The Wolf Episode 31 Recap
> The Wolf Recap
Ma Zhaixing boldly addressed the King of Qitan, recounting Chu Youwen's various misdeeds. She likened his ruthless behavior to a mantis that, after mating, cruelly devours its partner, expressing her dismay that a prince could act like an insect or beast. Chu Youwen swiftly retorted, reminding her that if he remembered correctly, it was usually the male mantis that was consumed.
He then openly acknowledged their past affection, stating he could not repay it, nor could he restore the lives lost from the Ma family, because as Prince of Bo, he was destined to be her enemy. He challenged her to seek revenge, asserting that breaking the existing alliance appeared to be her initial step, which she confirmed.
The King of Qitan grew increasingly agitated, unwilling to intervene in their personal feud, especially as Ma Zhaixing had suggested the alliance with the Yang Kingdom would lead to a bad outcome. Chu Youwen seized this opportunity to accuse Ma Zhaixing of spreading rumors and attempting to incite discord, claiming her true motive was personal revenge rather than genuine concern for his kingdom.
The King of Qitan then stated he hated being deceived, considering her words "presumptuous" and "wild" on such an important day. To prove her claims, Ma Zhaixing suggested the King of Qitan step outside his tent. As they emerged, the sky began to darken, much to the alarm of the Qitan people who exclaimed that the "heavenly hound" was coming, believing it was getting darker.
Ma Zhaixing explained that her plan was meticulously researched; she had delved into military tactics and ancient texts detailing the cycles of solar eclipses, foreseeing that such an anomaly was imminent. She aimed to leverage this natural phenomenon, which the sun-worshipping Qitan people regarded as a bad omen and a sign of disaster, to diminish Prince of Bo's morale and strike a preemptive blow against him during their initial encounter.
Chu Youzhen, the King of Qitan’s brother, confirmed that the eclipse was indeed an ominous sign, attributing it to the Yang Kingdom's actions that had angered both heaven and humanity, thus validating Ma Zhaixing's earlier warnings. As the Qitan soldiers desperately pounded the Drums of the King, believing the beats would repel the "heavenly hound" as they had in the past, Chu Youzhen worried that he and Chu Youwen would be blamed for the persistent eclipse.
Just as the King of Qitan considered summoning the State Priest, Chu Youwen intervened, assuring everyone he had a method to make the "heavenly hound retreat." He requested a bow and arrow, then shot an arrow into the darkening sky. Instantly, the eclipse began to recede, dispelling Ma Zhaixing's plan. The King of Qitan, deeply impressed and now honoring Chu Youwen as a distinguished guest, lauded his feat.
Chu Youwen then seized the opportunity to accuse Ma Zhaixing of spreading false rumors and sowing discord, stating that her wicked deeds would lead to her own demise. The King of Qitan, now fully swayed, demanded that Ma Zhaixing apologize to Chu Youwen or face immediate expulsion. Ji Chong fiercely told Ma Zhaixing not to apologize to "that scoundrel." Though Ma Zhaixing reluctantly moved to apologize, Chu Youwen preempted her with a subtle yet biting act of humiliation.
He recalled her once serving him as a maid, stating he had been "very satisfied," and then, feigning concern for her honor as Bao Na's friend, attributed her "erratic behavior" to "old feelings." He urged her to cease causing further trouble, implying that this public display should be the end of it. Later, inside their tent, Ji Chong chastised Bao Na for failing to keep an eye on Ma Zhaixing.
Bao Na defended herself, claiming Ma Zhaixing had vanished the moment she stepped out of the tent. Ma Zhaixing, however, intervened, taking full responsibility. She confessed that Chu Youwen had recognized her earlier inside his tent, enabling him to anticipate their moves and prepare against them.
She blamed herself for her overconfidence and for underestimating him, admitting she had boasted to the King of Jin about her resolve to remain unaffected by personal feelings, only to falter, lose her composure, and suffer a crushing defeat upon seeing Chu Youwen. Bao Na tried to comfort her, asserting that Chu Youwen was simply too cunning and despicable.
She argued that he should have shown more mercy, given Ma Zhaixing's past as his princess consort, rather than being so ruthless. Unsatisfied, Bao Na stormed out, determined to retaliate for Ma Zhaixing. She invaded Chu Youwen's tent, instructing her attendants to remove all his furniture, leaving it empty. Chu Youwen's subordinates questioned her actions, concerned about their master's comfort and safety, but did not dare to stop her.
Ji Chong, following Bao Na, arrived and confronted her, calling her "crazy." Chu Youwen then emerged, mocking Ma Zhaixing and suggesting she was a "coward" hiding behind others to fight her battles. Provoked, Ji Chong challenged Chu Youwen to a duel, declaring his long-held desire to beat him. As they clashed, Ji Chong furiously accused Chu Youwen, exclaiming, "You destroyed your Xing'er with your own hands!" Enraged by this accusation, Chu Youwen retaliated, severely injuring Ji Chong.
Ma Zhaixing and Chu Youzhen rushed to the scene to intervene. Bao Na, seeing an opportunity, commanded her guards to seize Prince of Bo, urging Ma Zhaixing to personally kill the man who had caused her so much pain, reminding her that her father, the entire Ma family, and even the wolf cub had died by his hands. Ma Zhaixing took up the bow, but found herself unable to release the arrow.
Chu Youwen, sensing her hesitation, taunted her, scoffing that she, who didn't even dare to kill his warrior wolf, was too cowardly to kill him, likening her to a stray dog only daring to act arrogantly while hiding behind Jin's backing. Ma Zhaixing, in a moment of agonizing truth, confessed, "I can't do it." Seeing her failure, Chu Youwen ordered his men to release them.
Ji Chong was dismayed when he learned that Ma Zhaixing had not killed the warrior wolf earlier. Ma Zhaixing expressed profound self-blame, acknowledging her complete and utter defeat, feeling struck where it hurt. Bao Na openly criticized Chu Youwen, questioning if he truly felt proud of his victory in such an "unequal" contest, given the vast disparity in strength. Chu Youwen retorted that war was inherently cruel, only about winning or losing, not about inherent strength or weakness.
He then instructed Bao Na to relay a message to Ma Zhaixing: if she truly wished to defeat him and fight on equal ground, she must cease seeking protection from others and grow stronger through her own efforts, as he would be waiting for her. Ma Zhaixing ran to the lake and cried bitterly, blaming herself for being useless and for her complete defeat.
With encouragement from Ji Chong and Bao Na, who reminded her that the worst was behind them, Ma Zhaixing resolved to become stronger on her own, without relying on them, confident she could defeat Chu Youwen with a trump card. Ji Chong observed that Chu Youwen had articulated a similar desire for her to grow stronger, noting the unusual "tacit understanding" that seemed to exist between them, a notion Ma Zhaixing vehemently denied as a "delusion."
Ji Chong, however, harbored a deep concern that Chu Youwen, being too understanding of Ma Zhaixing's weaknesses, might exploit her past to sabotage the upcoming prayer ceremony. Later, Ma Zhaixing and Ji Chong discussed their plan to disrupt Chu Youwen's aim of acquiring military aid, with Ji Chong deducing that Ma Zhaixing intended to use Princess Pingyuan to achieve this during the ceremony.
He explained that his scout, Ke Lang, had monitored the King of Jin's palace and reported Princess Pingyuan's departure from Taiyuan City shortly after they had left, making the connection clear. Bao Na confirmed that her brother, the King of Qitan, had been held as a political hostage in the previous dynasty's palace in his youth and had received kindness from a princess there, which fostered his love for the cultures of the central plains.
They decided to return to their camp to finalize their strategy for meeting Princess Pingyuan, who the King of Jin would secretly escort to them that night. Meanwhile, Chu Youwen visited his injured warrior wolf. Speaking to the wolf, he reflected that Ma Zhaixing's emotional wounds were far deeper than Ji Chong's physical ones. He expressed a desire for Ma Zhaixing to overcome the pain he had caused her, just as the warrior wolf had recovered from its injuries.
Yet, he believed she was still too weak to contend with the Yang Kingdom or defeat him, capable of barely protecting herself. Mo Xiao then reported that, as expected, Ji Chong's group had been spotted meeting a mysterious woman in the suburbs.
Chu Youwen, aware that the "Heaven's Prayer" ceremony for the King of Qitan was scheduled for the following morning, and that only Qitan royalty, tribal leaders, and their own contingent were permitted to attend, suspected that this mysterious woman's visit that night was related to a "tribute from Jin" for the upcoming grand event. The next morning, the "Heaven's Prayer" ceremony for the new King of Qitan commenced solemnly at Muye Mountain.
Chu Youzhen noted the absence of Ji Chong and Ma Zhaixing, attributing it to their lack of qualification for the ceremony, but Chu Youwen remained watchful, anticipating they would certainly make a move, suspecting a conspiracy. Chu Youzhen congratulated Chu Youwen, as he was about to receive blessings and sacred wine on the altar from the State Priest, a great honor earned by his "heroic shot yesterday," which also allowed him, an outsider, to attend the traditionally restricted ceremony.
As the King of Qitan concluded the "Prayer is complete" ritual, Ma Zhaixing and Ji Chong dramatically appeared, escorting Princess Pingyuan. Princess Pingyuan then began to play the "Melody of Pingyuan" on a pipa, evoking the King of Qitan's nostalgia for his time as a hostage.
Ma Zhaixing apologized for interrupting the ceremony, explaining that Princess Pingyuan earnestly wished to offer her personal felicitations to the King of Qitan but, unable to enter, had played outside hoping he would hear her intent. The King of Qitan, recognizing the music, inquired about its name. Princess Pingyuan confirmed it was the "Melody of Pingyuan," named by a "young boy" years ago, and that the song had since brought her a "wonderful friendship."
A flashback revealed the King of Qitan’s past, 25 years ago. As an eight-year-old child hostage in the Jin Kingdom's palace of the previous dynasty, he cried for his home. Princess Pingyuan, then a young girl, felt pity and defied orders to secretly care for him. She played the pipa daily nearby to ease his homesickness, and sent servants with books and food to comfort him during his long days.
The King of Qitan reminisced about exchanging notes with her to learn about Qitan culture. He was astonished to see her alive, learning that she was the last surviving member of the previous dynasty's royal bloodline and had been sheltering in the Jin Kingdom to avoid further persecution, a situation which Chu Youwen should well understand.
Princess Pingyuan then explained that her face had been severely scarred during a "massacre" by "bandits of Chu," forcing her to wear a veil to avoid frightening others. She clarified that while she didn't mind showing her true face, she feared her terrifying scar might scare people, and that this scar served as a constant reminder of her "mission to live."
Bao Na then reminded the King of Qitan of his past vow to repay Princess Pingyuan's profound kindness, risking everything to do so. While acknowledging Princess Pingyuan's profound kindness, the King of Qitan explained that repaying kindness could not be compared to state affairs, and he could not unilaterally breach the existing alliance with the Yang Kingdom, which was decided during his predecessor's reign. He offered to fulfill any other request she might have.
He then expressed his delight to Ji Chong and Ma Zhaixing for their tribute, and invited everyone to a banquet. At the banquet, the King of Qitan toasted Princess Pingyuan, expressing that seeing her again after so many years fulfilled a long-held wish. Princess Pingyuan then produced a small dagger.
The King of Qitan immediately recognized it, recalling how his father had given him this "precious belonging" before he left Qitan for the previous dynasty, and how he had intended to give it to Princess Pingyuan as a parting gift. In another flashback, he recalled meeting a court painter named Chu Zhen, who was working on Princess Pingyuan’s portrait. The young King entrusted Chu Zhen with the dagger to give to Princess Pingyuan.
Chu Zhen, noting the unfinished portrait, advised the young King to remember Princess Pingyuan's "three-colored jade" bracelet, a "token from the royal family," as a way to recognize her in the future. The King of Qitan also shared that he later learned Princess Pingyuan loved the usnea herb, thanks to Chu Zhen. The King of Qitan then noticed Princess Pingyuan's missing bracelet.
She explained that it had been lost while she was fleeing, pointedly noting that this loss was due to their (Chu's) actions. A subordinate from the State Priest then arrived, summoning the King of Qitan and Princess Pingyuan to the Ancestral Temple on Muye Mountain. The King of Qitan apologized for his hasty departure, explaining he had forgotten about the important matter in his joy.
As he left with Bao Na, Chu Youwen boldly declared his intention to join them for lunch. Chu Youzhen questioned the wisdom of this, fearing Bao Na would intentionally make things difficult for them, but Chu Youwen asserted that "there is no reward without risks." Princess Pingyuan then excused herself, swiftly escorted back to her tent by Ma Zhaixing and Ji Chong.
Chu Youwen, observing her quick exit, taunted her, asking if she was afraid to be alone with him, to which Princess Pingyuan retorted by asking if he intended to take her life in Qitan to silence her.
