Love in Flames of War Episode 29 Recap
> Love in Flames of War Recap
Mu Zizheng led Lin Hangjing to a secluded cabin in the countryside, which he had borrowed from a local. He told her she would need to stay there for a few days, as it was a safe and remote location. He planned to contact Zheng Fengqi the following day. Mu Zizheng then asked Lin Hangjing if she still harbored feelings for Xiao Beichen, but she asserted that she would never forgive him for the deceit regarding her father.
Mu Zizheng pledged to ensure her safety, encouraging her to view him as a friend offering help. The next morning, Lin Hangjing awoke to find Mu Zizheng washing sweet potatoes, and he expressed his conviction that he could win her heart back if they stayed together. Lin Hangjing offered to help, then went to gather firewood. Meanwhile, Xiao Beichen's forces had exhaustively searched all possible locations, including city exits and various routes, but Lin Hangjing remained unfound.
Mo Weiyi reported the lack of progress, but Xiao Beichen, convinced she was still in the city, vowed to turn Beixin City upside down to find her. Later, as Lin Hangjing helped Mu Zizheng with laundry, her pearl earring, a gift from Xiao Beichen, fell into the river. She immediately plunged into the cold water to retrieve it. Mu Zizheng noticed her injury and the importance of the earring to her.
After they were out of the water, he offered to carry her, but she declined. He then prepared ginger syrup to warm her, insisting she drink it before he departed, leaving his coat for her. Zheng Fengqi learned that Xiao Beichen's order from the East Camp had halted all private boat services in Beixin City. However, by offering ten gold bars, she secured a boatman willing to take Lin Hangjing away.
Her subordinate informed her that the checkpoints were becoming less stringent, and Zheng Fengqi promptly instructed him to tell Mu Zizheng to leave immediately. Mu Zizheng received a phone call, confirming their departure from Langqiao Wharf at 6 AM the next day. This call was intercepted by the telephone office, and Mo Weiyi ordered continued monitoring.
The next morning, as Lin Hangjing and Mu Zizheng prepared to board the boat, Xiao Beichen arrived with his soldiers, questioning if they truly thought they could escape. Lin Hangjing confronted him, accusing him of continuous lies, particularly regarding her father's release six months prior and his subsequent confinement in Nanyuan Sanatorium. She highlighted her profound longing for her father and Xiao Beichen's pretense of ignorance during their time together.
Xiao Beichen attempted to explain that Lin Tangsheng was terminally ill upon release and had asked him to conceal the truth to spare her distress, adding that he had sought the best medical care. Lin Hangjing dismissed his explanations, stating that no amount of excuses could change her father's death, and after he had broken his vow not to lie, he had no right to stop her from leaving.
Xiao Beichen ordered his men to put Lin Hangjing in the car. When Mu Zizheng intervened, Xiao Beichen warned him to stay out of their marital affairs and then assaulted him. To spare Mu Zizheng further harm, Lin Hangjing agreed to go with Xiao Beichen. As Xiao Beichen directed Mu Zizheng to leave Beixin by boat, Mu Zizheng, in a desperate attempt, tried to shoot Xiao Beichen but was instead shot by a guard and fell into the river.
Witnessing this, Lin Hangjing fainted in distress. Lin Hangjing regained consciousness in the Xiao Residence and immediately asked about Mu Zizheng. Xiao Beichen informed her that despite extensive searching in the deep waters, Mu Zizheng had not been found, adding that he had given him ample opportunities and his fate was irrelevant; his sole concern was Lin Hangjing.
Overwhelmed with guilt, Lin Hangjing blamed herself for Mu Zizheng's death, regretting ever meeting Xiao Beichen, believing it had led to endless misfortunes. She pleaded with Xiao Beichen to release her, but he refused, adamantly stating that he had chosen her from the moment she arrived in Beixin and would never let her go, even if it meant mutual torment or was a mistake.
Madam Qi arrived and chastised Xiao Beichen for concealing the critical information about Lin Tangsheng, acknowledging Lin Hangjing's justified resentment. Xiao Beichen admitted his error. Madam Qi then went to Lin Hangjing, trying to make her understand Xiao Beichen's difficult position, explaining that he had acted on Lin Tangsheng's wishes to spare her sorrow.
Lin Hangjing, however, felt her father's death rendered all explanations meaningless, expressing her lifelong wish to reunite with him and care for him, even for just one more day, regardless of his illness. Madam Qi gently advised that sometimes actions born of deep love could be mistaken, and while Xiao Beichen had erred, Lin Hangjing should not inflict further pain on herself, as her suffering was magnified tenfold in his heart.
Xiao Beichen channeled his frustration into intense training at the East Camp. Mo Weiyi and Xu Zijun noticed his grim demeanor, lamenting the difficulties faced by Xiao Beichen and Lin Hangjing, especially after the deaths of Lin Tangsheng and Mu Zizheng. Upon returning home, Xiao Beichen found Lin Hangjing packing to move to Tingxiang Pavilion. She explained that after everything, she could no longer live with him as a normal couple, preferring separate residences to avoid constant heartache.
Despite his reluctance, Lin Hangjing warned him not to force her if he wished her to remain in the household. Meanwhile, Mo Weiyi's investigation into the commemorative postmark on Qiao Jiang's photo led him to a student who had just returned from the French University of the Arts. The student identified Qiao Jiang as Jiang Zhiqi, an alias, describing him as a reserved and solitary individual with a passion for photography.
The student also recalled that Jiang Zhiqi had been intensely pursuing a particular girl and had returned to China because of her. Lin Hangjing continued to refuse food and remained confined to Tingxiang Pavilion. Worried about her isolation, Madam Qi arranged for a kind-hearted maid, Xiu'er, to be sent to her. Separately, Xiao Shuyi was delighted by the impending return of Shen Yanqing, a distinguished academic and diplomat, seemingly oblivious to the family's internal strife.
Xiao Beichen stood outside Tingxiang Pavilion for a long time. Zheng Fengqi approached him, feigning concern and advising him to speak with Lin Hangjing, emphasizing her belief in Lin Hangjing's love for him despite their misunderstandings. Unbeknownst to Xiao Beichen, Zheng Fengqi secretly harbored deep resentment towards Lin Hangjing for her return. Lin Hangjing experienced nausea, and a doctor, Dr. Sun, was called, who diagnosed her as pregnant.
She was initially surprised but then realized the conception had occurred the night before she left. The family's reactions varied; Xiao Beichen was stunned and showed no joy, stopping a jubilant Madam Qi to speak with Lin Hangjing in private. With a smile still on her face, Lin Hangjing faced Xiao Beichen, who demanded to know why she was doing this to him.
He questioned how she could be pregnant, given that she had been observing mourning for her father and they had not been intimate. Struck by his accusations and humiliated, Lin Hangjing, in a fit of anger, declared that the child was not his. Enraged, Xiao Beichen vowed that he would not permit her to bear the child. Zheng Fengqi commented on Xiao Beichen's pale face after hearing about the pregnancy.
Xiao Shuyi then speculated that since Lin Hangjing was over two months pregnant, she must have conceived while she was away with Mu Zizheng, insisting the truth must be sought to protect Xiao Beichen's reputation. Madam Qi angrily silenced Xiao Shuyi, defending Lin Hangjing's character and dismissing the accusation as nonsense. While Zheng Fengqi feigned to placate the situation, Madam Qi reiterated her trust in Lin Hangjing and scolded Xiao Shuyi for her inappropriate remarks.
Lin Hangjing woke to find Xiao Beichen by her side. He coldly informed her that he had already arranged for a doctor to terminate the pregnancy the next day. He accused her of trying to retaliate against him, stating that while he wished for them to have their own child in the future, he could not allow her to give birth to this one, unsure how he could face the child or her.
Enraged, Lin Hangjing slapped him, declaring that she would live or die with her baby. She then demanded a divorce, stating that from then on, she and her child would have no connection to him. Unwilling to grant her wish, Xiao Beichen sought solace in alcohol at Luminous Jade Pavilion.
