Forward Forever Episode 12 Recap, Plot

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Lord Chongliming seriously offered to buy Fang Er's freedom. Fang Er, however, was concerned about her lack of other skills or ways to earn a living outside of Shanglin Xianguan. Chongliming assured her he would provide for her. Fang Er then asked him to accompany her to the lantern festival that evening, and Chongliming happily agreed. Meanwhile, at a teahouse, Lian Er, accompanied by his aide, noticed A Yi sitting alone.

Lian Er approached A Yi, and after A Yi confirmed his name, they recognized each other as long-lost friends from ten years ago, expressing great excitement. A Yi confided in Lian Er about Yang Ming's massacre of his village and how he joined Yan Shifan specifically to avenge his people. Lian Er promised to help A Yi in any way possible, but also chided him for trusting Chongliming with such a sensitive matter.

Just then, Qinger arrived with mutton soup and flatbread for A Yi. Lian Er, impressed by the food, asked A Yi to retrieve a ledger from a safe, implying it was crucial for his business dealings with the authorities. A Yi agreed, but in return, asked Lian Er to ensure the safety of old horse head and Qinger, who had helped him upon his arrival in the capital.

Lian Er readily agreed and told Qinger to mention his name if she ever faced trouble. Separately, Yuchu, Yang Zhen, Si San, and Can Yan Xin were conducting a site investigation into Qi Belle's murder, finding indications that the perpetrator had a leg injury. Later that evening, Chongliming accompanied Fang Er to the lantern festival. Fang Er, though putting on a brave face, felt a rare sense of ease with Chongliming.

Chongliming reiterated his belief in equality, stating he never viewed women from brothels as inferior, a sentiment Fang Er noted sounded like a revolutionary. As they walked, Hua Jiuqing passed by, and Chongliming, momentarily captivated by her retreating figure, felt a sense of familiarity but couldn't place her.

Chongliming then tasked Fang Er with secretly gathering information at Shanglin Xianguan about anyone who had a grudge against Qi Belle, noting that the establishment was a hub for all sorts of people. That same night, Hua Jiuqing arrived at a Qingbang den to meet Lian Er. The manager greeted her deferentially as "Prince", and Lian Er welcomed her with elaborate courtesy, even arranging her favorite Pingtan performance.

Hua Jiuqing, however, ignored the pleasantries, sarcastically remarking on the lavishness of the Beijing branch. She immediately demanded the Qingbang ledger, stating that the main hall was aware of a significant shortfall in revenue for three consecutive seasons and that Mr. Jin believed Lian Er was embezzling funds.

Lian Er vehemently denied the accusation, claiming the reduction in opium house profits was due to his development of "Fu Long San," a new Western drug with a superior effect that drew customers away from opium. He admitted to profiting from Fu Long San. Hua Jiuqing revealed that Mr. Jin had originally intended to send enforcers for Lian Er, but she had intervened to investigate. She warned Lian Er that his life was at stake if he didn't confess.

Lian Er, recalling Hua Jiuqing's mentorship since he joined Qingbang at age ten, agreed to repay 200,000 taels of silver within seven days and return to the main hall with her, seeking her protection from a potentially crippling or deadly punishment. Hua Jiuqing promised to speak on his behalf and even support him for life if he were to be crippled. Back at Shanglin Xianguan, Fang Er returned home to find her younger brother, Xiao Ke, with an injured leg.

Her fears were confirmed when she discovered a bloody piece of clothing alongside a Yan Shifan gold medal, realizing that Xiao Ke had killed Qi Belle. Xiao Ke, however, remained unconcerned, believing no one had witnessed the crime. In the Yan Shifan morgue, Wagner performed an autopsy on Qi Belle. He determined the murder weapon was a common dagger, and the victim had engaged in a violent struggle.

Based on the wounds, Wagner concluded the assailant was about 5'6" tall and had an injured left leg. Yuchu further narrowed the timeline, estimating Qi Belle arrived at Smoked Tobacco Alley around 11 PM and the killer fled around 11:15 PM. Yang Zhen assisted Wagner in recreating the crime scene. Later, A Yi returned to the Yan Shifan quarters late. Yuchu, suspicious of his recent behavior, pressed him for his whereabouts.

A Yi, remembering Yuchu was Yang Ming's daughter, impulsively drew his sword but found himself unable to strike her. He then revealed to Yuchu the truth about Yang Ming's massacre of his village and the kidnapping of his mother. In turn, Yuchu tearfully confessed her own profound hatred for Yang Ming, her biological father.

She recounted how her mother, a Manchu noblewoman of lesser birth, was forced into a political marriage with Yang Ming, who already had a beloved Mongolian noblewoman. Her mother suffered a severe hemorrhage during Yuchu's birth, leaving her unable to bear more children. Yang Ming then became increasingly neglectful, abandoning them when Yuchu was five. Her mother eventually succumbed to illness, and less than a year after her death, Yang Ming married his Mongolian lover.

Enraged, Yuchu fled to her maternal uncle, Lord Zhe Yu, and changed her surname. A Yi, moved by her story, offered comforting words and told her she looked less beautiful when crying. The next day, several Qingbang disciples, including Mr. Ge, visited old horse head's mutton soup shop. To old horse head's astonishment and fear, they repaid all their long-standing debts, attributing their actions to Lian Er's orders.

Qinger, however, calmly accepted the money, noting they were valuable Yingyang silver coins. Can Yan Xin and Si San continued their investigation by interviewing Mr. Lin, a "civilized play" (new drama from Japan) performer. Mr. Lin was initially uncooperative, denying any knowledge of Qi Belle or Xian Er, and clearly reluctant to admit his presence at Shanglin Xianguan. Under pressure, he eventually confessed to seeing a limping man rush out of Smoked Tobacco Alley on the night of the murder.

Based on Mr. Lin's description, A Yi skillfully drew a portrait of the suspect. Chongliming ordered the portrait to be printed into numerous wanted posters for a city-wide manhunt. He also warned Mr. Lin to be more discreet, mentioning his "revolutionary party" like pronouncements and telling him not to betray Xian Er's affections, implying a relationship between them. Finally, Lian Er invited Qinger to watch a "movie play" (影戏), a new Western invention. Qinger was captivated by the moving images on screen, eagerly asking Lian Er numerous questions about the novel experience.

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