I Will Never Let You Go Episode 45 Recap
> I Will Never Let You Go Recap
In the imperial prison, Chen Yu was attempting to rescue Grand Master Zhu when he was ensnared in a trap set by Bai Jianfei. Bai Jianfei then brought Chen Yu before the Emperor, who accused Chen Yu of various crimes, including escaping with Hua Buqi and trying to free a prisoner. The Emperor demanded that Chen Yu hand over a map, a holy object, and Hua Buqi.
Chen Yu admitted his actions of attempting to free the prisoner but feigned ignorance regarding the items and Hua Buqi's status as the Biluotian Saintess. He explained he had protected Hua Buqi because she was innocent and he didn't want her involved in the Zhu family's alleged rebellion. The Emperor, who revealed that his concubine had informed him of Hua Buqi's true identity, pressed Chen Yu further, suspecting he was withholding the items for his own rebellious ambitions.
Chen Yu, maintaining his innocence, offered his life as proof of his loyalty. The Emperor then stabbed Chen Yu, who, even as he collapsed from the wound, expressed gratitude that his loyalty and his father's name would be cleared by his death. Seeing Chen Yu lose consciousness, the Emperor hastily summoned imperial doctors, ordering them to spare no expense and threatening them with severe punishment if Chen Yu did not survive.
While Chen Yu was still in critical condition, Bai Jianfei approached the Emperor, expressing concern that Chen Yu was too cunning and difficult to control. He suggested that if the Emperor was unwilling to kill Chen Yu, he should at least cripple his martial arts to ensure his complete loyalty. The Emperor, acknowledging the deep animosity between Bai Jianfei and Chen Yu, ultimately agreed to Bai Jianfei's proposal.
Meanwhile, Hua Buqi grew increasingly anxious over Chen Yu's prolonged absence and the lack of news, especially since Grand Master Zhu had not yet arrived as promised. She confronted Xiao Liu, who initially tried to mislead her with a fabricated story about Grand Master Zhu's delayed journey due to a cold.
However, under Hua Buqi's persistent questioning, Xiao Liu confessed the truth: Grand Master Zhu had been arrested by the Emperor, and Chen Yu had gone to the capital to rescue him. Deeply worried about both men, Hua Buqi declared her intention to go to the capital. When Xiao Liu tried to stop her, reminding her of the dangers, Hua Buqi, asserting she could not remain idle, cleverly feigned hunger.
As Xiao Liu went to fetch food, she locked him in the room, then slipped away to embark on her journey. Chen Yu eventually regained consciousness and requested that Yuan Chong, the son of the Capital City Garrison Commander, be allowed to deliver medicinal wine, claiming it was beneficial for knife wounds. The Emperor granted the request but instructed his eunuchs to secretly monitor their conversation.
Chen Yu, aware of the Emperor's lingering distrust, privately understood that he wouldn't be killed until the Emperor obtained the desired items. Yuan Chong, after an initial encounter with Bai Jianfei where he was evasive about Chen Yu's situation, arrived at Chen Yu's chambers. There, Chen Yu revealed that his identity as the Lotus Robe Knight had been exposed to the Emperor by Bai Jianfei, who betrayed him for personal ambition.
Chen Yu warned Yuan Chong about Bai Jianfei's true nature and asked him to look after Hua Buqi, anticipating her arrival in the capital to find him. He also confided that his years as the Lotus Robe Knight had taught him how to counteract the poison used to cripple his martial arts. After leaving Chen Yu, Yuan Chong angrily confronted Bai Jianfei, accusing him of betraying their shared brotherhood for power.
Bai Jianfei, in turn, bitterly expressed his long-held resentment over their social differences and Chen Yu's concealment of his Lotus Robe Knight identity. He declared their friendship irrevocably severed, stating that he would not regret eliminating Chen Yu if it served the government. Liu Qingwu, upon learning of Chen Yu's severe injuries and confinement in Zhaohui Palace from her maid Ping'er, immediately blamed Hua Buqi. Despite Ping'er's warnings about the risks, Liu Qingwu was determined to see Chen Yu.
Later that night, she discreetly made her way to Chen Yu's residence, disguised as a maid and faking an injury to bypass the palace guards. Upon meeting Chen Yu, Liu Qingwu fabricated a story about being saved by Bai Jianfei after an attack by Hua Buqi, which led to her becoming an imperial concubine. She then offered to abandon her new status and help Chen Yu escape if he would give up Hua Buqi and become her lover.
Chen Yu, however, firmly rejected her offer, declaring his unwavering love for Hua Buqi and stating he would never regret dying for her. Fueled by jealousy, Liu Qingwu revealed that she was the one who informed the Emperor of Hua Buqi's identity as the Biluotian Saintess, warning that Hua Buqi would face certain death if she came to the capital.
When Liu Qingwu provocatively suggested they die together as lovers if the Emperor were to discover their secret meeting, Chen Yu, thinking quickly, called for the imperial doctor, claiming his wounds were flaring up, thereby forcing Liu Qingwu to leave. After her unsuccessful visit, Liu Qingwu surmised that Chen Yu must have hidden Hua Buqi, as the Emperor had not yet captured her. She then decided to use Chen Yu as bait.
She sought out the Emperor, feigning concern for his worries. The Emperor shared his frustration over the elusive "master" and Dongfang Shi, suspecting their widespread influence. Liu Qingwu then presented her "brilliant idea": the Emperor should issue a public notice announcing the execution of Chen Yu and Grand Master Zhu in one month, along with a nationwide arrest warrant for Hua Buqi on charges of rebellion. She confidently predicted that Hua Buqi would willingly surrender to save their lives.
Impressed by her cunning, the Emperor praised Liu Qingwu and promptly agreed to implement her plan. News of the Emperor's decrees quickly reached Xiao Jiufeng, who correctly deduced that the Emperor now knew Hua Buqi's identity as the Saintess. He immediately ordered all his scouts to meticulously monitor city gates and official roads, ensuring Hua Buqi's capture. Dongfang Shi, distraught by Hua Buqi's perilous situation, resolved to personally search for her.
However, Xiao Jiufeng vehemently stopped him, reprimanding him for his reckless disregard for their imminent uprising. Dongfang Shi passionately expressed his love for Hua Buqi, stating he would be unable to focus on battle if she were captured. Xiao Jiufeng then laid out a strategic plan: if Hua Buqi were indeed caught by the Emperor, Dongfang Shi's priority should be to swiftly occupy Qiuzhou County, the location of Biluotian.
This move, he explained, would prevent the Emperor from entering Biluotian to claim its treasure, thereby ensuring Hua Buqi's safety even if she was in imperial hands. Meanwhile, Hua Buqi, while in the streets, saw the official notices announcing the impending execution of Chen Yu and Grand Master Zhu, as well as her own arrest warrant for rebellion. To save them, she bravely revealed her identity to the imperial soldiers, offering to surrender.
However, Xiao Jiufeng's forces, also aware of her presence, suddenly intervened, leading to a chaotic skirmish between the two factions. In the ensuing confusion, Hua Buqi was wounded but managed to escape into a nearby forest. It was at this moment that Mo Ruofei, who had been searching for her and learned of the arrest warrant, spotted Hua Buqi. He and his attendant Jiansheng immediately gave chase.
Mo Ruofei arrived just in time to rescue an injured Hua Buqi from Xiao Jiufeng's subordinates who had discovered her. Though surprised and happy to see him, Hua Buqi was conflicted due to the past actions of Mo Ruofei's mother against her.
Despite his heartfelt plea to be given a chance to atone for his mother's sins by escorting her to the capital, Hua Buqi gently refused his help, explaining her difficulty in facing him and her unwillingness to bring trouble to the Mo Manor while she was a wanted criminal.
