The Flame's Daughter Episode 5 Recap
> The Flame's Daughter Recap
In the early morning, as Lie Ruge approached the river where Ying Yi was doing laundry, she observed her carefully. Lie Ruge inquired about the origins of Ying Yi's martial arts. Ying Yi demurely claimed that Zhan Feng, seeing her frail, had taught her only a few simple moves.
Lie Ruge retorted, expressing her surprise that such simple techniques could employ Qi as a sword to block her vital points, enabling Ying Yi to feign a pitiful scene, and sarcastically suggesting Ying Yi was a martial arts genius. Ying Yi's eyes flashed with anger as she realized they were alone.
She dropped her pretense and, in a low voice, accused Lie Ruge of being shameless, asserting that if it weren't for Lie Ruge's father, Lie Mingjing, she would have become the mistress of Maple Courtyard long ago. Ying Yi further claimed that Lie Ruge used her father to coerce Zhan Feng into marriage. Lie Ruge thanked Ying Yi, stating that her words had helped her make a decision.
She explained that she had initially believed Zhan Feng loved Ying Yi for her kind nature despite her past, but now realized he would abandon her for someone like Ying Yi. Ying Yi retaliated, declaring that if Lie Ruge hadn't been born into Flaming Manor as Lie Mingjing's daughter, Zhan Feng would never have married her.
Lie Ruge calmly accepted this as fact, whether out of envy or jealousy, and mockingly offered her blessings, hoping Ying Yi could continue to hide the truth from Zhan Feng and that they would be happy. Ying Yi, infuriated, accused Lie Ruge of jealousy. Lie Ruge then slapped Ying Yi, explaining it was a "gift" to help Ying Yi maintain her pitiable image, especially with maids watching, and whispered that the slap was on behalf of Die Yi.
That night, Lie Ruge approached Yin Xue's door. Yin Xue was in seclusion due to his recurring cold attacks around the Mid-Autumn Festival. From inside, Yin Xue asked why she wasn't preparing for the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet. Lie Ruge confessed her fear that Zhan Feng would publicly annul their engagement, disappointing her father. Yin Xue astutely pointed out that her greater fear was confronting the truth. Lie Ruge was momentarily speechless, marveling at his deep understanding despite his confinement.
She then asked Yin Xue his true purpose for being in Flaming Manor. Yin Xue declared his desire to be her strategist and secure her a lifetime of peace and safety. Lie Ruge, after a moment, said she would attend the banquet and see him there.
Despite his painful condition, Yin Xue insisted on attending the biennial grand banquet, telling his disciple that tonight, either Lie Mingjing or Zhan Feng would make a move, and Lie Ruge was the most innocent party. At the banquet, Lie Mingjing stood before the ancestral tablets, solemnly declaring that he would resolve a long-standing matter that evening.
Yin Xue arrived, enduring his pain, and found a seat near Lie Ruge, subtly teasing her about the possibility of others misunderstanding their closeness. Shortly after, Zhan Feng arrived with Ying Yi, openly seating her beside him, causing murmurs among the guests. Lie Ruge, drowning her sorrows, poured large bowls of wine, while Yu Zihan watched her with concern. Chief Steward Yi expressed concern about decorum, but others excused Zhan Feng, claiming Ying Yi was injured.
Lie Mingjing then announced his intention to formalize the marriage between his daughter and Zhan Feng on the Double Ninth Festival next month. Zhan Feng immediately interjected with a firm "No." Yi Lang reminded him of the severe consequences for disobeying the Sect Leader. When Lie Mingjing demanded a reason, Lie Ruge intervened with a forced smile, declaring that she no longer loved Zhan Feng and was willing to accept any punishment.
Seizing the opportunity, Yin Xue embraced Lie Ruge, stating that she loved him, implying their true affection. As the guests attempted to mediate the situation, Yu Zihan also spoke up, urging his teacher not to rebuke Lie Ruge. Lie Mingjing then asked Yi Lang to make a decision. Yi Lang diplomatically stated that Lie Ruge was speaking to her father, not the Sect Leader, suggesting it was a family matter.
Lie Mingjing, his face etched with anger, conceded that he had misunderstood his daughter's feelings. He declared the three-year-old engagement between Lie Ruge and Zhan Feng canceled and strictly forbade any further mention of the matter. Lie Ruge, despite the outcome, was visibly devastated, though she assured Yu Zihan she was fine. The next morning, Lie Ruge visited Zhan Feng, carrying a delicate wooden box.
Zhan Feng questioned her continued cruelty and confessed his deep, long-standing love for her, admitting he had even forgotten what exactly he loved about her, only knowing that he did. He pressed her on whether she had ever loved him and challenged her to voice all the unspoken things from the previous night. Lie Ruge then declared she had come to return his gift.
She presented him with the box, containing a few dried lotus leaves, stating that from then on, they would only be senior and junior disciples, with no other connection. Later, Lie Ruge went to a lotus pond, recalling a past birthday when Zhan Feng had spent three days and nights planting lotus flowers for her, presenting her with fourteen pink blooms and promising to care for and protect her.
Now, the pond was desolate and withered, with not a single lotus leaf left, a reflection of their broken past. As the Double Ninth Festival approached, guests and leaders arrived with numerous gifts. Yin Xue had arranged for maidservants from his Flower Tasting Brothel to decorate Pear Courtyard, causing some consternation among the manor staff, including Ji, the steward.
Lie Mingjing explained that Yin Xue's intention was to create an unforgettable festival for Lie Ruge, and the maidservants would depart afterward. Yu Zihan, still concerned for Lie Ruge, asked Xuan Huang for gift ideas. Xuan Huang boldly suggested that Yu Zihan propose marriage to Lie Mingjing, which would both uphold Flaming Manor's reputation and fulfill Yu Zihan's long-held desire. However, Yu Zihan, looking at his wheelchair-bound legs, expressed his reluctance to burden Lie Ruge.
Lie Ruge, urged by her maids, decided to celebrate the Double Ninth Festival in Pear Courtyard, away from Maple Courtyard and its sad memories, and to experience Yin Xue's lavish arrangements. Upon seeing the extravagant decorations, she teased Yin Xue, asking if he had moved his entire Flower Tasting Brothel to Flaming Manor. Yin Xue offered her a taste of a new spice, pepper from Magadha, and then asked why she seemed so distant after their public declaration of love.
Lie Ruge reminded him that their declaration was merely an "excuse," but Yin Xue insisted he took it seriously. Lie Ruge confessed she found it hard to discern his true feelings, and challenged him to answer her questions honestly. She questioned his immense wealth, the source of his martial arts, the existence of the Ethereality Clique, and his rumored ability to become a deity.
Yin Xue promised to answer if she drank more, saying the more she drank, the more secrets she would uncover. Later, as Lie Ruge sat in melancholic thought, Yin Xue gently urged her to start anew after tonight. She then asked him to use his skill from Ethereality Peak to manifest something from the abstract into concrete, something she had never seen.
Yin Xue conjured "Flowing Fire," describing it as the most beautiful yet also the most evil thing in the world. Meanwhile, Lei Jinghong, still searching for his younger sister, had Xun Yi gather maidservants from Linze who matched his sister’s age and background. When Die Yi, who fit most of the criteria, stepped forward, Lei Jinghong created a false condition, claiming his sister had a birthmark on her left ear, which Die Yi lacked.
Die Yi, disheartened, concluded she couldn't be his sister. Later, Lei Jinghong confronted Xun Yi, who revealed he knew Die Yi was their "Second Mother's" daughter and that Lei Jinghong had fabricated the birthmark. Lei Jinghong explained that he hadn't acknowledged Die Yi because he feared their ruthless "Second Mother" and her unknown intentions.
He had initially planned to take Die Yi away, but now believed Flaming Manor was the safest place for her, given Lie Ruge's kindness towards her maidservants, and decided to wait until he had fully investigated his Second Mother's true motives.
