Resumen del episodio 21 de The Love Lasts Two Minds
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Yuan Qinhe was sitting by the table drinking tea and reading when she heard footsteps outside. She quickly got into bed, pretending to be asleep, but Jing Ci, noticing the steaming tea on the table, realized her deception and smiled. When she opened her eyes, she found him kneeling beside her, observing her closely. Embarrassed that her charade was seen through, she hid her face under the covers, leaving only her affectionate eyes visible.
Jing Ci playfully mentioned that he had planned to make her pheasant soup if she woke up, but since she kept sleeping, he would instead brew medicine. Yuan Qinhe quickly sat up, pulling on his clothes and playfully insisting she wanted soup. As he leaned over to retrieve a book titled "Stories on the Pillow" from the bed, she discreetly took a pouch from his chest. Jing Ci commented that she still had time to finish the book.
As he rose to prepare the soup, Yuan Qinhe, holding the pouch triumphantly, declared that he was not the only one who was quick-eared and sharp-eyed. Later, Jing Ci returned with the pheasant soup and personally fed her. Resting in his arms, Yuan Qinhe called him A'ci. Jing Ci gently poked her nose, calling her a "little silly goose" for trying to block poisoned needles, unable even to protect herself.
Yuan Qinhe explained she hadn't known the needles were poisoned, but would have done it regardless, believing he would do the same for her if their situations were reversed. They then shared a tender moment. Later that night, outside, A'heng attempted to call Jing Ci, but Xiao Lu playfully stopped him, suggesting they watch stars and talk about Jing Ci’s past. Meanwhile, in a forest, the masked mysterious person removed his disguise, revealing himself to be Lord Ye.
He furiously punched a tree, expressing anger that Jing Ci had ruined his years of careful planning in Qinhe. His subordinate, A'tan, reassured him that despite the setback, their overall strategy was intact, and he only needed to return to the capital to execute the final phase. Another subordinate discovered Lord Ye's badge was missing, worrying Jing Ci might find it.
Lord Ye dismissed the concern, stating it was merely a communication tool for Qinhe, not an official Ye Palace token. Back with Jing Ci, Yuan Qinhe asked why he had been so angry with her when he was Jing Ci, not Jing Zhiwan. He asked if she remembered anything. She described vivid dreams from her unconscious state, of growing up with him, but also of him wanting to marry her off, which she found impossible.
She then produced two pouches, noting their identical, "ugly" embroidery – a detail Jing Ci mildly disagreed with, calling them "not that ugly." She pointed out that he had carried the old pouch she gave him for years, proving he wouldn't willingly let her marry someone else. She had heard him say the girl who gave him the pouch was already married, suggesting he might have meant her engagement to Mu Beiyan, which she had already ended.
She pressed him again about their past. Jing Ci initially claimed nothing happened, but then confessed he was terminally ill and didn't want to burden her. Shocked, Yuan Qinhe insisted that in that case, they should be together even more. She vowed to accompany him to find the best doctors, believing they were destined to be together in this life, having perhaps missed each other in a previous one.
Despite forgetting her past, she remembered loving him and promised never to give up on him, in this life or any to come. Deeply moved, Jing Ci embraced and kissed her. The next morning, Jing Ci, while cooking with A'heng, reflected on how past events were less important than Yuan Qinhe's current self – "Yuan," who was more insightful, free-spirited, and aware of her desires.
He realized he was not as self-aware as her, only understanding what truly mattered when facing death. He wanted to live without regrets. A'heng joked about Xiao Lu becoming a part of their household if Jing Ci married Yuan Qinhe. Suddenly, Jing Ci spotted the masked assassin from the secret room. A'heng tossed him a sword, and they fought. Jing Ci managed to injure the assassin, who then fled.
The exertion caused Jing Ci's illness to flare up, and he coughed up blood. Recognizing his worsening condition, Jing Ci, wanting to spare Yuan Qinhe and others from worry, wrote two letters: one for Yuan Qinhe and one for Magistrate Li. He instructed Aunt Zhixia and A'heng to deliver them after he had secretly departed for the capital. He stressed that they should only say he left for an emergency and not mention his illness, especially to Yuan Qinhe.
A carriage was prepared at the side door, and they left quietly before the county government became busy. Yuan Qinhe awoke to find Jing Ci gone. She noticed he had left the pouch she embroidered for him earlier but took the one she had recently made, wondering if it meant he favored her current self. Xiao Lu then rushed in to inform her that Sheriff Jing had left early that morning for the capital due to an emergency.
Yuan Qinhe rushed out, pursuing his carriage but failed to catch up. Deciding to return to the capital, she told Xiao Lu they would also go back, reflecting that their journey began in Qinhe and perhaps it was time for it to end there. She expressed confidence that her mother could resolve her engagement and that she would be with Jing Ci. Upon returning to Qinhe County Government, Yuan Qinhe was surprised by the arrival of her mother, Mrs. Yuan.
Her mother personally helped her change back into her elegant lady's attire, restoring her identity as Yuan Qingli. Yuan Qingli confided in her mother, saying she felt like a stranger looking in the mirror and didn't recognize her past self or the "blue-faced confidants" from her previous life. She questioned if she was truly Yuan Qingli, but her mother assured her she was indeed her daughter.
Yuan Qingli then asked if her mother knew of a Mr. Jing Ci in the capital. While Mrs. Yuan hadn't heard the name, she promised to inquire. Yuan Qingli confessed her deep love for him and her desire to marry him. Mrs. Yuan, pleased by her daughter's sincerity, agreed to speak to the Emperor about annulling Yuan Qingli's engagement to Mu Beiyan, provided Jing Ci was a good man who truly loved her. Yuan Qingli was overjoyed.
After bidding farewell to Magistrate Li and his colleagues, Yuan Qingli and her mother departed for the capital, leaving Li and his men contemplating the sudden emptiness of the county government. In the capital, at the Palace of Duke Duan, Zuo Yanxi treated Jing Ci, clearing the toxins from his body and advising Aunt Zhixia to ensure his proper recovery.
Aunt Zhixia expressed her frustration and worry over Jing Ci's repeated self-sacrifice for Yuan Qingli, fearing he might die for her, and wished Yuan Qingli would give up on him. Zuo Yanxi was then summoned by Emperor Yong. Meanwhile, Mu Beiyan, in mourning, received tonic from Lord Bo. Mu Beiyan suspected Lord Bo's overtures were not merely out of respect for his late father, who was Lord Bo's teacher.
He remarked that he preferred Zuo Yanxi’s help, unlike Lord Ye, who had vanished since his father’s death. At the palace, Emperor Yong inquired about Jing Ci’s health. Zuo Yanxi reported that Jing Ci's old illness had resurfaced due to the cold Qinhe climate, which was less comfortable than the capital. He assured the Emperor that medicine had been prescribed and Jing Ci would soon recover.
The Emperor then, citing the ongoing unrest with Lord Ji from the East of the river and the recent death of Mu Zhong, ordered Zuo Yanxi to deploy the Feilian Guard to protect key court officials. Zuo Yanxi accepted the command. Back at her family's residence, Yuan Qingli began rejecting all suitors, instructing Xiao Lu to turn away any young men who came calling, regardless of their status.
Soon after, Xiao Lu brought news that a Duke Duan named Jing Ci had recently returned to the capital, and his appearance and age matched that of the Jing Ci they knew. Yuan Qingli was astonished to learn Jing Ci was Duke Duan and a prince, questioning why her mother hadn't known. Xiao Lu further clarified that Duke Duan was the son of Emperor Yong and Consort Jing.
Yuan Qingli, resolved, immediately headed to the Palace of Duke Duan with Xiao Lu. However, the guard informed them that "the Duke said he would not see her." Yuan Qingli, suspecting Aunt Zhixia was behind the refusal, noted the guard's silence as confirmation. Undeterred, Yuan Qingli declared that Jing Ci could not hide from her forever. From a discreet distance, Aunt Zhixia observed them leave, hoping Yuan Qingli would finally abandon her pursuit.
She then instructed the guards not to mention Yuan Qingli’s visit to Jing Ci when he awoke, emphasizing his need for quiet recovery. In Zhaozhou, Princess Zesheng tearfully knelt before her father, Lord Zhao, pleading to see Jing Ci. Lord Zhao explained that since Jing Ci was Emperor Yong's son, it was impossible to bring him back to Zhaozhou.
He suggested the possibility of Zesheng going to Yong State as part of an intermarriage alliance, aiming to mend the strained relations between Zhaozhou and Yong State that arose after a previous war. Zesheng, delighted by the prospect, eagerly agreed to become a hostage in Yong State and marry into the royal family. Lord Zhao, however, expressed his sorrow at the thought of her leaving, especially after Jing Ci had already departed.
Later, Mrs. Yuan informed Yuan Qingli that discussing the annulment of her engagement to Mu Beiyan was ill-advised while he was in mourning. Yuan Qingli assured her mother that Mu Beiyan, being a man of integrity, had already agreed to release her, and they were only waiting for the Emperor to officially revoke the marriage edict. Subsequently, Mrs. Yuan accompanied Yuan Qingli to the palace to apologize to Emperor Yong for her previous escape.
Yuan Qingli explained she had been ill and confused at the time, only realizing her mistake after recovering with her mother's guidance. Emperor Yong, citing her illness, graciously forgave her, much to Mrs. Yuan's relief. He observed Yuan Qingli with amusement, noting her intelligence and competence as a constable, despite her mother's attempts to portray her as simple-minded. Princess Changle arrived, complaining to the Emperor about Zhao Yan. The Emperor, while chiding Changle for her unladylike behavior, also expressed contentment that Yuan Qingli had finally returned.
