Fight For Love Episode 17 Recap
> Fight For Love Recap
Wei Yun had already located Gu Chusheng in an abandoned house and set up simple traps to handle the approaching assassins. Gu Chusheng was surprised to find Wei Yun there, remarking that he had carefully erased all traces of his journey, leaving only a coded mark intended for Chu Yu.
Wei Yun confirmed that Chu Yu had indeed shared this secret code with him, proudly stating that his openness with her was reciprocated, allowing her honesty to guide him to Gu Chusheng. Gu Chusheng, however, credited Chu Yu’s memory of their shared code and their implicit understanding for his rescue, rather than Wei Yun’s efforts. When he inquired about Chu Yu's whereabouts, Wei Yun explained she was occupied with a more critical mission.
Gu Chusheng, realizing the gravity of the situation, grew anxious, suspecting Yao Yong had already instigated his rebellion and criticizing Wei Yun for allowing Chu Yu to face such danger alone. Wei Yun reassured him that he would never let Chu Yu confront peril without a meticulous plan, asserting his ability to foresee multiple steps ahead. He then redirected Gu Chusheng's attention to their immediate predicament. As assassins breached the courtyard, Wei Yun swiftly eliminated the first few.
He revealed to Gu Chusheng that he had deliberately used decoys inside the house to deceive the attackers and intentionally allowed one to escape. His goal was for the overly cautious leader to receive an exaggerated report of their situation, thus creating a strategic opening for them. Wei Yun continued to fend off more assailants, noting that the leader's excessive caution could be turned into an advantage, presenting them with an opportunity.
Meanwhile, in Dingfeng Valley, Chu Yu and the Song brothers waited, but as midnight passed, Yao Yong remained absent, prompting Chu Yu to wonder if he had changed his plans. Song Shilan confirmed that Yao Yong would be aware of Yao Jue's escape, but with limited, low-lying routes susceptible to ambush, Dingfeng Valley presented the only viable path for him. Soon, a wave of refugees streamed into the valley, immediately followed by Yao Yong's troops.
Song Shilan suggested taking a separate path to the back mountain to execute a pincer movement, ensuring their position remained uncompromised. Song Wenchang, excitedly anticipating his first battle, was reminded by Song Shilan to stay alert and remember their primary objective. Chu Yu commanded her forces to form a defensive line and protect the commoners.
Yao Yong then made his appearance, revealing that he had orchestrated the entire scenario by having his cousin, Yao Jue, spread information to lure Chu Yu there. He expressed feigned surprise at the presence of the Duke of Hu’s sons, the Song brothers. When Chu Yu questioned Wei Yun's absence, Yao Yong dismissively stated that dealing with her alone was sufficient.
He mocked her, highlighting her outnumbered position and asserting that she was trapped, threatening to send her to join her deceased family members before confronting Wei Yun. Chu Yu vehemently accused Yao Yong of colluding with North Qi, detailing how his treachery led to the tragic deaths of 30,000 Chu troops and 70,000 Wei troops. She declared her unwavering resolve to die protecting the peace of Great Sui, which spurred Yao Yong to unleash his attack.
Simultaneously in Huajing, another contingent of Yao Yong’s forces poured out of his mansion, intending to reinforce him in Dingfeng Valley. Jiang Chun and Zhang Han, from the Marquis of Zhenguo's family, along with Xie Jiu, intercepted them.
Xie Jiu explained to Jiang Chun that she had deduced the presence of hidden forces in Yao Mansion by observing the unusually large and frequent food purchases, which indicated more than a hundred concealed men, a suspicion further confirmed by the discovery of weapons in Yao Yong's study. Recognizing the imperative to address this threat in Huajing, Xie Jiu, Jiang Chun, and Zhang Han had volunteered to neutralize Yao Yong's remaining city forces.
At that crucial moment, the Duke of Hu arrived with his own reinforcements, declaring that with his presence, escape was impossible for the rebels. After a fierce clash, Jiang Chun expressed her profound gratitude to the Duke of Hu for his decisive intervention. Earlier, inside the mansion, Yao Jue confronted one of Yao Yong's generals, who questioned her loyalty despite her divorce.
Yao Jue firmly retorted that while she could be a daughter of the Yao family or the wife of Wei Feng, she would never be an accomplice to her enemies, especially those who murdered her husband. Jiang Chun interjected, urging Yao Jue to cease her dialogue, asserting that Yao Yong justly deserved death.
Back at the abandoned house, Gu Chusheng warned Wei Yun that their current defensive strategy would not hold for long, anticipating a formidable battle where he, being injured, might be unable to defend himself. He presented Wei Yun with a bamboo tube, revealing it contained undeniable evidence of Yao Yong's collusion with North Qi and his treason.
Wei Yun acknowledged this as the reason for Yao Yong's relentless pursuit, but he refused to accept the tube, insisting it was premature for Gu Chusheng to resign himself to death. He reaffirmed his solemn promise to Chu Yu to save him. Gu Chusheng, feeling Wei Yun perceived him as a "scoundrel who abandoned Chu Yu for power," questioned if his life held any more significance to Wei Yun than the crucial evidence.
Wei Yun responded by stating that while Gu Chusheng’s life might seem inconsequential, his promise to Chu Yu was of utmost importance. When Gu Chusheng pressed him, asking if he had indeed fallen deeply in love with Chu Yu, Wei Yun did not directly answer. As more arrows rained down, Wei Yun noted the sheer number of attackers.
He instructed Gu Chusheng to take the bamboo tube and escape if he failed to return, warning that he would be held accountable should it be lost. Gu Chusheng expressed his bewilderment, pointing out that Wei Yun, with his martial prowess, could easily escape with the tube since he was the primary target. Wei Yun then revealed his deeper motivation: despite his personal disdain for Gu Chusheng, he considered him a worthy official whom Great Sui's current government desperately needed.
Therefore, he declared, this act of protection was for the welfare of Great Sui, and for this once only. Wei Yun fiercely defended the door, resolute that as long as he stood, no one would breach the barrier behind him. As the battle intensified, Chu Yu, having successfully captured Yao Yong and stabilized the situation in Dingfeng Valley, arrived to aid Wei Yun.
She confronted the captured Yao Yong, asserting that she and Wei Yun had split their forces specifically to gather proof of his treason. She dismissed his attempts to intimidate her, stating that the Court of Judicial Review would ultimately extract his confession. She declared that while she would avenge the Chu and Wei families, his ultimate fate would be determined by the laws of Great Sui.
Chu Yu then instructed Wei Yun to ensure Gu Chusheng's safe removal, while she and the Song brothers would confront the remaining attackers outside. A dying assassin managed to fire a signal flare, indicating that more enemies were nearby. Chu Yu, Wei Yun, and the Song brothers then charged out, spearheading the counterattack. They were soon intercepted by Shen Yu, a North Qi spy, who grimly announced that none of them would survive.
To draw him away, Chu Yu feigned possession of the bamboo tube containing the crucial evidence. Shen Yu took the bait, pursuing Chu Yu and Wei Yun until they were cornered at Pingjin Cliff. Chu Yu whispered to Wei Yun that the treacherous rapids below might offer their only chance of survival, asking if he dared to take the gamble.
Wei Yun, without hesitation, affirmed his absolute trust in her, pledging to face any ordeal, life or death, by her side. They clasped hands and leaped off the cliff. Shen Yu, refusing to believe they were gone, ordered his men to search the waters below, demanding to recover them, dead or alive. Back in Huajing, Xie Jiu, along with Jiang Chun and Zhang Han, successfully quelled Yao Yong’s remaining forces in the city.
Xie Jiu proudly reported her first significant achievement since her marriage into the Wei family to her grand-uncle, Xie Mingyi. She reflected on how the Wei family’s honorable principles had deeply impacted her. Her grand-uncle imparted wisdom about life’s inherent challenges and the critical importance of choices, defining true goodness as the ability to maintain one's core integrity amidst profound sorrow, suffering, and malevolence. Xie Jiu, deeply moved, vowed to dedicate her life to understanding this profound lesson.
Simultaneously, Li Changming prepared to attend the morning court due to the severe implications of Yao Yong’s treason. Xue Hanmei, concerned about lingering rebels in the city, offered to escort her. During their journey, assassins ambushed them, and Xue Hanmei heroically shielded Li Changming, sustaining a critical wound precariously close to his heart. An imperial physician later reported his grave condition, emphasizing the need for constant care as his survival depended on his own fortitude.
Li Changming, who had previously harbored suspicions about Xue Hanmei due to North Qi artifacts found in Qinxi Valley, now realized her misjudgment. She recalled his selfless act of risking his life to gather a rare, cliff-dwelling herb for her, despite her command against it. Overwhelmed with guilt and admiration, she vowed to remain by his bedside until he regained consciousness.
Upon learning of the attack on Princess Changming, the Emperor immediately ordered Huang Quanyou to intensely interrogate Yao Yong and relentlessly root out all remaining North Qi elements within Huajing. Safely escorted by the Song brothers, Gu Chusheng arrived back in Huajing. At the city gate, the Song brothers informed Chu Linyang of Chu Yu and Wei Yun's perilous situation.
Chu Linyang immediately dispatched Chu Shan, Wanyue, Wei Qiu, and a skilled master to Pingjin Cliff, instructing the Song brothers to ensure Gu Chusheng's secure delivery to the Duke of Hu. Chu Linyang’s search party soon discovered signs of injury, confirming they were likely concealed nearby, and ordered a thorough continuation of the search. Meanwhile, at the bottom of the cliff, Chu Yu found Wei Yun burning with a high fever and implored him to awaken.
Wei Yun could only faintly murmur, "Cold." Chu Yu tirelessly attempted to warm him, promising him that she would not let any harm befall him. Later, she tearfully apologized for forcing him to take a desperate gamble at Pingjin Cliff when they faced no other recourse. She vowed never to make such a choice again, pledging to face any danger—be it a hail of arrows or a sea of fire—with him, if only he would open his eyes.
Wei Yun, still shivering, again whispered, "Cold." Chu Yu embraced him tightly, pleading for him to live and not abandon her, reminding him of their promise to journey together. In response to her heartfelt pleas, Wei Yun weakly raised his hand.
