Resumen del episodio 8 de The Love Lasts Two Minds
> Resúmenes de The Love Lasts Two Minds
A messenger delivered a letter to Princess Shengning's husband, stating that Lord Zhao would grant him immense wealth and fortune if he replaced specific officials on a provided list. Princess Shengning's husband expressed hesitation, recognizing it as high treason punishable by implicating nine generations. However, the messenger reminded him that with Princess Shengning deceased, he had no other option, and the Emperor had long held a grudge against him, likely having him executed if not for Princess Shengning's protection.
Convinced, Princess Shengning's husband agreed. Later, as Yuan Qinhe returned a book, she found Magistrate Jing absorbed in his reading. She playfully inquired why a man of his charm and intellect remained unmarried, wondering if he had a special someone or overly high standards. Jing Ci curtly dismissed her questions, causing her embarrassment. He then approached her, revealing that he indeed harbored feelings for a particular woman, desiring a lifetime with her, but their differing social statuses made it impossible.
He mused that if fate dictated such an arrangement, there was no point in striving against it. As Jing Ci drew nearer, Yuan Qinhe blushed and closed her eyes, anticipating a kiss, but he merely adjusted a loose book on the shelf, pointing out that her book was not properly stored. Yuan Qinhe's superior later warned her about junior Lord He, Mu Beiyan, revealing that the servant she had twice beaten was actually the son of Prince of He.
He advised her to be wary of Mu Beiyan’s intentions, which Yuan Qinhe acknowledged. That evening, Yuan Qinhe approached Jing Ci, offering to repay his previous help by arranging an appointment with the renowned Doctor Zuo at Shuxin Clinic, noting Jing Ci's consistent poor health. Upon hearing Doctor Zuo's name, Jing Ci agreed. Yuan Qinhe was elated, resolute in her determination to capture Jing Ci's heart, just as she had "those caterpillars" in the past.
Yuan Qinhe accompanied Jing Ci to Shuxin Clinic, but upon arrival, she was dismayed by the large crowd and realized it would be dark before their turn. Just then, a servant from the clinic approached them, stating that his master had been expecting them, and led them inside. Yuan Qinhe, believing her influence in Qinhe was responsible, boasted about her widespread reputation and assured Jing Ci of smooth sailing in the county with her name.
Jing Ci responded with a skeptical, "Really?" Inside, Yuan Qinhe was surprised to discover that Jing Ci and Doctor Zuo were already well-acquainted. Doctor Zuo requested her to wait in a side room as he had matters to discuss with Jing Ci. Feeling foolish and embarrassed by her earlier boasts and the fact they hadn't informed her of their connection, Yuan Qinhe reluctantly complied.
Doctor Zuo also instructed his staff to provide refreshments for the other waiting patients, assuring them he would attend to them after his meeting. In the side room, Yuan Qinhe engaged in conversation with a maid named Xin'er, who revealed that Doctor Zuo was actually Zuo Yanxi, Prince of He's adopted son and Mu Beiyan's brother. Yuan Qinhe immediately understood why Zuo Yanxi had seemed to look down on her.
Meanwhile, Zuo Yanxi confronted Jing Ci, remarking on his alias, Jing Zhiwan, and its implied meaning. He noted Jing Ci's past assertion that a Feng Mianwan entangled in 18 years of hatred should no longer exist, and that they should go their separate ways. Yet, Jing Ci had still come to her location and presented himself as her confidant.
Jing Ci clarified that he had been compelled to come to Qinhe to conclude some matters, finding it more convenient to conduct his investigations in an official capacity. He then questioned Zuo Yanxi about Prince of He's sudden arrival in Qinhe, wondering if it was linked to Zhao Yan's recent visit to the North Base and if Prince of He possessed any relevant information.
Zuo Yanxi admitted ignorance, explaining that despite his adopted father's kindness, as the leader of the Shadow Guardians, he reported directly to the Emperor, and Prince of He did not confide all his thoughts to him. Jing Ci, reflecting on his own changed demeanor, suggested that the recent chain of events might be connected to the assassin who attacked him, quickly correcting himself to say it was unrelated to Constable Yuan.
Inside the clinic, Zuo Yanxi examined Jing Ci, diagnosing him with a slow-acting chronic poison in addition to his existing ailments. He questioned Jing Ci about any suspicious individuals or unusual occurrences recently. Jing Ci claimed he hadn't met anyone suspicious, prompting Zuo Yanxi to press further, asking if Jing Ci might be inherently unguarded against certain individuals.
Jing Ci firmly denied it could be Yuan Qinhe, a sentiment Zuo Yanxi agreed with, reasoning that she wouldn't have gone to such lengths to get him medical attention if she were the culprit. Zuo Yanxi then mused on Yuan Qinhe's unusual concern for Jing Ci, wondering if his previous medication had failed and she was regaining her memory. Jing Ci affirmed that she still had no recollection of the past, merely adopting Yuan Qingli's preference for handsome men.
Zuo Yanxi countered, noting that Yuan Qinhe had shown no interest in him and had even beaten Mu Beiyan, humorously questioning if they were not considered handsome. Jing Ci simply smiled. Zuo Yanxi then successfully removed the poison using acupuncture, stressing the urgency of finding its source to prevent future reoccurrences, which combined with Jing Ci’s old illness, would be untreatable. Jing Ci promised to be vigilant.
While Jing Ci was being examined, Yuan Qinhe, observing a man previously disguised as Lord Zhao's attendant with Mu Beiyan, became curious about his identity and followed him, but eventually lost sight of him. As she wandered through the unfamiliar premises, she realized she had strayed into Prince of He's Mansion, which was connected to the clinic. Alarm bells rang, remembering her previous encounters with the young lord. Just then, she ran into Mu Beiyan.
He playfully teased her, asking if she had come to find him after twice beating him and his governor. Yuan Qinhe hastily explained she was merely looking for a toilet and had gotten lost in the vast estate. Taking her word, Mu Beiyan led her to the outhouse, but when he tried to pull her in, she punched him and fled.
Mu Beiyan, nursing his injury, groaned about her strength and jokingly complained to an attendant about the repeated assaults, vowing not to go easy on her next time. As Yuan Qinhe returned to Jing Ci and Zuo Yanxi, she found Zuo Yanxi draping a coat over Jing Ci. Realizing how close they were, she felt her efforts to help Jing Ci were a joke.
Annoyed and embarrassed, she declared it was late and that she would leave if they wished to continue their conversation. Jing Ci called out to her, but Zuo Yanxi advised him to confess his feelings if he was reluctant to let her go. Jing Ci, however, stated there was no need, as too many estrangements existed between them, and since everything was in the past, there should be no further ties.
Zuo Yanxi countered that while the past was indeed gone, neither of them could pretend it never happened. He reminded Jing Ci that Yuan Qinhe once loved him and, despite losing her memories, still loved him. However, he warned Jing Ci to remember that even with her love, he would never be her top priority, and the harm she had caused him might never truly heal. Jing Ci affirmed he understood what he needed to do.
Elsewhere, Prince of He instructed his trusted subordinate, Hong Yu, to conduct a secret investigation. He recounted the strange occurrences in the North Base and Qinhe, and how his review of Princess Shengning's case files yielded no answers. He tasked Hong Yu with discreetly inquiring in the capital and other prefectures about any deceased ministers or generals in recent years, especially those who died unexpectedly, who had their little fingers cut off.
He emphasized the utmost secrecy to avoid alerting any potential perpetrators. Zhao Yan visited Mrs. Yuan, expressing his concern for Qingli and inquiring if she had any news. Mrs. Yuan despaired, having heard nothing and fearing for Qingli's safety in the current unstable climate, feeling she hadn't adequately protected her children. Zhao Yan suggested expanding the search to nearby prefectures like Bozhou and Qinhe.
A servant then reported that Zhao Yan's coachman had been attacked and his carriage stolen from outside the Yuan residence. Immediately after, Yun Duo, Princess Changle's maid, appeared and offered to lead Zhao Yan to retrieve his carriage. Princess Changle confronted Zhao Yan, demanding to know why he had visited Mrs. Yuan instead of her upon his return.
Zhao Yan explained he was there for a case investigation, but Princess Changle scoffed, reminding him that Qingli's abduction case was already closed. She accused him of using his position to secretly search for Qingli to pursue a romantic relationship. Zhao Yan clarified that his interactions with Qingli were solely about poetry and music, not romance.
Princess Changle, angered by his deliberate mention of Qingli's poetic talents, knowing she herself lacked such an interest, furiously dismissed him and left with Yun Duo. Mrs. Yuan, after Zhao Yan left, felt his words implied new leads.
She ordered her housekeeper, Nianqi, to send more people to search the Bozhou and Qinhe area, instructing them not to alarm Qingli if found, as the Emperor had only lifted the arrest warrant, not dissolved her engagement to Mu Beiyan, and forcing her return might only stir more trouble. At the Floral House, Mu Beiyan, drinking with Lord Ye, lamented that Zuo Yanxi never joined them or pursued any women, wondering if he was cold-blooded.
He recalled once seeing Zuo Yanxi carve a jasper crested hairpin, clearly for a woman, but Zuo Yanxi, being shy, refused to reveal her identity. Mu Beiyan concluded that Zuo Yanxi was not heartless but deeply smitten. With Lord Ye now drunk, Mu Beiyan decided to go to Floral House alone.
Back at the office, Jing Ci learned from Xiaolu that Yuan Qinhe was deeply upset since their return from the clinic and had skipped both dinner the previous night and breakfast this morning. Jing Ci, concerned, decided to cook for her himself, stating that he too didn't care for the cook's breakfast and intended it as a thank you for accompanying him to the clinic.
