Side Story of Fox Volant Episode 28 Recap
> Side Story of Fox Volant Recap
A governess, following Hailan's orders, subjected Ma Chunhua to various humiliating rituals, forcing her to perform the flag salute with precise, unnatural movements. When Ma Chunhua eventually retaliated against the servants who were tormenting her, Fu Kangan intervened, scolding Hailan. He then led Ma Chunhua back to their room, urging her to endure the hardships for his sake, explaining that only her presence brought him solace. He confessed the suffocating reality of his life in the residence.
He told her he had already spoken to his mother about giving her a rightful status soon, assuring her that once his mother accepted, no one would dare treat her poorly again. As Ma Chunhua silently wept, Fu Kangan retrieved a jade flute from a cabinet and played a melody, the same tune from their first meeting.
The music transported Ma Chunhua back in time, rekindling memories of Fu Kangan as a dashing young master and herself as an innocent, cheerful girl, both deeply in love. Meanwhile, Hailan, furious over the incident, smashed objects in her room before rushing to complain to Old Madam. She tearfully recounted her plight, reminding Old Madam that she was the one who personally selected her to be Fu Kangan’s first wife and that she couldn't endure the situation any longer.
Old Madam, however, remained composed, reminding Hailan of her noble status as a young lady from the Hailan Family, explicitly chosen by the Emperor to be Fu Kangan’s rightful first wife. She reassured Hailan that her honor and position were untouchable, but advised her that to achieve her goals, she needed to remain calm and composed, not crying all day and disgracing her identity.
Feng Tiannan and his son expressed relief upon learning that Hu Fei had settled into the mansion, signifying the successful completion of the first phase of their plan. They acknowledged the considerable expense involved, having lost their residence and money to Hu Fei, but Official Tang, who was with them, reassured them that money could be recouped. As they spoke, a commotion outside led them to the door.
They discovered the All-knowing Nun, the sect leader of the Tianshan Sect, being escorted by a servant to Tianzi's best room, which Fu Kangan had specially converted into a meditation room for her. Yuan Ziyi accompanied her. The All-knowing Nun, aware that Yuan Ziyi had seen Feng Tiannan, sternly warned her not to let personal feelings jeopardize their important mission, to which Yuan Ziyi pledged to keep in mind.
Tian Guinong knelt in the ancestral hall, fervently praying to his ancestors for Nan Lan’s protection. A servant then urgently informed him that Nan Lan had secretly departed by carriage. Distraught, Tian Guinong immediately gave chase. A flashback showed a doctor informing Tian Guinong that Nan Lan had suffered severe injuries from her miscarriage and was unlikely to conceive another child. Tian Guinong found Nan Lan, who explained her decision to leave.
She believed her inability to bear children would only burden him and bring ridicule upon him as a childless sect leader. Tian Guinong, however, declared his deep love, stating that fame, wealth, or even many children held no meaning without her by his side. He revealed his true motive for attending the World's Sect Leaders Gathering: to proclaim to the world that Nan Lan had made the right choice in him, and he intended to marry her with great honor.
He desperately pleaded for her to return home with him. Meanwhile, Lv Xiaomei, having traveled alone to the capital, serendipitously encountered a porcelain shop owner dispatching goods to Hu Fei's residence. Following the delivery, she found Hu Fei and Cheng Lingsu inside. The shop owner had shared with Lv Xiaomei how "Master Hu" had won a grand mansion in a gambling game at Juying Restaurant. Cheng Lingsu cautioned the workers to be careful with the expensive Jingde Town vases.
Hu Fei, observing Cheng Lingsu admiring a painting, inquired if she had an interest in art. She replied that she simply enjoyed its exquisite and elegant beauty. Official Zhou then interjected, boasting about the painting's value, which was hundreds of taels, and implied Hu Fei would acquire more wealth. Hu Fei, a simple countryman, expressed his discomfort with such luxury. He left the household arrangements to the steward and went to the main hall with Official Zhou.
Lv Xiaomei then surprised Hu Fei and Cheng Lingsu, explaining her journey to the capital was to congratulate Hu Fei on his new home. She reassured Hu Fei that Miao Renfeng's eyes had almost fully recovered and that he was doing well. Cheng Lingsu then took Lv Xiaomei on a tour of the mansion. During their conversation, Lv Xiaomei mistakenly assumed Cheng Lingsu and Hu Fei were romantically involved.
Cheng Lingsu clarified that she and Hu Fei were sworn siblings and that Hu Fei still harbored deep feelings for Young Lady Yuan. Lv Xiaomei then revealed her true purpose for coming to the capital: she wished to become Cheng Lingsu’s disciple, finding Miao Renfeng's intense martial arts training too grueling for her, preferring Cheng Lingsu's more intellectual approach to medicine and poison.
Cheng Lingsu warned her that mastering medicine and poison was not easy, but Lv Xiaomei's resolve was firm. Later, Hu Fei rejoined them, mentioning that Official Zeng had sent gifts, and reiterated his plan to host a gambling game that day. He intended to strategically lose the mansion and money back to the officials, sensing a hidden agenda behind their generosity.
Cheng Lingsu and Lv Xiaomei discreetly observed the dinner as Official Zhou and other officials lavished Hu Fei with compliments, making even Lv Xiaomei uneasy. Hu Fei raised a toast to the officials, acknowledging their past conflicts but celebrating their newfound acquaintance. Official Zhou then explained that the earlier misunderstanding was caused by Shang Baozhen and praised Hu Fei for his martial prowess, which saved them from falling into a trap.
Lv Xiaomei, whispering to Cheng Lingsu, noted the officials' excessive flattery, sensing ulterior motives. Official Tang interjected, advocating for forgiveness and reminding them of the importance of dignity in the martial arts world. Hu Fei, in response, stated that Official Zhou had already bestowed him great dignity and then asked to meet the "friend" Official Zhou wished to introduce. Unaware of the guest's identity, Hu Fei set up a gambling game to await his arrival.
However, when Official Zhou finally brought in Feng Tiannan, Hu Fei's expression turned grim. Feng Tiannan entered, profusely apologizing to "Hero Hu" for his past ignorance and swearing to assist him in any way possible. Lv Xiaomei recognized him as the very villain Hu Fei had been relentlessly pursuing, realizing the entire elaborate dinner was a setup.
Feng Tiannan attempted to appease Hu Fei further by revealing that he had purchased the fields, lands in Yitang Town, and the mansion with all its furnishings as a gesture of compensation. However, Hu Fei vehemently rejected these offerings, questioning whether money could truly atone for the murder of Zhong Asi's entire family. He returned the land deed to Official Zhou. Feng Tiannan, frustrated, demanded to know what else Hu Fei wanted.
Hu Fei, his voice laced with vengeance, recounted the brutal deaths of Zhong Asi's family due to Feng Tiannan’s greed, reminding him of his oath to take Feng Tiannan’s life. Feng Tiannan dismissed Zhong Asi’s family as "lowly lives" and recounted his own hardships of being bankrupt and a wanderer. Hu Fei fiercely retorted that all lives held equal importance. Official Zhou then threatened Hu Fei, reminding him that they were in the capital, surrounded by martial arts experts.
Hu Fei defiantly declared that he would fight Feng Tiannan to the very end, regardless of the location or the odds. Official Zhou lamented Hu Fei's blatant disrespect. Cheng Lingsu and Lv Xiaomei worriedly observed the escalating confrontation, concerned that Hu Fei might be outnumbered. Hu Fei, ignoring their fears, ordered the other officials to stand aside.
As Hu Fei furiously pursued Feng Tiannan, shouting for him to appear and face death, the All-knowing Nun, meditating in her room, was startled by the commotion. She rushed out, demanding to know who dared to cause such an uproar. She inwardly marveled at Hu Fei's profound internal force for such a young man.
Hu Fei attempted to explain, asking if a man had just fled past, but the All-knowing Nun immediately chastised him for his insolence in a sacred Buddhist sanctuary. Hu Fei reiterated that he had seen a wicked villain sneak in, but she retorted by calling him insolent once more and attacked. Hu Fei, wanting to avoid conflict with her, dodged her moves defensively. At this critical juncture, Yuan Ziyi suddenly appeared, launching an attack on Hu Fei.
Although it seemed she was aiding her master, her true intention was to lure him away from the courtyard. Once outside the building, Hu Fei confronted Yuan Ziyi, demanding to know why she had repeatedly interfered with his attempts to kill Feng Tiannan.
Yuan Ziyi, her face etched with a silent sorrow, urged him to talk outside, then sternly warned him that they were in the sect leaders' courtyard, adjacent to the heavily guarded king’s residence, and he must leave at once. Hu Fei adamantly refused, declaring that he had tracked Feng Tiannan all the way to the capital and, having finally cornered him, would not depart without vengeance.
He reminded her of his solemn oath to avenge Zhong Asi's family, vowing to do so even if it cost him his life, and even suggesting he could challenge other sect leaders before the World's Sect Leaders Gathering. Cheng Lingsu and Lv Xiaomei arrived, echoing Yuan Ziyi’s concerns about the high security and the severe consequences of alarming the king’s residence. They advised Hu Fei to retreat and strategize.
Yuan Ziyi further pressed him, asking if he valued his own life so little that he would also disregard the safety of the two young women with him. After a moment of consideration, Hu Fei reluctantly agreed to leave, but demanded that Yuan Ziyi explain her actions. Yuan Ziyi replied that the reasons were complex and could not be explained in a few words. She then reminded him of his promise to always listen to her.
Hu Fei confirmed he remembered. Yuan Ziyi then urged him to leave immediately. Cheng Lingsu reinforced the idea of departing to make a new plan. Hu Fei, with a heavy heart, conceded and returned to their residence with Cheng Lingsu and Lv Xiaomei.
