The Romance of Hua Rong 2 Episode 10 Recap
> The Romance of Hua Rong 2 Recap
The annual Dawn Festival was a lively affair, filled with celebrations. Duanmu Bai and Hua Rong, known as General Hua Jr. , were present to spread spices and pray for everyone. Duanmu Bai delivered a speech, reflecting on his ten years in Tianchu, considering it his second home, and expressing his heartfelt wish for peace between Tianchu and South Desolation, so that their people would no longer suffer from war.
Next, they were to leave their handprints on a scroll painting. Hua Rong was visibly uncomfortable, prompting Duanmu Bai to remind her that such public appearances would be common after their marriage. Hua Rong, surprised, wondered if he was truly falling for her, but Duanmu Bai only smiled in response. After placing their handprints, they began the spice-spreading ritual.
Hua Rong noticed Duanmu Bai's subordinate hand him a scroll, making her suspect he intended to propose with it, much like Jin Yiwen had, and she resolved to flee as soon as the opportunity arose. Meanwhile, Qin Shangcheng had made his own plans. Ling, curious why Qin would act alone, spotted what she thought was Qin Shangcheng. Upon closer inspection, she realized it was Qian Dayou, disguised in Qin Shangcheng’s clothes and sporting his hairstyle.
Qian Dayou then launched into a series of flowery declarations, comparing Ling to strong wine and professing his deep admiration. Unimpressed, Ling dismissed his words as nonsense and walked away. Zhang Xian, having observed Qian Dayou "flattering the princess" instead of focusing on their mission, reported to Qin Shangcheng, who simply told him to let Qian enjoy himself for a while longer, but to continue keeping watch. As the prayers began, a group of assassins infiltrated the crowd.
Zhang Xian quickly noticed several suspicious individuals focused on Hua Rong and reported to Qin Shangcheng. Qin deduced they were there to disrupt the royal intermarriage and instructed Zhang Xian and Qian Dayou to deal with them discreetly to avoid panic. Qian Dayou, who was initially hoping to confront Ling, saw the assassins and quickly moved Ling to safety before engaging them.
Qian Dayou and Zhang Xian managed to capture the leader of the assassins, but the individual committed suicide by poison, plunging the festival into chaos. Despite the ensuing panic, Qin Shangcheng, using the unique scent of Hua Rong’s rose oil, jasmine extract, and narcissus absolute, located her amidst the crowd and led her away to a secluded spot. Hua Rong’s guard, Yan Qing, apologized for the disaster, but Hua Rong reassured him, mentioning a previous assassination attempt in Hai City.
Qin then instructed Zhang Xian to assist the Vice-City Keeper in calming the citizens and treating the wounded. As dawn approached, Qin Shangcheng and Hua Rong reached the mountain top, where they witnessed a breathtaking sunrise. Hua Rong was overjoyed by the beautiful scenery. At this moment, Qin Shangcheng removed his eye patch, finally regaining his sight.
He told Hua Rong he found her by her scent and gazed at her, declaring he saw "a lady more beautiful than the sunrise." They shared a passionate kiss, a moment witnessed by Ling, who had followed them up the mountain, hoping to confess her feelings to Qin Shangcheng. Heartbroken, Ling was told by Qian Dayou that she could never win the affection of someone who didn't love her, just as one couldn't wake someone pretending to be asleep.
He then revealed that Qin Shangcheng and Hua Rong had been secretly married for the greater good of Tianchu, a sacrifice for their people. Ling, deeply moved and impressed by their selfless act, decided to let go of her feelings for Qin. Qian Dayou then confessed that the gilt hairpin Qin Shangcheng had given her was actually from him, but he couldn't bring himself to say the words himself. Ling, playfully accepting his intentions, declared him her "playmate."
Moments later, Duanmu Bai arrived at the mountain top, only to see Qin and Hua Rong in their joyful embrace. Though his meticulously prepared painting for a proposal had been rendered useless by the turn of events, he reaffirmed his conviction that once in South Desolation, no one would be able to take his "Little White Dove" from him.
Back with the mission, Wang uncle informed them that the Dawn Festival incident was undoubtedly linked to the royal intermarriage, urging an immediate departure for South Desolation. He also conveyed His Majesty’s directive for the mission to secure a truce, ensure South Desolation's troop withdrawal, and safely bring back the prince consort, Nie Yu. Qin Shangcheng, however, harbored doubts, believing they would not easily relinquish the prince consort and that the journey to South Desolation would be perilous.
Despite his concerns, Wang uncle expressed his unwavering faith in Qin Shangcheng’s leadership. Hua Rong then received a letter from her father, which Wang uncle stated held the key to turning the tide of their mission. Wang uncle also mentioned that for the mission, he had replaced some of the staff with Tianchu soldiers as per His Majesty's orders, a decision Qin Shangcheng readily accepted, considering Wang uncle a trusted ally.
The royal intermarriage mission then embarked on their journey and arrived in South Desolation. Duanmu Bai, returning to his homeland after a decade, expressed his desire for Hua Rong to visit Prince Mu's Residence, suggesting it would soon be her new home. Qin Shangcheng swiftly intervened, stating that until the official marriage, Hua Rong's only home remained Tianchu, thus preventing Duanmu Bai from taking her.
Upon entering South Desolation, the mission was met with hostility, with locals insulting them and attempting to shame them. Qin Shangcheng and his team maintained their composure, acknowledging that two nations at war would inevitably harbor resentment. However, when challenged by a group known as the "Three Swordsmen in the capital," Qin Shangcheng displayed his formidable skills, quickly subduing them all, asserting Tianchu’s dignity and leaving no doubt about his power.
He warned Lieutenant General Zou Yitian, Duanmu Qincang's trusted aide, that next time, those who spoke out of turn would lose more than just teeth. Ling remarked on Qin's enhanced abilities since regaining his sight, while Qian Dayou proudly declared he could do the same. Upon Duanmu Bai's return to Prince Mu's Residence, his father, Duanmu Qincang, questioned him about his ten years as a hostage in Tianchu, probing for any resentment.
Duanmu Bai, demonstrating his maturity, assured his father he was not anxious. Duanmu Qincang then received news of a "victory" from the palace. Duanmu Bai shrewdly deduced that his father’s secret return was for grain supplies, and that Qin Shangcheng’s recent display of force in the city would provoke public hostility in South Desolation towards Tianchu. This, he reasoned, would force their Emperor to supply grains, providing them an opportunity to launch an attack during the peace talks.
Duanmu Qincang praised his son’s intelligence. He acknowledged that Qin Shangcheng was a formidable opponent, and since their objective of obtaining the Rapier had been exposed, he hinted that the royal intermarriage would require a "pawn." That evening, the Tianchu mission was settled into guest rooms, and a banquet was arranged.
However, when Wang uncle inquired about the prince consort's presence, Lieutenant General Zou Yitian claimed Nie Yu was ill and had been moved to the palace for treatment, and thus was unavailable. This raised Qin Shangcheng’s suspicions about South Desolation’s sincerity and Nie Yu's true whereabouts. Wang uncle then planned to use his opportunity to present His Majesty's gifts at the palace that evening to investigate the prince consort's location.
Later, at the banquet, Duanmu Bai publicly declared his love for Hua Rong, referring to her as his "Little White Dove" and presenting her with balloon flowers, which he said symbolized "eternal love" in South Desolation. Hua Rong, however, clarified that in Tianchu, the flower symbolized "hopeless love," and gracefully declined the offering. Unfazed, Duanmu Bai then announced that by imperial edict, his marriage to Hua Rong would take place the very next day.
Hua Rong was furious, accusing Duanmu Bai of disrespect and asserting that the sudden change treated her and their marriage as a mere game and her as a pawn in their political games. To test his sincerity, she demanded a trial marriage.
Meanwhile, Ling and her "Fairy Spy" team, having infiltrated South Desolation with Little Zhu, discovered through their contact "Xing" at a brothel called "Utopia" (an intelligence station established by Shangguan Hong's backer), that the prince consort was indeed being held in Prince Mu's Residence.
Upon learning this crucial information, Qin Shangcheng understood Hua Rong's true intention: the trial marriage was a delay tactic to gain entry into Prince Mu's Residence and rescue Nie Yu, a "kill two birds with one stone" strategy. He agreed to the plan. Duanmu Bai, misinterpreting Hua Rong’s request as a sign of her earnestness to secure their relationship, happily consented to the trial marriage.
Duanmu Qincang, however, saw through Hua Rong's deception and decided to use her plan against her. Duanmu Qincang then confronted Wang uncle, revealing his knowledge of Wang uncle’s treachery: selling Tianchu’s grain distribution map, betraying the prince consort, ordering Shangguan Hong to assassinate Hua Rong at Qinghong Villa to prevent the marriage, and establishing the corrupt "Utopia" intelligence network in the capital.
Duanmu Qincang presented Wang uncle with two choices: cooperate and receive wealth beyond measure, or be killed after learning his identity. Later, Qian Dayou, confident in his charm, was dismayed to find Ling and Little Zhu drinking together in Ling's room, not fighting over him as he had initially hoped. Ling and Little Zhu, having bonded and shared drinks, invited Ling to join the "Fairy Spy" team.
Qian Dayou was then sent to fetch more wine, grumbling about how drinking was bad for his health and caused him trouble. At the end of the night, Qin Shangcheng found Hua Rong still awake. Their quiet moment was interrupted by Zhang Xian and a disguised Qian Dayou, whom Qin Shangcheng lightly chastised for their "clumsy imitation" of guards. Qin also learned that Qian Dayou had gambled and fled after losing to Zhang Xian. Qin sternly reminded them that gambling among brothers harmed their friendship and forbade further such activities.
