The Romance of Hua Rong Episode 5 Recap
> The Romance of Hua Rong Recap
Hua Rong found herself confined to her room, where Qin Shang Cheng brought her an assortment of gold and silver jewelry, seized from Qian Dayou, in an attempt to appease her. Hua Rong, determined to escape, showed no interest in his gestures. She feigned an attack on Qin Shang Cheng with a hairpin, but he did not evade, prompting her to angrily accuse him of even plotting against himself to keep her captive.
Qin Shang Cheng asserted his intention to take responsibility for her, declaring that they would marry in five days. Hua Rong vehemently refused, calling him crazy and vowing never to marry someone like him. Qin Shang Cheng pulled out the hairpin and left. Later, Qin Shang Cheng’s subordinates, including Qian Dayou, expressed concern over Hua Rong’s dangerous nature and advised against the marriage.
Qin Shang Cheng dismissed their worries, instructing them to ensure Hua Rong remained confined and safe, and to have a clever servant guard her. He affirmed that the wedding would proceed as planned, stating he wished to see what else Hua Rong might attempt. Qian Dayou then reported that Pei Yong’s footprints had been found in Wan Jiang and that brothers sent to investigate at Tian Xian Luo had mysteriously disappeared.
He suggested postponing the marriage, believing apprehending Pei Yong was more urgent, especially as he suspected Pei Yong was connected to the Hei Long group. Qin Shang Cheng acknowledged the urgency but insisted that all matters, including avenging their brothers, would be personally handled by him after the wedding. Meanwhile, Yue Feng, under the pretense of delivering food on the island master's orders, visited Hua Rong. Hua Rong, happy to see Yue Feng, asked him in.
He inquired if the rumors of her marriage to the island master were true. Hua Rong assured him she would never marry Qin Shang Cheng. Yue Feng revealed he had hidden a small boat and noted the guards’ shift changes, needing only to repair the boat. Hua Rong was delighted and stated their next step was to obtain the sea map. Yue Feng wondered how they could acquire it.
Determined to find the map, Hua Rong summoned Qian Dayou late that night, requesting him to take her to Qin Shang Cheng’s room to apologize. Qian Dayou was reluctant, suspecting a trick. Hua Rong feigned deep remorse for harming Qin Shang Cheng and, in a calculated move, praised Qin Shang Cheng’s wealth, fame, handsomeness, and kindness towards her, implying her genuine change of heart.
She further convinced him by returning the gold and silver jewelry Qin Shang Cheng had given her, reminding him they were originally his. Convinced by her apparent sincerity and the returned valuables, Qian Dayou agreed to assist her, warning her not to cause any trouble. Once in Qin Shang Cheng’s room, Hua Rong offered to apply medicine to his wound, apologizing for her impulsiveness.
She told him she no longer wished to hear his past words, and agreed to marry him, explaining that since he wouldn't release her, she decided to stop resisting. She reasoned that if she couldn't be a knight, being an island master’s wife wasn't a bad alternative. Qin Shang Cheng promised she wouldn't regret being his wife, but Hua Rong voiced concerns about his trust, citing her previous confinement.
In response, Qin Shang Cheng handed her the token of the island's master, granting her the authority to do anything on the island, promising not to interfere with her freedom as long as she willingly married him. The next morning, Qin Shang Cheng brought Hua Rong to the training grounds. His men questioned her presence, but Qin Shang Cheng explained he had ordered 13 trays of cakes from the capital for her.
Hua Rong happily ate them, but then became annoyed when Qian Dayou addressed her as "Mistress" at Qin Shang Cheng's insistence, and she left. Qin Shang Cheng’s men deduced that he was keeping Hua Rong close to prevent her escape before the wedding, which Qin Shang Cheng confirmed to Qian Dayou, instructing him to keep a close watch on Yue Feng. His subordinates grumbled that Qin Shang Cheng had changed, prioritizing Hua Rong over them.
Later, Hua Rong, using the island master's token, gained entry to the weapon center, believing the true sea map was hidden there. She quickly realized the immense size of the armory would make finding it difficult and decided to leave for the moment. Outside, she encountered Qin Shang Cheng, who inquired about her presence. She casually claimed she was merely visiting since it was on her way.
When he questioned what she saw inside, she defiantly asked if there was anything she couldn't see. Hua Rong knew Qin Shang Cheng still harbored distrust and that her escape plan would fail if exposed. Using a small item she had picked up, she subtly implied he was breaking his word too soon, reminding him of his earlier promise that she could take anything she wanted.
Qin Shang Cheng assured her that he would uphold his word if she was sincere, then returned the small item to her, reiterating his promise not to go back on his word. Seizing an opportune moment when Qin Shang Cheng's guard was down, Hua Rong stealthily returned to the weapon center. This time, she successfully located the sea map and meticulously memorized its details.
Back in her room, she began to transcribe the map onto paper when Qin Shang Cheng unexpectedly entered. She quickly covered her work, claiming she was preparing a surprise gift for him to be revealed on their wedding day. Qin Shang Cheng then shared his personal history, revealing that he was an orphan raised by an adoptive father who taught him Kungfu.
He explained that his adoptive father’s death was suspicious and likely connected to Pei Yong, then asked Hua Rong if she would help him investigate. Hua Rong agreed, prompting Qin Shang Cheng to suggest she help him prepare for a bath. Later, Hua Rong met with Yue Feng, expressing her admiration for his work on the boat. Yue Feng confirmed that with a few modifications, the boat would be ready for sea.
Hua Rong then proudly presented the sea map, a copy she had meticulously drawn from memory, assuring Yue Feng that Qin Shang Cheng would not detect its absence. Impressed, Yue Feng confirmed his belief in her, and they decided to execute their escape plan the following day, immediately after the wedding. The next day, a grand wedding ceremony was held. During her preparations, Hua Rong expressed impatience with the traditional rituals.
As the ceremony began, Qin Shang Cheng, disregarding convention, boldly declared himself the rule. During the bows, he instructed Hua Rong to bow to his father's memorial tablet, explaining he couldn't invite her father in time. Hua Rong silently dismissed the entire ceremony as a farce, urging her deceased father not to believe in it. In the bridal chamber, Qin Shang Cheng read aloud from the wedding paper, surprising Hua Rong by revealing his literacy.
He playfully teased her about her previous deceptions. He then asked her to sign the wedding paper, making their union official. Hua Rong, with her escape plan firmly in mind, casually signed her name, internally dismissing the significance of the document. Qin Shang Cheng, overjoyed by her signature, was about to kiss her when his men called him away to celebrate with them.
Before leaving, he declared his undying love for Hua Rong, swearing before the heavens to love only her. Hua Rong dismissed him to join his men, promising to give him his gift upon his return. Outside the bridal chamber, Yue Feng approached the two guards, offering them strong wine, claiming it was from Qin Shang Cheng and boasting of its potency to intoxicate even the most seasoned drinkers within fifteen minutes.
The guards readily accepted, drank, and quickly succumbed to the wine, passing out. Seizing the opportunity, Hua Rong slipped past the unconscious guards and fled. Returning to the bridal chamber, Qin Shang Cheng discovered Hua Rong’s absence. Stunned and heartbroken, he silently swore that he would find Hua Rong, no matter where she went in the world. Meanwhile, out on the stormy sea, Hua Rong and Yue Feng battled the massive waves in their small boat.
Yue Feng voiced his concern that the boat might capsize, but Hua Rong instructed him to paddle in a direction that would allow them to float towards a nearby village if overturned, advising him to cling to any floating debris. Suddenly, a large ship appeared behind them, and Hua Rong realized it was Qin Shang Cheng’s vessel. A powerful wave struck their small boat, capsizing it. Later, Qin Shang Cheng’s men discovered the wreckage of the small boat.
Hesitant to deliver the grim news, they eventually informed Qin Shang Cheng of their findings. Unfazed, Qin Shang Cheng ordered them to continue the search, vowing to find Hua Rong, alive or dead.
