Forward Forever Episode 18 Recap, Plot

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Disheartened after waiting in vain for Chong Liming, Yu Chu finally agreed to marry Lord Deqi's grandson. Following this, an imperial decree ordered her to withdraw from Yanshi Fan. Upon receiving this order, Chong Liming realized the gravity of the situation and immediately suspected Zhe Yu. He rushed to Zhe Yu's manor to confront Zhe Yu and demanded to see Yu Chu.

Zhe Yu, however, stated that Yu Chu was no longer a Yanshi Fan member and her affairs were now a private family matter, refusing Chong Liming access. Chong Liming angrily declared that once someone joined Yanshi Fan, they were always a part of it, and then left. Later, Chong Liming confronted Lord Deqi directly about Yu Chu's impending marriage.

Lord Deqi explained that Zhe Yu and the Regent were using this marriage as a gesture of goodwill towards him and the Empress Dowager, aiming to gain political advantages in the future. He admitted to simply going along with the proposal. Chong Liming expressed his strong disapproval of sacrificing Yu Chu's happiness for such an alliance.

Although Lord Deqi felt he couldn't back out of the marriage without losing face, Chong Liming offered to find a way for Yu Chu to withdraw from the marriage while still preserving Zhe Yu's reputation. Meanwhile, A Yi was furious to learn that Yu Chu was being married off to a stranger. He confronted Chong Liming, scolding him for not doing anything and threatening to intervene himself.

Chong Liming stopped him, promising that he would resolve the situation and bring Yu Chu back to Yanshi Fan. On her wedding day, Yu Chu was visibly distraught. Her aunt tried to comfort her, advising her to accept her fate as a woman and to let go of her affection for Chong Liming, as it would only bring trouble.

Zhe Yu also spoke to Yu Chu, explaining that his actions were for her benefit and the well-being of the Aisin-Gioro family. As the auspicious time arrived, Yu Chu was escorted into the sedan chair, internally cursing Chong Liming for his absence. Just as the wedding procession started, Chong Liming, having frantically searched his home for their marriage certificate, drove his car to block Yu Chu's sedan chair. Yu Chu was both shocked and overjoyed.

Zhe Yu quickly descended from his carriage to intervene. Chong Liming confronted Zhe Yu, asserting that Yu Chu was his wife and accused Zhe Yu of disrespecting Lord Deqi by attempting to marry off a woman who was already betrothed. He then presented a marriage certificate, explaining that his mother and Yu Chu's mother, Yuan Ning, had arranged a baby kiss marriage years ago for Yu Chu’s future security, due to Yuan Ning’s struggles in her household.

Zhe Yu examined the document, unable to immediately discern its authenticity. Yu Chu then stepped out of the sedan and confirmed the certificate was indeed genuine, acknowledging it as her mother’s original intention. Disgruntled, Zhe Yu decided to return to his manor for further investigation, effectively halting the wedding. Upon Chong Liming's return to the Shenji camp mansion, his comrades—Wen Gou, Si San, Wagner, and Can Yan Xin—bombarded him with questions about the previously unknown marriage certificate.

Chong Liming explained that the engagement was settled when they were children, but after Yu Chu's mother passed away and her family faced troubles, followed by her entering Zhe Yu's manor, the matter was shelved. He also admitted that his family's own circumstances at the time prevented him from providing a dowry, which Si San noted as potentially invalidating the contract.

A Yi urgently insisted that Chong Liming bring Yu Chu back, to which Chong Liming affirmed his intention, asserting that "once Yanshi Fan, always Yanshi Fan." Meanwhile, Zhe Yu interrogated Yu Chu about the long-standing engagement. Yu Chu confirmed its authenticity but explained that her mother’s death, her father's remarriage, and her subsequent period of mourning, combined with Chong Liming's family not following through with a dowry, led her to believe the engagement was no longer valid.

She then knelt, imploring Zhe Yu to permit her return to Yanshi Fan. Zhe Yu, sensing her genuine affection for Chong Liming, admitted that Chong Liming was indeed a talented individual but too difficult for him to control. Yu Chu retorted that collaboration, not control, was key when people shared common goals. After much consideration, Zhe Yu reluctantly agreed to her return, but with a stern warning to remember her origins and whom she should support in the future.

Yu Chu returned to the Shenji camp mansion to a joyous reception from Si San and Can Yan Xin. Wagner briefly greeted her warmly before leaving for an errand. Si San then showed Yu Chu her room, explaining that while he had helped tidy it, many thoughtful touches, such as her favorite Yumifang Beauty Dew, were personally arranged by Chong Liming, deeply touching her.

Meanwhile, Wagner visited Old horse head at his mutton soup shop, presenting several options for girls' schools in the capital, including Chongde Girls' School, Duzhi School, Jianyingsha Middle School for Girls, and a new School of Nursing. Old horse head initially hesitated, worried about Qinger, who had become withdrawn since Lian Er's death, and wished to keep her close. However, Wagner emphasized the importance of Qinger moving forward and socializing, and Qinger herself expressed a desire for schooling.

Convinced by Wagner's arguments and Qinger's own wishes, Old horse head finally agreed. Qinger later thanked Wagner for his persistent efforts and for accompanying her during her difficult time, acknowledging that without his help, her grandfather would not have allowed her to go to school. A Yi lovingly baked a cake for Yu Chu, sharing it with her and emphasizing their unbreakable sibling bond.

He confessed how frightened he was when she almost married, fearing he might never see her again. Yu Chu, however, was preoccupied with Chong Liming's whereabouts and pressed A Yi for information. A Yi eventually revealed that Chong Liming was waiting for her at Wanchunting in Jingshan. Yu Chu quickly made her way there and found him, taking in the panoramic night view of the capital and the Forbidden City.

She asked Chong Liming if he often came there to contemplate the value of protecting the imperial palace. Chong Liming explained that he also watched the diligent ordinary citizens working through the night outside the palace walls. When she asked how long he intended to stay, he remarked on the beautiful moonlight. Yu Chu then offered to stay with him to witness the sunrise over the Forbidden City, a sight she had never seen from that vantage point.

They settled down, mutually agreeing to welcome the new day together, and eventually drifted off to sleep, leaning against each other. Early the next morning, Chong Liming awoke to the rising sun and gently roused Yu Chu. They exchanged a smile and then went to a peach blossom garden to fly kites. Chong Liming recalled their childhood, specifically when they first flew kites there at ages seven and five, shortly after their baby kiss engagement.

Yu Chu dismissed the old engagement as no longer valid, prompting Chong Liming to playfully ask when it "would" be valid, suggesting he would pursue her anew. He then explained his intention behind flying kites: to symbolize that some individuals, like her, need someone, like him, to hold their string, ensuring they don’t fall, regardless of how high they soar.

Yu Chu challenged this, asserting that he was the one who yearned for freedom and that she would accept her fate if she fell. Chong Liming firmly promised to always be there to prevent her from falling.

When she questioned if she could trust him, he turned the question back to her, to which she playfully responded, "No." As Chong Liming sent the kite soaring high, Yu Chu encouraged him to let it go even higher, then eventually urged him to release the string completely, allowing it to fly freely. Chong Liming then received an imperial order to lead Yanshi Fan in escorting a British delegation to Sichuan for the signing of a Sichuan-Han Railway construction agreement.

He expressed to Lord Deqi his desire to be the one to sign the agreement, not just provide escort, arguing that as a first-rank prince and Yanshi Fan leader, he should have the authority to negotiate with the foreigners.

Lord Deqi explained that the railway matter fell under the Regent's jurisdiction, who was unlikely to relinquish such a profitable opportunity (referring to "fat meat"), especially given the Regent's strict fiscal policies (known as "cut the expenditure and clear the source") that even reduced the Empress Dowager's "fat powder" and clothing expenses significantly. Chong Liming countered that bringing in the experienced British for railway construction was a positive step for modernization, which the Empress Dowager would support.

Lord Deqi, however, subtly chastised Chong Liming for his sudden change of perspective, implying it was influenced by Zhe Yu allowing Yu Chu to return. He warned Chong Liming about the complex political implications and dangers, reiterating that his primary duty was to ensure the safe escort of the British delegation without error. Chong Liming affirmed his understanding. Shortly after, Wagner noticed Chong Liming's somber mood and asked what was wrong, to which Chong Liming replied that he would be heading to Sichuan in a few days.

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