The Wolf Episode 48 Recap
> The Wolf Recap
Yelu Bao Na, worried about Ji Chong, sneaked into the military camp to deliver his clothes. She noted the discrepancy between his old and new clothing sizes, surmising he had lost weight due to heartbreak over Ma Zhaixing and poor eating habits. When confronted by Ji Chong about her presence in the war preparatory camp, she explained her concern for his emotional well-being and fear that the impending war would affect him.
She admitted she infiltrated the camp because she believed he would be too preoccupied to see her otherwise. Ji Chong, initially helpless and frustrated by her actions, took her to eat, observing her disheveled appearance. As he made her eat, he recalled a similar moment when he had forced Ma Zhaixing to eat, realizing the ironic "helpless retribution" of meeting someone so much like himself. Despite his frustration, Ji Chong was touched by Bao Na's efforts.
Bao Na, resorting to a "bitter trick," tearfully recounted the hardships she had endured since leaving home—from lack of bathing to physical labor and exposure to the elements—lamenting his lack of comfort and attempting to sway him to let her stay. Ji Chong told her he would send her home after she ate.
Ji Chong later voiced his exasperation over Bao Na's reckless intrusion to Chu Youwen and Ma Zhaixing, stating he had already sent word to her brother to fetch her. Chu Youwen and Ma Zhaixing, however, defended Bao Na, explaining that she had taken great pains to procure fresh hay for the warhorses, a keen act to prevent illness in the damp weather. They highlighted her delicate nature and the hardships she must have faced, affirming her dedication and dutiful service.
Upon hearing this, Ji Chong immediately dispatched someone to check on her. Ma Zhaixing then reflected that a life shared between Ji Chong and Bao Na would surely be filled with joy, and expressed her willingness to do anything to ensure Chu Youwen's continued well-being, lamenting her past failure to cherish everyday moments. Later, an injured Yao Ji stumbled upon Chu Youwen and Ma Zhaixing, revealing that Chu Yougui had attempted to kill her.
Observing Chu Youwen's weakened state—he hadn't even noticed her approach despite being the head of Night Demon—Yao Ji gravely concluded that he had lost too much vitality to rescue anyone in his current condition. Ma Zhaixing desperately sought another way to save Chu Youwen.
Yao Ji informed her that while she didn't possess the exact medicine Chu Kui had once forced upon Chu Youwen, ancient texts described a drug that could temporarily enhance strength and agility, albeit at the cost of long-term physical deterioration. Meanwhile, in the Jin military camp, a messenger delivered Chu Yougui's message to Chu Youwen, along with a persimmon Chu Yougui himself had carved.
Chu Yougui's message urged Chu Youwen, "Prince of Bo," to come alone to Suyang within five days for peace talks, threatening Prince of Xun's (Chu Youzhen's) safety if he failed to appear. He deliberately highlighted the close bond between Chu Youwen and Chu Youzhen, knowing Chu Youwen would likely risk attending what he knew was a trap. Enraged, Chu Youwen vowed to kill Chu Yougui if he harmed Chu Youzhen.
Ma Zhaixing, witnessing Chu Youwen's current vulnerability—he could be injured by mere wood chips—intervened. She appealed to the King of Jin to imprison Chu Youwen, citing his rashness and the potential demoralization of their troops should he fall in a desperate rescue attempt. Despite Chu Youwen's protests, the King of Jin reluctantly agreed, ordering his temporary detainment until he recovered. Ma Zhaixing assured the King that Chu Youwen would eventually understand her difficult decision.
Bao Na, still determined, repeatedly tried to bring food to Ji Chong, who fiercely rebuked her. He emphasized the gravity of the situation, mentioning Chu Youwen's worry for Chu Youzhen, Ma Zhaixing's perilous act of taking the antidote, and the constant threat to Chu Youzhen's life. He accused Bao Na of thoughtlessly jeopardizing the war effort, arguing that if anything happened to her, her brother would ally with Chu Yougui, leading to countless casualties.
He harshly told her she was a burden and a troublemaker, ordering her to leave. A heartbroken Bao Na departed, but Ji Chong's subordinate immediately recognized the young marshal's true intentions, understanding that his harsh words were meant to drive her away for her own safety. Ji Chong then gave his subordinate a Qitan amber and instructed him to ensure her well-being until she was safely back in the palace.
With the Jin forces remaining static, Chu Yougui resorted to torturing Chu Youzhen atop the castle wall with a poisoned whip, aiming to force Chu Youwen's hand. Upon learning of this, the King of Jin ordered a full-scale ambush on Suyang the following night. However, Ma Zhaixing intervened, claiming she had found the antidote for Chu Youwen.
She urged the King to wait for Chu Youwen's full recovery before launching an attack, assuring him of her certainty in the antidote's success. Ma Zhaixing then made a profound request to the King, asking him to ensure peace and prosperity for the common people, freeing them from the suffering of wars and dynastic changes, regardless of her own fate.
She emphasized that the people desired a future, not just a return to past glory, entrusting the King with this vital responsibility before departing to aid Chu Youwen. Ji Chong, sensing Ma Zhaixing's unusual demeanor, secretly decided to embark on a solo rescue mission to Suyang. He had discovered a secret tunnel—a dry well leading into Suyang—that was only large enough for one person.
He deliberately kept his plan from Chu Youwen and others, fearing they would try to stop him, especially Prince of Bo. He entrusted his subordinate with keeping this secret. Unbeknownst to Ji Chong, this secret tunnel was a deliberate trap set by Chu Yougui, who, upon seeing Ji Chong emerge, ordered his archers to fire a barrage of arrows, hoping to kill him and retrieve his body.
Meanwhile, Yao Ji informed Ma Zhaixing that the medicine she took had caused black blood to appear, indicating that it was now irreversibly affecting her body and she only had a few days left. Ma Zhaixing, resolute in her decision to fulfill Chu Youwen's wish, asked Yao Ji to keep her condition a secret from him. She wanted to spend her remaining time intimately with him, without regrets, before focusing on saving Chu Youzhen.
Ma Zhaixing then arranged to meet Chu Youwen, wearing a wedding dress and preparing for a ceremony. Chu Youwen, released from his shackles, sensed something was amiss with Ma Zhaixing's unusual joy and the sudden discovery of an antidote that had eluded Yao Ji for years. Ma Zhaixing playfully dismissed his suspicions, expressing her overwhelming happiness and longing to spend their lives together.
Chu Youwen, envisioning their future, promised her a grand wedding and a life on Langshou Mountain after he rescued Chu Youzhen. They embraced, pledged eternal devotion, drank cross-cupped wine, and formally performed the traditional kowtow to Heaven and Earth, solidifying their marriage. As she applied rouge to her lips, Ma Zhaixing told Chu Youwen that she had added a tranquilizer to it.
She then kissed him, causing him to fall unconscious, ensuring he would not risk his life in the rescue. Looking at him, she whispered that even if he only had half a year left, he must live well.
