Love a Lifetime Episode 13 Recap
> Love a Lifetime Recap
Zi Yan, despite Rong Jingfeng's efforts to expel the toxins from her body, remained gravely ill. Years of exposure to poisons had irrevocably damaged her heart and meridians, leaving her without a cure. Aware of her impending death, Zi Yan spoke with her disciple, Xiaoxiao. She reminisced about the eight years since she rescued Xiaoxiao from being sold by her father, bringing her to Dragon Howl City.
Zi Yan urged Xiaoxiao to strive for improvement, warning that without her protection, Xiaoxiao might not find a place in the city. She then asked if Xiaoxiao was willing to take over as the Hall of Sickness master, a position that, despite its apparent prestige, was destined for an early demise. Xiaoxiao, noticing the worsening bruises on Zi Yan's hand, realized her master's condition was deteriorating.
Understanding Zi Yan's profound dedication, Xiaoxiao readily agreed to undertake the arduous task of making toxins, vowing to help her master protect the Hall of Sickness. Since returning to Dragon Howl City, Lin Jing had been withdrawn, isolating himself in his room. Feeling guilty, Rong Hua spoke to him through the closed door as night fell. She mused that many things in life are fated, believing their meeting was predestined since birth.
Lin Jing urged her to return to her room to avoid a recurrence of her Cold Disease. Rong Hua lamented that if his mother, the master of Lingxu Pavilion, had been more ruthless during her last visit, she wouldn't be so remorseful and distressed after learning the truth. Suddenly, her Cold Disease flared up. Lin Jing quickly opened the door, helped her to the bed, and wrapped her in a blanket.
Rong Hua, still emotional, wished Lin Jing could be crueler to her, believing it might help her sever her feelings for him. Overwhelmed by the family feud, she felt lost, acknowledging her father's and Dragon Howl City's wrongdoing against the Nalan family. Lin Jing revealed he had already learned the truth about the Tang Sect grand elder while at Lingxu Pavilion but wanted to investigate it personally rather than relying solely on his mother's account.
He confessed that he previously thought his mother was consumed by revenge, but after learning about the Nalan massacre and seeing orphans like Lu Yizhou and Cangqi, he finally understood her pain. He admitted he couldn't forgive those responsible. Rong Hua declared her unwavering support, promising to protect Lingxu Pavilion with him and oppose anyone who dared to harm it, even those from Dragon Howl City.
The next morning, as Lin Jing walked through the bustling streets of Dragon Howl City, observing the smiling faces and peaceful atmosphere, he couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness, fearing that this tranquility would be shattered if Lingxu Pavilion ever attacked. Rong Jingfeng, hearing of his daughter's recurring illness, personally brought her medicine.
Lin Jing, having learned of the city lord's order to eliminate the Tang Sect, pleaded for the innocent women and children, arguing that the weakened Tang Sect posed no real threat and had only fought out of desperation for survival. However, Rong Jingfeng remained resolute, seeing this as an opportunity to eradicate future threats and establish Dragon Howl City's authority in the martial arts world.
Lin Jing then casually mentioned that Rong Hua had stayed in his room overnight due to her illness, and he had cared for her. Rong Jingfeng's expression darkened. Entering Lin Jing's room, Rong Jingfeng angrily chastised Rong Hua for her impropriety. Rong Hua, however, boldly declared that she and Lin Jing had secretly pledged their lives to each other, and the Lin family would soon arrive to propose marriage, asking for her father's blessing.
Rong Jingfeng was furious, deeming such a crucial matter too trivial to be handled so carelessly, especially by his daughter. Lin Jing interjected, taking responsibility for the unconventional proposal and attributing the delay to Dragon Howl City's affairs. Rong Hua then feigned hunger, sending Lin Jing to get her some hot food, allowing her to speak with her father alone.
She passionately reaffirmed her commitment to Lin Jing, stating that she, a sickly girl who didn't know how long she had to live, simply wished to spend her remaining days with the man she loved. She threatened to remain single for life if he disagreed. Rong Jingfeng, though exasperated, understood her stubbornness and her underlying fear that he might harm Lin Jing.
Rong Hua then warned her father that she would never forgive anyone who harmed Lin Jing, regardless of their identity. Meanwhile, Rong Su remained in Tingfeng Town, refusing to return to Dragon Howl City until its defenses were fully secured. She suspected the town's quiet fall indicated a deeper issue within the city's defenses. Lu Yizhou noted her persistence was similar to Lin Jing's, a comparison Rong Su quickly dismissed.
She scoffed at the rumor that Lin Jing was marrying Rong Hua for self-preservation, calling him a coward who used a woman as a shield. Lu Yizhou defended Lin Jing, asserting their mutual affection and Lin Jing's integrity, reminding her that Lin Jing had no need for such tactics given his merit in protecting the Chihua Pearl.
Lu Yizhou then urged Rong Su to return to Dragon Howl City to offer her blessings, hoping to mend the strained relationship between the sisters. Rong Su, however, subtly questioned if he would also leave with Lin Jing, revealing her unspoken reluctance for him to go. Lu Yizhou gifted her a pair of mandarin duck pendants, symbolizing mutual affection.
Rong Su, while outwardly dismissing them as vulgar, held them tightly, musing on the inevitable fading of beauty and the fleeting nature of love. Mo Huan, upon learning of Tingfeng Town's fall, anticipated Rong Su would attempt to reorganize it. She decided to set an ambush in the town, infiltrating it with Ling Sect members to remain undetected. Guan Buzhuo, seeking to protect Lin Ruohan, pleaded with Mo Huan, reminding her of Lin Ruohan's past difficulties.
Mo Huan, testing Lin Ruohan's loyalty, deliberately created difficulties for her. Lin Ruohan, undeterred, reaffirmed her allegiance to Mo Huan, pledging to obey her commands without complaint. Mo Huan outlined her plan, highlighting the importance of the "biggest lurker" within Dragon Howl City and an inside job with the Tang Sect elder to coordinate an attack. Lin Ruohan then began preparations for bringing betrothal gifts to Dragon Howl City.
On his journey to the Tang Sect, Bai Weizhi's path intersected with Lin Ruohan's group. He halted the procession, his senses captivated by the familiar scent of beech mushrooms emanating from her palanquin. Bai Weizhi, a connoisseur of fine cuisine, explained his delight, recalling the rare delicacy's unique taste. Lin Ruohan, acknowledging his discerning palate, instructed her attendants to present him with a bag of the mushrooms.
Bai Weizhi, grateful for the gift, attempted to offer her a book of gourmet recipes in return, but Lin Ruohan politely declined, suggesting he could repay her with a favor sometime in the future. As Bai Weizhi continued his journey, he enthusiastically planned to prepare a delightful soup for Zi Yan upon his return, then realized with a chuckle that he didn't even know who Lin Ruohan was to repay the favor.
Upon arriving at the Tang Sect, Bai Weizhi found it deserted. Rong Jingfeng then ordered Lin Jing to lead a team to support Bai Weizhi on his return to the city, fabricating a story about an ambush by the Tang Sect. This was a deceitful ploy to eliminate Lin Jing. Zi Yan, aware of Rong Jingfeng's true intentions, secretly sought out Rong Su. She revealed that Bai Weizhi was not ambushed and that Rong Jingfeng intended to kill Lin Jing.
Zi Yan urged Rong Su to help Lin Jing, reasoning that if Rong Hua married into the Lin family and left Dragon Howl City, Rong Su would face no further competition for the city lord's position. Rong Su initially refused, but after careful consideration, she departed to assist Lin Jing. Lin Jing and his men were ambushed outside the city by toxic smoke. Fortunately, Lin Jing had anticipated this and had prepared antidote-soaked masks, which provided temporary protection.
He speculated whether the attack was from the Tang Sect or Rong Jingfeng. As the smoke cleared, assassins attacked. Just then, Rong Su arrived, joining forces with Lin Jing to dispatch the assailants. Lin Jing thanked her, but Rong Su, dismissively, told him that the best repayment would be for him and Rong Hua to leave Dragon Howl City and never return. Lin Jing retorted that they first needed to survive.
Meanwhile, Lu Yizhou arrived at Dragon Howl City at the head of a grand procession, delivering betrothal gifts on behalf of Lingxu Pavilion. He publicly announced that Lin Jing, the Young Master of Lingxu Pavilion, intended to marry Rong Hua. Rong Jingfeng was enraged, realizing Lin Jing's true identity and Rong Hua's deception. He furiously rejected the proposal, claiming he would never allow his daughter to marry into such a distant place.
Lu Yizhou challenged Rong Jingfeng, questioning his refusal and demanding to see Lin Jing. He warned that Lingxu Pavilion's forces were already surrounding Dragon Howl City, and if their young master was harmed, the city would face a renewed war. Bai Weizhi, present at the scene, was stunned to learn Lin Jing was the Young Master of Lingxu Pavilion, feeling utterly deceived.
Rong Jingfeng defiantly retorted that Lu Yizhou should wait and see if Lin Jing could even return to the city alive. Rong Hua, witnessing her father's reaction, realized with horror that he had deliberately set a trap for Lin Jing outside the city.
