The Romance of Tiger and Rose Episode 15 Recap
> The Romance of Tiger and Rose Recap
Han Shuo's subordinate, Bai Ji, inquired about the City Owner's sudden order for Han Shuo and Chen Qianqian to divorce. Han Shuo suspected it stemmed from the Xuanhu City envoys' visit, which had likely aroused the City Owner's suspicions. Bai Ji urged Han Shuo to consider severing ties with Chen Qianqian, emphasizing their distinct city allegiances, and suggested that if Han Shuo were to conquer Huayuan City, Chen Qianqian would inevitably become his. Han Shuo, however, remained non-committal.
Meanwhile, unbeknownst to Han Shuo, Xuanhu City envoys, under orders from their City Owner, were surreptitiously burying explosives throughout Huayuan, with an official reminding his men to be cautious of the volatile contents. During Huayuan City's annual hunting gathering, the City Owner reiterated her demand for Chen Qianqian to divorce Han Shuo. Chen Qianqian requested more time, expressing her strong dislike for Pei Heng and dismissing the idea of choosing a husband based on superficial qualities.
The City Owner, however, insisted on Pei Heng's superiority. Pei Heng, overhearing, tried to reassure Chen Qianqian, suggesting they remain friends. Chen Qianqian, hoping to thwart her mother's plans, urged Pei Heng to pretend to reject her, but Pei Heng subtly indicated his unwavering intention to pursue her, promising to address the matter with the City Owner at an opportune moment and ensuring she wouldn't be burdened.
When Han Shuo arrived, the City Owner openly challenged his love for Chen Qianqian, demanding proof. She introduced a new custom: a princess's husband must wear a permanent copper bracelet engraved with the family crest, symbolizing his allegiance. Han Shuo pointed out that in Xuanhu City, such marks were reserved for servants, and this custom did not exist in Huayuan City. The City Owner declared that the tradition would begin with him, contrasting his hesitation with Pei Heng's supposed willingness.
When Han Shuo asked what would happen if he refused, the City Owner stated that he should end the marriage. Han Shuo felt coerced but did not immediately yield. The City Owner then shifted focus to her other daughters, announcing her intention to find husbands for them as the Double Seventh Festival was approaching. Chen Yuanyuan initially declined, feeling weary.
Chen Qianqian, aware of Chen Yuanyuan's affection for Su Mu, privately proposed that Chen Yuanyuan host an embroidered ball ceremony, confident she could manipulate events for Su Mu to catch it. Later, Chen Qianqian approached Su Mu, inquiring why he had stopped helping Chen Yuanyuan with her rehabilitation. She encouraged him to embrace the opportunity, but Su Mu, citing his humble status and concern for Chen Yuanyuan's reputation, refused, frustrating Chen Qianqian.
During the hunt, as Chen Qianqian retrieved a rabbit shot by Chen Chuchu, Chen Chuchu aimed another arrow, intending to kill her. Han Shuo swiftly intervened, shooting Chen Chuchu's arrow mid-air. Feigning ignorance, Chen Qianqian calmly took the rabbit away. Han Shuo then sternly warned Chen Chuchu against harming Chen Qianqian again, proclaiming his unwavering devotion to her alone. Chen Qianqian, hidden nearby, overheard their exchange, including Chen Chuchu's retort that she didn't deserve him.
Later, Su Ziying, having broken out of prison, secretly met with Chen Chuchu. He presented an intercepted document, revealing Xuanhu City's plan to detonate explosives and attack Huayuan City during the Double Seventh Festival. Professing his loyalty, Su Ziying offered to help Chen Chuchu usurp Chen Qianqian's position by capturing Han Shuo and implicating her. Chen Chuchu recalled saving a young Su Ziying from a beating by Chen Qianqian years ago, which made her trust him more.
Citing her inability to deploy City Guards without approval, Chen Chuchu was prompted by Su Ziying to seek help from Pei Heng, whose private soldiers were renowned. She visited Pei Heng, proposing an alliance: she would help him win Chen Qianqian if he lent her his troops to expose Han Shuo's malicious intentions. After some consideration, Pei Heng agreed. Meanwhile, Han Shuo went to the armory.
A craftsman explained the forging process: a mold would be affixed to the wrist, and molten metal poured in, fusing permanently with the skin. Han Shuo viewed it as a cruel humiliation, akin to the branding of slaves in Xuanhu City. However, he agreed to undergo the ordeal on the condition that the City Owner withdraw the marriage proposal between Chen Qianqian and Pei Heng.
Despite the agonizing pain, Han Shuo endured it silently, managing a faint, pale smile once it was complete. The next day, as the Double Seventh Festival began, Han Shuo attempted to approach Chen Qianqian, but she consistently avoided him, citing her busy schedule. When Han Shuo pressed her, expressing his hurt at her evasion, Chen Qianqian, steeling herself to push him away, cruelly told him he only knew how to threaten her, implicitly accepting the divorce.
Deeply wounded, Han Shuo walked away. He then met with the Xuanhu officials, who confirmed all detonation points were prepared. With "the arrow on the string," Han Shuo felt he had no choice but to proceed with the attack. In the city, Lu Peng had become the new top musician at the Music and Dance Academy. The embroidered ball ceremony for Chen Yuanyuan attracted many bachelors, including Lu Peng.
Chen Qianqian had a plan to ensure Su Mu, who briefly appeared, would catch the ball. However, Su Mu overheard the crowd's disparaging remarks about his low status and left dejectedly. As Chen Qianqian was about to execute her plan, she overheard townspeople discussing Han Shuo's forced wearing of the humiliating copper bracelet. Overwhelmed with remorse, she realized the extent of his sacrifice.
Zi Rui then reported seeing Han Shuo overseeing the transport of many boxes, which Bai Ji had called "special local products" for a "big surprise." Chen Qianqian immediately understood they were explosives. Realizing Han Shuo was about to bomb the city, Chen Qianqian frantically handed the embroidered ball to Zi Rui, instructing him to give it only to Su Mu, and rushed to find Han Shuo.
She confronted Chen Chuchu, who revealed she already knew of the plan and had deployed Pei Heng's soldiers to ambush Han Shuo, intending to use his treachery to solidify her claim as successor. Appalled by her sister's ambition, Chen Qianqian accused her of sacrificing Han Shuo for power, but Chen Chuchu had her confined, blaming her erratic behavior for Han Shuo's actions.
Moved by Chen Qianqian's tearful pleas, Pei Heng helped her escape, making her vow not to be swayed by Han Shuo again. They split up to search for him, but Han Shuo suddenly appeared and pulled Chen Qianqian aside. Back at the ceremony, heartbroken by Su Mu's absence, Chen Yuanyuan defiantly threw the ball to decide her own fate. Despite Zi Rui and Meng Guo's attempts to intervene, the musician Lu Peng caught it.
Chen Yuanyuan boldly declared that the one who caught the ball would be her husband, specifically stating her intent to marry a musician. Seeing the permanent copper bracelet on Han Shuo's wrist, Chen Qianqian was overcome with guilt. She finally confessed her love for him, promising to stay by his side. Han Shuo was overjoyed. However, his expression changed as he spotted the City Owner's parade vehicle approaching. Without another word, Han Shuo ignited the fuse.
