Gone with the Rain Episode 27 Recap
> Gone with the Rain Recap
Mo Xi felt restless alone, so Chen Wende took her for a stroll through the city. Along the way, a citizen praised Chen Wende, noting that since his arrival, he had provided famine relief and repaired homes, leading many displaced Qingzhou residents to return. The citizen expressed gratitude on behalf of everyone, commending Chen Wende as an official who cared for his people.
Mo Xi, however, suspected Chen Wende might have orchestrated the praise, recalling a similar manipulative tactic he used previously. Chen Wende playfully challenged her, asking if she still saw him as a "Big Devil" or "local tyrant," given how beloved he appeared. He pressed her about whether she admired him, to which she retorted that he was annoying and should mind his own business.
Mo Xi decided to visit a renowned clothing shop in Qingzhou, but Chen Wende, uninterested, opted to wait at a nearby teahouse, leaving Xiao Wu to accompany Mo Xi inside. As Mo Xi explored the latest fashions in a back room, she was stunned to discover Wan Jiagui there. Wan Jiagui, relieved to see her safe, revealed he had learned of Chen Wende's forced marriage to Fengyao and Mo Xi's substitution. He condemned Chen Wende as a "beast."
Mo Xi urged him to lower his voice, reminding him that Chen Wende was just outside. Wan Jiagui explained that he had infiltrated Qingzhou using forged tokens crafted by a skilled artisan in his army, his primary mission being to rescue both her and Fengyao, in addition to spying on military intelligence, as he couldn't bear to see them trapped. Mo Xi questioned whether he came for Fengyao or her.
Wan Jiagui admitted feeling frustrated about Fengyao but stated his world had "turned upside down" upon hearing Mo Xi had taken her place, only then truly understanding heartbreak. He reaffirmed his intent to save both of them. Mo Xi accused him of abandoning them and the city. Wan Jiagui attributed his failure to escort them out to the chaos of the time and his deployment of troops to the front lines.
Mo Xi insisted she was fine, and Fengyao was also doing well, albeit a bit sad. Wan Jiagui urged an immediate departure from the city. When Mo Xi asked about Fengyao, Wan Jiagui suggested that since Chen Wende now valued Mo Xi more, Fengyao would likely be safe if Mo Xi escaped. Mo Xi disagreed, warning that Chen Wende, despite his outwardly frank demeanor, was merciless when provoked. Wan Jiagui inquired if Mo Xi resented her marriage to Chen Wende.
He expressed regret for failing to protect her from the forced union, declaring the marriage invalid. He promised a grand wedding in Jingzhou City upon their return. He then asked if she had missed him, and she replied, "Day and night." He swore he would never scold her again. Their conversation was cut short by Xiao Wu's inquiry about Mo Xi's shopping.
Before leaving, Wan Jiagui instructed Mo Xi not to take any action in the coming days, revealing that Lichun, her maid, was his spy and would contact her with further instructions. He advised her to be careful. Back with Chen Wende, Mo Xi's somber mood was evident. He noted her long face, contrasting it with her earlier insistence on going out. Mo Xi explained she was thinking of Jingzhou City, her hometown.
Chen Wende then surprised her by revealing he, too, had grown up in Jingzhou. He recounted his tragic childhood: his uncle, a Minister of Revenue, was entangled in party strife, slandered, and severely punished. As direct relatives, his family was implicated, their property confiscated, and his parents died of illness. Relatives who had initially shunned them later vied to adopt him, but only for his parents' valuable residence. Eventually, he was adopted by a distant clan uncle.
On their journey home, robbers attacked them, and Chen Wende witnessed his uncle being fatally stabbed after the robbers took four gold bars – the meager proceeds from the sale of his parents' home. Mo Xi empathized, drawing parallels to the misfortunes of the Bai family. She shared her own childhood story: her father died when she was seven, and her gravely ill mother, an illegitimate mistress, desperately sought to return her to the clan before her own death.
Her mother begged Mo Xi's second uncle to take her in. On their way to his residence, her mother, afflicted with impetigo, held Mo Xi's hand with a red handkerchief, instructing her to maintain a distance to avoid infection. The Bai family reluctantly accepted Mo Xi only for her father's valuables, never truly acknowledging her or treating her kindly, save for Fengyao. This experience solidified Mo Xi's determination to always protect Fengyao.
Chen Wende then asked if Mo Xi would stay by his side if he protected and treated her with the same kindness. Mo Xi hesitated, and Chen Wende, understanding her unspoken difficulties, did not press the matter. Instead, Chen Wende took Mo Xi to a magic show, where she quickly became captivated.
He explained his familiarity with such performances, revealing that after his parents' deaths and his uncle's demise at the hands of robbers, he was orphaned before the age of ten. To survive, he had served tea for tips at magic shows, eventually becoming well-versed in the craft. Feeling a pang of sympathy, Mo Xi instinctively reached out to comfort him. The sudden intimacy made both of them slightly awkward, though Mo Xi quickly recovered, complimenting his "agile" hands.
Meanwhile, the Kuizhou envoy observed Chen Wende's affectionate interactions with Mo Xi. Realizing their plan to create a rift between Chen Wende and Wan Jiagui through the marriage had failed, he convened with three other state envoys. He asserted that Chen Wende's public display of affection proved the marriage was not causing him the expected distress, thereby not provoking Wan Jiagui as intended.
He proposed they collaborate with Official Cao to chastise Chen Wende, noting that despite Chen Wende's humble beginnings, he was not easily manipulated, nor was Wan Jiagui a hothead. He worried that Chen Wende might exploit any alliance to seize their iron ore resources and become too powerful. He also highlighted the current imperial court's inability to fight a two-front war, presenting an opportunity for them to benefit.
He stressed that Chen Wende was merely a pawn who needed strict guidance. Xiao Wu then delivered urgent news to Chen Wende: an assassin had infiltrated Qingzhou, targeting Mo Xi. Chen Wende immediately confined Mo Xi to the mansion, assigning four maidservants to attend to her at all times and stationing guards at the entrance. Mo Xi dismissed the threat, arguing that few in Qingzhou knew her, beyond the women's academy staff and Chen Wende.
Chen Wende explained that Qingzhou was a perilous place, teeming with powerful figures from various states. They viewed Mo Xi as a critical weakness for both him and Wan Jiagui, and her assassination was intended to provoke Wan Jiagui into engaging Chen Wende, thus creating an advantageous situation for them. Mo Xi sarcastically asked if she would remain confined until the assassin finally appeared. Chen Wende implied that her continued safety would be proof of his effective protection.
Using the upcoming Qiqiao Festival as an excuse, Mo Xi pulled Lichun aside to "learn needlework." She informed Lichun about the assassin and revealed her plan: she would orchestrate her own "abduction" by the assassin, making it appear as if she had been snatched. This, she believed, would spark a conflict between Chen Wende and the state envoys, creating an opportune moment for her and Wan Jiagui to escape Qingzhou amidst the chaos.
Lichun expressed concern about the high risks involved, but Mo Xi insisted that Wan Jiagui faced greater danger by remaining in Qingzhou. She urged Lichun to contact Wan Jiagui immediately to initiate the plan. Chen Wende unexpectedly walked in on them. Mo Xi quickly claimed to be learning needlework for the festival. Chen Wende made light of her poor embroidery skills, jokingly asking her to embroider a wallet or shoes for him if she improved.
Mo Xi retorted she would make them if he dared to wear them. When Mo Xi tried to dismiss him, he reminded her it was "their bedroom," then teased her, asking if she thought he was captivated by her beauty. She quipped, "Who knows if you have such an intention?" Later, alone with Lichun, Mo Xi reaffirmed her belief that Chen Wende was indeed enamored with her.
Chen Wende also teased Mo Xi after Xiao Wu brought in a scroll, suggesting the scroll might be more attractive to him than her. Under strict confinement, Mo Xi threatened Xiao Wu that she would climb the wall if not allowed to send someone out. Xiao Wu relented, permitting Lichun to leave and invite Principal Shen Shumo from the women's academy. Lichun successfully brought her to the mansion. Observing Shen Shumo's attire, Mo Xi surmised the academy was struggling.
Shen Shumo confirmed their dire situation, citing a shortage of food and clothing due to the war and the departure of staff. Mo Xi offered to ask Chen Wende to provide aid to the women's academy, conditional on Shen Shumo helping her escape. Shen Shumo agreed to try. Mo Xi then dispatched Lichun to escort Shen Shumo back and retrieve some books for her. Xiao Wu, witnessing this, questioned Mo Xi's literacy.
Mo Xi, offended, recited a classical poem to prove her literary knowledge, impressing him. She then lamented Xiao Wu's constant guarding, asking how long he intended to stay by her side. When he indicated he would stay until the assassination crisis was resolved, implying it could be indefinitely, Mo Xi instructed him to guard the main gate instead of her room. She then secretly ordered her maids to monitor Xiao Wu's movements and shift changes and record them.
Subsequently, a maid informed Mo Xi that Fengyao, confined in the west wing, was unwell and barely eating. Concerned, Mo Xi immediately set off to see Fengyao, telling the maid not to follow.
