I Will Never Let You Go Episode 27 Recap
> I Will Never Let You Go Recap
Chen Yu's hidden guards, dispatched to protect Hua Buqi, split into two groups. One group tracked Hua Buqi while the other, with Xiao Xia, followed markings to find her. A guard located Hua Buqi and, revealing the Lotus Robe Knight's emblem, attempted to escort her away. However, before they could leave, Dongfang Shi and Hei Feng detected their presence. Hei Feng quickly subdued the guard. To prevent his identity from being exposed, the guard tragically took his own life.
Hua Buqi vehemently accused Dongfang Shi of being a murderer, enraged that another person around her had died. Dongfang Shi, however, noticed the Lotus Robe Knight's emblem in the guard's hand and realized Hua Buqi knew the enigmatic knight. Believing Hua Buqi was in love with the Lotus Robe Knight, Dongfang Shi mockingly asked when she got to know him. When she remained silent, he inferred her feelings.
He then instructed Hei Feng to spread the word that the granddaughter of the House of Zhu was in the Dongting West Mountains, challenging the Lotus Robe Knight to come and rescue her. Dongfang Shi planned to set ten traps, along with 180 archers and 100 fighters, to capture him.
Hua Buqi fiercely defended the Lotus Robe Knight, asserting that Dongfang Shi was inferior to him in every aspect—fighting skill, looks, and talent—and that she would never marry him, even for his immense wealth. Dongfang Shi, thoroughly provoked by Hua Buqi's words, changed his tactics. He declared he would send her back to Zhu Manor and openly compete with the Zhu family's businesses, aiming to bankrupt them until Hua Buqi willingly agreed to marry him.
He warned her not to be surprised when Zhu Manor's businesses started to lose money. Hua Buqi woke up back at Zhu Manor, much to the overjoyed Grand Master Zhu's relief. When asked who abducted her, Hua Buqi falsely claimed it was the Lotus Robe Knight, causing surprise among Grand Master Zhu and the servants. After everyone else was dismissed, Hua Buqi found Xiao Xia kneeling outside, punishing herself for failing to protect her.
Hua Buqi helped Xiao Xia up, assuring her it wasn't her fault, and Xiao Xia confessed her regret for not staying by Hua Buqi’s side, blaming herself for having saved Yuan Chong earlier. Hua Buqi then gave Xiao Xia two critical tasks. First, she was to set up contraptions around the manor according to a highly sophisticated manual she had received, ensuring that any trespasser, no matter how skilled, would face certain death.
Second, Xiao Xia was to publicly offer a reward of ten thousand taels for the death of the Lotus Robe Knight. Xiao Xia was taken aback by this. Hua Buqi explained that Dongfang Shi, who was the descendant of the mysterious person, had abducted her specifically to target the Lotus Robe Knight, knowing of her affections.
This elaborate plan was her only way to ensure the Lotus Robe Knight would not appear for the time being and thus stay out of danger. News of the Zhu family’s granddaughter offering a substantial reward for the Lotus Robe Knight’s capture quickly spread. Yuan Chong, enraged by what he perceived as a slander against the knight, expressed his disbelief.
Jianfei, noticing Yuan Chong’s strong reaction, pressed him about his connection to the Lotus Robe Knight, even speculating if Yuan Chong himself was the knight. Fearing Jianfei might discover that Chen Yu was the Lotus Robe Knight, Yuan Chong claimed to be him. When Jianfei expressed disbelief, pointing out Yuan Chong's martial arts were not as good as Chen Yu's (whom he called Zhangqing), Yuan Chong retorted that a true knight relied more on strategy than mere fighting skill.
To convince Jianfei and the public, Yuan Chong donned the Lotus Robe Knight's attire and boldly went to Zuiyitai, daring anyone to claim the bounty. Jianfei, concerned for his safety, tried to persuade him to stop, but Yuan Chong was determined. Meanwhile, Yun Lang, who had been tirelessly searching for Hua Buqi with Lin Dansha, overheard the rumors about the Lotus Robe Knight being at Zuiyitai.
Recalling his previous quest for revenge against the knight for allegedly poisoning Hua Buqi, he decided to confront him. Chen Yu, having been informed by his subordinate about Hua Buqi's abduction and safe return, and Yuan Chong's reckless impersonation, realized the gravity of the situation. At Zuiyitai, Yuan Chong, still in his Lotus Robe Knight disguise, publicly taunted those who would seek the bounty.
Dongfang Shi, observing from afar, engaged Yuan Chong in conversation, quickly discerning that he was a fake through subtle cues in his speech. Just then, Yun Lang arrived, brandishing his weapons and demanding answers from the Lotus Robe Knight regarding Hua Buqi’s supposed poisoning. Dongfang Shi stepped in, seemingly to protect Yuan Chong, curious if killing the imposter would draw out the true Lotus Robe Knight.
However, Yuan Chong, fueled by pride, refused Dongfang Shi's interference and challenged Yun Lang to a one-on-one fight. A scholar by nature, Yuan Chong was no match for Yun Lang’s real martial arts. As Yuan Chong struggled, Chen Yu, hidden in the shadows, subtly intervened, helping Yuan Chong to land a decisive blow against Yun Lang. Dongfang Shi, witnessing the sudden surge in Yuan Chong's skill, immediately sensed the presence of the real Lotus Robe Knight.
He ordered Hei Feng to give chase, but the true knight's light martial arts were too swift, leaving Dongfang Shi with only a glimpse of a shadow. Despite his victory, Yuan Chong displayed arrogance towards the injured Yun Lang. However, Yun Lang, who had previously fought the real Lotus Robe Knight, was not convinced and stated that Yuan Chong was clearly not him. Yun Lang and Lin Dansha then departed.
Later, in a private room, Yuan Chong confronted Chen Yu (whom he referred to as Zhangqing), expressing his anger and indignation that Hua Buqi, for whom Chen Yu had suffered so much, was now framing him and placing a bounty on his head. Chen Yu calmly explained that Hua Buqi's actions were meant to protect him, to keep him out of danger, and to implicitly tell him not to appear as the Lotus Robe Knight again.
He cautioned Yuan Chong against reckless behavior. Yuan Chong urged Chen Yu to visit Hua Buqi, but Chen Yu believed it was not the right time. Meanwhile, Lin Dansha, showing unwavering dedication, personally borrowed a stove and painstakingly prepared medicine for Yun Lang’s wounds. Yun Lang, touched by her efforts, thanked her, causing Lin Dansha to tear up with happiness, feeling that her persistent care was finally being acknowledged.
Yun Lang, reflecting on his own impatience while searching for Hua Buqi, apologized for his harshness. Dongfang Shi instructed Hei Feng to keep a close watch on Yuan Chong, hoping to uncover clues about the real Lotus Robe Knight. Concurrently, he initiated his business war against Zhu Manor, opening "Dong Ji" shops right next to all of Zhu Manor's establishments—from china to silk, tea, and grain stores—offering slightly lower prices and even interest-free loans for the poor.
The aggressive tactics of "Dong Ji" caused great distress at Zhu Manor. Hua Buqi, seeing the immediate impact on their businesses, finally confessed to Grand Master Zhu that Dongfang Shi was indeed the descendant of the mysterious person and had been the one who abducted her. Grand Master Zhu was shocked by this revelation. Shortly after, Dongfang Shi arrived at Zhu Manor, seeking an audience. Grand Master Zhu decided to meet him.
During their meeting, Dongfang Shi proposed marriage to Hua Buqi. He then revealed a shocking truth: Xue Fei, Grand Master Zhu’s daughter and Zhu Hua’s wife, had not died from difficult labor, as believed, but from chronic poisoning, the same poison that afflicted Zhu Zhu.
Dongfang Shi argued that his maternal grandfather's rage and subsequent order to kill Zhu Hua were due to his deep love for Xue Fei and his anger that Zhu Hua's elopement had inadvertently led to her death by poison. Grand Master Zhu, deeply affected, reiterated that the Zhu family would repay every last tael of their debt, but that his granddaughter would never marry Dongfang Shi.
Dongfang Shi smiled, seemingly understanding Grand Master Zhu's emotional ties to Zhu Hua and Xue Fei. He also subtly announced that he was returning a person to Grand Master Zhu. He then suggested he could, if necessary, become a live-in son-in-law, urging Grand Master Zhu to consider the offer further.
As he left, he taunted Hua Buqi, who had been listening nearby, reiterating his intention to marry her and to either kill the Lotus Robe Knight or force him into servitude. He further gloated about how the "Dong Ji" stores would bankrupt Zhu Manor, making it impossible for them to pay the exorbitant government taxes, thus forcing Hua Buqi into marriage.
Hua Buqi, listening nearby, retorted that she would only marry him if her mother and Uncle Jiu told her to. Later, Xiao Xia secretly followed Dongfang Shi out of the manor, intent on killing him by Wu Lake. Dongfang Shi, aware of her presence, suggested they fight there to avoid attracting attention. Despite her skill, Xiao Xia was no match for Dongfang Shi.
He declared he wouldn't kill her, not wanting to incur Hua Buqi's lifelong hatred, but stated his intention to cripple her martial arts to prevent her from opposing him in the future. At that critical moment, Chen Yu and his hidden guards, who had been monitoring Dongfang Shi, intervened by shooting short arrows from the shadows, stopping Dongfang Shi's attack. Dongfang Shi, lightly grazed by an arrow, was surprised by the Lotus Robe Knight's formidable archery skills, acknowledging his prowess but vowing that he wouldn't be as lucky next time.
