Siege in Fog Episode 8 Recap
> Siege in Fog Recap
Yi Liankai pulled Qin Sang down onto the bed, and she felt a blush creep over her face as she looked into his eyes, turning her head away slightly. Yi Liankai playfully asked why she had come to find him, wondering if she was trying to attack him. Qin Sang, with a hint of bitterness, mentioned that Second Sister-in-Law had claimed Yi Liankai saved her when they were children, resulting in an injury near his hairline.
Yi Liankai clarified that while the hairline injury was true, it was actually Second Brother who had saved Fan Yanyun, adding that he thought she must have hurt her head and forgot. Qin Sang pressed on, asking if his marriage to her had anything to do with Fan Yanyun. Yi Liankai intertwined his fingers with hers, stating unequivocally that their marriage was solely between them and had nothing to do with Fan Yanyun.
With the mood set, Yi Liankai then softly inquired if Qin Sang remembered their first meeting. She retorted that she certainly did, recalling how her mother had taken her to his party, an event meticulously planned by her mother in advance. This response visibly disappointed Yi Liankai, and he turned over, getting off the bed.
Later, Qin Sang walked through the streets, her mind still replaying the scene with Yi Liankai, so preoccupied that she nearly stepped in front of a passing car. Fortunately, Pan Jianchi, who had been following her, quickly pulled her to safety and anxiously asked if she was alright. Qin Sang asked him to call her "Third Young Mistress," to which Pan Jianchi apologized.
Qin Sang replied that she was fine, adding dismissively that even if something were wrong, no one would care or pity her. Pan Jianchi urged her to give up the title of Third Young Mistress if it made her unhappy, as he hated to see her distressed. Qin Sang explained that "Third Young Mistress Yi" was just a name, and everything was merely a transaction.
Her father’s visit to Fuyuan was simply an attempt to gain Chief Marshal Yi Jipei’s favor, hoping that a rapid rise in social status would allow her to avoid many hardships and risks, making her finally understand her mother's deep determination. Noticing the many watchful eyes around them, Qin Sang discreetly advised Pan Jianchi to avoid arousing suspicion.
He still said he never thought she would speak such cold words, and seeing her face was the only way he could believe she was still the pure and innocent girl he knew. Qin Sang countered that no one in this world was truly pure or innocent; if a man perceived a woman that way, it simply meant he thought her easily tricked, while she was merely feigning ignorance for his sake.
When Pan Jianchi then asked if Yi Liankai had made her sad, Qin Sang simply replied, "No." As Qin Sang turned to leave Pan Jianchi, she encountered Min Hongyu. The two women walked to a scenic riverside. Min Hongyu commented on the exquisite scenery of Fuyuan, noting that being confined to grand mansions, while offering stability, limited one's choices, much like relationships between men and women.
Qin Sang, seemingly not entirely focused on Min Hongyu’s casual remarks, praised her sharp intellect, and remarked that Yi Liankai himself had spoken of Min Hongyu's extensive influence in Jiangzuo’s political and business circles. She then asked Min Hongyu what Yi Liankai’s chances of success would be if he were to contend for power within the Yi family. Min Hongyu hesitated, saying she found such questions difficult to answer.
She offered an analogy, using a fish on the table to illustrate: if everyone tried to grab the whole fish by force, it would break into pieces, and no one would get anything. However, if it were distributed, some would get the head, others the belly, and some only the tail, which wouldn't please everyone.
When Qin Sang asked how she would divide it, Min Hongyu suggested that, like pirates dividing gold, the one who is quickest to act and seize the opportunity usually gets the most and the best. Whether Yi Liankai and Qin Sang were willing and able to be that first person, she concluded, was entirely up to them. Min Hongyu then turned to a more personal topic, questioning Qin Sang’s seriousness and how Yi Liankai allowed her to act that way.
When Qin Sang asked if she was at fault, Min Hongyu observed that men, when pampered by women, would do anything for them. She pressed Qin Sang, implying that since they shared a bed, Yi Liankai must be deeply in love with her, and Qin Sang surely felt something. Qin Sang, however, refuted her, saying Min Hongyu was mistaken; Yi Liankai hated her and found it difficult enough to merely sleep in the same bed with her.
Min Hongyu, surprised by Qin Sang's perception of Yi Liankai as a womanizer, lamented that someone as intelligent as Qin Sang couldn't comprehend love. Inside the Yi family study, Yi Jipei convened with his sons to discuss crucial matters. He recounted that before his death, Mr. Fan had stated Jiangzuo's future lay in "provincial autonomy." However, Yi Jipei believed that in the current tumultuous era, provincial autonomy would only lead to further division.
Therefore, he decided to ally with the Murong family in the north to establish a joint cabinet, envisioning a future where the fate of the country would be decided by a contest between himself and Murong Chen. Yi Lianshen endorsed his father's decision, arguing that prompt action was necessary. He proposed deploying the elite Fu Army troops to the north for training after the Mid-Autumn Festival, to prepare for future territorial expansion.
Yi Lianyi vehemently objected, stating that the Fu Army was originally established by Mr. Fan for the purpose of provincial autonomy. To use them as pawns in a power struggle, betraying their founding purpose, was something he would never agree to. He warned that if the Yi family controlled the cabinet through military force, it would only ignite widespread conflict. Yi Lianshen countered that their father had single-handedly pacified the entire Jiangzuo years ago, sparing its people from war.
Now, he merely wished to bring stability to the entire nation by similar means. He could not agree with provincial autonomy and challenged Yi Lianyi, daring him to see who in the Fu Army would support him if he chose to oppose their father and him. Listening to their heated exchange, Yi Jipei concluded that the matter required further deliberation. Following the meeting, Yi Liankai sought out Yi Lianyi to console him.
Yi Liankai suggested that Yi Lianshen’s words during the meeting might not have been entirely sincere and that he might already regret them, perhaps influenced by gossiping individuals around him. Yi Lianyi, however, knew his second brother better and worried about Yi Lianshen’s hot temper leading to actions that could bring disgrace upon the Yi family.
Yi Liankai reiterated that he lacked military power and wished to avoid conflict with his second brother, having spent years trying to escape the Yi family’s power struggles. Yi Lianyi understood Yi Liankai's tendency to yield to Yi Lianshen but reminded him that a true man has things he must do and things he must not, and his shoulders should bear the responsibility for the world, not just their family.
He affirmed that his own concerns were for global peace and an end to war, not personal gain. Yi Liankai reassured him, stating that brothers should only contend, never harm each other. Yi Lianyi echoed the sentiment, confirming their oath as blood brothers. Meanwhile, Yi Lianshen learned that Yi Lianyi and Yi Liankai had been talking privately. He grew suspicious, wondering if they were conspiring against him. Fan Yanyun dismissed his worries, urging him to talk to Yi Liankai.
Yi Lianshen angrily pointed out that ever since they were children, Fan Yanyun always sided with Yi Liankai whenever they argued. Fan Yanyun calmly advised him not to overthink things and proposed that she would speak to Yi Liankai the next day. Afterward, Yi Lianshen should meet Yi Liankai at a place they used to play as children, hoping the familiar surroundings would rekindle old affections and encourage open communication.
The two brothers, Yi Lianshen and Yi Liankai, later met at the fake mountain in the family compound, a place Yi Lianshen recalled climbing as a child, feeling as though he conquered the world from its summit. He mused that everything, including himself, now seemed smaller. Yi Lianshen admitted that his earlier words were spoken in anger, intended for Yi Lianyi to hear.
He explained that after years of fighting against the Tian Meng Association, their family had acquired their current power through immense struggle and risk, and he was unwilling to simply surrender it, as Yi Lianyi desired. He acknowledged that Yi Lianyi had spoken with Yi Liankai and likely sought his help, asking Yi Liankai for his decision. Yi Liankai confirmed his intention to help Yi Lianyi.
Yi Lianshen then reflected on their shared childhood, filled with countless battles over toys and sweets, simple contests where the winner kept the prize. He conceded that Yi Liankai had often won those childhood skirmishes but declared his intention to win this time. He then reminded Yi Liankai of their bond, stating that as blood brothers, they should only compete, never inflict harm upon each other. Yi Liankai affirmed their understanding, reiterating the vow.
Later, Fu Rongcai arrived at the Yi family estate and was met with a cold reception from Yi Liankai. Fu Rongcai explained his presence: first, to mourn their late teacher, Mr. Fan, and second, to assume Mr. Fan’s role as the Yi family's political advisor.
Yi Liankai mockingly noted Fu Rongcai’s lack of a white mourning flower, to which Fu Rongcai replied that such formalities held no importance for him, as he was the eldest disciple and the Yi family had long promised him this position. Yi Liankai curtly warned Fu Rongcai to leave Fuyuan immediately and never appear before him again.
Taken aback that both his teacher and now Yi Liankai seemingly rejected him, Fu Rongcai provocatively questioned if Yi Liankai had been too long indulged in feminine tenderness and had truly fallen in love with Qin Sang. Enraged, Yi Liankai warned him that if he did not heed his polite advice, he would resort to physical force. Fu Rongcai defiantly accepted the challenge before departing. Qin Sang went to the Fuyuan train station to greet her father, Qin Housheng.
Seeing her, Qin Housheng expressed concern over her thin appearance, while Qin Sang tenderly noted his newly graying hair. Qin Housheng lamented his past mistakes, specifically being deceived by Fu Rongcai, which led to their family’s misfortune, his wife’s early death, and Qin Sang’s marriage into the Yi family. Qin Sang comforted him, saying what was done was done and they should cherish the present. That evening, the Yi family hosted a banquet to welcome Qin Housheng.
During the meal, Yi Liankai considerately served Qin Sang her favorite osmanthus chestnut soup. Qin Housheng was visibly pleased by Yi Liankai's thoughtfulness. Yi Liankai then publicly praised Qin Sang, recounting how she had risked her life to rescue him when he was besieged at Zhishan, and declared that marrying her was a blessing earned over many lifetimes.
At this emotional moment, Fan Yanyun, perhaps unintentionally, brought up the unfortunate death of her own father, Mr. Fan, on his trip to Zhishan, casting a pall over the celebratory atmosphere. Yi Liankai discreetly squeezed Qin Sang's hand in reassurance. After the dinner, Fan Yanyun visited Mr. Fan's memorial hall, overcome with grief, wishing to be his daughter again in a next life. Yi Lianshen found her there, comforting her and vowing that he would avenge Mr. Fan's death.
Later, Yi Jipei asked Qin Housheng for his analysis of the current political situation. Qin Housheng asserted that military affairs, governance, and people's livelihoods all centered on gaining the populace's support, citing the ancient wisdom that those who win the people win the world. Yi Jipei, however, countered that public sentiment was the most unreliable thing, recalling how people had both supported and rebelled against governments, even asking for an emperor’s return after his ousting.
He concluded that Western political models, no matter how good, could not be replicated in China. Yi Lianyi, who had previously read Qin Housheng's essays, acknowledged Qin Housheng’s insightful views on foreign political systems but felt his idealistic scholarly perspective was ill-suited to the current national circumstances, calling him a good scholar but nothing more. Yi Jipei complained to Yi Lianyi that Qin Housheng’s constant talk of human rights gave him a headache, deeming Qin Housheng’s ideas outdated.
Yi Lianyi disagreed, suggesting it was not obsolescence but merely a difference in political views, and that Qin Housheng might have achieved great things in a different era. Yi Jipei grew angry, sternly asking Yi Lianyi if he also intended to advocate for the American system like Qin Housheng, reminding him that they were not Westerners. Yi Lianyi was stunned into silence by his father's reprimand.
Separately, Fu Rongcai encountered Chen Pei and boldly declared that his dark complexion indicated he would not live long. Enraged, Chen Pei drew his pistol, but was interrupted by a fit of coughing. Fu Rongcai calmly informed him that firing the gun would only hasten his demise due to his condition, then offered to cure his cough, claiming some medical knowledge. After guiding Chen Pei through a breathing exercise that seemingly alleviated his cough, Fu Rongcai gained Chen Pei's trust.
He then revealed his true purpose: Commander Li Zhongnian was in grave danger, being targeted by the Murong family, a fact Chen Pei was oblivious to. Fu Rongcai warned Chen Pei that his ambition to achieve great things under Li Zhongnian would instead lead to the downfall of Li Zhongnian’s empire and render Chen Pei a historical villain.
To break this impasse, Fu Rongcai proposed a simple solution: Chen Pei should take him into the Li residence and introduce him to Commander Li, promising that in return, Chen Pei would achieve promotion and boundless prosperity. Fu Rongcai then asked Chen Pei if he was willing to accept his proposal.
Later, Qin Housheng prepared a special congee with nougat for Qin Sang, her favorite dish since childhood, explaining that her mother used to add nougat to encourage her to eat. He expressed his hope that this familiar taste would bring some sweetness to her life, subtly acknowledging the bitterness he knew she harbored in her heart due to her unhappy marriage. Qin Sang, touched by his gesture, remarked that the nougat tasted exactly as it did when she was a child.
