The Wolf Episode 44 Recap
> The Wolf Recap
Having successfully escaped Qiannu Camp and arrived in Taiyuan, Ma Zhaixing and Ji Chong proceed to settle the freed war slaves. Ma Zhaixing accompanies Liu'er to meet the war slaves, reassuring him that they are now like his elders. Observing Liu'er’s quiet sorrow and red eyes, presumably for his father Zhao Jiu, Ma Zhaixing wipes his tears.
She comforts him by drawing on the story the Prince of Bo had told him, explaining that the little girl in the story was not inherently brave but learned to become strong through fear and loss, realizing that tears, weakness, or escape would not bring back what she lost. Ma Zhaixing admits she does not know the girl but says the story reminded her of her own past experiences.
Once Ma Zhaixing leaves, Chu Youwen approaches Ji Chong to express gratitude for his assistance and requests that he help conceal certain past events from Ma Zhaixing to spare her further emotional turmoil. Upon his arrival in Taiyuan, Chu Youwen is summoned to the King of Jin's residence. He formally greets the King, who acknowledges the formidable reputation of the "Prince of Bo" and the resilience of his troops, which Jin forces had difficulty overcoming.
The King of Jin expresses his appreciation for Chu Youwen's consideration for the common people and his willingness to form an alliance. Chu Youwen assures the King that the Qiannu Camp prisoners are well settled under his care. He then proposes that any conflict between their nations should aim to achieve peace, suggesting that if his Fourth Brother, Chu Yougui, were to succeed the throne, harmony between their kingdoms would be possible.
The King of Jin understands Chu Youwen's internal conflict regarding an alliance that goes against his own brother and his desire to minimize civilian suffering. The King states that with the "Prince of Bo" persona gone, Chu Youwen's true character is revealed, affirming him as a valuable ally. He promises that the war's ultimate goal will be peaceful coexistence once Chu Kui's tyrannical reign ends.
The King of Jin then offers Chu Youwen the position of Dubhe, the General of the Front Line, to lead alongside Ji Chong. He also invites Chu Youwen to share casual moments with him, like walks. In the makeshift village outside Taiyuan, where Ji Chong has provided basic shelters, the war slaves celebrate their newfound freedom. The Jin Army has provided wine, and Chu Youwen, whom they affectionately call "Leader," has brought wild game.
As they feast and drink, many share their harrowing survival stories and mourn their fallen comrades. Their conversations drift to their faraway homes, with some lamenting the slim chances of ever returning to their families or visiting their parents' graves. Amidst their sorrow, Chu Youwen declares his alliance with the King of Jin, promising to lead them back to their homes once Chu Kui's tyranny is swiftly ended with minimal bloodshed. Overjoyed, the war slaves eagerly toast to their "Leader."
Chu Youwen later engages them in a game of pitch-pot, using jars, where the loser drinks. Despite his initial misses, he eventually scores a point, delighting the group. Liu'er, intrigued by Chu Youwen's approachable demeanor during the pitch-pot game, asks about the "little girl" from the story Chu Youwen told him. Chu Youwen explains that he grew up on Langshou Mountain with wolves and often disarmed beast traps because he saw the wolves getting injured by them.
He describes the girl as special and kind, having befriended a "wolf-boy" like him and taught him to speak. However, he adds that she has "disappeared" and should not be sought out. Meanwhile, Ma Zhaixing is consumed by the task of resettling the Qiannu Camp prisoners. Ji Chong tries to engage her in conversation, noting that Chu Youwen has become Dubhe and allied with them.
He hints at a lack of intimacy in their marriage, but Ma Zhaixing deflects, emphasizing the greater importance of their shared work in state affairs. Ji Chong suggests consulting "Prince of Bo" (Chu Youwen) on military strategies. After Ji Chong leaves, Ma Jing expresses her concern to Ma Zhaixing about her apparent lack of romantic interest and the potential impact of "Prince of Bo's" return on her marriage with Ji Chong.
Yao Ji reports to Chu Kui on her investigation into the Qiannu Camp, claiming that those involved are either dead or missing, with no conclusive evidence of Prince of Yun's deception. Chu Kui, whose health is rapidly deteriorating, has become increasingly superstitious about extending his life and is desperate to regain his former authority.
Yao Ji seizes this opportunity, proposing a grand prayer ritual for his well-being at Qitan's Longevity Forest, which she describes as a sacred site for optimal results. She further suggests using the three Night Fiends, who were under the "Prince of Bo's" command, as human sacrifices, ostensibly to warn against the "Prince of Bo's" perceived betrayal. Chu Kui readily agrees to their execution.
Secretly, Yao Ji confesses to Zi Shen that her true intention is to exploit Chu Kui's superstition to rescue the Night Fiends, including Wen Yan, now that Chu Youwen is no longer under Chu Kui's control. She believes their continued confinement would give Chu Kui leverage over Chu Youwen.
Meanwhile, a suspicious Chu Kui, discussing his failing health with Eunuch Zhang Jin, demands to know if Zhang Jin would willingly accompany him in death if the ritual fails, to which Zhang Jin pledges unwavering loyalty. At the Prince of Yun's Mansion, Chu Yougui angrily confronts his staff upon learning that Eunuch Zhang Jin has taken his consort, Jing Chuchu, to the palace under the pretense of caring for the ailing Chu Kui.
Chu Yougui recognizes this as a thinly veiled threat and immediately dispatches a messenger to summon Official Feng for consultation. Concurrently, Ma Zhaixing, upon visiting the Orphan and Widow Village, notes the inadequate living conditions of the villagers, whose gardens were established by Ji Chong for their self-sufficiency. Observing the flimsy houses and insufficient lighting, she orders more windows and immediate repairs, expressing concern about the unpredictable weather.
An aide remarks that Ji Chong would be pleased by her dedication to the villagers' welfare. Later, while Chu Youwen and Ji Chong are discussing military strategies, Ji Chong voices his feeling that Ma Zhaixing is preoccupied with state affairs.
Chu Youwen, seemingly trying to ease Ji Chong's mind, observes a tea Ma Zhaixing prepared for Ji Chong, noting that she only makes the "Wandering Dew" for those she deeply cares about, a practice he witnessed her follow for her own father in childhood. Ji Chong expresses gratitude, yet observes that Chu Youwen seems to understand Ma Zhaixing better than he does, lamenting that the once carefree Ma Zhaixing he knew is now absent.
Their conversation is abruptly interrupted by news that Liu'er has been injured by a beast trap. Ma Zhaixing frantically searches for herbs to treat Liu'er's wound. Just as Zhang Yuan prepares to go look for suitable medicine, Chu Youwen appears with the necessary purple berry herb. With remarkable tacit understanding, Chu Youwen and Ma Zhaixing work together to treat Liu'er's severe wound.
Liu'er, witnessing their seamless coordination, asks Ma Zhaixing if she is the "special, kind girl" Chu Youwen often speaks of, but Ma Zhaixing gently denies it. As Ji Chong offers to escort them back, Ma Zhaixing firmly addresses Chu Youwen, clarifying that her actions were solely for the child's sake and do not signify any lingering feelings from their past.
She asserts that despite their temporary alliance for the greater good, they remain sworn enemies, emphasizing her current status as Prince of Chuan's consort and her desire to avoid any complications. Ji Chong attempts to interject, beginning to explain something about "Prince of Bo in Boxiang," but Chu Youwen cuts him off, agreeing with Ma Zhaixing.
Chu Youwen acknowledges their deep-seated enmity and states that he was "supposed to be dead" and has no intention of disrupting her pursuit of a peaceful life. He stresses that their primary focus must be to end the war and bring peace to the common people, urging them to set aside any "trivial matters" that might cause Ma Zhaixing inner turmoil.
Ji Chong assents, and Ma Zhaixing instructs them to ensure Liu'er is well cared for and kept away from beast traps. Under the cover of night, Yao Ji secretly meets with Chu Youwen in his simple lodging. She questions whether Ma Zhaixing’s decision to house him in such crude conditions is an act of revenge or an effort to avoid gossip.
Chu Youwen dismisses it, stating their relationship is purely an alliance, and he, as a "prisoner of war," is content with his current abode, especially given Ma Zhaixing's status as Prince of Chuan's consort. Yao Ji observes that since his "rebirth" from the Qiannu Camp, Chu Youwen's goals have shifted towards ending the suffering of the populace and securing Chu Yougui's ascension to the throne, noting that his inherent kindness makes him unsuitable to lead the ruthless Night Fiends.
She reveals her plan: to leverage Chu Kui's sacrificial ritual by having the Night Fiends designated as human offerings, creating an opportunity for Chu Youwen and her to collaborate and rescue them. She hands him a letter detailing the operation, explaining that saving Mo Xiao and the others will free him to focus on rescuing Chu Yougui.
Chu Youwen thanks her, questioning why she remains so loyal to him, despite his current lack of influence and their "live and die as one" oath. Yao Ji reminds him that he once told her she wasn't alone and declares that she has considered him her only family since that moment, asserting that family should never abandon each other. Chu Youwen acknowledges her profound devotion, stating that their bond transcends even that of family, and promises to repay her kindness.
They agree to meet at the Longevity Forest. Meanwhile, Zhang Jin, terrified by Chu Kui's demand that he be buried alongside him if the life-extending ritual fails, secretly arranges for a lookalike to serve as his proxy. Chu Yougui, having intercepted Zhang Jin's scheme, confronts him, threatening to expose his deception to Chu Kui if Zhang Jin refuses to cooperate.
A terrified Zhang Jin, realizing Chu Yougui has spies within the palace, begs for mercy, to which Chu Yougui agrees in exchange for a favor. Later, Chu Yougui visits Chu Kui. Chu Kui informs him that he and Jing Chuchu were discussing Chu Yougui's hobbies, noting his own past fondness for wood carving, an activity he can no longer pursue due to his age.
Chu Kui praises Chu Yougui's strength, observing that Chu Yougui is carving an eagle, which he interprets as a symbol of soaring ambition. Chu Yougui modestly dismisses it as a casual pastime. Chu Kui, remarking on Chu Yougui's serious demeanor, also comments on Jing Chuchu's resourcefulness. He then announces his intention to help Jing Chuchu with her infertility caused by a previous miscarriage, proposing that Yao Ji administer acupuncture.
Chu Yougui vehemently objects, explaining that Jing Chuchu is already undergoing a lengthy herbal treatment prescribed by an imperial physician, and mixing therapies would negate the treatment's effectiveness. Chu Kui insists on keeping Jing Chuchu at the palace due to his fondness for her. Chu Yougui reluctantly accepts. As Chu Kui's medicine is brought in, Zhang Jin steps forward to test it.
