The Romance of Tiger and Rose Episode 23 Recap
> The Romance of Tiger and Rose Recap
Pei Heng’s mother, once adopted as a sworn sister by Huayuan City’s city owner, died from battle wounds. Entrusted with her orphaned daughter, the city owner raised her as her own, naming her Chen Chuchu. Now, kneeling in the Pei family shrine before her birth mother’s tablet, Chen Chuchu mocks her life as a fleeting dream, born unfit to be city owner yet burdened with expectations.
Pei Heng arrives to comfort her, but she blames others, her hatred for Chen Qianqian growing. Xuanhu City’s city owner’s wife, a general’s daughter skilled in martial arts and strategy, once disguised herself as a man to fight in her father’s place, meeting Han Shuo’s father, the current city owner, on the battlefield. Chen Qianqian, recognizing her as a true heroine now living a domestic life, urges that marriage should unite equals, with both men and women pursuing freedom.
Her words enlighten the city owner’s wife. Chen Chuchu, knowing she can’t become city owner, reveals her true parentage and, claiming her status as Pei Heng’s late mother’s daughter, seizes his military power, destroying the city talisman and declaring the guard will follow people, not symbols. Reinstated as commander, she tears up the intercity trade agreement, using the black stone ore to demand Xuanhu surrender Chen Qianqian.
Informed, Chen Qianqian decides to investigate, but the Xuanhu city owner blocks Han Shuo from joining her, intending to use her to resolve the crisis. Furious at her husband’s dismissal of women, the city owner’s wife declares war to aid Chen Qianqian, resigning a divorce letter, and reclaims the guard’s talisman from her father’s old retainers, resuming her commander role.
Losing his wife and authority, the Xuanhu city owner laments his son’s marriage to Chen Qianqian, blaming Huayuan women for his family’s ruin. Han Shuo stays silent to avoid their wrath, but the city owner, in a fit, enacts harsh policies against women, drawing complaints from Chen Qianqian and Lin Qi. Xuanhu’s women suffer, while Huayuan’s men face Chen Chuchu’s decrees punishing untidy attire, literacy, or commerce. Pei Heng confronts his sister over her actions.
Chen Qianqian frees Su Ziying, revealing Chen Chuchu’s deeds. Initially skeptical, Su Ziying accepts the truth as evidence mounts. Before departing, Han Shuo chats with his father, who recalls his youthful love for his wife’s bold, intelligent spirit, captivated by her rare courage. Han Shuo likens her to a magnolia, thriving in open skies, not confined indoors, lest she lose her brilliance. On departure day, Chen Qianqian appoints Su Ziying as the city owner’s wife’s deputy.
Inspired by his son, the Xuanhu city owner secretly follows the army. Su Mu, escaping with Chen Yuanyuan through a secret passage, joins Chen Qianqian, reporting the city owner and Pei Heng’s house arrest. Su Ziying, renouncing loyalty to Chen Chuchu, devises a ruse. With preparations complete, Su Ziying pretends to kidnap Chen Qianqian, and with Han Shuo’s aid, they infiltrate Huayuan City. The Xuanhu city owner, distracted by wooing his wife, is caught by the guard.
Locked together, the Xuanhu and Huayuan city owners discuss their children’s marriages, debating betrothal terms, until the city owner’s wife and Sang Qi mediate, agreeing boys will take the Han surname, girls the Chen surname. Meanwhile, Chen Chuchu leads a force against Chen Qianqian, but the guard, resentful of her ruinous policies, defects to Chen Qianqian.
