The Romance of Hua Rong Episode 20 Recap
> The Romance of Hua Rong Recap
Qin Shang Cheng and his companions, including Hua Rong, Qian Dayou, Zhang Xian, and a one-eyed man, set out to ascend the mountain. As they climbed, they encountered a dense fog. The one-eyed man, confident, took the lead, stepping directly into the mist. Qin Shang Cheng immediately sensed something unusual about the fog. Hua Rong, after a careful look, also noticed the strange anomaly.
Ye Chen, observing from a distance, speculated that a hidden array was concealed within the foggy forest and decided to watch before making a move. Undeterred, Qin Shang Cheng and his group ventured deeper into the mist. Inside the forest, Qin Shang Cheng tested Hua Rong's knowledge. Hua Rong quickly recognized the fog formation as the "Seven-Star Dipper Eight Trigrams Array," a tactical formation recorded in Qin Shang Cheng's own "Journey of the Crane."
She explained that to break the array, one must first locate the direction of the array eye and then follow the routes of the seven stars: Tianshu, Tianxuan, Tianji, Tianquan, Yuheng, Kaiyang, and Yaoguang. When asked for the current array eye's direction, Hua Rong confidently pointed towards the northwest. Qian Dayou expressed surprise that Mengdie Villa would use a formation invented by Qin Shang Cheng himself.
As they discussed, a commotion nearby suggested the one-eyed man was in trouble, reinforcing the sense of danger surrounding Mengdie Villa. Despite this, Qin Shang Cheng insisted they continue their journey, and Hua Rong led them successfully out of the maze. Qian Dayou praised Hua Rong’s intelligence. Upon exiting the fog, Qin Shang Cheng halted, waiting for someone. Soon, Ye Chen and his men appeared, claiming they had simply followed Qin Shang Cheng's footprints out of the maze.
However, Qin Shang Cheng and Qian Dayou had already suspected Ye Chen's true intentions and remained silent, maintaining their guard. The group then arrived at an old, dilapidated rope bridge spanning a deep chasm. Ye Chen volunteered to cross first and did so safely. Qin Shang Cheng then instructed Qian Dayou and Zhang Xian to cross.
As Qin Shang Cheng led Hua Rong across the swaying bridge, Ye Chen's subordinates attempted to sabotage it, but Qian Dayou and Zhang Xian quickly intervened, thwarting their efforts. Once safely across, Ye Chen realized that Qin Shang Cheng and his group had been wary of them all along. Hua Rong then revealed that the array eye of the Seven-Star Dipper Eight Trigrams Array changes with the time, making it impossible for Ye Chen to have merely followed their path.
She concluded that Ye Chen must be an associate of Mengdie Villa. Exposed, Ye Chen fled. Qin Shang Cheng decided against pursuing him, understanding that Ye Chen's familiarity with the terrain could lead them into another trap. Continuing their journey, the group reached a cliff face when sudden falling rocks forced them to retreat.
A young girl named Xiao Die, whose leg was injured, warned them that the path was treacherous due to boulders and offered to guide them through a hidden, safer route. She explained that she had arrived at Mengdie Villa with her father, who was injured and captured. She desperately sought to rescue him and, kneeling, pleaded for their help. Initially, Qin Shang Cheng was hesitant, but Hua Rong, touched by Xiao Die's plight, agreed to assist her.
Qian Dayou reluctantly carried Xiao Die. Xiao Die offered her sachet, which contained sandalwood, for them to smell. After walking a significant distance, the group stopped to rest. They noticed a peculiar, flowery fragrance. Hua Rong suddenly realized the scent was poisonous, and one by one, everyone collapsed. Ye Chen then emerged and woke Xiao Die, revealing that she was, in fact, the owner of Mengdie Villa.
He ordered his subordinates to take Qin Shang Cheng and the others to the dungeon. However, Qin Shang Cheng and Hua Rong stood up, completely unaffected. Qin Shang Cheng calmly explained that he had already replaced the fragrance in Xiao Die's sachet. Ye Chen acknowledged Qin Shang Cheng's cleverness, stating that neither the sachet's scent nor the flowers were individually toxic, but their combination was highly potent.
Xiao Die, revealed to be Tang Chudie, confronted them, demanding the release of her senior fellow apprentice and threatening their lives if they refused. Qin Shang Cheng then questioned her about Sanjian, asking if he was a disciple of Mengdie Villa. Tang Chudie challenged him to a duel for the answer, a challenge Qin Shang Cheng declined, stating he never competes with women.
Qin Shang Cheng then performed a swift "Crane Wing" move, which visibly surprised Tang Chudie, causing her to ask if he was Yunhe. Tang Chudie then offered them lodging in Mengdie Villa, promising a satisfactory explanation for everything. Inside Mengdie Villa, Tang Chudie clarified that Sanjian had been expelled from the villa two months prior for repeatedly violating its rules, showing them a detailed list of disciples as proof.
While she wasn't sure of Sanjian's whereabouts, she described him as a skilled martial artist but a man driven by greed and a desire for fame, implying his current actions were separate from the villa. Qin Shang Cheng then inquired about the rumors of white jade being in Mengdie Villa. Tang Chudie claimed the rumors were false and that the villa did not possess any white jade, nor did they have any knowledge of it.
She explained that the villa had suffered greatly from those attempting to steal the jade, which was why she had imprisoned the intruders. Observing Tang Chudie's sudden shift from hostility to hospitality, Qin Shang Cheng questioned her change in demeanor. Tang Chudie admitted her change was due to him, revealing that she harbored gratitude for his past actions from three years ago, even though Qin Shang Cheng could not recall the incident.
Later, in his room, Qin Shang Cheng contemplated whether to tell Hua Rong about Tang Chudie's past connection to him. Qian Dayou advised against it, warning him that women are inherently jealous and Hua Rong would surely be upset. Despite the warning, Qin Shang Cheng decided he would be honest with Hua Rong. Meanwhile, Hua Rong secretly went to a study and discovered a painting of Qin Shang Cheng and Tang Chudie.
Not long after, Qin Shang Cheng arrived at the study at Tang Chudie's invitation. Suspecting a private rendezvous, Hua Rong hid, intending to eavesdrop. Tang Chudie pressed Qin Shang Cheng, asking if he was truly Yunhe, the hero who saved her at Wanjiang Harbor three years ago. Qin Shang Cheng deflected, claiming his wife, Hua Rong, was the one who broke the array, and revealing he was a married man.
Hua Rong, still hidden, inadvertently made a sound, leading Qin Shang Cheng to jokingly dismiss it as a mouse before covering for her, helping her slip away unnoticed by Tang Chudie. Hua Rong later confronted Qin Shang Cheng, accusing him of a "date" with Tang Chudie. He attempted to explain, but she remained peeved. That evening, Tang Chudie hosted a banquet in the courtyard. Hua Rong asked Tang Chudie about the whereabouts of the villa's owner, her father.
Tang Chudie explained that her father was in seclusion. Hua Rong then proposed that she and Tang Chudie become sworn sisters. Tang Chudie agreed, revealing her full name as Tang Chudie. Upon hearing this, Hua Rong realized that she was the renowned female swordsman of Wanjiang. Feeling slighted, Hua Rong became indignant and began drinking heavily before excusing herself from the banquet, with Qin Shang Cheng quickly following to try and appease her.
Back in their room, a drunken Hua Rong sprawled on the bed, complaining to Qin Shang Cheng about his constant charm that seemed to attract women, now including Tang Chudie. She accused him of being a "playboy" and expressed her strong dislike for other girls around him. Qin Shang Cheng tried to reassure her, reiterating that he only cared for her. Despite her inebriation and lingering jealousy, Hua Rong confessed her fear that he might one day leave her. Qin Shang Cheng tenderly held her, promising that as long as she never left him, he would never leave her.
