Fight For Love Episode 26 Recap
> Fight For Love Recap
Song Wenchang approached Chu Jin, offering her a painting he had prepared. Despite their disagreements, he wanted her to accept it as a gift from "the old Song Wenchang." Chu Jin refused, stating that his help today wouldn't change things between them. She reminded him of her true nature, admitting she had only pretended to be a refined lady to attract his attention and marry better than her sister.
She insisted she was not the "Chu Jin in his heart" and told him to take the painting back. Song Wenchang then opened the scroll, releasing a shower of cotton floccules. He confessed he was not skilled at painting and couldn't capture even a fraction of her beauty, but he had always known her true character, even her tendency to offend others unintentionally. He admitted that every expression she made led him to overthink.
He declared his love for the real her, believing that the "principles" dividing them would eventually be resolved, and asked to continue liking her until then. Chu Jin, without explicitly agreeing or refusing, walked away, prompting Song Wenchang to follow, hoping her silence was a sign of acceptance. Meanwhile, Jiang Chun, Wei Yun's second sister-in-law, visited him, noting his absence from meals and asking if he was still upset with her.
Wei Yun acknowledged that her previous words were not wrong, but asserted his love for Chu Yu was equally valid, urging her not to blame herself. Jiang Chun clarified that she wasn't seeking to argue, but wished to speak her mind, not for their family or for him, but purely for Chu Yu. She explained that as a man, he couldn't grasp the depth of sacrifice women make in love.
While she believed he could protect Chu Yu and share her joys and sorrows, she warned that public condemnation was not the most terrifying thing. The greatest fear was men abandoning their "youthful passion" after women had given everything. Given his youth, she questioned if he could truly distinguish between liking, dependence, possession, and desire, and how long his "forever" would last. Wei Yun asked how he could determine if his feelings were true love.
Jiang Chun advised him to go to a place without Chu Yu, free from distractions, to meet other people and even explore new relationships. If, after experiencing the wider world, he still desired Chu Yu, then he would have his answer. Wei Yun reflected on the Emperor's summons regarding the issue of Qingzhou's Military Governor, Xu Lingzhang, who had been repeatedly defaulting on taxes, leading to suspicions of embezzlement.
Deciding to accept the mission, Wei Yun planned to bring the Song brothers with him. To his surprise, Gu Chusheng was also assigned to the mission. Wei Yun questioned Gu Chusheng's inclusion, noting that he had already been appointed. Gu Chusheng retorted that Wei Yun wasn't the Emperor's only valued official and implied Wei Yun might have accepted the mission to avoid Chu Yu.
Wei Yun confirmed he was going to "figure some things out" and address Qingzhou's critical border situation, stating he would never prioritize personal desires over national affairs. He informed Gu Chusheng of his intention to bring the Song brothers and expressed hope for cooperation. Gu Chusheng, agreeing on national duties, added that "as for anything beyond duties," they would each "try their best," a clear reference to their rivalry for Chu Yu.
At the Duke of Hu's mansion, Song Wenchang and Song Shilan endured a punishment from their father, holding a heavy vase. The Duke of Hu chastised them for their lack of discipline, questioning their ability to guard Qingzhou if they couldn't even hold a vase. Song Wenchang, however, defiantly declared his unwavering commitment to go, not wanting to remain an idler and aiming to prove to Chu Jin that he could protect Great Sui and her.
When pressed, Song Shilan also affirmed his resolve to accompany his brother, stating that as descendants of a military family, they should pursue lofty ambitions and defend their homeland. Moved by their sincerity and patriotic spirit, the Duke of Hu told them to rise. He acknowledged his own aging but asserted that his ambition as a general remained. He then handed his revered long dagger to Song Wenchang, a blade he had used to defend the western border.
He expressed immense pride and satisfaction, regretting his past leniency in Wenchang's upbringing, and now trusted him to achieve great military merits. Song Wenchang accepted the dagger, understanding it symbolized their family's aspirations and backbone, vowing to prove that the Duke's sons were not useless and would restore their father's past glory. Both brothers knelt again, pledging their unwavering loyalty and their mission to protect Great Sui.
An imperial decree was then publicly announced, formally appointing General of Huaihua Wei Yun to lead troops to Qingzhou, accompanied by Left General Song Wenchang, Right General Song Shilan, and Supervisor Gu Chusheng. Simultaneously, General of Anyuan Chu Linyang was commanded to lead his forces to Fengling. Suspicious of the Eldest Princess's abrupt departure for a supposed spring outing, Chu Yu, accompanied by Wanyue and Chu Jin, stealthily entered the princess's mansion by climbing a wall.
They found the mansion unusually deserted, with no followers in sight, only a few maids and guards. Chu Yu found this highly uncharacteristic of the Eldest Princess she knew, suspecting something had befallen her and recalling her previous unease regarding Xiang and the city's lockdown. During their search, Chu Jin discovered a disturbing bloodstain on the floor, patterned with a distinctive plum blossom. Later, a subordinate of Wei Yun, Wei Long, appeared before Chu Yu.
He explained that Wei Yun, too, had harbored suspicions about the Eldest Princess's departure, especially in light of the North Qi assassin incident and Xiang's confession. Although Wei Yun's investigation had not located the princess herself, he found her hairpin near Fengling City. Knowing Chu Linyang was being dispatched there, Wei Yun sent Wei Long to deliver the hairpin to Chu Yu and inform her that Lu Qiba, also guarding near Fengling, could offer assistance if required.
Chu Yu, in turn, asked Wei Long to convey a message to Wei Yun: she would undertake the search for the Eldest Princess and urged him to be cautious in Qingzhou. As Chu Yu prepared for her journey to Fengling, Wanyue tearfully pleaded to accompany her, asserting her martial skills and desire to protect Chu Yu personally.
However, Chu Yu gently explained that she needed Wanyue to remain in Huajing as a steadfast "shield" and support for their family, not as a "spear" on the battlefield. Her mother, Xie Yun, then arrived, not to prevent her departure, but to offer a heartfelt farewell. She presented Chu Yu with a small pouch, cautioning her to be careful and not to overexert herself, and asking her to write home, promising to await her safe return in Huajing.
Chu Jin, with tears in her eyes, then gave Chu Yu some irregularly shaped homemade dumplings, insisting she eat one for good luck on her journey and promising to cook her favorite noodles upon her safe return. Chu Yu thanked her sister, urging her to care for their mother and herself, and reaffirmed her promise of a safe homecoming. Song Qingping, having secretly stowed away in the military baggage, was discovered by Chu Linyang.
She confessed to begging Chu Shan not to reveal her presence and boldly stated her determination to accompany the troops to Fengling. She explained her dual purpose: to assist Chu Linyang with his health and, as a physician, to refine her medical skills by treating the people of Fengling, refusing to be confined like a "canary in a cage."
Chu Linyang sternly reminded her of his previous rejection of her romantic advances, reiterating that he only regarded her as a sister, and emphasized the harsh realities and dangers of warfare in Fengling. Despite his order for Chu Shan to escort her back to Huajing, Song Qingping defiantly refused, insisting she would follow the army on foot.
Witnessing her unwavering resolve as she struggled to keep pace with the marching troops, Chu Linyang eventually relented, stopping his carriage and inviting her inside. She tearfully thanked him, expressing her desire to be as brave as Chu Yu. To maintain propriety, Chu Linyang soon dismounted from the carriage, instructing Chu Shan to take the reins and drive carefully along the bumpy road.
He then asked Song Qingping if her family knew of her whereabouts, to which she replied she believed they "should know." Back in Huajing, the Duke of Hu discovered a letter from Song Qingping, announcing her journey to Fengling with the intent to return as a renowned physician.
Enraged by her audacious act, he flew into a furious tirade, vowing to administer severe family punishment with the ferule in the ancestral hall upon her return, as his subordinates tried in vain to calm him. In Qingzhou, Wei Yun and Gu Chusheng were formally received by Governor Xu Lingzhang. Xu Lingzhang offered excuses, claiming the city was too small to quarter Wei Yun's troops within its walls, citing concerns about frightening the populace. He suggested they camp outside.
Wei Yun then proposed that his newly arrived troops take over the city's defense, allowing Xu Lingzhang's presumably fatigued soldiers to rest. However, Xu Lingzhang politely declined, arguing that Wei Yun's army also needed rest after their long journey and that a sudden change in command might cause suspicion among his long-serving local garrison. He suggested they reconsider the matter later.
After a brief exchange of polite but pointed remarks, Gu Chusheng, feeling slighted, abruptly excused himself, stating he had official duties. Wei Yun, in turn, advised Gu Chusheng to "let go of certain things early," to which Gu Chusheng retorted with the same advice. Later, Shen You, a close associate, manipulated Xu Lingzhang, asserting that Wei Yun's attempt to replace the garrison was a clear move by the Emperor to usurp Xu Lingzhang's power, not an act of consideration.
Shen You provocatively suggested that if Wei Yun and Gu Chusheng were eliminated, Great Sui would be left without capable leaders, rendering the Emperor powerless to retaliate. He urged Xu Lingzhang to be decisive, warning that hesitation would leave him no room for maneuver. Shen You promised that if Xu Lingzhang cooperated with "the Master," the Master would keep his word, and the day Xu Lingzhang claimed Qingzhou would be met with the Master's congratulations.
Convinced, Xu Lingzhang declared that Qingzhou would indeed become the burial ground for Wei Yun and Gu Chusheng. That night, Xu Lingzhang invited Gu Chusheng for drinks, ostensibly to catch up and apologize for his earlier "unintentional" remarks. He used the opportunity to subtly inflame Gu Chusheng's resentment towards Wei Yun, mentioning the situation with Chu Yu and expressing surprise that Wei Yun would publicly "embarrass" Gu Chusheng.
As Gu Chusheng became increasingly intoxicated, he boasted that, but for his father's demise, he would already be a Minister, and Wei Yun would not dare disrespect him. Later, a thoroughly inebriated Gu Chusheng, supported by his attendant, stumbled upon Wei Yun. Wei Yun confronted Gu Chusheng about a small, intricately carved wooden figurine of Chu Yu.
A drunken Gu Chusheng slurred that he had spent a month on it, ruining many attempts, but this one was "the most like her," asking for it back after Wei Yun had seen it. Wei Yun, consumed by jealousy, instead ordered his subordinate, Wei Qiu, to burn the figurine. Enraged, Gu Chusheng accused Wei Yun of believing their past issues were forgotten simply because they had left Huajing.
He vehemently blamed Wei Yun for Chu Yu's public criticism and condemnation, challenging him to deny his "covetous intentions" towards her. Provoked beyond his limits, Wei Yun lashed out and punched Gu Chusheng, who fell to the ground, with Wei Yun showing no signs of stopping. From a darkened corner, Xu Lingzhang observed the escalating fight.
