Siege in Fog Episode 14 Recap
> Siege in Fog Recap
Yi Liankai reported to Yi Jipei about his kidnapping. He stated there were five kidnappers in total; three responsible for watching and transporting them were dead, and the two tasked with collecting ransom were now imprisoned. When Yi Jipei inquired how he devised the card game solution, Yi Liankai explained that he learned the trick from observing Yi Jipei himself as a child, recalling how Yi Jipei had used card games to divide warlords.
He added that regardless of the scale, the principle of "killing three men with two peaches" remained the same. Yi Jipei, however, pointed out that while Yi Liankai thought he was playing a game, others were also playing him. Yi Jipei also questioned why Fan Yanyun was with him, to which Yi Liankai replied that the kidnappers had identified the wrong woman.
Yi Jipei made it clear that the kidnappers' true objective was not just to eliminate Yi Liankai, but all three Yi brothers. He then sternly advised Yi Liankai to abandon his playboy habits now that he was home and always prioritize the family. Yi Liankai acknowledged this, also noting that he hadn't anticipated such a "low-level" but effective attempt at kidnapping.
Yi Jipei speculated that only two and a half men could be behind such a vicious plot: his old friend Murong Chen, Fu Rongcai (who had sided with Li Chongnian), and a third, who had long since vanished. He concluded that it must be Fu Rongcai. Meanwhile, Fu Rongcai and Chief Marshal Li Chongnian were engaged in a game of chess.
Li Chongnian expressed his frustration, noting that despite their efforts, they had failed to make any impact on the Yi family. Fu Rongcai remained unfazed, explaining that the Yi family's resilience stemmed from their numerous heirs. He acknowledged the challenge of dealing with both the second and third Yi sons, as well as the elusive patriarch, Yi Jipei, who preferred to operate from the shadows like "a dragon in the clouds."
Fu Rongcai expressed his intent to continue pressuring Yi Jipei, believing that Yi Jipei would eventually fall for their schemes, even if he pretended to delegate power to his sons while performing "dirty tricks behind the scenes." He stated that he had planted many "seeds" and would ensure they grew, promising to nurture them until they bore fruit. Leaving the study, Yi Liankai met his eldest brother, Yi Lianyi, and recounted the kidnapping.
Yi Lianyi remarked on the evilness of the bandits and expressed gratitude to Pan Jianchi for saving Yi Liankai, vowing to thank him the next day. Yi Liankai then asked about the "half person" their father had mentioned, curious about the identity of someone Yi Jipei would regard so cautiously. Yi Lianyi sighed, revealing it was their sixth uncle, Yi Shoucheng, who was no longer alive.
He explained that back when Yi Liankai was young and staying outside with his third mother, he wouldn't have known about Yi Shoucheng. Sixth Uncle and Mr. Fan were once known as "Jiangzuo's Twin Pillars," with one devising strategies and the other leading wars to conquer land. However, Yi Shoucheng, feeling he had killed too many, had retreated to practice Buddhism in the backyard.
He later perished in a house fire, an incident that also left Yi Lianyi crippled after he fell off his horse. Yi Lianyi also commented on the notion of karma, given his own injury. Yi Liankai tried to console his brother, urging him not to dwell on the past and asserting that with Yi Lianyi as the strategist and their second brother as the general, the family remained strong.
Yi Lianyi complimented Yi Liankai's quick learning and fighting skills from childhood, lamenting how much he had changed since his mother's death, though he believed it wasn't his true self. Yi Lianyi then suggested Yi Liankai had been blaming his (Yi Liankai's) mother. Yi Liankai quickly dismissed the idea, stating that his mother had been dead for so long.
He stressed that as a member of the Yi family, he was committed to protecting and serving his brothers, urging them to unite against their common enemy. Before Yi Liankai left, Yi Lianyi asked if his encounter with Fan Yanyun was truly accidental.
Yi Liankai swore he harbored no personal feelings for his second sister-in-law, emphasizing her deep love for his second brother and the fact that their marriage was arranged by their teacher, so there was no reason for suspicion. Yi Lianyi dismissed his query as paranoia. Qin Housheng was on his way to fetch water when he unexpectedly encountered Pan Jianchi.
Immediately recognizing him as Li Wangping, Qin Housheng angrily accused him of deceiving Qin Sang once more, recalling how he had abandoned her and almost caused her death. Pan Jianchi retorted, claiming he never tricked Qin Sang and that her current unhappiness stemmed from Qin Housheng's interference. He asserted that Qin Sang was merely putting on an act for her father, suffering in silence.
Qin Housheng was surprised by this, asking if Qin Sang was truly lying to him about her happiness. Pan Jianchi then revealed that Qin Sang had vowed to her dying mother to marry Yi Liankai to help her father regain his political standing, implying her sacrifice and underlying misery. Back in her room, Qin Sang had packed her suitcase, intending to leave. Auntie Zhu, noticing Qin Sang's packed winter clothes, questioned her sudden departure.
Just then, Yi Liankai entered, instructing Auntie Zhu to leave before confronting Qin Sang about her destination. Qin Sang stoically stated she was going to take her father home for a while. Yi Liankai snatched her suitcase, urging her not to go.
Qin Sang sarcastically asked if he intended to use her as a shield again, to which Yi Liankai retorted that she had been his shield for a long time, suggesting her sudden reluctance meant she had developed feelings for him. Qin Sang denied this, but Yi Liankai insisted that her desperate cries of his name and the look in her eyes when she saw him after his kidnapping proved her feelings.
Qin Sang, frustrated, tried to grab the suitcase back, but Yi Liankai threw it to the ground. He then covered her ears and confessed that during the kidnapping, his greatest fear wasn't death, but losing her. Qin Sang retorted that he should save such words for his second sister-in-law and Min Hongyu, as she would not listen to them.
Qin Sang, uninterested in his words, broke free and rushed out, only to find her father, Qin Housheng, standing at the door. Enraged, Qin Housheng slapped Qin Sang, accusing her of bringing "that wild man" home and humiliating him. Yi Liankai quickly intervened, claiming it was merely "them fooling around" and asked the father and daughter to talk, before excusing himself.
Inside the room, Qin Housheng confronted Qin Sang, questioning if her current unhappy "modern marriage" with infidelity and dishonesty was what she truly desired, lamenting the disgrace she brought upon their family by bringing Pan Jianchi into their home. Qin Sang tried to explain that the man was Pan Jianchi, not Li Wangping, and that "the Li Wangping in my heart has died."
She clarified that Pan Jianchi was only staying because Yi Liankai had made him his adjutant after Pan Jianchi saved Yi Liankai's life during an ambush on Zhishan Mountain, where Deng Yulin had asked her to save her cousin, Pan Jianchi. Qin Housheng, however, refused to accept any excuses, emphasizing their family's decency and the importance of a wife's loyalty. He insisted that with their shared past, people would inevitably suspect impropriety.
Qin Sang declared she didn't care what others thought and only wanted to live her life. Her father countered that her life should be about living happily with Yi Liankai, believing that despite their initial circumstances, they could develop a connection over time. He worried that Pan Jianchi's continued presence would prevent Qin Sang from ever truly focusing on Yi Liankai.
When Qin Housheng threatened to reveal Pan Jianchi's true identity to the Yi family to sever their ties once and for all, Qin Sang knelt, pleading with her father to reconsider. She promised to make Pan Jianchi leave soon and dedicate herself to Yi Liankai, making their marriage work. Qin Housheng accepted her promise, warning her to uphold it. Back in her room, Qin Sang picked up her luggage, which Yi Liankai had tossed, and saw her mother's photograph inside.
Her mind drifted back to the past when her father had been removed from office. Her mother, accompanied by her aunt, often took Qin Sang to various high-society balls. Her aunt fondly reminisced about Qin Sang's mother's youthful beauty and her choice to marry Qin Housheng over many wealthy suitors, praising his straightforward nature. Qin Sang's mother, however, worried about the family's disgrace with Qin Housheng imprisoned, despite believing his crime was fabricated by Fu Rongcai.
At one particular ball, Qin Sang’s mother criticized her for dancing with "empty-headed handsome men," stressing the need to find someone with genuine power, not just wealth, to save Qin Housheng. She warned that families without power, no matter how grand, were like "paper shelves" that couldn't withstand the rain. Qin Sang responded sarcastically, promising to find a "nice buyer" and "sell herself for a good price."
Soon after, Yi Liankai made a grand entrance, and Qin Sang's mother pointed him out to Qin Sang as the kind of powerful, wealthy family they sought. Moments later, Qin Sang's mother suddenly collapsed. Yi Liankai immediately stepped forward, took charge, and arranged for her to be taken to the hospital in his car, reassuring a distraught Qin Sang that everything would be alright.
Qin Sang's mother then insisted she go thank Yi Liankai in person, despite Qin Sang's reluctance and sarcastic remarks about "sending herself over there without any shame." Forced to comply, Qin Sang arrived at the Yi residence. Yi Liankai greeted her, introduced himself, and asked if she remembered their first meeting. Qin Sang, assuming he meant the previous day's ball, politely thanked him for saving her mother and excused herself, stating her mother was still hospitalized.
As she limped away, Yi Liankai noticed her injured feet, which she attributed to blisters from dancing. Observing her plight, Yi Liankai thoughtfully decided to cancel the upcoming ball at his mansion that evening. After her visit, Qin Sang's mother was disheartened to learn that Yi Liankai hadn't even asked for Qin Sang's name. She worried about their slim chances, especially after the Yi mansion's ball, which Qin Sang was preparing for, was abruptly called off.
Qin Sang expressed her distaste for constantly changing outfits like a "commercial actress," but her mother stressed the desperate situation: with Qin Housheng imprisoned and disgraced by Fu Rongcai, their family was vulnerable, and only Qin Sang could secure their revenge and salvation. Qin Sang agreed to seek revenge but stipulated that once her "debt" to her mother was paid, her mother should no longer interfere in her life.
Her mother, deeply hurt, insisted her actions were always for Qin Sang's good, wishing her a happy marriage. Qin Sang, however, retorted that her heart had "died" the day her mother drove Li Wangping away, and declared she would marry anyone her mother chose for her. She then speculated that the cancellation of the ball was likely due to Yi Liankai noticing her injured feet, hinting at a connection. Soon after, Yi Liankai's teacher, Mr. Fan, visited Qin Sang's mother.
Mr. Fan noted the connection between Qin Sang's maternal Wu clan and Yi Liankai's mother's Yun family, both prominent in the previous dynasty. He formally proposed marriage on behalf of Yi Liankai, also subtly hinting at his willingness to help Qin Housheng. However, Qin Sang's mother, while acknowledging Mr. Fan's efforts, initially refused the proposal. Determined, Yi Liankai personally arrived at the Qin residence with numerous lavish gifts, effectively blocking the entrance.
When a servant conveyed Qin Sang's mother's rejection, Yi Liankai, like a shrewd businessman, insisted that no deal was impossible and that he would provide a satisfactory outcome if she was willing to negotiate. Qin Sang, overhearing Auntie Zhu's account of the blocked gate and her mother's steadfast refusal, believed her mother simply didn't want to let her go. Eventually, Qin Sang's mother agreed to meet Yi Liankai.
She stated her concern about marrying off her daughter through a "business deal." Yi Liankai acknowledged her initial rejection, asking what aspects of him she found unsatisfactory. Qin Sang's mother, wary of his reputation as a "womanizer" and the Yi family's recent rise to power, expressed her fear that his affection for Qin Sang might be fleeting, leading her innocent daughter to mistake infatuation for true love and suffer for the rest of her life.
Yi Liankai, admitting his past youthful follies, vowed to change. He promised to love only Qin Sang for the rest of his life and never marry anyone else. To prove his sincerity, he offered Qin Sang the key to his gold vault in France, containing fifty-thousand tael and antiques, as compensation should he ever cause her harm.
He assured her that if she agreed to the marriage, he would ensure Qin Sang would attain "the sort of pride that makes everyone look up to her." Qin Sang's mother acknowledged the weight of his promise. Moved by Yi Liankai's sincere promises and gestures, Qin Sang's mother finally agreed to the marriage, believing that despite his reputation, he came from a respectable family and possessed exceptional grace.
She told Qin Sang that she feared Qin Sang might cry in the future if she chose to give her what she wanted, but she wouldn't allow her to suffer. Qin Sang, however, responded with a mix of resentment and pragmatism.
She coldly stated that marrying into the powerful Yi family, whose status in Jiangzuo was unmatched, would not only help her father regain his position and bring pride to her maternal family, but it would also be a profitable "trade deal," even if Yi Liankai were "a devil from hell." Her mother, acknowledging Qin Sang's long-held grudge and belief that she prioritized the Qin family over her daughter's happiness, tried to dissuade her from repeating her own difficult life.
She revealed the struggles and conflicts she faced with Qin Housheng in maintaining their family, hoping Qin Sang would have a happier life. Qin Sang promised to marry Yi Liankai but then heartlessly questioned if her mother's illness was genuine. Shocked and deeply hurt by her daughter's cruel suspicion, Qin Sang's mother coughed up a mouthful of blood and collapsed, dying shortly after, leaving Qin Sang in profound regret.
At Qin Sang's mother's funeral, Yi Liankai arrived to pay his respects. Qin Housheng thanked Yi Liankai, implying his release from prison was due to Yi Liankai's help. Later, on their wedding night, Yi Liankai approached Qin Sang, apologizing for having made her wait so long. Qin Sang, however, remained cold, telling him they didn't need such pleasantries.
She then revealed her true motive, stating that her father had been scammed by Fu Rongcai, and she had promised her dying mother that she would find him. Yi Liankai's heart shattered at this confirmation of his suspicions. He clenched his clothes in anger and departed from the room.
