I Will Never Let You Go Episode 21 Recap
> I Will Never Let You Go Recap
Grand Master Zhu informed Hua Buqi that if she refused to marry a mysterious man, Zhu Manor would be forced to pay back all its debts immediately. However, if she agreed to become the Zhu Manor's granddaughter, she would be obligated to marry the mysterious man in two years.
Hua Buqi, learning the debt now amounted to over ten million taels due to accumulated interest, angrily confronted Grand Master Zhu, asking why he hadn't sold assets earlier to prevent her mother and Uncle Jiu's sacrifices. Grand Master Zhu explained he couldn't liquidate everything and make his employees homeless, and he had been saving money precisely so Hua Buqi and Uncle Jiu could return home honorably.
Hua Buqi felt her new status as granddaughter was merely a means to pay off a debt. Grand Master Zhu offered Hua Buqi the choice to leave, even suggesting he would deny having a granddaughter if she chose to go. Hua Buqi then summoned Zhu Fu and Zhu Shou, accusing them of bringing her back just to marry her off to an old man.
She was puzzled why Zhu Manor, being so short on funds, was still competing for the rights to run the Imperial Treasury. Zhu Shou explained they partnered with Mingyue Villa, led by Liu Mingyue, who claimed she sought revenge for her mother killed by Madam Mo and needed the Imperial Treasury rights for this purpose. The rights would provide a secure reputation and an emergency fund of at least five million taels.
Hua Buqi, however, revealed that Liu Qingwu from Mingyue Villa killed Uncle Jiu. She suspected Mingyue Villa’s true intention was to trick Zhu Manor into using government funds to pay off its private debt, leading to the Emperor confiscating their assets. She also believed the mysterious person, who hated the Zhu family for hiding her mother, was connected to Mingyue Villa, orchestrating both Uncle Jiu’s death and the Imperial Treasury scheme to destroy the Zhu family.
Zhu Shou, enraged, wanted to immediately confront Mingyue Villa, but Hua Buqi advised a more subtle approach: outwardly maintain cooperation while secretly investigating to find leverage against them. Considering Uncle Jiu's death and Grand Master Zhu's years of effort, Hua Buqi decided to stay, resolved to fight Mingyue Villa and, if necessary, marry the mysterious man, even joking about inheriting his wealth upon his eventual demise and ensuring her children carried the Zhu surname.
Grand Master Zhu, while mourning his deceased wife, was greatly comforted by Hua Buqi’s decision to stay and her fierce spirit, further ignited by the news of Uncle Jiu’s murder by Mingyue Villa. Zhu Fu, pleased with her decision, appointed four maids with special skills to assist her, and Hua Buqi began studying business ledgers. Meanwhile, at the Prince's residence, Liu Mingyue met with the Seventh Prince, confirming she was ready to lead his people to Biluotian.
Separately, Chen Yu decided to travel to Suzhou to find a renowned young medical sage for the Seventh Prince. Yuan Chong insisted on accompanying him. Soon after, Chen Yu received a signal from Liu Qingwu, who informed him that Liu Mingyue was preparing to leave the capital. Liu Qingwu suggested following Liu Mingyue discreetly, as she was likely to set traps to prevent the Seventh Prince's people from finding Biluotian.
Their plan was to manipulate events to make Liu Mingyue appear incompetent or even die, ensuring that Liu Qingwu, with Qingyan missing, would become the new master of Mingyue Villa. Chen Yu chastised Liu Qingwu for her ruthlessness towards her teacher but refused to join her, stating his priority was finding a doctor for the Seventh Prince in Suzhou, and that he had no interest in Biluotian or Liu Mingyue's affairs.
He tasked his subordinate with continuing the search for Hua Buqi before departing for Suzhou with Yuan Chong. At Feiyun Fortress, Lin Yuquan arrived to discuss the marriage between his sister, Lin Dansha, and Yun Lang. However, Yun Lang had already left a letter, having ridden off to search for Hua Buqi in Jiangnan, based on a maid's southern accent. Lin Dansha, spotting Yun Lang leaving, quickly pursued him.
She pleaded to join his search, but Yun Lang firmly refused, expressing his irritation with her persistent advances, stating that while he would honor his promise to marry her, her pushy behavior only made him dislike her more. Later that night, Lin Dansha confessed her deep affection for Yun Lang, admitting she loved his honesty and sincerity. She openly envied Hua Buqi, wishing Yun Lang could show her the same kindness.
Yun Lang, in turn, admitted he had not always been kind to Hua Buqi, having threatened and even molested her, believing himself to be an unworthy man. Lin Dansha, however, maintained her admiration and, acknowledging her own shamelessness in pressing the issue, still begged him for a chance. At Zhu Manor, with Hua Buqi's identity set to be revealed in August, a constant stream of curious onlookers tried to glimpse her.
Annoyed, Hua Buqi devised a plan to "lure the snakes out of their holes." She decided to go out, with Xiaoxia disguised as the Zhu granddaughter and herself as a maid. Despite Zhu Fu’s concerns about Xiaoxia’s safety, Hua Buqi assured him she knew how to fight and that Zhu Shou’s men would provide protection. Unbeknownst to them, Dongfang Shi, the renowned medical sage, also heard the rumors of the Zhu granddaughter's outing and decided to observe her.
In Suzhou, Chen Yu and Yuan Chong sought help from a local friend, Changqing, to locate Dongfang Shi, but the medical sage was nowhere to be found, causing Chen Yu considerable anxiety. As Hua Buqi and Xiaoxia strolled through the lively Suzhou market, Hua Buqi deliberately drew attention to Xiaoxia, visiting various Zhu family stores to flush out anyone with ill intentions.
They decided to dine at Zuiyitai, a restaurant owned by Hua Buqi’s Ninth Aunt, whom Hua Buqi knew was conspiring with other relatives to seize the Zhu family assets. She specifically stated she had no qualms about causing trouble there. As they entered, Chen Yu narrowly missed an encounter with them while leaving the restaurant. Inside, a local bully, Lord Wu, tried to force his way into their table.
Hua Buqi, still disguised as a maid, boldly warned him that her mistress was connected to Prince Jing, whose concubine was their Ninth Aunt. Just then, Yuan Chong, who was dining upstairs, heard the commotion. Leaping dramatically from the second floor, he descended into the restaurant. Upon seeing Xiaoxia’s beautiful face, he was instantly captivated, mistaking her for the Zhu granddaughter, and immediately resolved to protect her.
