Court Lady Episode 30 Recap, Plot

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Lu Yunj fabricated a story for Lu Hanxing's mother, claiming that Lu Hanxing had been dispatched to the border to deliver an urgent military letter, a mission that would keep him away for three to four months. Lu Hanxing's mother, though initially saddened by the unexpected departure, understood the importance of military service and praised her son's loyalty. She confessed that she often felt his presence and missed him dearly.

She then settled into the Lu residence, and during a visit to Lu Qi, she met Fu Yin. Unaware of the tragic truth, Lu Hanxing's mother spoke fondly of Lu Qi's childhood, recalling how he fiercely protected his sister, Lu Yingying, and battled anyone who dared to mock him for being motherless, a temper that she believed was destined to make him a general.

Fu Yin, already distraught and experiencing early pregnancy symptoms, was struck by guilt when she realized she was speaking with Lu Hanxing's mother. As the conversation continued, Lu Hanxing's mother noticed a bloodstain on Fu Yin's skirt. Just then, Lu Qi, who had been sleeping, awoke and quickly intervened, claiming the blood was from his own nosebleed. He then apologized to his aunt for not greeting her properly, reminiscing about their shared childhood.

Hanxing's mother, attributing Fu Yin's pregnancy to a positive change in Lu Qi's life, presented Fu Yin with a bracelet—a gift originally intended for Lu Hanxing's future wife—wishing her and Lu Qi a long and happy life together. Despite Fu Yin’s initial reluctance, Lu Qi encouraged her to accept the gift, and she eventually did. Meanwhile, Sheng Chumu and Fu Rou found shelter at an inn.

With no money, Sheng Chumu earned their stay by diligently chopping wood, refusing Fu Rou's help, insisting that such work was beneath her as his future wife. While he toiled, Fu Rou secretly acquired red silk from the innkeeper and meticulously decorated their room, transforming it into a cozy, intimate wedding chamber. When Sheng Chumu returned, he was overcome with joy.

Fu Rou confessed that while she once dreamed of a grand wedding surrounded by family, she now believed that finding the right person was all that mattered for a lifetime without regret. She then asked Sheng Chumu if he would be her husband. After some playful teasing, Sheng Chumu wholeheartedly agreed, and they shared wedding wine, privately solemnizing their union. He lovingly carried her, calling her his wife and proclaiming that on their wedding night, they would follow his rules.

The next morning, Sheng Chumu affectionately promised Fu Rou that he would shed his privileged "Duke's Young Master" demeanor and work diligently to provide for her and their future family. He acknowledged their predicament and vowed to devise a plan that would allow them to remain together while also reuniting with their families. He implored Fu Rou to grant him some time and, until then, to refrain from suggesting a return to Chang'an or leaving his side.

Though Fu Rou playfully reminded him that he was the one who had stormed off in anger the previous day, she agreed. Sheng Chumu then insisted on buying some special pastries to celebrate their wedding day, despite Fu Rou's suggestion to save money. Before leaving, he expressed his deep fear of her secretly returning to Chang'an, but Fu Rou reassured him. With a kiss, he departed for the pastry shop.

While mending clothes for the innkeeper, Fu Rou overheard officers searching for Hong Yide's rebels, immediately realizing the danger as Sheng Chumu had previously used that identity to protect her. Meanwhile, Sheng Chumu, after buying shelled pine seeds, also noticed the intensified search for rebels and rushed back to the inn, only to learn from the innkeeper that Fu Rou had already left in a hurry. Fu Rou, while searching for Sheng Chumu, witnessed innocent civilians being arbitrarily arrested.

Her elder sister, Fu Jun, frantically tried to save her husband, Xu Youtong, who had been seized after speaking out against the corrupt officers. At the courthouse, Fan Ligui, aiming to appease Lu Yunj and advance his own interests, falsely accused Xu Youtong of conspiring with rebels and ordered his torture. When Fu Jun tried to invoke Fu Rou's name as a palace official, Fan Ligui scoffed, claiming Fu Rou was dead according to his casualty lists.

As he ordered more severe punishment for Fu Jun, Fu Rou, unable to bear seeing her sister harmed, stepped forward and revealed her identity as a sixth-ranked Division Chief. She demanded Xu Youtong’s release, arguing the charges were baseless. Despite Fu Rou's authority, Fan Ligui, secretly backed by Administrator Cao who sought to punish the Fu family, prepared to proceed with the torture.

Just then, Prince Zhou dramatically arrived, stopping the proceedings and reprimanding Fan Ligui for using torture to coerce confessions. Prince Zhou then pulled Fu Rou aside, revealing that he had known about her and Sheng Chumu’s elopement from Dacang Mountain. He admitted to a moment of weakness then, hoping they would live in anonymity. However, with her identity now exposed, he declared he would not give them a second chance.

He immediately ordered a swift message sent to Chang'an, announcing Fu Rou’s survival to the Empress. When Administrator Cao later inquired about Fu Rou's return, Prince Zhou, preempting Fu Rou’s attempts to refuse, insisted she return to the capital as soon as possible. Prince Zhou then threatened Fu Rou, stating that if she did not accompany him, he would reveal Sheng Chumu's involvement in seducing a palace official, which would have severe consequences for Sheng Chumu.

He declared that from now on, she would go wherever he went. As they emerged from the courthouse, people recognized Fu Rou and commented on her apparent new allegiance to Prince Zhou, praising them as a handsome couple. Prince Zhou then demanded Fu Rou smile for the crowd, threatening further consequences if she refused. Fu Rou, seeing no other option, forced a smile as she boarded Prince Zhou’s carriage, while a heartbroken Sheng Chumu watched from the crowd.

Meanwhile, Fu Yin continued to be plagued by guilt over Lu Hanxing's death, experiencing vivid flashbacks to his accusation that Lu Qi was the true mastermind behind the Fu family fire. Lu Qi, noticing her distress, assured her that any retribution would fall on him, as he had taken responsibility for the killing. He confessed to initial remorse after taking a life but said he eventually learned to move past it.

He promised to "kill fewer women" in the future for her and their unborn child, trying to comfort her persistent anguish over her past sins. Later, while travelling, Prince Zhou offered Fu Rou food, but she gave it to a group of desperate refugees, prompting Prince Zhou to remark on her "compassion from the soft-hearted." News of Fu Rou's survival reached the Empress, bringing immense relief and joy.

The Empress, recalling a favorable prophecy, ordered a letter sent to Fu Rou’s family to ease their worries. Separately, Lu Yingying, concerned by Fu Yin's continuous melancholy, suggested they go to a tavern for drinks. As they drank, a slightly inebriated Fu Yin, thinking Lu Yingying was too drunk to understand, confessed that she had personally killed Lu Hanxing. Shocked by Fu Yin's admission and horrified by her perceived viciousness, Lu Yingying stormed out.

Fu Yin pursued her, but in her haste, bumped into Prince Liang. Impressed by Fu Yin's beauty, Prince Liang instantly decided to abduct her. Despite her disgust, Lu Yingying, recalling Lu Qi's excitement about Fu Yin's pregnancy, intervened and invoked her father Lu Yunj’s name to convince Prince Liang to release Fu Yin. Prince Liang, recognizing her status as a duke’s daughter, reluctantly relented.

As Lu Yingying escorted Fu Yin home, they encountered Lu Hanxing's mother departing, who, still believing her son was merely away on a mission, promised to pray for Fu Yin's safe pregnancy. Once Lu Hanxing's mother left, Lu Yingying's pity evaporated, and she glared at Fu Yin, declaring that her conscience would be tormented for life.

Later, during a meal with Lu Qi and other officials, Prince Liang, boasting about the Grand Imperial Sire's pressure on him to marry, announced that he had taken a liking to Lu Qi’s younger sister, Lu Yingying. Lu Qi's expression instantly changed; knowing Prince Liang's notorious character, he quickly responded that his sister’s marriage was a family matter, requiring parental consent and a matchmaker, making it inappropriate for private discussion.

Separately, Sheng Chuling and Princess Xinnan were secretly meeting in the imperial garden when their lookout, Zhenzhu, rushed to warn them that imperial guards were approaching. They quickly fled, but in their haste, encountered Consort Yan. Consort Yan, acting kindly, helped Sheng Chuling hide and then dismissed the searching guards.

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