The Romance of Hua Rong Episode 2 Recap
> The Romance of Hua Rong Recap
Having been brought back to the island, Hua Rong, still dressed as a man, defiantly told Qin Shang Cheng that her father was Hua Man Tian, a respected royal official famed for his martial arts and generosity, and that he would surely be searching for her. Qin Shang Cheng was skeptical, finding it hard to believe such a renowned martial artist would have such a "wimpy" son.
Hua Rong attempted to bluff, claiming to have inherited the Hua family's unique skill, Yi Yang Zhi, capable of incapacitating men with a single touch. She challenged him to a competition, stipulating that if she won, she must be allowed to live. Qin Shang Cheng agreed, but after her "Yi Yang Zhi" proved ineffective, he clarified that while he promised to spare her life, he had not agreed to release her.
He then punished her with twenty lashes for the earlier kitchen explosion. Enduring the whipping, Hua Rong hurled insults at Qin Shang Cheng, calling him a shameless bastard, and dismissed Qian Dayou’s attempts to make her be grateful for Qin Shang Cheng's personal punishment. Later, while still reeling from the lashing, Hua Rong witnessed a young boy, Yue Feng, being bullied by two men by the river.
She immediately intervened, chastising the bullies, even as Yue Feng pleaded with her not to get involved. Qin Shang Cheng arrived, and Hua Rong challenged his authority, asking if he would protect his subordinates. Unexpectedly, Qin Shang Cheng, upholding his own principles, ordered the bullies to receive ten lashes each for their troublemaking. He then departed. Yue Feng thanked Hua Rong for her help, and observing her drawing water, warned her about the algae in the river causing rashes.
Hua Rong shared that he was the first on the island to protect her, and she, in turn, encouraged Yue Feng to find inner strength to avoid being bullied and not to underestimate himself. Soon after, Qian Dayou brought baskets of Qin Shang Cheng's clothes for Hua Rong to wash. Observing islanders preparing to depart with Qin Shang Cheng the next day, Hua Rong devised a new escape plan.
Recalling Yue Feng's warning about the algae in the river causing rashes, she deliberately used that water to wash Qin Shang Cheng's clothes. The following morning, as Qin Shang Cheng prepared for departure, he began to itch uncontrollably. Qian Dayou confirmed Hua Rong had washed his clothes, leading Qin Shang Cheng to immediately deduce her trick. He knew she would attempt to escape.
Indeed, Hua Rong, disguised, had blended into the departing crowd and was about to board a ship when Qin Shang Cheng intercepted her. Back in the main hall, Hua Rong vehemently denied poisoning him or attempting to escape, claiming she was merely curious. Qin Shang Cheng asserted that his word was evidence on the island and, as punishment, declared he would have her arms and legs cut off.
Hua Rong desperately clung to his leg, praising him, then reminded him of her powerful father, Hua Man Tian, threatening that he would lead troops to destroy the island. Unmoved, Qin Shang Cheng stated he was least afraid of threats. He ordered her dragged away, to which Hua Rong responded with furious insults, labeling him a "stupid shameless bastard" and a "stinking pirate."
Qin Shang Cheng later revealed to his subordinate that this was merely a tactic to break her spirit, comparing it to "hawk training"; he ordered her tied to a discipline stake for three days of sun exposure to weaken her will. That night, Qin Shang Cheng ordered the guards to leave Hua Rong. Yue Feng secretly approached her with water and food.
Hua Rong told him that tears were no solution and that true strength came from within, encouraging him not to underestimate himself. Yue Feng was deeply moved, as no one had ever spoken to him that way before. The next morning, Qian Dayou frantically reported Hua Rong had fainted due to whip injuries and sun exposure. A doctor, summoned to examine her, revealed Hua Rong was, in fact, a girl.
This stunned everyone except Qin Shang Cheng, who had clearly known all along. Qin Shang Cheng promptly ordered a precious golden remedy applied to her. When Hua Rong awoke, dressed in female attire, she saw Qin Shang Cheng and angrily called him a "dirty bastard" for changing her clothes, realizing he had always known her true gender. Qin Shang Cheng retorted by questioning why a "normal girl" would have run to Yue Fang (a brothel) to dance.
Hua Rong declared herself a chivalrous person, quoting Mr. Yun He's teachings about a warrior's heart, and sharply contrasted his noble character with Qin Shang Cheng's brutal nature. Later, Qian Dayou delivered a message to Qin Shang Cheng, confirming that Hua Man Tian indeed had a beloved daughter of similar age to Hua Rong who had run away and was being sought. Qin Shang Cheng found this information "interesting."
Meanwhile, Yue Feng visited Hua Rong, who now revealed her female identity and invited him to call her "sister." Yue Feng shared that his parents were slaves who died after his birth, leaving him with only his surname, Yue, and no given name. Hua Rong, an only child, named him "Yue Feng" (Wind) to symbolize freedom and radiance, and they vowed to be sworn siblings. Yue Feng was overjoyed to finally have a family.
Hua Rong then determined that their most urgent task was to escape the island. Yue Feng revealed that a complete map of the island, including ship routes and reefs, was kept in Qin Shang Cheng's room. Hua Rong was excited, seeing it as their key to escape, and despite Yue Feng's caution against impulsiveness, she expressed confidence in her own intelligence and courage, inspired by Mr. Yun He. As Hua Rong recovered, she grew restless to find the map.
While she pondered how to get into Qin Shang Cheng's room, Chen Biao, the second boss, entered her room, intending to molest her. He tried to persuade her to abandon Qin Shang Cheng, claiming the island master was rough and not gentle with girls. Hua Rong resisted fiercely, warning him that she belonged to Qin Shang Cheng and he would not forgive Chen Biao.
As he physically overpowered her, Hua Rong screamed for Qin Shang Cheng, who arrived just in time. Chen Biao attempted to claim it was a misunderstanding, but Hua Rong quickly exposed his true intentions and even fabricated a story about him plotting to overthrow Qin Shang Cheng. Qin Shang Cheng ordered Chen Biao to receive fifty lashes. He then carried Hua Rong to his own room.
Hua Rong, while feigning indignation, subtly looked for the map, even offering to clean his meticulously kept room as a pretense to search. Qin Shang Cheng, aware of her motives, simply asked how she truly intended to repay him, leaving her speechless.
