The Romance of Tiger and Rose Episode 5 Recap
> The Romance of Tiger and Rose Recap
Lin Qi, having grown up alongside Chen Chuchu, staunchly supports her and holds great disdain for Chen Qianqian. Lin Qi also suspects that Chen Qianqian has lost her martial arts abilities. To confirm this and ensure Chen Qianqian’s defeat, she suggests to the City Owner adding a Kung Fu test, specifically an open challenge, to the upcoming Young Master selection exam. Chen Qianqian has little to recommend her beyond martial arts prowess, which she now lacks.
The City Owner, eager for Chen Qianqian to finally distinguish herself, readily agrees to Lin Qi's suggestion, hoping Chen Qianqian might surpass her adoptive sister, Chen Chuchu. Chen Qianqian, who is actually Chen Xiaoqian and possesses no martial skills, protests vehemently, arguing the addition of a Kung Fu test is "unfair" and suggests they are "pulling strings" by adding a section where she is supposedly strong.
However, her objections are dismissed by the City Owner, who playfully warns her not to be self-willed and to avoid injuring anyone with her supposed formidable skills. Realizing the gravity of the situation, Chen Qianqian approaches Chen Chuchu to ask for her help in convincing their mother to cancel the test.
Chen Chuchu, however, believes a Young Master should be proficient in both civil and military arts and refuses, even stating that if they become rivals in the test, sisterly affection should be cast aside. Feeling that "life has finally decided to teach me a good lesson," Chen Qianqian resolves to find a way to avoid the martial arts exam, turning to Han Shuo for assistance. Meanwhile, Han Shuo’s investigations into Chen Qianqian continue.
His subordinate reports finding five hundred sealing wax bamboo tubes in Chen Qianqian's backyard kitchen, custom-made by her servant, Zi Rui. These bamboo tubes are identical to the one used in the "secret letter" incident.
Recalling Chen Qianqian’s intimate knowledge of his personal details—including his height, weight, blood type, preferences, and even his mother’s cooking—Han Shuo concludes that she had thoroughly investigated him, misled him on purpose, and engineered the "secret letter" incident to gain his trust and disarm his suspicion. Enraged by her "sinister and insidious" manipulation, Han Shuo suffers a severe heart attack and faints. Chen Qianqian rushes into the room, distressed by Han Shuo’s collapse.
She quickly instructs Zi Rui to open the windows for fresh air and desperately searches for his Quick-Acting Heart Reliever or Ginseng lozenge. Finding a large pill, she administers it to him mouth-to-mouth. When Han Shuo regains consciousness, he accuses her of "false display of affection" and confronts her with the bamboo tube evidence, asking why she lied and framed him. Chen Qianqian, caught red-handed, falls to her knees in apology.
Zi Rui tries to make her stand, reminding her of Huayuan City's custom that women only kneel to Heaven, Earth, and the City Owner, but Chen Qianqian feigns weak legs. She tearfully admits to making up the story about his collusion with Xuanhu spies and instructing Chen Chuchu to intercept him, but insists she never put a defense map on the boat, as she couldn't genuinely harm him.
She then rationalizes her actions, claiming she wanted him to "think highly of me" and trust her, having sensed his initial dislike. As further proof of her sincerity, she offers to convert the remaining 498 bamboo tubes into fireworks as an apology. Han Shuo, feigning acceptance while secretly planning revenge, invites her to a "glorious moon in the garden" banquet to "drink some vintage wine." Panicked, Chen Qianqian seeks advice from the storytellers.
Framing her situation as "banana" (Han Shuo) planning to kill "orange" (herself), she learns that Han Shuo’s fatal weakness is a congenital heart disease, and if she could help him, he might spare her. She then remembers the Dragon Bone, which was Han Shuo's primary reason for marrying into Huayuan City. She believes that if she obtains the Dragon Bone and cures his heart disease, he will surely let her go.
The storytellers are aghast, revealing that the Dragon Bone is Huayuan City's most sacred and precious treasure, its location known only to the City Owner and Young Master. They warn that touching it without elaborate rituals, the City Owner’s explicit order, and official witnessing is a capital offense. Ignoring their pleas, Chen Qianqian defiantly declares herself "the Third Princess who's afraid of nothing" and vows to "become a drama queen" to twist her fate.
Chen Qianqian then breaks into the ancestral hall, brushing past the horrified female officials who desperately try to dissuade her with warnings of execution and by trying to mislead her about the Dragon Bone's location. Finding the Dragon Bone, she orders her servants to stew it, instructing them to add spices to mask its awful smell. When her terrified servants hesitate, Chen Qianqian takes over the cooking herself, noting the pungent odor of the stewing bone.
Upon hearing that Chen Qianqian has stolen and stewed the ancestral Dragon Bone, the City Owner is furious and rushes to Yueli Mansion, vowing to "hit her to death." At the garden banquet, Han Shuo repeatedly urges Chen Qianqian to drink the poisoned wine. Chen Qianqian attempts to refuse, claiming to be unwell. She apologizes for her past foolishness and acknowledges her supposed reputation as a "hopeless" daughter.
She then gives a long speech, admitting her past wrongs were "forced" but claiming deep concern for his heart disease, which she noticed upon their first meeting. She presents the Dragon Bone soup as a "guiding drug" for his longevity, hoping they will "live together until old age." Han Shuo, still disbelieving, presses her on the Dragon Bone, which she assures him is now stewing in the kitchen.
Han Shuo goes to the kitchen, where his subordinate marvels at the "condensed essence" of the soup, and Zi Rui, still oblivious to the full danger, extols the Dragon Bone's legendary powers and significance to Huayuan City, while also worrying about Chen Qianqian's punishment. Han Shuo, though still suspicious, is struck by the foul smell of the soup.
Suddenly, his subordinate reminds him that Chen Qianqian is still in the garden, making Han Shuo realize she might have drunk the poisoned wine he intended for her. He rushes back, shouting "Qianqian, no!" as he sees her drink the 'poisoned' wine and dramatically spit fake blood, collapsing into his arms. At this very moment, Zi Rui sets off fireworks, which were meant to create a dramatic effect for Chen Qianqian's staged "death."
Simultaneously, Chen Chuchu, leading a mission to capture Xuanhu spies, also uses fireworks as a signal for her converging attack. Zi Rui's fireworks inadvertently expose Chen Chuchu's team, leading to a chaotic fight, injuries, and a failed capture. The City Owner, already furious about the stolen Dragon Bone, arrives at Yueli Mansion and is immediately informed of Chen Qianqian's "poisoning."
Learning the Dragon Bone is "melted" in the kitchen, she panics and orders the soup to be brought immediately, convinced it can cure her daughter. The First Princess, Chen Yuanyuan, briefly examines Chen Qianqian and concludes her condition is "not fatal." Han Shuo, distraught, still believes Chen Qianqian is dying from his poisoned wine. He takes the Dragon Bone soup and administers it to her mouth-to-mouth, vowing he cannot let her die after all she has done for him.
Chen Qianqian dramatically "wakes up," proclaiming the Dragon Bone's miraculous effect. She then insists that Han Shuo drink the remaining soup to cure his heart disease. He hesitates, but Chen Qianqian feigns weakness, claiming her "only wish" is for him to be cured, and threatens to "feel dizzy" and "want to die" if he refuses. Feeling guilty over his attempted poisoning and seeing her "threatening him with her own life," Han Shuo reluctantly drinks the rest of the soup.
He feels no immediate change but Chen Qianqian reassures him he will be cured. The City Owner, relieved to find Chen Qianqian alive, scolds her for destroying the ancestral Dragon Bone, lamenting the inevitable public and official outrage. Chen Qianqian apologizes, but the City Owner, still doting on her, comforts her, promising to protect her from any harm, regardless of the consequences.
