Fight For Love Episode 36 Recap
> Fight For Love Recap
By imperial decree, Wei Yun was ordered into confinement at the Arsenal Bureau for self-reflection. Song Shilan, now in charge of all security and patrols there, confronted Wei Yun and demanded he surrender his Fish-shaped Tally. Wei Yun claimed he did not have it, prompting Song Shilan to prepare to use force, accusing him of defying the Emperor’s order. Just then, Lu Qiba, the deputy commander of the Arsenal Bureau, intervened.
He humorously chided Song Shilan for drawing weapons against their own people in his bureau, reminding him that no weapons could be drawn without his explicit command. Song Shilan reiterated the Emperor's command for Wei Yun to surrender the tally, threatening Lu Qiba with complicity if he interfered. Wei Yun then threw the tally to Song Shilan, asserting that neither the Emperor’s decree nor Song Shilan could truly trap him.
Lu Qiba then ordered Song Shilan’s men to sheathe their swords, formally welcoming the Marquis of Zhenguo into the Arsenal Bureau with all the officers. He then pointedly dismissed Song Shilan, stating his "humble abode" only had two teacups and he would not be invited in. Inside, Lu Qiba offered Wei Yun some "bad tea," joking about Wei Yun's superior tea at home. Wei Yun thanked Lu Qiba, who, in turn, expressed concern about Song Shilan retaliating.
Lu Qiba then worried about Wei Yun's willingness to stay in the bureau and leave Chu Yu, noting Song Shilan’s implication that his confinement would be prolonged. Wei Yun calmly declared he would not be staying there for long. News reached Gu Chusheng that Wei Yun had been confined, confirming his suspicion that the Emperor was losing patience. Gu Chusheng immediately sent Zhang Deng to deliver a birthday banquet invitation to Chu Yu.
Chu Yu, surmising Gu Chusheng's involvement in these recent events, decided to attend despite Wanyue's concerns that it was a trap. Chu Yu believed that if Gu Chusheng had not tried to kill Wei Yun, he would not try to kill her. Meanwhile, Song Wenchang skillfully covered a scar on Chu Jin’s face with a painting of a guelder rose, explaining that the flower, beautiful and vital, reminded him of Chu Jin.
Chu Jin and Wanyue later tried to enter Gu Chusheng’s mansion but were denied entry, as the guards stated Gu Chusheng was not seeing guests and had ordered that no one enter without his permission. Suspecting the banquet was a ruse to trap Chu Yu, Chu Jin attempted to reason with the guards, but they refused to make an exception. Wanyue threatened to use force, but Chu Jin pulled her away, deciding they needed to find another way in.
Inside the mansion, Chu Yu found the room adorned with many portraits of herself. She confronted Gu Chusheng, refusing to stay if his invitation was merely to show her these. Gu Chusheng declared she would not leave without his permission, reminding her of his current power as Chancellor. He spoke of knowing her completely, recalling her childhood habits and secret tears.
He professed to be the one who loved her most, presenting her with old letters she had written to him as proof of his enduring affection and his ability to protect her where Wei Yun could not. Chu Yu rejected him, tearing up the letters. Gu Chusheng accused her of trampling on something precious. Chu Yu, in turn, recounted a tale of a woman who sacrificed everything for a man, only for him to marry another from a noble family.
She challenged Gu Chusheng, asking who truly trampled on whom, and then defiantly told him to take her body if that was his desire, but warned he would never have her heart. Gu Chusheng retorted by threatening her, reminding her that with his current power, no one—not Chu Jin, the Wei family ladies, nor even Wei Yun, who was confined in the Arsenal Bureau—could rescue her.
Chu Yu, unafraid, dared him to kill her, stating it would only ensure he would never forget her. Gu Chusheng finally revealed his true intentions, stating he only wanted Chu Yu to live. He explained that the Emperor suspected Wei Yun of disloyalty and harbored intentions to kill Chu Yu. Gu Chusheng had proposed a plan to the Emperor that would keep both Chu Yu and Wei Yun alive but ensure they could never be together.
He had trapped her in his mansion not to force her, but to protect her. Chu Yu challenged him, questioning why the Emperor suspected Wei Yun of rebellion. Gu Chusheng explained that Wei Yun’s repeated defiance of the Emperor for her sake, despite his merits, made him a threat. He reiterated that he did not care about her hatred or public curses, only her survival, and that returning to him would save both her and Wei Yun.
Chu Yu firmly rejected this, declaring her unyielding spirit and refusal to compromise her beliefs for mere survival. She reminded him of his past aspirations to eliminate injustice and create a peaceful world, hoping he would stay true to his original dream. Gu Chusheng then hinted at another path, reminding her that the Emperor still cared deeply for the Eldest Princess and that her close relationship with the Princess could be a valuable asset.
Chu Yu thanked him for the information. Upon seeing Chu Yu emerge safely from the Gu Mansion, Chu Jin and Wanyue rushed to her, expressing their relief and concern. Chu Yu embraced them, assuring them she was unharmed and that with them by her side, she feared nothing. Gu Chusheng, now accepting that Chu Yu's heart was no longer his, burned all her portraits, letting go of past memories.
He resolved to focus his efforts on ensuring the peace and stability of the realm. Early the next morning, Chu Yu set off for the palace. Outside the Arsenal Bureau, Wei Qiu frantically called for Wei Yun, informing him that Chu Yu was in trouble and had gone to the palace. Wei Yun, hearing the plea, emerged.
Song Shilan, guarding the entrance, warned Wei Yun that he would be killed if he advanced, accusing him of defying the imperial order of confinement. Wei Yun, undeterred, declared that anyone who stood in his way would die. A fierce struggle ensued, with Wei Yun proving too powerful for Song Shilan to stop. Lu Qiba once again intervened, questioning Song Shilan's authority and asserting that the Arsenal Bureau was his territory.
Song Shilan challenged Lu Qiba, asking if he would defy the Emperor for Wei Yun. Lu Qiba, declaring Wei Yun his best friend, affirmed he would risk his life for him, making Song Shilan exclaim in disbelief at his apparent rebellion. Wei Yun assured Song Shilan that he would take full responsibility for breaking out and ensure Song Shilan remained untainted by the Emperor's wrath.
Song Shilan warned Wei Yun that his merits, reputation, and the Wei family's century-old prestige would all be ruined by his actions. Wei Yun responded by saying he would be relieved if Song Shilan were to become the next Marquis of Zhenguo. Song Shilan then pressed him, asking if all this was "worth it for a woman."
Wei Yun firmly stated that while he was a Wei and would protect the nation and its people, he would not abandon Chu Yu for the sake of the people. He proclaimed that even in an impossible situation, he would defy destiny to protect only her. Chu Yu arrived at the palace gate and beat the Dengwen Drum, an instrument for citizens to report grievances. When asked about her complaint, she boldly declared she was accusing the Emperor himself.
An official informed her that, by Great Sui law, all who sought to report a grievance must first endure twenty floggings. Chu Yu willingly accepted this punishment to gain an audience with the Emperor, stating that His Majesty’s decree to bind her with an honorary title and restrict her freedom was an injustice. As the floggings began, her clothes on her back began to show blood.
After ten strokes, an official announced an imperial reprieve, offering to pardon her if she returned. Chu Yu staunchly refused, stating she would defy the order until it was withdrawn, ready to accept all twenty floggings. She challenged the official to tell her her fate, asserting that even if she were beaten to death, her body must still be presented to the Emperor as per the law.
As the punishment continued, Chu Yu murmured about her life's journey: marrying into the Wei family to seek justice for her father, falling in love with Wei Yun, and her right to fight for herself if the world and destiny were unfair. On the twentieth and final stroke, Wei Yun suddenly appeared, taking the blow for her. He apologized for being late.
An official questioned his unauthorized departure from the Arsenal Bureau, but Wei Yun retorted, asking if they intended to beat Chu Yu to death. He then helped Chu Yu to her feet. With the twenty floggings completed, Chu Yu reiterated her request to see the Emperor, and Wei Yun knelt beside her, joining her in the plea. He vowed to be with her through any hardship, danger, curses, or even death. Chu Yu accepted his unwavering support.
In the presence of many officials, the Emperor questioned if their defiance amounted to rebellion. Chu Yu, kneeling before him, boldly declared that she would not accept the honorary title and that her heart belonged solely to Wei Yun. Wei Yun, also kneeling, affirmed his loyalty as a general, but distinguished it from being an emotionless "God of War." He explained that his human heart, filled with love, was his motivation for defending the nation, the Emperor, and his beloved.
He took full responsibility for their actions, offering to accept any punishment—loss of title or banishment to the border—if given a chance to atone. Chu Yu then made a courageous proposition. Acknowledging the recent truce with North Qi and the new king's ascension, she pointed out the need for a conclusive peace agreement. She volunteered to lead a delegation to North Qi for peace talks.
If successful, she implored the Emperor to revoke his previous decree and allow her and Wei Yun to be together. If she failed, she would accept any punishment he deemed fit.
