The Wolf Episode 39 Recap
> The Wolf Recap
Upon waking, Ma Zhaixing found Ji Chong by her side. Though initially surprised, her concern for his injury quickly took over, and she immediately helped him bandage the wound. When Ma Zhaixing questioned him about the events, Ji Chong falsely claimed that the Wolfbone Flower led to Lord Bo's defeat.
He explained that upon realizing his troops were routed and seeing her unconscious, Lord Bo had seized the opportunity to abduct her as a hostage, intending to use her to threaten the Jin troops. Ji Chong told Ma Zhaixing that he had sent Zhuiri to find her, which ultimately led him to her location. Ma Zhaixing blamed herself, believing her fall during the battle of Boxiang had caused the Jin army's disadvantage and Ji Chong's injury.
In truth, Ji Chong had deliberately used Lord Bo's sword to inflict the wound on himself, knowing it would earn Ma Zhaixing's trust. Meanwhile, Lord Bo, concealed nearby, watched Ma Zhaixing and Ji Chong depart, a profound sense of loss evident in his quiet gaze. Chu Yougui arrived to meet Chu Kui, dramatically expressing his filial devotion and admitting his past mistakes.
He claimed that being confined to the Imperial Mausoleum was not as agonizing as the inability to protect his father during danger on the battlefield. He vowed to shield Chu Kui with his life and begged to serve as his bodyguard. Upon returning to his Yun Royal Manor, Chu Yougui looked at a pair of small shoes for his unborn child, feeling heartbroken and vowing to seek revenge for his son.
Later, Chu Yougui was informed that Jing Chuchu, his consort, was praying at Jiguang Temple. He chose not to send for her immediately, confident that her compassionate nature would lead her to plead for Lord Bo's life upon her return. Chu Yougui intended to first stabilize his position in court and deal with Lord Bo before bringing Jing Chuchu back to the Yun Royal Manor. Back in Jin territory, the King of Jin was worried.
He noted that Lord Bo had saved Ma Zhaixing right in front of everyone, which puzzled many, as they were supposed to be sworn enemies. A Marquis added that people were beginning to suspect that Ma Zhaixing's old affections for Lord Bo had rekindled, raising concerns that she might betray them in battle, just as Lord Bo had done previously.
The King of Jin emphasized that Ma Zhaixing was a symbol of belief for the soldiers, forged with their very lives, and the doubts arising from the Battle of Boxiang were dangerously shaking their morale. He worried that such rumors would ruin her reputation. As Ma Zhaixing and Ji Chong continued their journey, Ma Zhaixing's face grew red from the sun. Ji Chong offered his cape, but she politely declined, opting instead to use a leaf to shield her head.
Ji Chong recognized this method as one taught by Lord Bo, leading him to realize that he might never hold the same place in her heart as Lord Bo. Meanwhile, Lord Bo waited at Hanshui, having sent a secret message to Yao Ji requesting their meeting. Yao Ji arrived, already suspecting that Lord Bo had intentionally allowed a scout to escape and had orchestrated the Wolfbone Flower incident.
She even provocatively suggested that Ma Zhaixing would be overjoyed by his demise. Lord Bo confirmed he had spared the scout and confessed he had no intention of fleeing. He then revealed his plan to return to the palace to surrender himself. He explained that Chu Kui had promised to spare Fourth Prince Chu Youzhen's life if Lord Bo returned. Lord Bo felt responsible for Chu Youzhen's predicament and believed he must trade his life to save his brother.
Yao Ji protested, questioning the value of his own life and why he would sacrifice himself for others. Lord Bo asserted that saving them with his life was a worthy exchange. Yao Ji then asked about Ma Zhaixing, wondering if she still refused to forgive him. She urged him to go to Ma Zhaixing, offering to protect Fourth Prince Chu Youzhen and Wen Yan, along with the Night Fiends in his stead.
However, Lord Bo calmly stated that any remaining affection between him and Ma Zhaixing was merely his own wishful thinking, and that his chosen path was the best outcome he could hope for. Before departing, Lord Bo presented Yao Ji with a dagger forged from the same meteorite as Chu Kui's Chixiao Sword, a blade she admired for its exceptional sharpness, asking her to keep it for her protection.
Despite Yao Ji's emotional plea for him not to leave, reminding him of their shared destiny, Lord Bo departed alone to surrender. He revealed his identity to the city guards, who immediately apprehended him and took him to prison on Chu Kui's orders. Upon learning that Lord Bo had returned to the capital, Ma Zhaixing was surprised. Upon her return to the Jin Kingdom, Ma Zhaixing immediately sought out Ma Jing to inquire about the soldiers' reactions to her abduction.
She was visibly distressed to learn that the troops suspected her of rekindling her old flame with Lord Bo. Ji Chong, angered by the baseless rumors, passionately defended Ma Zhaixing to the King of Jin and the Marquis. He then declared his intention to marry Ma Zhaixing to publicly clear her name and restore the soldiers' faith. Later, Ma Zhaixing found Ji Chong, bringing him small, less sweet oranges, which she described as a reflection of life's imperfections.
She philosophically stated that while not everything goes as planned, one must be content with what is present, calling it "the best option at this moment." She explained her decision, saying that she had heard the people's concerns about her abduction and felt a deep responsibility not to disappoint them or allow the frontline soldiers to doubt her loyalty. She affirmed that as the princess, she lived for them.
Ma Zhaixing then sincerely thanked Ji Chong for his countless past acts of help and for his willingness to sacrifice his own marriage to preserve her honor and fulfill her duty. Ji Chong, uncomfortable with her formal gratitude, told her he disliked hearing "thank you" from her, questioning why she was still so courteous.
Both the King of Jin and his son, Ji Chong, later expressed their gratitude to Ma Zhaixing for prioritizing the greater good by agreeing to the union to stabilize morale. Ma Zhaixing, however, insisted they cease their formalities. As preparations for the wedding began, the city of Taiyuan celebrated the upcoming union of the princess and the prince.
Despite the joyous atmosphere and the maids' attempts to adorn her, Ma Zhaixing, dressed in her wedding gown, appeared more disheartened than joyful. Ma Jing, trying to comfort her, inadvertently blurted out that it wasn't Ma Zhaixing's first wedding, mentioning a previous one in the Bo Royal Manor. This revelation shocked the other maids present.
