Gone with the Rain Episode 36 Recap
> Gone with the Rain Recap
Fengyao was consumed by guilt, believing her actions led to Mo Xi's supposed death by fire after she fell into Chen Wende's hands. As she left the Flying Moon Restaurant and saw the snow falling, memories resurfaced of finding Mo Xi's burnt body. Fengyao cried out, lamenting that if Mo Xi could return, she would give Wan Jiagui back to her. Overwhelmed by her grief, Wan Jiagui gently carried Fengyao to their carriage to take her home.
Unbeknownst to them, Mo Xi watched from the shadows. Despite Fengyao's heartfelt remorse, Mo Xi chose not to reveal herself, resolved to remain the widow, Madam Tang, for now. Meanwhile, Mo Xi found herself caught between two undesirable suitors in Jingzhou City: Earl Changping (Luo Yan), who coveted her considerable wealth, and Earl Jingshou (Jiang Huan), a known lecher with many wives and concubines, who was interested in her beauty.
Mo Xi confided her plan to Xiao Wu, who warned her of the inherent dangers. However, Mo Xi was determined, stating that one must enter the tiger's den to catch the tiger's cub, as it was the only way to achieve her goals. Xiao Wu reluctantly agreed, believing that the late General Chen Wende would wish them success.
At a banquet hosted by Marquis Mingde, Zhong Yuqi, Prime Minister Wu Lang overheard the other guests discussing how Earl Changping and Earl Jingshou were fiercely competing for the hand of a wealthy and beautiful widow. Wu Lang learned her name was Madam Tang and that she owned a jewelry store.
Later, on his way home, Wu Lang witnessed hooligans vandalizing a carriage belonging to Madam Tang's Baoqing Jewelry, threatening her that seeking protection from the Prime Minister would be useless if she offended their master. This incident only intensified Wu Lang's interest in Madam Tang. Back at his residence, Wu Lang harshly admonished Wu Yin for the inadequacy of his intelligence reports, calling him the son of a lowly jade and a disgrace.
He threatened to exile Wu Yin and his subordinates, along with their families, to the distant Western Regions and Mobei frontiers if they continued to be useless. Despite his internal struggle and reluctance to obey such a cruel demand, Wu Yin was forced to comply to protect the families of his men. The following day, Mo Xi arrived at the Prime Minister's residence to visit Wu Lang. She unexpectedly encountered Wu Yin and greeted him.
Wu Yin was stunned to see her alive, learning that the body found had belonged to her maidservant, Lichun. Mo Xi told Wu Yin that she did not blame him for launching the Divine Crow Fire Arrow, knowing it was Wu Lang's direct order. She challenged Wu Yin, asking if he truly intended to live his entire life subservient to Wu Lang, who despised him, neglected him, and saw him merely as a lackey despite being his son.
Recalling their past friendship in Qingzhou, Mo Xi asked for his help, and after some hesitation, Wu Yin agreed to collaborate with her, but made it clear it would be a one-time alliance. During her meeting with Prime Minister Wu Lang, Mo Xi boldly declared that neither Earl Changping nor Earl Jingshou was suitable for her. She stated her true intention: to marry Wu Lang's youngest son, even though he was mentally impaired after a riding accident.
Mo Xi explained that as a foreigner, establishing herself in Jingzhou City was difficult, and while the earls sought her wealth and beauty, Wu Lang's son, due to his condition, would not harbor ill intentions against her, making their marriage potentially more lasting and stable. She shrewdly reminded Wu Lang that he had previously failed to secure a reputable wife for his son, even from the now-destroyed Bai family, and now she was offering herself.
Mo Xi asserted that her goal was merely to gain a foothold in Jingzhou City, and his son needed a respectable spouse, making their union a perfect solution for both. As a dowry, she offered the entire properties of Baoqing Jewelry. Wu Lang, tempted by the substantial dowry and the prospect of a suitable marriage for his son, agreed to the proposal, promising to help expand her business on the condition that she take excellent care of his son.
On her return journey, Mo Xi explained to Xiao Wu that Wu Lang agreed so readily because his son had long been without a suitable match, as noble ladies refused him while others merely sought wealth. She pointed out that she sought the Wu family's protection, had her own wealth, and would not betray them, all while her beauty would uphold their family's reputation.
Mo Xi then lamented that if Chen Wende were still alive, she would not have to endure such struggles, as he would have protected her and punished anyone who bullied her. Suddenly, she saw a figure resembling Chen Wende. She quickly ordered the carriage to stop and chased after him, but the figure vanished as quickly as it appeared, leaving her to wonder if it was merely an illusion. Later, Fengyao attended Madam Zhong's plum blossom banquet.
She was surprised to see Mo Xi among the attendees, introduced as the bride-to-be of Prime Minister Wu's second son. During the banquet, Mo Xi used the pretense of appreciating the plum blossoms to discreetly search the Book Repository for evidence. Her aim was to find letters proving Zhong Yuqi's collusion with various governors, intending to expose a rebellion.
Finding a large collection of incriminating letters detailing Zhong Yuqi's conspiracy with governors to fight against Chen Wende, forge weapons, and recruit armies after Qingzhou was claimed, Mo Xi realized she couldn't take all of them. She began copying them by hand. It was then that Fengyao found her, expressing her confusion and hurt at Mo Xi's silence after surviving. During their brief exchange, Fengyao clarified that nothing had transpired between her and Wan Jiagui.
Mo Xi, however, revealed that she considered herself married to Chen Wende and confessed that he was the only one she had missed in the past year, acknowledging her past disdain and current deep longing for him. Mo Xi, with limited time before guards patrolled, then urgently requested Fengyao's help. Recalling Fengyao's eidetic memory, Mo Xi asked her to memorize the letters so she could transcribe them later.
Fengyao, understanding Mo Xi's intention to report Zhong Yuqi's rebellion to the emperor and clear Chen Wende's name, agreed, acknowledging that the current political climate was favorable for such an endeavor. Upon returning home, Fengyao reflected on her shared past with Wan Jiagui. When he entered, she embraced him, then revealed that Mo Xi was alive. Wan Jiagui was happy for Mo Xi but questioned why Fengyao had hugged him, sensing a deeper meaning.
He acknowledged that their time together without Mo Xi had created a bond that couldn't be easily dismissed. Wan Jiagui admitted that while he had believed his love for Mo Xi would last a lifetime, human hearts and emotions could change over time. He had struggled with these feelings, hating himself for them, but recognized that people are not characters from storybooks and that time can heal pain.
Fengyao, understanding his complex emotions, urged him to meet Mo Xi, assuring him that she would support his decision, no matter who he chose, and that she was strong enough to stand on her own.
