The Unexpected Marriage Episode 12 Recap
> The Unexpected Marriage Recap
Lv Guan was standing in a small, shallow pond. Xiao Zilv saw her there and reacted with great alarm, telling her that her body was given by her parents and should not be harmed. He warned her that suicide would lead to endless suffering in hell and dramatically stated that if the water had been deeper, they would have met in the underworld. Lv Guan found his reaction overly exaggerated and was annoyed by his lecture.
Later, as she was being attended to for her recurring cough and reminded of the incident and her health, she decided it was time to visit the Imperial Academy of Medicine for prescriptions, anticipating a possible encounter with Xiao Zilv, whom she had her servant investigate after seeing him in the palace. Changsheng politely declined Lv Jing's invitation to dine together, stating she wasn't hungry.
Lv Jing then informed her about the upcoming welcome dinner, explaining that in previous years, guests were often pressured to perform before the Emperor. He warned her that as a newcomer, she might be targeted by people with ill intentions and encouraged her to refuse if she felt uncomfortable, assuring her he would handle any issues. Changsheng confidently replied that performing before the Emperor was not a difficult task for her, revealing she was already prepared.
She then asked him to leave so she could begin practicing. Changsheng instructed her maids, Jinyan and Shenxing, to find Youyong and Youmou to assist with preparations she had planned beforehand, emphasizing they should be discreet. At the grand banquet, Lv Jing introduced Changsheng to various royal family members, including Consort De, Prince Lv Hou (Prince Song), Princess Consort Song (Liu Yiyi), and Prince Lv Ke and his wife Chu Ge. Changsheng briefly noticed someone who seemed significant to her.
Other noble women at the banquet whispered amongst themselves, commenting on Changsheng's perceived lack of manners and comparing her unfavorably to Princess Royal and a Miss Rujing, hoping for the latter's return to humble Changsheng. The Emperor arrived, and after formalities, the banquet commenced. Soon after, Prince Lv Hou toasted the Emperor and then proposed that Changsheng perform a dance, praising the rumored talent of Fuyu women and inviting her to showcase her skills before the court.
Prince Lv Hou's proposal was met with Lv Jing's immediate intervention, who stated it was inappropriate as Changsheng was the Princess of Fuyu and his future wife. However, when it was implied that her reluctance might be contempt towards Great Tang, and Lv Jing accused the instigator of trying to provoke conflict, Changsheng volunteered to perform for the Emperor. She presented a unique drum dance, while six peony paintings were revealed behind her.
During her performance, a small bead rolled out, causing her to stumble, but Lv Jing quickly stepped forward to support her, preventing a fall. After completing the dance, Changsheng explained the meaning behind her performance, dedicating the six paintings to the Emperor with wishes for Great Tang's eternal prosperity, lasting friendship with Fuyu, and the Emperor's longevity.
Although some questioned the appropriateness of a drum dance in peacetime, suggesting it held wartime connotations, Changsheng calmly clarified that her performance was a tribute and a blessing. She explained it was to remember those lost and displaced by past wars between their nations and to celebrate and pray for the continued peace and prosperity under the Emperor's wise rule. Lv Jing echoed her sentiments. The Emperor was greatly pleased by her explanation and rewarded her generously.
Princess Lv Guan was informed by her servant that the man she saw at the palace the previous day was Xiao Zilv, the envoy from Fuyu, who was known as a prominent medical expert. Acknowledging his identity, she decided it was time to visit the Imperial Academy of Medicine for prescriptions for her recurring cough, anticipating a potential encounter with him.
Meanwhile, at Prince Qin's Mansion, Lv Jing's subordinate reported difficulty finding concrete evidence regarding the marble incident due to the crowded banquet. Lv Jing stated he knew who was responsible based on where the marble came from and ordered increased security measures to ensure Changsheng's safety, regardless of lacking direct proof.
Later, Xiao Zilv arrived at Prince Qin's Mansion and confronted Lv Jing, demanding to know why he had concealed his true identity from Changsheng while in Fuyu and questioning his motives. Lv Jing coolly asked Xiao Zilv on what grounds he was questioning him, to which Xiao Zilv replied as the Fuyu envoy and Changsheng's concerned friend. Lv Jing asserted that Changsheng was his future wife and would soon be Princess Consort Qin, questioning why he would harm her.
He dismissed Xiao Zilv's concerns, stating that since Changsheng herself no longer held it against him, there was no need for Xiao Zilv's interference. Lv Jing then warned Xiao Zilv that some opportunities, once missed, are gone forever, and pursuing Changsheng to Great Tang would be futile, advising him to let go. Changsheng joined Lv Jing for dinner. He had prepared several Fuyu dishes himself, giving them symbolic names like "Regret."
Changsheng found the food surprisingly good and, referring to the next dish as "Forgiveness," agreed to move past his deception. She established three conditions for forgiveness: no more lies, no distrust, and no making things difficult for her, which Lv Jing readily accepted. Lv Jing then shared his own hope: that as partners, they would be the strongest allies, trusting and relying on each other completely, especially after she had chosen him. Changsheng agreed to his request.
Later, Changsheng, finding Lv Jing with a slightly burned hand from cooking, initially felt he deserved it for deceiving her. Despite her lingering annoyance, she decided to apply medicine, stating it was only because he cooked for her and didn't negate his past actions. Lv Jing, seemingly drunk, held her hand and spoke about their destined connection and overcoming hardship together. Believing him to be intoxicated and planning to forget the night, Changsheng helped him towards his room.
Although Lv Jing was not truly drunk, they ended up spending the night together. Upon waking the next morning, Changsheng was visibly flustered, which Lv Jing found amusing and teased her about taking responsibility for the night. She insisted nothing happened, playfully blaming him for being drunk and preventing her from leaving. Lv Jing conceded it seemed his fault, and she accepted his apology, declaring the matter closed between them. He hinted she was trying to play hard to get.
Back in her own courtyard, Changsheng’s maids, Jinyan and Shenxing, questioned if she had slept in Prince Qin's room, having heard the rumor from Youyong. Changsheng nervously denied it, attributing her late return to an unintentional delay and insisting nothing had happened between them. Feeling restless, she requested materials to copy a Meditation Mantra and retrieved a copybook she brought from Fuyu.
While copying, she focused on a specific phrase that led her to realize that Yi'an was indeed Prince Qin (Lv Jing). She felt betrayed and called him a liar. Jinyan playfully remarked on her actions, suggesting she was thinking of Prince Qin while looking at his writing, which Changsheng vehemently denied. Later, complaining of sore limbs from copying, Changsheng wandered near the study, where Youyong was.
She inquired about Lv Jing's whereabouts, learning he was busy at the palace and had not returned. As heavy rain began to fall, Changsheng became worried about the Muyan trees she had planted, realizing they were unprotected from flooding. Ignoring warnings and forgetting an umbrella, she urgently borrowed a horse and galloped towards the Muyan Forest, leaving her concerned servants behind who then dispatched someone to inform Lv Jing.
