Fight For Love Episode 27 Recap
> Fight For Love Recap
Xu Lingzhang initiated a conversation with a still-drunk Gu Chusheng, apologizing for the previous night's conflict with Wei Yun and offering medicine for the swelling. He noted Gu Chusheng's deep affection for Chu Yu and remarked on Wei Yun's harshness. Gu Chusheng blamed Wei Yun for Chu Yu's plight, describing Wei Yun as impulsive and pointing out how Wei Yun had also troubled Xu Lingzhang.
Gu Chusheng elaborated that Wei Yun, upon arriving in Qingzhou, immediately sought to change the city's defense, ostensibly for troop rotation but actually to undermine Xu Lingzhang's authority due to his local prestige. While Xu Lingzhang acknowledged Wei Yun's ambition as natural for someone with his position and power, Gu Chusheng insisted that Wei Yun’s inheritance of his title was unpopular, and he was desperate for military achievements to secure his position and the loyalty of the Wei Army.
Gu Chusheng warned Xu Lingzhang to be cautious, suggesting that if Wei Yun gained more power, Chu Yu would never return to Gu Chusheng. Xu Lingzhang pretended to dismiss this, but Gu Chusheng, fueled by jealousy, decided that if Wei Yun sought military glory, he would find death on the battlefield, making Chu Yu his. Gu Chusheng then directly asked Xu Lingzhang for help, invoking his father's past connection. Meanwhile, the improved octagonal crossbow was successfully tested.
A soldier reported to Chu Linyang that the crossbow's mechanism was sturdy, the recoil issue was completely resolved, and its penetrating power had significantly increased. They recalled that North Qi had first used this weapon in Fengling City, and if a conflict arose again, they would likely use it for their assault. With their improved version, their chances of victory would be much higher.
However, they faced a shortage of the specific mineral needed to produce the mechanism, preventing mass production. Chu Linyang mentioned that Commander Lu had left to investigate the Eldest Princess's whereabouts. Separately, Song Qingping was experimenting with making hemostatic herbal pills for soldiers. One of her medicine pots suddenly exploded. When Chu Linyang arrived, another pot exploded, and he instinctively shielded her.
She reassured him that she was unharmed, having managed to dodge the first explosion, but then playfully asked if he was worried about her. Chu Yu arrived in Fengling to retrieve the Eldest Princess, encountering Song Qingping and offering her an umbrella. She then confronted Chu Linyang, urging him to address his personal matters rather than dissuade her from her mission.
Chu Yu revealed that the Duke of Hu had visited their family, initially scolding Chu Linyang before proposing a marriage alliance—specifically for Chu Linyang and Song Qingping. Their mother, unsure of Chu Linyang's feelings, had deferred the decision. Chu Yu pressed Chu Linyang for his stance on the matter, to which he firmly replied that they were "not suitable" and asked her not to mention it again.
As a sudden downpour began, Chu Linyang, visibly concerned for Song Qingping, quickly fabricated an excuse about checking leaky barracks and hurried away. Chu Linyang found Song Qingping still in her room. Sensing his concern, she playfully feigned fear of the thunder, prompting him to rush to her side and embrace her protectively. He even offered cotton for her ears. Song Qingping then confessed she was only pretending, having known he would come.
She directly challenged his claims of only seeing her as a sister, pointing out that his actions betrayed deeper feelings, and asked if he realized he truly loved her. Unable to admit his feelings, Chu Linyang merely told her to get some rest and quickly left. Later, Song Qingping confided in Chu Yu, asking if Chu Yu believed Chu Linyang liked her.
Chu Yu explained that while Chu Linyang undoubtedly cared for Song Qingping, his deep-seated responsibility for Fengling City and its people, which he saw as his family, burdened him and held him back from openly acknowledging his feelings. Chu Yu encouraged Song Qingping to remain persistent, adding that life isn't solely about romance; other important duties often call. Song Qingping then asked Chu Yu why she was in Fengling, expecting her to be with Wei Yun.
Chu Yu reiterated that life involved more than just love, and more important matters awaited them. Xu Lingzhang hosted a belated welcome banquet for Wei Yun and Gu Chusheng, feigning an apology for the delay due to Wei Yun's busy schedule. Wei Yun, however, saw through the pretense, noting that inviting only them suggested a hidden agenda. Xu Lingzhang claimed to be mediating their recent dispute, emphasizing the need for unity against Qingzhou's enemies.
Wei Yun insisted that Gu Chusheng had been rude, prompting Xu Lingzhang to advise Gu Chusheng to be flexible. Gu Chusheng then knelt and offered an apology to Wei Yun, who reluctantly accepted it as "barely" enough. Later, outside the banquet, Xu Lingzhang's subordinate delivered wine and food to the Song brothers, stating it was for Wei Yun and Gu Chusheng who were enjoying themselves at the yamen and would return late.
Song Wenchang was annoyed at being excluded, while Song Shilan dismissed his concerns, implying Wei Yun had no crucial duties. Back at the banquet, Wei Yun attempted to leave, citing the city's guard change. Xu Lingzhang, however, insisted he stay and drink, reassuring him that his subordinates could handle the patrol. After Wei Yun physically tried to leave, Xu Lingzhang stopped him and informed Gu Chusheng that the mind-numbing powder Wei Yun had ingested was now active, rendering him immobile.
Xu Lingzhang urged Gu Chusheng to seize the opportunity to kill Wei Yun if he truly hated him. Wei Yun, feigning immobility, taunted Gu Chusheng, calling him a coward who couldn't accept Chu Yu's indifference or his past mistakes. Provoked, Gu Chusheng drew a dagger and, after a moment of hesitation, stabbed Wei Yun.
Believing Wei Yun to be dead, Xu Lingzhang exultantly revealed his true intentions: he had used Gu Chusheng to eliminate Wei Yun, whom he saw as a threat to his ambition of ruling Qingzhou as its king, not merely its military governor. He even offered Gu Chusheng a quick death for his unwitting assistance. However, Wei Yun suddenly rose, unharmed, surprising Xu Lingzhang.
Wei Yun revealed he was never poisoned and that he and Gu Chusheng had orchestrated the entire charade to expose Xu Lingzhang, stating that the stab was a small price to pay for the truth. Xu Lingzhang, stunned, realized his deception had been uncovered. Wei Yun clarified that while the performance was exhausting, they couldn't be certain of Xu Lingzhang's treachery until he confessed himself. He then offered Xu Lingzhang a chance to surrender.
Xu Lingzhang defiantly claimed control over Qingzhou outside the yamen. However, upon checking, he was horrified to find his forces decimated by Song Wenchang and Song Shilan. Wei Yun commanded Xu Lingzhang's remaining soldiers to surrender, as their leader was now a prisoner. Xu Lingzhang, bewildered, questioned how Wei Yun had known about his hidden troops. Wei Yun explained that during his time at Dali Temple, he had discovered a secret passage allowing access into Qingzhou City.
He further revealed that the Emperor had sent them precisely because he suspected Xu Lingzhang's disloyalty, and they possessed knowledge of all his schemes, including tax embezzlement, making Xu Lingzhang the true traitor. Xu Lingzhang accused them of using personal grievances for revenge, but Wei Yun firmly asserted his loyalty to Great Sui and its people, stating his sword was only for true enemies.
Xu Lingzhang conceded defeat for now but warned that they had only secured Qingzhou for the present, and the ultimate outcome remained undecided. After Xu Lingzhang's capture, Gu Chusheng, speaking privately to a subordinate, expressed his disappointment that Xu Lingzhang had failed to kill Wei Yun, and confirmed that they would proceed with their original plan.
He noted that Commander Gao, sent by Su Can, was due to arrive tomorrow and lamented having to deal with such "fools" given Qingzhou was now filled with Su Can's troops. Subsequently, Gu Chusheng confronted Wei Yun, accusing him of being overly dramatic with the stab. Wei Yun retorted, asking how Gu Chusheng could be sure he wasn't taking personal revenge, adding that his only regret was that the dagger hadn't gone deeper.
Wei Yun then reasoned that Gu Chusheng wouldn't kill him because he valued the justice Wei Yun represented, and knew that eliminating him would leave Great Sui vulnerable against North Qi. Gu Chusheng, after considering this, acknowledged that Wei Yun was right, concluding that Wei Yun was destined to live because the realm's stability outweighed personal vendettas, and useful people like Wei Yun were vital.
Still, feeling a sense of unease about Xu Lingzhang's final words, Gu Chusheng decided to interrogate him further to eliminate any remaining threats. As soon as Gu Chusheng departed, Wei Yun's aide questioned if his pain was an act, to which Wei Yun admitted he was indeed hurting and needed a physician. Back in Fengling, a soldier informed Chu Linyang that Chu Yu had arrived.
Chu Yu, looking at a bell on her wrist, reflected on items that seemed to be leaving her. She then accompanied Chu Linyang to a former battlefield, reminding him of their "crushing defeat" there. Chu Linyang corrected her, stating that they had held their ground, preventing Fengling from falling to North Qi entirely. Chu Yu then pressed Chu Linyang about his feelings for Song Qingping, but he skillfully diverted the conversation to Commander Lu's return.
Getting back to serious matters, Chu Yu shared her suspicion that the Eldest Princess's mysterious disappearance, marked by a bloody plum blossom and a lost hairpin near Fengling, strongly indicated a North Qi stronghold in the vicinity. Chu Linyang agreed. While Wei Yun suspected the Eldest Princess, Chu Yu adamantly defended her, believing she would never betray Great Sui unless she was bewitched by Xue Hanmei.
Chu Linyang reassured her that his scouts were actively searching, and Commander Lu would report back with any news. Chu Yu concluded that a battle with North Qi was inevitable, necessitating a reinforcement of Fengling's defenses. Back in Qingzhou, Song Wenchang expressed concern for Wei Yun's unhealed wound during patrols, but Wei Yun dismissed it, crediting Chu Yu's wound medicine.
Suddenly, war drums sounded from the south, and a soldier reported that North Qi had mobilized tens of thousands of troops and was now besieging the city. The timing, coming right after Xu Lingzhang's rebellion was quelled, struck Song Wenchang as too coincidental. Wei Yun agreed, believing it was no accident. At the city wall, Wei Yun examined a detailed scout map of North Qi's forces.
He instructed Wei Qiu to strengthen defenses at specific points and ordered the entire army to remain on high alert. Confused by Wei Yun's orders not to engage, Song Wenchang asked why they weren't fighting. Song Shilan explained that the exceptionally detailed troop deployments on the map suggested North Qi was not planning an immediate assault but rather sending a message: Qingzhou’s true danger had not passed, and North Qi was likely orchestrating a much larger strategic move.
