My Heroic Husband Episode 26 Recap
> My Heroic Husband Recap
Suspecting that Bao Wenhan, known as an amorist who plundered women upon arriving in the city, might have abducted Su Tan'er, Ning Yi decided to infiltrate Xuanwei Camp. Disguised as a vegetable vendor, he entered the camp and was spotted by bandits. He quickly sought refuge in Lou Shuwan's room, only to discover she was also there. Lou Shuwan covered for Ning Yi when guards searched, claiming only Commander Bao entered her room.
She then informed Ning Yi that Su Tan'er was definitely not in Xuanwei Camp and suggested he search other camps. Ning Yi tried to persuade Lou Shuwan to leave, urging her not to abandon herself to vice, but she explained she had her own reasons for being there and was safer under Bao Wenhan's protection, adding that she knew the camp better and could help him escape more effectively. With her help, Ning Yi safely returned to Badao Camp.
Upon returning to his camp, Ning Yi saw a pigeon, which made him think of his master, Lu Hongti. Soon after, Lu Hongti, codenamed Mo Ying from the Secret Investigation Department, infiltrated Badao Camp. She had received a confidential letter instructing her to find Ning Yi.
Ning Yi, unsurprised by her presence, showed her a dagger and deduced she was also from the Secret Investigation Department, having observed her appearance in Linan after his grain fundraising efforts using the department's token. Lu Hongti immediately acknowledged him as her superior commander, as per Chancellor Qin's decree that whoever holds the dagger is their commander.
Ning Yi, however, downplayed his role as merely "a person on duty," and humbly requested her help to find his wife, Su Tan'er, as a personal favor from an apprentice to a master. Lu Hongti, recalling seeing Su Tan'er, agreed to help. She searched among human trafficking groups, rescuing many elderly, weak, and disabled individuals, but found no trace of Su Tan'er. They concluded that Su Tan'er was likely held within a bandit camp.
To aid the search within Badao Camp, Ning Yi asked Lu Hongti to change her attire, as her current appearance resembled a killer; she then donned a more ordinary female outfit, allowing Ning Yi to introduce her as his older sister if they were seen together. Meanwhile, Chen Fan accidentally let slip to Liu Xigua that Ning Yi was preoccupied with finding his wife.
Liu Xigua, surprised and annoyed that Ning Yi hadn't confided in her, felt it was a slight, considering she was his Ladyship and had saved his life. She declared her intention to help find Su Tan'er, but Chen Fan insisted his network of connections in the city was more extensive and he could handle the search. Agitated, Liu Xigua began to vent her frustration by furiously wielding her great saber.
Ning Yi then approached her with an official document, asking her to host The Feast for All Officers for the Holy Master, inviting all eight camps, including Bao Wenhan’s Xuanwei Camp. Liu Xigua initially balked at the idea of inviting Bao Wenhan, but Ning Yi earnestly pleaded, reminding her that he had rendered many services for her and had never asked for a favor until now.
Liu Xigua ultimately relented, understanding that the feast was Ning Yi's attempt to locate his wife. Liu Xigua personally presented the proposal to her adoptive father, the Holy Master. Commander Bao Wenhan initially opposed the feast, citing the risk of leaving Xuanwei Camp vulnerable to "bad guys" if all his soldiers attended. Liu Xigua retorted, questioning if he implied she was the "bad guy."
Fang Tianlei tried to mediate, and the Holy Master intervened, emphasizing that the feast was for team building and morale, urging Bao Wenhan to attend. Reluctantly, Bao Wenhan outwardly agreed to participate. However, later, one of Bao Wenhan's subordinates informed him that Ning Yi had orchestrated the feast. Bao Wenhan, disliking Ning Yi, decided not to attend after all. Lou Shuwan intervened, discreetly advising him.
She explained that the Holy Master was unwavering once he made a decision, and Bao Wenhan's absence would not only disrespect the Holy Master but also lead to suspicion of him forming rival factions. Convinced by her shrewd reasoning, Bao Wenhan agreed to attend, pleased to have such an intelligent beauty by his side. That evening, as The Feast for All Officers approached, Liu Xigua prepared a new purple outfit for Ning Yi, promoting him from ninth to seventh rank.
Ning Yi, however, pointed out that purple robes and golden belts were for third-rank officials and above, while a seventh-rank official should wear green. Liu Xigua dismissed green as "unlucky" and insisted on the purple robe. While talking, she accidentally spilled water on Ning Yi's clothes, which triggered a melancholic memory of Su Tan'er.
He recalled how Su Tan'er would always appear whenever his clothes got wet, as if to prevent him from "cheating on her," but this time, she was nowhere to be seen. His spirits fell. To find Su Tan'er's abductor, Ning Yi devised a plan with Guard Geng: during the feast, they would have everyone sign a commemorative banner.
As people signed, Ning Yi would shake hands with each of them, using the opportunity to check for injuries on their right hands, as the abductor had been wounded there. Guard Geng, still in his bandit disguise, was to help identify the culprits. During the feast, Guard Geng coincidentally spotted the Su Family's Second Branch, who had been conscripted for labor.
He led them to the back door, explaining that Su Tan'er had been abducted by bandits and that he and Ning Yi were searching for her. He instructed them to wait there, promising to return for them once his mission was complete. Back inside, Bao Wenhan and his men arrived, refusing to sign the banner and attempting to enter without adhering to Ning Yi's rule. Ning Yi stood firm, insisting they sign.
Bao Wenhan, defiant, threatened to withdraw from the feast, again using Ning Yi's previous offenses as an excuse, and directly appealed to the Holy Master. The Holy Master intervened, urging peace. Ning Yi then de-escalated the situation by humbling himself and apologizing sincerely, asking Bao Wenhan to set aside his grudges and allow Xuanwei Camp to be seated. The Holy Master then affirmed that Bao Wenhan had received the "attitude" he desired and ordered them to take their seats.
Bao Wenhan, still seeking to assert dominance, challenged Ning Yi to drink an entire jar of wine with all of Xuanwei Camp as an apology, implying that this would clear their past conflicts. Despite Liu Xigua's concern, the Holy Master permitted it. Ning Yi accepted the challenge, using the opportunity to his advantage. As he went around, toasting each member of Xuanwei Camp, he would discreetly pat their right arms, checking for injuries.
Ning Yi drank heavily, vomiting several times, yet continued his systematic search. Finally, as he was about to collapse, he touched the arm of a man named Wang Jin and felt the wound he had been looking for. A happy, knowing smile spread across his face, which others dismissed as mere drunken glee. Bao Wenhan declared their "debt was cleared" and instructed his guards, Wang Jin and Shi Bao, to help the drunken Ning Yi. Ning Yi, still feigning intoxication, silently committed Wang Jin's name to memory.
