The Unexpected Marriage Episode 10 Recap
> The Unexpected Marriage Recap
Prince Qin’s convoy returned to Luojing, sparking excitement among the people who gathered to watch. Lv Jing, the Third Prince and Prince Qin, quickly returned to the capital and reported to the King. Contrary to his previous advocacy for military expansion against neighboring states, Lv Jing argued against attacking Fuyu, deeming it unjust and harmful to future trade relations. The King did not make an immediate decision, stating the matter would be discussed later.
Meanwhile, the Second Prince, Lv Hou, struggled with poverty relief efforts in Yuzhou, complaining to the King. The King reassigned this difficult task to the Fifth Prince, Lv Ke, urging him not to disappoint. After Lv Hou and Lv Ke departed, the King kept Lv Jing behind. Outside the King's presence, Lv Hou attempted to manipulate Lv Ke, highlighting Lv Jing’s military power and the potential support from Fuyu after the upcoming marriage, questioning if Lv Ke felt threatened.
Lv Ke maintained he was a powerless, idle prince and his current focus was rectifying Lv Hou's mismanagement in Yuzhou. Lv Hou was blunt, bringing up the issue of succession, noting the King's delay in appointing a Crown Prince and suggesting an alliance could benefit Lv Ke, given Lv Hou’s own high rank. Lv Ke reiterated his lack of influence, frustrating Lv Hou who felt his brother couldn't grasp the political situation.
Separately, Prince Qin (Lv Jing) met with the Grand Tutor, Yi Jingwei, requesting a recalculation of an auspicious wedding date. The Grand Tutor was surprised, as a date had already been set. Prince Qin mentioned that now the intended bride, Princess Changsheng, was confirmed, the original date might not be the most suitable and joked about her potential for causing "trouble."
The Grand Tutor found Princess Changsheng's astrological chart extraordinary and stated he couldn't find another equally auspicious day within three years, which Prince Qin interpreted as a sign of good fortune, calling them a perfect match. Prince Qin also advised the Grand Tutor to be discreet to avoid unnecessary gossip. The Grand Tutor promised to find a new date quickly, while privately wondering what kind of trouble could arise now that the bride was already en route.
During her journey to Great Tang, Princess Changsheng repeatedly feigned illness, delaying the convoy. Doctor Liu, who was accompanying the group, grew weary of her antics, noting it was the sixth time she had fallen "ill." However, attendants insisted she was truly sick this time. Doctor Liu, knowing Prince Qin had anticipated such delays and sent him along, reluctantly agreed to check on her, despite her past refusals to let him take her pulse.
Inside, attendants stressed the importance of not missing the auspicious wedding day. Changsheng insisted she only had a cold and could continue, even if it meant dying on the way, refusing a pulse check and referencing Doctor Liu's earlier skepticism about her faking. Jinyan, one of her attendants, defended her, expressing outrage at the lack of care and demanding Doctor Liu check her pulse for her well-being, as her condition seemed to be relapsing.
Doctor Liu insisted, needing to report to the Emperor if anything happened. Upon taking her pulse, he was visibly shocked, finding it strange and unable to immediately diagnose her, but confirming she was genuinely ill. Jinyan expressed sorrow for Changsheng's plight and threatened to make Doctor Liu and his family pay if anything happened to her. Doctor Liu, bewildered by the strange pulse, left to research a prescription. At Prince Qin's mansion, discussions were held regarding Xiuwen Hall.
An official reported that the building was completed on schedule and the Princess Royal, Lv Guan, was effectively managing it, dispelling the Ministry of Rites' initial opposition. Lv Jing, who had entrusted Lv Guan with the task due to her capabilities, decided to visit her. At Xiuwen Hall, Lv Guan was explaining strict regulations, including capital punishment for serious violations like illegal logging or hunting.
Officials persistently questioned her about choosing a husband, seemingly hoping she would step down from her position, but she deflected their inquiries. Lv Jing arrived, and he and Lv Guan discussed court matters. Lv Jing warned her about Lv Hou, revealing he was behind an assassination attempt on him in Fuyu. Lv Guan advised caution, noting Lv Jing's growing power. Lv Jing then mentioned that Princess Changsheng had fallen ill on her journey, which might postpone the wedding.
Back at the inn, Lv Jing arrived under the guise of "Mr. Envoy" (also referred to as Yi'an by Changsheng and his attendants). He confronted Changsheng, knowing her earlier illness was faked to delay the wedding. Changsheng admitted she wanted to postpone to assess Prince Qin, hoping he was the good person Yi'an had described, but was willing to proceed if he was.
She couldn't continue the charade now that Lv Jing (as Yi'an) was here, knowing how shrewd he was. Lv Jing’s attendant confirmed that Princess Changsheng was indeed genuinely sick this time. Doctor Liu reaffirmed his diagnosis of a real illness with a strange pulse. Lv Jing, maintaining his "Yi'an" persona, expressed concern about the delayed wedding date due to her illness.
When Doctor Liu couldn't provide a definitive cure, Lv Jing dramatically ordered Doctor Liu to be beaten to death for failing to treat the Princess, prompting a distressed Changsheng to immediately declare her illness cured to save the doctor. Lv Jing then lauded Doctor Liu as meritorious. However, as the journey resumed, Changsheng truly caught a cold and developed a fever.
Despite the urgency to reach Great Tang before the wedding date, Lv Jing ordered the convoy to turn back to the previous inn. At the inn, Changsheng and Lv Jing spoke alone. She confirmed she was genuinely sick and worried about the delay affecting him. Lv Jing reassured her, telling her to focus on recovering and he would handle everything else.
He offered her ginger soup and told her to rest well, expressing his trust in her before departing for Great Tang with his attendants, promising to wait for her there. After recovering, Changsheng continued to Great Tang. Upon arrival in Luojing, crowds gathered, curious about the Fuyu Princess who was to marry Prince Qin. Changsheng found the ornate, heavy court attire gifted by the King uncomfortable and restrictive, joking about Great Tang women's diets.
Her attendants reassured her that despite the strict rules, she looked magnificent. At the King's Longevity Hall, Changsheng formally greeted him. The King welcomed her and inquired about her health after her journey, pleased she had recovered. He announced a banquet in her honor. As she entered, Changsheng scanned the princes present, wondering which one was Prince Qin, noting their different appearances. She presented a gift from Fuyu, wishing the King and Great Tang prosperity.
The King was delighted with the gift. He then announced that Prince Qin was unwell and couldn't attend the banquet, stating they would meet in a few days. Changsheng silently mused if Prince Qin was marrying her to dispel bad luck, given his sudden illness. The King declared the day informal due to the missed auspicious date, announcing a formal welcome banquet later and that the official ceremony would await a new date from the Directorate of Astronomy.
During the banquet, Changsheng asked Jinyan if she had seen Yi'an, but Jinyan said he was likely with the sick Prince Qin. Feeling isolated without any familiar faces, Changsheng decided she could only face the situation one step at a time. Later, Changsheng was escorted to her temporary residence within Prince Qin's mansion. She was shown to the Huadeng Pavilion, located beside the inner courtyard, specially prepared for her until the wedding.
An attendant explained Prince Qin had thoughtfully dismissed most servants, leaving only essential staff for her comfort and freedom within the grounds. Changsheng thanked them and asked them to convey her gratitude to Prince Qin. As she settled in, she and her attendants noted Prince Qin's thorough arrangements, sparking a cautious hope in Changsheng that he might indeed be the good person Yi'an had described.
