Fight For Love Episode 22 Recap
> Fight For Love Recap
As Wei Yun and Chu Linyang's chess game neared its end, Song Qingping's voice was heard from outside. Wei Yun, after making a poignant remark about Chu Yu being the "pearl of their family," offered Linyang some advice, telling him that being too cautious and hiding everything in his heart was not always a good thing, and sometimes one needed to "tear it apart to start over."
Linyang responded by advising Wei Yun to pay close attention to the impending movements from North Qi and promised to inform him of any developments at the border. Wei Yun thanked him, then departed. Song Qingping continued to call out for Linyang at the back door of the Chu Mansion, but the door remained shut. Linyang's subordinate gently asked if he truly wouldn't see her.
Linyang explained that he had initially agreed to let her help him recover merely to repay a favor on Chu Yu's behalf, and now that everything was settled, he didn't want to waste the young woman's time. His subordinate pointed out that the favor had already been repaid when she first took his pulse, suggesting Linyang was just being "idle." Meanwhile, outside the mansion, Song Wenchang dispersed the onlookers and tried to comfort his tearful sister, Song Qingping.
Song Shilan, watching from afar, lamented about his siblings, both of whom were emotionally entangled with the Chu family. Chu Jin then appeared, reprimanding Song Wenchang for speaking ill of Linyang. Song Shilan urged Wenchang to follow Jin. Song Wenchang caught up to Chu Jin and apologized for going to the battlefield without her consent.
He passionately declared his love for her and his desire to earn military merits, like Wei Yun, to make her proud and provide her with an enviable life, surpassing all the ladies in Huajing. He admitted that finding purpose in helping people at Dingfeng Valley was a feeling he cherished and that, if faced with the same choice, he would still go.
Chu Jin, however, replied that if he would always prioritize the battlefield, they should "cool off for a while," and walked away. Later that day, the Eldest Princess Li Changming returned from imperial sacrifices feeling exhausted and with a recurring headache. Xue Hanmei, knowing the true cause of her mistress's discomfort, had already sent for Chu Yu. The moment Chu Yu arrived, the Princess’s headache vanished.
Xue Hanmei offered Chu Yu a healing medicine, urging her to avoid further harm for the Princess’s sake, and also expressed concern that the bandits who attacked Chu Yu might be the same ones who targeted the Princess. She offered her knowledge of North Qi, but Li Changming assured them she was capable of protecting them all.
Once Xue Hanmei was dismissed, leaving only Xiang to serve tea, Chu Yu presented Li Changming with a secret letter found in Qinxi Valley. As Xiang glanced at the letter, she became visibly flustered, nearly dropping a teacup. Li Changming noticed Xiang’s strange behavior, and though she said nothing at the time, her suspicion was aroused. Chu Yu pondered the enigmatic plum blossom pattern on the letter.
Changing the subject, Li Changming advised Chu Yu that if one truly loves someone, they should be brave, like a moth drawn to a flame, lest they live with regret. These words resonated with Chu Yu, making her think of Wei Yun and his implicit vows to shield her from gossip, brave dangers, and mend her heart. Chu Yu conceded that she had become hesitant about such reckless love, but the Princess’s words had brought her clarity.
As the Princess prepared for bed, she observed Xiang's continued nervousness, a stark contrast to her usual demeanor, and decided it was time to uncover who in her household was truly loyal. On the bustling Sheri Festival, Chu Yu was walking home alone when she encountered Wei Yun, who had brought Ling'er to find her. Ling'er joyfully called out for her "Auntie." Wei Qiu took Ling'er aside to buy fireworks, leaving Chu Yu and Wei Yun alone.
Wei Yun confessed that after Chu Yu returned, he was terrified she would say their time in the village was a fabrication. He had visited her house with gifts, hoping she would tell him when she would "come home," but she avoided him. He admitted that while he could always go to her, he yearned for her to come to him willingly. Chu Yu gently teased him, asking why the invincible Marquis of Zhenguo would be afraid.
She then bravely embraced him, telling him, "Don't be afraid. I'm back." Wei Yun, overjoyed, held her close, declaring he had finally brought her back. He wished that every Sheri Festival could be as lively, and Chu Yu reassured him that with them together, it would be. Later, Wei Yun confided to Wei Qiu that he was still monitoring Shen You, who remained dormant, and suggested they wait to see who had more patience.
At the Duke of Ning's Mansion, Wang Jingzhi confronted Gu Chusheng, accusing him of ingratitude for assisting the Wei and Chu families. He claimed Gu Chusheng owed his position to his patronage. Gu Chusheng retorted that Wang Jingzhi had forced him onto that path and, as a "disciple of the Emperor," his duty was to seek justice. He denounced Wang Jingzhi as a "cowardly Duke of Ning," who only feared war and personal loss, unlike the Emperor.
He emphasized that personal grudges should yield to public justice and pointedly asked if Wang Jingzhi knew why he was assassinated. Enraged, Wang Jingzhi drew his sword, threatening to kill him again. Wang Linlang rushed in and bravely stood between them. Furious at her defiance, her father raised his sword hilt to strike her, but Gu Chusheng shielded her with his body, taking the blow himself. Wang Linlang then declared her intention to divorce Gu Chusheng.
She clarified that "she" was leaving "him", likening him to a snow lotus that became ordinary once picked. However, she stated that for her own reputation, Gu must remain "someone respectable" after their divorce. Wang Jingzhi reluctantly spared Gu Chusheng's life for Linlang's sake. Linlang then gave Gu Chusheng a cloth to wipe his wound as thanks for shielding her. She acknowledged his "affectionate yet heartless" nature, understanding his love was solely for Chu Yu.
She confessed she should have known he would never be a good husband, but would instead be a good official for all the people. Signing the divorce papers, Wang Linlang declared, "Gu Chusheng, you are free now, and so am I." The next morning, Wei Yun tapped on Chu Yu's window, wishing her "peace on the Sheri Festival," and invited her on an outing.
They arrived at a temple before dawn, where a large crowd was already gathered, eager to hang the first prayer plate of the year. They learned from the crowd that the tradition had become popular after a scholar who hung the first plate last year found great success in his exams and married a noble lady. Seeing the crowd, Chu Yu worried they were too late, but Wei Yun confidently declared he had a trick.
He led her to a quiet section of the temple wall. They bickered lightheartedly as they scaled it, narrowly avoiding a sweeping novice. The fluttering red banners around them seemed to mirror the rapid beat of Chu Yu's heart. As another novice quoted a Zen saying, "It's not the wind nor the banner that's moving; it's your heart. Feelings move with your heart," both Chu Yu and Wei Yun realized the profound truth in those words. Wei Yun, noticing Chu Yu's quickened pulse, declared that he would surely hang the first prayer plate.
