The Moon Brightens for You Episode 22 Recap
> The Moon Brightens for You Recap
Huo Yang engaged in a bet to fight seven military captains, with the losing party responsible for washing all the soldiers' socks in the camp. While Luo Wu, one of the captains, openly disdained Huo Yang as an inexperienced youth, and General Gao Jianhua worried Huo Yang might get injured, Huo Yang swiftly defeated all seven captains in just a few moves. Though initially unwilling to concede, the captains, bruised from the fight, verbally submitted.
General Gao Jianhua then formally introduced Lin Fang as Mingwei General Lin Fang and Zhan Qinghong as Guerilla General Zhan Qinghong, announcing that Zhan Qinghong would now serve as the new chief instructor of the Mianyang garrison, tasked with training the captains. Luo Wu immediately challenged Zhan Qinghong's authority, questioning why he should obey her. Zhan Qinghong met his defiance with a direct challenge to fight again.
Lin Fang then laid down two rules for the garrison: first, various regional garrisons must not target each other, and captains must live harmoniously, fostering camaraderie; second, training would commence at dawn the following day. Zhan Qinghong then reminded the defeated captains, specifically Luo Wu, to fulfill their part of the bet by washing all the camp's socks under Huo Yang's supervision. In the ensuing days, Zhan Qinghong and Lin Fang worked together seamlessly to discipline the captains.
Zhan Qinghong, despite being a woman, employed strict and rigorous training methods that quickly brought Luo Wu and the others into line. Luo Wu, though grumbling about "bean sprout" generals, secretly practiced his light-body skills at night. Observing him, Zhan Qinghong offered guidance, helping him overcome his psychological barriers and emphasizing that victory required unity and trust among comrades. Deeply moved by her words and help, Luo Wu shed his resentment and began to genuinely respect her authority.
Xiao Lan, being the only woman in the barracks, received much unwanted attention. Soldiers frequently tried to curry favor with her by offering help with chores, but Huo Yang would chase them away with a stern expression. Once, after soldiers enthusiastically helped Xiao Lan dry clothes, she offered to wash their dirty, smelly garments, only to recoil from the overpowering odor.
Huo Yang then tasked Luo Wu, who was already responsible for the camp's socks, with washing the rest of the laundry, further emphasizing Huo Yang's protective nature toward Xiao Lan. Meanwhile, Zhan Qinghong continued to write letters to Wen You, unaware of his marriage. Xiao Lan, tasked with delivering these letters to Lin Fang, expressed concern that Wen You's lack of response might arouse Zhan Qinghong's suspicion. Lin Fang assured her that he would manage the situation.
Shortly after Xiao Lan departed, Feng Bufei infiltrated the barracks, seeking to steal the Seven-star swordsmanship manual. Lin Fang, recognizing Feng Bufei, was enraged and intended to settle old scores. Feng Bufei, however, quickly incapacitated Lin Fang with a swift strike and began searching his tent. Just then, General Gao Jianhua and his subordinates entered to report that Du Zeng's army was on the move.
They found Lin Fang unconscious, and as they tended to him, Feng Bufei slipped away undetected. Upon regaining consciousness, Lin Fang's first concern was the manual. After receiving a more detailed report that Du Zeng's army was rapidly approaching and ordering the troops to prepare for battle, he immediately began altering the manual's contents with his brush and ink to create a fake version.
Feng Bufei, having failed to locate the original manual, left with a frustrated vow to steal it another time. In Jun'an, Wen You languished in a state of despair, finding his only solace in secretly reading Zhan Qinghong's letters. He often sought escape by drinking alone by the Qinhuai Riverside. Xiahou Ying, having recently found peace through Wen Rou's counsel, urged Wen You to abandon his melancholy and pursue a meaningful career.
Xiahou Ying highlighted the severe internal and external threats facing the Xiao Empire, from the ailing emperor and corrupt officials to the aggressive West Yan Kingdom. He implored Wen You to set aside personal grievances and embrace his responsibility to the country, encouraging him to fight for justice. Wen You listened, reflective but still burdened by his circumstances. Back at the camp, Zhan Qinghong, still without a reply from Wen You, questioned Lin Fang about the delay.
Lin Fang reassured her that communication was difficult due to the war and promised to inform her once he received news. During a discussion about military strategy, Lin Fang noticed dirt on Zhan Qinghong's face and gently wiped it away. This gesture was unfortunately observed by some soldiers, who began gossiping that Lin Fang and Zhan Qinghong shared a homosexual relationship. Luo Wu, hearing these comments, fiercely defended Zhan Qinghong's honor, resulting in a physical altercation with the gossiping soldiers.
The fight interrupted Lin Fang’s strategic meeting, prompting him to intervene. He found Luo Wu fighting fellow soldiers. Despite pleas from General Gao Jianhua and others to investigate the cause, Lin Fang strictly applied military law for disturbing discipline, ordering Luo Wu to receive one hundred strokes and be publicly displayed for two days. Soon after, Zhan Qinghong received a letter, seemingly from Wen You, containing only four words: "Everything is fine."
She gazed at it for a long time, touched by the brief message. Learning of Luo Wu's severe punishment for defending her honor, Zhan Qinghong rushed to his side. Despite Luo Wu's protests, she insisted on being tied up alongside him, publicly declaring that her own leniency in training was to blame and that she intended to teach them about true camaraderie.
She then clearly stated that she and Lin Fang were not in a romantic relationship, validating Luo Wu's defense of her. Her solidarity deeply moved Luo Wu and the other soldiers. Lin Fang, witnessing her impulsive act, felt a mixture of anger and deep concern for her well-being. Meanwhile, Princess Hua Yao approached her grandfather, Wang Dun, to secure an official position for Wen You.
Despite the customary restriction on emperors' sons-in-law participating in politics, Wang Dun, moved by Hua Yao's plea, agreed to request the emperor to appoint Wen You as a Jijiu Sanqi Changshi (Senior Attendant-in-ordinary), the highest ceremonial rank for such a position. Hua Yao excitedly informed Wen You of his new prestigious title. However, Wen You remained detached and indifferent, which deeply pained Hua Yao.
She confronted him about his coldness and frequent absences since their marriage, tearfully confessing her lifelong loneliness and how he had been her only companion. Touched by her vulnerability, Wen You softened and promised to stop avoiding her and spending so much time away from home.
