Side Story of Fox Volant Episode 23 Recap
> Side Story of Fox Volant Recap
Sun Gangfeng, determined to pass on the Taiji Sect martial arts to Lv Xiaomei, his sole blood relative, diligently instructed her during practice. However, Lv Xiaomei's heart was not in martial arts, much to Sun Gangfeng's frustration. She found martial arts more suitable for men. Instead, she believed girls should emulate Cheng Lingsu, defeating enemies silently and effortlessly, a true heroine's path. She challenged Sun Gangfeng, asking if he thought Hero Miao was strong because he defeated villains so easily.
When he confirmed it, she countered that Cheng Lingsu could do the same without throwing a punch, as her poisons could render anyone unconscious, be they hero or villain. Lv Xiaomei reiterated that girls should follow in Sister Cheng's footsteps and take down enemies in silence, without even breaking a sweat. Sun Gangfeng dismissed her views as nonsense. As Hu Fei and Cheng Lingsu journeyed towards the capital, they decided to stop for the night in Yitang Town.
There, a man introducing himself as Manager Zhang approached them, claiming his master, who greatly admired Hu Fei, had sent him to welcome them. Manager Zhang was evasive about his master's identity, saying Hu Fei would learn it upon meeting him. Though wary, Hu Fei and Cheng Lingsu decided to follow Manager Zhang to a tea house, where a seemingly "simple food and tea" turned out to be a lavish feast.
Hu Fei expressed his confusion to Cheng Lingsu, who advised him to go along with it and then strategize. Hu Fei initially wondered if Yuan Ziyi was behind the arrangement, even hinting at giving her the comb he carried. After their meal, Manager Zhang led them to a grand estate named "Green Willow Villa." Hu Fei questioned if this residence was also provided by the mysterious master, which Manager Zhang confirmed, explaining it was for their respite.
Cheng Lingsu playfully called Hu Fei "Master Hu," but Hu Fei dismissed the idea that Yuan Ziyi was their host, believing she would never arrange such an extravagant display. Despite the unanswered questions about their host's identity, Hu Fei decided they should stay for a while, as there was no apparent hostility. Servants then escorted Hu Fei and Cheng Lingsu to the back building where a hot spring bath awaited.
Hu Fei initially mistook the hot spring for a mere bathhouse, prompting Cheng Lingsu to correct him. He wondered aloud who would pamper them so lavishly. Cheng Lingsu playfully suggested it might be an official Hu Fei had saved, repaying his kindness. Hu Fei dismissed this, stating he only knew a wealthy, evil villain named Feng Tiannan, who had brutally murdered the entire Zhong Family over a small vegetable garden.
He recounted how he almost avenged them but was inexplicably stopped by Yuan Ziyi. Hu Fei was then led to new clothes, struggling to get dressed himself as female servants kept calling him "my lord" and trying to assist, which he politely but firmly refused. After their baths, both Hu Fei and Cheng Lingsu emerged in new attire. Hu Fei teased Cheng Lingsu that she looked like a bride, and she retorted that he looked like a groom.
Hu Fei found this amusing but also unsettling, especially with the servants addressing him as "my lord." They sought out Manager Zhang for an explanation. In the main hall, Manager Zhang presented Hu Fei with an elaborately bound ledger, humbly stating it was "A gift for Master Hu." Hu Fei was bewildered as Manager Zhang listed the contents: "415. 7 mu of fine paddy fields, a mansion, and a total of 121 servants."
He explained that his master had prepared all this for Hu Fei and apologized for any oversight due to the hasty arrangements. Hu Fei, feeling light-headed by the overwhelming generosity, pressed for the master's identity. Manager Zhang reiterated that the master would reveal himself "when the time is right" and then directed them to dinner.
Fu Kangan's pregnant concubine lost her child after being pushed into a pond, an act Fu Kangan immediately attributed to his jealous primary consort, Madam Hailan. Earlier, the concubine had confided in her servant her fears of Madam Hailan, whose own infertility made her position unstable. Upon learning the baby couldn't be saved, a furious Fu Kangan confronted his wife. He openly accused her of causing the miscarriage, calling her vile and insinuating she wanted to end his family line.
Madam Hailan vehemently denied the accusation, blaming his infrequent visits for her own childlessness and warning that with her family's power in the capital, his mother would not spare him if he dared to harm her. Their heated argument was interrupted by Princess Hejia, Fu Kangan's sister-in-law.
She scolded them for the commotion, trying to calm Fu Kangan by acknowledging his grief but also admonishing him for taking his anger out on Madam Hailan, stating the concubine was not fated to have the child. Fu Kangan complained about his mother pressuring him for an heir and how Madam Hailan had sabotaged his chances. Princess Hejia promised to speak with his mother about finding a side consort.
Later, Princess Hejia discussed the matter with Fu Kangan's mother, the Old Madam. The Old Madam dismissed the deceased child and its mother as lowly and a bastard, criticizing Princess Hejia for seemingly spoiling Madam Hailan. Princess Hejia pointed out that with the official wife infertile and the concubine's child lost, Fu Kangan would have no heir, which the Old Madam agreed "will not do" as his wealth must be inherited.
The Old Madam then suggested they find a side consort. She insisted that even if the new consort wasn't from an influential family, she must possess knowledge, character, and beauty befitting Fu Kangan's status. Princess Hejia confessed she had checked all the maidens from royal and noble families in the capital, but none of them would agree to be a secondary wife.
The Old Madam angrily retorted that Princess Hejia hadn't looked hard enough, emphasizing Fu Kangan's high status as a high-ranking officer and her own status as a princess, making marriage into their family "a blessing of eight lifetimes." Feeling dismissed, Princess Hejia then left, as the Old Madam stated she needed rest. That night, Hu Fei and Cheng Lingsu independently decided to scout the villa, suspecting Manager Zhang and the staff were involved in some scheme.
They met each other during their separate investigations. Hu Fei revealed he had found numerous portraits of himself in the accounting office, confirming his suspicion that something must be amiss. After finding nothing further during their search, Hu Fei decided they should depart the following morning. Cheng Lingsu agreed, acknowledging that Hu Fei would not find peace until the villain Feng Tiannan was eliminated, and he would uphold his oath to avenge the Zhong Family.
When Cheng Lingsu pressed him on how he had driven Feng Tiannan out of Foshan, Hu Fei said it was a long and complicated story. He then revealed that Yuan Ziyi had prevented him from killing Feng Tiannan. Cheng Lingsu, upon hearing of their life-and-death bond, felt a sudden sadness and wondered if Yuan Ziyi was a beautiful woman. Noticing Cheng Lingsu's sudden melancholy, Hu Fei took her for a stroll through the bustling night market in town.
Observing the impoverished vendors, he remarked on their struggles. He then ordered two bowls of stinky tofu for them to try, noting that Yuan Ziyi also liked it. Cheng Lingsu, accustomed to a plain diet, found the pungent, fried dish challenging but managed to finish it. Later, back at the villa, Hu Fei saw Cheng Lingsu secretly taking a pill. She attributed it to slight indigestion from the stinky tofu.
Overcome with guilt, Hu Fei apologized profusely and offered to accept any punishment she deemed fit. Cheng Lingsu, in response, asked for the comb he carried. As she moved to break it, Hu Fei instinctively stopped her. She then returned the comb to him, advising him not to make promises lightly, as many things promised cannot be delivered. Cheng Lingsu's gesture revealed her feelings for Hu Fei.
To avoid directly rejecting her, Hu Fei expressed his deep gratitude for her past help and then proposed they become sworn brother and sister. Though clearly saddened, Cheng Lingsu agreed, saying, "Why not? I'd love to have you as my brother." She questioned if he was serious, and when he affirmed, she took him to kneel under the bright moon.
Together, they swore an oath to become sworn brother and sister, pledging to share their joy and face any challenge together, with a severe consequence for breaking their vow. Cheng Lingsu, suppressing her heartache, then declared, "I feel happy. From now on, I have a family. I'm not alone anymore," and thanked Hu Fei. The following morning, Hu Fei gathered all the servants at the villa.
He returned their indentures, freeing them, and announced he had sold the mansion and lands. The proceeds from the sale were distributed among them to start a better life. He asked them to call him "Brother Hu" or "Hu Brother." He also instructed them to give any remaining money to the poor, insisting it be attributed to a gift from Buddha, not him. The grateful servants thanked Brother Hu and Young Lady Cheng before departing.
Manager Zhang soon arrived to find the villa deserted. He promptly reported the situation to Chief Tang, informing him that Master Hu had sold all the property and left Yitang Town. Chief Tang, undeterred, ordered Manager Zhang to follow the original plan, instructing him to track Hu Fei down and buy back whatever he sells. Chief Feng, anxious about the situation, questioned Chief Tang's confidence.
Chief Tang calmly advised him to calm down, explaining that it is hard for anyone to leave a luxurious lifestyle behind and every living soul loves money. He asserted that if Hu Fei didn't like the money, it merely meant they weren't spending enough. Chief Tang reminded Chief Feng that their partnership was indispensable, acknowledging Chief Feng's financial contribution while emphasizing his own role in bribing authorities. He assured Chief Feng that as long as he was involved, that Hu brat would not be a threat.
