I Will Never Let You Go Episode 20 Recap
> I Will Never Let You Go Recap
Hua Buqi awakened, and Xiaoxia presented her with a box of candy figures from Yun Lang, conveying his message that he would wait for her at the gazebo on Xinglong Mountain for three days every year on the third day of the third month. Holding one of the candy figures, Hua Buqi inquired about her recent "funeral," feeling a pang of disappointment when Xiaoxia confirmed no one from the Prince Manor had attended.
She mused to herself, acknowledging that Chen Yu, in his public identity, still believed she was his sister and thus despised her. Perhaps Chen Yu, as the Lotus Robe Knight, had been there but remained unseen. Knowing Hua Buqi's deep affection for the Lotus Robe Knight, Xiaoxia urged her to sever ties with the past and embrace a new life, to avoid further pain. Hua Buqi agreed, resolving to let her old self be buried with the past.
She was now the granddaughter of the House of Zhu, identifying as Uncle Jiu's illegitimate daughter, and could start afresh. Hua Buqi was escorted to Zhu Manor by Zhu Fu and his group, including Zhu Shou. She was settled in Uncle Jiu’s former room, a place that had been a restricted area since Uncle Jiu’s conflict with Grand Master Zhu and his subsequent departure for the capital.
Zhu Shou explained that Grand Master Zhu was still angry with Uncle Jiu and had not yet formally approved Hua Buqi's return. Hua Buqi realized Zhu Fu and Zhu Shou had acted on their own initiative. Left alone, Hua Buqi felt a profound sadness, reflecting on how Uncle Jiu could have enjoyed a life of comfort in such a beautiful home, had he not endured years of hardship and begging to protect her.
Meanwhile, Grand Master Zhu was furious with Zhu Fu and Zhu Shou for unilaterally bringing Hua Buqi into the manor and, even worse, for sending out invitations for a recognition feast on the fifteenth of the eighth month. He accused them of acting as if he were dead and disrespecting his authority. Zhu Fu and Zhu Shou, knowing Grand Master Zhu's harsh words masked a soft heart, continued to persuade him.
Zhu Shou subtly reminded the Grand Master of the hardships Hua Buqi and Uncle Jiu had faced while begging. As they expected, Grand Master Zhu eventually relented and agreed to the feast, deciding to accept Hua Buqi, though he warned them to ensure the feast was a success or face severe consequences. Later, Hua Buqi discovered Grand Master Zhu weeping by the river in the backyard, lamenting the fate of his "Xiao Jiu" (Uncle Jiu).
As she approached, he quickly composed himself, resuming his grumpy, eccentric persona. Hua Buqi, observing his earlier sorrow, offered him one of Yun Lang's exquisitely made candy figures. That night, Zhu Shou presented Hua Buqi with the Zhu family tree, informing her that she was now the tenth successor to the wealthiest family in Jiangnan. Hua Buqi noticed Uncle Jiu's name was absent, and Zhu Shou explained that Grand Master Zhu had removed it in a fit of anger.
Zhu Fu further clarified that she would be introduced as "Zhu Zhu," Uncle Jiu's illegitimate daughter, a fabrication to deflect rumors and establish her as the sole heir. Hua Buqi, confused about her mother Xue Fei's surname and her father Mo Baixing's identity, questioned why she, an outsider, should inherit the family's assets.
Zhu Fu insisted on Xue Fei's deep connection to Zhu Manor, confirming Hua Buqi as the legitimate tenth successor, and reiterating that this "illegitimate daughter" story was for public perception. When Hua Buqi expressed doubt about Grand Master Zhu's acceptance, Zhu Fu and Zhu Shou suggested she showcase a talent at the feast to impress him.
Hua Buqi confessed she had no conventional talents suitable for such an event, but reasoned that simply amusing the Grand Master was enough, as ultimately, he held the power over the family's wealth. The next day, Hua Buqi found Grand Master Zhu relaxing by the river and, after a verbal spat, mischievously sampled his expensive tea. Knowing her excellent cooking skills, he demanded she prepare him a meal in return.
After a playful argument over the exorbitant cost of his tea and her request for money to buy ingredients, he reluctantly gave her a gold leaf. Grand Master Zhu then presented her with a seemingly impossible culinary challenge: no birds that fly in the sky, no fish that swim in the water, no animals that run on the ground, no vegetables grown in the garden, and no domesticated animals.
Undaunted, Hua Buqi led him into the forest to gather wild mushrooms and herbs. As they worked, she regaled him with stories of her resourceful adventures with Uncle Jiu – from picking mushrooms to catching field rats for food, and even making shoes from grass. Her stories deeply moved the old man, making him lament that if Uncle Jiu had returned home sooner, he wouldn't have met his end. As she began cooking, Grand Master Zhu asked for water.
Hua Buqi told him to drink from the river, recalling how she and Uncle Jiu had done the same while begging, a memory that brought a pang of sadness to Grand Master Zhu as he drank the cold river water, picturing his son. Hua Buqi then left him to tend the fire and returned with a live snake, playfully scaring him before dispatching it for soup.
She passionately described her and Uncle Jiu's happy, albeit impoverished, life, finding joy in simple things like catching snakes and field rats, a stark contrast to Grand Master Zhu's sheltered existence. Hua Buqi then directly asked Grand Master Zhu why Uncle Jiu had fled with her, and if he was her father, attempting to take her mother from the Seventh Prince.
Grand Master Zhu clarified that Xiao Jiu (Uncle Jiu) was his son, and Xue Fei was his daughter, making Uncle Jiu her maternal uncle. He explained that Uncle Jiu, proud and ambitious, had left Suzhou to make his own fortune in the capital, believing he could achieve success without relying on the Zhu family's wealth. He rarely returned home until Xue Fei's seventeenth birthday.
Grand Master Zhu also revealed that although Xue Fei was a daughter of the Zhu Manor, she had been secretly fostered in Xue Village for many years to hide from a mysterious person. Grand Master Zhu then recounted a dark chapter from his youth. He had made a grave business error, leading to financial ruin and a murder accusation, which almost resulted in his execution. The Zhu family faced immense pressure and public humiliation.
At his most desperate hour, a mysterious person appeared, saving him and clearing the Zhu Manor's name within three days. In return, the mysterious person demanded to marry Grand Master Zhu's legitimate daughter, promising betrothal gifts on her seventeenth birthday and to claim her at eighteen. If Zhu Manor reneged, they would owe double the original debt plus interest. Grand Master Zhu's father, grateful for the rescue, readily agreed.
Coincidentally, his wife gave birth to a daughter, Xue Fei, that very night. However, on her deathbed, Xue Fei's mother vehemently opposed the marriage, likely due to the mysterious person being significantly older than Grand Master Zhu himself. To protect Xue Fei, Grand Master Zhu secretly sent her to Xue Village, run by an old friend and business partner. He and Uncle Jiu would visit her in secret over the years.
However, on Xue Fei’s seventeenth birthday, the mysterious person appeared at Zhu Manor, delivering the betrothal gifts and revealing his knowledge of Xue Fei’s hidden location. He threatened to ruin the Zhu family and break Uncle Jiu's limbs if they refused to honor the agreement.
Uncle Jiu, outraged by the idea of his young sister marrying a man older than his own father, defiantly took Xue Fei and fled Suzhou that very night, seeking refuge with his good friend, Mo Baixing, the eldest young lord of Mo Manor in the capital. The tragic tale continued: Mo Baixing, in a drunken stupor, impregnated Xue Fei. Mo Madam, consumed by jealousy, could not tolerate Xue Fei, forcing her to return to Xue Village.
Shortly after, Mo Madam, consumed by jealousy, set fire to Xue Village in the middle of the night. Fortunately, Uncle Jiu arrived in time and rescued baby Hua Buqi. Zhu Fu later found Uncle Jiu holding baby Hua Buqi; Xue Fei had vanished. Uncle Jiu warned them against searching for him and, most importantly, to beware of the Seventh Prince.
Hua Buqi questioned why she should beware of the Seventh Prince if he wasn't her father, a mystery Grand Master Zhu admitted he was still investigating. Uncle Jiu then took Hua Buqi and embarked on a life of constant flight and begging, sacrificing his comfortable life and handsome appearance to hide their tracks and protect her. Hua Buqi finally understood the immense scale of Uncle Jiu's sacrifice, realizing his hardships were truly for her sake.
