The Romance of Tiger and Rose Episode 3 Recap
> The Romance of Tiger and Rose Recap
Chen Qianqian, still grappling with her new reality in the script, decided to mend her strained relationship with Han Shuo after a reprimand from Pei Heng. She acknowledged that her previous actions, comparing Han Shuo to a Music and Dance Academy musician, were humiliating and genuinely apologized for her recklessness. She confided in Pei Heng, expressing how adrift she felt in this unfamiliar world, constantly fearing harm and desperate to return home, a feeling she realized Han Shuo must share.
Pei Heng was surprised by her changed demeanor and conceded to her plea not to be disappointed in her. His attendant, however, observed Qianqian's newfound softness and willingness to apologize for Pei Heng's sake, suggesting her feelings for him were deeper than previously thought and urged Pei Heng not to cancel their engagement. Meanwhile, Han Shuo had arranged assassins around his residence, ready to eliminate Chen Qianqian on a signal.
Unaware of the danger, Qianqian fortified her resolve, telling herself that this Han Shuo was different, and she could get along with him. She approached Han Shuo, who, still smarting from being publicly humiliated when his clothes were torn during a recent skirmish, coldly questioned her purpose. Qianqian reiterated her apology, admitting her actions were inconsiderate.
Han Shuo remained unconvinced, so Qianqian offered to make amends by removing her outer garment to be paraded in public, just as he had been exposed. Han Shuo, alarmed and remembering the hidden archers, quickly stopped her, reminding her that as his nominal wife, she couldn't appear in public like that. Qianqian then playfully threatened to remove another layer, prompting a panicked Han Shuo to wrap her in a quilt.
During their exchange, Han Shuo, initially criticizing her behavior, noticed the gecko cinnabar on her arm. He realized she had faked her pregnancy to save him from prison, an act that deeply touched him. Qianqian, in turn, downplayed her sacrifice, stating that reputation was less important than a life, and her own honor was not worth much anyway.
Following this, Qianqian proposed a "three-chapter agreement" to Han Shuo: in public, he would adhere to Huayuan City's rules and obey her, but in private, she would abide by Xuanhu City's customs and obey him, establishing a foundation of mutual respect. As Qianqian started to leave, Han Shuo suddenly remembered the assassins. He rushed out, using the quilt to shield her from a volley of arrows.
Qianqian's expression changed, indicating she knew what had just happened, but she chose not to confront him and swiftly departed. Later, reflecting on the original script, Qianqian recalled Han Shuo's ruthless nature and how he was destined to conquer Huayuan City and kill many, including her as the cannon fodder. Determined to survive and return to her own world, she consulted with local scriptwriters.
She explained her predicament using an analogy of an "orange" (herself) needing to avoid being killed by a "banana" (Han Shuo) who was powerful and vengeful, especially since the "orange" had previously caused him trouble. She revealed her unique advantage: she knew the entire story, including Han Shuo's schemes and how he would gain power and even medicine from the "apple" (Chen Chuchu).
The scriptwriters, now intrigued, advised her to use this foresight to "curry favor," protect, and help the "banana" to earn his trust and change his perception of her. Inspired, Qianqian proposed a scenario where Han Shuo would be meeting a spy, Chen Chuchu would ambush him, and Qianqian would intervene to save Han Shuo, thus earning his gratitude. To set her plan in motion, Qianqian sent two anonymous tip-offs.
One went to Han Shuo's subordinate, claiming a spy had Huayuan City's defense map and wanted to meet at the moat at midnight. The other went to Chen Chuchu, informing her of a Xuanhu City spy meeting at the same time and place. Zi Zhu urged Chuchu to seize this chance to gain favor with the City Owner, but Chuchu hesitated, considering Qianqian.
Concealed by the moat with her attendant Zi Rui, Qianqian outlined her strategy: she would claim to be the one meeting Han Shuo, dispelling any notion of a Xuanhu spy and making Han Shuo trust her as his savior. Zi Rui expressed concern about the potential punishment from the City Owner for such a fabricated plot, but Qianqian, confident in her mother's favoritism, dismissed his worries.
However, Han Shuo, having anticipated a trap from the suspicious tip-off, did not show up, instead planning to "use this trap and find the person behind it." Chen Chuchu's troops found no spy, only Chen Qianqian and Zi Rui. Chuchu questioned Qianqian's presence, who, flustered, admitted the person she was meeting hadn't arrived. Chuchu's attendants immediately accused Qianqian of colluding with the enemy, a capital offense.
Realizing Han Shuo had outsmarted her, Qianqian frantically changed her story, claiming she had also received a tip-off and came to catch the spies herself, before trying to leave by saying she was just admiring the moon. Chen Chuchu, however, deduced that Qianqian, despite her wild reputation, was too cowardly for treason. She suspected Han Shuo had used Qianqian as a pawn, vowing to uncover his schemes.
She decided not to report the full incident to the City Owner, but warned her subordinates to be vigilant. Back at his residence, Qianqian confronted Han Shuo, chastising his lack of integrity and accusing him of trying to frame her. Han Shuo coolly asked if she was referring to the moat incident, questioning how she knew Chuchu would be there to catch him.
Qianqian denied any malicious intent, claiming she rushed there out of concern for him, only to be tricked by his absence. Noticing her injury, Han Shuo inquired about it. Qianqian confirmed she was hurt saving him, emphasizing her loyalty and asking for his trust in return. She declared her sole motivation was to make him happy, promising to prove her usefulness through actions.
Han Shuo's attendant questioned Qianqian's trustworthiness, but Han Shuo dismissed his doubts, attributing Qianqian's unpredictable nature to her innocence. He reasoned that someone as guileless as Chen Qianqian, a "grass-bag," could not have orchestrated a plot involving a defense map and secret communication methods. Instead, he suspected the prudent Chen Chuchu, believing she sought to gain merit by causing conflict between the two cities.
His attendant then pondered why Qianqian would save them if she wasn't seeking military or financial gain. Han Shuo, with a touch of narcissism, concluded she was infatuated with him. He recalled how she seemingly fell for him after he saved her from a runaway horse, rationalizing her past confrontational actions as expressions of love and regret.
Han Shuo ultimately decided to shift his focus from Chen Chuchu to Chen Qianqian, believing Qianqian, being more favored by the City Owner, could be molded into a capable leader with his guidance. He found it more expedient to utilize Qianqian's apparent devotion rather than contending with Chen Chuchu's hostility. Meanwhile, the City Owner chastised Chen Chuchu for her handling of the moat incident, calling her incompetent for alerting the enemy and making it harder to catch them.
Chuchu admitted her negligence, confirming Han Shuo's uninvolvement. The City Owner attributed Chuchu's failure to over-eagerness and expressed concern over Xuanhu City sending a seemingly sickly Han Shuo, suspecting a deeper plot. She lamented Chuchu's carelessness, casting doubt on her suitability as successor. An attendant tried to defend Chuchu, but the City Owner's thoughts turned to her other daughters. She despairingly described her youngest, Chen Qianqian, as "disobedient and capable of nothing," leaving her with "no hope."
Her eldest, Chen Yuanran, was a chronic invalid. In the end, despite her reservations, she reluctantly concluded that only Chen Chuchu was truly fit to be the Heir Apparent. The next day, Chen Yuanran, the eldest daughter, instructed her attendant Zi Nian to ask Pei Heng for leave from school, wishing to avoid Chen Qianqian and Han Shuo. Zi Nian encouraged her to socialize more, but Yuanran, feeling forgotten by her mother and unacknowledged by her sisters, expressed her isolation.
Later, Yuanran was seen worrying about hair loss, instructing Zi Nian to bring various ingredients for hair health, highlighting her ongoing struggles with her delicate health. Qianqian, mentally fatigued from her "dream" life, was relieved that Han Shuo was no longer trying to kill her. She decided to play matchmaker between Han Shuo and Chen Chuchu. At school, she tried to switch seats to place Han Shuo closer to Chuchu.
However, Lin Qi misinterpreted her actions, believing Qianqian wanted to sit closer to Pei Heng. A jealous Han Shuo promptly pulled Qianqian back to her original seat, reminding her that as a married woman, she should limit contact with other men. Qianqian, frustrated by his lack of understanding, inwardly labeled him a "clueless man."
Pei Heng then announced a poetry contest on the themes of "Wind, Flowers, Snow, Moon," as part of the selection process for the Heir Apparent, emphasizing rhyming. Chen Chuchu and Chen Yuanran flawlessly composed elegant verses. When it was Lin Qi's turn, she struggled with "Snow." Seeing Qianqian's amusement, Lin Qi challenged her to a bet: if Qianqian could compose a poem, Lin Qi would sweep the latrine; otherwise, Qianqian would.
Qianqian initially hesitated, but when Han Shuo, amused, bet on Qianqian and offered to sweep the latrine for her if she lost, she was spurred to action. Qianqian then cleverly composed unconventional but perfectly rhyming verses for each theme, associating "Wind" with air-dried foods and bellows, "Flowers" with flower-shaped pastries and flower-infused drinks, "Snow" with cold desserts, and "Moon" with mooncakes. Pei Heng praised her ingenuity, much to Lin Qi's chagrin, who was then forced to sweep the latrine.
Han Shuo, observing Qianqian's admiring gaze toward Pei Heng, became visibly jealous and pulled her away. Fuming from her public humiliation, Lin Qi returned to her residence, complaining about the indignity of cleaning the latrine. Her attendant tried to calm her, but Lin Qi expressed resentment toward the City Owner's favoritism for Qianqian over the more capable Chuchu. She then spotted Su Mu carrying gifts from Chen Qianqian.
Enraged, Lin Qi accused Su Mu of flirting with Qianqian and declared that since Qianqian had embarrassed her, she would take her anger out on "her man," savagely whipping Su Mu. Su Mu later returned Qianqian's gifts, his injured arm betraying the whipping. Qianqian immediately understood Lin Qi's actions as a blatant act of defiance, recognizing that the blows to Su Mu were intended for her. Su Mu, ever loyal, downplayed his pain, stating that it would be his heart, not his body, that would ache if Qianqian were angered.
