The Wolf Episode 29 Recap
> The Wolf Recap
Chu Youzhen, the Fourth Prince, became heavily intoxicated and stormed into the Prince of Bo Manor, railing against Prince of Bo, Chu Youwen, and demanding his presence. Despite his attendants' warnings about his recklessness, Chu Youzhen brandished a blade, expressing his deep sorrow over Chu Youwen's numerous sacrifices for his "Big Brother" and for Chu Youzhen himself, including his freedom, dignity, and love. Chu Youzhen lamented that Chu Youwen could no longer love Ma Zhaixing, the woman he cherished most.
In his drunken state, Chu Youzhen declared his intention to "kill the deceived part" of Prince of Bo, believing this act would grant Chu Youwen freedom to reunite with Ma Zhaixing. Mo Xiao, Prince of Bo's aide, intervened and escorted the Fourth Prince to a guest room.
Later, the servants discussed Chu Youzhen's unusual behavior, with some believing his drunken words were his true feelings, and remarking that Prince of Bo did not evade him, as if he desired to be killed. They concluded that Prince of Bo had already "killed the Wolf Boy in his heart." Following Chu Youzhen's outburst, Prince of Bo ordered his men to remove all Usnea plants from the mansion and thoroughly clean Ma Zhaixing's room, ensuring no traces were left behind.
This was an attempt to completely sever any lingering attachments, unaware that his actions were ultimately a form of self-deception. Ma Zhaixing spent the entire night engrossed in the "Wei Liaozhi- Military Strategy" scrolls, eagerly awaiting Ji Chong to teach her archery. When he finally arrived, he was accompanied by numerous young maids, who showered him with compliments, calling him exceptionally handsome and talented, and openly envied Ma Zhaixing for being so favored by him.
Ma Zhaixing, surprised by Ji Chong's widespread popularity, reluctantly picked all the breakfast dishes presented by the maids. Ji Chong then playfully insisted that Ma Zhaixing eat everything herself as a condition for her archery lessons. After she reluctantly finished, Ji Chong offered Ma Zhaixing three life choices: continue leading the Ma Family Army against Prince of Bo, embark on a life of adventure with him, or marry him and let him handle her revenge.
Ma Zhaixing chose the first option, affirming her commitment to leading the Ma Family Army. Ji Chong, having anticipated her choice, reiterated his full support for her mission to defeat Prince of Bo. He earnestly cautioned her against letting hatred consume her, reminding her that it could distort her true self and make her forget her core desires. Ma Zhaixing acknowledged his concern and promised to care for herself, eating and resting properly.
Ji Chong then announced his intention to take her to someone capable of challenging the King of Jin. The following morning, after receiving a hangover cure, Chu Youzhen awoke in the Prince of Bo Manor, confused about his presence. A maid explained his drunken rampage the previous night, revealing he had attempted to kill Prince of Bo with a sword. Although initially horrified, Chu Youzhen quickly dismissed his actions, asserting that Prince of Bo, being formidable, deserved such a fate.
The maid observed that his drunken words seemed more truthful than his sober ones. Later, Chu Youzhen visited his deceased elder brother, Prince Bin of the Yang, Chu Youyu's tomb, accompanied by Prince of Bo. There, Chu Youzhen confessed that he finally understood why their elder brother had sacrificed his life to save Prince of Bo. He lamented that Prince of Bo had endured misunderstanding and even lost the person he loved most, all for Chu Youzhen's sake.
Calling Prince of Bo "foolish," Chu Youzhen expressed sorrow for the loneliness Prince of Bo must have felt in the darkness since their elder brother's passing. He solemnly swore to Prince of Bo that he would never again allow him to fight alone, promising to abandon his childish ways and follow Prince of Bo's example without question, even asking their elder brother's spirit to bear witness.
Prince of Bo then made Chu Youzhen promise not to cause drunken disturbances in his manor or address him by name again. Before leaving, Chu Youzhen added that he wished for their elder brother to bless Prince of Bo and Ma Zhaixing. He desperately hoped that despite their current opposing stances, the two people he saw as being in love would never engage in conflict, wanting to avoid a future where they were forced to fight each other.
Prince of Bo, in response, stated that some things cannot be avoided, and what is destined will ultimately come. Ji Chong then led Ma Zhaixing to a heavily guarded location to meet the Grand Supervisor, hoping to learn about Princess Pingyuan, an Elder Princess from the previous era. He had tasked Ke Lang with gathering information about her, learning only her identity and that her birthday was the following day.
Ma Zhaixing expressed her confusion as to why the King of Jin had kept Princess Pingyuan's survival a secret after Chu Kui's massacre. Ji Chong believed they needed to consult a "key person" to answer their questions and understand the King of Jin's motives. They proceeded to meet the Grand Supervisor, who expressed surprise at Ji Chong's visit. After Ma Jing closed the door, the Grand Supervisor grew fearful, suspecting a trap.
Ji Chong and Ma Zhaixing questioned him about Princess Pingyuan and Tangxing Garden. When the Grand Supervisor feigned ignorance, Ji Chong playfully suggested that they should just force their way into Tangxing Garden or confront the King of Jin directly. Their theatrical performance successfully pressured the Grand Supervisor into revealing the truth. He disclosed that Princess Pingyuan was indeed the last surviving royal princess of the previous era, her identity meticulously verified by the King of Jin.
Although she survived the massacre, her face was disfigured by a long scar, which deeply affected her self-esteem. Consequently, she had requested the King of Jin to allow her to live the rest of her life in seclusion within Tangxing Garden, maintaining a low profile away from public scrutiny. The Grand Supervisor cautioned them that no one could enter Tangxing Garden without the King of Jin's explicit permission.
Ma Zhaixing noted the tragic similarities in their fates, both having suffered at the hands of Chu Kui. Thanking the Grand Supervisor for the crucial information, Ji Chong then proposed that they should enlist Princess Pingyuan's support for Ma Zhaixing and the Ma Family Army, believing this alliance would free Ma Zhaixing from the King of Jin's control.
However, Ma Zhaixing initially hesitated, citing the Grand Supervisor's warning about the King of Jin's strict prohibitions and her reluctance to further implicate Ji Chong. Despite her earlier reservations, Ma Zhaixing decided to secretly enter Tangxing Garden alone to meet Princess Pingyuan, explaining to Ma Jing that she had no other choice if she wanted Princess Pingyuan's support for the Ma Family Army. She wanted to avoid further implicating Ji Chong and worsening his relationship with the King of Jin.
Noting the coincidence that Princess Pingyuan shared her mother's birthday and also loved Usnea, Ma Zhaixing confronted Princess Pingyuan, who was surprised by the intrusion and initially dismissed her. Ma Zhaixing apologized for the trespass and earnestly conveyed her desire to bring peace and prosperity to their homeland, a wish she believed Princess Pingyuan also harbored. However, Princess Pingyuan remained reluctant, deferring to the King of Jin's plans and cautioning Ma Zhaixing against hasty actions.
Ma Zhaixing passionately argued that they could no longer afford to delay, as Jin risked losing its strategic advantage against Chu Kui, the very person who annihilated Princess Pingyuan's family. Princess Pingyuan, still hesitant, claimed ignorance of military affairs and expressed doubt about the current state of the Ma Family Army, having heard rumors of its lax discipline and lack of strong leadership.
Ma Zhaixing, understanding Princess Pingyuan's deep, unspoken pain and endless hatred, implored her to witness the Ma Family Army's strength firsthand. Ma Zhaixing then mentioned that Usnea, meaning "royal daughter," was also her late mother's favorite flower. Princess Pingyuan, struck by Ma Zhaixing's appearance, observed a striking resemblance between Ma Zhaixing and a deceased acquaintance.
Despite Ma Zhaixing clarifying that her mother, being from humble origins, could not have known Princess Pingyuan, Princess Pingyuan felt an inexplicable familiarity with Ma Zhaixing, attributing it to their shared fondness for the Usnea, and was thus convinced. Princess Pingyuan agreed to accompany Ma Zhaixing, suggesting they use a hidden path in the back garden to avoid alerting the guards.
Upon arriving at the Ma Family Army's drill ground, Ma Zhaixing and Princess Pingyuan were met with a scene of utter chaos: soldiers were openly drinking, feasting, and engaging in boisterous games, their weapons carelessly discarded, a stark contrast to the elite force they were reputed to be. Princess Pingyuan remarked that the Ma Family Army was indeed as the King of Jin had described.
Enraged by the blatant lack of discipline, Ma Zhaixing immediately confronted Ma Yehan, ordering him to assemble and drill the troops at once, threatening military punishment for any defiance. Ma Yehan accepted her command. Ma Zhaixing then apologized to Princess Pingyuan for the embarrassing display, explaining that there was a deeper reason for the troops' current state, and pleaded for another chance for the Ma Family Army to demonstrate its true prowess.
Ma Zhaixing then attempted to rally the soldiers, acknowledging that many were still recovering from an affliction, but stressed that lax discipline could destroy years of hard work, urging them to continue rigorous training to avoid being expelled by the King of Jin. While Ma Zhaixing was trying to enforce her orders, the King of Jin arrived with Ju Qi, having been informed by a servant that Ma Zhaixing had taken Princess Pingyuan out without his permission.
The King promptly halted the training. After having Ju Qi escort Princess Pingyuan back to Tangxing Garden, the King of Jin sternly admonished Ma Zhaixing, declaring that her judgment was clouded by hatred and she was unfit to command the Ma Family Army. Ignoring his words, Ma Zhaixing defiantly attempted to resume the rigorous training, but was interrupted by Ji Chong, who arrived and displayed the Ma Family Army's Command Token, thereby stopping the drills.
Ma Zhaixing, furious at seeing the token in Ji Chong's possession, accused him of trying to usurp her authority and Ma Yehan of betrayal, ordering Ma Yehan to be punished under military law. Ma Yehan tried to explain that he himself had given Ji Chong the token. Ma Zhaixing, overcome with fury, tried to enforce her commands, but Ji Chong, perceiving her irrationality, abruptly lifted her and threw her into a nearby pond.
The icy shock of the water immediately sobered Ma Zhaixing, who, emerging, felt utterly ashamed of her furious outburst and Ji Chong's drastic action. Ji Chong countered, urging her to see how hatred for Prince of Bo had consumed her, distorting her judgment and making her unable to distinguish allies from enemies. He questioned if she was still the Ma Zhaixing he once knew.
Ma Yehan then stepped forward to clarify the situation, explaining that he had given the Command Token to Ji Chong on the night before her rescue, anticipating a potential sacrifice and entrusting Ji Chong with the critical task of protecting her and delivering the token.
Ji Chong further explained that he had delayed returning the token to her because he feared that, given her obsession with revenge, it would only fuel her hatred, and he wished for her to calm down first.
Ma Yehan also revealed that the lax behavior of the soldiers was due to wine and dishes sent by Ji Chong, which he felt he dared not reject, and had allowed them a brief rest due to their recent hardships, accepting full responsibility for Ma Zhaixing's misunderstanding. Deeply ashamed and filled with remorse, Ma Zhaixing apologized profusely to her troops and to Ma Yehan, admitting her arrogance and self-doubt.
Ji Chong then reassured her, praising her inherent wisdom, benevolence, courage, and ability to lead the Ma Family Army effectively if she could overcome her hatred and act with calmness. He then returned the Command Token to her, emphasizing that it was not a tool for revenge, but a symbol of the courage bestowed upon her by her father and a representation of her responsibility and trust. Ma Zhaixing sought forgiveness from Ma Jing and Ma Yehan, who readily assured her that they had never blamed her and simply wished for her well-being.
