Resumen del episodio 2 de The Love Lasts Two Minds
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Jing Ci went to find Feng Mianwan but she was not in her room. He asked A'heng what she was busy with and why she was always absent. A'heng speculated that she might have gotten tired of embroidering little yellow ducks in her room a couple of days ago, so she had been going out for strolls. A'heng then picked up a pouch from the table, showing it to Jing Ci and calling the embroidered figures "ducks."
Jing Ci chuckled, correcting him that they were "lovebirds" and that his eyesight was ridiculous. He touched the embroidery, noting that while the stitching was indeed a bit ugly, the lovebirds looked lovely and lively. Jing Ci then reminded A'heng that the Yong State envoy had just left, and the Ji State envoy was arriving soon, so no incidents could be afforded. He instructed A'heng to find Feng Mianwan and ensure she did not run about.
Sire hosted a grand banquet to welcome General Li Yuan of Ji State. General Li expressed his appreciation for Zhaozhou's hospitality and proposed an alliance for enduring happiness and harmony between their states. He then revealed that he had a favor to ask. Years ago, he had caught a fleeting glimpse of a beautiful woman, an image that had remained etched in his memory.
He regretted not asking her name and family at the time, and had missed her ever since. He added that he had seen her again yesterday on his way to the palace and watched her enter. Sire, guessing that the woman hailed from Zhaozhou, eagerly promised to find her and ensure she was married to General Li with all due honors. Li Yuan then produced a portrait. Upon seeing it, Princess Zesheng exclaimed, "Feng Mianwan!"
Jing Ci quickly interjected that General Li must be mistaken, as Feng Mianwan was his personal maid and had never left Zhaozhou, making it impossible for her to have met General Li. However, Li Yuan, now aware of Feng Mianwan's identity, respectfully asked Jing Ci to bestow her upon him, vowing to marry her as his lawful wife with a grand ceremony. Princess Zesheng lightheartedly remarked that it would indeed be a great blessing for Feng Mianwan.
Jing Ci, returning the courtesy, politely refused, stating that Feng Mianwan was pampered and unsuited for a noble household, and that Ji State was too far away for such a match. Sire, however, intervened, explaining that Jing Ci treated Feng Mianwan like his own sister and was simply reluctant to part with her. Since General Li was so fond of her, Sire declared he would personally facilitate the marriage. Li Yuan gratefully accepted Sire's arrangement, much to Jing Ci's displeasure.
Later, Steward Wei arrived at Feng Mianwan's room with numerous betrothal gifts, congratulating her. He informed her that General Li Yuan of Ji State had specifically requested her hand in marriage and intended to welcome her with a grand procession to be his General's wife. He added that Sire would adopt her as his foster daughter and send her off to Ji State in splendor. Feng Mianwan was utterly shocked by the news.
She rushed to find Jing Ci, tearfully telling him that she did not want to marry Li Yuan. Jing Ci told her to wait for his arrangements. Feng Mianwan pressed him, asking what kind of arrangements he meant. She suspected he intended to marry her off to remove her from their sight and solidify the alliance between Zhaozhou and Ji State. Jing Ci simply denied it and left.
Jing Ci then spoke with Sire, who reiterated Li Yuan's high status and military power, emphasizing that a refusal would jeopardize relations between their states. Jing Ci tried to argue that forming an alliance with Ji State after having pledged allegiance to Yong State might incite suspicion from Yong.
Sire dismissed this concern, pointing out that Feng Mianwan was merely a humble maid, and her marriage would not be significant enough to bother Yong State, unlike if it were Princess Zesheng. Seeing no way to sway Sire, Jing Ci conceded. Feng Mianwan, unwilling to accept the marriage, sought out General Li Yuan directly, urging him to withdraw his proposal, stating that marriage was not a game.
Li Yuan questioned if she truly believed his request was insincere, or if she was reluctant because she had a beloved, perhaps Jing Ci. Feng Mianwan denied it, insisting it was only because she did not wish to marry far away. Li Yuan then confessed that he had once loved someone deeply, but circumstances prevented them from being together, causing him great regret.
He explained that upon seeing Feng Mianwan in the street, her appearance was identical to his beloved, which prompted his sincere proposal. Feng Mianwan firmly told him she would never marry him. Later, Feng Mianwan went to find Jing Ci but overheard Aunt Zhixia confronting him. Aunt Zhixia accused Jing Ci of repeatedly delaying his marriage to Princess Zesheng because of Feng Mianwan. Jing Ci denied any connection to Feng Mianwan regarding his reluctance to marry Zesheng.
Aunt Zhixia then reminded Jing Ci of his mother's death, revealing that she and Song Hao had stolen Feng Mianwan, the daughter of the "Original Madam," to avenge Jing Ci's mother (the second miss). Jing Ci, however, had saved and raised Feng Mianwan for eighteen years. Aunt Zhixia claimed that Feng Mianwan and Jing Ci shared an "irreconcilable hatred" due to their origins, calling it fate, and warned that Feng Mianwan would eventually harm him.
Hearing this, Feng Mianwan was shocked to learn about the deep-seated animosity between her and Jing Ci. A'heng observed that Feng Mianwan was deeply saddened by the news; she had not even opened the gifts and had run out. Jing Ci instructed him to let her be, allowing her time to herself. Instead, he ordered A'heng to gather all available information on Li Yuan immediately.
Jing Ci noted that the portrait Li Yuan had presented appeared to be at least two or three years old. Yet, Li Yuan had not visited Zhaozhou during that period, and Feng Mianwan rarely left the palace. He believed that understanding what had transpired two or three years prior would reveal the truth behind Li Yuan's specific request for Feng Mianwan. Jing Ci spent the entire night tirelessly poring over the gathered documents.
Meanwhile, Feng Mianwan, reeling from the revelations about her past, was also seeking answers. She briefly encountered Steward Wei, who was searching for old documents for Jing Ci. Sire, upon being informed that Jing Ci's servant (Feng Mianwan) was also looking into old materials, realized that Jing Ci might be delving into deeper matters, and worried that Jing Ci might not remain in Zhaozhou much longer, hoping he would not become "too clever by half."
Before Jing Ci could fully grasp Li Yuan's motives, he fainted from exhaustion. Zuo Yanxi, who was revealed to be a Shadow Guardian of Yong State and the eldest son of Prince He, attended to him. Zuo Yanxi noted Jing Ci's congenital weakness and warned against overworking himself. Jing Ci, having already investigated Zuo Yanxi's background after seeing him meet Zhao Yan in secret, then confronted Zuo Yanxi with his true identity, questioning if Emperor Yong had sent him.
Zuo Yanxi confirmed that Emperor Yong, having heard of Jing Ci's predicament, was deeply concerned and had sent him to bring Jing Ci back to Yong State. Jing Ci stated he had no immediate intention of returning, but instead inquired if there was a noblewoman in the Western Capital of Yong State who bore an exact resemblance to Feng Mianwan. Zuo Yanxi confirmed that such a person existed in Yong Capital.
Jing Ci, reflecting on Feng Mianwan's constrained and unhappy life, expressed to his eagle, Xiaofeng, that he would take a chance to allow her to regain her true nature and live freely, rather than enduring a life of suppression. He understood that Aunt Zhixia and others held prejudices against Feng Mianwan.
Sire, after learning that Jing Ci had met Zuo Yanxi and then left the palace, ordered Steward Wei to have men follow Jing Ci and verify if he had indeed traveled to Yong State. Jing Ci arrived in Yong Capital and met Yuan Qingli, the eldest daughter of the Yuan family, who was indeed the spitting image of Feng Mianwan. He observed a change in her demeanor when he mentioned Li Yuan.
Jing Ci recounted that two years prior, Li Yuan's diplomatic mission to Yong State had ended unfavorably. Upon his return, Li Yuan had dismissed all his concubines and abstained from female company. Concurrently, Yuan Qingli's personality underwent a dramatic transformation. She became a captivating beauty, enchanting every nobleman in Yong State, despite her engagement to junior Lord He, Mu Beiyan.
Jing Ci remarked that he didn't believe she truly desired such a "promiscuous" lifestyle, to which she simply replied that she was not unsatisfied, just perpetually unhappy. Jing Ci then suggested that Feng Mianwan marrying her beloved, while possessing her identical appearance, must cause Yuan Qingli considerable distress. Yuan Qingli countered that Jing Ci must also be unhappy, given that his beloved was marrying hers.
Jing Ci proposed that since they both had an opportunity to achieve their desires, they should seize it. Intrigued, Yuan Qingli asked about his plan. Jing Ci revealed his scheme: he knew Yuan Qingli frequently visited Shuiyue Temple. On her way, she could prepare drugged pastries to incapacitate her attendants. With these preparations, Yuan Qingli could comfortably sit in her sedan chair and witness a staged kidnapping.
There would be no serious harm to anyone; the "kidnapping" would be a mere formality. Jing Ci's men would then escort Yuan Qingli out of Yong State. Subsequently, the inn where Feng Mianwan was temporarily residing would be set ablaze. He clarified that his ultimate goal was for Feng Mianwan to impersonate Yuan Qingli and enter the Yuan family estate. What happened next would be entirely up to Yuan Qingli. Yuan Qingli raised her wine cup, sealing the deal.
She then voiced a concern, questioning if Feng Mianwan, who had led a sheltered life within the palace walls, could handle the complexities of her world, with a mother who charmed the emperor, a playboy fiancé like Mu Beiyan, and countless admirers, especially with her own wedding to Mu Beiyan approaching. Jing Ci calmly replied that it would be a matter for him and Feng Mianwan to manage.
Later, Steward Wei informed Feng Mianwan that despite General Li's departure, the betrothal gifts had been left behind, solidifying her upcoming marriage. Aunt Zhixia further berated Feng Mianwan, telling her it was time to abandon her fantasies. She accused Feng Mianwan of resorting to sycophantic tactics to gain Jing Ci's favor, claiming that Jing Ci had seen through her and deliberately avoided her.
Heartbroken and recalling Jing Ci's earlier promise to arrange things, Feng Mianwan attempted to escape the palace that night, carrying a sword. Steward Wei and his men pursued her with torches. Cornered and panicked, she was urged by A'heng not to make matters difficult. She eventually returned with them. While Feng Mianwan sat dejectedly in her room, a maid informed her that Jing Ci had returned.
She quickly ran to a pavilion, only to see Jing Ci seated with Princess Zesheng, his back to her. She overheard Princess Zesheng discussing how Jing Ci had never truly cared for Feng Mianwan, seeing her only as a pawn for Zhaozhou's alliance. Aunt Zhixia then spoke of Jing Ci's impending marriage to Princess Zesheng.
Overwhelmed with despair, Feng Mianwan turned and fled, unaware that this entire scene was a staged act orchestrated by Princess Zesheng, with a servant impersonating Jing Ci, all to crush Feng Mianwan's hopes. Feng Mianwan, heartbroken, then spoke to her eagle, Xiaofeng. She lamented that she did not know who her parents were, yet was forced to bear the burden of their hatred and be sacrificed as a pawn.
She felt powerless to change her own destiny but resolved to grant Xiaofeng its freedom. She urged the eagle to leave, waving it away when it hesitated. Finally, Xiaofeng spread its wings and flew away. Jing Ci, who had been watching this scene from behind, approached her. He told her she would never be uncared for. Feng Mianwan, still tearful, asked if he truly intended to marry her off to Ji State.
Jing Ci confirmed that the wedding would proceed, but he would accompany her as the wedding envoy, assuring her that he would make all subsequent arrangements. As Feng Mianwan walked away crying, A'heng questioned Jing Ci why he had not revealed his plan to her. Jing Ci explained that the matter was too serious; if she knew the truth prematurely, any slip-up could expose their plan, especially with Aunt Zhixia and Princess Zesheng, among others, closely observing her.
On the appointed wedding day, Feng Mianwan, clad in her red bridal gown, knelt before Sire to bid him farewell. Sire acknowledged her sacrifice, stating that while she might be unwilling, her singular sacrifice for peace was insignificant compared to the countless casualties of war. He assured her that the people of both states would be grateful, and she would be remembered in history. Feng Mianwan replied that she did not seek historical fame but would honor his expectations.
She vowed that once in Ji State, she would prioritize Zhaozhou's interests and diligently work for the welfare of its people. Sire praised her as a good child. Afterward, Feng Mianwan took her place in the sedan chair, with Jing Ci riding on horseback beside it, as the grand wedding procession embarked on its journey to Ji State.
