The Romance of Hua Rong Episode 11 Recap
> The Romance of Hua Rong Recap
Qin Shang Cheng proposed he could impersonate the envoy to investigate the case, but then he taunted Hua Rong, implying she didn't need his help. Seeing this, Hua Rong sincerely asked for his assistance. She then assured her father, Hua Mantian, that she would serve as Qin Shang Cheng's personal bodyguard throughout the journey, promising to transform him into Yuan Ming's likeness before they departed.
Hua Mantian expressed concerns, noting that Qin Shang Cheng, a man of martial arts, had vastly different manners from the refined Yuan Ming, making it difficult to maintain the pretense. Hua Rong reassured him that she had considered this and would teach Qin Shang Cheng to perfectly mimic Yuan Ming. Hua Rong began her rigorous training with Qin Shang Cheng, teaching him the ways of a scholar.
When he struggled to wear Yuan Ming's scholarly robes and asked for help, Hua Rong, blushing, leaned in to assist him, which Qin Shang Cheng promptly teased her about. Later, in a pavilion, Hua Rong instructed Qin Shang Cheng on proper dining etiquette, including using chopsticks, not spitting on the plate, and eating quietly without making noise. Annoyed, Qin Shang Cheng's mood brightened when Miss Su arrived with a soothing lotus seed and iris soup for him, gently comforting him.
Hua Rong sternly corrected Qin Shang Cheng's table manners, but he, remembering his new noble persona as the fourth son of Prince Zhennan, asserted his right to be served by his bodyguard. Just then, Hua Mantian walked by. To allay her father's worries about her journey, Hua Rong suppressed her irritation and patiently began serving Qin Shang Cheng, who relished the attention.
Over the following days, Hua Rong relentlessly drilled Qin Shang Cheng in proper posture and handwriting with a ruler, much to his chagrin. When they next met Hua Mantian, the father was impressed by Qin Shang Cheng's transformation and their seemingly seamless cooperation. Satisfied, Hua Mantian handed over the official seals and documents, entrusting them with the investigation, as he trusted Qin Shang Cheng despite his usual arbitrary nature, knowing he was not driven by greed.
Qin Shang Cheng vowed to protect Hua Rong at all costs. Qin Shang Cheng, Hua Rong, Qian Dayou, and their entourage officially set out. Qian Dayou and the others anticipated lavish hospitality befitting an envoy. However, upon arriving at the inn, they found it surprisingly modest and desolate. The local county magistrate, Xia, apologized for the meager conditions, explaining that no high-ranking official had ever visited before.
He assigned two flexible servants, A Da and A Er, to attend to the envoy. Later, Qin Shang Cheng went to the scene of the explosion. He questioned the locals, who all consistently claimed the incident was caused by an earthquake and subsequent wildfires, denying any smell of kerosene. Qin Shang Cheng found their identical testimonies suspicious, suggesting they were coached, as their consistent answers were unusual for such a sudden event.
He continued his investigation, with Hua Rong in tow. They then visited a merchant house where the shopkeeper warmly welcomed them, offering tea and pastries. Hua Rong subtly coughed to warn Qin Shang Cheng about potential poison, but he ignored her warning and partook of the refreshments. When the shopkeeper accidentally spilled tea on Qin Shang Cheng’s robes, he instructed Hua Rong to accompany him to the back to tidy up.
In the back room, they were surprised to find Miss Su, who revealed it was her family's store. She explained that Hua Mantian, concerned for Hua Rong's safety, had sent her there to provide assistance, and she offered her continued help during their stay. Back at the inn that evening, A Da and A Er were overly zealous in their service, constantly appearing wherever Qin Shang Cheng went, even to the latrine.
Annoyed, he tried to dismiss them but they insisted on their duty. Qin Shang Cheng then went to Hua Rong's room, revealing his discovery: they were being closely watched by spies. He offered to stay in her room to protect her, citing her "narrow vision" and "poor kung fu." Hua Rong, however, accused him of having improper intentions, leading to a heated argument and a physical scuffle. The commotion attracted A Da and A Er, who rushed in.
Thinking quickly, Qin Shang Cheng ordered Hua Rong, disguised as his attendant, to give him a foot massage, pretending to scold her for her clumsiness. Once the servants left, Hua Rong finally believed Qin Shang Cheng's warning. They discussed the case, realizing the county was a crucial oil production center, containing large quantities of oil deposits, which were important military resources.
The explosion, officially attributed to an earthquake, was suspicious given the villagers' rehearsed answers, indicating someone had deliberately arranged for them to say this. They deduced that if a significant oil deposit was involved, it would be a major military matter, explaining the attempts on the envoy’s life. They drank wine throughout the night, eventually falling asleep on the bed. The next morning, Hua Rong woke up to find Qin Shang Cheng sleeping beside her.
Memories of the previous night caused her to blush fiercely. Feeling awkward, she left the room and asked Xiao Hui to accompany her for a walk. During their stroll, Xiao Hui recognized Xiao Yue, a woman she knew from the music house, and attempted to greet her. However, Xiao Yue deliberately pretended not to know Xiao Hui. Hua Rong inferred that Xiao Yue’s denial was due to their being watched by others in the area.
Upon returning to the inn, Hua Rong went to Qin Shang Cheng’s room. He playfully teased her about her uninhibited behavior while drunk the previous night, making Hua Rong wish she could disappear. Hua Rong then shared her encounter with Xiao Yue, mentioning Xiao Yue’s close association with the Black Dragon Band during Xiao Hui’s time at the music house.
Qin Shang Cheng immediately connected the dots, noting that the Black Dragon Band's stronghold housed large oil reserves and that their appearance in this county so soon after an oil explosion was no mere coincidence; he suspected them of foul play. He suggested seeking assistance from Miss Su, but Hua Rong was hesitant, believing Miss Su's attentiveness was merely a ploy to compete for Qin Shang Cheng's attention.
Qin Shang Cheng, sensing her jealousy, teased her about it, which she vehemently denied. He insisted on them approaching Miss Su for help. That night, Miss Su summoned Hua Rong and Qin Shang Cheng. Yuan Ming had unexpectedly arrived, having heard that the investigation now involved dangerous jianghu gangs, and he demanded Hua Rong return home with him. Hua Rong refused to abandon the investigation.
Qin Shang Cheng supported her decision, assuring Yuan Ming that he had experience fighting the Black Dragon Band and found them to be nothing to fear. He promised to protect Hua Rong, and Yuan Ming reluctantly conceded. Yuan Ming then requested a private conversation with Hua Rong. He confessed his long-standing love for her, explaining that her current peril had compelled him to finally speak his heart.
He urged her to return home with him to marry and presented her with an ancestral jade bracelet, a family heirloom for his future daughter-in-law, as an engagement token. Hua Rong, however, immediately removed the bracelet and returned it, gently explaining that she had always seen him only as a dear brother and harbored no romantic feelings for him.
