Fight For Love Episode 34 Recap
> Fight For Love Recap
On the day of Zhao Yue's ascension, the Yunyang Queen Mother spoke with him, delving into his past of being left in Great Sui due to his paranoid uncle, and recounting their years of meticulous plotting that led to this day. She informed him that Great Sui's Emperor Chunde had agreed to peace talks and that she had already dispatched a letter requesting a delegation to commence discussions.
Zhao Yue expressed his displeasure at not being consulted, but his mother dismissed his concerns, stating that she had acted before his formal enthronement. She then urged him to use Li Changming as leverage to extract tangible benefits from Great Sui during the peace negotiations. Zhao Yue vehemently rejected this, asserting that Li Changming was his woman, not a Great Sui princess, and requested his mother to respect his personal wishes.
With the coronation ceremony imminent, the Yunyang Queen Mother conceded, but issued a chilling warning: while Li Changming could stay, if she caused Zhao Yue to lose the people's support or to disobey his mother, she would not hesitate to take Li Changming's life. Following this stark exchange, Zhao Yue proceeded to his coronation. A narration clarified the setting as Great Sui's Yuanle Year 6, with Zhao Yue now King of North Qi and Queen Mother Yunyang sharing governance.
During the ceremony, King Zhao Yue declared the new era as Qingming First Year, announced a general amnesty, and instructed the lords of his sixteen cities to maintain peace. He also publicly vowed to conquer Great Sui, South Yue, and West Jing, ultimately seeking to unite the entire world under his rule. After his coronation, Zhao Yue visited Li Changming. He apologized for neglecting her and noted she had barely eaten the food he sent.
Li Changming responded by sarcastically questioning his new title and his actual authority, pointing out the Yunyang Queen Mother's prominent role in the coronation and co-governance. She asserted that in the royal family, blood ties meant little, implying his mother could easily revoke his power. Unfazed, Zhao Yue declared that he alone sat on the throne, a position he was destined for, and no one could challenge it.
He promised to make Li Changming his Queen once the court stabilized, ensuring she would share in the highest honors. Li Changming responded with a noncommittal, "Hope so." Meanwhile, in the Duke of Hu's Mansion, Song Qingping, referred to as Tuantuan, was confined to her room, tasked with copying scriptures. Her older brothers, Song Shilan and Song Wenchang, orchestrated her escape.
They subdued her governess, and Song Shilan, reluctant but persuaded, donned Tuantuan's robes to impersonate her, remaining behind to continue the copying. Song Wenchang then swiftly escorted Tuantuan out, admitting he hadn't fully disclosed the plan earlier, knowing she would have refused to go along. Despite a debilitating war injury that left him unable to walk, Chu Linyang was steadfast in his determination to recover, especially for Song Qingping.
During his physical therapy, his mother lovingly encouraged him, vowing to become strong enough to carry him herself, a sentiment Linyang gently countered, noting even his able-bodied brother struggled. Chu Jin, Linyang's sister, arrived and discussed her difficulties in finding a suitable location for her herbal medicine shop. She then pointedly but affectionately challenged Linyang to be honest about his feelings for Song Qingping, reminding him of his own advice to always face his heart's true desires.
Taking her advice, Chu Linyang requested Chu Jin to take him for a walk. Unbeknownst to them, Song Wenchang had already brought Song Qingping to the very same spot for a surprise reunion. Seeing Song Qingping, Chu Linyang confessed that while he had hoped time would diminish his feelings, he could no longer deny them, imploring her not to avoid him.
He shared his past regrets: failing to save his father, which caused his mother profound sorrow, and his inability to reconcile his two sisters. He explained his hesitation to openly pursue her in his current state, fearing disapproval from her parents and a lack of inner peace. Nevertheless, he declared his love, proposing a "gamble" that one day he would stand and personally come to welcome her. Overwhelmed, Song Qingping, who had long awaited his honest words, accepted his pledge.
From a floor above, Chu Jin and Song Wenchang watched, romantically showering the couple with flower petals. Afterward, Chu Jin confided in Song Wenchang about her mother's secret sadness over Linyang's injury, a truth she and Linyang often pretended not to notice. Song Wenchang reassured her of his understanding, mentioning he would buy cushions to soften the blows from his father, who might punish him for helping Tuantuan escape.
Chu Jin, in turn, confidently stated she would win her father's approval within three days, prompting Song Wenchang to loudly declare his intention to marry her with a magnificent wedding, much to her playful embarrassment in public. Wei Yun faced a barrage of impeachments from court officials who accused him of debauchery for his frequent visits to the Fragrance House and called for him to be stripped of his Marquis of Zhenguo title.
Summoned by the Emperor, Wei Yun remained composed. When asked about his ambitions, he articulated his desires: to protect the nation, to live a simple life with a home and meals, and to be with the woman he loved.
The Emperor reminded him that his primary identity was that of a subject, but Wei Yun firmly differentiated his roles, stating that while he was a loyal general in court, outside of it, he was simply a man wanting to live authentically.
When the Emperor dismissed Chu Yu as a "mere woman" and questioned Wei Yun's repeated defiance for her sake, Wei Yun fiercely defended Chu Yu, highlighting her sacrifices for the country and her efforts to rescue the Eldest Princess. Despite the Emperor's rage and threat to strip him of his title, Wei Yun declared his conscience clear, leaving the Emperor frustrated and questioning his eunuch about Wei Yun.
Elsewhere, in a bustling market, Chu Jin bravely intervened to save a little girl from falling bamboo, sustaining a deep cut on her face in the process. Fearing her family's reaction, Chu Jin sought refuge at Chu Yu's home, where her sister meticulously treated the wound. Though Chu Jin initially downplayed her injury, she privately worried about a permanent scar.
Chu Yu reassured her that the scar was a worthy price for saving a child, praising Chu Jin's newfound compassion and generosity, and confident that their mother and Linyang would be proud of her growth. Chu Jin asked Chu Yu not to reveal her injury to their mother or Linyang.
Later that night, after Chu Yu had left her side, Chu Jin, who always took pride in her appearance, finally gave in to her true feelings and cried over the cut on her face. Song Wenchang, understanding her silent struggle, arrived and offered his comfort. He assured her that her tears were not a sign of regret for saving the child, but a natural expression of sadness over her injury, offering his shoulder for her to lean on.
When she denied crying, he confessed his deep affection, explaining that his initial attraction to her vibrant spirit at a banquet had evolved into a love independent of her looks or scars. He credited her with inspiring his personal transformation in Qingzhou, pulling him from his lowest point, and giving him a "second life."
He proclaimed her his proudest achievement and the most beautiful woman in the world, pledging his unwavering love regardless of scars or future wrinkles, which Chu Jin playfully teased him about. Meanwhile, Wei Yun, returning to his mansion, embraced Chu Yu. He recounted his conversation with the Emperor, reiterating his desire for a simple, peaceful life with his beloved, a sentiment Chu Yu jokingly accused him of imitating.
Wei Yun then reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to their love, regardless of any societal obstacles. Elsewhere, Zhao Yue visited Li Changming late at night, presenting her with a red dress he desired her to wear. Li Changming, disliking the color, refused the gift and accused Zhao Yue of venting his frustrations from court on her. Infuriated by her defiance, Zhao Yue ordered her confined to her room until she agreed to wear the dress.
Privately, he believed Li Changming was the only one worthy of the color red, rationalizing that any future political marriages would be solely for the stability of their kingdom and their shared future, hoping she would understand his difficult position. The Emperor summoned Wang Jingzhi, acknowledging his extensive service and contributions over the years, but then meticulously detailed his many transgressions, including shielding Yao Yong, attempting to eliminate the Wei family, colluding with North Qi spies, and endangering imperial officials.
Wang Jingzhi admitted his guilt, acknowledging that he had succumbed to the lure of power despite Grand Tutor Xie's earlier warnings. He pleaded for the Emperor to spare his daughter, Wang Linlang, emphasizing his own past merits. The Emperor, in a show of clemency, allowed Wang Jingzhi to retire to his hometown, thereby discreetly removing a political obstacle and paving the way for Gu Chusheng.
Soon after, in open court, the Emperor formally promoted Gu Chusheng, the Minister of Personnel, to Chancellor, citing his exceptional intelligence and significant contributions. This rapid ascent sparked murmurs and resentment among some officials, notably Song Wenchang, who viewed it as unfair compared to Wei Yun's recent disfavor. Chancellor Gu Chusheng then formally proposed sending a delegation to North Qi to negotiate with the new King Zhao Yue for the return of the Eldest Princess.
He argued this would both negate North Qi's potential leverage and assert Great Sui's national prestige. However, other officials vehemently opposed the mission, citing the Eldest Princess's past naivete with Zhao Yue and her indirect role in the deaths of loyal officials, deeming the endeavor too dangerous and unworthy. The Emperor, acknowledging the need for both Great Sui and North Qi to recover, agreed that peace talks were inevitable but deferred the decision on the delegation until a later discussion.
After the court session, Gu Chusheng intercepted Wei Yun. In a terse exchange, Gu Chusheng subtly warned Wei Yun that while his military heroics, like "sealing the wolf," were legendary, his open defiance of the Emperor jeopardized his legacy. Wei Yun countered that he fought not for personal gain or historical fame, but to protect the common people, his family, and Chu Yu.
Gu Chusheng concluded by advising Wei Yun, as a "wise man," that one must attain the highest status to live freely and that a gentleman avoids perilous situations. Wei Yun, undeterred, curtly dismissed Gu Chusheng's concerns, stating it was none of his business.
