I Will Never Let You Go Episode 48 Recap
> I Will Never Let You Go Recap
Liu Qingwu approached the Emperor, offering to join him on the battlefield and presenting a strategic plan to disrupt the enemy's morale. The Emperor praised her intelligence, agreeing to her clever scheme. Meanwhile, Dongfang Shi received a letter from Bai Jianfei, who expressed a desire to switch allegiance and serve as a spy within the Emperor's court.
Bai Jianfei reported that the Emperor was personally leading an army to Liuzhou, with Master Zhu Ba held as a hostage, and that Chen Yu was ordered to lead a small contingent of dozens of men against Dongfang Shi's tens of thousands of soldiers. Initially, Hua Buqi was excited to hear Chen Yu was going to battle, enthusiastically urging Dongfang Shi to surrender, calling him a traitor and a rat.
However, upon learning that Chen Yu was severely outnumbered, she immediately pleaded with Dongfang Shi to spare Chen Yu's life. Dongfang Shi refused her plea, explaining that warfare was not a game. To ensure her safety and prevent Xiao Jiufeng from capturing her again, Dongfang Shi decided to bring Hua Buqi along with him to the battlefield.
Later, the Emperor received news that Chen Yu, the Commandery Prince of Dongping, had absconded from the south gate with his secret guards during an unobserved moment. Enraged by Chen Yu's perceived cowardice in abandoning Master Zhu Ba, the Emperor immediately issued an order for Chen Yu's execution without pardon. He then commanded Bai Jianfei to kill Master Zhu Ba and hang his head on the city gates as a warning to all traitors.
Following this, Liu Qingwu suggested a further tactic: to have a woman impersonate Hua Buqi, tie her to the city wall, and spread word among the rebels that, due to Chen Yu's desertion, Hua Buqi would be executed that afternoon. She believed this would surely provoke Dongfang Shi to rush to save Hua Buqi, allowing their fatigued army to be crushed. The Emperor, unaware that Hua Buqi was actually with Dongfang Shi, approved the plan.
Bai Jianfei proceeded to the prison, informing Master Zhu Ba of Chen Yu's escape and the Emperor's death sentence for him. Despite the executioner's concern about blood, Bai Jianfei oversaw the beheading of Master Zhu Ba and ordered his head to be hung on the city walls. In Dongfang Shi's camp, Yun Lang instigated a fire to create chaos and rescue Hua Buqi. He had successfully knocked out the guards and provided her with soldier's attire, planning their escape.
Soon after, Dongfang Shi discovered Hua Buqi was missing. He immediately ordered the camp sealed and initiated a search for her, simultaneously instructing his men to investigate Mo Ruofei and Yun Lang's whereabouts, suspecting their involvement.
Dongfang Shi then received an urgent report: Chen Yu had escaped from Liuzhou, Master Zhu Ba was executed and his head hung on the city walls, and a woman said to be Hua Buqi was tied to the city wall, scheduled for execution that afternoon. Recognizing it might be a trap, especially as the woman's figure was only 70% similar to Hua Buqi, Dongfang Shi dispatched General Li to pursue Chen Yu.
He then proceeded with some soldiers to the Liuzhou city wall to personally verify the woman's identity, also ordering Xiao Xia to meet him there. Upon hearing from other soldiers that her lady had been captured and was facing execution, Xiao Xia, in distress, frantically demanded to be let out. At the Liuzhou city wall, the Emperor ordered the execution of the woman impersonating Hua Buqi in front of Dongfang Shi.
Xiao Xia, believing it was Hua Buqi, cried out and rushed onto the wall to save her. She was immediately struck by a volley of arrows and fell from the ramparts. Dongfang Shi caught the gravely wounded Xiao Xia and brought her back to his camp. Hua Buqi, who had been attempting to escape with Yun Lang, saw the injured Xiao Xia and abandoned her escape, much to Yun Lang's dismay. She hurried into the tent, confronting Dongfang Shi.
He explained that the Emperor had used a decoy to lure him, and Xiao Xia was injured while attempting to save the fake Hua Buqi. Overcome with guilt, Hua Buqi tearfully apologized to Xiao Xia. Recognizing her loyalty, Dongfang Shi allowed Xiao Xia to see Yuan Chong one last time. Hua Buqi, hearing "last time," begged Dongfang Shi, a miracle doctor, to save Xiao Xia. However, he regretfully stated he was no god and Xiao Xia's injuries were too severe.
Yuan Chong rushed to Xiao Xia's side. With her last breaths, Xiao Xia confessed her affection for Yuan Chong, explaining her past inability to reciprocate due to her duty to protect Hua Buqi. She then implored Yuan Chong to continue protecting Hua Buqi, a promise he tearfully accepted. Xiao Xia died in Yuan Chong's arms, leaving both him and Hua Buqi in profound grief. Meanwhile, Chen Yu and his secret guards encountered Dongfang Shi's soldiers.
Dongfang Shi intercepted Chen Yu, and the two decided to formally duel. Dongfang Shi openly mocked Chen Yu for letting Master Zhu Ba die for his own safety, questioning his integrity as the Lotus Robe Knight. He lamented not having confronted Chen Yu at the city wall, which might have saved Master Zhu Ba. Despite Chen Yu's superior skills, Dongfang Shi resorted to a contemptible trick, throwing sand to blind him.
Han Ye, Chen Yu's loyal subordinate, bravely stepped in to block a sword attack meant for Chen Yu. Han Ye, along with other soldiers, then urged Chen Yu to pledge allegiance to Dongfang Shi, highlighting the Emperor's cruelty and disloyalty towards him. Chen Yu, however, staunchly refused, declaring he would never serve two masters and was unwilling to endure the world's condemnation for being disloyal and unfilial.
Dongfang Shi pressed him, pointing out that the Emperor had intentionally sent him with a small force to die. Dongfang Shi then sweetened his offer, promising Chen Yu a feudal kingship and a fief if he surrendered, arguing that as a legitimate royal offspring, Chen Yu's defection would sway other royal relatives.
When Chen Yu still hesitated, Dongfang Shi revealed that Hua Buqi and Yuan Chong were "guests" in his camp, implying their safety could be guaranteed if Chen Yu joined him, and he could even persuade Xiao Jiufeng not to sacrifice Hua Buqi for the Biluotian treasure. Realizing that Yuan Chong's absence from the palace confirmed Dongfang Shi's claims, Chen Yu reluctantly agreed to surrender, on the condition that his soldiers be released.
Dongfang Shi agreed, and Chen Yu, with a heavy heart, ordered his loyal men to leave and start new lives, declaring himself no longer their master, sacrificing his identity as the Commandery Prince of Dongping. Having secured Chen Yu's surrender, Dongfang Shi sought to extinguish Hua Buqi's feelings for him. He informed Hua Buqi that Chen Yu was alive, but Master Zhu Ba had died.
Hua Buqi vehemently disbelieved him, arguing the Emperor would not kill Master Zhu Ba before Dongfang Shi arrived to be lured. Dongfang Shi then recounted how Chen Yu had fled the battlefield, valuing his own life more than Master Zhu Ba's, which incensed the Emperor to execute him and hang his head on the city wall. Hua Buqi adamantly refused to believe Chen Yu would abandon his grandfather or flee.
Dongfang Shi, to solidify his story, called Chen Yu into the tent. Chen Yu, now aligned with Dongfang Shi, stood before Hua Buqi. When asked if Dongfang Shi had threatened him, Chen Yu denied it, claiming Dongfang Shi treated Hua Buqi well. He then expressed apology for Master Zhu Ba's death and urged Hua Buqi to forget him, effectively pushing her towards Dongfang Shi.
Hua Buqi, devastated and in disbelief, screamed in denial, refusing to accept that Chen Yu would yield her to Dongfang Shi. Chen Yu reaffirmed his loyalty to Dongfang Shi, stating he would no longer compete for her affection, and that her future marriage was now independent of him. Overwhelmed by the crushing reality, Hua Buqi collapsed in Dongfang Shi's arms.
Dongfang Shi, ensuring her safety, ordered her to be tied up, all sharp objects removed from her tent, and her mood closely monitored. Later, Chen Yu inquired about Hua Buqi's well-being. Dongfang Shi, acknowledging Chen Yu's value as the first royal relative to surrender, briefly considered killing him, but ultimately agreed to provide him assistance and a new task in the south. Chen Yu then reminded Dongfang Shi to uphold his promise and treat Hua Buqi well.
