Fight For Love Episode 6 Recap
> Fight For Love Recap
The Wei clan, including their elderly, infirm, women, and children, knelt steadfastly outside the palace gates in the bitter wind and snow, each bearing a memorial tablet. They declared that the Wei family's century of merit, earned through countless lives, would not be allowed to fall. They vowed to remain kneeling indefinitely, even unto death, to uphold Wei Yun.
In a private moment, Chu Yu spoke to the spirit tablet of her late husband, Wei Jun, acknowledging his broken promise but hailing him as a hero who died for the state. She solemnly vowed to uncover the truth behind the leaked crossbow plans and ensure justice, promising his spirit could rest in peace.
Meanwhile, in prison, Wei Yun was offered meager food by a subordinate of Minister Cao Yan, who mockingly suggested Wei Yun was accustomed to such fare from his campaigns and taunted him that no one would visit him again. Among the kneeling women, Chu Yu noticed Third Lady Zhang Han and Sixth Lady Wang Lan, who was pregnant, struggling.
She instructed Wei Qiu to escort Lady Han back to the mansion, and at Lady Han's request to protect the pregnant Wang Lan, Chu Yu also had Lady Lan escorted back. As officials arrived for morning court, some expressed sympathy for the kneeling Wei family. Deputy Minister Zhang An chose a side gate out of respect for the heroes and martyrs. Cao Yan, scoffing at this as mere pretense, entered through the main gate.
Approaching Chu Yu, who knelt steadfastly, Cao Yan openly mocked her actions, questioning the purpose of laws if sentiment could sway the Emperor. Duke of Ning, Wang Jingzhi, supported Cao Yan, accusing Chu Yu of ignoring the law and coercing the throne. An unnamed academician countered that laws should serve the people, not be rigid, implicitly criticizing Cao Yan and Duke of Ning.
When Cao Yan later pressed Academician Gu Chusheng for his interpretation of the academician's words, Gu Chusheng deftly evaded the question, urging Cao Yan to hurry due to the impending snow. Despite the harsh conditions, Chu Yu remained resolute, telling a worried younger woman, who had called her "Sister," that she was fine and would not turn back, affirming her unwavering commitment.
Chu Linyang, despite being injured since returning from Fengling City and having taken sick leave from court, prepared to attend. His mother, Madam Xie Yun, tried to dissuade him, reminding him that Chu Yu was now married into the Wei family and he should avoid attracting suspicion, especially given the Chu family's vulnerable position against Duke of Ning.
His sister, Chu Jin, even threatened to disown him as a brother if he stepped out the door, arguing that Chu Yu's suffering was her own doing. But Chu Linyang remained firm, explaining to his mother that while someone shielded them from the storm at the Chu Mansion, Chu Yu faced the palace gates alone.
He declared he was going not for anyone else, but solely for his sister, insisting he couldn't stand by while she carried the Wei family's burden alone. He assured Chu Jin that he would do the same for her if she were in Chu Yu's position, but ultimately asserted his resolve to go, walking out despite her desperate plea.
In the morning court, officials urged the Emperor to release Wei Yun, citing a lack of solid evidence from Minister Cao Yan. Chu Linyang, despite his injuries, made an impassioned plea, stating his father died for the state, and now his sister was upholding the Wei family's honor alone. Duke of Ning accused Chu Linyang of manipulating the Emperor with sentiment.
Cao Yan requested more time, promising to uncover the truth, while Duke of Ning reminded everyone of the 70,000 soldiers lost due to Wei Zhong's perceived rashness, questioning if their lives mattered less than the Wei family's. Eldest Princess Li Changming then entered, playfully chiding Duke of Ning about his lack of battlefield experience. She told the Emperor she came because the matter concerned Crown Prince Li Huan.
She subtly encouraged Li Huan to speak, emphasizing his maturity and understanding of the Emperor’s impartiality. Taking her cue, Crown Prince Li Huan pleaded with his father to spare Wei Yun, highlighting the Wei family's unwavering loyalty and contributions to the state, arguing their merits outweighed any faults.
Li Changming then added her voice, cautioning the Emperor that allowing the widows and orphans of a family that had fought for four generations to suffer would chill the hearts of the 70,000 soldiers who died for Great Sui. Many other officials joined the chorus, begging for Wei Yun's release. Minister Cao Yan, however, continued to insist on upholding the law.
Finally, the Duke of Hu, after criticizing Cao Yan's "wild" talk, added his significant voice, saying his plea should carry weight. The Chancellor then suggested that His Majesty visit the Madam of the Marquis of Zhenguo, Chu Yu, at the palace gates, promising that seeing her would make the Emperor understand their desperate pleas. The Emperor, swayed by the court's pleas, went to the palace gate. Minister Cao Yan, still unrepentant, mocked Chu Yu's display as a pretense.
The Emperor addressed Chu Yu, asking her identity and purpose. She introduced herself as Chu Yu, wife of General Wei Jun and daughter of Chu Jianchang, and humbly requested Wei Yun's release. Acknowledging the importance of state law, she passionately defended the Wei family's unwavering loyalty and devotion to the realm, stating that she knew no crime they or Wei Yun had committed.
She implored the Emperor that if Wei Yun must be punished, he should be allowed to die on the battlefield, preserving the Wei family's honor, rather than languishing in prison. Moved by her conviction, the Emperor ordered Wei Yun to be brought to court. Wei Yun was brought before the court, barely able to kneel, his body visibly tormented.
The Emperor was shocked and furious, demanding to know why Wei Yun was so grievously injured when only imprisonment had been ordered. He lashed out at Cao Yan, accusing the Court of Judicial Review of incompetence and resorting to torture.
Cao Yan nervously claimed to have acted strictly under imperial orders, but Wei Yun, in a pained and defiant voice, immediately challenged him, questioning if whipping his father's and brothers' coffins, humiliating Chu Yu, and driving his mother to her death were also by imperial decree. He asserted that his guilt should be judged by the Emperor, not by Cao Yan's private abuses. Cao Yan desperately sought help from Duke of Ning, who, sensing the tide turning, abandoned him.
The Chancellor further denounced Cao Yan's actions. Enraged, the Emperor ordered Cao Yan's immediate arrest for dereliction of duty and abuse of power, sending him to the dungeon to await judgment. Wei Yun was then pardoned. The Emperor, recalling Wei Zhong as his childhood companion, expressed his sorrow and compassion for the Wei family, urging Wei Yun to live well and restore the Wei household, stating that as long as Wei Yun lived, the Wei family's spirit would endure.
In response, Wei Yun, acknowledging he did not understand many complex matters, steadfastly declared his identity as a Wei family member, vowing to protect the realm, the land, and its people with unwavering loyalty, even unto death. Wei Yun, frail and stumbling, emerged from the palace into the wind and snow. A few steps away, Chu Yu remained kneeling amidst the memorial tablets, looking even more desolate. As Wei Yun slowly approached, he angled his umbrella to shield her.
Regaining consciousness, Chu Yu looked up and saw him. He told her he had returned alive. She responded, "Good, you didn't keep me waiting long." The Emperor attempted to bridge the emotional distance with his sister, Eldest Princess Li Changming, by offering her a bowl of centennial soup, her childhood favorite. Li Changming politely declined, stating her tastes had changed, but affirmed she would visit if summoned.
She then directly confronted the Emperor about the instability of his imperial rule, highlighting the military's weakened state after the successive losses of Chu and Wei generals. She emphasized that the state had been at war for years, and with Wei Zhong gone, not releasing Wei Yun would leave a critical void in leadership when new conflicts arose.
She acknowledged his desire to balance civil and military powers and Duke of Ning's push for peace talks with North Qi for recuperation, but warned against negotiating from a position of weakness. She reminded him that his rule was founded on her sacrifice, "built with her blood and tears." The Emperor, reassuring her that he had a plan and would not let her down, received her acknowledgment before she took her leave, reiterating her reluctance to revisit painful past events.
After her departure, the Emperor reflected on Li Changming's immense sacrifice: her marriage to the Jinxi Military Governor to secure his ascension, and the subsequent torture she endured. He recognized that despite escaping her misery, she had never truly healed, and he felt a deep, unresolved debt to her.
Chu Yu's maid observed her mistress's fear of medicine, remarking that Chu Yu had fallen ill more frequently in the Wei household in a few days than she ever did during her time in the Southwest. Despite her ailing health, Chu Yu remained resolute, stating firmly that she did not regret saving Wei Yun. Chu Linyang visited Chu Yu at the Wei mansion, concerned about her health, and urged her to return home.
He argued that there were many ways to uncover the truth without her enduring such hardship. Chu Yu, however, asserted her resolve, stating that her investigation was far from over and she believed that just as winter's snow melts for spring flowers, justice would eventually prevail. She also highlighted her success in saving Wei Yun that day.
When Chu Linyang's subordinate later reported back, he confirmed that Chu Yu insisted on staying, despite her brother's wishes, and only required a few days of rest to recover. Duke of Ning, Wang Jingzhi, was furious with his son-in-law, Gu Chusheng, for not supporting him in court. He questioned Gu Chusheng's loyalty, reminding him of who was responsible for his current success.
When Wang Linlang attempted to calm her father with a cup of tea and defended Gu Chusheng, her father turned the tea into a tool of intimidation. He ordered Gu Chusheng to drink the hot tea, then deliberately filled the cup to the brim, causing it to overflow and scald Gu Chusheng's hands. Gu Chusheng, unable to let go, stoically endured the burning pain.
Once Duke of Ning stopped pouring, Gu Chusheng immediately drained the scalding tea, with Wang Linlang crying out in alarm. Duke of Ning warned him to be obedient, or he could return to the Southwest where he would only have "cold tea" to drink. Gu Chusheng humbly promised to remember his father-in-law's teachings.
