Love a Lifetime Episode 4 Recap
> Love a Lifetime Recap
As the Hall of Emptiness roster was investigated, Rong Su intended to pursue those who trespassed. However, Rong Jingfeng shielded them, and Rong Hua actively defended Lin Jing, explaining his plan to use himself as bait. Rong Jingfeng expressed suspicion about Lin Jing's survival, noting that Mo Huan was one of the most formidable martial artists in Jianghu.
He recalled how, over a decade ago, Dragon Howl City united with other martial arts masters to attack the Ling Sect's main base, suffering heavy casualties and only managing to severely injure Mo Huan. Yet, Lin Jing, acting alone, returned alive from Mo Huan's attack, which raised doubts about his true identity and intentions. Rong Hua quickly interjected, urging her father not to speak ill of Lin Jing, reminding him that Lin Jing's actions were for Dragon Howl City's safety.
Lin Jing then stated that he would need to stay in Dragon Howl City for a while to recover from his injuries. Rong Su tried to approach her father but was blocked by guards. Feeling frustrated, she sat by the river where Lu Yizhou found her. After some verbal sparring, Lu Yizhou tried to comfort her, and Rong Su opened up about her past.
She revealed that she was kidnapped by Mo Huan when she was young and raised by her until ten years ago when the Ling Sect was attacked. It was only then that Rong Jingfeng discovered she was still alive and brought her back to Dragon Howl City. However, because she grew up in the Ling Sect under Mo Huan's tutelage, Rong Jingfeng had always harbored deep suspicions towards her.
The other halls, like Ziyan and Bai Weizhi, also seemed to care only for Rong Hua. Lu Yizhou sympathized, sharing that he was an orphan raised by Lin Ruohan, who treated him like her own son. He noted that Lin Ruohan's strictness helped him grow. He encouraged Rong Su not to overthink things and to believe that her father loved her, perhaps just not knowing how to express it.
Their shared experiences seemed to bring them closer, and Rong Su even managed a rare smile. To solidify Lin Jing's position within Dragon Howl City, Bai Weizhi formally acknowledged Lin Jing as his master in the Hall of Seniority, a public declaration that would allow Lin Jing to instruct disciples. Ziyan questioned Rong Jingfeng about his lenient attitude towards Lin Jing. Rong Jingfeng explained that he had deliberately sent away the guards, allowing Lin Jing access to the roster.
This was a calculated test; facing Mo Huan and surviving would prove Lin Jing's capabilities. With the Ling Sect making a comeback, if Lin Jing proved to be a talent, recruiting him would be a valuable asset for Dragon Howl City. Later, Lu Yizhou, tasked by Lin Ruohan and aided by Rong Su's subordinate, orchestrated a kidnapping to bring Lin Jing back to Lingxu Pavilion for his arranged marriage with Mei Xueman.
His men congratulated him, urging him not to untie "Lin Jing" before reaching the pavilion. However, when Lu Yizhou investigated a strange noise from the carriage, he discovered that the person he had captured was actually Bai Weizhi. Meanwhile, Lin Jing and Rong Hua celebrated the success of their ruse. Rong Hua wondered if it was truly right for Lin Jing to stay in Dragon Howl City, but Lin Jing playfully claimed he was helping Bai Weizhi.
Upon returning to Dragon Howl City, Bai Weizhi, though bruised, was cared for by Ziyan. He explained that his "sacrifice" was a necessary part of Lin Jing's plan, enabling Lin Jing to stay and protect Rong Hua. Rong Hua's maid, Xiaoxiao, expressed her frustration, lamenting that Lin Jing, despite having a fiancée, was receiving so much attention from Rong Hua, who was even personally preparing medicine for him.
She worried what Rong Jingfeng would think and urged Rong Hua to investigate Lin Jing's background. Xiaoxiao also reminded Rong Hua that Lu Yizhou had mentioned Lin Jing's engagement and his need to return home for the wedding. Lu Yizhou himself continued to press Lin Jing, highlighting his mother's worsening condition and the Mei family's offer of the Chihua Pill as a dowry. He urged Lin Jing to return and marry Mei Xueman to save his mother.
Lin Jing, however, steadfastly refused, revealing his two main objectives in Dragon Howl City: to uncover the truth about his father, who he believed had a profound connection to the city, and to find a cure for his mother's illness, confident that the Chihua Pill, a product of Dragon Howl City, held the key. During a sword practice session, Rong Hua's distraction was evident.
Lin Jing, noticing her unease regarding his engagement, firmly stated that he would never marry someone he didn't love, emphasizing that if Mei Xueman insisted on marrying, it would be Lu Yizhou, not him. He expressed his belief that marrying without love would truly ruin a person's life, and he would not repeat such a mistake. Their conversation was abruptly interrupted by Bai Weizhi, who rushed in, declaring an urgent matter.
In the Mei mansion, Mei Ying chastised Mei Xueman for secretly taking the Chihua Pill. Mei Xueman argued that they owed Lingxu Pavilion a great debt for saving their family from massacre years ago, and should offer the Chihua Pill to repay their kindness, even without the engagement. However, Mei Ying saw the Chihua Pill as their family's only leverage to restore their fallen status, refusing to hand it over until the last possible moment.
Mei Xueman, in a flashback, recalled Lin Jing saving her years ago and how she had harbored affection for him ever since. Before his departure from Dragon Howl City, Lu Yizhou arranged a beautiful display of river lanterns to share with Rong Su. He tried to persuade her to let go of her animosity towards Rong Hua, emphasizing their blood ties.
Rong Su initially responded with suspicion, convinced that Lu Yizhou was acting on behalf of Lin Jing and Rong Hua to spy on her. She believed his kindness had an ulterior motive and declared her determination to secure the Hall of Life master position. Lu Yizhou patiently explained that there were not so many conspiracies in life, and a simple smile could overcome much.
He expressed his genuine concern for her, confessing his worry as he was leaving Dragon Howl City the next day. Rong Su, touched by his sincerity, admitted that it was the first time someone had genuinely done something for her. She offered to repay him with a favor in the future, but Lu Yizhou simply asked her to let go of the past, be happy, and resolve her differences with Rong Hua.
Rong Su, however, bristled at his words, telling him he couldn't possibly understand her. After Lu Yizhou left, Rong Su was plagued by vivid flashbacks of Mo Huan's harsh teachings: "Those who get close to you must have ulterior motives. Those who treat you well must have a hidden agenda. No one in this world will treat you well wholeheartedly. They are just using you, that's all." These memories solidified her belief that she could not easily trust others.
Rong Jingfeng then led Lin Jing and Rong Su to the Flower Sea, explaining its vital importance to Dragon Howl City. He vividly described the annual cycle of Red Flame Lotuses and poison-eating insects, culminating in the rare Chihua Pill. Lin Jing observed that the pills, capable of consuming and breaking down thousands of poisons, demonstrated the interconnectedness of all things, where poison could also be an antidote.
Rong Jingfeng affirmed this, stressing that many in Jianghu coveted the Chihua Pills, but none could take them without his permission, not even his own family. He then announced that the Hall of Life would henceforth be responsible for the Flower Sea and all related matters. Observing this, Rong Su realized that her father's move was a strategic one, aimed at countering her influence by appointing Lin Jing as the Hall of Life Master.
Rong Jingfeng confirmed his intentions to Lin Jing, stating that while Lin Jing was not yet a true member of Dragon Howl City, appointing him as Hall of Life Master was to prevent others from secretly seizing control. He believed the Hall of Life could restrain the Hall of Emptiness. Lin Jing reassured him, then discussed the medicinal properties of greater galangal with Rong Hua, acknowledging Ziyan's expertise in drug-making.
Rong Hua expressed concern that the Hall of Life was currently weaker than the other three halls. Lin Jing noticed Rong Hua's fatigue and fragile health, urging her to rest and promising to prepare greater galangal for her, committing to healing both her cold disease and his mother's chronic illness. Meanwhile, Cang Qi, having received a letter from Mei Xueman, arrived at the Mei mansion.
Mei Ying greeted him, subtly asserting the Mei family's declining but still prestigious status as one of the four major families of Jiangnan, and questioned Lin Ruohan's decision to send only Cang Qi. Cang Qi countered, stating that Lingxu Pavilion valued strength and fear over empty titles, and that Mei Ying should prioritize maintaining the Mei family's current standing. Mei Xueman decided to accept Lin Ruohan's invitation to Lingxu Pavilion.
Remembering Lin Ruohan's susceptibility to cold, Mei Xueman decided to prepare a valuable fox fur coat as a return gift. While Mei Ying led Cang Qi to the plum garden entrance, Mei Xueman covertly placed the Chihua Pill inside the coat. Shortly after they left, Mei Ying realized the Chihua Pill was missing and rallied his men to pursue them. Mei Xueman quickly explained to Cang Qi that her brother had surely discovered the theft.
She also confessed her previous failed attempt to navigate Mei Ying's intricate plum forest formation and had written to Cang Qi hoping he could retrieve the pill. Realizing the danger, Cang Qi instructed everyone to blindfold themselves, explaining that the formation's changing layout and special plum fragrance were designed to disorient them.
Having used wine to counter the fragrance earlier, Cang Qi, despite not knowing the front gate's exact location, decided they must make a bold move to break through, citing the young master's philosophy of unexpected action for survival. Mei Xueman guided him, informing him that the heavily guarded front gate was in the northeast.
