue him. Jin Baiwan, who had been listening nearby, emerged angrily, confronting Su Zhuozhuo for speaking ill of her behind her back.
Su Zhuozhuo insisted she was only telling the truth, claiming she had previously prevented Baiwan from being disrespectful to Qu Zheng. Baiwan retorted, calling her an "anthomaniac" and, in a fit of pique, offered Qu Zheng to Su Zhuozhuo before attempting to leave. Qu Zheng called out to Baiwan, but Su Zhuozhuo tried to stop him, reminding him their engagement was fake. Qu Zheng dismissed her, asking, "So what if it's fake? Maybe I just wanna make it real."
He then warned Su Zhuozhuo that he would not be polite if she continued to treat Miss Jin in such a manner. Qu Zheng followed Jin Baiwan, who turned to question why he wasn't comforting Su Zhuozhuo. Qu Zheng stated that their engagement was still official, making her his fiancée, and he felt obligated to explain himself. Baiwan retorted that she thought he had forgotten their engagement given his unclear relationship with Su Zhuozhuo.
Qu Zheng teasingly accused her of being jealous, which Baiwan denied, claiming she was only angry at Su Zhuozhuo's nonsense. Qu Zheng pressed her, asking if she hadn't cooked for him (she replied someone had to, and she's a cook), hadn't inquired about him from Su Zhuozhuo (she said they were new acquaintances and needed to learn about each other), and hadn't looked at him with "eager eyes."
As she looked at him, he asked what kind of look it was; she described it as natural and poised, without personal feelings, leading him to ask why she avoided his gaze. Baiwan felt her heart race. Qu Zheng then asked if she was picturing moments they had shared, surprising her with his insight. He finally asked if she genuinely had no romantic feelings for him. Baiwan hesitated.
Qu Zheng concluded it was his own wishful thinking and began to speak about their engagement, but before he could finish, news arrived that the Young Master was back with Miss Jin. Baiwan seized the opportunity to escape, leaving Qu Zheng watching her departure with evident emotion. Meanwhile, Jin Muqiu had arrived at Taoyuan Valley with the Young Master, Linfeng.
She expressed concern about meeting his parents and asked about his mother, Lady Yu, who was known to be strict, well-versed in arts, and fond of reading "Commandments for Women." Linfeng confirmed his mother's adherence to rules and mentioned specific regulations within the valley, such as forbidding men and women from speaking alone in wall corners.
Despite their attempts to move, Lady Yu appeared and questioned Linfeng and Miss Jin being together in the corner, reminding Linfeng that he knew the valley's rules. Linfeng admitted his oversight, and Lady Yu invited Miss Jin to the Main Hall. In the Main Hall, Linfeng's parents, Lord Yu and Lady Yu, greeted Jin Muqiu and Master Jin. Lord Yu inquired about their journey and the bandit attacks, and Master Jin thanked Linfeng for protecting Jin Muqiu.
Lady Yu expressed her pleasure at Jin Muqiu joining their family and mentioned the valley's strict regulations, offering to help her become familiar with them. When Jin Muqiu inquired about the rules, Lady Yu had two thick stacks of books brought in, clarifying they were merely the catalogue of rules, with the detailed versions available in the library.
After being assigned a wing-room, Jin Muqiu spoke privately with her father, Master Jin, stating she didn't want to get married and missed Baiwan. Master Jin acknowledged her feelings but reminded her they were already in the valley and couldn't turn back. Jin Muqiu was still distressed when Jin Baiwan arrived, rushing in to find her. They expressed how much they had missed each other.
Qu Zheng followed shortly after, and Master Jin greeted him as the legendary Lord of Tingqin Garden. Qu Zheng requested a private word with Master Jin, leaving the two young women to talk. While Jin Muqiu confided her reluctance about the marriage and missing Baiwan, Qu Zheng spun a tale to Master Jin about having fallen in love with Baiwan at first sight, pledging their love, and signing a marriage contract, emphasizing how Baiwan chose him over wealth.
He claimed Baiwan was currently misunderstanding him and wanted to cancel the engagement, which caused him great distress. Master Jin, treating Baiwan like his own daughter, promised to help convince her. Qu Zheng also advised keeping Baiwan out of public view for now due to her being targeted over the escort issue, which Master Jin agreed with, suggesting they inform Lord Yu.
Meanwhile, Baiwan was telling Jin Muqiu that Qu Zheng was a liar but also a righteous hero who had saved her multiple times. Jin Muqiu, hearing Baiwan's conflicting descriptions, concluded it didn't matter if he was good or bad, but asked if Baiwan, who had initiated the idea of the engagement, actually liked him. Baiwan admitted she didn't know, citing her inexperience with such feelings.
Jin Muqiu, convinced Qu Zheng liked Baiwan, declared she would act as a matchmaker and pulled Baiwan along to confront Qu Zheng, using the pretense of returning his zither. As Jin Muqiu and Baiwan approached Qu Zheng to return the zither and ask about his feelings, they were intercepted by a group of Jianghu individuals demanding to know about Jin Baiwan, the escort, regarding the Puyuan Canon.
The group accused Baiwan of substituting the real scripture under instruction from Jin's Escort Agency. Baiwan defended herself and the agency's reputation, asking for proof. She argued that if she wanted the book, she could have taken it earlier instead of facing dangers and traveling to Hidden Snow Village, where many had seen the fake book. The group insisted they were acting for justice.
Qu Zheng arrived, accompanied by Master Jin, and shielded Baiwan, addressing her as "Lady of the Garden" to the shock of the accusers. He defended Baiwan and Jin's Escort Agency, calling the Jianghu people wolves hiding behind justice. Lord Yu intervened, asking about the commotion. Master Jin introduced Qu Zheng and explained his role in the case.
Given the importance of the canon issue and the presence of various sect leaders for the wedding celebrations, Lord Yu proposed that Qu Zheng reveal the truth during the upcoming Shiming gathering, which was agreed upon. Lord Yu urged everyone to set aside conflicts and enjoy the valley. After the crowd dispersed, Lord Yu invited Qu Zheng and Master Jin to the Main Hall to discuss the canon details further. Qu Zheng agreed, telling Baiwan he would return shortly.
Jin Muqiu told Baiwan she must have endured a lot, but Baiwan downplayed it. Jin Muqiu insisted that Qu Zheng defending her and calling her his wife in front of everyone showed he liked her. Baiwan, however, still thought it was just to help her escape the situation. Jin Muqiu persisted, calling her a "blockhead" and deciding they must ask him directly, using the zither return as an excuse. Jin Muqiu and Baiwan went to find Qu Zheng.
Jin Muqiu called out to him, stating they were returning the zither and wanted to chat. She thanked him for saving Baiwan and the agency's reputation. Qu Zheng accepted her thanks as doing his duty. Jin Muqiu, acting on Baiwan's behalf, directly asked Qu Zheng about his intentions regarding marrying Baiwan, where they would live, and if Baiwan could visit home often.
Baiwan interjected it was a fake engagement, but Jin Muqiu insisted the engagement was fake but the feelings were real, which Qu Zheng seemed to agree with. Jin Muqiu then pressed him, asking if he liked Baiwan. Qu Zheng confirmed he would not deny it. Jin Muqiu was pleased, saying as Baiwan's best friend, she would "reluctantly" agree to their marriage. However, Qu Zheng stated, "This is not appropriate."
He explained that although he had fallen for Baiwan, he had confirmed with her yesterday that she had no romantic feelings for him and only considered him a friend. He felt he could not force her into a marriage she did not desire, comparing their situation to unrequited love before taking his zither back from Baiwan and taking his leave. Jin Muqiu told Baiwan she must have deeply hurt Qu Zheng with her words.
Baiwan dismissed this, calling him a cunning fox who could twist anything to his advantage. Shortly after, a servant informed Jin Muqiu that Lady Yu requested her presence in the courtyard after dinner. Jin Muqiu asked Baiwan to accompany her, but Baiwan, still upset, refused and told her to go alone, instructing Jin Muqiu to figure out why she was angry. Lady Yu met Jin Muqiu, mentioning Linfeng had spoken highly of her education and talents.
Lady Yu explained the tradition of the womenfolk gathering, where the new bride hosts an event for other ladies. She announced that Jin Muqiu would host it, noting it was good practice for becoming the lady of the house. Due to the ongoing issues with the canon case and the upcoming Shiming gathering, Lady Yu decided the womenfolk gathering would be held concurrently. Jin Muqiu expressed her surprise at the short notice.
Linfeng assured her he had prepared a process list. Lady Yu added that she would guide her and mentioned Linfeng said Jin Muqiu was skilled in zither, requesting she play a piece to open the banquet. Jin Muqiu was troubled by the prospect. In a separate matter, a person referred to as Lord Xueyue discussed the possibility of someone named Feilian being alive, someone they thought had died five years ago.
Lord Xueyue intended to prevent her from appearing again and confirmed with an subordinate, Aqi, that Feilian was under his control and would obey. Aqi expressed concern about the powerful figures in Taoyuan Valley and their concurrent mission to steal the Saussurea involucrata. Lord Xueyue stated he would not neglect their mission and planned to use the womenfolk gathering the following day as an opportunity to eliminate "her." Meanwhile, Jin Baiwan encountered Aqi, who appeared injured.
Baiwan apologized for a delay and offered him medicine, though Aqi said he wasn't hurt. Baiwan mentioned she had heard he was connected to Jin's Escort Agency and the canon case, apologizing for keeping her own connection secret. She then gave Aqi a first-class retainer tag that Lady Yu had given her, explaining that with it, Steward Wang would no longer dare bully him.
Aqi asked why she was being kind, and Baiwan replied that he felt like a younger brother to her. Baiwan mentioned she would no longer be in the kitchen and told him to take care before leaving.
