Sword Snow Stride Episode 2 Recap
> Sword Snow Stride Recap
Drunk and unconscious as dusk fell, Xu Fengnian was carried on his younger brother Xu Longxiang's back towards Lingzhou city, with the royal guards following behind, a common sight. At the mansion, housekeepers and maids diligently attended to Xu Fengnian, who, after a thorough freshening up, regained his noble appearance. Meanwhile, Old Huang, enjoying a rare moment of leisure, returned to his small courtyard, untouched for three years. He took out a jar of aged wine with delight.
Sensing someone at the window, Old Huang quickly hid the wine in his embrace. Without turning, he knew it was the Lord of North Liang, Xu Xiao. Xu Xiao, who had trusted Old Huang to accompany his son on his three-year journey, expressed his gratitude through the window, acknowledging Old Huang's hard work. As darkness settled, Xu Fengnian's opulent courtyard, the grandest in the mansion, remained quiet.
Xu Fengnian was still asleep when his maid, Jiang Ni, attempted to assassinate him. Her past attempts had all failed, and this one was no exception. Unfazed, Xu Fengnian smiled and told her to hide under the bed when he heard Xu Xiao approaching. Despite his fearsome reputation as a brutal killer on the battlefield, Xu Xiao was exceptionally doting towards Xu Fengnian.
Even when Xu Fengnian picked up objects to chase and hit him, Xu Xiao skillfully dodged, expressed concern, and offered apologies. As the father and son engaged in a noisy chase, the staff outside, including the butler, pretended not to hear the commotion. The chase ceased abruptly when Xu Longxiang stirred. The father and son immediately adopted a gentle demeanor, putting on an act of a loving family. After Xu Longxiang left, the atmosphere shifted from playful to serious.
Xu Fengnian, pondering something, decided he needed to meet the captured veteran from West Chu immediately. Xu Xiao agreed and subtly glanced at Jiang Ni hiding under the bed but did not expose her. He then left the room, waiting for his son to change.
On the way to the prison, Xu Xiao raised the issue of Jiang Ni, pointing out that as a former princess of West Chu now reduced to a maid, she carried deep national and personal grievances, making her loyalty uncertain. Xu Fengnian, however, never doubted Jiang Ni. His main doubts stemmed from the unusual surrender of the West Chu remnants during his assassination attempt, as they were known for fighting to the death.
Considering these oddities and the veteran's panic, Xu Fengnian concluded there was a mole within the North Liang Army. The veteran was shocked, having underestimated Xu Fengnian as a mere playboy. Xu Fengnian, in turn, maintained his image as a pleasure-seeking fop. He returned a West Chu flag to the veteran, who had once bought him food and drink, and promised to give an explanation regarding the portrait used to identify him.
Xu Xiao expressed his desire for Xu Fengnian to accept responsibility for North Liang, but Xu Fengnian showed no interest, claiming hunger to avoid further discussion. Xu Xiao offered various delicacies, but Xu Fengnian insisted on having sweet potatoes. They then found Old Huang secretly eating pork. Xu Fengnian and Xu Xiao joined in, sharing the food and wine.
Xu Fengnian questioned Xu Xiao, suspecting he had arranged many of the troubles during his travels, including Old Huang's escape from the "White Fox Face," to train him. Xu Xiao simply acknowledged his son’s intelligence. After Xu Xiao left, Old Huang revealed that his persistent encouragement for Xu Fengnian to practice martial arts was his own initiative, hoping Xu Fengnian could protect himself in the future.
The next morning, Xu Fengnian arranged a fishing trip with Old Huang and Xu Longxiang, intending to bring Jiang Ni along. He found Jiang Ni asleep, took her money box, and threatened to keep it unless she came with him, reminding her of their deal that failed assassination attempts required payment. At the lakeside, Old Huang and Xu Longxiang were already waiting.
Nangong Puye, dressed in white, was also there, showing no interest in the scenery but frequently looking towards Tingchao Pavilion. Xu Fengnian’s maids, the solitary Qingniao and the talkative Hongshu, were also present. Hongshu quickly recognized that Nangong Puye was a woman. Soon, Xu Fengnian arrived and asked the white-clad woman her name. She introduced herself as Nangong Puye, from the Nangong Family of North Mang, who had come to Liyang to learn martial arts.
He recalled that the old emperor had ordered Xu Xiao to suppress the martial world, during which Xu Xiao gathered countless martial arts manuals and stored them in Tingchao Pavilion, making it a coveted destination for martial artists. Nangong Puye requested Xu Fengnian fulfill his promise to allow her into Tingchao Pavilion. However, Xu Fengnian playfully reneged, initially permitting her to stay for only two hours. He then asked for her opinion on the assassination attempt.
Nangong Puye pointed out the crucial question: if Xu Fengnian were to die, who besides Xu Longxiang would gain military power? This implicated Xu Xiao's six adopted sons as prime suspects. Xu Fengnian, needing to conceal his abilities while investigating, proposed that Nangong Puye serve as his bodyguard. In return, she would have unrestricted access to Tingchao Pavilion after the matter was resolved. Nangong Puye agreed.
Just then, a brawny general, Chu Lushan, one of Xu Xiao's six adopted sons, arrived and knelt dramatically before Xu Fengnian, expressing his joy at his return. Xu Fengnian teased him about his weight gain, and Chu Lushan swore to cut off his own flesh if he had gained any weight. He then eagerly suggested they visit the Zijin Brothel to see a new belle skilled in sword dance.
When Chu Lushan inquired about Nangong Puye, Xu Fengnian introduced her as his new bodyguard. Chu Lushan remarked on her beauty, prompting Xu Fengnian to caution him against speaking carelessly, as Nangong Puye might strike him. Xu Longxiang refused to go to the brothel, and Xu Fengnian told Old Huang he was too old for such places.
