Siege in Fog Episode 3 Recap
> Siege in Fog Recap
Eldest Young Mistress Murong Qin amiably instructed Lady Huai Xiu to make a set of clothes for the deceased. This action was observed by a hidden scout outside the mansion. Soon after, Yi Lianshen's uncle urgently contacted Yi Lianshen by phone, informing him that Chief Marshal Yi had been assassinated and was gravely injured, with death attire already being prepared.
The uncle emphasized that Chief Marshal Yi could die at any moment and ordered Yi Lianshen to immediately return to Fuyuan with his troops, ensuring by all means necessary that Yi Liankai was prevented from returning first and kept trapped in Zhishan. The uncle warned Yi Lianshen not to underestimate his third brother, recalling how Yi Liankai had cleverly outmaneuvered Murong Feng during the Zhishan battle by feigning weakness before burning the mountain, proving he was no ordinary person.
Yi Lianshen, however, dismissed his uncle's concerns, stating he would stabilize Jiangzuo before returning, and that any conflict with his third brother was a family affair, secondary to Jiangzuo's larger concerns. He believed his father would support his decision.
Meanwhile, Chief Marshal Yi, speaking with Lady Huai Xiu, clarified that although Lady Huai Xiu was preparing his own funeral attire, the immediate death attire she was summoned for was for Mr. Fan, who had been assassinated after dedicating his life to the Yi family. He expressed his sorrow and predicted a looming change of power within the Yi family, lamenting how his grown sons now had their own ambitions that the "Yi family nest" could no longer contain.
He found solace in Huai Xiu's presence and the sound of her sewing. Despite the grave situation unfolding, a sense of merriment prevailed on Zhishan. Qin Sang, Deng Yulin, Yi Liankai, Pan Jianchi, and Gao Shaoxuan were hunting in the mountains. Qin Sang confronted Deng Yulin, expressing her anger that Deng Yulin had not informed her beforehand that the person they were rescuing was Li Wangping (Pan Jianchi).
Deng Yulin explained that her silence was not out of fear that Qin Sang wouldn't save him, but rather that Qin Sang would risk her life, jeopardizing her position within the Yi family if Yi Liankai found out. Qin Sang then pressed Deng Yulin to truthfully reveal if Li Wangping was part of the Tian Meng Association.
Before Deng Yulin could answer, the conversation was abruptly cut short by the sound of horse hooves and a gunshot from the hunting party. Later, as they enjoyed roasted meat, everyone praised Pan Jianchi's exceptional marksmanship, which he revealed he honed at a prestigious Japanese military school, where he graduated top of his class.
When asked about his plans, Pan Jianchi expressed disillusionment with various warlords, including Provincial Military Governor Gao, Li Chongnian, and the Murong family, but admitted he was drawn to the Tian Meng Association in the south. However, he also voiced his frustration, recounting how he was imprisoned during a student protest in Changye and had lost hope after the Fangjiadian student incident. Later that night, Qin Sang stood alone, gazing at the scenery.
Pan Jianchi approached, reminding her of the cold and advising her to return indoors. Qin Sang directly asked his purpose for being there. Pan Jianchi claimed he came for her, asking if she would believe him if he said he wanted to "learn literature and martial and sell to the royal family." He insisted that whatever she wished to hear, he would make it the truth.
However, Qin Sang, having grown disillusioned, dismissed his words as only suitable for "young girls" and walked away. Unbeknownst to them, Yi Liankai had been observing their conversation from behind a tree. Shortly after, Song Aide-de-Camp arrived and urgently informed Yi Liankai of Chief Marshal Yi's assassination. The following morning, Qin Sang entrusted Gao Shaoxuan with the task of escorting Deng Yulin down the mountain to the train station, acknowledging the journey would be dangerous.
Yi Liankai and his group then decided to set off on horseback via a small path back to Fuyuan. While they were chatting, Pan Jianchi subtly noticed Song Aide-de-Camp tampering with Yi Liankai's horse's ear but chose not to speak up. During their ride, Yi Liankai’s horse suddenly went wild, throwing him violently to the ground.
As the frantic horse was about to stomp on Yi Liankai, Pan Jianchi swiftly rode forward, shooting and killing the frenzied animal, thereby saving Yi Liankai. Grateful, Yi Liankai thanked Pan Jianchi but was puzzled by the normally gentle horse's sudden madness on their return journey to Fuyuan. Pan Jianchi, recalling Song Aide-de-Camp's suspicious behavior earlier, examined the dead horse and found an insect lodged deep within its ear, which he explained was the cause of its rampage.
He openly accused Song Aide-de-Camp of the sabotage, stating he had seen him acting strangely near the horse when they set off from Zhishan Villa. Song Aide-de-Camp vehemently denied the accusation, but in his agitation, a small wooden box containing similar insects fell from his pocket, exposing his guilt. Seeing his scheme revealed, Song Aide-de-Camp quickly reached for his pistol, but Pan Jianchi, faster and more agile, disarmed him and removed the bullets.
As they stood in a tense standoff, an unseen assassin in the bushes took aim at Yi Liankai. With keen eyesight, Pan Jianchi reacted instantly, firing his weapon and killing the assailant. Upon inspecting the assassin, they discovered he carried a gun typically used by the Fu Army stationed in Changye, which was known to be under Yi Lianshen's command.
Yi Liankai, believing the situation was more complex than a simple assassination attempt, suspected that someone was trying to frame Yi Lianshen and sow discord within the Yi family. He confronted Song Aide-de-Camp, demanding to know who had sent him. Pan Jianchi offered to interrogate Song Aide-de-Camp using methods he learned at the military academy, confident he could make him talk.
Qin Sang, however, suggested they escort Song Aide-de-Camp back to Fuyuan to be interrogated by Chief Marshal Yi himself, arguing that if he indeed worked for Yi Lianshen, it would ensure justice for Yi Liankai. Yi Liankai considered their advice but ultimately decided to speak with Song Aide-de-Camp alone. While waiting for Yi Liankai, Qin Sang thanked Pan Jianchi for saving Yi Liankai.
Pan Jianchi claimed he saved Yi Liankai for her, insisting he never uses emotions to lie to those he loves. Qin Sang, however, found his words hollow, asserting that she no longer believed him and suspected his true motives for coming to the mountain. Pan Jianchi admitted his intentions were to win her back, saying, "I want a person. I want love. I will make up for what I lost." He hoped he was not too late.
Qin Sang, now the Third Mistress of the Yi family, rejected his plea, reminding him that some things, once missed, are lost forever. She condemned his manipulative words, recalling how she had been publicly humiliated when he abandoned her years ago, leaving her heart torn to pieces and trampled upon. She firmly told him she wanted nothing more to do with him and wished for him to leave once they descended the mountain.
Meanwhile, Yi Liankai calmly confronted Song Aide-de-Camp, reminding him of Yi Lianshen's past loyalty, particularly how Yi Lianshen had once saved Song Aide-de-Camp's life by forcing an army doctor to perform surgery at gunpoint and then executing the doctor in front of the troops to consolidate his power and earn the Fuyuan Army's unwavering allegiance. Yi Liankai asked who was trying to turn the brothers against each other.
Song Aide-de-Camp insisted it was his own initiative to eliminate Yi Liankai, believing that only then could Yi Lianshen truly control Jiangzuo. Yi Liankai acknowledged Song Aide-de-Camp's loyalty but expressed his disinterest in the Yi family's power struggles and his desire to avoid a rift with his second brother. Nevertheless, since Song Aide-de-Camp had made his move, Yi Liankai declared that his life could not be spared, as the blame would inevitably fall on Yi Lianshen.
He handed Song Aide-de-Camp a pistol, instructing him to take his own life. Song Aide-de-Camp took the gun, then abruptly raised it, aiming it at Yi Liankai. Just as he was about to fire, Pan Jianchi and Qin Sang arrived. Realizing his attempt to kill Yi Liankai was foiled, Song Aide-de-Camp, with a final cry proclaiming his loyalty to "Second Young Master" and blaming himself for causing trouble, turned the gun on his own head and committed suicide.
The sudden, violent act startled Qin Sang, who instinctively recoiled and hid behind Pan Jianchi. Witnessing this, Yi Liankai's expression hardened, and he firmly pulled her back to his side. Afterward, Pan Jianchi questioned Yi Liankai's decision to let Song Aide-de-Camp die there instead of bringing him to Fuyuan for a proper interrogation, fearing the lack of evidence.
Yi Liankai explained that bringing Song Aide-de-Camp back would have led to one of two outcomes: either he was ordered by Yi Lianshen to kill Yi Liankai, or he acted independently for Yi Lianshen’s benefit. In either scenario, Yi Lianshen would have been implicated. Yi Liankai stated he did not believe his second brother would order his assassination.
He further elaborated that Song Aide-de-Camp's dying words, shouting Yi Lianshen's name, were a deliberate act to use his brother as a shield and protect the true mastermind. By handling the matter discreetly on the mountain, Yi Liankai aimed to prevent deeper wounds within the family once they returned to Fuyuan. Given Pan Jianchi’s capabilities and his twice saving Yi Liankai’s life, Yi Liankai offered him Song Aide-de-Camp’s vacant position, which Pan Jianchi accepted.
The group then boarded a train, heading for Fangjiadian, a location chosen by the deceased Song Aide-de-Camp. Pan Jianchi voiced his concerns about potential dangers there, urging Yi Liankai to reconsider their plans. Yi Liankai remained unconcerned, confident that a certain individual would assist him—his confidante, Min Hongyu. Qin Sang, recalling her previous encounter with the alluring woman on Zhishan, felt a surge of jealousy.
Upon their arrival in Fangjiadian, Yi Liankai arranged for a private conversation with Min Hongyu inside the train car, excusing Qin Sang. Min Hongyu playfully chided Yi Liankai for finally revealing his true talents, like a "tiger descending the mountain." Yi Liankai lamented that he could have remained hidden for a few more years had it not been for Murong Feng and the Zhishan siege, which had exposed his true capabilities and now drew the attention of many watchful eyes.
He explained that Fangjiadian was particularly perilous for him due to Mr. Fan’s recent assassination there, and he needed to "borrow her face," implying her influence and connections, to navigate the complex situation. From a distance, Pan Jianchi observed their exchange and questioned Qin Sang about her apparent indifference to Yi Liankai’s flirting. Qin Sang responded with resignation, stating that if it weren’t Min Hongyu, it would simply be someone else, and she had grown accustomed to Yi Liankai’s philandering.
She confided that her greatest regret in life was marrying Yi Liankai, but it had been her mother's dying wish, explaining her mother's own difficult marriage and ambition that led her to prioritize status and force her family into paths they resented. Qin Sang concluded that when people become consumed by an obsession, they tend to disregard everything else.
