The Romance of Tiger and Rose Episode 12 Recap
> The Romance of Tiger and Rose Recap
Meng Guo’s death penalty is spared, but Su Ziying’s negligence must be addressed. Chen Chuchu plans to send him back to Pei Heng, but discovers a jade pendant identical to one found in the trap, uncovering the truth after questioning. Han Shuo, angry and hurt by Chen Qianqian’s matchmaking, scolds her for being willful and heartless.
Chen Qianqian tries to explain, but Chen Chuchu, unwilling to listen or accept her goodwill, mocks her before taking medicine to tend Han Shuo’s wounds. Seeing their close proximity and Han Shuo offering Chen Chuchu fresh fruit, Chen Qianqian leaves in anger. Han Shuo then tasks Bai Ji with secretly monitoring Su Ziying. In Chen Qianqian’s original novel, Su Ziying, saved by Chen Chuchu in childhood, is fiercely loyal to her, appearing harmless but cunning, serving as her trusted advisor.
Recognizing Chen Chuchu’s feelings for Han Shuo, he schemes to create opportunities for her, undermining Chen Qianqian and Han Shuo’s relationship while pretending to serve Pei Heng. However, Bai Ji’s surveillance thwarts him, as every pigeon he releases at night is shot down. While the young city owner’s romantic entanglements unfold at the frontier, the city owner hosts a banquet for officials in Huayuan City.
When Su Mu is harassed at the event, Chen Yuanyuan gifts him her personal jade pendant, naming him an honored guest of Risheng Mansion, sparking gossip about the performer winning the eldest princess’s favor. When Meng Guo was captured, Chen Qianqian referenced Zhuge Liang’s “seven captures, seven releases” strategy. She mimics it, repeatedly capturing and releasing Meng Guo six times.
Despite Chen Chuchu’s frustration, Chen Qianqian insists on a seventh battle, prompting Han Shuo and Chen Chuchu to lead an ambush while Su Ziying volunteers to stay and protect Chen Qianqian. The next day, the camp is attacked, and Su Ziying deliberately soaks the signal fireworks, preventing communication. By the time Han Shuo arrives, Chen Qianqian is taken to the bandit stronghold.
The stronghold is festively decorated, and Chen Qianqian, despairing, vows to protect her honor and avoid becoming a bandit bride. Surprisingly, Meng Guo, grateful for her six releases, treats her as a benefactor and proposes sworn brotherhood, naming her the leader. Unable to refuse, she joins the bandits in feasting until Han Shuo and Chen Chuchu attack. Drunk, Chen Qianqian causes a scene, mistaking Han Shuo for a pretty boy and declaring she’ll take him as her husband.
Amused yet exasperated, Han Shuo comforts her softly in his arms and orders Meng Guo and the bandits to surrender to Huayuan City, pledging loyalty to Chen Qianqian. Seeing Chen Chuchu’s distress, Su Ziying plots to help her reclaim the young city owner title and topple Chen Qianqian. He bribes a cook to summon Han Shuo to a storage room in Chen Qianqian’s name, planning to lure Chen Chuchu there, where they’ll be affected by aphrodisiac incense, forcing intimacy.
Han Shuo arrives, finding no Chen Qianqian, only a lit incense stick with an odd scent. Feeling strange effects, he removes it, but it’s too late. Chen Qianqian, learning from Zi Rui, rushes over, finding Han Shuo in pain at the table. As he grabs her, driven by desire, he struggles to restrain himself. With the door locked by the cook, Chen Qianqian instructs Zi Rui to keep quiet and fetch Bai Ji for help. As they speak through the door, Han Shuo, increasingly tormented, stumbles closer to her.
