Episode Summary
Bai Yimei leaves the bandit camp, but not before exchanging a sentimental gift with Li Cheng, hinting at mutual feelings. She returns to the village only to face vicious rumors about her purity. Gu Pingyuan defends her honor and decides to marry her immediately to silence the gossip. However, Yimei is conflicted because she has fallen for the bandit, and Gu begins to suspect her heart is no longer fully his.
Spoiler Alert
Legend of the Magnate Episode 14 Recap
The Bandit with a Heart of Gold
Gu Pingyuan is ready to march right back into the lion's den. He wants to storm the army camp and demand Bai Yimei’s release. Mr. Bai thinks this is suicide. He worries Li Cheng will just kill Gu on the spot. Gu doesn’t care. He values Yimei’s life over his own. Mr. Bai can’t stop him, so he reluctantly agrees to let him try.
But the rescue mission becomes unnecessary. Back at the camp, Li Cheng is healing up nicely thanks to Yimei’s care. He overhears her praying. She isn’t just praying for herself. She prays for the villagers and even for him. She just wants him to be a good person. This breaks through his tough exterior. The guy actually cries.
Li Cheng tries to repay her. He takes her to his silver vault. It’s stacked with loot stolen from wealthy landowners. He tells her to pick anything she wants for a dowry. Yimei refuses. She spots a nice headpiece but turns it down when she learns it was stolen. She just tells him to heal up so she can go home.
A Parting Gift and a Cold Welcome
Li Cheng prepares to move his rebel army to Hefei. He personally escorts Yimei to the village entrance. He warns her to keep her mouth shut about the camp’s location. Before they part, Yimei does something surprising. She gives him a jade pendant her mother left her. Li Cheng is touched.
Yimei walks back into Shanjian Village expecting safety. She finds judgment instead. The villagers avoid her like the plague. They whisper behind her back.
Mr. Bai is just happy his daughter is alive. He cries tears of relief. Gu Pingyuan suggests they get Yimei home quickly to shield her from the gossip. But the damage is done. Neighbors run to Gu’s mother. They spin a nasty story. They claim Yimei slept with Li Cheng and only came back to take her dad south. They pressure Gu’s mother to cancel the engagement. The old woman believes every word.
Gu Pingyuan vs. The Rumor Mill
Gu Pingyuan catches wind of the talk. His brother, Gu Pingwen, goes to get the details. Gu’s mother tries to push for a breakup. This sets Gu off. He is furious. Yimei risked her life to save Li Cheng and the whole village. Now they drag her name through the mud. He knows she is innocent.
His mother is scared. She thinks Yimei will be branded a bandit collaborator. She urges Gu to take the Bai family and run away. Gu refuses. He just got home. He wants to care for his mother, not live on the run again.
Things get physical outside. Gu Pingwen gets into a fistfight with some villagers over the nasty rumors. Gu Pingyuan rushes to the scene. He doesn't hold back. He beats up the gossipers and chases them off.
A Wedding to Silence the Haters
Yimei locks herself in her room. She stops eating. Mr. Bai begs her to come out. The Gu brothers arrive with a message from their mother. She wants to see Yimei. Gu Pingyuan talks to Yimei through the door. He validates her sacrifice. He reminds her that she saved the village women. His support finally gets through to her.
They finally get a moment alone. Yimei asks about his five years in exile at Ningguta. He gives her the short version. He makes it clear he still loves her. Yimei hesitates. She feels like a burden. She tells him to go home so she can think.
Gu’s mother still wants them to leave town. Gu has a different plan. He decides to marry Yimei right now. He wants a loud, flashy wedding. He thinks this will force the villagers to shut up. Mr. Bai loves the idea. He goes home to prep the dowry. Gu heads into town to book a sedan chair.
Cold Feet
Mr. Bai drops the wedding news on Yimei. She isn’t thrilled. She is conflicted. Those days with Li Cheng changed something. She actually developed feelings for the bandit. But Gu Pingyuan loves her deeply. She feels guilty about letting him down.
Gu comes over to discuss wedding plans. Yimei hides in her room. When she finally comes out, she is distant. Gu asks what’s wrong. She makes excuses. Gu realizes she has changed. Something is off. He talks to his brother about it, but Pingwen tells him to stop overthinking.
Money is tight for the wedding. Gu talks to his mom about getting a red wedding dress. She remembers her own wedding and how her husband spent everything on her dress. She also notices Yimei’s heart isn’t in this. But she tells Gu to get the dress anyway.
Mr. Bai shows Yimei the dowry he saved up. It’s a lot. Yimei looks at it and feels nothing but heaviness.
