Court Lady Episode 2 Recap, Plot

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As Fu Rou was startled, Yan Zifang, who was hiding nearby, recognized the intruder and discreetly departed, noting to himself that he would wait for another time to reveal himself. The intruder was Sheng Chumu, who, after falling from a tree, quickly fabricated a story about observing the moon, claiming it was shifting southward and that his family, being from the Duke of Lu's Manor, required knowledge of astronomy for military campaigns.

Fu Rou recognized him as the new relative connected to Third Madam. Sheng Chumu apologized for startling her and offered a flower, remarking it was more beautiful than the one she wore as a bride. Fu Rou declined, stating that a picked flower would soon wilt, and asked him to keep his stargazing away from her courtyard in the future. Despite the rebuff, Sheng Chumu confidently told his attendant, Junhui, that Fu Rou would eventually be his.

The next day, while Fu Rou was busy in the embroidery workshop, her father, Master Fu, sent for her to join a feast, which Sheng Chumu eagerly anticipated. Upon her arrival, Sheng Chumu immediately tried to ingratiate himself, even vying with Fu Tao for the honor of pulling out Fu Rou's chair, a contest Sheng Chumu won. Soon after, Fu Rou's elder sister, Fu Jun, and her husband, Xu Youtong, the Magistrate of Guangji County, arrived.

Xu Youtong greeted Sheng Chumu, who then inquired about ways to win a lady's heart, learning that Fu Jun appreciated scholars. Sheng Chumu then turned to Fu Rou, asking her preferences, but Fu Tao interjected, declaring that Fu Rou particularly disliked uneducated, fawning playboys. Sheng Chumu feigned agreement, claiming to despise such individuals himself. To impress everyone, Sheng Chumu performed a sword dance, which earned him praise and even impressed Fu Rou.

However, Fu Tao, who thought Sheng Chumu's foundation was weak and his moves were merely for show, challenged him to a match. Sheng Chumu, overconfident from having seen Fu Tao previously beaten with a feather duster, readily accepted. But to his embarrassment, Fu Tao quickly defeated him. After the public humiliation, Sheng Chumu, nursing his injuries, vowed revenge against Fu Tao. Third Madam then brought Fu Tao to Sheng Chumu's bedside to apologize.

Fu Rou, believing that while Sheng Chumu might be all show, Fu Tao was also at fault for embarrassing him, decided to apologize on her brother's behalf. Noticing Fu Rou approaching, Sheng Chumu swiftly changed his demeanor, forgiving Fu Tao, helping him up, and even praising his powerful punch, humbly asking for lessons. Fu Rou, overhearing this, was impressed by what she perceived as Sheng Chumu's magnanimity and broadmindedness, typical of a general's son.

Meanwhile, Yan Zifang, the leader of the Four Seas Gang, left the area with his men, instructing them not to harm any of the Fu family's ships. In the imperial court, General Lu Yunji was honored as the Duke of Cai for suppressing a rebellion, and his son, Lu Qi, was appointed General of Astounding Bravery. Duke of Lu, Sheng Xiaojing, grumbled about how easily Lu Yunji earned his title compared to his own hard-won one.

Lu Yunji and other officials, in turn, subtly mocked Sheng Xiaojing by mentioning his son, Sheng Chumu, as the most notorious playboy in Chang'an, known for breaking countless ladies' hearts. The Emperor, attempting to appease Sheng Xiaojing, toasted his loyalty.

Sheng Xiaojing then seized the opportunity to propose a marriage between Sheng Chumu and Princess Xin Nan, describing his son as temperate and filial, despite being "nearing the age of 60" and yet "not having the luck to enjoy playing with a grandchild." The Emperor, however, dismissed the proposal, citing Sheng Chumu's reputation as "the top visitor in the brothels, the leading playboy in Chang'an," declaring him unworthy of Princess Xin Nan.

Back at the Fu Manor, Sheng Chumu continued his courtship. He staged a series of 'fake fights' and gave inspiring speeches to build a heroic image. One day, Fu Yin and Fu Rou approached him for calligraphy lessons. Sheng Chumu tried to stall, claiming his hands were dirty, leading Fu Rou to suspect that his calligraphy, like his martial arts, was merely a pretense. Overhearing her, Sheng Chumu quickly wrote "Constantly Strive to Improve Oneself."

Fu Rou was surprised and regretted her previous judgment, while Junhui privately revealed that Sheng Chumu had copied these four characters thousands of times as a punishment, making them the only words he could write well. Later, Fu Tao approached Sheng Chumu with a military strategy book. With Fu Rou's encouragement, Sheng Chumu, feigning expertise, advised Fu Tao to start with Sunzi's Art of War.

When both Fu Tao and Fu Rou asked him to teach, Sheng Chumu agreed, but with two conditions for Fu Rou: she had to call him "Chumu" instead of "Eldest Young Master Sheng," and he asked for a "sweet," which Junhui quickly reinterpreted as a "sweet pine nut" to avoid embarrassment. Lastly, Sheng Chumu asked Fu Rou to embroider a sachet for him, specifically a red peony.

Meanwhile, Sheng Xiaojing, enraged by Sheng Chumu's reputation and Lu Yunji's promotions, ordered his wife to recall Sheng Chumu, intending to personally train him to be ten times stronger than Lu Qi. Mrs. Sheng, however, vehemently opposed this, preferring her son to remain a safe playboy rather than risk his life on the battlefield.

Back in Guangzhou, Sheng Chumu, realizing his lack of military knowledge, sought help from Du Ning, who suggested his uncle, Niu Wudi, a master of military strategy. Despite his reluctance due to past grievances (Sheng Chumu had once complained about Niu Wudi, leading to his mother expelling Niu Wudi from the family), Sheng Chumu went to his uncle.

Niu Wudi, upon learning Sheng Chumu's true motivation was a woman, gleefully forced him into intense "devil training," including a 'Medicinal soup to boil your bones' and rigorous lessons in military tactics, all while Mrs. Sheng was far away and unable to intervene. To everyone's surprise, Sheng Chumu displayed extraordinary talent, mastering Sunzi's Art of War in a mere two hours and skillfully shooting arrows while hanging upside down.

During Sheng Chumu's absence, Fu Rou diligently worked on his sachet and strategically reclaimed the Fu family's account books from Third Madam. The opportunity arose when the dye workshop, under Third Madam's management, ruined five hundred bolts of fabric for the Xu family by substituting cheaper dyes. Fu Rou confronted Third Madam, exposing her cost-cutting measures and the far greater financial loss incurred.

Feigning disinterest in managing the household, Fu Rou subtly compelled Third Madam to take responsibility for the financial blunder, ultimately forcing her to relinquish the account books. Fu Rou then promptly provided the correct dyeing formula to rectify the fabric. After enduring Niu Wudi's rigorous training and successfully passing his final test, Sheng Chumu was finally allowed to leave. He quickly departed with Junhui, escaping his uncle's lingering desire to keep training him.

Niu Wudi, reflecting on Sheng Chumu's remarkable transformation, mused that a man driven by love would always return, eager to become stronger for the woman he cherished. Upon hearing of Sheng Chumu's return, Fu Rou excitedly called for her needle and thread to finish the sachet. Sheng Chumu, while teaching Fu Tao military strategies in the courtyard, was visibly distracted, his gaze drifting towards Fu Rou's courtyard.

Fu Tao, noticing this, playfully remarked that Fu Rou had been "losing her mind" waiting for him and seemed to have "a little bit" of interest in him. As Sheng Chumu questioned "just a little bit?" , Fu Rou suddenly emerged from her courtyard.

Episode 1 Recap

Episode 3 Recap