The Flame's Daughter Episode 13 Recap
> The Flame's Daughter Recap
As Lie Ruge felt a deep sense of melancholy, a tender flute melody drifted from outside the cave, seemingly soothing her emotions. She stepped out to find Yin Xue playing, seated on the snowy ground, appearing ethereal amidst the falling snow. Their carriage eventually stopped in the bustling Ping'an Town. Lie Ruge was surprised, asking if they were getting medicine from the Ethereality Clique.
Yin Xue, who had previously mentioned that cultivation was boring without learning a few more skills, confirmed they were there for medicine, but not for her sect. He revealed that ever since he left Ethereality, villains had been continuously stalking them, but they were mere individuals to be ignored. Lie Ruge, concerned about the cold and the danger, offered to call for more people from her sect, but Yin Xue firmly refused, stating their journey was top secret.
He then confessed that the medicine was for his "heart illness," recalling how she had abandoned him for Yu Zihan on this very spot. He insisted that before saving Yu Zihan, his own heart's wound must be healed. He wanted her to accompany him in Ping'an Town for a few days, just like before, as a way to make up for it.
Lie Ruge was hesitant, worried about Yu Zihan's critical condition, but Yin Xue explained that Yu Zihan's manor needed time to prepare guiding medicines and set up defenses because his body would be in its weakest state during treatment, making him vulnerable to attacks. Their presence in Ping'an Town was also a tactic to distract enemies and buy time for Yu Zihan.
Lie Ruge urged him to manage their time carefully, and Yin Xue, confident, then announced they would reopen Xue's Sesame Seed Cake shop. The reopening of Xue's Sesame Seed Cake shop quickly drew a cheerful crowd. The townspeople excitedly welcomed them back, mistakenly believing they had returned from their home province after getting married.
They offered to help arrange a wedding banquet in Ping'an Town, and many wished them a long and happy marriage, with some even hoping for children soon, and one young boy wishing for a baby boy by next year. Lie Ruge was mortified by the good-natured teasing, while Yin Xue, embracing the role of a newlywed husband, happily declared all sesame seed cakes free for the day. Later that afternoon, Ms. Huang brought a "happiness" sign as a gift.
Yin Xue discreetly pulled her aside, confiding that he and Lie Ruge had eloped after being expelled from their respective homes. He explained that as the First Miss of Flaming Manor, Lie Ruge's father would never approve of her marrying a man with no status, house, or land like him. He asked Ms. Huang to keep their "marriage" quiet to avoid upsetting Lie Mingjing.
Ms. Huang, deeply moved by his story, promised to respect their privacy and later consoled Lie Ruge, telling her that despite Yin Xue's lack of wealth or fame, he was a good person whom she should cherish. Yin Xue dramatically commented that the "happiness" sign might be the first and last wedding gift they would receive. That evening, after closing the shop, Lie Ruge questioned Yin Xue about his private conversation with Ms. Huang, noting the woman's peculiar smile afterward.
Yin Xue deflected, praising her culinary skills. He then remarked that her temper had improved, observing that she hadn't gotten angry when he called her his wife earlier that day. Lie Ruge retorted that his constant joking and sweet talk were exhausting, making it hard for her to stay angry. Yin Xue then pressed her, asking if she had acknowledged being his wife, causing her to blush.
He teased her, asking if she finally held him in her heart, but she pushed him away, urging him to eat. Meanwhile, in Swordless City, Dao Wuxia tried to persuade his sister, Dao Liexiang, to marry Zhan Feng. He explained that this marriage was merely a temporary strategy to gain Anye Luo's trust and allow Swordless City to survive.
He planned to wait until Anye Luo and Lie Mingjing were weakened from fighting each other, then strike to eliminate Dark River Palace. Dao Wuxia knelt before her, reminding her of their parents' early deaths, his efforts to protect Swordless City, and their shared ambition for the clan to lead the martial arts world. He implored her to make this sacrifice for their clan's future.
Dao Liexiang, however, tearfully refused, declaring that she would never marry a man she didn't love, preferring to be locked away forever. After her unwavering refusal, Dao Wuxia expressed his frustration to a subordinate, lamenting that he had spoiled her. He regretfully stated that if she continued to refuse, they would have no choice but to tie her to the carriage to ensure the marriage, believing she would accept her fate once wed.
Word of Dao Liexiang's impending marriage to Zhan Feng, set for the second day of the second lunar month, reached Lei Jinghong. He rushed to Swordless City, determined to see her and understand the situation. However, he was met by Dao Wuhen, a subordinate, at the North Gate. Dao Wuhen politely but firmly blocked him, explaining that given Dao Liexiang's upcoming marriage, it would be improper for her to meet with Lei Jinghong.
Lei Jinghong, despite his plea for a brief conversation, was turned away. As Lei Jinghong departed, his footsteps heavy, recalling the happy times he shared with Dao Liexiang at Flaming Manor, Dao Wuhen spoke to an unseen party, asserting his own ambition by stating that the day Dao Liexiang married would be the day he inherited the position of City Leader.
Back in Ping'an Town, Lie Ruge remained troubled by Zhan Feng's alleged killing of Xiaofeng, a memory rekindled by their return to the town. As rain fell on their quiet sesame seed cake shop, she suggested a walk to Yin Xue. They went to the small grove where Xiaofeng was found, and Yin Xue, sensing her thoughts, subtly hinted that "what you see might not be true."
Lie Ruge pressed him for details, recalling how she had seen Zhan Feng carrying Xiaofeng's body. Yin Xue pointed out that she hadn't witnessed the killing itself, suggesting other possibilities, but then abruptly changed the subject, expressing his annoyance that she kept mentioning other people during their brief time together. Lie Ruge called him unserious, which seemed to trigger a distant memory in Yin Xue.
In a flashback, he recalled a past encounter in a similar forest where a woman, presumably Lie Ruge in a previous life, had similarly called him out for not being serious, and had then kissed him. Suddenly, Yin Xue pulled Lie Ruge into an embrace, leaning in for a kiss. However, Lie Ruge swiftly used her qinggong to evade him, gracefully leaping to the top of a tree where she soon fell asleep.
Under the soft moonlight, with tree shadows dancing and delicate flowers perfuming the air, Lie Ruge awoke on the tree, her red dress radiant. It was already night, and she and Yin Xue hurried back to Ping'an Town. They found the town eerily quiet for New Year's Eve, with all the houses dark, except for their sesame seed cake shop, which glowed brightly.
Inside, to their surprise, the entire town had gathered, decorating the shop and preparing a feast to celebrate their "wedding." A townsperson explained that Yin Xue, fearing Lie Ruge's first New Year away from home would be lonely, had invited everyone to celebrate together. During the festive meal, the townspeople shared a New Year custom of eating a bamboo shoot in one bite to symbolize everlasting togetherness.
Later, at the townspeople's request, Yin Xue played a beautiful zither piece, "A Phoenix Looking for a Mate." A young boy recognized the tune and asked if Yin Xue was playing it for Lie Ruge, a sentiment that resonated deeply within her. After the crowd dispersed, with the night deep and quiet, Lie Ruge asked Yin Xue why he had chosen her at Flower Tasting Brothel.
Yin Xue calmly replied that he hadn't chosen her, but had been waiting for her, from before she was even born, for nineteen years. He had even questioned if he was still alive during his long wait, certain she would eventually arrive, which was why he had opened the brothel. Lie Ruge found his words fantastical and dismissed them as unserious, unable to comprehend his foreknowledge. As the night air grew cold, Yin Xue's old cold illness relapsed.
Lie Ruge immediately noticed his discomfort and used her Flaming Fisticuffs martial art to help him dispel the cold, the warmth radiating onto his back. As he recovered, Lie Ruge, concerned, asked if saving Yu Zihan would harm him. Yin Xue looked at her quietly, then chuckled, asking what if it would, prompting her to bite her lip and shake her head, saying it didn't matter then.
Seeing her concern, Yin Xue smiled serenely and reassured her that nothing would happen to him, asserting that his martial arts were too powerful to be easily injured. With that, he lay down beside Lie Ruge and quickly fell into a deep sleep.
