Fight For Love Episode 8 Recap
> Fight For Love Recap
The meeting at Fragrance House with Lu Qiba did not go as Wei Yun had hoped for gaining entry into the Arsenal Bureau. Wei Yun was surrounded by women, and Lu Qiba observed the young lord with a companion. Lu Qiba remarked that he thought Wei Yun was an honorable man who wouldn't be tempted but saw that he "liked this," even saying he had "better potential than Wei Jun."
When Wei Yun pressed for answers on entering the Arsenal Bureau, Lu Qiba scoffed, saying it wasn't easy. He told Wei Yun that he would only be able to enter as the Marquis of Zhenguo after inheriting his title and obtaining the tally. Otherwise, he warned, Wei Yun would "never walk out again."
As Wei Yun left, Chu Yu, who had been present at the Fragrance House and identified herself as the Wei family's First Madam, joined him in his carriage. She explained she came to help, knowing Mingliu, a woman from the house, well. Wei Yun questioned why she returned to the Wei Mansion after taking the divorce paper he had offered. Chu Yu clarified that she had "just borrowed it" and confirmed her brother's matter was settled.
She also asked Wei Yun if Lu Qiba was truly the Arsenal Bureau's master of arms and why he would arrange a meeting at such a place. Wei Yun then asked what she was doing there, and she admitted she came to help, sensing it was his first time and he couldn't manage alone. Nearing the Marquis of Zhenguo's Mansion, a bell in Chu Yu's hair became tangled.
Unable to remove it herself, she pulled Wei Yun into the carriage for help. He hesitated, concerned about propriety, but she insisted, stating she was fully dressed. She urged him to hurry before anyone saw them and became suspicious. Wei Yun was careful not to hurt her while untangling the bell. Upon their arrival, Chun, Wei Yun’s second sister-in-law, saw them together.
Chu Yu quickly explained that she and Wei Yun had met on the road, and he had kindly brought her back, then she hurried inside. Chun then noticed Wei Yun was sweating and asked about it. Wei Yun claimed it was "too hot today," but Chun felt a cool breeze and was perplexed by his statement. He was left holding the bell, with no chance to return it to Chu Yu.
Chu Yu discovered a small puppy in her courtyard and immediately grew fond of it. She decided to keep it, recalling how her own mother, Xie Yun, had never allowed her to have dogs at the Chu family home, but now there was no one to object. She affectionately declared them a "family of three." Her maid noted Chu Yu seemed relaxed, and Chu Yu confirmed that her brother's matter was settled.
She also mentioned her encounter with Lu Qiba, stating Wei Yun had "ruined it" by constantly watching her, preventing her from speaking more. She reiterated her goal for Wei Yun to successfully inherit his title and gain control of the Arsenal Bureau, which would allow her to obtain the tally and enter. Meanwhile, at the Arsenal Bureau, an official showed Lu Qiba a schematic of an octagonal crossbow, pointing out that its mechanism was foreign and not from their bureau.
Lu Qiba revealed it was from Wei Yun. The official then expressed concern that the Arsenal Bureau would soon be under Wei Yun's command, to which Lu Qiba declared his intention to prevent Wei Yun from inheriting the title easily, as he had already "lured him into the plan at Fragrance House" and promised a "good show coming." Indeed, the next day, rumors spread like wildfire across the capital.
Townsfolk gossiped that Seventh Young Master Wei was frequently getting drunk at Fragrance House with different companions each night. Some even claimed he had spent a fortune on a dancer, gotten into a fight, and frequented brothels during the mourning period, predicting the Wei family's downfall. Xie Yun overheard these rumors and grew worried about Chu Yu, suggesting they bring her home from the Wei Mansion.
However, Chu Jin argued that Chu Yu had willingly severed ties to marry into the Wei family and would not return, even when Wei Yun was imprisoned. Inside the Wei Mansion, Chun vehemently denied the rumors, stating that Wei Yun had returned with Chu Yu the previous night. Wei Yun admitted the rumors were not baseless and were part of a scheme, acknowledging they would significantly affect his chances of inheriting the title.
He foresaw the censors impeaching him for his "debauched, immoral" conduct. He realized that Lu Qiba's meeting invitation was a trap. Chun continued to defend him, saying it was natural for a young man his age to have companions, but then mistakenly accused Chu Yu of hiding his actions, even asking if the Wei family couldn't accommodate a dancer if Wei Yun "really liked that Lu Qiba."
Wei Yun clarified he hadn't "bought any dancer" and that it was a "big misunderstanding" he couldn't explain. Faced with the threat to his investiture, Chu Yu proposed a solution: they should still hold the banquet but change its name to a "Thanksgiving Banquet" to honor all those who had helped the Wei family, emphasizing that the Wei family "cannot lose" this battle, even if it's not fought with swords.
Wei Yun, locked in his room, was preoccupied with how to salvage his reputation and ensure the Wei family retained its title, determined not to be outmaneuvered by Lu Qiba. He had previously dismissed the idea of seeking help from prominent figures like the Eldest Princess due to the scandalous nature of the rumors surrounding him. However, a message from Chu Yu's brother indicated that the Emperor was still "considering" Wei Yun's investiture, leaving "room for negotiation."
Wei Yun then ordered his servant to bring Song Shilan from the Duke of Hu's Mansion to him for a meeting. Shortly after, Chu Yu came to Wei Yun's room and found her bell from the previous night hanging there. She showed him her handwritten invitations for the newly named "Thanksgiving Banquet," asking him to review them.
Wei Yun found her handwriting illegible, comparing it to "a pile of kindling," and noted she hadn't inherited her father, General Chu's, calligraphic skill. Chu Yu playfully explained her hands preferred "spears and swords" over books and that her father let her do "whatever I like." She then persuaded Wei Yun to rewrite the invitations, citing her new status as the Wei family's First Madam.
As Wei Yun was completing the task, a small puppy suddenly bounded into the room, causing him to visibly recoil. Chu Yu teased him, asking if he was afraid of dogs, a notion he denied, claiming he was merely worried about harming the animal. She then playfully named the puppy "Xiaoqi," much to Wei Yun's annoyance, who suspected she did it on purpose. She left him to finish the invitations.
Chu Yu also used this moment to probe Wei Yun about the impact of Lu Qiba's actions on his investiture, offering her help if he had any plans. Wei Yun questioned her motives, pointing out that his title didn't affect her status as the First Madam. Chu Yu candidly replied that if he inherited the title, her own status would "rise with it."
The next day, Chu Yu personally delivered an invitation to the Eldest Princess Changming, explaining the banquet was to thank everyone who had supported Wei Yun. The Eldest Princess inquired if there was anything else. Chu Yu, demonstrating her astute understanding of the Princess, presented a unique gift: a set of playing cards featuring portraits of ten of the Eldest Princess's most handsome and talented retainers.
The Eldest Princess was delighted, finding the gift and Chu Yu herself "charming" and "clever." She acknowledged Chu Yu's ability to "please people." As Chu Yu was leaving, Xue Hanmei intercepted her and gave her a silk bundle, stating it "may relieve the Wei family's present worries" and that it was from the Eldest Princess.
Chu Yu, however, subtly questioned if it was truly from the Princess or him, remarking that the Princess's admiration for him must extend beyond his looks. She thanked both for the gift. Later, as the Eldest Princess and Xue Hanmei were fishing, the Princess's maid, Xiang, expressed doubts about the Princess attending Wei Yun's banquet, believing it was purely for the investiture, given Wei Yun's tarnished reputation and lack of widespread support.
The Eldest Princess, however, stated she had "already given her a token," referring to the silk bundle, and was now waiting to "see how she uses it." The Princess then asked Xue Hanmei for his thoughts on whether she should attend. He astutely deduced her concern about upsetting the Emperor's civil-military balance by openly aligning with the Marquis.
Xue Hanmei, however, claimed his thoughts were simpler: he found Chu Yu interesting and compatible with the Princess, and encouraged the Princess to socialize more. The Princess agreed about Chu Yu's charm and then playfully asked if his earlier smile was for Chu Yu or for her. Xue Hanmei deftly sidestepped her advances, explaining he had just returned from the herb fields and might carry "unclean herbs" that could be harmful.
The Princess's maid, Xiang, questioned why Xue Hanmei would harm the Princess, but the Eldest Princess remarked on his unchanging "coldness," which she found endearing. Gu Chusheng met Song Shilan at the Drunken Immortal Tavern. Song Shilan, who served as Vice Minister of Justice, congratulated Gu Chusheng on his recent promotion to Minister of Justice and expressed hope for future guidance.
Gu Chusheng explained his true motive for taking the position: he intended to reopen the Lord of Qin treason case, which he declared vital for his family's honor. He confessed that he would resign once the truth was uncovered, as titles held no personal importance to him. Song Shilan acknowledged Gu Chusheng's talent and empathy, recounting how Gu Chusheng's family suffered, his parents perished, and he himself was exiled to the Southwest due to the case.
Despite public opinion that Gu Chusheng "married into a wealthy household for gain," Song Shilan understood the heavy burden he carried. Gu Chusheng affirmed his commitment to seeking "only the truth and peace of mind," not power or wealth. Song Shilan, deeply moved by Gu Chusheng's resolve and his plea that scholars should not passively allow their land to be ruined, agreed to help.
He warned Gu Chusheng of the dangers involved, noting that the Qin King treason case files required both their signatures to retrieve. Song Shilan assured him he understood his intentions and would assist him. Meanwhile, at the Duke of Hu's Mansion, a conversation amongst the Song family members revealed that Song Shilan had left early to meet with Wei Yun.
They remarked on Wei Yun's recent scandal at Fragrance House and how he "needs to move about now to find a chance," questioning if seeking Song Shilan was an act of desperation. They also discussed invitations to Wei Yun's Thanksgiving banquet and whether they would attend. Separately, Wei Yun had asked Song Wenchang to help him locate the Crown Prince. To Wei Yun's confusion, Song Wenchang led him to an inn.
As they arrived, Chu Yu also appeared, explaining that the Eldest Princess had sent her there to find the Crown Prince. Realizing that the Crown Prince must indeed be inside, Wei Yun followed Song Wenchang into the inn.
