I Will Never Let You Go Episode 25 Recap
> I Will Never Let You Go Recap
Liu Mingyue, weakened by poison, sought out Xiao Jiufeng at his hidden location. She expressed concern for his safety, explaining that she had been poisoned at an inn and narrowly escaped with Hei Yan's help, coming to assist him. However, Xiao Jiufeng harshly reprimanded her for her intrusion, reminding her of his strict prohibition against entering the area and threatening her if her pursuers tracked her there.
Despite his anger, he provided her with an antidote and ordered her to closely monitor the activities at the Prince Manor. He suspected that the Seventh Prince had deceived them all and was the true mastermind behind the stolen map, further believing that the two individuals who had escaped Biluotian years ago were now hiding within the manor.
Meanwhile, Ah Fu reported to the Emperor, presenting a half-map he claimed to have stolen from a mysterious figure responsible for a massacre in Biluotian. He also mentioned that Liu Mingyue had poisoned the Seventh Prince's guards. Ah Fu then requested permission for his sister to accompany him in the search for Biluotian, asserting that her memory of secret paths would be invaluable. The Emperor, weary of waiting, granted his request and promised imperial assistance.
He also informed Ah Fu that once the Seventh Prince passed away, Ah Fu would be relieved of his duties as a spy and could dedicate himself entirely to the quest for Biluotian. Before leaving, Ah Fu successfully petitioned to see his sister. Their reunion was emotional, and Ah Fu confided in her his plan to enter Biluotian with her and forsake the corrupt mortal world forever, a plan his sister enthusiastically embraced.
Ah Fu then revealed his deep guilt over Chen Yu's fate, believing his own presence had inadvertently fueled the Seventh Prince's ambition to seize power, which in turn led to Ah Fu becoming an imperial informant. He worried that even with his father's impending death, Chen Yu's life would be anything but peaceful. Ah Fu returned to the Prince Manor to give his report to the Seventh Prince.
He fabricated a story, claiming he hadn't found the map but had successfully located Biluotian's entrance. The Seventh Prince, on his deathbed, expressed satisfaction and entrusted Chen Yu's future to Ah Fu, urging him to provide support. He also revealed that he was aware of Liu Mingyue killing his guards but instructed Ah Fu to leave her unharmed, intending to use her to benefit Chen Yu.
As royal physicians confirmed the Seventh Prince would not survive the day, the Emperor arrived. Chen Yu, distraught, urged his father to rest. The Seventh Prince requested a private audience with the Emperor, during which he confessed to past ambitions of usurping the throne and searching for Biluotian. However, he claimed that the Emperor's kindness and his mother's counsel had long since led him to abandon such thoughts, dedicating himself instead to managing the state treasury.
His final plea was for the Emperor to grant Chen Yu freedom from the capital. The Emperor agreed. Shortly after, an imperial decree was announced: Chen Yu was granted the barren Dongping Commandery and bestowed the title of Commandery Prince of Dongping. The decree stipulated that he must depart immediately after his father's funeral and was forbidden from returning to the capital without an imperial summons. Chen Yu was left to mourn his father's passing in profound grief.
News reached Hua Buqi of the Seventh Prince's death and the state treasury being reassigned to the Elder Princess's husband. She learned that Chen Yu had been demoted to the desolate Dongping Commandery, a move she interpreted as the Emperor's deep distrust.
Hearing of Dongping's harsh conditions, rife with bandits and miasma, Hua Buqi swiftly instructed Zhu Shou to prepare anti-mosquito and anti-fever medicines for Chen Yu, ostensibly as a business venture to gain a foothold in Dongping's unique local products, such as its prized big-leaf tea. She secretly worried for Chen Yu. That night, Chen Yu clandestinely met the Emperor, having instructed his attendant, Xiao Liu, to turn away all visitors under the pretense of grief.
The Emperor revealed that his summons was for a secret mission in Dongping. He tested Chen Yu, claiming the Seventh Prince had, before his death, spoken of a connection between Mingyue Villa and Biluotian, and had supposedly given Chen Yu items from Biluotian. Chen Yu feigned ignorance, denying any knowledge of Biluotian or Mingyue Villa from his father, or receiving any such items.
Though the Emperor conceded he might have misheard about the items, he insisted the link between Mingyue Villa and Biluotian was clear. He questioned Chen Yu's belief in the prophecy, "The one who obtains the treasures of Buluotian treasure will run the world," which Chen Yu dismissed as absurd. The Emperor, however, argued that wealth combined with military power and ambition could indeed bring about significant change.
He tasked Chen Yu with investigating Mingyue Villa, cautioning him about its complex influence and Dongping's proximity to it. The Emperor offered Chen Yu an imperial badge to mobilize troops in an emergency, but Chen Yu respectfully declined, citing his own limited martial skills and the risk of the badge falling into the wrong hands, promising instead to send intelligence via correspondence. The Emperor promised lavish rewards and a better assignment upon successful completion.
After Chen Yu departed, the Emperor secretly ordered spies to monitor him, with instructions to execute him if any treachery was observed. While Chen Yu was away meeting the Emperor, Yuan Chong struggled to cover for him as Jianfei arrived, insisting on seeing Chen Yu. Yuan Chong tried to deter him with tales of Chen Yu's profound sorrow from his father's death and demotion.
When Jianfei worried Chen Yu might do something drastic and insisted on comforting him, Yuan Chong fabricated a story about Chen Yu's romantic entanglement in Suzhou. He claimed Chen Yu had saved and fallen for "Hua Hua," the granddaughter of the House of Zhu, but their burgeoning love was cut short by the Prince's critical condition. Now, with Chen Yu in mourning and unable to marry for three years, Yuan Chong lamented that the misunderstanding would likely never be resolved.
Jianfei, surprised by Chen Yu's supposed sentimental side, pondered solutions. Just then, Chen Yu returned and called them in. Jianfei immediately brought up the "lady in Suzhou," but Chen Yu denied any such relationship. Yuan Chong quickly reminded him of "Hua Hua" from the House of Zhu, emphasizing her "bright, super bright, unforgettable" eyes.
Chen Yu, piecing together Yuan Chong's vague descriptions with Hua Buqi's past attempts to meet him as the Lotus Robe Knight, realized that "Hua Hua" was, in fact, Hua Buqi, and she was the one truly trying to seek him out. The three then prepared to share drinks for Chen Yu's last night in the capital. The following day, Ah Fu again met Chen Yu, inquiring about his intentions regarding the Seventh Prince's past ambition for the throne.
Chen Yu firmly stated he would not use Hua Buqi as a tool for power, nor did he desire the imperial seat. His only aim was to help the Emperor investigate Mingyue Villa, then live peacefully with Hua Buqi. Ah Fu, touched by Chen Yu's character, confessed his true identity as the Emperor's spy, explaining that he only undertook the role to save his sister.
He clarified that the Emperor was only aware of Biluotian's treasure, not the Saintess or the sacred object. Ah Fu requested Chen Yu to give him the sacred object and the map, so he and his sister could retreat to Biluotian, never to return to the mortal world. Chen Yu, wanting to aid them and protect Hua Buqi from becoming a target, agreed to his request.
Ah Fu noted that the Emperor's order to find Biluotian would likely come within days, marking their final farewell. Chen Yu then revealed that the Emperor had secretly tasked him with investigating Mingyue Villa and Biluotian. Ah Fu speculated that the Emperor, still suspicious of the Seventh Prince, had sent Chen Yu to uncover any remaining secrets, hoping to bide his time.
Chen Yu reiterated his disinterest in the treasure, stating his intention to investigate Mingyue Villa only to eliminate a potential threat for the Emperor and prevent future conflict, after which he would reunite with Hua Buqi. Ah Fu then showed Chen Yu a portrait of Xiao Jiufeng, identifying him as the mysterious killer from Biluotian and the likely mastermind behind Mingyue Villa, warning Chen Yu to be extremely cautious of this dangerous and skillful opponent.
Ah Fu concluded by stating that this was all he could reveal, and their imminent departure for Biluotian meant they would likely never see each other again. Despite Chen Yu's demotion to a difficult and isolated region, which led many noble families to distance themselves from the Prince Manor, the Zhu Manor made a surprising gesture. They sent a generous package containing medicines and 100,000 taels of silver.
Chen Yu's servant, Xiao Liu, was perplexed by this act of kindness, but Chen Yu, with a subtle smile, understood the implied message and decided to pay a visit to the Zhu Manor.
