The Wolf Episode 30 Recap
> The Wolf Recap
After a brief moment of regaining her composure, Ma Zhaixing commanded Ma Jing and Ma Yehan to throw Ji Chong into the pond. As water splashed, joyful laughter erupted from around them. Seeing Ma Zhaixing smile again, Ji Chong also chuckled. Meanwhile, the Ma Family Army pledged their eternal loyalty to Ma Zhaixing, vowing revenge for the Ma Family.
In the morning court, ministers informed Emperor Chu Kui that the new king of Qitan was about to be coronated, and an envoy had delivered an invitation. Chu Kui, however, felt uneasy, having heard that the new Qitan king had been a hostage prince in the Jin Kingdom for many years. Despite Chu Youzhen's attempts to reassure him that Jin was not an ally of Qitan and had not been invited, Chu Kui felt a growing sense of unease.
He commanded Chu Youwen, the Prince of Bo, to depart for Qitan the next day. Chu Youwen, accompanied by the Night Fiends and Chu Youzhen, was tasked with attending the coronation ceremony, ascertaining the new Qitan king's true intentions, and negotiating a troop-lending treaty.
Later, Ma Zhaixing sought an audience with the King of Jin, expressing her regret for her past blunders, particularly regarding the guards of Tangxing Garden who were flogged for their dereliction of duty, and for Ji Chong being implicated. She pleaded with the King to punish her alone, but not to implicate the innocent.
The King observed that Ma Zhaixing, much like Ji Chong, was too concerned with the well-being of those around her, willing to take punishment herself rather than see others suffer. While this might win hearts, he explained, such a general would struggle to win battles due to excessive concerns.
He declared that only a firm, unattached spirit could calmly assess the battlefield and issue correct orders, citing Prince of Bo as the epitome of a cold-hearted general who tolerated no mistakes, for the cost of error was thousands of lives. Despite his usual strictness, the King offered Ma Zhaixing a special opportunity to redeem herself. This opportunity involved a mission to Qitan.
Knowing Ma Zhaixing's close relationship with Princess Bao Na of Qitan, the King proposed that Ma Zhaixing use this connection to sabotage the troop-lending treaty between the Yang Kingdom and Qitan. If successful, she would not only redeem herself but also expedite the Jin Kingdom and Ma Family Army's joint attack on their enemies.
The King warned her that she would likely encounter Prince of Bo there, emphasizing that she must prioritize the larger objective and avoid any reckless confrontation that could jeopardize Jin's future alliance with Qitan. Ma Zhaixing, despite the inherent dangers, bravely accepted the mission, declaring her willingness to risk everything. The King, while initially offering to share the full plan, decided to withhold it, stating that he preferred actions over mere words.
Meanwhile, Ji Chong, anxious for Ma Zhaixing's return, paced nervously, even going so far as to curse his own father, the King of Jin, whom he suspected of making things difficult for her. When Ma Zhaixing finally returned unharmed, Ji Chong felt a great weight lift from his chest. He had even prepared birthday noodles, having learned from Ma Jing that it was her mother's birthday.
Ma Zhaixing then informed him about her mission to Qitan to sabotage the military treaty. Ji Chong initially believed Princess Bao Na's righteousness would be enough to sway the Qitan king, but Ma Zhaixing clarified that Bao Na was merely an entry point, not the core of the Jin King's strategy. When Ji Chong pressed her for the full plan, Ma Zhaixing refused to divulge it, leaving him frustrated.
Ji Chong expressed concern about her readiness to face Prince of Bo, fearing she was walking into a hopeless battle. However, Ma Zhaixing, resolute in her commitment to avenge her father, the Ma Family Army, and for the Jin Kingdom, declared that fate had already forced her to confront difficult truths, and she would not shy away from this challenge either. Ji Chong, realizing her determination, agreed to accompany her, stating that the mission truly required his presence.
As Ma Zhaixing and Ji Chong journeyed towards Qitan's Muye Mountain, Chu Youwen also prepared for his trip, accompanied by Hai Die, leaving Wen Yan behind. During their travel, Ji Chong noted numerous fish leaping out of the water, which he superstitiously interpreted as an ill omen. Ma Zhaixing, however, dismissed his worries, urging him to focus on their journey.
Upon reaching Muye Mountain, Ma Zhaixing and Ji Chong were met by Princess Bao Na, who had been expecting them after receiving Ji Chong's letter requesting a mysterious meeting. Bao Na initially thought they were planning a surprise for Prince of Bo. Ma Zhaixing then asked for a significant favor. Ji Chong interjected, revealing the truth about Prince of Bo's deceit and how Ma Zhaixing had been used.
Ma Zhaixing recounted her profound pain and suffering, stemming from her mother's death, Wolf Boy's forced departure, her father's murder, and now, Prince of Bo's betrayal. Bao Na, enraged by Prince of Bo's actions, declared him a shameless two-faced man and pledged her unwavering loyalty to Ma Zhaixing, vowing to be her kin. Ma Zhaixing and Ji Chong then formally requested Bao Na's assistance in gaining an audience with her royal brother to prevent the troop-lending agreement.
Bao Na admitted it would be a formidable challenge to annul the treaty, as she herself had initially persuaded her father to sign it, and all eight chieftains had unanimously agreed. Nevertheless, she agreed to arrange the meeting and explained the necessity of their disguises as a female servant and a warrior, given Jin Kingdom's non-ally status with Qitan. Ji Chong confirmed that he had indeed requested such attire in his letter.
Bao Na then led them to a secluded spot to change. Meanwhile, Chu Youwen and Chu Youzhen were also traveling towards Muye Mountain. Despite their horses being tired, Chu Youzhen insisted they arrive before sunset, as the Qitan people revered the sun, and a late arrival would invite ridicule. Chu Youzhen proudly reminisced about his time as a hostage prince and how the former Qitan king had shown him impartiality.
Chu Youwen then sent his warrior wolves to hunt in the nearby forest, viewing the journey as a leisurely trip. It was then that Ma Zhaixing and Ji Chong, now disguised, encountered one of Prince of Bo's warrior wolves. The wolf attacked, but Ji Chong expertly shot it with an arrow. Recognizing it as Prince of Bo's prized wolf, Ji Chong challenged Ma Zhaixing to finish the injured animal, calling it a crucial test.
He then led Bao Na away, leaving Ma Zhaixing to face her internal struggle alone. Ma Zhaixing, however, hesitated, unable to deliver the killing blow, torn by her past connection to Prince of Bo. Later, Chu Youwen, concerned by the prolonged absence of his warrior wolf, went to search for it himself. He eventually found it alive in the forest and was relieved. Observing a veiled Qitan servant hastily departing the scene, Chu Youwen suspected she had saved the wolf.
He followed her for a short distance, then hid behind a tree when he saw her with Bao Na, his curiosity piqued by the mysterious veiled woman. Back at the Qitan golden tent, Bao Na informed Ma Zhaixing that her royal brother was preoccupied with receiving guests and that it would be difficult to secure an immediate audience. She promised to find a way for Ma Zhaixing to meet him.
As Ma Zhaixing waited, an old maid accosted her, mistaking her for a slacker and ordering her to serve the distinguished guests. Ma Zhaixing, still veiled, tried to refuse, claiming she had a cold, but the maid dragged her directly to Prince of Bo's tent to serve him wine. Just as Prince of Bo ordered her to stay, effectively trapping her, Bao Na arrived, feigning a search for her "missing" maid.
Bao Na, realizing the gravity of the situation, engaged Prince of Bo in a conversation, subtly questioning why Ma Zhaixing was not with him. Prince of Bo lied, stating that Ma Zhaixing had remained home due to travel fatigue. Bao Na, with biting sarcasm, offered to send slave women to serve him, testing his fidelity. Prince of Bo, oblivious to her true intentions, accepted, further reinforcing Bao Na's perception of him as a philanderer.
Bao Na then warned him not to betray Ma Zhaixing, after which she swiftly took Ma Zhaixing away under the pretense of needing more servants. Outside the tent, Ma Zhaixing anxiously asked if Prince of Bo had recognized her, to which Bao Na confidently replied that he would have exposed her immediately had he done so. Meanwhile, Chu Youwen and Chu Youzhen were ushered into the Qitan king's golden tent.
The king, who had been enjoying Han music, warmly greeted Chu Youzhen, asking if he had kept his promise to study diligently. Chu Youzhen tried to evade the question, claiming he disliked books. The king then playfully tested him with a couplet. Chu Youzhen hesitated, but Chu Youwen promptly completed the couplet, earning praise from the Qitan king, who lauded Prince of Bo's widespread fame and combined literary and martial prowess. Chu Youwen humbly reciprocated the compliment.
He then presented the Qitan king with an array of precious artworks and calligraphies, specially gathered as a coronation tribute, including the long-sought music score for the poem, Youlan. Chu Youwen subtly advised the king to let go of old attachments, implying the drums from the previous dynasty were now meaningless. The King, however, declared that he valued Prince of Bo's gifts far more than any old drums.
Just as the conversation progressed, Ma Zhaixing, recalling the strange phenomenon of leaping fish she had witnessed earlier, which she now interpreted as a critical sign related to an impending celestial event, urgently requested Bao Na to take her to the Qitan king, fearing they would miss a critical window of opportunity. Bao Na, seeing her friend's unwavering resolve, quickly brought Ma Zhaixing into the tent, interrupting the meeting.
She introduced Ji Chong as Li Juyao, the Prince of Chuan of the Jin Kingdom, and then unveiled Ma Zhaixing, introducing her as Ma Ying’s daughter and surprisingly, Prince of Bo's former Princess Consort. The Qitan king, confused by the presence of a Jin Prince, was assured by Li Juyao that despite Jin not being an ally, he was there to offer congratulations due to his close friendship with Princess Bao Na.
He added that his meticulously prepared gift for the king was still en route and would be presented during the ceremony the next day. Ma Zhaixing then spoke, congratulating the King on his ascension and bravely appealing to him for the sake of the world's citizens. Chu Youwen immediately interjected, accusing the Ma Family Army of defecting to Jin and demanding their expulsion from Qitan.
Ma Zhaixing, seizing the moment, accused Chu Kui and Prince of Bo of murdering her father and tricking her into marriage to control the Ma Family Army, warning the Qitan king that the Chu family would eventually betray their allies once their purpose was served. The Qitan King then directly asked Prince of Bo if Ma Zhaixing's accusations were true. Prince of Bo, with a heavy heart, confirmed that everything she said was indeed true.
