The Romance of Hua Rong 2 Episode 13 Recap
> The Romance of Hua Rong 2 Recap
General Hua continued to prevent Qin Shangcheng and Hua Rong from spending their wedding night together, insisting on a formal ceremony first. The previous night, Qin Shangcheng was caught attempting to sneak into Hua Rong's room. The next morning, Qin Shangcheng, along with Zhang Xian and Qian Dayou, prepared breakfast for Hua Rong, but General Hua was still keeping a close eye on him. Later, Hua Rong found Qin Shangcheng in her bed.
He playfully explained he was there to "warm her bed" and assured her that he had a substitute in his own bed, so her father wouldn't notice. Meanwhile, General Hua, who believed Qin Shangcheng suffered from "sleepwalking" and was trying to 'cure' him, checked Qin Shangcheng's bed and was surprised to find Qian Dayou snoring loudly in his place. Qin Shangcheng later woke up to find himself bound in an unfamiliar room.
A woman named May introduced herself, explaining that she had drugged him with a "strength elimination powder." She confessed that she was captivated by his "handsome, chivalrous, and dashing" appearance on the street and had brought him home for a "romance." She dismissed his mention of having a wife, explaining that her tribe's customs were women-dominated, valuing freedom above traditional marriage, and that a man's willingness was irrelevant.
Qin Shangcheng, however, firmly declared his unwavering loyalty to his wife, urging May to maintain her self-respect. May remained undeterred, asserting that he would eventually come to enjoy himself. Just as she began to unbutton her clothes, Hua Rong and General Hua unexpectedly arrived. General Hua revealed that May's actions were all part of a test for Qin Shangcheng, which he had successfully passed. The group then traveled to Mermaid Bay, the ancestral home of Hua Rong's mother's tribe.
May, who was the tribal matriarch's granddaughter and a descendant of the Mermaid tribe, apologized to Hua Rong and Qin Shangcheng for her earlier behavior, which they graciously accepted. General Hua announced that they would hold the formal wedding ceremony there to honor Hua Rong's mother, and May had already prepared the wedding room for them.
He praised the bay's scenic beauty and pleasant climate, suggesting it was an ideal place for young couples, and encouraged Qin Shangcheng and Hua Rong to extend their stay for several days. He then playfully hinted that Hua Rong herself was conceived during his stay there with her mother, causing Hua Rong to blush. Qin Shangcheng expressed his gratitude for the thoughtful arrangements. However, General Hua then presented "another test," which immediately drew a protest from Hua Rong.
General Hua clarified that he had received an edict to return to the capital and escort the Sixth Princess. He would be departing the very next morning, leaving him only one night to share a drink with Qin Shangcheng and discuss "men's matters," asking Hua Rong to retire to her room. Hua Rong reluctantly agreed.
That evening, as they shared drinks, General Hua confided in Qin Shangcheng, explaining that his various "tests" were meant to ascertain Qin Shangcheng's true feelings for Hua Rong. He spoke of having witnessed many men change their demeanor after marriage and expressed his deep love and lingering worry for his only daughter as she married.
Qin Shangcheng earnestly reassured him, stating he would willingly face any further trials and vowed to cherish Hua Rong more than his own life, ensuring she would never suffer any slight. General Hua was visibly moved and placed his complete trust in Qin Shangcheng. Meanwhile, that evening, the Sixth Princess shared a drink with Qian Dayou and Zhang Xian.
She lamented the constraints of her royal status and revealed her imminent return to the palace the following day, taking Nie Yu's ashes to their homeland. Qian Dayou, showing his devotion, offered to be her "ride" and take her anywhere she wished. The next morning, the Sixth Princess bid farewell to Hua Rong, expressing her wish to travel with them but acknowledging her duties. Hua Rong reassured her that she would eventually find someone who truly understood and cherished her.
Later that morning, Qian Dayou, who had overslept, received a message from the princess delivered by Zhang Xian, playfully calling him a "little donkey" but implying affection, prompting Qian Dayou to vow to win her heart. Elsewhere, Duanmu Qingcang, stripped of his title as Prince Mu and imprisoned, spoke secretly with his son, Duanmu Bai.
Duanmu Qingcang instructed Duanmu Bai to prioritize obtaining the Holy Sword, entering the secret chamber to retrieve the previous emperor's last will, and, with it, to depose the current incompetent emperor to save their people from turmoil. Duanmu Bai solemnly agreed. After his father was taken away, Duanmu Bai expressed deep remorse for the fallen Lan Tian, whom he considered a brother, blaming his own impulsiveness for Lan Tian's death and the dire situation of their family.
He vowed to take revenge for Lan Tian, rescue his father, and protect the entire Mu family, stating that from then on, he would prioritize obtaining the previous emperor's edict above all else, no longer being swayed by anyone or anything. As General Hua departed for the capital with the Sixth Princess, Hua Rong and Qin Shangcheng explored the region.
While having a meal, they overheard a storyteller recounting a tale about the son of the Holy Alliance's Saintess reappearing in Jianghu. The storyteller claimed he was issuing calls for scattered members to attend a Holy Alliance Assembly in Shengcheng to elect a new leader, with the Holy Island Token serving as the admission ticket. Qin Shangcheng was visibly shaken by the news.
Hua Rong urged Qin Shangcheng to investigate his past, but he expressed reluctance, fearing it would disrupt their hard-won peaceful life and his desire to return to Huarong Island to raise a family. Sensing his internal conflict, Hua Rong affectionately tried to reassure him. That night, she told him a legend of a mermaid princess who, after losing her love's memories due to a taboo, bravely broke the curse and reunited with him.
Inspired by the story and Hua Rong’s unwavering support, Qin Shangcheng agreed to put aside his fears and journey to Shengcheng to uncover the truth about his origins. The next morning, as they prepared to leave, their room was suddenly infiltrated by masked assailants demanding the Holy Sword. During the ensuing fierce battle, Hua Rong accidentally fell from a cliff. Qin Shangcheng, without hesitation, leaped after her.
Qin Shangcheng later regained consciousness, desperately calling out for Hua Rong, but she was nowhere to be found. After days of frantic searching, Qian Dayou and Zhang Xian located a distraught Qin Shangcheng, who, in his anguish, urged them to continue searching for his wife before collapsing from sheer exhaustion. Upon waking again, Qin Shangcheng was devastated to learn that Hua Rong was still unfound.
He sat alone by the cliff, recalling his promise to General Hua to protect Hua Rong and feeling immense guilt for failing her. Just then, Qian Dayou and Zhang Xian discovered Hua Rong's compass. Although damaged by seawater, its needle pointed consistently southeast towards Shengcheng. Qin Shangcheng took this as a deliberate clue left by Hua Rong, affirming their earlier agreement to attend the Holy Alliance Assembly in Shengcheng. He resolved to go there, convinced he would find her.
Meanwhile, Chi Hong consulted Hua Geng, a fortune teller, about her fate with Qin Shangcheng. Hua Geng initially gave vague, unhelpful advice regarding a romantic connection but, under threat of imprisonment, eventually revealed that Hua Rong had fallen from a cliff at Mermaid Bay and was presumed dead. Chi Hong was immediately delighted by this news and generously rewarded Hua Geng. Shortly after, she received a report that a woman had been rescued from the coast.
