The Vendetta of An Episode 7 Recap
> The Vendetta of An Recap
More than a decade ago, when Bai Wan was a young child in Nanwei Trough, a Huben Army soldier named Wei Ziting discovered her and intended to abduct her as a "Slaughtered Clan Survivor." Fortunately, Xie Huaian intervened, killed the soldier, and rescued her. Grateful, Bai Wan called him "big brother." Unbeknownst to Bai Wan, Xie Huaian was her older brother, having rescued her after their family, the Liu clan, was massacred.
Wishing to shield her from the pain of revenge, he deliberately concealed her true origins and their kinship. To ensure her safety, Xie Huaian remained close, secretly protecting her for seven years by working as a boatman in the vicinity of her adoptive home until she came of age.
This constant vigilance was especially crucial after a "reed marsh incident" seven years prior, a dangerous encounter where her adoptive parents almost lost her, prompting them to send her to Chang'an for her studies and to avoid further peril. Xie Huaian never revealed his identity, believing that knowledge of her true lineage would only expose her to danger. Meanwhile, Ye Zheng went to visit Zhaolu. She had sworn to kill Liu Ziyan to avenge her mother.
Now that Liu Ziyan was dead, having been repeatedly stabbed by Xie Huaian and undeniably killed, Zhaolu knelt before her mother's memorial tablet to report that her vengeance was complete. Despite the long-awaited revenge, Zhaolu did not appear joyful, having spent years embroidering day and night to keep her mind from the past and wishing for Liu Ziyan's demise. She explained that by constantly doing the same thing, time moved faster, helping her avoid remembering the past.
She had also made a set of clothes for Ye Zheng, which delighted him. Wearing his new attire, Ye Zheng showed it off to Xie Huaian and Xiao Wenjing. Xiao Wenjing remarked on Zhaolu's excellent craftsmanship, noting how the clothes transformed Ye Zheng. When Ye Zheng contemplated a gift for Zhaolu, Xiao Wenjing suggested fine silk fabric, while Bai Wan proposed something more romantic and original.
To everyone's surprise, Ye Zheng presented Zhaolu with a beautiful bolt of bright red fabric. Zhaolu then fashioned the red fabric into what resembled a wedding gown and prepared to depart in a carriage provided by Ye Zheng. Xiao Wenjing and Xie Huaian were also present, having initially expected Ye Zheng to propose marriage. Instead, they witnessed him sending off his beloved.
Though Zhaolu radiated happiness in her new clothes as she left, Ye Zheng's face was filled with sorrow once she was gone. Xiao Wenjing was moved by Ye Zheng's profound love and sacrifice, understanding that Ye Zheng, as a swordsman with an unpredictable life, chose to let Zhaolu go to spare her from constant danger, rather than binding her to his uncertain fate.
Ye Zheng openly admitted his feelings for Zhaolu but recognized that her heart was consumed by her quest for revenge, leaving little room for affection. He believed it was better to let her live freely than to entangle her in his perilous existence, hoping they might meet again if fate allowed. Zhaolu expressed her gratitude, saying that meeting Ye Zheng in Chang'an had been her greatest fortune.
As Bai Wan prepared for her own departure from Chang'an, she arranged a farewell feast for everyone. During the meal, she painted Xie Huaian in a peaceful setting, imagining him tending flowers, feeding cats, and napping on a porch, hoping he could live a relaxed life, even if only for a day. She then discussed her early memories, a secret she had shared only with her adoptive parents and sister.
She recounted how, in a harsh winter, a man had carried her on a long journey to the reed marsh. She remembered him leaving her in a deserted shack to find hot soup, warning her they wouldn't survive otherwise. Waiting for him in the freezing cold, she saw a distant light and, drawn by its warmth, walked towards it, eventually finding the kind family who adopted her.
She tearfully expressed her regret for leaving that man behind, realizing it was a "mistaken parting" that cost her her only blood relative and left her without knowledge of her true origins or family name. She lamented not knowing if her original family had lived well after losing her. Xie Huaian listened silently, along with Ye Zheng and Xiao Wenjing, all aware of her true identity but bound by Xie Huaian's decision to protect her by keeping the secret.
To further alleviate her regret of not knowing her family, Xie Huaian returned to Bai Wan an amulet, which she had worn since childhood and served as her only tangible connection to her original family, telling her that keeping it would be like having her family by her side on her journey. Later that night, Ye Zheng questioned Xie Huaian about revealing the truth to Bai Wan, especially after hearing her deep regret.
However, Xie Huaian remained silent, prioritizing Bai Wan's safety above all else. Xiao Wenjing, too, confronted Xie Huaian, expressing his disbelief that Xie Huaian chose not to recognize his own sister despite having guarded her for seven years. He acknowledged Xie Huaian's wisdom in shielding Bai Wan from a life of "blood and turmoil." Xie Huaian thanked Xiao Wenjing for his understanding, reiterating that he hoped Bai Wan would never remember her past.
Before Bai Wan returned to Nanwei Trough, Xie Huaian, determined to ensure her peaceful life, sent a late-night pigeon message to his subordinates, ordering them to eliminate the remaining Huben Army officer, Wei Ziting, in Nanwei Trough, under the message "My sister returns; eliminate the remnant." Wei Ziting was subsequently killed in a ditch, acknowledging his seven years of waiting for death and the repayment of a debt for his past actions against the Liu family.
The next morning, Bai Wan went to bid farewell to Xie Huaian, but found his room empty. Understanding his aversion to emotional goodbyes, she left sadly, knowing that despite his absence, he would always keep her in his thoughts. Xiao Wenjing confirmed that Xie Huaian disliked saying goodbye in person but would always care for her.
