The Unexpected Marriage Episode 17 Recap
> The Unexpected Marriage Recap
Upon the completion of the sorting and compilation of the Buddhist scriptures by Xiuwen Hall, with a copy sent to the Library, His Majesty deemed the work of boundless beneficence and ordered the scriptures returned to Dazhi Zen Temple. Princess Royal Lv Guan was tasked with the delivery. Accompanying her were Prince Qin Lv Jing, Xiao Zilv, and Changsheng. Changsheng, still feeling awkward from the previous night's encounter with Prince Qin, attempted to ride in Princess Royal Lv Guan's carriage.
However, Prince Qin Lv Jing prevented this, stating that Princess Royal Lv Guan had been in poor health and that Xiao Zilv, possessing medical skills, should ride with her to provide care during the long journey. Consequently, Xiao Zilv and Princess Royal Lv Guan shared a carriage, while Prince Qin Lv Jing insisted Changsheng ride with him.
In Princess Royal Lv Guan's carriage, Xiao Zilv expressed concern over her persistent cough and offered to check her pulse, but she politely declined his help, stating she was used to it and that Great Tang had its own doctors. Meanwhile, in Prince Qin Lv Jing's carriage, Changsheng sat noticeably far from him, offering a flimsy excuse about needing space for his long limbs.
Prince Qin Lv Jing noted her flushed face, and Changsheng attributed it to excitement about visiting the famed Dazhi Zen Temple. Upon their arrival, the Abbot welcomed them, expressing gratitude for Princess Royal Lv Guan delivering the scriptures and mentioning the temple's recent renovation. He invited them to explore the temple grounds. He also highlighted the marriage tree in the backyard, noting its remarkable efficacy for seeking good fate.
Xiao Zilv, however, was preoccupied with a century-old unresolved chess game within the temple, mentioning a prize for anyone who could solve it. The Abbot confirmed the game remained unsolved after a hundred years. Changsheng, having slept poorly the previous night, felt exhausted and only wished to find a guest room to rest. After resting, Changsheng emerged and found Prince Qin Lv Jing flying a kite.
Enchanted by its beauty, she learned he had often visited the spot as a child, finding it ideal for kite flying. He patiently taught her, guiding her hands on the string, and the kite soared. Meanwhile, Xiao Zilv and Princess Royal Lv Guan were engrossed in the ancient chess game. Princess Royal Lv Guan offered insightful commentary on Xiao Zilv's moves, drawing parallels between the game and human obsession, advising him to reflect before acting.
The kite, however, became entangled in the branches of the marriage tree. Changsheng stopped Prince Qin Lv Jing from climbing the tree to retrieve it, citing the numerous red strings on the tree. Instead, she suggested they hang another kite there, creating a pair so they wouldn't be lonely. Prince Qin Lv Jing agreed, lifting her to place the second kite, causing them to become tangled in the red strings themselves and nearly falling.
Changsheng remarked that the marriage tree had tied them up. As they untangled themselves, she pulled off a red string wrapped around her wrist, questioning if he truly wished to untie the string from the auspicious tree. Just then, an attendant arrived with an urgent summons from His Majesty, requiring Prince Qin Lv Jing to return to the palace immediately. He instructed Changsheng to re-hang the string before leaving.
Left alone with the red string, a little monk approached and explained the marriage tree's famed efficacy, stating that taking a red string could ensure a happy and smooth marriage. Changsheng, holding the string wrapped around her wrist, asked if it was truly effective, and the little monk affirmed that monks never lie.
Later, You Yong and Youmou, acting under Prince Qin Lv Jing's specific instructions to ensure her safety, escorted Changsheng back to his mansion, explaining that His Majesty had only summoned the three princes. Upon returning to Huadeng Pavilion, Changsheng began weaving the red string into a knot, reflecting on the entanglement at the marriage tree and believing it a sign that Prince Qin Lv Jing missed her.
Wishing to give him the knot, she looked for a suitable box and inadvertently opened one containing a document titled "The Plan to Attack Fuyu". Concurrently, in the Imperial Study, His Majesty questioned Prince Qin Lv Jing about his decision to abandon the plan to attack Fuyu. Prince Qin Lv Jing explained that if "she" knew his past intentions regarding Fuyu, she would be deeply saddened.
He stated that while he once desired to expand the kingdom's territory, meeting her made him want to give her a peaceful life instead. Prince Lv Ke openly questioned Prince Qin Lv Jing's reasoning, implying his feelings for the Fuyu Princess had swayed his judgment. Prince Qin Lv Jing countered that his trip to Fuyu revealed its strength and that Great Tang needed time to recuperate after the recent battle with Yu.
Attacking Fuyu after establishing a marriage alliance would be a treacherous act, he argued. His Majesty agreed with Prince Qin Lv Jing's assessment and dismissed the princes. Outside the Imperial Study, Prince Lv Ke expressed his frustration to Prince Lv Hou, feeling their father was overly partial to Prince Qin Lv Jing.
He lamented that Prince Qin Lv Jing now possessed both power and wealth (through Changsheng's status) while they lagged behind, emphasizing the need for them to become more cunning and flexible. Back at Prince Qin Lv Jing's mansion, Youmou reported that Changsheng had not eaten the food, which included all her favorites, that Prince Qin Lv Jing had sent. Surprised, Prince Qin Lv Jing went to find her but couldn't locate her in her room or the kitchen.
He became worried, knowing she wouldn't disappear without reason. Questioning You Yong and Youmou further, he learned she had been in his study waiting for him before leaving in distress. Realizing the potential implications, he checked the study and found the box empty, the attack plan gone. He deduced she had seen the plan and taken it.
However, knowing the city gates were locked and her cautious nature, he concluded she would not leave the imperial city rashly without first understanding the situation. He suspected she had gone to Xiuwen Hall. At Xiuwen Hall, Princess Royal Lv Guan had already arranged a room for Changsheng, reassuring her as she settled in. The next morning, Prince Qin Lv Jing arrived at Xiuwen Hall seeking Changsheng, where he also encountered Xiao Zilv.
Princess Royal Lv Guan informed Prince Qin Lv Jing that Xiuwen Hall was closed for the day due to a distinguished guest. Prince Qin Lv Jing, visibly anxious, explained his need to see Changsheng to clarify a misunderstanding, revealing that she had left home. Princess Royal Lv Guan advised him that seeing her immediately would not resolve the issue.
She stressed the importance of building her trust and demonstrating genuine sincerity, warning that she could not force Changsheng, who was not a prisoner, to stay. She encouraged him to think clearly and act decisively if he understood what was truly needed to mend their relationship. Prince Qin Lv Jing expressed his understanding and gratitude for her care before departing.
After Prince Qin Lv Jing left, Princess Royal Lv Guan turned to Xiao Zilv and asked if he had upset Changsheng. They discussed the situation, with Princess Royal Lv Guan using the chess game as an analogy for the consequences of wrong steps. Xiao Zilv suggested speaking to Changsheng directly and, in a sudden confession, admitted to Princess Royal Lv Guan that he had feelings for her, surprising her. He quickly apologized and left.
Shortly after Xiao Zilv departed from Changsheng abruptly, she was left to contemplate her situation. She discussed her dilemma with her attendant, reflecting on Princess Royal Lv Guan's cryptic advice that the answer lay within herself. Regarding the attack plan she discovered, her attendant questioned Prince Qin Lv Jing's sincerity, given their shared experiences and previous opportunities he had to act against Fuyu.
Changsheng acknowledged the gravity of the matter but explained her decision not to send the information immediately back to Fuyu; a premature military response based on a potential misunderstanding could lead to an irreversible war. She concluded that she would choose to trust Prince Qin Lv Jing one more time. Her thoughts turned to her position as both a Fuyu Princess and future wife in Great Tang, recognizing her responsibility to the people of Fuyu.
She voiced her aspiration to work towards establishing trade relations between Great Tang and Fuyu, believing this would benefit both nations and fulfill her principle of striving for the welfare of the people in her care.
