The Romance of Hua Rong 2 Episode 21 Recap
> The Romance of Hua Rong 2 Recap
Hua Rong grieved intensely for her deceased father, General Hua, kneeling in the mourning hall for three days and nights without food or water. Her companions, including Sixth Princess, Qian Dayou, and Zhang Xian, worried deeply about her health and Qin Shangcheng's unknown fate, speculating that he, like Duanmu Bai, must have suffered severe injuries.
Hua Rong, holding a letter from Yue Feng to her father that she found among his belongings, revealed that her father had anticipated the current crisis and orchestrated a strategy to defend Tianchu. Suddenly, Zhang Xian rushed in with alarming news: the South Desolation army was attacking Tianlu City. Sixth Princess chastised Qian Dayou for his pessimistic remarks.
Yan Chengshou approached Hua Rong, urging her to lead the disheartened soldiers, while some present officers accused Qin Shangcheng of General Hua's death, which Qian Dayou vehemently denied. Despite her companions' attempts to shield her, Hua Rong emerged, confidently announcing that the South Desolation army would soon retreat. She explained that her father had foreseen this situation, and the Emperor had adopted his "relieve the state of Zhao by besieging the state of Wei" strategy, referencing Yue Feng's latest reply.
Just as she finished speaking, a report confirmed the South Desolation army's unexpected retreat. In South Desolation, Duanmu Qingcang convened his advisors. With Wanjiang's army advancing on Luocheng, he was forced to acknowledge General Hua's strategic brilliance. His generals advised against prolonging the siege of Tianlu City, warning of being caught between two fronts. Consequently, Duanmu Qingcang reluctantly ordered his troops to retreat and pursue peace talks among the three nations, grudgingly praising General Hua's cunning.
Meanwhile, Chi Hong was diligently tending to Duanmu Bai, who was severely wounded. Her assistant Xiaomeng located Hua Sanlang, a renowned healer, in Hai City. Hua Sanlang stabilized Duanmu Bai's life but delivered grim news: an arrow had fractured his leg's Jing, a fundamental injury that might prevent him from ever walking again. However, Hua Sanlang suggested that ancient medical texts in the Saint Alliance's secret chamber might hold a cure, prompting Chi Hong to immediately initiate a search.
After half a month in a coma, Qin Shangcheng awoke in South Desolation. Fuqin, captain of the Shadow Guard, informed him she was acting under the Emperor's orders and that the black-clad attackers were working for Kong Lin, who seemed to still be alive. She also mentioned the upcoming secret peace talks in the capital and relayed Duanmu Qingcang's summons. Qin Shangcheng confronted Duanmu Qingcang, accusing him of breaking his word.
Duanmu Qingcang countered that he had spared Zou Yitian, but Zou Yitian then attempted to bring Yi Feichi, the world's foremost firearm designer and creator of the devastating Shenwei cannon, back to Tianchu. Fearing Tianchu would acquire this weapon, Duanmu Qingcang explained his renewed offensive. He demanded Qin Shangcheng's help in securing Yi Feichi and the cannon's plans, appealing to his familial ties and the welfare of South Desolation.
Qin Shangcheng, however, asserted his identity as a pirate, disavowed any interest in imperial ambitions, and declared his intention to leave the next day. Duanmu Qingcang then manipulated Qin Shangcheng by reminding him of his Duanmu bloodline and claiming that Tianchu would never accept him after the "murder" of General Hua, and that Hua Rong would despise him. He further used Hua Rong's imminent arrival in the capital for peace talks and the safety of their unborn child as leverage.
Under this immense pressure, Qin Shangcheng reluctantly agreed to retrieve the cannon plans before the peace talks. After Qin Shangcheng left, Duanmu Qingcang secretly instructed Fuqin to monitor him closely and seize the plans once they were obtained, wary of any deception. Qin Shangcheng, utilizing his keen deduction, then directed Fuqin to search a specific temple near a clinic, reasoning it would be a logical refuge for an injured and religious Yi Feichi.
Hua Rong, accompanied by Qian Dayou, Zhang Xian, and Sixth Princess, arrived at Liuyun Pavilion in South Desolation, noting its unchanged appearance since their last visit for royal intermarriage talks. Qian Dayou, captivated by Sixth Princess's improved demeanor towards him, attributed it to his recent toothache making him seem more "melancholy." He vowed to use his newfound "melancholy prince" persona to win her affection.
Before Hua Rong's departure for South Desolation, Chi Hong had rushed to her side, informing her of Duanmu Bai's severe injuries and offering her assistance if Hua Rong encountered any difficulties. Hua Rong reiterated her unwavering belief in Qin Shangcheng's innocence regarding her father's death. Zhang Xian soon informed the group that Duanmu Qingcang had officially named Qin Shangcheng as the Crown Prince of South Desolation.
While some worried about Qin Shangcheng's loyalty, Hua Rong remained calm, discerning that this was likely a strategic maneuver by Qin Shangcheng. She resolved to confront him to uncover the truth. Shortly after, an invitation from Wanjiang's Young General Jin Tong arrived, requesting a meeting at the "Children's Courtyard." At the courtyard, they found Jin Tong kindly caring for homeless children, which left a positive impression on Hua Rong.
Inside, Jin Tong revealed that Duanmu Qingcang's delay in peace talks was a ploy to gain time to find Yi Feichi and the Shenwei cannon plans. He proposed an alliance between Tianchu and Wanjiang to secure the plans, suggesting they split the drawings to create a balance of power and ensure lasting peace. Hua Rong, while appreciative, politely deferred her decision, stating she needed more time to consider.
Outside, she expressed caution, unwilling to entrust Tianchu's fate to someone she had just met, and confirmed her plan to meet Qin Shangcheng privately that night. Duanmu Bai, upon regaining consciousness, immediately sought Hua Rong. Despite his immobile leg, he struggled to get out of bed, much to Chi Hong's concern.
Learning that Hua Rong had already left, he recounted how he had witnessed General Hua committing suicide with the Eight Treasures Kirin Dagger in front of Qin Shangcheng in prison, after all the jailers had been drugged. He suspected this was a pre-arranged scheme between General Hua and Qin Shangcheng, urging Chi Hong not to prematurely reveal the truth, trusting Qin Shangcheng to manage the situation. Later, Hua Rong summoned Qin Shangcheng by ringing a bell.
She pressed him for the truth about her father's death. However, under Fuqin's watchful eye, Qin Shangcheng feigned guilt, claiming it was an accident—he was only trying to escape the prison break orchestrated by Duanmu Qingcang's men, and General Hua was fatally injured while attempting to intervene. Devastated, Hua Rong, though initially doubtful, was forced to accept his confession. She angrily declared their relationship over, returning his boomerang, stating their love was irrevocably broken.
Qin Shangcheng accepted her declaration, but as he left, he handed her a compass, pointedly emphasizing the need for her to take care of herself and their "belly." Back at her residence, Hua Rong opened the compass and discovered a letter from her father.
In it, General Hua explained his plan: aware of his impending death from a battle injury six months prior, he had staged his suicide in prison to make it appear as if Qin Shangcheng was the killer. This was to allow Qin Shangcheng to gain Duanmu Qingcang's trust and return to South Desolation to thwart Duanmu Qingcang's ambition to obtain the Shenwei cannon from Yi Feichi.
Her father stressed the critical importance of preventing the cannon plans from falling into Duanmu Qingcang's hands, which would otherwise lead to the conquest of Tianchu and the entire Central Plains. He entrusted Qin Shangcheng with her care and the timing of the letter's delivery.
Understanding the full weight of their shared mission, Hua Rong resolved to maintain the facade of enmity with Qin Shangcheng, ensuring his continued trust with Duanmu Qingcang, and vowed to prevent the cannon plans from reaching the wrong hands. Her companions pledged their unwavering support for her and Qin Shangcheng.
