Fight For Love Episode 21 Recap
> Fight For Love Recap
The Crown Prince, Li Huan, arrived at the Chu Mansion, still reeling from Miss Song Qingping's public annulment of their engagement, which had become the talk of Huajing City. Li Huan accused Chu Linyang of mocking him and being proud that Miss Song had chosen him over the position of Crown Princess. Chu Linyang, however, clarified that Miss Song's decision was a surprise to him and that, regardless, there was no possibility of a future between them.
He urged Li Huan to consider if he could truly offer Miss Song the life she desired, suggesting she would have made the same choice even without Chu Linyang if her desires weren't met. Following this tense exchange, a visibly distraught Chu Linyang sought solace in practicing spearmanship. His servant noted that while he spoke truths, they weren't his deepest feelings. Chu Linyang admitted that Huajing City was not his true home, and his destiny lay on the battlefield.
He yearned to return to Fengling City to reclaim what he had lost. He reasoned that since a relationship with a noble lady like Miss Song would eventually lead to painful separation, it was better not to start one at all. Meanwhile, Song Wenchang waited anxiously at Spring Breeze House, intending to apologize to Chu Jin for breaking his promise regarding Dingfeng Valley.
He had prepared a gift of gold and silver jewelry and even rehearsed his apology, encouraged by the thought that if Miss Song Qingping could break off her engagement with the Crown Prince, he could certainly apologize to Chu Jin. However, Chu Jin arrived only after he had left, discovering the abandoned gifts.
Her maid excitedly suggested these gifts were a sincere apology, but Chu Jin dismissed the idea, stating that gifts could not erase broken promises and questioned what kind of person Song Wenchang took her for. While she admitted to liking money, she firmly declared she would not compromise her principles for it. Recognizing Song Wenchang's ambitions, she resolved to let him go, asserting that she wasn't obligated to marry him.
She told her maid that she had come to make things clear: Song Wenchang had likely considered her when breaking his promise but still chose his ambition, demonstrating she wasn't important enough for her to entrust her life to him. She instructed her maid to return all his gifts the next day, signifying that they were now even.
Later, Song Shilan questioned Song Wenchang about Chu Jin's reasons, to which Song Wenchang explained it was due to his journey to Dingfeng Valley with Ms. Chu Yu. He argued that military honors would ultimately benefit Chu Jin and that his combat skills made him unlikely to be seriously hurt. Song Shilan, however, countered that even a small broken promise could destroy trust.
Before his scheduled meeting with Chu Yu, Gu Chusheng visited Song Shilan, whom he found practicing with a sword. Gu Chusheng remarked on Song Shilan's decision to leave a civil post for the military, mentioning that his own upcoming promotion to Minister of Personnel would leave his current post as Minister of Justice vacant. Song Shilan confirmed his career change, stating that wielding a sword felt more natural than a judge's pen.
With a scarcity of generals and his father, the Duke of Hu Guo, lifting the ban on him and his brother joining the battlefield, he saw a greater opportunity in the army. He also expressed a desire to protect his elder brother, Song Wenchang, who had always shielded him from family resentments.
After Song Shilan wished him success in his own endeavors, he asked Gu Chusheng if he planned to use the Crown Prince's influence to break away from the Duke of Ning's faction. Gu Chusheng confirmed this was his goal but stressed the need for patience. Following their conversation, a servant delivered a letter to Gu Chusheng from Ms. Chu Yu, requesting a private meeting at Spring Breeze House. The servant had discreetly kept this from Gu Chusheng's wife, Wang Linlang.
Gu Chusheng's attendant warned him to be cautious, noting that while Chu Yu and Gu Chusheng had reconciled, she was reportedly at odds with Wei Yun, making her request for a meeting at this sensitive time significant. Gu Chusheng acknowledged the situation, recognizing that Chu Yu was finally seeking him out. Chu Yu, accompanied by Chu Linyang to prevent gossip, met with Gu Chusheng at Spring Breeze House.
Chu Yu immediately asked about the clues Gu Chusheng found in Qinxi Valley. Gu Chusheng hinted at his preference for hearing her say she was safe rather than receiving thanks for the Yao Yong case. He hesitated to hand over a secret letter, questioning its relevance now that Yao Yong was dead. Chu Yu insisted, explaining that while the letter proved Yao Yong's collusion, Yao Yong himself was unaware of the attempts on Gu Chusheng's life.
This led her to believe another party was involved in trying to kill him. She offered to take the letter to investigate further. Gu Chusheng offered to assist, but Chu Linyang intervened, suggesting that since Gu Chusheng, as Minister of Justice, hadn't progressed with the letter, Chu Yu, with his support, should take over the investigation.
Their discussion was dramatically interrupted by Wang Linlang, who, after observing Gu Chusheng's attire and his company, declared her intention to openly clarify the tangled relationships between them. She even directly asked Chu Yu if any reconciliation with Gu Chusheng was possible. Gu Chusheng immediately pulled Wang Linlang aside, telling her she misunderstood; it was her and her father, the Duke of Ning, who stood between him and Chu Yu, not the other way around.
Wang Linlang countered, reminding him that her father had forced their marriage, but Gu Chusheng had benefited from her family's power, accusing him of being ungrateful for wanting both power and Chu Yu. Gu Chusheng admitted he was forced and achieved his ambitions, but firmly stated he was no one's puppet. He then challenged Wang Linlang to imagine her choice if her father held a dagger to her throat.
After hearing this, Chu Yu, stating that their marital problems did not concern her, chose to leave with Chu Linyang. Left alone, Gu Chusheng confessed his love for Chu Yu to Wang Linlang, reiterating that her father was the true obstacle in their relationship. He then revealed his suspicion that the Duke of Ning, who alone knew his whereabouts, was behind the attempts on his life, implying the Duke's motive was to force him to retreat.
Wang Linlang was shocked, denying her father's involvement and highlighting his long-standing support for Gu Chusheng's career. Later, Chu Linyang commented that Gu Chusheng's emotional display was likely calculated to sway Chu Yu. Chu Yu acknowledged Gu Chusheng's understanding of her but maintained that he had still chosen his path without confronting the challenges with her, and she was resolute in moving forward. Chu Linyang then chuckled, recalling having said similar words to Wei Yun in the past.
Following his successful revenge, Wei Yun drank with Lu Qiba and Song Wenchang but remained despondent. Song Wenchang correctly identified him as "trapped in love," revealing his affection for Ms. Chu Yu. Lu Qiba humorously worried about the confusion of family seniority if Wei Yun were to marry his sister-in-law. Song Wenchang, boasting of his charm, offered to help.
Wei Yun then sent a profusion of gifts to the Chu Mansion, which his servant Wanyue noted resembled betrothal gifts more than mere thank-you offerings. Chu Jin initially mistook them for her own but soon realized they were from the Wei family for Ms. Chu Yu. Wei Yun, now addressed as the Marquis of Zhenguo, arrived. Chu Jin expressed her annoyance, but Chu Linyang chided her for disrespecting him.
Wei Yun explained the gifts were thank-you presents for Ms. Chu Yu's hasty marriage into the Wei family during their difficult period, asserting he delivered them on behalf of his deceased parents. Chu Yu, however, challenged him by asking if he would grant her a divorce paper. Madam Chu, oblivious to the deeper currents, warmly invited Wei Yun to stay for dinner.
At the meal, she favored Chu Yu with her favorite fish dish, prompting Chu Jin to complain about Chu Linyang only serving Chu Yu. When Chu Linyang offered Chu Jin a fried fish dish she disliked, Madam Chu scolded her for her manners. Madam Chu then probed Wei Yun about his marriage prospects, praising his achievements and family, and suggested Chu Jin as a suitable match, emphasizing he didn't need Chu Yu's consent.
All three—Wei Yun, Chu Yu, and Chu Jin—simultaneously rejected the idea. When pressed, Chu Yu argued that marrying into the Wei family required martial arts, which Chu Jin lacked, although Wei Yun offered to teach her. Wei Yun then asked Chu Yu what kind of woman she deemed suitable for him, to which she replied, "A woman whom you like and who likes you back."
Finally, Chu Jin declared her steadfast principle: she would never marry a man who goes to war. Wei Yun acknowledged the inherent risk of marrying him and then excused himself. As Wei Yun prepared to leave, Chu Linyang challenged him to a game of chess. Meanwhile, Song Shilan dragged a reluctant Song Wenchang to the Chu Mansion, intending for him to confront Chu Jin.
Song Wenchang doubted Chu Jin wanted to see him, but Song Shilan urged him to face her directly. Back at the Chu Mansion, Chu Jin confessed to her mother that she had someone else in mind, though she hadn't made a final decision, requesting her mother not to interfere. During the chess match, Wei Yun asked Chu Linyang if he believed he could win, to which Chu Linyang replied it was too early to tell.
Chu Linyang commented on Wei Yun's unconventional playing style, noting its resemblance to Chu Yu's approach to life. Wei Yun agreed that all paths had merits, but ultimately, one must know what one truly desires. He affirmed his clarity of purpose, stating he would regret not pursuing his chosen, albeit difficult, path, as life is finite. Chu Linyang cautioned Wei Yun that his battlefield prowess didn't mean he could approach other aspects of life without scruple.
He advised patience, suggesting Wei Yun wait until Ms. Chu Yu had fully decided if she wanted to "fight a way out" with him. Wei Yun then directly asked if Chu Linyang would be an ally or an obstacle. Chu Linyang replied that Chu Yu was his beloved sister and the "pearl" of their family, implying her well-being superseded his own choice.
