The Wolf Episode 15 Recap
> The Wolf Recap
At a banquet in Kuizhou City, Ma Zhaixing performs the "Princess Dance" to wish Prince Bo, Chu Youwen, success on his journey. However, Chu Youwen publicly criticizes her, stating that her old leg injuries made her movements clumsy, ruining the dance's elegance and his mood. When Ma Zhaixing tries to explain her good intentions, Chu Youwen rebukes her for acting inappropriately for her status as Princess Consort Bo.
Seeing that she is not favored, other young lords present mock Ma Zhaixing for her past arrogance. Young Lord Qi recounts how she used to humiliate suitors, while Young Lord Liu sarcastically remarks that only a mythical wolf-like man could love her, a man he declares is either extinct or never existed. The lords then praise Kuizhou's best courtesan, Miss Lufu, prompting Chu Youwen to agree and request her presence.
He dismisses a humiliated Ma Zhaixing, who bids farewell and leaves. Once she is gone, Chu Youwen's demeanor shifts. When Young Lord Qi pledges his family's fortune to the Bo Army, Chu Youwen accepts, only to immediately confiscate all Qi family properties, revealing their wealth was built on oppressing the people. He then confronts Young Lord Qiao, doubling his family's tax payments and warning him not to extort the common people, lest his entire lineage be exterminated.
Finally, Chu Youwen turns to Young Lord Liu, who had mocked the "wolf-like man." Stating he has met such a person, Chu Youwen exposes Liu's lie and orders him to be caned one hundred times, leaving the three terrified lords to beg for a mercy that does not come. Later, concerned that Chu Youwen had drunk too much, Ma Zhaixing prepares hangover medicine and takes it to his room.
When he arrives, he initially compliments her beauty but then tries to force himself on her. Ma Zhaixing resists, pleading that they are not yet truly married. Angered by her resistance, he calls her "boring" and tells her to leave. He then cruelly asks what he must do to make her stop loving him, confessing that he was the one who intentionally broke the red thread symbolizing their bond.
Chu Youwen admits that while he was briefly moved by her vow to live and die with him, he cannot offer the pure relationship she desires. He reveals that his coldness was a deliberate act to force her away, as their marriage was solely the Emperor's decree and facing a woman he detests is more exhausting than war. Just then, Feudal Lord Li arrives with Miss Lufu, blaming Ma Zhaixing for failing to please the prince.
Chu Youwen, playing along, declares he wants a "real woman" and taunts Ma Zhaixing to stay and watch. Disgusted, she calls him shameless and storms out. Immediately after, Wen Yan reports that Ji Chong has suspiciously gone to the Ma Mansion. Upon hearing this, Chu Youwen's demeanor changes; he orders his men to find Ji Chong and immediately sends Miss Lufu away. Chu Youwen intercepts Ji Chong, demanding to know his intentions.
Ji Chong explains he heard of Ma Zhaixing's humiliation and had gone to find her favorite treat, candied hawthorns, to cheer her up. Chu Youwen warns him to stay away, but Ji Chong advises him to cherish the people around him. When Ji Chong arrives at the Ma Mansion with the sweets, he finds it empty. Ji Chong rushes back to Chu Youwen, reporting Ma Zhaixing's disappearance and urging a city-wide search.
Chu Youwen feigns indifference, claiming she is likely just wandering her hometown. Feudal Lord Li tries to curry favor by badmouthing Ma Zhaixing, but Chu Youwen, enraged by the disrespect, demotes him to a gatekeeper for life. Chu Youwen then muses aloud, "When you are sad, where do you go?" , revealing he knows where to find her. Ji Chong rushes to Langshou Mountain in the pouring rain, remembering she had mentioned it.
Meanwhile, Ma Zhaixing, weary and ill, has reached the familiar cave she once shared with Wolf Boy, where she collapses with a high fever. As she drifts in and out of consciousness, she feels someone caring for her, unaware that it is Chu Youwen, who watches over her all night. By morning, Ma Zhaixing's fever has broken. Ji Chong arrives just as she is waking up to find Chu Youwen gone.
Believing Ji Chong rescued her, she confides in him, admitting she feels utterly defeated and now understands Chu Youwen never loved her. She explains she returned to the mountain to find courage, likening herself to the "Wang Nü" flower, which symbolizes bravery. Despite her heartbreak, she knows she cannot end their political marriage, as it is crucial for the Emperor's trust in the Ma Family Army. Unbeknownst to her, Chu Youwen is hiding nearby, listening.
Ji Chong comforts her, promising that someone will one day come to shoulder her sadness with her. As they near the border, a warrior delivers a letter and token, supposedly from Princess Bao Na, inviting Chu Youwen to a private meeting. The letter is, in fact, forged by Ji Chong as part of a trap. Unaware of the deception, Chu Youwen summons Ma Zhaixing to verify the handwriting.
She confirms it looks authentic, assuming the princess wants to rekindle their romance. Following this, Ma Zhaixing formally tells Chu Youwen she accepts his wishes. She agrees their marriage will be in name only, that she will not interfere in his affairs, and that they will act as a loving couple in public to avoid any blame from the Emperor. Chu Youwen coldly approves, stating, "This is what I want."
Soon after, Ji Chong comes to resign as a horse expert, returning the money Chu Youwen had paid him. When questioned, Ji Chong explains it is because of the Princess. He saw her packing and knew that only Chu Youwen could have broken her heart so completely. He clarifies that his admiration for her is sincere and proper, affirming that of all the women he has met, only Ma Zhaixing has earned his profound respect.
