The Romance of Tiger and Rose Episode 9 Recap
> The Romance of Tiger and Rose Recap
Seven days before the Young Owner selection exam, Han Shuo personally trains Chen Qianqian, starting with horse stance, teaching her one-strike winning techniques. He advises that if she ties with Lin Qi in the arena, she should grapple and roll off the stage with her, as her status would likely secure her the win despite a draw. Han Shuo instructs his spy, Yang Sihu, to secretly aid Chen Qianqian, ensuring she becomes Young Owner to facilitate his plans.
Chen Qianqian only aims to defeat Lin Qi in the martial test to inspire the eldest princess to keep her promise and recover, with no interest in becoming Young Owner, still hoping to lose so Chen Chuchu can take the title. During the literary test, Chen Qianqian submits a simple sketch instead of answers, but Yang Sihu’s operatives swap her paper with a prepared one.
In the martial test, Han Shuo’s arranged opponent, a noblewoman, deliberately flies off the stage without effort, pretending to faint. Chen Qianqian, bewildered, assumes Lin Qi, eager for a final showdown, rigged the earlier matches, as do the onlookers. The Owner turns a blind eye, and others stay silent, convinced Chen Qianqian can’t pass the literary test even if she wins the martial one. A novice, Chen Qianqian breezes through three rounds with minimal effort.
In the fourth, facing an opponent unaffiliated with Lin Qi or Han Shuo, she’s knocked down, dodging attacks and fleeing clumsily. Outlasting her exhausted opponent with stamina, she tricks and pushes her off the stage, winning dramatically by luck. Chen Qianqian reaches the final against Lin Qi, a tough battle. Worried about the match, she gazes at the moon with Han Shuo, who comforts and encourages her.
Fearing the eldest princess won’t attend, Chen Qianqian sends Su Mu to invite her. The eldest princess, secretly eager, feigns reluctance. Lin Qi, always defeated by Chen Qianqian since childhood, sees her lack of martial skills as a chance to settle scores. Chen Qianqian, fearing pain, wears protective gear and suggests a “slow-motion” fight. Lin Qi, underestimating her, takes a punch. Following Han Shuo’s strategy, Chen Qianqian grapples closely, stalling, but this only buys time.
Enraged, Lin Qi fights seriously, pummeling Chen Qianqian and shredding her gear. Discarding it, Chen Qianqian, ignoring her injuries, charges and clings to Lin Qi, enduring blows without yielding or surrendering. Pei Heng, unable to watch, rings the truce gong despite Han Shuo’s protests, but Chen Qianqian refuses to stop, entrusting Han Shuo to uphold her resolve to continue. Waiting for the eldest princess, Chen Qianqian learns from Su Mu that her injuries have forced the eldest princess’s hand.
Su Mu wheels her to the arena, where she urges Chen Qianqian to concede, promising to undergo rehabilitation. Seizing Lin Qi’s distraction, Chen Qianqian pulls her down, rolling off the stage, ending in a draw. Han Shuo, heartbroken for Chen Qianqian, wants to confront Lin Qi but is stopped by her. Pei Heng visits Chen Qianqian. As he leaves, Han Shuo warns him to abandon his feelings, noting his heart condition is cured and he’ll stay with Chen Qianqian forever. Pei Heng, however, refuses to give up.
