Side Story of Fox Volant Episode 29 Recap
> Side Story of Fox Volant Recap
Feng Tiannan barely escaped with his life after Hu Fei pursued him to the sect leaders' residence. He recounted to Official Tang how so many military officers failed to stop Hu Fei, who was determined to kill him, and only the timely intervention of the All-knowing Nun saved him. Feng Tiannan expressed his frustration that Official Tang's plans had led to him spending money yet remaining in grave danger, now that Hu Fei knew their location.
Official Tang then explained that the All-knowing Nun, respected by Fu Kangan and the strongest among all chiefs, could offer Feng Tiannan protection. Meanwhile, the All-knowing Nun sternly reminded her disciple, Yuan Ziyi, that as a member of the Tianshan Sect and a Buddhist, she must prevent a looming catastrophe in the martial arts world. She warned Yuan Ziyi not to let romantic entanglements derail their crucial mission, lest it lead to widespread suffering and bloodshed.
Shortly after, Feng Tiannan and Official Tang arrived with gifts to pay their respects to the All-knowing Nun. She was dismissive, stating her intention was merely to teach a "brazen thug" a lesson for disturbing her meditation, not to save Feng Tiannan. She politely but firmly asked them to leave, rejecting their gifts as unnecessary for a monastic.
When Feng Tiannan attempted to have Yuan Ziyi come out to receive thanks, the Nun retorted that her disciple only caused trouble and quickly sent them away, saying she needed to lecture Yuan Ziyi. This cold reception led Official Tang to suspect a connection between the All-knowing Nun, whose sect was based in Xinjiang, and the Red Flower Club, which also operated there and had previously held Fu Kangan and even the Emperor captive.
He speculated that the Nun and Yuan Ziyi might be in the capital to covertly work against the court. Back at his residence, Hu Fei, having recovered from his injuries, reflected on Yuan Ziyi's actions. He concluded that the All-knowing Nun's acceptance of Fu Kangan's invitation to the sect leaders' residence indicated she was driven by fame and fortune, likely bought off like other officials.
He surmised that Yuan Ziyi's repeated interference with his attempt to kill Feng Tiannan was on her master's orders. Cheng Lingsu, overhearing Hu Fei's attempts to rationalize Yuan Ziyi's behavior, felt disheartened and retreated to her room. Lv Xiaomei later joined Cheng Lingsu, praising her as intelligent, gentle, and compassionate. Cheng Lingsu, however, confessed that constantly putting others first made her feel exhausted.
Hu Fei then entered, instructing them to pack their belongings as they would be leaving the house the next morning for a different lodging. Elsewhere, acting on Ma Chunhua's request, Nie Yue invited Hu Fei to the king's residence. Upon arrival, Hu Fei saw Ma Chunhua emerge from a nearby room, looking different in her new attire. Inside, Ma Chunhua explained her life in the manor was not as glamorous as it seemed.
Despite having borne Fu Kangan two sons, she lacked a formal title and status, forcing her to tread carefully to avoid trouble. She confided that while the manor offered security, it could not compare to the freedom of the outside world, but for her children's safety and well-being, she would endure anything. She revealed her true purpose for inviting Hu Fei: she wished for him to mentor her sons in martial arts.
She dismissed the many capable fighters in Fu Kangan's employ, believing them all to be self-serving and unlikely to genuinely teach her children. In contrast, she praised Hu Fei's inherent sense of justice and his willingness to risk his own life for others, making him the only person she trusted to guide her sons. The children, Pingping and An'an, excitedly expressed their desire to learn martial arts to protect their mother and become heroes.
Meanwhile, Hailan, agitated by Fu Kangan's nightly visits to Ma Chunhua and the constant sound of his flute, sought out the Old Madam to complain. The Old Madam reminded Hailan of her status as the official wife, emphasizing that a man's outside affairs would always lead him back home. She advised Hailan to maintain a dignified appearance publicly and handed her a bottle of poison, subtly implying how to deal with matters privately.
Eunuch Li arrived at the manor, bearing the Emperor's regards and praises for the children. Fu Kangan, who had just arrived, quickly changed his cheerful demeanor upon seeing Hu Fei, though Ma Chunhua, engrossed in the children, did not notice. After a brief, awkward exchange, Ma Chunhua escorted Hu Fei out. As Hu Fei and Nie Yue were leaving the manor, walking past a lotus pond, they were stopped by several men carrying a wooden box.
They claimed it was a gift from Ma Chunhua. Hu Fei initially declined, but the men insisted, and Nie Yue, persuaded by their pleas not to make trouble for Ma Chunhua or jeopardize their own careers, stepped forward to accept the box. The box was booby-trapped, and a steel knife sprung out, piercing Nie Yue. Before Hu Fei could react, the other men attacked. Hu Fei quickly disarmed them and seized one, demanding to know Fu Kangan's motive.
The man confessed that Fu Kangan mistakenly believed Hu Fei and Ma Chunhua were romantically involved and had ordered Hu Fei's assassination based on these unfounded suspicions. They were instructed to report that Hu Fei had been paid off to return home. Enraged, Hu Fei knocked out the officer, lamenting Nie Yue's innocent death. He picked up a dagger and headed toward the water pavilion, determined to avenge him.
Concurrently, Fu Kangan brought the children to the main hall, where Eunuch Li continued his praises, delighting the Old Madam. After Eunuch Li departed, the Old Madam sent Hailan to take the children to her room for the night. She then sternly admonished Fu Kangan, reminding him of his duty to the Emperor and the family's rules, emphasizing that the children, now officially recognized, would be raised by the proper wife, with no interference from others.
While Fu Kangan was being reprimanded, Hailan secretly added the poison to a bowl of ginseng soup before taking it to Ma Chunhua, as instructed by the Old Madam. Fu Kangan, sensing something was wrong, tried to follow Hailan, but the Old Madam stopped him, coldly explaining that to prevent future trouble, it was necessary to "remove the mother to keep the child." Hidden outside, Hu Fei overheard their conversation. Initially confused by their veiled words, he understood the Old Madam's sinister intent when he heard the phrase "proper burial," realizing she planned to murder Ma Chunhua.
