Gone with the Rain Episode 25 Recap
> Gone with the Rain Recap
The sound of fighting from the mansion courtyard caught Mo Xi’s attention. Chen Wende revealed that Wan Jiagui had brought men to rescue Fengyao, but Chen Wende had been alerted the moment Wan Jiagui entered the city, setting a trap to ensnare him. Meanwhile, Wan Jiagui quickly realized he had fallen into a snare and found himself and his subordinates surrounded by Northern Shu soldiers.
To allow Wan Jiagui to escape, his loyal men fought fiercely, some dying and others sustaining injuries, with one soldier warning Wan Jiagui about poisoned arrows, urging him to leave. Though Wan Jiagui managed to flee, Chen Wende was furious that he had escaped again and ordered his men to capture the remaining living soldiers for interrogation. Mo Xi and Fengyao, unaware of Wan Jiagui's escape, believed he had been captured.
With a hairpin pressed to her own throat, Mo Xi confronted Chen Wende. She offered a deal: either she would marry him in place of Fengyao, or both sisters would die that day. She challenged Chen Wende, stating that he was interested in her, and dared him to choose between a living woman or two dead bodies. Despite Fengyao’s pleas for her to reconsider, Mo Xi remained resolute.
Chen Wende, seeing her determination, asked if she truly wished to marry him. Mo Xi affirmed her willingness, provided he released Fengyao and the captured men. Chen Wende agreed to her terms and instructed her to change into a wedding gown, ordering his subordinates to begin preparations. Later, Chen Wende confided in a subordinate, reflecting on Fengyao's accusation that he was shameless for stealing another man's wife.
He explained that provincial governors, coveting Qingzhou, pressured him to marry Wan Jiagui's wife to prevent peace talks with the court and to lure Wan Jiagui. The subordinate questioned if his true motive was to marry Wan Jiagui's wife or if he simply fancied Mo Xi. Despite the change of bride, Chen Wende’s wedding proceeded as planned, with emissaries from various states present, none openly questioning or obstructing the ceremony.
After the official rites, Chen Wende joined his guests for drinks but soon noticed a despondent Mo Xi. He excused himself, taking her back to the bridal chamber. Inside, after the servants performed the traditional washing and scattering ceremonies and then left, Chen Wende attempted to kiss Mo Xi. She rebuffed him, citing his strong alcohol smell. He conceded, agreeing to take a bath. While Chen Wende was bathing, Mo Xi covertly hid a pair of scissors under her pillow.
Upon his return, Chen Wende found Mo Xi eating. He playfully teased her for her appetite. After they shared the nuptial wine, he pressed her, saying she should have expected this outcome when she chose to replace her sister. He then forcibly carried her towards the bed. Meanwhile, Fengyao, upon learning that Mo Xi had married Chen Wende, was overcome with guilt.
She attempted to take her own life with a chain around her neck, but a guard outside her door discovered her and intervened just in time. Back in the bridal chamber, as Chen Wende tried to draw closer, he discovered the scissors hidden under Mo Xi's pillow. Realizing her reluctance, he angrily ordered her out of the room, questioning if she thought he had never seen a woman before and asserting he wasn't desperate.
Mo Xi, feeling she couldn't face Fengyao after her harsh words and with nowhere else to go, sat alone in the courtyard. Chen Wende found her there, softened by her predicament, and told her to return to the room while he found another place to sleep for the night. Fengyao awoke to find Xiaowu guarding her. She lashed out, accusing Chen Wende of ruining Mo Xi's marriage.
Xiaowu retorted that it was Fengyao who had stolen Mo Xi's husband, Wan Jiagui. Fengyao didn't deny it and, once again consumed by self-reproach, attempted to end her life. Xiaowu stopped her, explaining that Mo Xi had willingly sacrificed her marriage to save Fengyao. He emphasized that if Fengyao were to die, Mo Xi’s efforts would be in vain, urging her to live well for Mo Xi’s sake.
The next morning, Chen Wende woke the sleeping Mo Xi, instructing her to get ready and fulfill her duties as the general's wife. He assigned her the management of the mansion's servants and required her to attend a thank-you banquet in two days. He promised her that if she performed well, she would be allowed to leave the mansion within Qingzhou City. Mo Xi jokingly remembered her mother's lessons on noble lady etiquette.
Wan Jiagui's released subordinates returned, informing him that Mo Xi had publicly confessed her mutual affection for him and had married Chen Wende in Fengyao's stead, thus preserving Fengyao's innocence. Enraged by this news, Wan Jiagui attempted to re-enter the city to rescue Mo Xi but was restrained by his subordinate, Jiang.
Wan Jiagui then deliberately wounded himself and, using his own blood, penned a letter to the imperial court, bypassing the normal chain of command, to request immediate reinforcements to eliminate Chen Wende and his army. Back in the mansion, Chen Wende arranged for four maidservants to attend to Mo Xi. Mo Xi playfully suspected they were spies he had planted. Despite her suspicions, she named them Lichun, Xiazhi, Qiufen, and Xiaoxue, after the 24 Solar Terms. Chen Wende reminded her that as his wife, she could no longer act recklessly and must follow his lead.
