Love in Flames of War Episode 12 Recap
> Love in Flames of War Recap
The Xiao family hosted a grand birthday banquet for Madam Qi, drawing a multitude of guests. Amidst the lively chatter of the elite wives, Mu Zizheng covertly entered the residence disguised as a waiter. Commander Kang Jingxiong arrived with a special gift and was warmly greeted by Xiao Haishan. Elsewhere, Xu Zijun attempted to invite Xiao Shuyi to dance but was sharply rebuffed and embarrassed.
Mo Weiyi then offered to arrange a dance for Xiao Beichen with Lin Hangjing, but Xiao Beichen declined, instead deliberately taking another woman onto the dance floor. This left Lin Hangjing visibly hurt, and she turned and walked away. Later, Kang Jingxiong and Xiao Haishan met privately to discuss a business proposal.
Kang Jingxiong suggested that if Xiao Haishan opened the port to allow the transit of opium in exchange for rifles, it would provide enough armament to expand an entire battalion. He further pledged to prioritize the iron ore produced in Fenglin Town for Beixin and promised a continuous supply of military necessities and mineral resources. However, Xiao Haishan firmly rejected the offer, stating that opium was his absolute taboo, as it eroded the nation's people both mentally and physically.
He would never open the port for such trade and advised Kang Jingxiong to cease his association with opium dealers. Kang Jingxiong, though not surprised by the refusal, was unwilling to return empty-handed. During the banquet, Mu Zizheng, still in his waiter disguise, “accidentally” spilled wine on Kang Jingxiong. Madam Qi immediately instructed a staff member to escort Kang Jingxiong upstairs to change his clothes. Mu Zizheng discreetly followed.
Lin Hangjing noticed Mu Zizheng’s presence in the crowd and, puzzled, started to approach him, but he disappeared upstairs before she could reach him. Upstairs, Mu Zizheng, with his face covered, circumvented the guards and entered Kang Jingxiong’s room to carry out an assassination attempt. Kang Jingxiong discovered him, and a gunshot rang out, sending the downstairs party into disarray. Mu Zizheng, shot in the shoulder, managed to escape the room.
He ran into Lin Hangjing, who quickly pulled him into a nearby room to hide. Lin Hangjing questioned his motive for attempting to assassinate Kang Jingxiong, but Mu Zizheng, wounded and distressed, explained he truly could not reveal the reasons. As a search party of officers approached their hiding spot, about to open the door, Xiao Beichen suddenly appeared, diverting the officers by claiming he heard noises further down the hall and instructing them to search there instead.
Once the officers left, Xiao Beichen even closed the door, ensuring their safety. Inside, Mu Zizheng wanted to leave to avoid implicating Lin Hangjing, but she pointed out that the entire mansion was surrounded, making escape in his waiter attire impossible. Lin Hangjing then helped him change into a suit, and they returned to the banquet hall, attempting to act as if nothing had happened.
Back in the hall, Xiao Haishan ordered all the waiters to be assembled for Kang Jingxiong's identification. It was discovered that two waiters were missing from the original twelve. Kang Jingxiong deduced that the missing individuals were the assassins and were still hiding among the guests. He requested the guest registry for a thorough cross-check. Adjutant Zhang noticed Mu Zizheng, now dressed in a suit, and inquired about his identity.
Lin Hangjing quickly intervened, claiming he was a painter she had hired to create a portrait for Madam Qi as a birthday gift. Madam Qi, initially taken aback, quickly supported Lin Hangjing’s story. Skeptical, Kang Jingxiong demanded that Mu Zizheng paint a portrait on the spot to prove his identity. Mu Zizheng complied, producing a commendable piece.
Xiao Beichen then commented on the likeness of the painting, adding a moment of tension by asking if they had met before, specifically mentioning a painter under an overpass on Changsheng Street, but ultimately used the remark to help clear Mu Zizheng of suspicion. Suddenly, more gunshots were heard outside the mansion.
As guards rushed out, Mo Weiyi quietly approached Lin Hangjing and Mu Zizheng, telling them to follow him to the back door, revealing that Xiao Beichen had arranged their escape. Assuming the assassin was making a break for it, Xiao Haishan suggested Kang Jingxiong wait inside for news. As Kang Jingxiong prepared to leave, he keenly observed bloodstains on Lin Hangjing’s sleeve and noted the painter's sudden disappearance.
Adjutant Zhang immediately accused Lin Hangjing of being involved in the assassination and demanded she return with them for investigation. Both Xiao Haishan and Xiao Beichen vehemently defended Lin Hangjing, emphasizing her gentle nature and denying any connection to assassins. However, Kang Jingxiong, citing the clear evidence and numerous witnesses, insisted on taking her.
He stated that if Lin Hangjing was truly innocent, her interrogation would clear the Xiao family of any suspicion and promised to release her immediately if proven so. Madam Qi held Lin Hangjing's hand, looking worried. Xiao Beichen attempted to block Kang Jingxiong, but Xiao Haishan firmly ordered him to stand down, realizing that resistance would only worsen Lin Hangjing's situation. Lin Hangjing was then taken away, leaving the Xiao family in distress.
Kang Jingxiong later discussed the situation with Adjutant Zhang, revealing his knowledge that Lin Hangjing was Lin Tangsheng’s biological daughter. Lin Tangsheng, currently imprisoned by Warlord Cheng, was a close friend and sworn brother of Xiao Haishan. Kang Jingxiong planned to leverage Lin Hangjing's capture to pressure Xiao Haishan into opening the port for opium, convinced that Xiao Haishan would not abandon his sworn brother's daughter.
Adjutant Zhang speculated that the assassin might be from the Youth Association and questioned if this incident implicated the Xiao family, but Kang Jingxiong dismissed it as mere conjecture. Back at the Xiao Residence, Xiao Shuyi angrily accused Lin Hangjing of bringing trouble upon the family and being complicit with the assassin, even reprimanding Madam Qi for covering for her. Madam Qi, however, maintained her belief that Lin Hangjing must have her own unspoken reasons for her actions.
Determined to secure Lin Hangjing's release, Xiao Haishan announced he would meet Kang Jingxiong the following day at the Hua Xing Hotel. Meanwhile, Mu Zizheng, recovering from his gunshot wound, was informed by his comrade Yong that Xiao Beichen had previously searched his house, but his mother had already been moved to a safe location. Upon learning of Lin Hangjing's capture by Kang Jingxiong, Mu Zizheng, despite his injuries, was distraught and attempted to rush to her rescue.
Yong restrained him, urging him to calm down and reminding him that acting impulsively would be futile, like "a mantis trying to stop a chariot," especially if even Xiao Haishan was powerless to help. At the Hua Xing Hotel, Xiao Haishan presented Kang Jingxiong with a rare "Old Tree White Tea." He directly requested Lin Hangjing's release, appealing to Kang Jingxiong's understanding of his duty as her guardian, entrusted to him by her imprisoned father.
Kang Jingxiong feigned a dilemma, noting Lin Hangjing's continued silence under interrogation. He then reiterated his original proposal: if Xiao Haishan would open the port for opium transit, he would immediately drop all charges against Lin Hangjing. Xiao Haishan, however, stood firm, declaring that opium was his absolute bottom line and that he would never engage in anything that would bring calamity to the nation. Kang Jingxiong, undeterred, advised him not to refuse so hastily and to reconsider his options.
At the Beixin Police Station, Xiao Beichen visited Lin Hangjing in her cell. He urged her to reveal the assassin's identity, emphasizing that her cooperation would protect both herself and the Xiao family from the severe consequences of assassinating a high-ranking military official. Lin Hangjing refused, stating that she would bear the responsibility alone and did not want to implicate the Xiao family.
Frustrated, Xiao Beichen questioned her willingness to sacrifice herself for the assassin and threatened to find and kill him. However, Lin Hangjing, on the verge of tears, bravely challenged his threat, pointing out that if he truly intended to kill the assassin, he would have done so at the banquet. She tearfully affirmed that she still trusted him.
