Resumo do episódio 12 de Eternal Love of the Fox
> Resumos de Eternal Love of the Fox
Following their reconciliation, Huo Xiangjiu pressed Princess Ningshuang about the two missing pages from the Ganquan Register. Ningshuang confessed she actually knew nothing about the pages' content; her earlier statement was merely a delaying tactic to enlist Xiangjiu's help in reconciling with her mother. Xiangjiu was upset, emphasizing the matter's importance, but Ningshuang promised a thorough investigation if it was linked to her palace. She also questioned why Xiangjiu suspected her of tearing the pages.
Feng Mochen's subordinate attested to his keen sense of smell, recalling how they tracked Sorcerer Yu, a claim Feng Mochen affirmed by stating no scent could escape their noses, which he found "as easy as winking." Later, as Ningshuang was called to Kunning Palace, Feng Mochen intercepted a servant, noting a scent on her that resembled the Ganquan Register.
The servant denied ever visiting Fucang Palace, Feng Mochen’s residence, and he observed this particular scent was absent from other servants in Ningshuang Palace. This detail eventually helped Ningshuang realize the source of the scent. She recalled cultivating five datura plants in her palace, a rare privilege granted by her father, as datura is usually forbidden due to its toxicity. Typically tended by Ms. Xiang, these flowers explained why Ningshuang and Ms. Xiang carried the distinctive aroma.
Xiangjiu pointed out that only four plants remained, with one having gone missing two years ago, a timeline that coincided with her father’s disappearance. Although Ningshuang had previously tried to investigate the theft without success, Feng Mochen explained that the abundance of other flowers had since masked the thief's scent. He also noted that a mysterious individual in the palace had actively impeded their inquiries.
Xiangjiu speculated that locating the flower thief could lead them to her father and the mysterious person. Feng Mochen proposed that if the datura was still being cultivated within the palace, they only needed to identify anyone, other than Ningshuang and Ms. Xiang, who carried its unique fragrance. To express her gratitude, Princess Ningshuang hosted a banquet. Princess Consort Song Lian also attended, bearing fine fabrics as a gesture from Prince Fuying, celebrating Ningshuang’s reunion with her mother.
Initially, Ningshuang, disdainful of Song Lian's association with the Eastern Palace, intended to exclude her. However, Xiangjiu intervened, reminding Ningshuang that Song Lian had previously helped both her mother and Xiangjiu herself, urging her not to harbor resentment and citing the wisdom, "It's hard to stay mad at someone who's smiling." Feng Mochen then extended an invitation, acknowledging Song Lian as Xiangjiu’s friend.
With Ningshuang’s reluctant agreement, Song Lian joined them, and Ningshuang instructed a servant to inform Prince Fuying that his Princess Consort was drinking freely with them. Feng Mochen, observing Song Lian, gently advised her to drink in moderation, for "cultivating leisurely moods" rather than overindulgence. Princess Ningshuang, surprised, remarked that it was rare to see Feng Mochen so considerate towards any woman other than Xiangjiu. During the banquet, they engaged in a lively drinking game.
Teams were formed, and participants took turns performing actions for the opposing team to replicate. The girls, including Ningshuang, Xiangjiu, Song Lian, and Ms. Xiang, formed one team, while Feng Mochen, Bai Yu, and Mao Jin formed the other. Ningshuang, to heighten the challenge, replaced the modest wine cups with large wine jars for penalties.
As the game progressed, Mao Jin, in a drunken state, began to taunt Feng Mochen, calling him a "mad dog" and accusing him of only favoring Xiangjiu, leading to Mao Jin's own "fall from favor." Feng Mochen, however, affectionately defended Mao Jin as his "good brother," declaring them "kindred spirits." In another round, Mao Jin executed an "awkward move" that no one could replicate, yet Feng Mochen attributed it to "instinct."
At one point, Feng Mochen asked Song Lian her name and, upon hearing "Song Lian," gently advised her, "You must be like the lotus flower and love yourself well. If we don't even love ourselves, who will love us?" As the night wore on, a heavily intoxicated Xiangjiu mistook a tall ladder for a giant sugarcane, attempting to climb and "eat it from the top." Feng Mochen swiftly intervened, flying to prevent her from falling.
With a rosy flush on her cheeks, Xiangjiu gazed earnestly at Feng Mochen and asked if they had met before, remarking on the profound sense of familiarity she always felt. Feng Mochen remained silent, but in his mind, a storm of memories stirred. He had indeed known Xiangjiu long ago, though at that time, he was merely a little white fox.
Young Xiangjiu, known then as Qinghua, doted on the little fox, sharing her food, even chicken feet intended for guests like Master Li, and playing with it daily. Their time together radiated such warmth that even the sunlight seemed to carry a sweet aroma, making them the most important beings in each other's lives. This idyll continued until Xiangjiu grew into a graceful young woman.
One day, with tears falling, she sadly informed the little fox that her father had arranged her marriage to Landlord Li's son, a man from a distant place. Though unwilling, she could not defy her father and feared she would no longer be able to play with the fox. She told the fox, "If only you were human, how good that would be. Then you could take me away."
She warned it not to follow her, fearing it would be beaten to death. Feng Mochen, as the little white fox, was heartbroken. Later, his master helped him transform into human form, finally giving him a chance to approach Xiangjiu in this new guise. Meanwhile, Princess Consort Song Lian, also heavily influenced by alcohol, encountered Gongsun Hao on her way back. Gongsun Hao confronted her, questioning when she would stop deceiving herself.
Song Lian, in despair, revealed that her marriage to Prince Fuying was not by choice, but because he had "forcibly taken" her, leaving her no option but to become his Princess Consort without the possibility of divorce. Later, Prince Fuying, having learned of Song Lian's friendship with Xiangjiu, ordered her to bring Xiangjiu to the Eastern Palace to be "used" by them.
Song Lian defiantly refused, asserting that Xiangjiu was her friend and she would kill him if he harmed her. Enraged, Prince Fuying plunged her head into a lotus pond, attempting to drown her. He taunted her, accusing her of cowardice beneath her benevolent exterior, of seeking his father's favor by mimicking His Grace, and claiming she used benevolence to hide cowardice and viciousness to hide weakness.
Just as Song Lian was on the brink of death, Prince Fuying pulled her out, confessing his fear that her death would cost him his father's "favor." He chillingly declared his intention to make her witness how he would "trample them underfoot." Song Lian, gasping for air, vividly recalled Feng Mochen’s earlier words, urging her to "love yourself well," for "if we don't even love ourselves, who will love us?"
Later that night, as Xiangjiu slept soundly, a swirling black mist emanated from her body, attempting to consume her. This entity formed a shadowy figure and ominously declared to Feng Mochen, "So it's you. You've caused me such misery. We finally meet." Feng Mochen immediately appeared, apprehending the mist, and sternly commanded it to "Stay away from her!" The entity, however, defiantly retorted, "Feng Mochen, you should know I'm not afraid of you."
