The Romance of Hua Rong Episode 22 Recap
> The Romance of Hua Rong Recap
As expected, assassins ambushed Qin Shangcheng and his group at the villa. After dealing with the attackers and returning indoors, Ye Chen discovered that Qin Shangcheng's white jade had been stolen. Qin Shangcheng then revealed to Ye Chen that he had deliberately placed a fake white jade to lure their enemies out, and that the landlady had poisoned their meal. Ye Chen commended Qin Shangcheng's foresight.
Zhang Xian arrived, confirming that the landlady had fled the villa overnight, which fully illuminated Qin Shangcheng and Tang Chudie's plan to use her to draw out the mastermind. Ye Chen expressed frustration that Qin Shangcheng had kept the truth from him, but Qin Shangcheng urged everyone to leave quickly. Following the landlady, Qin Shangcheng and his group arrived at a brothel called Fengming Pavilion.
Qin Shangcheng instructed Dayou, Zhang Xian, Hua Rong, and Tang Chudie to wait outside, stating it was unsuitable for the women to enter. Tang Chudie also advised Hua Rong to listen to Qin Shangcheng, fearing her father's disapproval if she visited such a place. Reluctantly, Hua Rong agreed to wait outside with the others. Determined to assist, Hua Rong and Tang Chudie secretly subdued two pipa players, disguised themselves with veils, and entered the main hall of the brothel.
Qin Shangcheng quickly spotted them among the performers. Jin Fu, already aware of their true identities, summoned Hua Rong and Tang Chudie to his private room. He promptly revealed their disguises. Jin Fu then had Qin Shangcheng and Ye Chen brought to his room. He displayed the fake white jade he had stolen, asserting that he had Hua Rong and Tang Chudie in his control, and proposed a trade: their safety for the real white jade.
Tang Chudie feigned willingness to perform "Ambush on All Sides" for him. As Jin Fu prepared to escalate his attack, Tang Chudie, using her pipa's strings as improvised weapons, skillfully fended off his henchmen. Suddenly, Jin Yiwen arrived, having already subdued Jin Fu's external guards. He informed everyone that Jin Fu's true master was Jin Duoxiong, Jin Yiwen's elder brother. Jin Yiwen expressed deep remorse for his brother's actions, apologizing to everyone present.
Qin Shangcheng reassured him, asserting that Jin Yiwen was distinct from his brother's wrongdoings and their actions were unrelated. Jin Yiwen then shared crucial intelligence: there was a spy for Jin Fu hidden within Mengdie Mountain Villa. Although he had no concrete proof and hadn't seen the spy's face clearly, he had overheard Jin Fu meeting with this individual at Youlan Pavilion.
Tang Chudie, alarmed by this revelation, immediately worried for her father's safety, as his secluded retreat within the villa might now be compromised. Recognizing the urgency, the group quickly decided to return to Mengdie Mountain Villa, specifically heading towards the Peach Valley where Tang Chudie's father's secret shelter was located. Upon reaching Peach Valley, Tang Chudie led the group to a hidden shelter where her father, the Villa Master, was supposed to be in retreat.
After she opened the hidden door, a voice from inside confirmed he was fine. Qin Shangcheng respectfully greeted the Villa Master. Unexpectedly, the person disguised as Tang Villa Master suddenly shot a dart at Qin Shangcheng. Tang Chudie instinctively shielded Qin Shangcheng, taking the dart herself and sustaining an injury. It was then revealed that the "Villa Master" was actually Jin Fu in disguise. A battle ensued with Jin Fu and his men.
After a fierce fight, Jin Fu was subdued, but rather than be captured, he bit his tongue and committed suicide. Recognizing Tang Chudie needed immediate medical attention, the group quickly decided to relocate to a safer place for her treatment. Jin Yiwen suggested a suitable location, and they promptly set off. They brought the injured Tang Chudie to a room. Qin Shangcheng dispatched Jin Yiwen to purchase specific medicinal herbs, and Hua Rong accompanied him.
He then instructed Ye Chen, Dayou, and Zhang Xian to guard the room, ensuring no one disturbed them. Inside, Qin Shangcheng personally attended to Tang Chudie, using his internal energy to extract the poisoned dart. Feeling remorseful for her injury, he apologized for his carelessness. Tang Chudie, however, assured him there was no need for guilt, explaining that she had merely repaid the debt of gratitude she owed him for saving her three years prior.
She then spoke of her admiration for him, promising to practice her skills to better protect herself. Tang Chudie confessed her long-held feelings for Qin Shangcheng, admitting she knew his heart belonged to Hua Rong and that she couldn't compare to her, yet she vowed not to give up on pursuing him. Qin Shangcheng, deeply appreciative of her sacrifice, gently but firmly reiterated that Hua Rong was the only woman he loved.
Tang Chudie accepted this, saying her sole wish was to accompany him on his adventures and uphold justice. Qin Shangcheng then made an excuse to leave the room. Outside Tang Chudie's room, Hua Rong and Jin Yiwen had overheard the emotional exchange. Jin Yiwen asked Hua Rong if she was jealous of Tang Chudie. Hua Rong admitted she had been, but now felt undeserving of Qin Shangcheng, believing Tang Chudie was truly meant for him.
Jin Yiwen comforted her by comparing people to stars in the night sky, each unique with their own stories. He urged Hua Rong not to compare herself to anyone, emphasizing that Qin Shangcheng's feelings for her were "rock-solid and obvious to the sun and the moon." After Qin Shangcheng left Tang Chudie's room, he found a contemplative Hua Rong.
She confessed her feelings of inadequacy, stating that Tang Chudie's calm demeanor in danger, tactical understanding with him, and life-saving courage made her feel inferior in martial skills and experience. Hua Rong lamented that only a true heroine like Tang Chudie was worthy of him. Qin Shangcheng tenderly reassured her, reminding her of her own heroic deeds in Tianchu and her compassionate heart, which he valued more than martial skills or experience.
He told her that he didn't know why he loved her, but that her presence made him feel happy and lucky, and that no one in the world could ever replace her. Comforted by his words, Hua Rong leaned happily into his embrace. With Hua Rong's self-doubt resolved, Tang Chudie expressed her desire to return to Mengdie Mountain Villa immediately, believing her father would also return there if he had escaped.
Upon their arrival at the villa, an arrow flew in carrying a message: Qin Shangcheng was to go to the maple forest at Meng Mountain the next day at eight o'clock and exchange the white jade for Tang Feng, the Villa Master. In the meeting hall, everyone gathered to discuss their next move. Tang Chudie asked Qin Shangcheng for his plan. Some disciples suggested exchanging the white jade for the Villa Master, prioritizing his life.
Hua Rong, however, strongly opposed this, explaining that Jin Duoxiong was not merely a prince but potentially the true leader of the Black Dragon gang, and his ultimate goal was to acquire the treasure of the previous dynasty using the white jade. She warned that if he succeeded, it would plunge the entire world into chaos. Tang Chudie proposed exchanging the real white jade to rescue her father, and then devising a plan to seize it back on the spot.
Qin Shangcheng agreed this was the most feasible option. But Hua Rong vehemently disagreed, arguing that once Jin Duoxiong possessed both white jades and his cunning schemes, retrieving them would be incredibly difficult. Qin Shangcheng tried to reassure her, confident he could prevent Jin Duoxiong from obtaining the treasure even if he temporarily held the jades, and stressed that rescuing Villa Master Tang was paramount.
Hua Rong accused him of selfishness, claiming his eagerness was motivated by repaying Tang Chudie's life-saving act and avenging his foster father, disregarding the safety of thousands of residents. Qin Shangcheng countered that he would indeed retrieve the white jade personally after the exchange. Feeling betrayed and disappointed by his perceived overconfidence, Hua Rong stormed out, vowing that she would never let the white jade fall into Jin Duoxiong's hands.
Ignoring Qin Shangcheng's plan, Hua Rong secretly took the white jade and went alone into the wilderness, intending to rescue Tang Villa Master herself. There, she was ambushed and captured by Yanfei, Ye Chen's junior brother, who then revealed himself as Jin Duoxiong's spy within Mengdie Mountain Villa. Yanfei boasted that he would deliver Hua Rong, Qin Shangcheng's lady, to Jin Duoxiong for a reward.
However, Hua Rong burst into laughter, declaring that Yanfei had unwittingly led her directly to Jin Duoxiong's headquarters. At that moment, Qin Shangcheng appeared, holding his sword to Yanfei's neck. He revealed that Jin Yiwen had already informed them of Yanfei's true identity. Their earlier heated argument had been a deliberate act, a ruse to trick Yanfei into exposing himself and leading them to Jin Duoxiong's hidden camp.
With Yanfei captured, Hua Rong proposed a plan: Qin Shangcheng would set fire to the enemy's granary using fire crystal. This would draw out all the guarding soldiers, creating a diversion. While the guards were busy fighting the fire, Hua Rong would infiltrate the guarded tents to rescue Tang Villa Master, who she was certain would be held there. Qin Shangcheng agreed, and they proceeded with the daring rescue mission.
