My Heroic Husband Episode 32 Recap
> My Heroic Husband Recap
Ning Yi planned to launch an attack on the night of the wedding, instructing Lu Hongti to prepare for the offensive. Meanwhile, Fang Tianlei also tightened defenses, intending to use Liu Xigua's wedding banquet as a trap to test Ning Yi's true identity. Lu Hongti reported to Ning Yi that she had successfully diverted the attention of those watching him.
Ning Yi explained that Fang Tianlei and Shao Xianying had gathered all the forces from their eight camps for the wedding banquet, which would leave the city's defenses critically vulnerable, presenting a unique opportunity for an attack. He then dispatched Lu Hongti to leave the city and relay this crucial information to Dong Daofu. Fang Tianlei, for his part, confirmed that all arrangements were in place.
He ordered Fang Qiong to feign an excuse to skip the wedding and instead monitor the movements from the watchtower. He also assigned Zheng Biao and Wang Jin to guard the south and north city gates, respectively, ensuring they were ready for battle. Shao Xianying expressed her reluctance to use Xigua's wedding for such a scheme, but Fang Tianlei was resolute.
He asserted that if all went smoothly, Ning Yi and Xigua could live as a normal couple; otherwise, if Ning Yi proved to be a traitor, they would simply execute him. After inspecting the black powder at the Xuanwei Camp, Fang Tianlei ordered it to be buried near all the city gates and commanded his men to equip themselves with firearms and guard through the night.
He explicitly reminded his deputies that they knew exactly how to deal with Ning Yi should the wedding plans be disrupted. Outside the city, Dong Daofu voiced his doubts about Ning Yi's plan, concerned that it was too much of a gamble given the heavy casualties the Secret Investigation Department had already sustained. He questioned whether Ning Yi had a foolproof strategy.
Lu Hongti reassured him, emphasizing that the bandits' forces would be concentrated at the camp for the wedding, leaving the city defenses weak. She urged the general to simply await the opportune moment, affirming that Ning Yi had everything under control. Back in his room, Ning Yi was met by Su Tan'er, who presented him with a divorce agreement.
She calmly explained that she understood his true intentions, knew the marriage to Liu Xigua was fake, and believed a formal separation would free him to fulfill his mission without worrying about her. Ning Yi was clearly pained, acknowledging the immense sacrifice she was making. Su Tan'er insisted she was not wronged, believing that a man of his capabilities should aspire to more than being a matrilocal husband, urging him to pursue a wider world.
Reluctantly, Ning Yi signed the agreement. Su Tan'er then helped him put on his wedding robe, remarking that it fit perfectly despite being hastily made, unlike the one for their own wedding. She wistfully recalled their wedding day and his promise of a honeymoon. Ning Yi embraced her, promising to compensate her for all the sacrifices he was forcing her to make. Meanwhile, Liu Xigua was being prepared for the wedding by her aunt, Shao Xianying.
She was visibly nervous, fearing the mockery of her peers for wearing traditional bridal attire. Her aunt reassured her, praising her beauty and vowing that no one in the camp would dare laugh at her. She lamented that Xigua's own mother, who passed away early, couldn't teach her about dressing up. Despite Xigua's initial reluctance, her aunt gently pierced her ears, reminding her that it was a once-in-a-lifetime occasion.
Confined in a cell, Chen Fan was furious and distraught, repeatedly shouting for his release. He vehemently opposed Liu Xigua's marriage to Ning Yi and desperately demanded to see her. At the wedding ceremony in Linan, Fang Tianlei sat beside his wife. He bestowed a generous dowry upon Liu Xigua, declaring her like his own daughter, and warned Ning Yi not to mistreat her.
As the auspicious hour arrived, a brother from the Badao Camp announced Ning Yi's entry as a matrilocal husband, marrying Commander Liu, and the crowd eagerly called for them to enter the bridal chamber. However, Shao Xianying quickly intervened, insisting on a proper traditional ceremony. The ceremony commenced: first, a bow to Guan Yu, symbolizing loyalty and righteousness, followed by a stern warning that any traitor would face a brutal end.
Ning Yi, having married into the Badao Camp, was now bound to share both good fortune and hardship. Next, they bowed to Liu Xigua's father's long sword, symbolizing respect for her deceased father, wishing them unity and strength to overcome any challenges. Finally, the couple bowed to each other, sealing their union. Shao Xianying formally handed Liu Xigua's hand to Ning Yi, imploring him not to disappoint her, especially since Xigua had never previously shown affection for anyone.
Ning Yi remained silent, but Liu Xigua quickly affirmed to her aunt that he was capable of upholding his vows. As the wedding banquet unfolded, Su Tan'er sat alone in her room, calmly reading, despite the festive window decorations. Xiao Chan, seeing her mistress's composure, became uneasy and threatened to confront Ning Yi if he dared to wrong her. Su Tan'er, however, maintained her trust in him. At the banquet, Ning Yi circulated, toasting the Xuanwei Camp members.
Their initial disdain nearly escalated into a brawl with the Badao Camp until Shao Xianying intervened. Fang Tianlei and the Xuanwei Camp continued to covertly observe Ning Yi, concluding that his sobriety hinted at ulterior motives, likely a coordinated attack with Dong Daofu. After Ning Yi had socialized and many of the bandits appeared to be inebriated, Ning Yi and his companion excused themselves.
Immediately, the "drunk" bandits sobered up, ready to carry out Fang Tianlei's plan to defend the city gates with explosives and firearms. Meanwhile, following Ning Yi's plan, the four brothers from the Academy of Male Virtuousness used his knockout powder to incapacitate four guards and then donned their uniforms. Su’s Second Master's father and son followed closely, pushing a small cart towards the Linan granary.
At the granary, they were challenged by a guard who noticed they were late for their shift and demanded the secret password. Li Pin, drawing on his classical education, correctly completed the lines from an ancient poem: "弃捐勿复道" (There are many things I want to say), to which the required response was "努力加餐饭" (Please take care and not suffer from hunger and cold). The guards accepted the password, and Second Master's family proceeded with the cart towards the granary.
Ning Yi arrived at the bridal chamber, appearing semi-intoxicated. He lifted Liu Xigua's red veil. After removing his wedding robe, they both shared a knowing glance, silently acknowledging their mutual understanding of the situation. They began to chat, and Liu Xigua recounted stories from her childhood. She shared how her mother, who craved a watermelon during pregnancy but couldn't afford one, named her Xigua, hoping it would bring a sense of abundance.
She explained that her father, Liu Dabiao, became a bandit purely out of necessity to feed his family. He was tragically framed and executed for treason by corrupt officials. Liu Xigua, who revered her father, adopted his name, Liu Dabiao, to keep his legacy alive, and diligently followed her uncle, Fang Tianlei, who spoiled her out of loyalty to her father.
She revealed that even after the Bao Wenhan incident, Fang Tianlei hadn't fully trusted Ning Yi but spared him because of Liu Xigua's affection, adding that she felt this fake marriage was a worthwhile trade for saving Ning Yi's life. Ning Yi subtly probed whether she suspected Fang Tianlei had always intended to pursue a path of rebellion. Liu Xigua quickly denied it, asserting her uncle merely opposed corrupt officials.
However, Ning Yi pointed out her swift denial, suggesting she harbored doubts herself. Despite her internal conflict, Liu Xigua firmly stated her profound gratitude to her uncle meant she was committed to helping him win the battle for Linan. Ning Yi playfully suggested that if they lost, she and Chen Fan could simply accept an amnesty. Liu Xigua chided him for such inauspicious talk on their wedding night before drifting off to sleep. Ning Yi sat awake through the night.
As morning broke, Fang Tianlei and his sister, Fang Qiong, noted that Dong Daofu, known for his night raids, had not attacked despite the opportune moment presented by the wedding festivities. Fang Tianlei concluded that Ning Yi was not a traitor. Recognizing that his men had been on guard all night, he ordered a shift change and for them to rest, mindful of preventing a surprise attack from Dong Daofu. Convinced of Ning Yi’s loyalty, he ordered Chen Fan’s release.
As Chen Fan was freed, he was told that Liu Xigua and Ning Yi had completed the wedding ceremony and had likely already consummated their marriage. Enraged, Chen Fan stormed towards Liu Xigua’s bridal chamber in the pouring rain. His comrades tried to stop him, reminding him that killing Ning Yi would only make Liu Xigua a widow. Overwhelmed, Chen Fan collapsed to the ground in despair.
Fang Qiong, looking out at the rain, remarked to Fang Tianlei how it reminded her of the rainy day when her "Big Brother Dabiao" was executed, lamenting that despite their efforts, they couldn't save him. Suddenly, Fang Tianlei noticed the water in his teacup vibrating. At the same moment, Chen Fan, still wandering aimlessly in the rain, approached the city gate. He suddenly sensed something was amiss just as the gate was violently smashed open and a horde of government soldiers surged into the city.
