Episode 14 recap: # He Zhen Helps Escort Supplies
In Episode 14, Zhao Quan finally unveils the truth, leaving Mr. He in a difficult position. He cleverly mentions He Zhen, suggesting that with her connections, the business association will fully support the front lines. Zhao Quan immediately understands the implication—He Zhen's heart isn’t with him, and naturally, someone will refuse this proposal.
Thus, Zhao Quan refrains from a direct refusal; everything is left unsaid.
When He Zhen hears her father wants her to accompany the Town South Marquis to deliver supplies, she feels a strong reluctance, believing this is an attempt to matchmake them. Despite her unwillingness, under her father’s stern gaze, He Zhen reluctantly agrees.
For his personal agenda, Mr. He quickly mobilizes the business association—those with money contribute funds, while those with strength offer their labor. Soon, the supplies are loaded onto the ship.
On the scheduled departure day, He Zhen initially plans not to travel with Zhao Quan. At that moment, her brother rushes in and orders a pause in the departure. He privately informs He Zhen that the court's real intention is to use the war to eliminate the Empress Dowager, with no plans for the soldiers at the front to return victorious, and they haven't even prepared enough supplies.
Grateful for the Wang of Huaiyang's help, He Zhen feels the weight of responsibility and insists that the association's ships set sail immediately. Seeing this, Zhao Quan arranges for someone to stabilize the situation and tells He Zhen to wait at home, but she insists on personally escorting the supplies.
Meanwhile, soldiers are about to head to the front, leaving their families in tears, reluctant to part.
At this moment, Liu Mian Tang steps forward. She calmly analyzes the situation and advises everyone not to add to the worries of their loved ones at the front. With everyone united, they can surely overcome the enemy. Under her encouragement, emotions begin to stabilize, and families start to silently support their loved ones at the front.
Zhao Quan and He Zhen travel day and night, setting up camp to rest each evening. Despite being a prince, Zhao Quan shows no airs and personally treats sick soldiers, earning He Zhen's respect. To ease her homesickness at night, Zhao Quan shares ghost stories, inadvertently scaring He Zhen back to the tent, adding a touch of humor to their interactions.
Liu Mian Tang took care of the families of the soldiers in the rear. She not only set up a pharmacy but also generously helped the impoverished, earning the respect and affection of the families. One day, three unfamiliar women appeared near the pharmacy, one of whom was pregnant. They claimed to have land deeds for the area and demanded that the families leave.
The families were furious, as these women were the wives of the enemies their husbands were fighting at the front. Seeing the situation, Liu Mian Tang immediately assisted Lin Siyue, who was suffering from severe abdominal pain, and helped her find temporary shelter.
When the fighting eased a bit, Cui Xing Zhou returned to visit Liu Mian Tang. He was heartened to see how well she had managed things in the rear. However, he hesitated to speak, burdened by the weight of the truth that was difficult to voice. During a meal, just as he was about to say something, Zhao Quan arrived and interrupted. Looking into Liu Mian Tang’s clear eyes made Cui Xing Zhou even more reluctant; he feared how she would cope with the pain of being deceived and used once the truth came out.
As night fell, Zhao Quan worried that He Zhen might catch a chill, so he specifically sent her warm wine. He Zhen initially didn’t want to drink, but under Zhao Quan's playful goading, she downed it in one go, only to quickly become intoxicated. When she awoke, she found herself in a carriage, returning to Lingquan Town.
It turned out that Zhao Quan had decided to personally escort the supplies to Jinjia Pass and had sent He Zhen home first.
Cui Xing Zhou harbored worries about Liu Mian Tang but could only bear them in silence. In the military camp, he drank with Zhao Quan, sharing his troubles about home. Zhao Quan also revealed his own frustrations; his mother’s letters were filled with his fiancée's lamentations, and he knew all of this was orchestrated by his aunt. If he were to marry his cousin in the future, domestic affairs would surely become a constant source of stress for him.
Comments(Episode 14)