The Flame's Daughter Episode 4 Recap
> The Flame's Daughter Recap
At Pear Garden, Lie Ruge confessed her heartache to Yin Xue, recalling a time when she and Zhan Feng were happy. She recounted how he abruptly changed two years prior, bringing home a delicate brothel lady and declaring his intention to break their engagement, which led Lie Ruge to visit Flower Tasting Brothel to understand women like her, though she gained no insights. Despite everything, she still wished to offer her sincere heart to Zhan Feng.
Yin Xue remarked that if she was so unhappy, she should let him go, believing that a man like Zhan Feng, once resolute, could not be swayed. Lie Ruge questioned how he could not understand such feelings, referencing his past words in Louyang that suggested he knew Zhan Feng’s hidden difficulties.
Yin Xue then cautioned that rebuilding their past relationship would be a hundred times harder than simply letting go, but Lie Ruge insisted she was willing to put in the greatest effort to try one more time. Yin Xue observed that instead of learning any tricks from the brothel, she chose the "stupid method" of directly showing her heart, gambling that if he still loved her, he wouldn't hurt her, and testing her place in his heart.
He then asked her what she would do if she truly believed Zhan Feng had changed his heart, to which Lie Ruge firmly replied she would "drive him out of her heart." Later, Lie Ruge wondered if she appeared foolish for her persistent efforts, and Yin Xue responded that without trying, she would never fully give up. When she asked when she could willingly let go, he assured her she would know when the time came.
Meanwhile, Lei Jinghong, restless at Flaming Manor, sought Yin Xue's help to prolong his stay. He proposed a deal, promising that if Yin Xue assisted him, no one from Thunderbolt Clique would trouble him after he left the manor. Yin Xue offered a pill, explaining that it would simulate poisoning, making diagnosis difficult for ordinary doctors, but the effects would naturally subside after half a month. He questioned if this would be helpful to Lei Jinghong.
Lei Jinghong was intrigued but also wary of Yin Xue’s seemingly ruthless and scheming nature, asking if the pill was truly effective. Yin Xue simply told him to try it. Lei Jinghong, without revealing the pill's true nature, tricked Dao Liexiang into taking it by daring her and claiming it would help them stay longer at Flaming Manor. She ingested the pill, leading to severe symptoms of illness.
As a result, the Flaming Manor allowed them to extend their stay for Dao Liexiang’s recovery. Dao Liexiang, still suspicious of Lei Jinghong’s true intentions despite his assurances that the pill was merely a temporary ruse to justify their prolonged presence, pressured him to reveal his real motive. Under threat of exposing him to Yi Lang, Lei Jinghong confessed his secret mission: he was searching for his younger half-sister.
He explained that his Second Mother had given birth to a daughter nineteen years ago, who was said to have died shortly after. However, after noticing his Second Mother's strange behavior, he investigated and discovered the girl had survived, raised as an orphan before being sent to Flaming Manor at the age of seven or eight.
Dao Liexiang immediately suggested asking Lie Ruge for help, but Lei Jinghong cautioned against it, explaining that the revelation of a Thunderbolt Clique daughter residing in Flaming Manor would be an "atrocious" scandal, urging them to conduct their search discreetly. Back at Flaming Manor, Lie Ruge learned that Xun Yi had assigned heavy chores to Ying Yi, a brothel lady brought in by Zhan Feng.
Concerned this would further alienate Zhan Feng, Lie Ruge rushed to the riverside where Ying Yi was washing clothes. Seeing Ying Yi’s pitiful state, Lie Ruge softened and offered to help. However, as Lie Ruge reached for the clothes, Ying Yi subtly struck her wrist’s acupoint. Lie Ruge instinctively pushed her away, causing Ying Yi to fall. Just then, Zhan Feng arrived.
Die Yi immediately defended Lie Ruge, insisting Ying Yi slipped, but Zhan Feng silenced her and, believing Lie Ruge was at fault, harshly criticized her. When Die Yi tried to awaken Ying Yi, Zhan Feng struck her across the chest. Lie Ruge, tearful and hurt, tried to confront him, but Yu Zihan, witnessing the scene from a bridge, intervened, stopping her.
Lie Ruge then asked Yu Zihan if she could bring the injured Die Yi to his Bamboo Courtyard for recovery, and he agreed. Later, Lie Ruge confided in Die Yi and Xun Yi, still believing Zhan Feng might be in some predicament, while her maids insisted he was merely "bewitched" and not worthy of her affection. Lie Ruge vowed not to embarrass anyone in front of her family elders.
Word reached Ji Jinghong that Die Yi and Xun Yi had entered Bamboo Courtyard, a forbidden area within the manor. He hurried to the entrance but waited outside, visibly relieved when Die Yi eventually emerged, seemingly well. He commented that Zhan Feng must have held back, as he expected Die Yi to be bedridden for at least half a month. Xun Yi, however, attributed Die Yi’s quick recovery to Yu Zihan's effective medicine.
Later, Ji Jinghong and Xun Yi debated Zhan Feng's actions; Ji Jinghong tried to defend Zhan Feng as a good person, but Xun Yi criticized Zhan Feng for hurting Die Yi for a maid and prioritizing his own interests. Xun Yi then directly challenged Ji Jinghong's loyalty to Zhan Feng, suggesting he should simply stay with him. In response, Ji Jinghong, in a rare display of emotion, declared he would marry Xun Yi.
Lie Mingjing summoned Zhan Feng, offering him the Flaming Token, a symbol of the Sect Leader’s authority, on the condition that he marry Lie Ruge. Zhan Feng refused the offer, declaring that if Lie Mingjing continued to pressure him, he would abandon everything at Flaming Manor and leave with Ying Yi. Lie Ruge, who had secretly overheard the entire conversation, was heartbroken and urged her father to drop the matter.
The following morning, with Lie Mingjing in seclusion, Zhan Feng presided over the morning meeting, a role he had previously held alone, though Yu Zihan was also present as ordered by Lie Mingjing. Lie Ruge arrived later with snacks for the elders, one of whom mistakenly offered an "advance gift" for her wedding to Zhan Feng.
As Zhan Feng attempted to clarify their situation, Yu Zihan, surprising everyone by speaking, immediately declared that he had already sought Lie Mingjing's permission to marry Lie Ruge, aiming to prevent Zhan Feng from publicly announcing the annulment of his engagement. This unexpected announcement stunned all present, especially Zhan Feng, who questioned if Yu Zihan was joking.
Later, Lie Ruge privately confronted Yu Zihan, asking if his announcement was a pretense to save her from embarrassment, which he confirmed was true. Yu Zihan then confronted Zhan Feng in his courtyard, cautioning him to reconsider his actions. Yu Zihan explained that breaking off the engagement would severely damage Zhan Feng’s reputation, leading people to accuse him of being unfaithful and disrespectful, which would undoubtedly jeopardize his position as the successor to Flaming Manor.
Ji Jinghong echoed Yu Zihan’s concerns, advising Zhan Feng against letting emotions dictate such foolish decisions. Zhan Feng, however, remained defiant, asking what if he did disappoint them. Yu Zihan bluntly told him that if he did, he would not be fit to lead Flaming Manor. Zhan Feng retorted that his fitness to lead was not Yu Zihan's decision. Later, at a cliffside amidst a downpour, Zhan Feng practiced his sword under a waterfall.
As Lie Ruge arrived, accompanied by Ying Yi holding an umbrella, Zhan Feng deliberately took the umbrella from Ying Yi, embraced her, and walked away, leaving a tearful Lie Ruge to watch in despair.
