The Romance of Hua Rong 2 Episode 7 Recap
> The Romance of Hua Rong 2 Recap
Disguised, various guests arrived at Qing Hong Gang's auction. Chief Shangguan Hong, expecting people from the scandalous tabloid, noted that while the specific person from the painting hadn't been found, two black-robed individuals with concealed faces were highly suspicious. He anticipated Hua Rong would be difficult to handle, so they had prepared the Eight Treasures Kirin Dagger, confident that with it, Hua Rong would be exposed at the auction regardless of her tricks.
Shangguan Hong began the auction by presenting ten collections, to be sold to the highest bidder with a ten-fold buyout option. The first item was Swordman Yunhe's exclusive hidden weapon, a boomerang, made of black crystal, renowned for its ability to cut through metal and return to its thrower.
Although other attendees dismissed Swordman Yunhe as a hypocritical villain, Hua Rong discreetly used her compass, which had been given to her by Qin Shangcheng and was paired with the boomerang, to confirm its authenticity. Learning from Zhang that Qin Shangcheng was, in fact, Swordman Yunhe, Ling became even more captivated by Qin Shangcheng and bid three thousand tael.
However, Hua Rong outbid her with a ten thousand tael buyout, delighted that her efforts to tame her husband were paying off. She feigned indifference, claiming she simply admired the boomerang's clever design. Shangguan Hong inquired if she knew Swordman Yunhe, which Hua Rong denied. Next, a Gilding Plum Blossom Hairpin was presented. Qian Dayou immediately purchased it for fifty thousand tael.
Hua Rong initially believed Qin Shangcheng had orchestrated this as an apology for their earlier disagreements, further boosting her confidence in her husband-taming skills. However, when the items were presented to their new owners, Shangguan Hong implied the hairpin was for Qian Dayou’s wife, suggesting a "perfect couple." Qin Shangcheng then had Qian Dayou present the hairpin to Ling.
This angered Hua Rong as she realized the hairpin was not for her, but she remembered her strategy to appear unconcerned, a tactic to lure him in. The finale piece was the priceless Eight Treasures Kirin Dagger, once belonging to Hua Rong's father, General Hua Mantian, starting at ten thousand tael. Qin Shangcheng immediately recognized this as Qing Hong Gang's trap to lure Hua Rong and capture them all. Hua Rong bid thirty thousand tael.
Duanmu Bai’s aide suggested acquiring it for the Prince as a valuable trophy. Before Duanmu Bai could bid, Qin Shangcheng offered forty-nine thousand tael, bidding against Hua Rong. Confused by the non-integer bid, Hua Rong remembered their childhood "husband and wife sweet code" where "four nine" signified "it's a trap." She instantly understood Qin Shangcheng was warning her that the Qing Hong Gang was using her father’s dagger to ensnare her.
Duanmu Bai then bid fifty thousand tael, and Qian Dayou, in turn, offered eighty thousand tael. Just as the transaction seemed set, Duanmu Bai's two black-robed subordinates swooped in with a winning bid of one hundred thousand tael. Qing Hong Gang operatives mistakenly concluded that the black-robed bidders were Hua Rong and her accomplice, confident they were after treasure and would make their move that very night. As a gesture of good faith, Qing Hong Gang prepared couple rooms.
Ling expressed her desire to share a room with Qin Shangcheng. Hua Rong and Qian Dayou swiftly intervened, with Hua Rong highlighting Ling’s unmarried status. Ultimately, Hua Rong and Ling were assigned one room, while Qin Shangcheng and Duanmu Bai shared another. In their shared room, Hua Rong and Ling found the bed and even the bath decorated with heart-shaped flower petals.
Ling discovered Hua Rong reading "36 Stratagems for Taming a Husband," mistakenly assuming it was for controlling Duanmu Bai after marriage. Ling was eager to learn tricks to use on Qin Shangcheng, but Hua Rong dismissed the book as superficial and useless. Ling, however, believed Qin Shangcheng was already smitten with her, attributing his gift of the golden hairpin to her confession the previous night. Determined to quash Ling's romantic notions, Hua Rong claimed Qin Shangcheng was a "double-faced" man.
Ling, misinterpreting this as a reference to his dual identity as the Pirate King and Swordman Yunhe, was thrilled, believing him to be a "perfect double-faced lover." She pressed Hua Rong for more details, even viewing Qin Shangcheng's "jealous" nature as a desirable trait—a "must-possess" quality for a good man.
Hua Rong then tried another tactic, stating he often resorted to violence, which Ling interpreted as a sign of his confidence and dominance, cementing her image of him as the "perfect husband." Hua Rong's efforts to paint Qin Shangcheng in a negative light proved utterly futile. Meanwhile, in Qin Shangcheng and Duanmu Bai’s room, Qin Shangcheng questioned Duanmu Bai's bid for the dagger, wondering if he aimed to win Hua Rong's favor.
Duanmu Bai scoffed, asserting that Hua Rong should feel fortunate to marry into Prince Mu's Residence and was, in fact, unworthy of him. Qin Shangcheng retorted that Duanmu Bai was "high-climbing," leading to a heated argument and a staged fight as Qing Hong Gang members approached. Duanmu Bai had intended to use a knockout drug called "Moon Shadow" on Qin Shangcheng for his night operations, but Qin Shangcheng, aware of the plot, feigned unconsciousness.
Later that night, Hua Rong realized the need for honesty and confessed to Ling that Qin Shangcheng was married and deeply in love with his wife. Just then, Qin Shangcheng appeared. He clarified that the golden hairpin was actually bought by Qian Dayou for Ling, clearing Hua Rong’s earlier misunderstanding.
Qin Shangcheng explained that his previous silence was to convey that their relationship didn't require games or power dynamics; her happiness was his priority, and he was content to be "tamed" by her forever. Hua Rong admitted her fear of not being a "qualified wife" after their recent arguments and apologies. Qin Shangcheng reassured her, likening their journey as a couple to her own path to becoming a top heroine—a gradual process of learning and growing together.
They sealed their understanding with a pinky swear, vowing to avoid past mistakes. Qin Shangcheng then revealed his second honeymoon gift: the eradication of the Qing Hong Gang. He explained that he had already planted explosives in the villa and instructed Qian Dayou to deliver the villains to the authorities. Hua Rong then understood that his earlier whispered conversation with Ling had been to procure gunpowder, resolving all her prior misgivings.
While Duanmu Bai's men diverted Qing Hong Gang forces, Duanmu Bai infiltrated the treasure room, deftly disarming its traps and securing the treasures. Qin Shangcheng and Hua Rong arrived shortly after, claiming the desired items before Duanmu Bai could. Shangguan Hong, returning to find his stronghold compromised, realized his own guards had been replaced by Qin Shangcheng's disguised men. Isolated, Shangguan Hong resorted to a desperate measure, presenting captured female slaves and threatening their lives unless Hua Rong surrendered.
To save them, Hua Rong agreed to accompany Shangguan Hong. Before leaving, she discreetly passed Qin Shangcheng the compass, knowing it would guide him to her. Shangguan Hong then sprayed Hua Rong with scent elimination powder, confident it would thwart any attempts by Qin Shangcheng, known for his tracking abilities. However, Qin Shangcheng utilized the boomerang Hua Rong had acquired, along with the compass, to track them, rescuing Hua Rong just as Shangguan Hong prepared to kill her.
Hua Rong demanded to know the reason for her attempted assassination and the mastermind behind it. Shangguan Hong revealed he held no personal grudge against her but was acting on orders because Hua Rong intended to save Nie Yu, who "knew things he shouldn't have," and therefore, both Hua Rong and Nie Yu "must die." Refusing to disclose the mastermind, Shangguan Hong fired a gun at Hua Rong.
Qin Shangcheng swiftly pushed her to safety, but sparks from the gun momentarily affected his eyes, causing discomfort. Shangguan Hong then leaped off a cliff. Despite his eyes, Qin Shangcheng eagerly led Hua Rong to witness his honeymoon gift: the explosive demolition of the Qing Hong Villa. The next morning, Qin Shangcheng woke to blurry vision but concealed it from Hua Rong.
Hua Rong, still eager to celebrate their bond, took him to Mingchao Moxuan to have portraits drawn of themselves as an elderly couple, hoping to "experience growing old together." The artist, Hua Sanlang, known for his ability to "touch bones" to depict future appearances, praised Hua Rong’s "round face, tall nose, and full chin," calling her an "outstanding heroine." Hua Sanlang also claimed to discern people's true feelings by "listening," suggesting Qin Shangcheng was preoccupied.
Qin Shangcheng dismissed this, attributing his discomfort to a slight pinch. He then challenged the artist to draw Hua Rong without touching her, relying solely on his "listening" ability. Later, admiring his completed portrait, Hua Rong complimented Qin Shangcheng’s "majestic" appearance even in old age. Qin Shangcheng, in turn, praised Hua Rong's beauty while holding a sword. However, Qin Shangcheng made inaccurate observations about the finished portrait, stirring Hua Rong's suspicion about his eyesight.
Meanwhile, Qian Dayou, finding a "buy one get one free" promotion at a bookstore, bought an excessive number of books, including titles like "Tips for Disciplining Your Girl," "Love Skills Collection," and "Bratty Princess Falls in Love with Me." Zhang questioned his motives, wondering if he was taking the imperial examination. Qian Dayou, however, claimed it was a shrewd business venture to resell the books for profit and to "improve the self-cultivation" of their numerous bachelor pirate brothers. Zhang then realized Qian Dayou was merely using public funds to address his own personal romantic aspirations.
