The Romance of Hua Rong Episode 12 Recap
> The Romance of Hua Rong Recap
Hua Rong firmly rejected Yuan Ming, explaining that she had always seen him as an elder brother since childhood, harboring only admiration and respect, not love. She then returned the jade bracelet he had given her. Yuan Ming, realizing his affections were unrequited, acknowledged her sincerity. He urged her to remember that despite her feelings, she was still the closest person to him in the world.
He warned her never to hide danger from him or attempt risky feats on her own. Hua Rong assured him she understood, and he advised her to rest early. As Yuan Ming left, he passed Miss Su, who seemed hesitant to speak. That night, Qin Shang Cheng and Hua Rong sat on a haystack under the eaves, discussing the stalled investigation.
Qin Shang Cheng had ensured their privacy by having Zhang Xian and Xiao Hui practice sword fighting below, deterring anyone from approaching. Hua Rong expressed her frustration about the lack of clues and her concern about the dangers of the situation, feeling she had worried her family and involved him. Qin Shang Cheng teased her, claiming he enjoyed having beautiful women around during dangerous times.
Hua Rong called him out, saying she knew he was joking, but Qin Shang Cheng insisted that only those who dared not pursue their heart would joke about their life. He then steered the conversation back to the case, stating that the only breakthrough lay with Xiao Yue, despite her cautious nature. Hua Rong suggested Xiao Hui might be able to get through to her. Hua Rong and Xiao Hui brought Xiao Yue into a room.
Xiao Yue was reluctant to speak, denying any knowledge of "fuel things." Xiao Hui implored Xiao Yue to tell the truth, reminding her of their past at the music club where only Xiao Yue had been kind to her. She argued that Xiao Yue wouldn't want to be an accomplice to the Black Dragon Gang, and that confessing would help them destroy the gang and save other girls. Xiao Yue feared discovery and just wanted a normal life.
Hua Rong promised Xiao Yue a new identity and enough silver to start a new life if she revealed the truth, assuring her that the Black Dragon Gang would no longer bother her. Xiao Yue finally agreed, but only if they ensured her escape first. Hua Rong readily agreed to her terms. As Xiao Yue left the room, she was intercepted by A Da and A Er, who suspiciously questioned her presence at the Su family residence.
Xiao Yue hesitantly claimed Miss Su had called her there for work. Just as A Da pressed for more details, Miss Su arrived. Hua Rong, observing from inside, subtly signaled to Miss Su. Playing along, Miss Su feigned anger at Xiao Yue for her "poor embroidery work," fabricating a story about Xiao Yue damaging cloth and trying to leave without finishing her task.
She then dismissed A Da and A Er, asserting her authority and their irrelevance, effectively deflecting their suspicion and helping Xiao Yue escape their interrogation. After A Da and A Er departed, Hua Rong lavished Miss Su with praise, calling her "cousin" and apologizing for causing trouble. She explained the complexity of the local situation and her reliance on Miss Su, whose family was reputable and whose staff were discreet.
Miss Su chided Hua Rong for not informing her earlier, which could have prevented the chaos. Hua Rong explained she hadn't wanted to drag Miss Su into danger. Miss Su dismissed her concerns, emphasizing their family bond and her commitment to protect Hua Rong. Hua Rong then requested a new identity card and silver for Xiao Yue, which Miss Su agreed to provide, stating the ID card would be the trickier part.
Unbeknownst to them, Qin Shang Cheng was nearby, observing their conversation. Afterwards, Hua Rong mused to Qin Shang Cheng that he had been right about Miss Su's character, admitting she had previously misunderstood her. Qin Shang Cheng teased Hua Rong, accusing her of being jealous, which she vehemently denied as they playfully chased each other. The next day, Miss Su secretly met Hua Rong on the street and handed her the prepared token.
Hua Rong and Qin Shang Cheng arrived at the agreed meeting place but Xiao Yue was not there. They rushed to Xiao Yue's house, finding it empty but with signs of a struggle. Neighbors uniformly claimed Xiao Yue had left for her mother's house due to illness, a story Qin Shang Cheng immediately found suspicious due to its identical wording.
He pointed out a young man lingering outside Xiao Yue's house earlier who seemed to be directing the neighbors, confirming their suspicion of foul play. They apprehended the young man, who confessed that he had killed Xiao Yue under the orders of the district official because she had planned to escape. Overcome with guilt, Hua Rong grieved over Xiao Yue's body.
Upon closer inspection, she and Qin Shang Cheng noticed dirt on Xiao Yue's hands, suggesting she had scratched at the ground. They found a recently disturbed patch of earth nearby and, excavating it, Hua Rong uncovered a silver key. However, before they could investigate further, the county official arrived with his men.
He accused Qin Shang Cheng and Hua Rong of impersonating an envoy and slandering a government official, using the captured man as a false witness who fabricated a story about them killing Xiao Yue and trying to cover it up. Despite Hua Rong's protests, the county official ordered their arrest and imprisonment. In the jail, Qin Shang Cheng and Hua Rong were dismayed to find Xiao Hui, Qian Dayou, and Zhang Xian also imprisoned.
Hua Rong questioned what they should do, but Qin Shang Cheng calmly advised them to wait. He explained that since their cover was blown, fleeing would only heighten security and lead to the destruction of evidence. By remaining compliant, they would lull the county official into a false sense of security. Xiao Hui, Qian Dayou, and Zhang Xian expressed their trust in Qin Shang Cheng's ability to pick the locks.
To further relax the guards, the three played cards loudly in their cell, while Qin Shang Cheng entertained Hua Rong with humorous stories of his adventures at sea, eventually causing the jailers to doze off. Just as Qin Shang Cheng instructed Qian Dayou to pick the lock, Yuan Ming arrived with his own men. He sternly ordered the hesitant county official to release Qin Shang Cheng and Hua Rong. Back at the inn, Hua Rong thanked Yuan Ming.
Yuan Ming, still concerned for her safety, insisted she return home with him, stating his father would petition the King and other envoys to address the situation and potentially change the case's handling date. Hua Rong argued that she had found a crucial clue from Xiao Yue and was close to uncovering important evidence to expose the culprits. She felt honor-bound to see the investigation through, especially after Xiao Yue’s death.
Yuan Ming, however, believed the evidence wouldn't be enough against the deeply entrenched district official with his extensive network. He worried about his inability to protect her if she continued, stressing that her life was more important than the investigation. Hua Rong reminded him that her father had taught her to live nobly and fight for justice, not to hide while evil prevailed.
Despite her impassioned plea, Yuan Ming adamantly declared his decision that she would return to Su Zhai the next morning, leaving no room for discussion. Hua Rong looked to Qin Shang Cheng for support, but he remained silent. When she pressed him, he echoed Yuan Ming’s sentiment that she should not stay, urging her to rest and discuss it further in the morning.
Later that night, as Hua Rong slept, Qin Shang Cheng, disguised as Yun He Daxia, awakened her with the familiar sound of his bell. He playfully teased her that his bell had been stepped on by a "fool." Hua Rong, happy to see him, asked how he found her, to which he replied he always finds those he cares about. He praised her for her altruistic actions, saying he saw her in a new light.
He then informed her he had come to take her home because it was too dangerous for her to stay. Hua Rong challenged his chivalry, asking how it could be heroic to abandon her teammate, Qin Shang Cheng, especially since he was in danger because of her. She adamantly refused to leave him behind, declaring him "very important" to her. Yun He Daxia then subtly faltered in his persona, implying his feelings for her before regaining his composure.
Realizing his identity, Hua Rong angrily ripped off his mask, revealing Qin Shang Cheng. She accused him of playing pranks and pretending to be shameless. He then confessed that he was indeed Yun He Daxia. He revealed that his godfather, a powerful maritime figure, had been fatally attacked over a treasure map, leaving behind only half a map that, if discovered, would implicate his island family.
Despite his godfather’s advice against investigating, Qin Shang Cheng felt obligated to uncover the truth, so he created the identity of Yun He Daxia to secretly investigate. He explained he had kept his true identity hidden from her to protect her from the dangers and consequences, believing the less she knew, the safer she would be.
He then teased her about how smitten she was with Yun He Daxia, adding he didn't want his wife to not even know who she loved. Hua Rong, now understanding his true identity and motives, smiled, acknowledging she finally knew who he loved.
