Siege in Fog Episode 5 Recap
> Siege in Fog Recap
In the study, Yi Liankai knelt before his father, Yi Jipei, confessing that his excessive revelry on Zhishan had provided the Cheng Army an opportunity, leading to Mr. Fan's death while saving him. Yi Jipei stated that Mr. Fan had taken a bullet meant for him and warned that Jiangzuo faced even greater perils. He cautioned that while the Zhishan siege had a lucky outcome, they might not be so fortunate again.
Yi Jipei observed that Li Chongnian's rebellion, the Murong family's watchful opportunism, Mr. Fan's assassination, and the Tian Meng Association's growing unrest, though seemingly disparate, were all directed at the Yi family. He believed that overanalyzing the complex external situation was a trap, and that confronting immediate enemies would naturally resolve hidden threats. Yi Jipei challenged his sons to identify who in Fuyuan City sought to harm him.
Yi Liankai, despite his lack of military experience, pledged to diligently investigate this threat to his father. Yi Jipei then instructed both Yi Liankai and Yi Lianshen to uncover the true culprit behind Mr. Fan's murder. Later, Murong Qian visited Qin Sang, bringing snacks to comfort her. Qin Sang expressed remorse, believing her words had offended Fan Yanyun, and accepted her anger.
Murong Qian advised Qin Sang not to dwell on such thoughts, explaining that the entire family was grieving Mr. Fan’s death, as he had been a lifelong friend of Yi Jipei. She emphasized that obsessing over the sorrow would only torment Qin Sang further. As the brothers exited their father's study, Yi Lianshen questioned Yi Liankai about the whereabouts of Aide-de-Camp Song, noting his absence.
Yi Liankai, momentarily startled but composed, explained that upon hearing of the assassination, he had rushed back, instructing Aide-de-Camp Song to lead the army via a different route for logistical ease, while he took a shortcut. He surmised that Aide-de-Camp Song was likely still en route, possibly trying to avoid Li Chongnian's forces.
Yi Lianshen praised his foresight, calling it a strategy worthy of Mr. Fan's student, but Yi Liankai humbly deferred, stating his continued reliance on Yi Lianshen for the investigation. Yi Lianshen met with his uncle, sharing Yi Jipei's instructions. He interpreted his father's command to find the assassin as a pretext to task him with suppressing the Tian Meng Association.
His uncle, however, believed the true implication was Yi Jipei’s sudden inclusion of Yi Liankai in the investigation, signaling a veiled assessment to choose between the two brothers for succession. The uncle revealed that Yi Liankai had returned with Min Hongyu, a woman renowned in Jiangzuo not for her acting but for her extensive connections and ability to discern people's characters. He pointed out that Yi Liankai’s ability to navigate Li Chongnian’s territory was due to Min Hongyu's influence.
Viewing her as a valuable source of intelligence and insight, the uncle suggested they meet this extraordinary woman. Yi Lianshen initially dismissed her as merely an actress, but his uncle underscored her importance. Yi Lianshen and his uncle subsequently met Min Hongyu. Min Hongyu playfully chastised Chairman Zhang for his tardiness, prompting Yi Lianshen to respond curtly, reminding his uncle of his position and expressing disdain for Min Hongyu. Min Hongyu, observing Yi Lianshen, remarked on his cold demeanor.
Yi Lianshen explained his inexperience in social settings, being more accustomed to military life. Min Hongyu then offered a toast, acknowledging his contributions to their peace. Yi Lianshen declined, citing his mourning for his father-in-law. The uncle then asked Min Hongyu to offer her insights on both Yi Lianshen and Yi Liankai. Min Hongyu stated her reluctance to engage in men's power struggles, which she believed were fundamentally about women and authority.
Yi Lianshen immediately refuted this, proclaiming that his aspirations were solely for power over the world, not women, before abruptly departing. Min Hongyu, unfazed, calmly commented that his statement alone indicated he was "destined to lose." Qin Sang harbored suspicions about Pan Jianchi's underlying motives for aligning with Yi Liankai.
Unbeknownst to her, Pan Jianchi, also known by his code name Tian Shu within the Tian Meng Association, remained steadfast in his oath to sacrifice himself for the common people, to spare them the horrors of war. The Tian Meng Association, driven by new ideologies, was dedicated to overthrowing warlords. After years of accumulating strength, their primary objective was to confront the formidable Yi family in Jiangzuo. The association's leader, Bei Ji, emphasized Tian Shu's critical role in their mission.
Despite acknowledging the dangers within the Yi family and a subordinate's concern about Tian Shu's perceived inflexibility, Bei Ji asserted that only someone of Tian Shu's caliber could succeed against the cunning Yi family, particularly against Yi Liankai, who, despite appearing to be a dilettante, had quietly built a formidable base at Zhishan. Bei Ji instructed his subordinates to prioritize Tian Shu’s safety and provide unwavering support for his mission. Late that night, Yi Liankai visited Mr. Fan's mourning hall.
He poured a drink, addressing his deceased teacher, expressing deep regret for his past frivolousness and acknowledging how he had disappointed him. He solemnly pledged to work diligently, now that Mr. Fan was gone, vowing not only to honor his teacher's legacy but also to safeguard the entire Fan family, especially ensuring Fan Yanyun's safety, regardless of future circumstances. Fan Yanyun, having overheard his heartfelt words, rushed into the hall, weeping uncontrollably, and embraced Yi Liankai.
Feeling awkward about their embrace, Yi Liankai gently tried to disengage, reminding her that such displays were inappropriate. Overcome with grief and rage, Fan Yanyun demanded his hand, and when he questioned her, she insisted, then fiercely bit his palm before fleeing in tears. The next day, Qin Sang sat pensively on a swing in the courtyard. Murong Qian approached, observing Qin Sang's focused demeanor.
Qin Sang shared that she was imagining the Yi brothers playing mischievously in the yard as children. Murong Qian confirmed their boisterous past, noting that while the eldest brother was well-behaved, Yi Lianshen, though straightforward, had a fiery temper. However, Murong Qian clarified that the two younger brothers were very close, and Yi Liankai deeply respected Yi Lianshen, always yielding his most valuable possessions to him.
When Qin Sang inquired about the nature of these valuable things, Murong Qian admitted she didn't know, speculating they might have been antiques or toy guns, things women wouldn't typically understand. Qin Sang sensed an untold complexity in their relationship but couldn't quite discern the truth. Later, upon returning to her room, Qin Sang noticed servants arranging fresh starfruit. A servant explained that Fan Yanyun, knowing Yi Liankai’s fondness for them, had specifically sent the rare fruits over.
Qin Sang felt a pang of discomfort upon hearing this. At the family dinner, all the Yi family members gathered, except for Yi Liankai. Yi Jipei inquired about his absence, and Qin Sang tried to explain he was occupied with work, though Yi Jipei questioned the necessity of working during dinner. Just then, Yi Liankai appeared, dressed in a crisp military uniform, announcing his immediate departure for Cheng Province to find the assassin.
Yi Jipei chastised him, asserting that assassins must be "forced out," not merely "investigated," and that a family meal was far more valuable than any pursuit of fame or power. He ordered Yi Liankai to sit and eat. Yi Liankai, wearing white gloves, took his seat. Yi Jipei then commanded him to remove the gloves, deeming them uncouth. Reluctantly, Yi Liankai complied, revealing prominent bite marks on his hand. Yi Jipei demanded an explanation.
Yi Liankai subtly nudged Qin Sang, who quickly interjected, claiming they had a minor spat. Though Yi Jipei dismissed her explanation as "nonsense," he dropped the inquiry. Back in their room, Yi Liankai thanked Qin Sang for deflecting his father's questions. Qin Sang, however, stated unequivocally that she knew Fan Yanyun was the one who bit him.
She expressed her long-held confusion, recalling how Yi Liankai had sought her hand in marriage after only a single meeting, despite her being merely the daughter of a fallen official. Now, after two years of a marriage that had existed in name only, she realized he had married her simply to use her as a shield.
Qin Sang asserted that if he truly loved Fan Yanyun, he should have fought for her instead of yielding her to his second brother, and, most importantly, he should not have exploited Qin Sang herself. Yi Liankai took her hand, attempting to explain that her perception was incomplete and that he did not love Fan Yanyun. Qin Sang, with a trace of bitterness, retorted, asking if he meant to imply he loved her instead.
Yi Liankai offered no verbal response, merely gazing at her intently before leaving. Yi Jipei, reflecting on the situation, noted that young couples frequently bickered, with disagreements rarely lasting beyond a day. He mused that if his other son, Jixue, had not died young, Yi Liankai might not have developed his peculiar temper, though a servant advised him not to dwell on the past.
Meanwhile, Yi Lianshen spoke with Fan Yanyun, who questioned if he blamed her for not volunteering to investigate the killer in Cheng Province. Yi Lianshen acknowledged his father's view that assassins were "forced out," not merely found through investigation. Fan Yanyun then observed that Yi Liankai, though kind, still behaved childishly, and astutely noted that the bite marks on his hand couldn't have been from Qin Sang due to the absence of lipstick.
Yi Lianshen dismissed it as their private affair. Later, Yi Lianshen informed his uncle that Mr. Fan's body had been taken by the Cheng Army, suggesting a likely connection to the assassin. His uncle added that rumors indicated Li Chongnian had sent the assassin, causing widespread panic and leading various factions to hope Yi Jipei would intervene. Yi Lianshen admitted his uncertainty about whom his father intended to blame.
The uncle emphasized that the killer's identity was less important than who Yi Jipei assigned to the task. He strongly advised Yi Lianshen to quickly have a son with Fan Yanyun to secure his position as heir. Yi Lianshen expressed hesitation, citing Fan Yanyun's grief over her father's recent death.
His uncle chastised his stubbornness, warning against Yi Liankai potentially having an heir first, though he also dismissed this fear, noting Yi Liankai's reputation as a womanizer, his reluctance to have a son due to his mother's status as a concubine, and his poor relationship with Qin Sang. The uncle concluded by stressing the need to understand Yi Jipei's true intentions, given his past behavior and current focus on Mr. Fan's death.
After careful consideration, Yi Lianshen formally reported to his father that he believed the assassin was from the Tian Meng Association. He argued that ideological shifts, such as the "new culture" advocating for the elimination of patriarchy, posed a far greater threat than conflicts between regional warlords. He explained that if the military's power, which upheld the patriarchy, were dissolved, the patriarchal system itself would fall.
He asserted that, in the eyes of this new generation, Yi Jipei, despite his years of fighting and sacrifices for Jiangzuo, was seen as a tyrant. Therefore, Yi Lianshen concluded, the Tian Meng Association represented a more formidable enemy than figures like Li Chongnian or Jiang Shuangxi. On the streets, Pan Jianchi met with a Tian Meng Association contact, using coded language about tea.
His contact informed him that the situation was tense, with widespread arrests for Mr. Fan's killer, and conveyed Bei Ji's instruction for Pan Jianchi to "make a mark" on Mr. Fan. Later, Yi Liankai took Qin Sang jewelry shopping, holding her hand despite her initial discomfort and attempts to pull away.
Yi Liankai insisted on purchasing the most expensive items for his wife, and as he carefully placed an elaborate necklace around her neck, Qin Sang was visibly moved by his attentiveness. After leaving the jewelry store, Yi Liankai led Qin Sang to a private meeting with Pan Jianchi. Qin Sang expressed her confusion, jokingly noting the difference in his behavior when meeting men versus women.
Yi Liankai explained that this location offered a safer environment for their discussion than at home. Yi Liankai revealed his indecision regarding whom to identify as the assassin, given his father's unclear stance. Pan Jianchi advised simply aligning with Yi Lianshen's choice. When Yi Liankai mentioned that Yi Lianshen had pinpointed the Tian Meng Association, Pan Jianchi agreed that they should also follow that lead.
However, Pan Jianchi stressed that while identifying the assassin was important, the most pressing matter in Jiangzuo was organizing Mr. Fan's funeral. He stated that a crucial element was missing for the funeral to proceed, and this task fell to Qin Sang: she must ask Murong Qian for help in retrieving Mr. Fan's body.
Immediately after this, Yi Liankai approached his father, attempting to present the Tian Meng Association as the assassin, but Yi Jipei dismissed him, criticizing him for merely following his brother's lead. Qin Sang then approached Murong Qian, asking her to return to her family home to appeal to her father, Murong Chen, for the return of Mr. Fan's body. Murong Qian expressed her reluctance, as her husband, Yi Lianyi, had specifically instructed her not to involve herself in the matter.
Qin Sang earnestly pleaded for her help, explaining that Yi Jipei was making things difficult for Yi Liankai over Mr. Fan's death, and Yi Lianshen was also giving Yi Liankai the cold shoulder. Consequently, Yi Liankai was taking his frustration out on Qin Sang. She believed that if she could resolve this issue, Yi Jipei would be pleased, and Yi Liankai would no longer trouble her. She hoped Murong Qian would assist her in this endeavor.
