The Wolf Episode 33 Recap
> The Wolf Recap
The old portrait, though faded, clearly depicted a woman strikingly similar in appearance to Ma Zhaixing. The Qitan King remained skeptical until court painter Chu Zhen entered, immediately mistaking Ma Zhaixing for Princess Pingyuan. To dispel the Qitan King's doubts, Ji Chong then disclosed that Ma Zhaixing possessed the Water Moon Jade, a relic of the former imperial family, in the form of three clapper stones hidden inside her bronze bell.
Ji Chong explained that the late emperor of the previous dynasty commissioned a hermit to create this unique jade, which, though unassuming in appearance, would radiate brilliant light when placed in water. He also revealed that General Ma Ying had taken the risk to rescue the pregnant princess of the previous dynasty, who later gave birth to Ma Zhaixing. Encouraged by Ji Chong, Ma Zhaixing slowly approached a basin of water.
Everyone present held their breath as the clapper stones were dropped into the water, instantly erupting in a dazzling display of colorful light. This spectacle, combined with Princess Pingyuan's relic, Chu Zhen's identification, and the portrait, conclusively proved Ma Zhaixing's true identity. Bao Na was overjoyed, marveling at Ma Zhaixing's swift transformation from a prisoner facing execution to a princess of the previous dynasty.
The Qitan King, realizing his near error, apologized to Ma Zhaixing and officially acknowledged her as Princess Pingyuan's daughter. He stated that since his benefactor's daughter had aligned with Jin, he could not continue to honor the military alliance with Yang Kingdom, as assisting Yang in an attack would be akin to biting the hand that feeds him. Chu Youwen, no longer forcing the Qitan King, declared the alliance treaty with Yang Kingdom null and void.
He asserted that with both Jin and Yang now equally matched, it was an opportune time for Ma Zhaixing to demonstrate her true strength, and he only requested the Qitan King's non-interference in the impending conflict. Acknowledging his obligation, the Qitan King promised on the spot not to favor either side. With her status dramatically shifted, Ma Zhaixing now commanded not only the Ma Family Army but also the full backing of Jin Kingdom.
She confronted Chu Youwen, mockingly stating that as a true royal princess of the previous dynasty, she was far superior to him, an "unidentified wolf" raised by the villain Chu Kui. She vowed that she was no longer the soft-hearted Ma Zhaixing she used to be. Chu Youwen, despite her taunts, remained arrogant and vowed to personally take her life on the battlefield.
As he departed the golden tent, Mo Xiao, concerned that Ma Zhaixing's presence would greatly boost Jin's morale and disrupt their military strategy, suggested assassinating her on her return journey to Jin. However, Hai Die cautioned against rash action, emphasizing the importance of the larger strategic picture and noting that Chu Youwen never truly wished to harm Ma Zhaixing. Meanwhile, Ma Zhaixing sat alone in her tent, lost in thought as she gazed at the clapper stones.
She was filled with self-reproach and regret, blaming herself for failing to protect Liu Xin and for accidentally injuring Youzhen. Bao Na, noticing her despondent mood, went to comfort her, even forgiving Ma Zhaixing's earlier deception regarding Liu Xin, acknowledging that anyone in her shoes might have resorted to any means to defeat Prince of Bo. Ma Zhaixing expressed her deep regret for Youzhen's injury and wished him a speedy recovery.
This incident marked a turning point for Ma Zhaixing; she began to understand her mother's profound struggles and her father, Ma Ying's, dying wish for her to live an ordinary life, which now revealed itself as a protective measure to conceal her true royal lineage. She also finally understood her father's cryptic, unfinished words about her being a "king's daughter."
Having gained this clarity, Ma Zhaixing resolved to shed her previous weakness and embrace her destiny, declaring that she would face Prince of Bo on the battlefield. At the same time, Youzhen's physician advised that his slow blood circulation required returning to the warmer climate of Yang Kingdom. Chu Youwen immediately ordered their departure back to Yang. As Chu Youwen returned to Yang Kingdom with the injured Youzhen, Ma Zhaixing and her companions departed Qitan.
Their paths irrevocably diverged, now burdened not only by personal grievances but also by the added weight of national enmity, sealing their completely separate destinies. Despite Ma Zhaixing's newly restored status as a princess of the previous dynasty, discontent rippled throughout Jin Kingdom. Ju Qi openly voiced his refusal to accept her, arguing that she lacked any notable achievements and her character remained unknown.
Zhou Hai, Assistant General of Jin's Six Armies, echoed this sentiment, suggesting that any credit for undermining Yang Kingdom's alliance should rightfully go to Ji Chong, especially since Ji Chong was the one who proved her identity as a princess, saving her from Prince of Bo. Foreseeing the challenges that awaited her, Ma Zhaixing already had a countermeasure in mind while en route back to Jin.
Meanwhile, Youzhen's condition became increasingly puzzling; he appeared to be awake but showed no response to anything. Chu Youwen, desperate, sought out Yao Ji for a diagnosis. Yao Ji determined that Youzhen was suffering from "stupor," a rare and incurable condition where the patient, despite seeming awake, would be mute, insensible, and unable to move or eat without assistance.
She explained that such patients could only awaken on their own, a process that could take days, months, or even a lifetime. Chu Kui, enraged, blamed Chu Youwen entirely for Youzhen's state, demanding why it wasn't Chu Youwen lying half-dead instead. He accused Chu Youwen of failing to protect Youzhen and of showing leniency towards Ma Zhaixing due to lingering feelings, which led to her true identity being exposed. In his fury, Chu Kui ordered Chu Youwen's immediate confinement.
To appease his father, Chu Youwen volunteered to undergo flagellation with a whip soaked in wolfbone flower extract, a form of torture he loathed for its humiliation. Zi Shen, keen to witness Chu Youwen's agony, meticulously prepared the whip. However, Zi Shen noticed a flicker of reluctance and sympathy on Yao Ji's face, a reaction that hinted at an unexpected truth about her feelings for Chu Youwen.
Yao Ji, witnessing Chu Youwen's suffering, lamented how his years of loyal service to Chu Kui amounted to nothing more than a disposable life, easily trampled upon by the emperor. Meanwhile, the news of the failed military alliance and Ma Ying's secret harboring of the former princess had already spread throughout the court. Yang Hou expressed concern to Chu Kui that if word of Prince of Bo's confinement also leaked, it would cause widespread panic and instability.
Chu Kui dismissed Ma Zhaixing as a mere "dreg" he had failed to eradicate, yet he recognized the need for a decisive victory. He declared his intention to deliver a crushing blow to Jin Kingdom, led by Prince of Bo commanding the imperial army, before Ma Zhaixing could establish her authority as a princess of the previous dynasty.
He specifically ordered Generals Wang Rong of Zhenzhou and Han Qing of Luzhou, who were familiar with the terrain near Taiyuan, to join the campaign immediately. Despite Prince of Bo's injuries, Chu Kui insisted Yao Ji would heal him, reiterating that Prince of Bo's life was his to command.
Upon her return to Jin Kingdom, Ma Zhaixing promptly entered the main council hall, where the King of Jin, along with various civil and military officials and the Six Army generals, had been waiting. She politely declined the prominent seat offered to her, expressing her discomfort with the title of "Princess" and requesting the King of Jin to continue calling her "Zhaixing."
Ma Zhaixing then publicly announced that she was not suited to be the chief marshal of the Ma Family Army and, to the astonishment of everyone present, formally relinquished the Ma Family Army's military seal and power to the King of Jin. This declaration left the entire hall in disbelief, though the King of Jin quickly composed himself and accepted the authority.
He then instructed Ju Qi to immediately integrate the soldiers of the Ma Family Army into the various divisions of the Jin army. Ma Zhaixing then excused herself, leaving the King of Jin to manage state affairs. Bao Na, observing this, found Ma Zhaixing's decision to surrender her military power utterly foolish, deeming it an act of helplessness rather than a strategy.
