The Flame's Daughter Episode 3 Recap
> The Flame's Daughter Recap
Lie Ruge sought out Yu Zihan, expressing her unease about Yin Xue. Despite meeting him only once, Yin Xue seemed to know many secrets of Flaming Manor, even details about Zhan Feng and Ying Yi. Lie Ruge proposed bringing Yin Xue back to the manor to assess his true intentions, believing it wise to keep a potential enemy close for early prevention. Yu Zihan agreed, suggesting they depart the very next morning.
Lie Ruge felt unprepared to face Zhan Feng so suddenly, but Yu Zihan revealed that Zhan Feng planned to ask their teacher to cancel their engagement that day. Heartbroken, Lie Ruge realized Zhan Feng truly wished to end their betrothal. After agreeing to return home, Yu Zihan asked Lie Ruge to retrieve his military seal from his Prince's mansion. After Lie Ruge left, Yu Zihan personally met Yin Xue.
Yu Zihan, who is deaf, used hand signs, and Yin Xue apologized for his earlier oversight in forgetting this. Yu Zihan directly questioned Yin Xue’s motive for insisting on following them back to Flaming Manor, asking if it was to escape pursuit. Yin Xue, unfazed, dismissed the idea of fleeing danger, or merely evaluating the manor's strength.
After a moment of thought, he claimed to be an old friend of their teacher, having returned after many years to help Flaming Manor, assuring Yu Zihan that their teacher would eventually explain everything. He added that dealing with an outsider was easier on their own territory. Lie Ruge returned to Flower Tasting Brothel to bid farewell to its residents.
She realized that both Master Youqin and Madam Hua had known her true identity all along, making her aware of the many hidden talents within the establishment. The following morning, the brothel sisters, dressed in their finest, gathered to send them off, wishing Yin Xue and Lie Ruge a safe journey. Yin Xue insisted on sharing a carriage with Lie Ruge. Although she initially refused, Lie Ruge eventually relented.
She later noticed the brothel girls’ deference towards Yin Xue and realized he was, in fact, the legendary big boss of Flower Tasting Brothel. Meanwhile, Yu Zihan’s subordinate gave Feng Xixi a token, assuring her that she could seek the prince’s help at Prince Jingyuan’s manor if she ever needed anything while he was at Flaming Manor.
Lie Ruge, concerned about her father's reaction to her trip, asked Yu Zihan if their father would scold her, but he playfully reminded her of her previous confidence. Dao Liexiang, captivated by Yin Xue’s retreating figure, watched him intently. Lei Jinghong approached her, mockingly commenting on her unrequited feelings for Yin Xue. He then proposed an alliance to investigate why Dao Liexiang’s two brothers, and his own Second Mother, sought to kill Yin Xue.
Lei Jinghong argued that understanding the truth would not only uncover Yin Xue's secrets but also allow Dao Liexiang to better protect him. Dao Liexiang, after initially threatening Lei Jinghong, agreed to the alliance, and together they caught up to the carriages. Upon their request to escort them to Flaming Manor and visit Sect Leader Lie Mingjing, Yu Zihan granted them permission to join the procession, ensuring they would reach Ping'an Town before nightfall.
As darkness fell, several masked figures appeared on a wall. Dao Liexiang confronted them, asserting Ping'an Town as World Swordless City’s territory. The figures revealed themselves, and Lie Ruge recognized their leader as Ji Jinglei, her Third Senior Brother from Flaming Manor, who had been sent by their father, Lie Mingjing, to welcome her back. Ji Jinglei, known for his formidable swordsmanship and fiery temper, expressed his concern over Lie Ruge's time in brothels.
Upon seeing the outsiders, Dao Liexiang and Lei Jinghong, accompanying Lie Ruge, Ji Jinglei politely but firmly suggested they leave, stating that only disciples of Flaming Manor were permitted entry. Dao Liexiang and Lei Jinghong remained unfazed, reminding him of their clans' long-standing good relations with Flaming Manor. Lie Ruge introduced Yin Xue as a guest she was bringing back, which Ji Jinglei accepted.
He then informed Yu Zihan that he had brought manor guards to replace the current grooms, implicitly attempting to remove the outsiders. Finally arriving at Flaming Manor, the group was met with a grand reception. Lie Mingjing, the Sect Leader, immediately recognized Yin Xue and playfully suggested Lie Ruge address him as "Uncle," due to their long acquaintance. Lie Mingjing then instructed Ji Jinglei to take Yin Xue to the Pear Courtyard, a special residence for VIPs.
Ji Jinglei explained to Yin Xue that the Pear Courtyard, known for its year-round blooming pear blossoms planted by an old immortal friend of Lie Mingjing, had been vacant for years, and Yin Xue was only the second guest to reside there. Lei Jinghong and Dao Liexiang, finding themselves also assigned to the Pear Courtyard due to a temporary lack of other guest rooms, grumbled at the arrangement.
Lei Jinghong teased Dao Liexiang about sharing quarters with Yin Xue, while they both discussed the impending drama surrounding Lie Ruge, Zhan Feng, and the succession of Flaming Manor. Lie Mingjing also allowed Dao Liexiang and Lei Jinghong to stay in the manor for a few days. Alone with Lie Ruge, Lie Mingjing expressed his relief at her safe return and asked about her time at Flower Tasting Brothel.
He then introduced her to Bi'er, his trusted subordinate and the Third Hall Leader of the Azure Dragon Hall, responsible for gathering intelligence outside the manor, instructing Bi'er to assist Lie Ruge when needed and to keep her identity secret. Lie Mingjing then directly asked if Lie Ruge had found a way to win back Zhan Feng. When she shook her head, his eyes hardened with resolve, and he declared he would ensure their marriage within the month.
However, Lie Ruge, though touched by her father’s concern, gently told him she didn't wish to force Zhan Feng into marriage. Upon her safe return, Lie Ruge immediately sought out Zhan Feng, finding him meditating under a powerful waterfall. Tears welling in her eyes, she called out his name, affirming her return and her constant thoughts of him during her absence. Zhan Feng approached her, embracing and kissing her passionately, almost suffocating her.
However, his expression suddenly darkened, and he mockingly questioned if this embrace was what she had learned at Flower Tasting Brothel, calling her 'bland.' Heartbroken by his insult, Lie Ruge slapped him. She confronted him about his drastic change two years ago, asking if it was due to another woman, and reminding him of her father's consent for their marriage and her willingness to overlook his past.
Zhan Feng, however, remained cold, declaring his firm intention to break off their engagement. Meanwhile, a distraught Zhan Feng returned to his courtyard. Ji Jinglei found him and reported Lie Ruge’s return, detailing her bringing back Yin Xue, the renowned beauty from Flower Tasting Brothel, who Lie Mingjing had treated as an old friend and housed in the Pear Courtyard. Zhan Feng immediately ordered an investigation into Yin Xue's background.
Ji Jinglei also tried to persuade Zhan Feng to marry Lie Ruge, reminding him of their shared past and his former joy at their engagement. However, Zhan Feng, consumed by his feelings for Ying Yi, sternly declared his intention to break off the engagement, stating he no longer had feelings for Lie Ruge.
Ying Yi, Lie Ruge’s former maid who had been reassigned to Zhan Feng's courtyard, also spoke to Zhan Feng, subtly defending Ji Jinglei but also affirming her devotion to him. Die Yi, another of Lie Ruge’s maids, who had always been close to Lie Ruge, held deep resentment towards Ying Yi for ruining her mistress's happiness. She made sure Ying Yi performed the most arduous chores in the courtyard.
Lei Jinghong, observing Die Yi’s harsh treatment of Ying Yi, commented on how the sight of someone bullying the weak ruined his mood, and later remarked that the maidservant (Ying Yi) was more interesting than her mistress. Later, Lie Ruge sought out Yin Xue in the Pear Courtyard, demanding to know how he knew about her and Zhan Feng, suspecting a secret plot. Yin Xue feigned forgetfulness before admitting he had lied earlier.
He confessed that he was being pursued by enemies and had deliberately tricked her into bringing him to Flaming Manor for protection, having researched her beforehand. When Lie Ruge challenged him, reminding him that he could have simply sought her father's help if they were truly old friends, Yin Xue commended her intelligence but reiterated his need for shelter. He then advised Lie Ruge to let go of Zhan Feng, suggesting that a man with a resolute mind like Zhan Feng could not be swayed from his decisions.
