I Will Never Let You Go Episode 49 Recap
> I Will Never Let You Go Recap
Chen Yu found solace in wine, reflecting on his secret agreement with the Emperor. His apparent defection and allegiance to Dongfang Shi were part of an elaborate plan: he was to act as a wanted suspect, infiltrate Dongfang Shi's forces, gather intelligence, and help the Emperor defeat the rebels, bringing an end to the war. The Emperor had initially questioned how Chen Yu, a fierce rival to Dongfang Shi for Hua Buqi’s affection, could possibly gain his trust.
Chen Yu proposed a perilous strategy: he would lead a small expedition against the rebels, then feign desertion on the eve of battle. The Emperor would then publicly issue an order for his execution, ensuring everyone believed Chen Yu was a traitor with no way back. This, Chen Yu argued, would make Dongfang Shi eager to enlist him, hoping to attract other officials to his cause.
Chen Yu assured the Emperor that with Grand Master Zhu Ba's safety as leverage, he would not betray him, his sole desire being to bring peace to the common people. Despite his firm resolve, Chen Yu inwardly expressed his sorrow to Hua Buqi, acknowledging the pain he caused and that she was an unexpected complication in his plan, but insisting it was the only way to avoid jeopardizing their entire strategy.
Hua Buqi had refused to eat for three days, deeply concerning Dongfang Shi. He first tried to reason with her himself, telling her that self-harm was futile and urging her to eat so she could witness his victory and avenge Grand Master Zhu. He promised to protect her as emperor, but Hua Buqi remained defiant, challenging his methods and demanding the release of Yuan Chong, whom Mo Ruofei had captured.
Dongfang Shi refused, revealing his intent to use Yuan Chong as leverage in the capital, justifying his reliance on schemes as necessary for victory. Finding no success, Dongfang Shi then sent Chen Yu to persuade her. Hua Buqi angrily told Chen Yu to leave, reminding him he had pushed her away and that he, Grand Master Zhu, and Xiao Xia were all dead to her.
Chen Yu then revealed Grand Master Zhu’s last words, spoken in the capital while awaiting their fate: the Grand Master feared he wouldn't survive and that the Zhu family had to go into hiding. He expressed hope that Hua Buqi, with her intelligence, would rebuild the House of Zhu and restore its honor. Hearing this, Hua Buqi was moved and agreed to eat, but only if Chen Yu left immediately.
Dongfang Shi, after seeing Chen Yu leave, tried to feed her himself, but she also ordered him away. Undeterred, Dongfang Shi vowed to remain by her side daily, promising that once he captured the capital, the House of Zhu would be restored in Suzhou as the wealthiest merchant family in the entire country. He then presented her with special fruits from West Chuzhou, reminiscing about their time lost in the desert when she had depended on him.
Later that night, to cheer her up, he orchestrated a fireworks display, recalling how her first New Year at Mo Manor had gone awry. However, the spectacle only intensified Hua Buqi’s sorrow, making her think of Grand Master Zhu, Xiao Xia, and Chen Yu. From the shadows, Chen Yu watched, his own expression filled with sadness.
Xiao Jiufeng soon returned to the camp, expressing his concern that Hua Buqi might have clouded Dongfang Shi’s judgment, making him vulnerable to the Emperor's schemes. Dongfang Shi reassured him of his own cunning, revealing he had already discovered that Liu Qingwu had become the Emperor's Consort during a recent dangerous reconnaissance. He then proposed a plan: Bai Jianfei would track Liu Qingwu's movements, and at the opportune moment, Liu Qingyan would assassinate her and take her place.
This would allow Liu Qingyan to get close to the Emperor, potentially leading to his assassination without needing a single soldier. Xiao Jiufeng approved of the strategy and instructed Dongfang Shi to keep Liu Qingyan by his side for this task. However, Xiao Jiufeng also expressed deep distrust for Chen Yu, urging Dongfang Shi to eliminate him since he was the Emperor's nephew. Dongfang Shi, however, had another plan.
Liuzhou, where the Emperor was, was difficult to conquer, but Xuzhou, though well-defended, was commanded by Chang Kuan, Chen Yu’s uncle. Dongfang Shi intended to send Chen Yu, along with Mo Ruofei and Yun Lang, to conquer Xuzhou, using it as a test of Chen Yu's loyalty.
Dongfang Shi also decided to take Hua Buqi with him to Xuzhou, both to keep her safe from Xiao Jiufeng's interrogations and to prove that he could conquer the world without relying on the Biluotian treasure. Chen Yu, acting as a general, escorted Dongfang Shi and Hua Buqi on their journey south. Hua Buqi challenged Dongfang Shi, asking if he feared she would escape with Chen Yu.
Dongfang Shi dismissed her words, insisting Chen Yu was now his general and had no connection to her. Hua Buqi scoffed at his manipulative nature, to which Dongfang Shi replied that he had deliberately sent Xiao Jiufeng to Liuzhou to ensure Hua Buqi's safety. Upon arriving in Xuzhou, Chen Yu was blindfolded before entering the camp, a clear sign of Dongfang Shi's continued distrust, which Dongfang Shi openly confirmed.
Inside the Xuzhou camp, Dongfang Shi assigned Chen Yu a perilous mission: with Mo Ruofei and Yun Lang, he was to infiltrate the Xuzhou General Manor and persuade his uncle, Chang Kuan, to surrender. Dongfang Shi believed Chang Kuan would lower his guard in the presence of his nephew, allowing Chen Yu to act. Chen Yu, however, questioned whether killing Chang Kuan would guarantee the city gates would open and humbly stated he was no "god of war."
He suggested attempting persuasion first, noting his uncle’s past grievances with the Emperor. Dongfang Shi agreed, stipulating that if persuasion failed, Chang Kuan must be killed. News of Chen Yu's defection and Dongfang Shi's intent to use him to conquer Xuzhou soon reached the Emperor, causing him great concern. Liu Qingwu, learning this, offered to travel to Xuzhou to boost the soldiers' morale and ease the Emperor's burden.
The Emperor was hesitant due to the danger but, having no other reliable personnel, reluctantly agreed. He strictly ordered Bai Jianfei to select elite imperial guards to ensure Liu Qingwu's safety throughout her journey. Meanwhile, Dongfang Shi confronted Yun Lang and Mo Ruofei, accusing Yun Lang of setting fire to the military camp and attempting to abduct Hua Buqi while Dongfang Shi was engaged in battle in Liuzhou.
Yun Lang denied the accusation, claiming he was in Wujia Town searching for spies and explaining his late return with a story of a captured spy who died during secret interrogation. Though Dongfang Shi was not entirely convinced, he dropped the matter but sternly warned Yun Lang to behave, threatening severe consequences for Feiyun Fortress if Yun Lang’s interest in Hua Buqi caused trouble.
Following this, Yun Lang went to bid farewell to Lin Dansha, who was furious with him for risking their revenge plan against Xiao Jiufeng by attempting to rescue Hua Buqi and replacing a spy with a death convict. Yun Lang explained Dongfang Shi's dangerous mission in Xuzhou as a likely death trap. He promised Lin Dansha he would do his utmost to return alive, so they could eventually exact their revenge on Xiao Jiufeng together.
After their emotional farewell, Yun Lang secretly received a paper from Chen Yu. They later met in secret, and Chen Yu revealed his plan for rescuing Hua Buqi. As Liu Qingwu embarked on her journey to Xuzhou, her maid, Ping'er, urged her not to risk her life for Chen Yu, whose heart was not hers. Liu Qingwu refuted this, revealing her true motivations and her secret understanding with the Emperor.
She explained that Chen Yu's "defection" was a carefully orchestrated ruse to gain Dongfang Shi's trust. Chen Yu had informed the Emperor of Dongfang Shi's plan to replace Liu Qingwu with her twin sister, Liu Qingyan, to get close to the Emperor. The Emperor, who already suspected Bai Jianfei of betrayal due to his recent unusual behavior, planned to use this information to "lure the snake out of its hole."
Liu Qingwu was no longer pursuing Chen Yu's affection; instead, she sought power, aiming to become a favored Imperial Noble Consort with significant influence in the imperial harem. During her journey, Liu Qingyan appeared and poisoned Liu Qingwu's food, though she assured her sister it was not fatal. Liu Qingyan explained she intended to reveal a long-held secret: Liu Mingyue, out of jealousy, had murdered their parents and manipulated the two sisters into a lifelong rivalry.
Liu Qingyan expressed deep hatred for Liu Mingyue, recounting their difficult childhood of forced martial arts training, poison testing, and assassinations, contrasting it with the normal lives of other children. Liu Qingwu, her long-held suspicions confirmed, vowed to kill Liu Mingyue if she ever saw her again. Liu Qingyan then claimed she had already avenged their parents by killing Liu Mingyue and offered an antidote.
However, Liu Qingwu, having anticipated treachery, revealed that she had placed her own poison in an incense burner, incapacitating Liu Qingyan. Liu Qingwu explained that Chen Yu (referred to as Zhangqing by her) had sent a secret message to the Emperor upon seeing Liu Qingyan with Dongfang Shi, and her trip to Xuzhou was part of the Emperor and Chen Yu's counter-strategy.
Seeing her sister's weakened state and hearing her desperate question about being killed, Liu Qingwu decided not to harm her. She realized that continued animosity between them would fulfill Liu Mingyue's malicious desires. Apologizing for her past mistreatment, Liu Qingwu gave Liu Qingyan the antidote. With their history revealed and a new understanding forged, Liu Qingwu promised to protect Liu Qingyan, now that she held more power as an imperial concubine.
Liu Qingyan then confessed Dongfang Shi's full mission for her: assassinate Liu Qingwu, take her place, then find an opportunity to kill Chang Kuan. After Xuzhou was conquered, she was to enter the palace and collaborate with Bai Jianfei to assassinate the Emperor. This confirmed the Emperor's suspicions about Bai Jianfei's betrayal. Liu Qingwu proposed they turn Dongfang Shi's plan against him: they would fake Liu Qingyan's successful assassination and replacement of Liu Qingwu.
This meant Liu Qingyan would have to go into hiding for a while, but once the war was over, Liu Qingwu promised to share half of the meritorious rewards with her. Liu Qingyan readily agreed, stating she had no objections.
