Heroes Episode 17 Recap
> Heroes Recap
The Capital bustled with activity on a beautiful day, with many people enjoying the outing. Wen Rou arrived at the Jade Garden with Wang Xiaoshi and Bai Choufei, eager to take in the vibrant scenery. She explained that the Jade Garden, typically a royal exclusive, was now open to the public for half a month, a special grace during the plum blossom season.
However, still at odds after their recent falling out, Wang Xiaoshi and Bai Choufei remained unimpressed by the natural beauty. They exchanged only a few words before parting ways, each heading in a different direction. Meanwhile, Lei Chun sought preserved plums but was informed they were out of stock. Her maid, Mo, grew agitated and argued with the shopkeeper. Lei Chun calmly intervened, dismissing the matter by saying they had some plums at home.
She then subtly hinted to Mo that the "wealthy client" who bought all the plums did not buy them for himself and that they would likely be delivered to their residence soon, leading Mo to surmise that the client was Su Mengzhen. True to Lei Chun's unspoken prediction, a large delivery of plums arrived at her residence.
Inside the House of Sunset Drizzle, Yang Wuxie rushed to Su Mengzhen, alarmed by the sudden appearance of numerous potted plum blossoms adorning the corridors. Su Mengzhen, however, appeared unfazed as he opened a letter from Lei Chun. The letter explained that she had sent the plum blossoms, knowing he was busy and confined indoors, wishing for him to share the same beautiful scenery with her from afar.
A faint smile touched Su Mengzhen’s lips as he gazed at the fragrant blooms. Elsewhere, Fang Yingkan, having acquired the rare Hawk of Seasons calligraphy, eagerly sought to present it to his foster father, the Chancellor. However, Mr. Thirteen intercepted him, stating that the Chancellor was unavailable and that he would personally deliver the painting.
Mr. Thirteen cryptically advised Fang Yingkan that his foster father kept him occupied with tasks like finding calligraphy to prevent him from "wild thoughts," implying that Fang Yingkan would only see him when the Chancellor desired it. Disappointed, Fang Yingkan reluctantly complied and departed. Later, at a calligraphy gathering, many renowned calligraphers showcased their works. Most attendees dismissed an old man's calligraphy as ugly and unrefined, comparing it to "worms wriggling on paper."
Yet, Wang Xiaoshi surprisingly praised it, calling it "good." Intrigued, the old man approached Wang Xiaoshi and asked for his reasoning. Wang Xiaoshi explained that the old man's calligraphy was "good precisely because it was extremely ugly," resembling "dead snakes hanging on a tree" or "wriggling earthworms" from afar, and "autumn snakes" up close. He asserted that "ugliness taken to the extreme is beauty taken to the extreme," a feat only achievable by masters of great skill.
He contrasted other good works, which excelled in their structure, with the old man's, which excelled in "spirit" but "lacked 'fa'." At the old man's invitation, Wang Xiaoshi then demonstrated his own calligraphy. The old man meticulously admired Wang Xiaoshi’s writing, praising its "hidden strokes" and "strict rules." Wang Xiaoshi then clarified that the "fa" he mentioned wasn't about conventional rules but about the old man deliberately not using his specialized strokes.
He noted that only two characters in the old man's work revealed his true, carefree brushwork, indicating his superior skill. Deeply impressed, the old man requested Wang Xiaoshi's piece and invited him to his Plum Blossom Garden to see his "true writings." It was then revealed that the old man was none other than the Chancellor, Fang Yingkan's foster father, as Mr. Thirteen delivered the Hawk of Seasons to him.
Meanwhile, Wen Rou sat troubled in a pavilion when Fang Yingkan suddenly appeared. He confided in her about his difficult past: his father's early death and his subsequent arrival in the Capital with his father's Blood River Sword. He explained that the powerful officials, fearing his father's legacy and the sword's resurgence, wished for him to become a "good-for-nothing." He had no choice but to comply to ensure his survival.
Wen Rou listened intently and offered him solace, emphasizing that only by remaining alive could he seize the opportunity to become the person he truly desired to be. That evening, people gathered to watch a shadow play. Wen Rou seized the opportunity to use the play, depicting two sworn brothers' petty squabbles, to subtly encourage Wang Xiaoshi and Bai Choufei to reconcile. However, the two remained stubbornly at odds. Frustrated, Wen Rou stormed off to a tavern to drink alone.
Just as she finished her first cup, Wang Xiaoshi and Bai Choufei appeared. They revealed they had simply gone to different stalls to buy her gifts – a small bottle for good luck and a ceramic plum blossom, symbolizing eternal bloom – hence their earlier separation. They reconciled, acknowledging their shared journey through "mountains of swords and seas of fire" meant they could never truly be enemies.
The three then raised their cups, toasting to their enduring friendship, with Wen Rou urging them to cherish their happy memories to help them weather future storms. Later, a man named Wang Er excitedly brought Bai Choufei a bag of money, explaining that his mysterious patron had bought many more of his paintings and left a letter. Bai Choufei, surprised, opened the letter to find it signed "Tian Chun," along with praises for his art, filling him with joy.
Concurrently, Wen Rou learned that the Young Lady of Six Half Hall was coming to the city. Eager to "teach her a lesson" for rejecting Su Mengzhen's marriage proposal, Wen Rou waited. Spotting "Tian Chun," she pulled her into a private room and excitedly disclosed her plan to confront the Six Half Hall's Young Lady.
To Wen Rou’s surprise, "Tian Chun" merely laughed and revealed her true identity: she was indeed Lei Chun, the very Young Lady of Six Half Hall. Lei Chun then explained to Wen Rou that she knew Wen Rou was Su Mengzhen's martial sister since their encounter on the Han River, and as such, their association would be difficult in the Capital, which was why she had left without a word and been hard to find. Wen Rou accepted her apology.
Lei Chun then confided in Wen Rou that Bai Choufei seemed to harbor romantic feelings for her, a fact she had observed from his gaze on the river and later confirmed during their encounter at Six Half Hall. However, Lei Chun emphasized that she only saw Bai Choufei as a friend, just like Wang Xiaoshi and Wen Rou. She requested Wen Rou's help in gently deterring Bai Choufei, a task Wen Rou accepted despite acknowledging its difficulty.
Wen Rou later sought Wang Xiaoshi's advice on the matter, only to discover that he already knew about Bai Choufei's affections for Lei Chun. Bai Choufei arranged a meeting with Lei Chun and began to paint for her. During their conversation, he revealed that he was Bai Youjin, the artist whose work she had been patronizing, and passionately confessed his feelings for her, stating they began the moment he first saw her on the Han River.
Lei Chun listened patiently to his heartfelt declaration. She acknowledged his "honest feelings" but gently rejected him, asserting that she only considered him a friend, akin to Wang Xiaoshi and Wen Rou. She then revealed that her heart had been given to someone else since she was ten, someone she met at a small fruit shop at the edge of the market, indicating that no one else could possibly compare.
She advised Bai Choufei that he would eventually meet his true soulmate, and all his past "mistaken loves" would fade into insignificance. Following her subtle hint, Bai Choufei visited the fruit shop. The shopkeeper confirmed Lei Chun's visit roughly thirteen years ago, accompanied by a "red-clothed young man" wielding a "red sword," implicitly identifying Su Mengzhen as the object of Lei Chun's affection.
