The Flame's Daughter Episode 15 Recap
> The Flame's Daughter Recap
Lie Ruge frantically called out Yin Xue's name while searching for him in the forest. When she finally found him lying motionless, covered in frost, she was shocked and heartbroken. As she held him, she tearfully questioned why he had lied to her. Yin Xue could only manage a weak "Ge'er, I. . ." Shivering from the intense cold, Yin Xue asked Lie Ruge to hold him tightly. She desperately asked who could save him.
As his body became radiant and translucent, thousands of light particles emanated from her arms, and Yin Xue's beautiful face faded from view until only a white robe remained in her embrace. A voiceover of Yin Xue's thoughts played, reflecting on how he went against Heaven's will but still couldn't win, and asking Ge'er not to forget him. Soldiers soon arrived in the forest and found Lie Ruge clutching the white robe, murmuring that she had watched Yin Xue disappear.
Meanwhile, Yu Zihan awoke and was informed by his guards that Madam Yan, the Second Madam of the Thunderbolt Clique, had led an attack on the Prince of Jingyuan's Manor the previous night, injuring many soldiers. Yu Zihan immediately ordered all exits sealed and a thorough search for any Thunderbolt Clique members. Consequently, both the Prince of Jingyang's Manor and Flower Tasting Brothel were subjected to searches.
Yu Zihan then received the devastating news that Prince Snow Robe, Yin Xue, had died, his body having vanished, turning into snow and melting. Yu Zihan ordered a cenotaph to be placed near the Royal Tomb with an elaborate funeral. Inside Swordless City, Bi'er saw Dao Liexiang in distress, refusing to eat or drink. Understanding Dao Liexiang's heartbreak, Bi'er revealed that Yin Xue had passed away, claiming to have privately learned the news.
She explained that she had received kindness from Yin Xue during her time at Flower Tasting Brothel, which led her to share this private information. Later, Yu Zihan visited Lie Ruge's room and learned from Die Yi that she had been distraught for days, refusing to eat or sleep, and had just been put to sleep by Huang Cong.
Sitting quietly, Yu Zihan recalled Yin Xue's past words about Dark River Palace, how the Chill Spell on him was a trap set by the Dark River Palace leader, designed to deplete Yin Xue's power and then eliminate him. Yu Zihan lamented that Yin Xue had saved his life twice, and now had sacrificed his own. His bodyguard, Xuan Huang, urged him to take care of his health, so Yin Xue's sacrifice would not be in vain.
Soon after, Huang Cong reported that Lei Jinghong from the Thunderbolt Clique had boldly come to the manor looking for Lie Ruge. Yu Zihan ordered Lei Jinghong brought to him, but instructed his men to keep his presence a secret. Lei Jinghong, who was gravely injured, explained that he was not there to be captured, but to find a way to survive, as he was being hunted both within the Thunderbolt Clique by a traitor and by imperial officers.
He insisted that the recent assassination attempt had nothing to do with him or his father, suggesting it was the work of his Second Mother, who alone commanded enough power within the Thunderbolt Clique to mobilize disciples to attack the Prince's manor. He pointed to Die Yi as a witness, who confirmed that Lei Jinghong had indeed warned her about Madam Yan and was gravely injured when she saw him at Flower Tasting Brothel.
Yu Zihan agreed to let Lei Jinghong stay in his manor for his safety, though he admitted he didn't fully trust him. He stated that he was preserving Lei Jinghong's life on Lie Ruge's behalf, as he was her friend. Xuan Huang, however, remained skeptical, cautioning Yu Zihan against fully trusting Lei Jinghong, suggesting it could be a ploy. Yu Zihan acknowledged the concern but decided to let Lei Jinghong live for now.
In her sleep, Lie Ruge repeatedly cried out Yin Xue's name. When she finally woke, she initially thought the hand holding hers belonged to Yin Xue, but then saw Yu Zihan's worried face. She had been crying due to a nightmare. Upon waking, she immediately asked Die Yi for Yin Xue's white robe, relieved to find it still there. Yu Zihan then asked her to recount what happened that day.
Lie Ruge explained that after Yin Xue removed the spell from Yu Zihan and blocked his acupoint, she handed him over to his bodyguards. Returning to the hut out of concern for Yin Xue, she encountered Madam Yan. Yin Xue, his power greatly diminished, couldn't contend with Madam Yan. Lie Ruge used Flaming Fisticuffs to defeat Madam Yan and escape with Yin Xue, but he was suddenly taken away.
When she found him again, he was gravely injured and beyond saving, eventually dissipating into light, leaving only his snow-white robe. Yu Zihan pressed her for more suspicious details about Madam Yan. Lie Ruge expressed her strong suspicion that Madam Yan was connected to Dark River Palace, citing a cryptic conversation she overheard between Madam Yan and Yin Xue, in which they mentioned Anye Luo and a "senior sister."
She also recalled Yin Xue mentioning that the Mystical Icy Cup was a deadly trap set for him by the sect leader of Dark River Palace. Madam Yan's timely appearance led Lie Ruge to believe her connection to the Dark River Palace leader was profound. Yu Zihan informed her that Lei Jinghong was in the manor and she could see him if she wished.
Lie Ruge returned to Luoyang's Flower Tasting Brothel to find it closing down, with its sign being taken down and most of the girls dismissed. Only Madam Hua remained. Youqin Hong had also disappeared after Yin Xue's death. Madam Hua took Lie Ruge to Yin Xue's former room, where she shared stories of how Yin Xue had taken them in.
She recounted how, years ago, she came to the brothel as a young widow, and Yin Xue offered her the opportunity to manage it. Similarly, Youqin Hong, who had lost his chance at an official post due to a provincial fellow's treachery, had burst into the brothel seeking revenge. Yin Xue had taught him that the best revenge was to surpass his enemies, not to kill them, forcing them to submit.
Madam Hua revealed that despite his outward appearance of luxury, Yin Xue disliked the bustle of Luoyang and frequently traveled, remarking that Flower Tasting Brothel was merely a temporary shelter for him. She also shared that Yin Xue considered himself an old man who should have long since left the mortal world, but he remained because he was "waiting for one person." Hearing this, a faint smile appeared on Lie Ruge's lips.
Madam Hua then urged Lie Ruge to move forward, to stop dwelling on the dead, and to live strongly, as Yin Xue would have wanted her to be someone who could both embrace and let go. Lie Ruge, while admitting she couldn't let go, promised not to remain depressed, vowing instead to find those responsible for the deaths of Yin Xue and Xiaofeng.
By the tranquil lotus pond in the Prince of Jingyuan's Manor, Lie Ruge told Yu Zihan she had made a decision, that she would not let those around her get hurt for no reason, and intended to rouse herself. Yu Zihan, relieved to see her smile again, then informed her that a letter from their master had arrived, requesting their swift return to Liehuo Manor because Zhan Feng was to be married in seven days.
Lie Ruge calmly responded that she had already learned of Zhan Feng's impending marriage to a woman from Swordless City, as she and Yin Xue had encountered sect members carrying betrothal gifts for Swordless City some days prior. Yu Zihan, observing her composure, expressed his happiness for her, and Lie Ruge mused that she wished to return to witness the wedding. He then arranged for their immediate departure.
As Lei Jinghong prepared to return to Liehuo Manor with Lie Ruge and Yu Zihan, Feng Huang from Flower Tasting Brothel arrived at the manor, asking to see Lie Ruge. Feng Huang explained that Lei Jinghong owed her his life and she had come for payment, because Flower Tasting Brothel had closed down and she had nowhere else to go.
Despite Lei Jinghong's reluctance and warnings that he was being hunted, Feng Huang insisted on following him, expressing her belief that he would become a "good tree" in the future and she was willing to gamble her future on him. Lei Jinghong reluctantly agreed, and they all prepared to depart for Liehuo Manor.
