The Wolf Episode 25 Recap
> The Wolf Recap
Following Chu Kui's deceptive revelation regarding Bin Wang's death, Prince of Bo (Chu Youwen) appeared visibly reluctant and preoccupied, prompting Chu Kui to question his loyalty and remind him of his vow to avenge his elder brother. Though Prince of Bo and Bin Wang had a close relationship, choosing between his beloved and his brother placed him in a difficult dilemma.
Outwardly complying with Chu Kui's orders, Prince of Bo had in fact secretly decided not to be further deceived or used, and began plotting how to help Ma Zhaixing escape. He then requested permission to personally lead the troops to annihilate the Ma Family Army and Ma Zhaixing.
His stated intention was to inform them on the battlefield of the truth behind their family's annihilation and their alleged sin of not rescuing the First Prince, so they could die knowing the reason. Chu Kui pondered slightly, found no apparent issues, and agreed, simply telling him not to disappoint him. Upon returning to Prince of Bo Manor, Ma Zhaixing found Prince of Bo's demeanor grim and attempted to inquire about his mood, but was instead rebuked by him.
Unaware of his hidden motives, Ma Zhaixing believed he was upset about her decision to go to the frontline without consulting him. She explained her inability to abandon her father's Ma Family Army, tearfully confessing her fear but expressing courage, confident that "Wolf Boy" would protect her regardless of the circumstances.
Prince of Bo responded coldly, stating that his feelings were unimportant now that the emperor had given his order, and retorted that with her at the frontier and him in the Imperial City, protection would be impossible. As she continued to apologize and plead with him not to be angry, he exploded, lamenting that he hadn't known a single peaceful day since her arrival in the Imperial City.
He wished they had never met, that she hadn't saved "Wolf Boy" on Langshou Mountain, so she wouldn't be injured or live in constant worry. He even wished he had died jumping off the cliff back then, suggesting they might be cursed. Ma Zhaixing firmly declared she had never regretted meeting him, even if it meant lifelong confinement or injury, and tearfully asked why he would abandon her when angry.
Seeing her distress, Prince of Bo apologized and comforted her, promising not to utter such hurtful words again. He then decided to teach her crucial battlefield strategies and contingency plans, as she had never truly fought in a war and had only one day left before departing to assist the Ma Family Army. Ma Zhaixing agreed to learn diligently, asking if he would follow with supporting troops.
He affirmed he would and expressed relief that Ma Jing would accompany her, though Ma Zhaixing revealed she had allowed Ma Jing to depart ahead of them due to Ma Jing's concern for her brother, Ma Fengcheng. Prince of Bo then assured her he would select elite soldiers from the Bo troops to accompany her. Meanwhile, Prince of Wei, Li Juqi, learned of Ji Chong's close friendship with Ma Zhaixing.
He handed Ji Chong a secret letter, revealing the truth about Ma Ying's death and the framing involving the Tiger Seal. Li Juqi explained that Jin had initially sought to recruit Ma Ying, but Ma Ying had refused, intending to surrender his military power and retire, thereby giving Jin no reason to kill him. Instead, Jin's secret agents had fallen into Chu Kui's hands, allowing Chu Kui to obtain their Tiger Seal and use it to frame Jin.
Li Juqi further explained that the Ma Family Army, believing the Tiger Seal, had consistently refused to meet Jin envoys, making Ji Chong their only hope. Ji Chong realized that Ma Zhaixing, through her engagement to Prince of Bo, had become Chu Kui's hostage and was in grave danger. He immediately set off for the Yang Kingdom. On his journey, he encountered Ma Jing, who was on her way to the Ma Family Army Battalion to visit her sick brother.
Ji Chong informed her of the truth and offered to accompany her to the battalion to inform the general. Back at Prince of Bo Manor, Prince of Bo continued instructing Ma Zhaixing on battle strategy and discussing war scenarios, using a topographical map around Taibao Camp. He presented her with a gold scale armor, emphasizing its lightness yet impenetrable strength, capable of protecting her in dire situations.
Her quick understanding impressed him, but he also highlighted the unpredictable nature of war, even posing a hypothetical scenario where he might become her enemy. Ma Zhaixing initially dismissed the idea of him as an adversary, but Prince of Bo sternly clarified that battlefield tactics were serious matters and demanded her full attention.
He pressed her on how she would react if he were to besiege and annihilate the Ma Family Army, including her, as per Chu Kui's orders, since the Ma Family Army had lost its value to the Emperor. Ma Zhaixing declared she would fight to the death, but Prince of Bo warned her she was no match for him and that a battle would result in heavy casualties.
He proposed that if they ever met as enemies on the battlefield, he would prefer to negotiate her surrender. Ma Zhaixing agreed, but then cunningly stated she would use the negotiation to take his head, causing the Ma Family Army's defeat. Prince of Bo then imparted a vital lesson: never trust an enemy on the battlefield, and if they became adversaries, it would no longer be "Wolf Boy" but only "Prince of Bo" facing her.
He urged her to be cunning, lure enemies, and exploit their weaknesses to kill them. He concluded by telling her that his most important instruction was for her to stay alive, no matter the circumstances, to defeat the ultimate enemy. Later that evening, Ma Zhaixing, determined to create a lasting memory before their separation, asked Prince of Bo for a farewell banquet, hoping it would give her confidence for the coming battle.
She donned a wedding dress, explaining her desire for him to see her in it and to show that a couple's bond could overcome all hardships. Hai Die, sensing the poignancy of the moment, brought them fried sugar pastries that Prince of Bo had prepared.
They engaged in a "rehearsal wedding," bowing to heaven and earth, but deliberately skipped bowing to their parents and to each other, with Ma Zhaixing wishing to save those sacred vows for their actual wedding day. Prince of Bo affectionately lifted her wedding fan, admiring her beauty. They shared the pastries and drinks, and despite Prince of Bo's typically reserved nature, Ma Zhaixing understood his profound affection.
Ma Zhaixing, overcome with emotion and a little tipsy, clung to him, expressing her deep desire to marry him after the Ma Family Army's victory. At the Ma Family Army Battalion, Ma Fengcheng, severely ill and relying on tonics, struggled to believe Ji Chong's claims that Chu Kui was the true murderer of his family. He demanded proof.
Ji Chong then produced a clapper stone given to him by Ma Zhaixing, retrieved from her mother's treasured bronze bell, as evidence of their deep trust. He then asked Ma Fengcheng if his "conclusive evidence" against Jin was based on the Jin Tiger Seal. Ma Fengcheng confirmed he had verified the authenticity of the unique seal. Ji Chong agreed it was real but pointed out that the Shen Imperial Army, which commanded such seals, had been annihilated a year ago.
He then showed the 'Shen' character secretly engraved within the Tiger Seal, explaining that Prince of Bo must have used it to frame Jin. Ji Chong further revealed that he had found the poisoned body of Mr. Fang, the manager of Wan An Restaurant in Kuizhou City. Mr. Fang had suspected Prince of Bo, who had secretly entered the city on the day of the Ma family's murder, acting suspiciously.
Ji Chong explained that Mr. Fang was later killed in a staged fire to silence him. Realizing how he had been misled, and recalling his own prior suspicion of the man Fang described, Ma Fengcheng furiously denounced Chu Kui. Despite calls from his soldiers to immediately rescue Ma Zhaixing, Ji Chong urged calm, stating that Ma Zhaixing would meet them the following day, and he and Ma Jing would ensure her safe arrival before they could act further. He acknowledged Ma Jing's concern for Ma Zhaixing's feelings but insisted that Ma Zhaixing had to know the truth.
