The Romance of Hua Rong Episode 21 Recap
> The Romance of Hua Rong Recap
Tang Chudie held deep affection for Qin Shangcheng and had carefully painted his portrait. Meanwhile, Wanwan pressed Jin Yiwen to go to Mengdie Villa to find Hua Rong. Jin Yiwen held a money dart, the very hidden weapon that had killed Sanjian. Jin Yiwen had been diligently searching for the money dart’s owner and suspected it was Jin Fu, the steward of Jin Palace.
A source then informed Jin Yiwen that Jin Fu was anxiously waiting for someone, prompting Jin Yiwen to immediately depart. Jin Yiwen's subordinate observed Jin Fu meeting a cloaked figure. Listening intently, Jin Yiwen heard the cloaked person address Jin Fu as "Boss Jin" and confirm that Qin Shangcheng was indeed Yunhe, possessing the other white jade piece. The cloaked figure, identified as someone from Mengdie Villa, was informed that Jin Fu was working for the young lord.
The cloaked figure promised to report any new developments regarding Qin Shangcheng, while Jin Fu assured him that the young lord would fulfill his promise upon their success. Jin Yiwen instructed his subordinate not to send spies, as Jin Fu was cautious and might have hidden guards. He emphasized that since they now knew the person was from Mengdie Villa, they should avoid alerting them. Jin Yiwen also specifically told his subordinate not to inform Wanwan for her safety.
Back at Mengdie Villa, Hua Rong, still fuming from the previous night, forcefully expelled Qin Shangcheng from her room. Qian Dayou noticed Qin Shangcheng’s somber mood. Lianxin, Tang Chudie's servant, brought breakfast to Qin Shangcheng, explaining that Tang Chudie had personally prepared it for him and the others. She mentioned that Hua Rong’s breakfast had been sent separately by another servant, highlighting Tang Chudie’s thoughtfulness.
Qian Dayou advised Qin Shangcheng that they faced two main issues: calming Hua Rong and confirming whether the white jade was in Mengdie Villa. He proposed a strategy of "retreat in order to advance" to resolve both. At Mengdie Villa, Tang Chudie explained to Qin Shangcheng and his group that Sanjian, who had attacked them earlier, was indeed from her villa but had long since left.
She clarified that the rumor about a treasure map being in Mengdie Villa was false, suggesting it was spread by someone with malicious intent. Qin Shangcheng, addressing Tang Chudie as Mr. Situ, then directly asked if she had the white jade in her villa. Tang Chudie denied interest in treasures but questioned his intense focus on the white jade. Qin Shangcheng stated he had his reasons and pressed for a direct answer. Tang Chudie denied possessing it.
Observing Tang Chudie’s expression, Hua Rong grew suspicious, sensing there was more to the situation. She also speculated that Mengdie Villa might be connected to her adoptive father's death and decided to investigate a secret room she had discovered the day before. Qin Shangcheng announced his intention to leave. Tang Chudie then asked Hua Rong to convince Qin Shangcheng to stay. Hua Rong scoffed, declaring she would stay regardless, praising the villa's scenery and people.
Qin Shangcheng, feigning departure, told Hua Rong to pack. Hua Rong questioned his hasty departure, hinting at a hidden connection with Tang Chudie. Qin Shangcheng explained his pretense was a strategy to make Hua Rong calm down and also to prompt Tang Chudie to reveal the white jade, as he believed Tang Chudie, knowing he possessed a white jade piece, would not miss the opportunity to unite them.
Meanwhile, Lianxin commented to Tang Chudie about her apparent longing for Qin Shangcheng, whom she referred to as Yunhe, the one who had captivated her for three years. Yechen approached Tang Chudie, revealing that he had tracked Qin Shangcheng and uncovered his true identity as the Pirate King, who used "Mr. Situ" and "Yunhe" as mere disguises.
Yechen warned Tang Chudie that Qin Shangcheng and his group had come to Mengdie Villa solely for the white jade and would resort to any means to acquire it, urging her to be prepared. Tang Chudie calmly responded that she had her own plans. Hua Rong ventured into the secret room, where she found a blank tablet. Upon opening a box beneath it, a mechanism was triggered, trapping her inside.
She realized the box was intended for the white jade, but it was empty. Tang Chudie, alerted to the intrusion, immediately suspected Qin Shangcheng. Yechen, arriving with Tang Chudie, accused Hua Rong of breaking in and stealing the jade. Hua Rong vehemently denied the accusation, insisting the box was empty when she found it. Qin Shangcheng intervened, and Tang Chudie confirmed that Hua Rong had not stolen the jade because the box contained nothing.
Qin Shangcheng then recognized a meteor hammer in the room as his adoptive father's weapon. He demanded to know why it was there. Tang Chudie, recognizing him as Uncle Qin’s adoptive son, explained that her father and Qin Shangcheng’s adoptive father were sworn brothers in their youth, though they had later gone their separate ways for reasons her father never disclosed.
She revealed that her father had erected the blank tablet for Uncle Qin eight years ago, with strict instructions to keep it a secret to prevent tragedy from befalling Mengdie Villa. Qin Shangcheng decided to meet Tang Chudie's father to verify her account, and she offered to accompany him to Taohua Valley where her father was practicing. They planned to set off the next day.
Hua Rong, overhearing this, grew frustrated, feeling that "Yunhe and Mengdie" were forming a closer bond, making her feel alienated. She confronted Qin Shangcheng, who tried to mollify her. Hua Rong accused him of hiding Tang Chudie’s identity. Qin Shangcheng swore he would keep no more secrets from her. Hua Rong "forgave" him but declared him on "observation," warning him against any further involvement with Tang Chudie.
Qin Shangcheng, still uncertain about the veracity of Tang Chudie’s story, reiterated his need to meet her father for confirmation and Hua Rong pledged to help him uncover the truth behind his father’s death. Hua Rong, however, refused Qin Shangcheng’s attempt at a hug, telling him to leave to pack.
Lianxin assisted Tang Chudie in packing for the trip, highlighting it as a perfect opportunity to showcase her beauty and capabilities to Qin Shangcheng, emphasizing that Hua Rong was not Qin Shangcheng's type due to her supposedly rude and unvirtuous nature. Tang Chudie, though initially hesitant, agreed to try her best, stating she would accept Qin Shangcheng's choice if he still preferred Hua Rong.
Hua Rong, overhearing servants discussing Tang Chudie's elaborate preparations for a potential wedding, resolved not to be outdone. She instructed her own servants to prepare her most exquisite makeup and jewelry. She then openly challenged Tang Chudie, declaring she was not afraid of a "war." Qian Dayou warned Qin Shangcheng about the "horrible" war between women, but Qin Shangcheng dismissed his concerns. Later that night, Yechen visited Hua Rong and proposed a collaboration.
Hua Rong quickly surmised that Yechen harbored feelings for Tang Chudie and was upset that Tang Chudie might ignore him on the trip to Taohua Valley. Yechen denied this, stating his desire to see his master and acknowledging their common goals. Hua Rong accepted his offer, believing that "one more friend is better than one more enemy."
The next day, Tang Chudie appeared in an elaborate outfit, complete with carefully chosen makeup and accessories, having clearly put significant effort into her appearance for the journey. Hua Rong, however, noticed that Qin Shangcheng did not even spare a glance for Tang Chudie. Hua Rong complimented Tang Chudie's elaborate look, subtly implying it was for a date, while Tang Chudie countered that she was merely showing her "true inner side" now that she had time.
They continued to subtly mock each other’s jewelry choices, with Hua Rong hinting that Tang Chudie’s elegant earrings were more suited for “mature women” and Tang Chudie suggesting Hua Rong’s accessories were fine for “young kids.” Hua Rong then provocatively warned Tang Chudie to be cautious in the carriage, likening their verbal sparring to a dangerous fight. At the hot spring villa, Jin Fu met with the owner to arrange for the theft of the white jade, requesting assistance.
He described a group of four men and two women who would soon arrive, specifically mentioning a man who resembled a “bully” and possessed a white jade stone. Jin Fu demanded this jade, brushing aside the owner’s query about a treasure map, and promising a hefty payment. The owner agreed to the task.
Upon their arrival at the hot spring villa, Tang Chudie, wary of potential poisoning, insisted on cooking herself and asked for kitchen access, offering to pay for the ingredients. Hua Rong, agreeing with the caution, volunteered to help. Inside the kitchen, Tang Chudie worked efficiently, while Hua Rong struggled with her dishes.
The female owner of the villa, noticing Tang Chudie's carefulness, approached Hua Rong and offered cooking advice, subtly adding an unknown substance to Hua Rong's toasted meat while guiding her. During dinner, Qian Dayou suggested that Hua Rong and Tang Chudie introduce their dishes. Tang Chudie presented her appetizer, "Nobody," a sweet and fresh concoction. Hua Rong then introduced her "Hard-edged" dish, a mango and unnamed fruit creation that started astringent but finished sweet.
Tang Chudie presented "Matching," an elegant dish of trepang and abalone, implying a perfect match. Qin Shangcheng praised Tang Chudie's dish, interpreting its ingredients, millet and trepang, as a metaphor for a couple supporting each other. Tang Chudie offered Qin Shangcheng her favorite sweet and sour lake fish, which she associated with a special memory of meeting him at Wanjiang Harbor three years prior. Qin Shangcheng found it too sour.
Hua Rong then invited Qin Shangcheng to try her toasted meat, recalling a special memory of eating it with her lover. Suddenly, Tang Chudie dramatically knocked Hua Rong's toasted meat off the table, claiming it was burnt and unsuitable for Qin Shangcheng. Lianxin accused Tang Chudie of acting on purpose, but Tang Chudie simply declared herself full and left. Qian Dayou tried to console Hua Rong, suggesting Tang Chudie was merely embarrassed by her inferior cooking.
However, Hua Rong suspected Tang Chudie had acted intentionally, perhaps for a specific reason beyond mere jealousy. Later, while bathing in the hot spring, Hua Rong confronted Tang Chudie about her actions, but Tang Chudie refused to give a direct explanation. Yechen, speaking to Qin Shangcheng, suggested that Tang Chudie’s behavior stemmed from anger over Qin Shangcheng's perceived favoritism towards Hua Rong. Qin Shangcheng mused that perhaps this indicated his place in Tang Chudie’s heart.
Hua Rong realized the villa owner had tampered with her roasted meat. She also shrewdly deduced that Qin Shangcheng had deliberately requested the hot spring service to lower their enemies’ guard and draw them out. Soon after, assassins appeared. Qin Shangcheng instructed Yechen to protect Hua Rong. Hua Rong watched as Qin Shangcheng and Tang Chudie fought the assassins with impressive coordination, a sight that left her feeling deeply saddened. The assassins eventually retreated. Qin Shangcheng and Tang Chudie then checked each other for injuries.
