The Romance of Hua Rong Episode 19 Recap
> The Romance of Hua Rong Recap
Qin Shang Cheng and his group located the secret passage leading to Lu Wanwan. During the rescue, they were ambushed. Qin Shang Cheng instructed Jin Yiwen to go down the passage and save Wanwan, while Zhang Xian and Qian Dayou were tasked with holding off the pursuers outside. Qin Shang Cheng and Hua Rong then went separately to search for Three Arrows, with Qin Shang Cheng cautioning Hua Rong to be careful, as the assassin might be hiding nearby.
Jin Yiwen found Lu Wanwan chained up. Despite warnings from his subordinates that cutting the chains with a knife could ignite gunpowder hidden beneath haystacks, Jin Yiwen insisted on rescuing her. Just as they freed her, the room exploded. Jin Yiwen urged everyone to hurry and escape, and they managed to flee the blast. Afterwards, Lu Wanwan asked if he was alright, and Jin Yiwen assured her he was fine. Qin Shang Cheng and Hua Rong cautiously confronted Three Arrows.
Qin Shang Cheng noted that the assassin, known for carrying only three arrows, had already used one, leaving two. Hua Rong, however, warned Qin Shang Cheng to be careful, acknowledging Three Arrows' formidable archery skills. Qin Shang Cheng, spotting Three Arrows hiding in a tree fifty paces northeast, suggested Hua Rong shoot Three Arrows while he acted as bait to draw the assassin out, thereby revealing his position.
Hua Rong was worried, finding the plan too dangerous, especially since Three Arrows' arrows seemed to grow stronger with each shot, making the third one exceptionally difficult to dodge. Qin Shang Cheng reassured her, urging her to trust him, and Hua Rong, despite her fears, agreed. Qin Shang Cheng counted down, then rushed out as bait. Three Arrows aimed his arrow at Qin Shang Cheng, while Hua Rong simultaneously aimed her dagger at the assassin.
Hua Rong successfully struck Three Arrows with her dagger, but at the same moment, Three Arrows' arrow shot towards Qin Shang Cheng. Qin Shang Cheng attempted to block it with his sword, but the arrow unexpectedly split into two mid-air, and he was hit. Hua Rong, seeing him fall and kneel, cried out his name in distress, fearing the worst and reminding him of his promise to take her to Hua Rong Island.
Qin Shang Cheng, feigning pain for a moment, then stood up, revealing he was unharmed due to the golden silk soft armor given to him by Qian Dayou. He reassured Hua Rong, and apologized for scaring her. His men quickly arrived and apprehended Three Arrows. Three Arrows, impressed by Qin Shang Cheng, acknowledged him as the only person to survive his three arrows and expressed his admiration for Qin Shang Cheng's skill.
Qin Shang Cheng attempted to interrogate Three Arrows about the mastermind behind him, but before he could extract any information, Three Arrows was killed remotely by an unseen assailant. Qin Shang Cheng instructed Zhang Xian to investigate the assassin's background.
Meanwhile, the Black Dragon Gang leader, having learned that Three Arrows failed, expressed growing interest in Qin Shang Cheng and ordered his subordinate, Jin Fu, to spread the news that the other half of the white jade was located in Mengdie Villa. President Lu hosted a banquet to thank everyone for helping his daughter, Lu Wanwan. He specifically expressed gratitude to Jin Yiwen for bravely saving her life, although Jin Yiwen modestly stated it was a collective effort.
President Lu then acknowledged Jin Yiwen as the ultimate winner of the son-in-law contest, participating on behalf of his brother, Jin Duoxiong, and sought Jin Yiwen's opinion on the matter. Lu Wanwan, however, interrupted her father, declaring that she would not marry someone she had never met, as she already had Jin Yiwen in her heart.
Jin Yiwen assured President Lu that he would explain the situation to his brother and promised that Miss Wanwan would not be forced to marry someone she disliked. President Lu was grateful for Jin Yiwen's understanding. President Lu announced the Wan Jiang willow festival, suggesting everyone enjoy the lanterns to relax. Hua Rong took on the task of dressing up Lu Wanwan, who resisted at first, finding various dresses too bright or common.
Lu Wanwan playfully suggested Hua Rong wear a "fairy dress" for her "first official date with Mr. Qin," but Hua Rong insisted Lu Wanwan wear it to thank Jin Yiwen. Hua Rong encouraged Lu Wanwan to be direct about her feelings, believing Jin Yiwen must like her since he sacrificed himself to save her. Hua Rong then personally helped Lu Wanwan remove the intentionally disfiguring makeup to surprise Jin Yiwen.
Meanwhile, Qin Shang Cheng subtly probed Jin Yiwen about President Lu's apparent attempt to matchmake him with Lu Wanwan at the festival. Jin Yiwen, embarrassed, pleaded with Qin Shang Cheng to stop joking, stating he had only known Lu Wanwan for less than a month and they were just good friends. When Lu Wanwan descended the stairs, her face was no longer adorned with the intentionally disfiguring makeup, replaced by a delicate, elegant, and pure appearance in a pink gown.
Jin Yiwen gazed at her, visibly delighted. As the four enjoyed the lantern festival, Qin Shang Cheng teased Hua Rong about her intentions to leave them alone, which she confirmed was to give Lu Wanwan and Jin Yiwen a chance to connect. Qin Shang Cheng agreed, adding that it also gave him and Hua Rong a chance to be alone. They then excused themselves to go see the fireworks.
Jin Yiwen and Lu Wanwan found themselves alone, with Lu Wanwan thanking Jin Yiwen for saving her life, lamenting that her happiness used to be dictated by her father, but now she had met good friends, especially him. Jin Yiwen dismissed her gratitude, saying she owed him nothing. He then returned a jade pendant to Lu Wanwan, explaining it was a cherished item left by her mother, and it was important for it to be with its rightful owner.
Lu Wanwan, touched by his thoughtfulness, suggested they go watch the traditional big head doll dancing performance, which Jin Yiwen readily agreed to. Hua Rong prepared a Kongming lantern, planning to make a wish. As fireworks lit up the sky, several other Kongming lanterns ascended, carrying a romantic poem that read, "I love you, nothing's gonna change me. If I marry you, even death can't separate us. Eternal love never ends in this world."
Hua Rong realized with surprise that these lanterns bore her very own unspoken wish. Qin Shang Cheng revealed he knew her wish because she spoke it in her sleep, which made her playfully accuse him of watching her while she slept. Despite the playful banter, Hua Rong was deeply touched by Qin Shang Cheng's thoughtful preparation.
Feeling a moment of profound happiness, Hua Rong admitted to Qin Shang Cheng that she felt a little nervous, fearing she might lose this newfound joy. Qin Shang Cheng, embracing her, reassured her that no one could take her away from him. Hua Rong then accepted his repaired golden lock, which he told her he had stayed up many nights to fix. When asked about her wish, Hua Rong wished for them to accompany each other forever.
Qin Shang Cheng, calling her greedy, then revealed his wish: that Hua Hua, the heroine, would never get hurt while fighting for justice. The next morning, Qin Shang Cheng and Hua Rong were having eel noodles, which Hua Rong enjoyed despite it not being as good as her hometown's. Qin Shang Cheng promised to hire a cook or even learn to cook himself to make her favorite dishes.
Just as Qin Shang Cheng was about to kiss Hua Rong, Qian Dayou and Zhang Xian burst into the room, complaining that Qin Shang Cheng was not in his room earlier and teasing him about a "hard night." Qin Shang Cheng cut them off, asking about the important news. Zhang Xian reported that the assassin was named Three Arrows, known for taking lives with only three arrows, and was a disciple of Mengdie Villa.
Furthermore, a rumor had spread that the second piece of white jade was also at Mengdie Villa. Hua Rong speculated that Mengdie Villa might be behind the son-in-law competition, noting the suspicious timing of Three Arrows' death and the sudden rumor about the white jade. Qin Shang Cheng praised Hua Rong for her intelligence, and she suggested they go to Mengdie Villa to investigate the truth. Qin Shang Cheng agreed, emphasizing that they should leave immediately.
Qian Dayou remained to finish his meal. The group prepared to leave for Mengdie Villa. Hua Rong bade farewell to Lu Wanwan, reassuring her she would return. Jin Yiwen also expressed regret at not being able to accompany them due to pressing matters at Jin Manor.
Lu Wanwan playfully told Hua Rong that if Qin Shang Cheng ever bullied her, she'd stand up for her, to which Qian Dayou chimed in that he and Qin Shang Cheng would protect Lu Wanwan if Jin Yiwen treated her badly. As they departed, Hua Rong impulsively asked the carriage to stop, explaining it was a "secret." She then went to a shop and bought all the Yunhe master clay figurines.
Qin Shang Cheng, worried when she didn't return from the shop, came to find her at the theater and, upon seeing her, took over and paid a generous sum for all the figurines. A little girl, excited about Yunhe master, dragged Hua Rong to a theater where a play about "Yunhe master and his partner" was being performed.
Hua Rong commented on how "so-so" the actor playing Yunhe master was, while the little girl described the real Yunhe master as having all qualities: gentle, hardhearted, bossy, and affectionate, in a word, "perfect." Hua Rong, realizing the girl was describing Qin Shang Cheng, playfully remarked, "So many girls like you."
Hua Rong was already fuming about "Tang Chudie," the "first woman master in Wanjiang," who was being portrayed as Yunhe master's "Yun Die Heros" partner, the "best couple in the world." Qin Shang Cheng, noticing her jealousy, climbed onto the stage and declared to the audience that the real Yunhe master loves only one person in his life, pointing to Hua Rong.
Hua Rong, still a bit miffed but also flattered, teasingly asked him when he became so sweet, to which he responded that she had changed him. Qin Shang Cheng, Hua Rong, and their group arrived at an inn at the foot of Mengdie Villa. Qian Dayou complained about the long journey, noting how difficult it would be to reach the top. Qin Shang Cheng decided they would stay the night and ascend the next day.
Zhang Xian revealed he had obtained a map, noting that Mengdie Villa was strategically located, making it hard to find and defend. Hua Rong concurred, believing there must be something suspicious about the place. While dining, the one-eyed merchant from the son-in-law contest recognized Qin Shang Cheng and Hua Rong, expressing surprise at their pairing. He soon lost his appetite and left, but returned to proposition Qin Shang Cheng, suggesting they ally to acquire the white jade at Mengdie Villa.
Qin Shang Cheng rejected the offer. The merchant then revealed that the young owner of Mengdie Villa was Tang Chudie, the "first woman master in Wanjiang." Hua Rong was visibly annoyed by this "coincidence," while Qin Shang Cheng seemed surprised. Qian Dayou then stepped in, rudely dismissing Tang Chudie.
At this point, Ye Chen, the young master of Lingshui Temple, intervened, introducing himself and explaining that while the merchant's words were impolite, his observation about ascending the mountain alone was not unreasonable. Ye Chen, having arrived a day earlier, warned that several groups had attempted the ascent and gone missing.
He proposed that the three parties — Qin Shang Cheng's group, the one-eyed merchant, and himself — ascend together for safety, competing for the white jade only after reaching the villa. Qin Shang Cheng agreed, and Ye Chen preemptively paid for everyone's meal to show his sincerity, though Qian Dayou insisted they could pay their own way.
Qian Dayou then pulled Qin Shang Cheng aside, urging him not to tell Hua Rong that Tang Chudie was the villa's owner, fearing her reaction after her recent jealousy at the theater. Hua Rong overheard their whispers and demanded to know what they were talking about. Qian Dayou quickly explained that Qin Shang Cheng, the one-eyed merchant, and Ye Chen would ascend the mountain together the next morning for safety.
Hua Rong asked if they were reliable, to which Qin Shang Cheng replied that going together was the safest way, and Hua Rong reluctantly agreed to trust his judgment. The next morning, the allied group began their ascent. As they climbed, the one-eyed merchant grew impatient, questioning Ye Chen's earlier warning about missing groups, suggesting it was false news, and urging everyone to hurry to prevent others from taking the white jade. Ye Chen, however, advised caution.
The path soon became shrouded in thick fog. Zhang Xian asked if they were on the wrong path, but Qin Shang Cheng confirmed it was the only way up. The one-eyed merchant grew irritated by Ye Chen's calm explanation about the humidity forming the fog, challenged the others, and impatiently rushed ahead. Qin Shang Cheng noticed something amiss in the thick mist and asked Hua Rong if she had also noticed anything unusual.
