Forward Forever Episode 3 Recap
> Forward Forever Recap
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Chong Liming met with Zhou Jue, who expressed his admiration for Chong Liming's spirit but asserted that Chong Liming's chosen path was incorrect. Zhou Jue argued that the Qing government's supposed reforms and a deceptive cabinet were useless for the nation and its people, proclaiming that the Qing Dynasty was beyond saving. Chong Liming retorted, accusing Zhou Jue of spreading "rebel party" rhetoric, reminding him that this was the Imperial City, not Japan.
He declared his intention to arrest Zhou Jue personally. Zhou Jue, disappointed, conceded that he had misjudged Chong Liming. Chong Liming ordered Wen Gou to take Zhou Jue away. As Wen Gou released Zhou Jue in a safe area outside the city, he warned him to leave the capital and never return.
Zhou Jue, before departing, lamented that Chong Liming and other royal noblemen had failed to understand China's true plight, referencing the failures of past reforms (like the Gengzi Incident and the Wuxu Reform) and the Emperor's imprisonment as proof that the Qing government was beyond hope. He emphasized that patriots could not stand idly by and watch China fall. A Yi, hidden on a rooftop, overheard a conversation between Yang Zhen and Si San.
Yang Zhen mentioned that Chong Liming had met with someone he described as a "classmate from Japan." Si San, however, revealed that the person was a member of the Alliance (presumably Zhou Jue) and Chong Liming had privately released him. Si San then stressed the importance of keeping this incident a secret, as privately releasing a "rebel" was a serious offense.
Meanwhile, Aisin Gioro Yuchu, a Guard Army commander from the Infantry Division and a Qing princess, arrived at the Shenji camp under Lord Feng Zheyi's orders to conduct a search. Si San vehemently opposed the search, asserting the Shenji camp's direct allegiance to the Emperor and questioning the Military Department's authority. A tense standoff ensued, with Yuchu's men ready to search and Si San's men preparing for a fight. Chong Liming arrived just as a conflict was about to erupt.
Yuchu accused the Shenji camp of smuggling arms, to which Chong Liming responded by challenging her. He permitted the search but stipulated that if she found no evidence, she would have to "compensate" him. When Yuchu challenged him back, implying he couldn't handle her, Chong Liming audaciously replied that he would consider one night with her. Enraged by his audacity and taunts, Yuchu readily agreed to the terms, vowing he wouldn't dare claim the prize.
Si San, who was injured by Yuchu's sword during the confrontation, urged Chong Liming to seek revenge. Yuchu's men searched the Shenji camp mansion thoroughly but found nothing. Chong Liming, satisfied with the outcome, pressed Yuchu for the promised "compensation." Yuchu, upholding her word, asked him where they should meet. Chong Liming set the rendezvous for 8 PM that evening at Shanglin Xianguan.
In the Shenji camp, Rui Zhen was interrogating two captured Alliance members, who stoically refused to divulge any information despite severe torture. To break them, Rui Zhen ordered the capture of one prisoner's wife and child. Chong Liming, witnessing this brutal tactic, intervened. He confronted Rui Zhen, declaring that he couldn't stand by while women and children were abused.
Despite Rui Zhen's protests that this was part of the Yan Shi Fan's mission, Chong Liming condemned their methods as "animalistic" and forcefully took the woman and child away, stating that he would bear all responsibility for their release. Aisin Gioro Yuchu reported back to her uncle, Lord Feng Zheyi, admitting that no smuggled arms were found in the Shenji camp mansion.
She suggested they search Prince Shenxiu’s mansion, believing the arms might be hidden there, and saw it as an opportunity to target Prince Shenxiu. Lord Feng Zheyi, however, cautioned against this, stating that Prince Shenxiu, though allowing Chong Liming's antics, wouldn't let him hide contraband in his own home. He feared that a fruitless search would put them in a passive position.
Lord Feng Zheyi revealed his true objective was not merely the arms, but to undermine the Plain White Banner faction that backed Prince Shenxiu. He described Prince Shenxiu as increasingly overbearing, relying on the Empress Dowager's favor, even creating a "court fire brigade" in the palace that secretly served to monitor the Emperor. He stressed the importance of suppressing the Plain White Banner's growing influence.
Lord Feng Zheyi then advised Yuchu not to antagonize Chong Liming because he was a member of the Yan Shi Fan. He explained the Yan Shi Fan's historical significance as an elite, mysterious guard unit, originally established by Emperor Shizu to protect imperial power. He noted their original name was Yan Shi, meaning "mourning imperial guards," and that they were later renamed Yan Shi Fan, continuing their loyalty to the Emperor, hinting at their current strength and importance.
He lamented that Yuchu, being a woman, could not be part of this elite unit. He reiterated that the arms smuggling investigation must continue. A Yi, who had been secretly observing Aisin Gioro Yuchu since her search of the Shenji camp, began to follow her. He intentionally allowed Yuchu, a skilled individual, to become aware of his presence.
Yuchu confronted him, demanding to know who he was and why he was following her, even leading him into a secluded alley for questioning. Realizing his cover was blown, A Yi fled, leading Yuchu on a chase through the streets. He scaled a wall and disappeared into a courtyard. Yuchu, following closely, found a large cache of smuggled arms hidden within the courtyard.
Unbeknownst to Yuchu, this was Yang Fu's backyard, and A Yi had intentionally led her to Chong Liming's hidden arms. Chong Liming, accompanied by Si San and Ke Yanxin, arrived at Shanglin Xianguan for his rendezvous with Aisin Gioro Yuchu. She arrived precisely at 8 PM, having changed into women's attire. Initially, she found the downstairs hall too noisy and suggested they move to a quieter private room upstairs, to which Chong Liming readily agreed.
Before they ascended, Chong Liming jokingly offered her a drink as an "apology" to the Shenji camp, to which she coolly replied the noise made it difficult to drink. He then challenged her about going upstairs, and she accepted without hesitation. He also took the opportunity to compliment her appearance, which she dismissively told him was none of his business. He teased her about being jealous, to which she warned him that he would soon regret his words.
Meanwhile, at Yang Fu, Jia Chang'an, acting on Lord Feng Zheyi's direct orders and with Commander Yuchu's authorization, led a contingent of infantry officers to search for smuggled arms. Jia Chang'an explicitly stated his intention was to humiliate Chong Liming. Yang Zhen attempted to resist and protect the mansion, but he was quickly overwhelmed and apprehended by the numerous officers. Jia Chang'an's men then proceeded to confiscate all the hidden arms.
Amidst the chaos, Ruowan, Yang Zhen's mother, was overcome with fear and fled the residence alone. In the private room at Shanglin Xianguan, Chong Liming continued his flirtatious banter with Aisin Gioro Yuchu, telling her he enjoyed making her angry. Suddenly, Ke Yanxin rushed in to deliver a message from Xian Er, the courtesan. Chong Liming, showing immediate excitement, abandoned Yuchu to go to Xian Er, promising to redeem her.
Yuchu was left fuming, demanding to know how he could forsake her for a prostitute. Chong Liming brazenly confirmed he was, indeed, choosing Xian Er over her, causing her to angrily dismiss both him and Ke Yanxin. Upstairs, Chong Liming found Xian Er, who was meticulously cleaning her zither with an expensive palace-grade balm.
He reiterated his offer to redeem her, but she once again politely refused, stating his kindness was too immense for her to bear and that she was committed to her art, not selling herself. She also referenced Fang'er, another courtesan, pointing out that she hadn't been redeemed yet and would be upset if Xian Er were chosen first. Chong Liming explained that Fang'er declined his offers.
He then told Xian Er that his efforts were for their benefit, hoping to free them from their difficult lives. Their conversation was abruptly interrupted when Ke Yanxin burst in again, this time with urgent bad news: the arms Chong Liming had hidden at Yang Fu had been seized by the Infantry Division.
Realizing the severity of the situation, Chong Liming confronted Rui Zhen to negotiate the return of his confiscated arms, which the captors had warned was a capital crime. Rui Zhen initially offered to buy the entire lot for 30,000 taels of silver, which he claimed was his life's savings. Chong Liming demanded 100,000 taels.
After intense haggling, Chong Liming, calling Rui Zhen a "cunning old fox," settled on exchanging one Maxim gun and 10,000 rounds of ammunition for the return of the remaining weapons. Chong Liming then ordered Wen Gou and his men to transport the recovered arms back to the Shenji camp mansion.
Despite Yang Zhen's apologies and offers to compensate for the lost Maxim gun and ammunition, Chong Liming was still deeply upset by the incident, feeling he had lost both face and valuable equipment. Meanwhile, Yang Zhen returned to Yang Fu to find his mother, Ruowan, missing. Distraught, he frantically ordered his servants to search for her, threatening them if anything happened to her.
Ruowan, disoriented and wandering aimlessly, was surrounded by a group of thugs who attempted to accost her, believing she was an easy target. A Yi appeared just in time, fiercely defending Ruowan and driving the thugs away. Ruowan, shaken, clung tightly to A Yi, refusing to let go. A Yi, feeling awkward but understanding, promised to take her home.
He safely escorted her back to Yang Fu, where Yang Zhen, overwhelmed with relief, embraced his mother, promising never to leave her side again. The next morning, Chong Liming's father, seeing him sleeping on the cold ground, dismissed a servant's concern that his son might fall ill.
Chong Liming woke up and sarcastically questioned if he was truly his father's biological son, lamenting that if he were to fall ill, there would be no one to carry on the Erji family line. His father retorted that if Chong Liming were sick for a few days, he might actually have some peace and quiet at home. He then confronted Chong Liming about his activities the previous night, demanding to know how he could be "playing" after such a major incident had occurred.
