Side Story of Fox Volant Episode 12 Recap
> Side Story of Fox Volant Recap
Nan Lan intervened to stop Miao Renfeng from killing Tian Guinong. Tian Guinong attempted to explain their actions, claiming they thought Miao Renfeng had died, but Nan Lan silenced him, asserting the matter was between her and Miao Renfeng. She then accused Miao Renfeng of never truly caring for her, being solely preoccupied with the martial world, his friends, and his promise to Hu Yidao and his wife.
She tearfully stated that as a woman, she only desired his companionship to alleviate her constant worries and loneliness. While she once hoped to grow old with him, she realized he had no need for a wife or family, living in his own world and unwilling to change, even after their daughter Ruolan was born. She pointedly reminded him of his absence even when Ruolan suffered from a fever that very day.
After delivering her harsh words, Nan Lan dared Miao Renfeng to proceed as he wished. Despite Nan Lan's accusations, Miao Renfeng reiterated his unwavering commitment to his promise to Hu Yidao, but also offered to protect Nan Lan forever if she chose to stay, urging her to come home. However, Tian Guinong stepped forward, making his own fervent promise to Nan Lan, assuring her of lifelong protection if she stayed with him.
Nan Lan, acknowledging Miao Renfeng's integrity but conflicted, expressed to Tian Guinong that she did not want him to die, referring to his earlier readiness to be killed. She then got into the carriage with Tian Guinong. Miao Renfeng was left to watch them depart, his heart filled with despair, unable to harm Nan Lan due to his past vows. Shortly after Nan Lan and Tian Guinong returned to the mansion, Miao Renfeng suddenly appeared at the door.
Tao Baisui and other martial artists attempted to stop him but were no match. Everyone, including Nan Lan, believed Miao Renfeng had come to exact revenge, but he bypassed them all and walked directly to Ruolan. He picked up his daughter and began to leave the Tian family's residence. Nan Lan, unwilling to be separated from her daughter, desperately tried to follow, crying out Ruolan's name, but Tian Guinong held her back, and she collapsed into his arms, sobbing heartbrokenly.
Before leaving, Miao Renfeng quietly apologized and stated that Ruolan was his daughter. He told Tian Guinong he wouldn't hurt him or bother them again. Meanwhile, at Weituo Sect, Liu Hezhen presided over a ceremony, successfully acquiring the precious Epiphyllum Dew Cream. He explained that due to its rarity, it must be stored in a special cold jade container, as its medicinal properties would vanish within three days otherwise.
He also shared the legend that the container and the cream's secret formula were gifts from Buddha to Master Wuxiang when the sect was founded, signifying their celestial origin. Since Yuan Ziyi is the newly appointed sect leader, Liu Hezhen instructed her on how to open the ancient cold jade container, whose mechanism code is surprisingly "Guanyin."
Yuan Ziyi questioned the connection, and Liu Hezhen confirmed she was referring to the legend of Guanyin and Vedo Bodhisattva being husband and wife. After securing the cream, Liu Hezhen applied it to Hu Fei's injury. Yuan Ziyi asked Liu Hezhen if Hu Fei would recover quickly. Liu Hezhen explained that the Epiphyllum Dew Cream, currently applied, would heal the broken bones in seven days with daily dressing changes.
However, to fully restore damaged meridians and prevent loss of martial arts skill, a second stage of treatment was needed, involving fresh Epiphyllum dew mixed with the cream. Acknowledging that Epiphyllum is rare, Liu Hezhen reassured Yuan Ziyi that Weituo Sect had a dedicated garden for cultivating it, and he would arrange for the dew to be collected once Hu Fei's bones had healed.
He then mentioned Hu Fei’s fever had subsided and with rest, he'd be back to full health. Hu Fei soon regained consciousness. Upon opening his eyes, he saw Yuan Ziyi sleeping beside him, a sweet smile gracing her lips, as if she was having a pleasant dream. He quietly observed her until she awakened on her own.
Playfully, he teased her, noting how docile she appeared when asleep, like a "lazy cat sunbathing," a stark contrast to her usual "little tiger" demeanor. Yuan Ziyi, flustered, told him he’s annoying and he's not allowed to look at her without permission. Hu Fei countered by saying she’s all he sees. She then reminded him to thank Weituo Sect for saving his leg, to which he readily agreed.
Just then, Liu Hezhen arrived with medicine, witnessing their playful bickering, which he perceived as flirtation. Embarrassed, Yuan Ziyi quickly exited to prepare porridge, requesting Liu Hezhen to check on Hu Fei.
Liu Hezhen performed an examination, then revealed the full truth to Hu Fei: it was Yuan Ziyi who went to extraordinary lengths to save him, battling Liu Hezhen for the sect leader position while injured, and then, fearing further harm to his injured leg, carried him up the Weituo Mountain's 9,999 steps by crawling on her knees all the way from Foshan. Her own knees were severely injured in the process.
Deeply moved by Yuan Ziyi's immense sacrifices, Hu Fei pledged to Liu Hezhen that he, Hu Fei, would never let Ziyi down in this lifetime. Coincidentally, Yuan Ziyi returned with the porridge just as he made this vow. Noticing the budding romance, Liu Hezhen discreetly excused himself. As Yuan Ziyi chastised Hu Fei for his impatience and then gently fed him, an intimate atmosphere filled the room.
Hu Fei, while seemingly focused on the porridge, kept his gaze fixed on Yuan Ziyi. In the following days, news of the World's Sect Leaders Gathering spread throughout the martial arts world. Many sects mobilized, some even creating new factions to seize opportunities, leading to a resurgence of old grievances and internal conflicts. Emperor Qianlong, pleased with Fu Kangan's efforts in instigating this chaos, praised him and rewarded him with lychees from Lingnan to share with his mother.
Tianlong Sect, along with the other "Hu, Miao, Fan, and Tian" families who once followed the Dashing King, had not received an invitation to the gathering. Tian Guinong's subordinate reported that even smaller, more distant sects had received invitations, leading Tian Guinong to suspect the imperial court's distrust due to their historical allegiance.
He decided he must travel to the capital immediately to address this misunderstanding and potentially forge connections with influential figures like Commander Fu, ensuring the sect's future and avoiding unforeseen troubles. Meanwhile, Nan Lan dedicated her time to charity, distributing porridge and medicine to the poor, showing great compassion for a child with a severe hand injury. During this, she became dizzy, prompting Tian Guinong to summon a doctor.
To their immense joy, the doctor revealed that Nan Lan was pregnant. Tian Guinong was overjoyed to learn he would have a child. Despite this happy news, Tian Guinong had to depart for the capital the very next day for his urgent mission. He reassured Nan Lan of his reluctance to leave but emphasized the importance of his journey. Nan Lan, in turn, urged him not to delay his important matters for her sake.
Before Tian Guinong's departure, he and Nan Lan shared a tender farewell, exchanging promises to take care of themselves and the unborn child. After Tian Guinong left, servants presented Nan Lan with swaddling, tiny shoes, and hats prepared for the new baby. Looking at these items, Nan Lan was overcome with longing for her daughter Ruolan. She dismissed her attendants and took out a half-finished piece of silk, skillfully embroidering patterns while imagining Ruolan wearing the garment.
Meanwhile, Miao Renfeng was shown diligently caring for Ruolan, never letting her out of his sight. Though the once-happy family of three was broken, the warm bond between father and daughter remained evident.
