I Will Never Let You Go Episode 26 Recap
> I Will Never Let You Go Recap
Chen Yu instructed his attendant, Xiao Liu, to impersonate him on the journey to Dongping Commandery, explaining that a slight delay would not concern His Majesty. He confirmed his intention to first visit Zhu Manor in Suzhou to confirm a matter, and then hurry to Dongping. Xiao Liu noted that the fifteenth of the eighth month was approaching, when Zhu Manor would hold a banquet to celebrate the return of their granddaughter.
On the auspicious day of the Mid-Autumn Festival, Zhu Manor buzzed with activity for the grand banquet welcoming the granddaughter, Zhu Zhu, back into the family. Yuan Chong, also present, eagerly asked about Xiao Xia, who was expected to appear with the Lady. Hua Buqi, in her elegant attire, was accompanied by Xiao Xia, also dressed as a lady.
Hua Buqi admired her transformed appearance, noting how different she looked from her days as a beggar, and wondered if Uncle Jiu would still recognize her. Xiao Xia reminded her that after the banquet, Grand Master Zhu would officially announce Hua Buqi's (as Zhu Zhu's) takeover of Zhu Manor. The ceremony began, with Zhu Old Master formally declaring Zhu Zhu's return to the family and her entry into the ancestral registry.
Guests admired Lady Zhu's beauty, with some openly expressing their desire to marry her, even if it meant joining her family. Chen Yu, discreetly disguised as a merchant, observed the proceedings. Seeing Hua Buqi, he thought to himself that it was truly her, and he resolved to protect her, vowing never to let her fall into danger again. After the ceremony, Zhu Old Master publicly announced that all affairs of Zhu Manor would henceforth be managed by Zhu Zhu.
Chen Yu then secretly dispatched four guards previously assigned by Commander Han to protect Lady Zhu of Zhu Manor. He provided them with a secret account stamp for the Sihai Bank, authorizing them to withdraw up to one hundred thousand taels for their mission, emphasizing strict secrecy. Later that night, Chen Yu, masked, stealthily entered Zhu Manor and engaged Xiao Xia in a test of her martial arts.
Impressed by her skill, he presented her with a manual for a contraption. Xiao Xia, suspicious, demanded his identity, but he insisted she only needed to know he meant no harm and would never hurt her Lady. He explained that the contraption, when set up in the courtyard, could protect her Lady. After Chen Yu departed, Yuan Chong unexpectedly scaled the wall and appeared, showering Xiao Xia with compliments and reaffirming his affection.
Xiao Xia, wielding a tree branch, initially tried to ward him off. Yuan Chong claimed to have spoken to the Lotus Robe Knight about Xiao Xia, but added that the Lotus Robe Knight did not remember or wish to see her. He then continued to declare his love and tried to convince Xiao Xia to give him a chance. Xiao Xia, however, persisted in striking him with the branch, causing him to stumble backward, hit a pillar, and faint.
Hua Buqi, hearing the commotion, came out and was handed the contraption manual by Xiao Xia. Upon hearing Xiao Xia's description of the masked man's height, Hua Buqi immediately realized it was Chen Yu, acknowledging that he knew she was in Zhu Manor but chose not to reveal himself. She wondered if he knew she was not the Seventh Prince's daughter. Discovering the unconscious Yuan Chong, Hua Buqi had him bound.
She jokingly threatened to castrate him if he dared to take Xiao Xia away. Yuan Chong defiantly retorted that he would sell Hua Buqi to a brothel if she castrated him. Hua Buqi reminded him he was in her courtyard, under her control, and playfully removed his belt. Both Hua Buqi and Xiao Xia teased Yuan Chong, calling him silly, though Yuan Chong insisted he was merely honest.
Hua Buqi then inquired if Yuan Chong knew the Lotus Robe Knight's birthday. Feigning a request for a "friend" who was obsessed with the Lotus Robe Knight, Hua Buqi provided her own birth details—the year of Yihai, the third day of the fourth month, around midnight—asking Yuan Chong to relay them to the Lotus Robe Knight to see if they were a match.
Yuan Chong, remembering Chen Yu's earlier comments at Hua Buqi's grave about her not being his father's daughter, immediately understood Hua Buqi's true intention: she was subtly informing Chen Yu that she was not his sister. Xiao Xia then unbound Yuan Chong, warning him that future trespassing would result in a broken leg and him being reported to the authorities. Yuan Chong promised to return through the front door next time.
Returning to his lodging, Yuan Chong was surprised to find Chen Yu, who was supposed to be in Dongping. Yuan Chong complained about Xiao Xia being a "tigress." Chen Yu confirmed that the Zhu Manor's granddaughter was indeed Hua Buqi. He then instructed Yuan Chong to find a way to keep Jianfei in the capital, as Jianfei was too clever and might have deduced something, and Chen Yu did not want too many people to know Hua Buqi's true identity.
Yuan Chong agreed to keep the secret but demanded Chen Yu's help in marrying Xiao Xia. Chen Yu revealed that Xiao Xia had watched over Yuan Chong the entire night after he fainted, indicating her hidden affection. Overjoyed, Yuan Chong wanted to rush back to Zhu Manor to see Xiao Xia, but Chen Yu advised him that "less is more," suggesting he wait a few days to let Xiao Xia miss him, hoping she would then be less harsh.
With his plans set, Chen Yu bid Yuan Chong farewell, stating it was not yet the right time to openly meet Hua Buqi as he needed to return to Dongping Commandery swiftly. Back at Zhu Manor, Hua Buqi was overwhelmed by the endless account books, while Zhu Old Master peacefully fished. Feeling it was unfair, she approached him, humorously telling him a story about a fisherman and a wealthy businessman, subtly implying that he was enjoying his retirement too much.
She then cajoled him into accompanying her on a shopping trip, asserting it would help her understand the family businesses and establish her reputation as the head of the household. During their outing, Hua Buqi cleverly purchased an expensive jade stone for Zhu Old Master, boosting his spirits and making him happily affirm her authority.
After this, she dismissed him back to the manor with guards, despite his protests, assuring him that she and Xiao Xia would continue shopping and everything would be charged to his account. As Hua Buqi and Xiao Xia continued their stroll, they spotted Yun Lang walking with Lin Dansha. Hua Buqi quickly pulled Xiao Xia aside to avoid being seen, expressing surprise but wishing Yun Lang well, acknowledging Lin Dansha's good family background.
Shortly after, Yuan Chong, from a restaurant called Zuiyitai, called out to Xiao Xia. Hua Buqi, Xiao Xia, Yuan Chong, and Jianfei then sat down for tea and pastries. Jianfei openly praised Hua Buqi's captivating beauty. From an adjacent private room, Dongfang Shi deliberately scoffed at Jianfei's poetic praises, criticizing him as a useless scholar concerned only with vanity while barbarians threatened the northern borders.
Xiao Xia explained to Hua Buqi the sarcastic meaning of Dongfang Shi's words, which deeply angered Yuan Chong and Jianfei, prompting them to confront him. Before they could reach him, Dongfang Shi ambushed them. Xiao Xia, though skilled, was no match for Dongfang Shi. Before she could clearly identify him, Dongfang Shi swiftly abducted Hua Buqi. News of Hua Buqi's abduction quickly reached Chen Yu, compelling him to rush back to Suzhou.
Meanwhile, in Suzhou, Dongfang Shi explained to Hei Feng his rationale for kidnapping Lady Zhu. He clarified that the Zhu family had been reluctant to honor their marriage agreement, and with many merchants now coveting Hua Buqi, he had to act preemptively. His plan was to spread rumors that she had "lost her virginity" to him, thereby forcing the Zhu family to consent to their marriage. Hua Buqi soon awoke in the unfamiliar room.
Dongfang Shi, at first, playfully teased her, even implying they had spent the night together. However, Hua Buqi’s tears and fierce defiance made him drop his act. He then revealed his true identity as Medical Sage Dongfang and explained their pre-existing marriage arrangement. He clarified that the "mysterious person" who signed the contract with Zhu Manor was his maternal grandfather.
After the Zhu family failed to uphold their promise, his grandfather was heartbroken and no longer wished to marry a daughter from their house, thus transferring the engagement to Dongfang Shi. Hua Buqi, realizing Dongfang Shi’s formidable martial arts, understood that Xiao Xia could not have genuinely kidnapped him; he had deliberately allowed it.
She further deduced that his appearance as the "Medical Sage Dongfang" only after she was poisoned indicated he had known her identity all along and meticulously orchestrated everything to get close to her. Dongfang Shi readily admitted to her deductions, openly stating his admiration for her "wild" personality and his intention to marry her in two years, urging her to abandon any thoughts of repaying the family debt.
Hua Buqi vehemently rejected the idea of marrying Dongfang Shi, accusing his family of being responsible for the deaths of Uncle Jiu and her mother, Xue Fei. She vowed to repay the Zhu Manor's silver debt to his family, but declared she would die before marrying him, even threatening to "smash him with silver ingots" if he dared to come for her in two years.
Dongfang Shi scoffed, challenging her to a bet that she would fail to raise the required amount of silver in two years, confident she would still become his bride. He reiterated his appreciation for her personality. Hua Buqi then demanded to be sent back to Zhu Manor. Dongfang Shi agreed, but only on the condition that she "accompany" him for three days. When Hua Buqi questioned this demand, he simply replied, "Because I want you to."
He warned her to "adapt to the circumstances," or he would never return her to Zhu Manor, and they would still be forced to pay the debt, potentially leaving everyone in Zhu Manor destitute. Realizing her precarious situation, Hua Buqi reluctantly agreed to accompany him for three days, hoping he would keep his word. That night, Dongfang Shi instructed his attendants to prepare food for Hua Buqi and ensure she rested undisturbed, stating he would see her the next morning. An attendant later informed Hua Buqi that a four-hour boat ride could take her to the Dongting West Mountains, known for its beautiful scenery, hinting at their next destination.
