Resumen del episodio 30 (final) de Choice Husband
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Prime Minister Song Xiyuan returned to the capital, having successfully negotiated trade agreements with neighboring countries in the North, ensuring peace at the borders. His Majesty praised Song Xiyuan, who humbly acknowledged his efforts to assist His Majesty and the now-titled Lord of Zhongzhou, Pei Yanzhen, who had since distanced himself from court affairs. Meanwhile, the Shen family’s businesses in Lingzhou flourished, prospering more than ever, largely due to Prime Minister Song's patronage and the Emperor’s favor.
One day, while attending a play at Shen's Residence with her little aunt and others, Shen Miao overheard discussions about the now-retired Pei Yanzhen, the Lord of Zhongzhou. Distracted, she spilled her drink and retreated to change clothes. She reflected that despite having seemingly achieved revenge for the perceived threat of "confiscation or execution", she felt no joy. Later, while with Shen Zai who was feeding his mynah bird, Shen Miao was shocked to hear it repeat a phrase.
The bird distinctly articulated, "Might be confiscated or executed, Song family," not "Shen family." Shen Miao immediately questioned Shen Zai if he remembered where he was held captive. Confused, Shen Zai said that Song Xiyuan had taken him out to play, and he hadn't been imprisoned at all. Shen Miao stumbled, the realization dawning on her that Pei Yanzhen had never intended harm to her family.
It was Song Xiyuan who deliberately taught the bird to mislead her, orchestrating years of misunderstandings and discord between her and Pei Yanzhen. She was a pawn in his elaborate scheme. Song Xiyuan returned to Lingzhou and confessed everything to Shen Miao, who wept uncontrollably, feeling utterly lost.
He justified his actions by stating that if Pei Yanzhen had not been so cruel and intent on eliminating the Song family, he would not have resorted to such elaborate schemes to become the Prime Minister. He recounted how he had once been Pei Yanzhen’s subordinate, helping him ascend to the throne, only to overhear Pei Yanzhen discussing plans to sacrifice wealthy merchants like the Song and Shen families to replenish the national treasury.
Pei Yanzhen had even promised him all the Shen family's trade routes, though Song Xiyuan concluded he would never actually harm the Shen family, only the Song family. Song Xiyuan claimed he had acted to protect his family, backed into a corner, making his manipulative plans, including exchanging Xiao's scrimshaw deer, taking Shen Zai, faking an assassination, and gifting Shen Miao the mynah bird to sow discord.
He accused Shen Miao of selfishness, never fully trusting either him or Pei Yanzhen, always quick to doubt. Pei Yanzhen, in contrast, had offered to relinquish everything, giving her the entire country as a dowry. Shen Miao realized that at the temple, Pei Yanzhen had remained silent because he knew the truth. He understood her plan to conspire with Song Xiyuan, yet he willingly walked into the trap, driven by his profound love for her.
Overwhelmed by remorse, Shen Miao cried out, "I've let him down." Soon after, Pei Yanzhen returned to Lingzhou, where the Emperor had decreed his marriage and granted him the Zhongzhou Prefecture. Constable Zhao arrived at Shen's Residence, relaying the message that the Lord of Zhongzhou wished for Shen Zai (the Young Master) to visit.
Constable Zhao, trying his luck, also attempted to propose to Lvying, only to find that Tie Niu had already beaten him to it, having gotten engaged to Lvying. Lvying, however, declared that she wanted both men. Meanwhile, Pei Yanzhen held a selection for concubines at his residence. Matchmaker Liu, assisting in the process, brought many young women, including a veiled Shen Miao.
Shen Miao noticed that the heavy object she was asked to lift felt unusually light, allowing her to lift it with one hand, unlike the other women. This immediately caught Matchmaker Liu's attention, and Shen Miao was selected as one of the three candidates. Shen Miao, who had only intended to observe Pei Yanzhen, was dismayed to see him acting like a dissolute man, carousing and drinking in the arms of beauties.
Refusing to let him become such a vulgar person, she dramatically burst into his chambers. Pei Yanzhen had been waiting for her. He revealed that everything, from Constable Zhao's message to the concubine selection, had been a deliberate ruse to lure her into his presence. He declared that since she had once deceived him, he was simply returning the favor, making them even.
He playfully accused her of jealousy, asserting that she was the only one in his heart, causing her to blush. The next morning, Ninth Princess arrived to wake Shen Miao, bringing luxurious wedding attire and ornaments. Shen Miao realized that she was the bride chosen for the Lord of Zhongzhou, and Pei Yanzhen intended to finally give her the complete wedding ceremony they never had.
It was revealed that Song Xiyuan was the one who proposed the imperial marriage, having finally accepted that Shen Miao did not love him and that her happiness could only be found with Pei Yanzhen. In a conversation with the Emperor, Song Xiyuan acknowledged that even if he had lost the woman he loved, helping the people meant he had not truly lost.
Shen Miao and Pei Yanzhen's journey had been fraught with difficulties, but now, all their hardships had yielded happiness. As they prepared for their second wedding, Shen Miao asked Pei Yanzhen if they would still divorce and if they would truly grow old together. He promised to give her anything she desired, affirming their lifelong commitment. Their relationship was now free of suspicion and deception, leaving only happiness. The End.
