Fight For Love Episode 25 Recap
> Fight For Love Recap
Chu Yu felt a heavy burden on her heart, never imagining that her choices would bring such trouble to her family. She apologized to them in her thoughts, realizing her decision had implicated many. She was told that Wei Yun had received a whipping as punishment.
Despite her weariness, Chu Yu affirmed that as a daughter of the Chu family, she would not be defeated by mere rumors and vowed to resolve the matter without causing further harm to her family. Meanwhile, Chu Jin approached Chu Yu, admitting she had been wrong to blame her in the past and bravely apologized. The two sisters reconciled.
Chu Yu then clarified that while she and Wei Yun harbored deep affection for each other, she would never take any action that could damage the reputation of either the Chu or Wei families. Wei Yun knelt in the Wei family ancestral hall, facing the tablets of his ancestors. Distraught, he pondered how he could possibly protect Chu Yu, knowing that their feelings for each other would be deemed scandalous by society.
The following day, Song Wenchang accompanied Chu Jin to Tugu Temple. To Chu Yu's surprise, Wei Yun and several Wei family madams were also present. The madams declared their presence was for the Wei family's honor, stating that despite their disapproval of Wei Yun's relationship with Chu Yu, they would not allow idle gossip to tarnish the family's name.
Gu Chusheng observed the name plaques at the temple, noting how Chu Yu's and Wei Yun's plaques were hung side-by-side, which made him realize that the world might not be as terrible as he had once thought. Wei Qiu, who had been monitoring Guo Liu for days, confirmed that he was indeed the storyteller spreading "Romance of the Marquis." Before Wei Yun could intervene, Chu Yu took matters into her own hands.
She apprehended Guo Liu and brought him to the Court of Judicial Review, loudly accusing him of spreading false rumors that defamed her and the Marquis of Zhenguo. She also accused Young Master Sun of instigating people to vandalize the Chu family gate and insult their ancestors. Seeing her actions, Wei Yun and Wei Qiu quickly followed her to the court.
Nearby, Chu Jin, after scolding some gossiping women, learned from Song Wenchang about Chu Yu's presence at the court and hurried there. During the trial, Young Master Sun attempted to undermine Gu Chusheng’s impartiality by bringing up his past relationship with Chu Yu. Chu Yu boldly declared that she was not afraid of public judgment, and Gu Chusheng, removing his hat, assured the public that he would step down if he showed any favoritism.
Young Master Sun and Guo Liu, initially defiant, eventually confessed that they were instigated. Guo Liu described a hooded woman who paid him fifty taels to write the scandalous story. Seeing a sketch of the woman, Young Master Sun immediately claimed the same woman had also incited him. With the evidence mounting, Chu Yu further rebuked Young Master Sun, stating that rumors were more dangerous than blades in battle and that his cowardice in slandering a woman was shameful.
Gu Chusheng then ordered Young Master Sun and Guo Liu to be imprisoned to await their flogging. Wei Yun recognized the woman in Guo Liu’s sketch as Xiang, a maid from the Eldest Princess’s mansion. He, Chu Yu, and Gu Chusheng rushed to the princess's residence. They found Xiang there, but the Eldest Princess and her followers were nowhere to be found.
Xiang feigned ignorance, claiming the princess had gone to a villa outside the city to admire flowers, leaving her behind to clean. Wei Yun presented the sketch and a suspicious item found beneath a bench in the mansion as evidence. Xiang was arrested. Meanwhile, unbeknownst to them, Zhao Yue, using an exit permit obtained while the Eldest Princess was unconscious, successfully smuggled her out of Huajing City, which was under lockdown. He defiantly declared that he would never give up.
Back at the Court of Judicial Review, Gu Chusheng informed Chu Yu and Wei Yun that Xiang had confessed without torture. She revealed herself to be Princess Yunyang's adopted daughter and a spy from North Qi, involved in Yao Yong's rebellion and Shen You's assassination plot. All the evidence gathered corroborated her confession. However, Chu Yu and Wei Yun expressed doubts, suspecting Xiang might be a pawn meant to divert their attention from the true mastermind.
Gu Chusheng assured them that the court's investigation would uncover the full truth. Later, Gu Chusheng requested a private conversation with Chu Yu. He revealed that he had divorced Wang Linlang and, now free to follow his heart, proposed marriage to Chu Yu, presenting her with a wooden carving he had made for her long ago. Chu Yu, however, firmly declined, stating that she was not interested in liking anyone at the moment.
She emphasized that a woman does not need to rely on a man to shine, effectively rejecting his proposal. Gu Chusheng tried to persuade her, highlighting his rising political power and offering to assist her in investigating North Qi, asserting he could protect her better than Wei Yun. He insisted his feelings were genuine and pleaded with her to consider his offer, reminding her that she deserved to be happy.
Chu Yu observed that he hadn't changed, and reiterated her belief that a woman's happiness doesn't solely depend on marriage, nor does she have to choose between him and Wei Yun. She concluded that recent events had shown her she could choose neither. Wei Yun, who had been waiting outside and overheard their conversation, walked with Chu Yu as she escorted him back to the Wei mansion.
He questioned her about her words to Gu Chusheng, specifically her consideration of his proposal and her declaration of choosing neither. Chu Yu confessed that Wei Yun was the most important person in her life, second only to her family. She explained that she could endure personal insults, but the slander against the military integrity of the Chu and Wei families deeply wounded her.
Wei Yun reaffirmed his commitment to protect her from gossip and adversity, offering to bear any burden for their love. Chu Yu gently refused his offer, clarifying that their nation was in a precarious state. She explained that pursuing a romantic relationship now would only create more obstacles, as many would exploit their bond for political gain. She desired to protect Wei Yun, her family, and the Wei family's reputation from criticism.
She believed that love did not always require marriage or being together to be proven. With the Great Sui facing threats from North Qi, she argued, their personal desires were insignificant compared to their national duty. Therefore, she proposed that they return to their formal positions as the Marquis of Zhenguo and Mrs. Wei. Though pained, Wei Yun accepted her decision. Separately, Chu Linyang studied a map of Fengling City.
He informed his subordinate, Chu Shan, of his intention to seek an imperial decree to return to Fengling and guard the city, believing it might hold more clues regarding the crossbow case. Chu Shan subtly inquired if his decision was also motivated by a desire to avoid Song Qingping, sensing Chu Linyang's feelings for her.
Chu Linyang confided his fear of dying in battle like his father and his unwillingness to see Chu Yu suffer hardship in her quest for truth, or be prevented from loving whom she wished. He described Song Qingping as a "rising sun" but acknowledged his own destined path. He believed that only by leaving would she forget him, or he, her. He then instructed Chu Shan to begin packing immediately.
