The Moon Brightens for You Episode 26 Recap
> The Moon Brightens for You Recap
Wen You spoke with Lin Fang, expressing his concern about recent court turmoil and the possibility of Prime Minister Wang targeting the Wulin. He mentioned the assassination of several court officials in Jun'an, seemingly by Wulin members, and urged Lin Fang to be cautious, as his own official status limited his intervention. Wen You then asked about Zhan Qinghong, prompting Lin Fang to openly confess his affection for her and his intention to stay by her side forever.
Acknowledging their past rivalry for Zhan Qinghong and earlier disagreements, Wen You still assured Lin Fang that he considered him a good brother. Later, Princess Hua Yao confronted Wen You upon his return to the Consort's residence, suspecting he had been to the Lin House to meet Zhan Qinghong. Wen You defended his visit as merely checking on Lin Fang, who was injured. Annoyed by her constant questioning, he suggested she ask the Imperial Guards who followed him for details.
Hua Yao complained about his treatment, and her maid advised her against getting angry, reminding the Princess of her noble status and suggesting she approach Prime Minister Wang if she was worried about Zhan Qinghong's influence over Wen You. That same night, a restless Zhan Qinghong sought out Lin Fang to understand why he was teaching her the Seven-star swordsmanship.
Lin Fang initially responded with a playful suggestion that she could become the director's wife, which he joked would internally keep the martial art within the clan. He then revealed that the Ghost Three had killed both his father and her parents and martial brothers for the swordsmanship. He explained that the Seven-star swordsmanship was both a lure to draw out their elusive enemy, the King of Million Demons Wang Bucheng, and a powerful weapon.
Since he was unable to practice martial arts, he had chosen her to wield this crucial weapon. Zhan Qinghong understood and vowed to practice diligently to personally avenge their loved ones. However, immediately after her earnest promise, Lin Fang reiterated his proposal for her to become the wife of the director. Startled and exasperated, Zhan Qinghong abruptly left. Back in her room, Xiao Lan, ever curious, pressed Zhan Qinghong for details about her time with Lin Fang.
Zhan Qinghong admitted to feeling a strong, almost intuitive, connection with Lin Fang, which Xiao Lan interpreted as a deep "tacit understanding." Despite acknowledging Lin Fang's affection, Zhan Qinghong expressed her current inability to guarantee anything beyond repaying his kindness, leading Xiao Lan to lament Lin Fang's difficult romantic journey. Meanwhile, Princess Hua Yao, feeling threatened by Zhan Qinghong’s return, confided in Prime Minister Wang, her grandfather, about Wen You's continued interest in Zhan Qinghong.
Prime Minister Wang advised Hua Yao to adopt a strategy of "retreat for advancement," suggesting she appear magnanimous by seemingly accommodating Wen You's desires. He reminded her that she held ultimate authority within the Consort's residence. Lin Fang's subordinates reported on the various Wulin affairs, including the assassination of officials, the consolidation of the Zhou family's assets in Linzhou, and the successful management of Cangwu by Manager Qiu. Lin Fang instructed them to summon Qiu An to Jun'an.
Soon after, an invitation arrived from the Consort's residence for a banquet, where an imperial edict would be announced. Lin Fang offered Zhan Qinghong the choice to decline, but she, demonstrating a newfound maturity, insisted on attending for both official and personal reasons, believing it was her duty as his protector to be composed.
Upon entering the brightly lit Consort's residence, Zhan Qinghong remarked on its stark contrast to her previous, dark visit, expressing a hope that there wouldn't be a third. Huo Yang, always protective, assured her he would be ready to assist if any conflict arose. At the banquet, Princess Hua Yao began by commending the generals for their military contributions.
She then singled out Zhan Qinghong, reminiscing about their first encounter, implying a trivial past, and attempting to publicly link her to Wen You as a "martial sister" with deep affection. Zhan Qinghong deftly rebuffed these attempts, stating she didn't deserve such a title. Hua Yao then ordered Zhan Qinghong to kneel for the imperial edict. Huo Yang reacted with anger but was held back.
The edict, read by Hua Yao, bestowed titles like "Mighty Director" upon Lin Fang and awards to both, but simultaneously revoked their military general titles, a clear act of thinly veiled demotion. Huo Yang was outraged by this "kicking down the ladder," but Zhan Qinghong remained composed, explaining to him that, as Lin Fang once said, their service was for the people of Mianyang and the Xiao Empire, making such personal slights insignificant.
Hua Yao, noticing Lin Fang and Zhan Qinghong’s closeness, then proposed that she and Wen You toast them. Wen You attempted to politely decline. Undeterred, Hua Yao continued her provocations, praising Wen You's gentle nature and his kindness towards her, implicitly contrasting it with his behavior towards Zhan Qinghong. She then directly asked Zhan Qinghong if she had a lover or was engaged.
When Zhan Qinghong replied no, Hua Yao dramatically announced her intention to "give her a marriage" by taking her into the Consort's residence as Wen You's concubine. Huo Yang's fury erupted, and Wen You tried to intervene, calling the proposal inappropriate. Hua Yao insisted, emphasizing Zhan Qinghong's humble background and deeming it a great "fortune" for her. Lin Fang then stepped in, praising Zhan Qinghong's character and citing the Emperor's admiration for her as the "first female general."
Huo Yang outright accused Hua Yao and Wen You of collaborating to humiliate his master. To resolve the volatile situation, Lin Fang boldly declared that he and Zhan Qinghong were already engaged, explaining their secrecy. He elaborated that Zhan Qinghong, being a woman who valued freedom and life in the martial world, was unwilling to be bound by marriage and depend on a man.
He revealed that only his near-death experience saving her in Mianyang had earned her consent to marry him, and they had planned to announce their union once all current conflicts were settled. A surprised Huo Yang unintentionally confirmed their past arguments in the carriage were indeed about this very matter. Wen You looked distraught, while Hua Yao, though clearly displeased and threatening to punish any deception, allowed the banquet to conclude.
On the carriage ride back, Zhan Qinghong reflected on her unexpected tranquility regarding Wen You, playfully asking Lin Fang if her memory was poor for forgetting Wen You so quickly. Lin Fang, moving closer, gently reminded her of their "engagement" and "marry me" vows, explaining his fabrication at the banquet was to protect her from being forced into concubinage. Zhan Qinghong acknowledged his help but expressed concern over Hua Yao’s threat of punishment.
Lin Fang dismissed the threat, then sincerely asked if, with her heart now "empty," she could finally "fall in love with him." When Zhan Qinghong tried to deflect by mentioning his many admirers in Jun'an, Lin Fang countered with a heartfelt declaration: "I am interested in nothing but a single scoop of river water, even though I stand before the vast river," emphasizing his singular devotion. He even suggested they could move to a less crowded place after marriage.
Zhan Qinghong, flustered, accused him of being drunk and restless, telling him to stop looking, then teasingly asked why he had stopped. Upon their return, Lin Fang attempted to get Zhan Qinghong to eat with him, but she declined, suggesting he join Xiao Lan and Huo Yang instead, causing Lin Fang to lose his appetite. Xiao Lan, noticing the awkwardness, pressed Huo Yang for details.
He recounted the entire banquet, including the edict, Hua Yao’s proposal to make Zhan Qinghong Wen You's concubine, and Lin Fang's dramatic announcement of their engagement and declaration of singular love. Overjoyed by this news, Xiao Lan rushed to Zhan Qinghong, excitedly asking why she hadn't revealed such a significant event to her.
Zhan Qinghong tried to downplay Lin Fang’s words as mere assistance, but Xiao Lan, with genuine warmth, confided in her, expressing how Zhan Qinghong was the closest person to her since her parents' passing. Xiao Lan then earnestly urged Zhan Qinghong to accept Lin Fang, articulating her deep desire for Zhan Qinghong to find a partner who truly understood, protected, and would be with her forever.
Meanwhile, after Feng Bufei's failed attempt to capture the Seven-star swordsmanship, the Ghost Three — Feng Bufei, another demon, and their leader, the King of Million Demons Wang Bucheng — regrouped to devise a new plan. Wang Bucheng, admonishing Feng Bufei for his rashness, dismissed the idea of direct confrontation. Instead, he revealed his strategy of "killing someone with a borrowed knife" and "attacking the enemy by passing through a common neighbor" to subtly acquire the sword.
He then arranged a secret meeting between Zhong Buming and Ji Xiaoran. At this meeting, Zhong Buming presented Ji Xiaoran with an opportunity to avenge "Master Gu" and seize control of the Wulin from Lin Fang, whom Zhong Buming denounced as "cunning and treacherous." Separately, Xiahou Ying visited Wen Rou, bringing a peculiar "prescription" containing herbs with names that subtly hinted at a desire to "share the four seasons" and "be forever with me."
Wen Rou, discerning his romantic intentions, pretended not to understand, attributing the strange combination to a friend. Xiahou Ying then requested her presence at the Lin House to check on Lin Fang, bringing the prepared medicine with her. At the Lin House, Lin Fang skillfully diverted Zhan Qinghong to prevent her from learning about his poisoning. Wen Rou, however, informed Lin Fang that his heart pulse was significantly weaker, likening his life force to a "gossamer thread."
While she provided a medicine that could "suppress toxins," she clarified that "there is no cure" and warned of fatal consequences if the treatment was interrupted. Lin Fang grimly acknowledged his inevitable death, but resolute, stated that "it can't be now."
