Love a Lifetime Episode 21 Recap
> Love a Lifetime Recap
Rong Jingfeng confronted Na Lanyue in the dungeon, immediately recognizing him as Lin Ruohan and Nalan Xi’s son. He noted the familiar look in Na Lanyue’s eyes, a look he knew well from Nalan Xi.
Despite Na Lanyue’s defiance, vowing to protect his mother, Rong Jingfeng scoffed, mentioning Zi Yan’s potent poison and stating that a quick death would be too easy for him; he intended to inflict prolonged suffering, breaking Na Lanyue’s ribs and inserting poisonous worms into his body. Meanwhile, news of the sect leaders' demise in Dragon Howl City spread. Some disciples attempted to return to their sects to report the tragedy but were ambushed and killed by Liuli on the way.
Xuan Ye intercepted a secret letter carried by one of these disciples, learning of the recent events and Na Lanyue's imprisonment. Concerned for Rong Su, he decided to immediately return to Dragon Howl City. Liuli, however, playfully blocked his path, teasing him about his feelings for Rong Su, which Xuan Ye vehemently denied.
She then argued that rushing back would be pointless due to the distance, as he wouldn't be able to change anything and would fail to complete the task Rong Su had assigned them. Liuli then confessed her own feelings for Xuan Ye and reiterated that he should focus on their current mission. In Tingfeng Town, Lu Yizhou, having learned the grave news, rushed with Lingxu Pavilion disciples to provide assistance.
They nearly exposed themselves during a search by Hall of Life disciples, but Guan Buzhuo intervened by creating a diversion. Guan Buzhuo then warned Lu Yizhou against acting rashly due to his familiarity with Dragon Howl City and advised him to remain hidden in the town. Lu Yizhou pledged his life and the loyalty of Lingxu Pavilion’s disciples to Guan Buzhuo, who in turn promised to protect Na Lanyue.
Guan Buzhuo then covertly entered Dragon Howl City to formulate a rescue plan, intending to meet with Rong Hua. Rong Hua, heartbroken and distraught over Na Lanyue’s plight, had refused to eat for days. Her maid, Xiaoxiao, tried to persuade her to eat, advising her to accept that Na Lanyue had deceived her and to apologize to Rong Jingfeng to regain favor. Rong Su overheard this and, seemingly out of sisterly concern, ordered the guards removed from Rong Hua's door.
Mei Ying, curious about Rong Su's motives, questioned her. Rong Su explained that her intention was twofold: to grant Rong Hua a final meeting with Na Lanyue for closure, while simultaneously ensuring their escape was impossible due to heavy defenses she had already placed around the dungeon and along the city's exit routes. She also subtly encouraged Mei Ying to use this opportunity to win Rong Hua's affections.
With the guards gone, Rong Hua easily made her way to the dungeon. She found Na Lanyue suffering terribly from the poisonous worms and tried to help him. However, Na Lanyue, in agonizing pain and anger, vehemently accused her of betraying him and Lingxu Pavilion. Rong Hua, already hurt by her family’s misunderstanding, was devastated by Na Lanyue's distrust. Despite her attempts to explain her innocence and the pain she had endured, Na Lanyue remained unconvinced.
Heartbroken and believing her love was misplaced, Rong Hua left the dungeon in despair. News of Rong Hua’s visit quickly reached Rong Jingfeng, who confronted Rong Su, furious about her unauthorized decision to remove the guards and accusing her of sympathizing with the Nalan family. Rong Su defended her actions, explaining her intent was to make Rong Hua give up, and reiterated her belief that her defenses would prevent any escape.
Zi Yan intervened, vouching for Rong Su’s loyalty and meticulous planning. Rong Jingfeng, seeing Rong Hua emerge distraught from the dungeon, mistakenly believed she had finally given up on Na Lanyue. Rong Su then entered the cell to chastise Na Lanyue, calling him cold-hearted and unworthy of Rong Hua's love.
Later, Rong Jingfeng questioned Rong Su again, revealing he knew she had met Lin Ruohan at Lingxu Pavilion and suspected she had deliberately concealed Lin Ruohan’s true identity and Na Lanyue's lineage. He accused Rong Su of manipulating events to ensure Rong Hua's marriage and seize control of Dragon Howl City, emphatically stating that Rong Su would never become the City Master. Rong Hua’s health deteriorated further after her encounter with Na Lanyue.
Mei Ying visited her, offering comfort and expressing his deep affection. He claimed he was prepared to help rescue Na Lanyue and presented her with Plum Essence, a calming fragrance, to help her sleep. Later, Mei Ying openly declared his sincere intentions towards Rong Hua to Rong Jingfeng, hoping to formalize their alliance. Rong Jingfeng, who had already accepted Mei Ying's pledge of allegiance, warned him against hurting Rong Hua’s feelings.
Mei Ying reassured him of his unwavering loyalty to Dragon Howl City, asserting his family had no other recourse. Rong Jingfeng then formalized their plan to gather various martial artists and launch a full assault on Lingxu Pavilion to avenge the destroyed Chihua Pill, with Mei Ying offering to lead the charge. Executing their escape, Rong Hua, accompanied by Mei Ying, went to bid a "final farewell" to Na Lanyue.
Seeing them together, Na Lanyue feigned anger and, seizing an opportunity, knocked Mei Ying unconscious. He and Rong Hua then rushed out of the dungeon and boarded a waiting carriage driven by Guan Buzhuo, disguised as a coachman. At the city gates, guards, unfamiliar with Guan Buzhuo, stopped them. As tensions rose, Bai Weizhi appeared and intervened, ensuring their smooth passage out of the city.
Upon learning the truth of Na Lanyue's escape, facilitated by Rong Hua, Rong Jingfeng was enraged. He immediately ordered Rong Su to pursue Na Lanyue and disseminated false information throughout Jianghu, claiming that Lingxu Pavilion had abducted his second daughter, Rong Hua, to rescue their young master, Na Lanyue. He announced that Dragon Howl City would personally lead an expedition to uphold justice.
He reiterated to Rong Su that Rong Hua was to be considered a hostage, not an enemy, and was not to be harmed. Away from the city, Bai Weizhi expertly set Na Lanyue’s broken bones and tended to his wounds. Na Lanyue apologized to Rong Hua for his earlier harsh words, while Rong Hua reassured him that the blame lay with Dragon Howl City's deceit and reaffirmed her unwavering commitment to him.
Bai Weizhi provided them with wound medicine for their journey. Na Lanyue invited Bai Weizhi to join Lingxu Pavilion, but Bai Weizhi deflected the offer, promising instead to attend their wedding feast at Lingxu Pavilion before he departed. Meanwhile, in Tingfeng Town, Lu Yizhou bravely confronted Rong Su and her disciples, creating a diversion to buy time for Na Lanyue and Rong Hua. He pointedly reminded Rong Su that her departure from Lingxu Pavilion had clarified their opposing allegiances.
As Dragon Howl City forces pursued Na Lanyue, Zi Yan intercepted Bai Weizhi, who was impeding their progress. Despite Bai Weizhi's protestations that he was doing what was right, Zi Yan, concerned for his safety under Rong Jingfeng's wrath, used a poisonous needle to drug him, ensuring he would be taken back to Dragon Howl City and allowing the pursuit of Na Lanyue to continue.
