My Heroic Husband Episode 21 Recap
> My Heroic Husband Recap
Chen Fan expressed his apprehension about Liu Xigua appointing Ning Yi as her Counsellor, fearing she had been deceived by a stranger. Liu Xigua, however, believed Ning Yi was Wu Qihao, the man who had saved General Yuan.
She had sent people to Jiangning to investigate Wu Qihao, and the report confirmed he was the esteemed young master of the Wu’s Cloth Store, known for his decisive nature, but also notorious as a lecher who once attempted to assault a wealthy young lady. Despite this information, Liu Xigua decided to keep him, reasoning that his abilities outweighed his moral character, much to Chen Fan’s frustration. She even remarked that their camp already had its share of rogues.
Ning Yi soon attempted to leave the camp but was repeatedly stopped by guards who informed him that only the Commander’s token permitted exit. Realizing he needed this token, he returned to Liu Xigua’s office, subtly observing her. Liu Xigua, mistaking his intentions due to the reports of “Wu Qihao’s” lecherous nature, asked if he truly had such a peculiar hobby.
Ning Yi, misunderstanding her completely and believing she was referring to his keenness for making money, proudly admitted to it, which only solidified Liu Xigua’s misconception that he was a lecher. She declared that the Badao Camp was a united family that would accept his "hobby" because she valued his capabilities.
Later, while Ning Yi was lost in thought, reminiscing about his wife Su Tan’er, the four guards, Sha, Ren, Chang, and Ming, mocked him, thinking he was indulging in lewd fantasies. Liu Xigua chided them, reminding them to be tolerant and let Ning Yi feel at home. Seizing an opportunity, Ning Yi tried to snatch the token from Liu Xigua’s waist.
She caught him, twisted his arm, denounced him as a lecher, severely beat him, and kicked him out of the camp. Ning Yi protested vehemently, shouting that he was not Wu Qihao. Chen Fan, sent to re-verify Ning Yi’s identity, confirmed he was indeed Ning Yi from Jiangning, though no other details were known. After Chen Fan helped reset Ning Yi’s dislocated arm, Ning Yi continued to berate Liu Xigua for her ingratitude.
Exasperated, Liu Xigua forced water down his throat. Chen Fan questioned Ning Yi’s ingratitude, given they had saved his life and made him Counsellor. Ning Yi explained that anyone, waking up with eight broadswords pointed at their neck and forced into a role, would try to escape. Liu Xigua acknowledged her own recklessness, advising her subordinates to learn from her mistake and strive to win respect through morality rather than violence.
To Ning Yi’s surprise, she handed him the token, assuring him it would guarantee his safety within Lin’an. Ning Yi, elated, swaggered around the camp, basking in the deference of others, only to discover that the token still didn't allow him to leave the camp. He realized Liu Xigua had outsmarted him. Meanwhile, Lu Hongti, after rescuing some refugees, received information that Fang Tianlei was in Lin'an and immediately rushed there.
Back at the camp, Ning Yi, still desperate to escape, supervised the repair of the city wall. He sent the workers off to eat, pretending he wouldn't eat until the wall was finished, and planned to use the hoisting rope to descend.
Coincidentally, the four brothers from the Academy of Male Virtuousness also intended to escape using the same rope, having been forced to work for Fang Tianlei after Feng Yuan's loud stomach noises gave away their hiding spot to villains. As Ning Yi was lowering himself, the brothers pulled him back up.
Li Pin explained their plight, and Ning Yi, seeing his chance, tried to get them to lower him again, but Li Pin insisted on joining him, despite the risk of overloading the basket. Just as they were halfway down, Chen Fan discovered their escape attempt and stopped them.
Ning Yi, in a desperate attempt to talk his way out, immediately accused his Academy brothers of being escapees he had "captured" while supervising the wall repairs, turning them over to Chen Fan. The four brothers were then imprisoned, lamenting Ning Yi’s betrayal and his new role as a "Counsellor" to the villains. They tried to tell the jailers they worked for Commander Fang Qiong and Mrs. Shao, but their pleas were ignored.
Brought before Liu Xigua, Ning Yi continued his elaborate lie, claiming Chen Fan had interfered with his work while he was diligently supervising and apprehending the "escapees," thereby delaying the project. He even dramatically offered to resign, suggesting Chen Fan would be a better fit. Chen Fan, speechless and seething at Ning Yi's audacity, could only glare.
When Liu Xigua sought corroboration from the four guards, Sha, Ren, Chang, and Ming, they, having been prompted by Ning Yi's considerate actions earlier, spoke in his favor. They praised his dedication to wall repairs, mentioned he had let them eat first, and pretended he hadn't had time to eat his black rice buns. Ning Yi then feigned hunger and fainted.
Liu Xigua believed Ning Yi's act, criticizing Chen Fan for his inability to discern priorities, emphasizing that she valued Ning Yi’s ability to process documents. Chen Fan, though frustrated, could only watch as Ning Yi continued his charade of selflessness. Elsewhere, Su Zhongkan and Su Wenxing, having used Geng’s misleading map, realized its absurdity after discovering the "syrup of plum" was a latrine, the "hot spring" a mere puddle, and the "dead sea" a perilous cliff.
Concluding the map was useless, they decided to abandon their fake rescue mission and tour the "nine townships and three counties" surrounding Lin’an, believing their money would ensure a comfortable journey. However, Lu Hongti, whose horse was exhausted, suddenly appeared and stole their carriage, along with all their silver, leaving them penniless and forced to chase after her on foot.
Back in Lin’an, Liu Xigua's aunt attempted to set her up on a blind date with Dou Jingzhi, a young man whose father, Dou Minzhong, was a renowned scholar. Chen Fan, visibly agitated and jealous, vented his frustration by throwing spears. Ning Yi, noticing Chen Fan’s feelings, offered to help him, hinting he would teach him how to win a girl’s heart and rhetorically asking if the Holy Master would marry his daughter to someone who couldn't care for her.
Unable to endure the blind date, Liu Xigua pulled Ning Yi into the room, demanding his assistance. Ning Yi, introducing himself as Liu Xigua’s exclusive Counsellor and an expert in relationships, proceeded to "fortune-tell."
He declared that Liu Xigua, born on the third day of the seventh lunar month and a "Fate of Fire," was fierce, independent, and best suited for a "Wind-fated" man—a loyal individual who would only have eyes for her, even if a line of admirers stretched from here to the city gate.
He then stated that Dou Jingzhi, born on the fifth day of the sixth lunar month and a "Fate of Water," was a "player" with broad affections for all women, making him disloyal. Therefore, Liu Xigua and Dou Jingzhi were fundamentally incompatible, like "fire and water." Convinced, Liu Xigua’s aunt promptly led a bewildered Dou Jingzhi away.
Impressed, Liu Xigua announced that Ning Yi would handle all future blind dates and asked him to teach her about "star knowledge" so she could identify and avoid "Wind-fated" men, ensuring romantic entanglements would not derail her grand ambitions. Realizing that he himself was "Wind-fated," Ning Yi quickly made his excuses and fled, feigning concern about his clothes being blown away by the strong wind, leaving Liu Xigua to ponder if he, too, was a Wind-fated man.
