The Romance of Hua Rong 2 Episode 20 Recap
> The Romance of Hua Rong 2 Recap
Upon learning that his front-line armies besieging Xunyang, Shaoguan, and Rongcheng were trapped by the Tianchu army, Duanmu Qingcang expressed disbelief. Qin Shangcheng, however, stated confidently that he had predicted this outcome, reminding Duanmu Qingcang that the war report had not yet arrived and nothing was truly decided, thus declaring Duanmu Qingcang's defeat.
When asked how he knew, Qin Shangcheng explained that the ease with which he was released and allowed to contact Night-Wolf for intelligence seemed too smooth for a suspicious and cautious person like Duanmu Qingcang. Rong then questioned the purpose of providing false intelligence. Together, they realized Duanmu Qingcang’s true intent: to deliberately use false intelligence to draw all of Tianchu’s forces to Tianlu City, leaving the three other cities vulnerable.
This would allow him to seize Xunyang, Shaoguan, and Rongcheng, turning them into South Desolation territory. Tianlu City, isolated and cut off from supplies, would then fall without Duanmu Qingcang having to expend a single soldier. Rong concluded that with such vast ambition, the possibility of peace talks was even smaller. Qin Shangcheng asserted that to compel Duanmu Qingcang to withdraw, they needed to control the overall situation. Duanmu Qingcang acknowledged Qin Shangcheng’s keen understanding, calling him his son.
Qin Shangcheng informed him that General Hua, Rong's father, had agreed not to harm any South Desolation soldiers, promising to send them home as a gesture of Tianchu's sincerity for peace. Rong presented Duanmu Qingcang with letters left by his late Empress Mu Qing, explaining that he would understand after reading them. She shared that she had read every word herself and, as a wife and soon-to-be mother, deeply empathized with Mu Qing's sentiments.
Rong then pleaded with Duanmu Qingcang to withdraw his troops, hoping that husbands in both South Desolation and Tianchu would no longer be separated from their wives, and mothers would no longer have to worry about their children. The letters detailed Mu Qing's painful wait for her husband during his campaigns while she was pregnant, her wish for peace, and her desire for her children to live carefree lives, away from imperial entanglements.
Deeply moved after reading the letters, Duanmu Qingcang finally ordered a retreat. Rong informed Qin Shangcheng that his birthday banquet, while outwardly arranged by the Empress Dowager, was actually orchestrated by Duanmu Qingcang. She worried it might be inappropriate if they didn't wear the clothes he provided. Qin Shangcheng acknowledged Duanmu Qingcang as his father but refused to accept the identity of a South Desolation Prince.
Rong noted that it was already a significant improvement that Duanmu Qingcang spared Lieutenant General Zou. Embracing Rong, Qin Shangcheng assured her that his only desire was to spend the rest of his life with her, undisturbed by any external matters, and that he had everything under control. At the banquet, Duanmu Qingcang inquired if the four-dragon robes he had sent did not fit Qin Shangcheng, who simply replied he was "not used to it."
The Empress Dowager quickly interjected, redirecting the conversation to family matters and away from state affairs, a suggestion Duanmu Qingcang readily accepted. Rong thanked Duanmu Qingcang for his understanding and his decision to retreat and engage in peace talks for the welfare of both nations' people, toasting him with tea. Duanmu Qingcang explained that he also agreed for the sake of his imperial grandson.
He added that to handle external threats, internal stability was paramount, and discussing grand plans after the court was settled was a prudent approach. Qin Shangcheng then provocatively asked if Duanmu Qingcang wished to gamble again, to which he agreed. The Empress Dowager remarked on Qin Shangcheng's unruly spirit, noting its resemblance to Duanmu Qingcang's own youthful debates with his father. Just then, Duanmu Bai returned.
Initially, Duanmu Qingcang reprimanded him for not tending to his returning army, but the Empress Dowager quickly intervened, insisting Duanmu Bai stay for his birthday longevity noodles. She proposed a competition to determine seniority between the two brothers, who shared a birthday, by seeing who could eat the most noodles, which both eagerly accepted. Later that evening, Qin Shangcheng and Duanmu Bai shared drinks.
Rong had been whisked away by her grandmother for a long conversation, leaving Qin Shangcheng to observe that there would be many more such opportunities for them. Qin Shangcheng tried to broach the topic of their foster father, Qin Yin, but Duanmu Bai showed no interest.
Qin Shangcheng then revealed that Qin Yin used to visit South Desolation every year on their birthday, suggesting it was to see Duanmu Bai, but Duanmu Bai adamantly reiterated that he only recognized Duanmu Qingcang as his father. Duanmu Qingcang joined them, and Qin Shangcheng stated his intention to return to the island with Rong to live a life of peace and freedom after the peace talks.
Duanmu Qingcang accepted his decision, and Qin Shangcheng promised to bring his grandson back to visit him and the Empress Dowager. Duanmu Qingcang became emotional, telling Qin Shangcheng that South Desolation would always be his home, a sentiment Qin Shangcheng quietly acknowledged. Duanmu Qingcang then instructed Fuzhen to prepare the peace treaty documents and facilitate Qin Shangcheng’s return to Tianchu.
Reflecting on the situation, Duanmu Qingcang spoke to a memorial of late Empress Mu Qing, expressing that although Qin Shangcheng hadn't returned, he felt Qin Shangcheng now had a place for him in his heart, attributing this change to Mu Qing. He lamented that if he had abandoned his obsessions earlier, Mu Qing might still be alive. A report then arrived regarding Yi Feichi's escape attempt and recapture by shadow guards.
Duanmu Qingcang falsely assured Duanmu Bai that he would prevent Yi Feichi from continuing his work on the Shenwei Cannon, but emphasized that Yi Feichi must remain in South Desolation due to his vast knowledge. General Hua, Rong's father, excitedly prepared for the upcoming truce signing at Shili Slope in three days, looking forward to his retirement.
He crafted numerous wooden toys, including a wooden horse that Rong cherished as a child, anticipating the birth of his grandchild, whom Rong affectionately nicknamed "Daodao." Qin Shangcheng and Rong sent a homing pigeon to Rong's mother, discussing their future. Rong wondered if she was being too willful, being pregnant and still out releasing pigeons and stargazing with Qin Shangcheng. He lovingly understood she missed her mother.
They envisioned a future living on Huarong Island with their entire family, like the Big Dipper, always together. As the day of the truce approached, General Hua confidently boasted to his second-in-command, Zhang Xian, about his pivotal role as the King Pirate’s chief strategist. However, their preparations were abruptly halted by a "meeting gift" from the South Desolation Emperor: the severed head of Lieutenant General Zou.
Moments later, a messenger reported that Duanmu Qingcang had launched a surprise attack, and Xunyang, Shaoguan, and Rongcheng had all fallen. General Hua immediately prepared to depart for the front, but stopped Qin Shangcheng from joining him, fearing the soldiers' resentment given Qin Shangcheng's ties to Duanmu Qingcang. He instructed Qin Shangcheng to take Rong back to Tianlu City and await his news.
Two days passed at Tianlu City, where Qin Shangcheng and his companions learned that South Desolation had sealed off Tianlu City and its crucial routes to the capital. While General Hua had managed to secure one pass, his forces were dwindling, and reinforcements from the capital might not arrive in time. Qian Dayou voiced suspicions, suggesting that Duanmu Qingcang had feigned peace talks and exploited his father-son relationship with Qin Shangcheng, never abandoning his ambition to conquer Tianchu.
Qin Shangcheng, feeling responsible, declared he must provide Tianchu with an explanation. He resolved to confront Duanmu Qingcang personally, vowing no leniency if the accusations proved true. Just as he prepared to depart, Princess Chu Fengling arrived, urgently relaying that the Tianchu Emperor, enraged by the recent losses, had issued an imperial edict to execute Qin Shangcheng. She offered her token for his escape.
Qin Shangcheng, asserting his innocence, refused to flee, but decided to expedite his departure to confront Duanmu Qingcang. However, before they could leave, Lord Yu arrived with the imperial edict, condemning Qin Shangcheng as a traitor for concealing his identity as a South Desolation Prince, colluding with the enemy, and causing the loss of three cities. Rong attempted to destroy the edict, but General Hua unexpectedly returned and prevented her.
Despite publicly stating his family's loyalty and his inability to intervene given the "conclusive evidence," General Hua subtly signaled to Qin Shangcheng to comply. Understanding his father-in-law's hidden intentions, Qin Shangcheng assented, reassuring Rong that General Hua had a plan. Meanwhile, Duanmu Qingcang received news that General Hua's pass had fallen, and General Hua had retreated to Tianlu City. Duanmu Qingcang chose to besiege Tianlu City and wear down its defenders psychologically before launching a full assault.
Duanmu Bai confronted his father, questioning his betrayal of Qin Shangcheng and the public revelation of Qin Shangcheng's identity as a South Desolation Prince. Duanmu Qingcang admitted his actions were deliberate, aimed at pushing Qin Shangcheng to a point where he would return to his side. Duanmu Bai accused his father of valuing imperial ambition above all else, treating his sons as mere pawns.
Duanmu Qingcang retorted that Duanmu Bai's task was to rescue Qin Shangcheng, not to lecture him on governance. Duanmu Bai reaffirmed his loyalty to Qin Shangcheng as his brother. Duanmu Qingcang then brutally tortured Yi Feichi, demanding detailed schematics of the Shenwei Cannon within ten days, threatening dire consequences for non-compliance, a stark contradiction to his earlier promise to Duanmu Bai.
Back in Tianchu, Rong, Princess Chu Fengling, Zhang Xian, and Qian Dayou, resolute in their mission, planned a daring jailbreak to rescue Qin Shangcheng. Qian Dayou, though boastful, expressed a clear priority: saving Qin Shangcheng first before pursuing his affections for Princess Chu Fengling. Under the cloak of night, they infiltrated the prison, only to find Qin Shangcheng gone. Instead, they discovered General Hua gravely wounded, barely clinging to life. Rong was heartbroken, desperately trying to rouse her father.
Lieutenant General Yan then arrived, falsely claiming that Qin Shangcheng had murdered General Hua and escaped with Duanmu Bai. Disbelieving this accusation, Rong and her companions decided to pursue them to uncover the truth. Qin Shangcheng and Duanmu Bai, having fled all night, believed they were beyond Tianchu's reach. Duanmu Bai pressed Qin Shangcheng for an explanation of the recent events, but before Qin Shangcheng could speak, they were ambushed by black-clad assassins.
During the fierce fight, Duanmu Bai urged Qin Shangcheng to escape and leave him behind. Qin Shangcheng vehemently refused, declaring he would never abandon his brother and had not yet had his fill of drinking with him. Both men fought valiantly but were eventually overwhelmed and collapsed, severely wounded. Fuzhen and her troops arrived, stating that someone had already gotten there first, then, specifically following Duanmu Qingcang's orders, took Qin Shangcheng away, leaving the unconscious Duanmu Bai behind.
Shortly after, one of General Hua's subordinates found the severely injured Duanmu Bai. Recognizing his noble status, the subordinate decided it was too risky to take him to Tianlu City and instead transported him to a more discreet camp, instructing others to report the situation to Crab. Upon learning of Qin Shangcheng's critical condition—multiple infected stab wounds and severe blood loss—and the doctor's inability to treat him, Duanmu Qingcang immediately executed the physician.
He then ordered Fuzhen to transport Qin Shangcheng to the capital for treatment, emphasizing that he must be saved. Subsequently, Duanmu Qingcang summoned his four lieutenants, commanding them to gather the army to besiege Tianlu City, cut off all communications with the Tianchu capital, and launch a full assault in seven days, allowing nothing to enter or exit the city.
