The Unexpected Marriage Episode 19 Recap
> The Unexpected Marriage Recap
Mr. Huaishan and his granddaughter, Ru Jing, arrived at Prince Qin's Mansion. Jing and Changsheng welcomed them at the entrance. Ru Jing greeted them, initially mistaking Changsheng for the Princess Consort, which Changsheng corrected, mentioning they were not yet married but would be soon. Later, during a meal, Changsheng became distracted by her hairpin and, trying to keep it still, accidentally spilled drink on Ru Jing and twisted her own ankle. She apologized repeatedly, feeling mortified.
Ru Jing assured her it was not a serious issue. Jing told Changsheng not to dwell on the accident, and Jinyan remarked that it seemed like Ru Jing was trying to assert dominance, which Changsheng brushed aside. Changsheng worried about Ru Jing and prepared food to offer a further apology, blaming the hairpin for her clumsiness. Jing consoled her, saying Mr. Huaishan found her cute and that he would ensure no one dared to laugh at her.
Meanwhile, at the Princess Royal's mansion, the Princess Royal was practicing calligraphy but made a mistake in a line of poetry, though she felt it captured the sentiment correctly. Lingzhi commented on the unusual quietness of the mansion, noting that Xiao Zilv hadn't visited recently. The Princess Royal playfully threatened to send Lingzhi away, then commented that Lingzhi had started speaking like Xiao Zilv after spending time with him before dismissing her.
Ru Jing found Jing and offered him green bean soup, which he politely declined, saying he was full from Changsheng's lotus seed soup. Ru Jing expressed her joy at seeing him after many years and confessed her deep affection, stating she desired to marry him even without status. Jing gently rejected her feelings, telling her she deserved someone better and would find a suitable partner elsewhere.
Ru Jing reminded him of shared past memories, but Jing maintained that he was busy and needed to attend to other matters before leaving. Distraught, Ru Jing was seen crying by Changsheng, who approached to ask what was wrong and offer comfort, but Ru Jing quickly departed without explaining. Shortly after, Lv Ke arrived at Prince Qin's Mansion. Mr. Huaishan informed Jing that according to his judgment, a severe locust plague would reach Great Tang within three days.
Jing planned to propose an early grain harvest to the Emperor immediately, but Mr. Huaishan advised against implementing it too hastily. He explained that the crops were not fully ripe, and forcing an early harvest before the locusts were visible would cause widespread discontent among the people, who would only see their potential yield reduced. Jing understood the dilemma and resolved to proceed despite the risk of public disapproval.
Lv Ke visited Ru Jing and subtly attempted to sow discord between her and Jing by highlighting Jing's close relationship with Changsheng. Lv Ke contrasted Ru Jing's talent with Changsheng's nature, suggesting Changsheng was merely a distraction who had caused the Emperor to be dissatisfied with Jing. He cautioned Ru Jing that Jing's focus on romance might lead to serious consequences. Ru Jing felt it was improper for outsiders to interfere in the Prince Qin's affairs.
Lv Ke reminded her of their close ties since childhood, arguing that those closest should step in to help. Ru Jing left, citing concern for her grandfather. Lv Ke mused that Ru Jing could be a useful pawn. He spoke with someone named Ge, who declared her sole focus was on Lv Ke. Changsheng found Jing discussing the difficult harvest plan with Mr. Huaishan and brought him food. Jing shared the complexity of the situation.
Changsheng recounted the Fuyu story about how her uncle, as Crown Prince, had successfully resolved a problem of theft driven by poverty by negotiating with a bandit chieftain and teaching the people to cultivate Muyan trees, leading to prosperity. Jing was greatly inspired by the tale. Ru Jing later went towards Jing's residence, intending to see him, but a servant redirected her to her own room. From a distance, she observed Jing and Changsheng in a moment of playful interaction.
This confirmed Lv Ke's earlier remarks in her mind; she believed Jing was preoccupied with romance and neglecting the impending crisis. During an imperial audience, Jing proposed the early grain harvest plan to the Emperor. Hou and Lv Ke immediately opposed it, emphasizing the loss of yield for farmers and the risk of public outrage. Jing argued the necessity, citing Mr. Huaishan's prediction of the locusts' imminent arrival and the depleted state of the national treasury.
He offered to personally cover 40% of the grain needed to supplement the public's loss, a significant amount that would also help refill the national treasury. Jing challenged Hou and Lv Ke, suggesting they, too, should contribute a portion, displaying their care for the people. Reluctantly, both agreed to donate 10% of the grain each. The Emperor, seeing his sons agree to share the burden and pleased by Jing's initiative, approved the plan and ordered the early harvest.
At Prince Song's Mansion, Lv Ke was disgruntled by the outcome, feeling Jing had gained favor despite his own contribution. Ge noted that Jing's pledge of 40% far surpassed Lv Ke's 10% and suggested manipulating the harvest figures. By increasing the official count of the total harvest, Jing's promised 40% would become an even larger, potentially unattainable amount, leading to charges of deceiving the Emperor and failing the people if he couldn't produce it.
Ge congratulated Lv Ke on this potential strategy. Back at Prince Qin's Mansion, Jinyan informed Changsheng that the mansion's stores could only contribute 30% of the grain after accounting for their own needs. Changsheng revealed her plan to sell her dowry to acquire the remaining 10%. Jinyan strongly objected, viewing the dowry as Changsheng's essential security in Great Tang. Changsheng corrected her, stating that her true foundation in Great Tang was Jing himself.
She instructed Jinyan to secretly arrange the purchase of the needed grain within three days. Ru Jing again observed (or recalled) Changsheng and Jing together, convinced that Jing's focus on his relationship was blinding him to the crisis, reinforcing the idea that Changsheng was a distraction leading him astray. Mr. Huaishan found Ru Jing and noted her preoccupation with Jing, telling her she was too consumed by her feelings and had lost herself.
He gently suggested her return was ill-advised and that what she perceived as help for Jing might actually be harmful. Citing Buddhist wisdom, he spoke of attachment and suffering, implying her distress over Jing's potential downfall indicated her own suffering and that her actions might inadvertently worsen his situation. Ru Jing insisted her only intention was to help him. Mr. Huaishan dismissed the others to speak with her privately. Changsheng and Jinyan discussed the dire situation.
Observing geese, Changsheng mused on how perspective changes with need – when hungry, one sees food, but when full, one sees beauty. She applied this to Jing's challenges, acknowledging the difficult path ahead but emphasizing that they were a united couple facing it together. Jinyan wondered how Changsheng could be sure Jing would succeed. Changsheng replied that disaster relief requires strategy and compassion, and her belief in him was enough. Jinyan affirmed her trust in Changsheng.
Jinyan reported completing Changsheng's task: a letter had been sent to General Zhao in Fuyu. Changsheng explained that because they had saved the general's life, he would certainly assist in procuring grain. She concluded they had done all they could and now must wait. Youyong rushed in with alarming news: Jing and Youmou were negotiating with farmers for the early harvest, but the farmers, believing their crops would be exceptionally good, were demanding exorbitant compensation.
When Jing hesitated to promise such high amounts, the farmers surrounded him. Youyong hurried off to assist. Changsheng, hearing this, tried to follow but was stopped by Ru Jing, who advised her to stay put as women should not interfere when men are handling important matters outside. Changsheng disregarded her and went past.
Ru Jing then stated she would also wait, but decided to eat the food Changsheng had prepared while she waited, noting she was hungry and that food should be saved when people outside might soon starve. Later that evening, Jing and Changsheng returned, both slightly injured. Youyong was told to look after Jing, while Mr. Huaishan arranged for Ru Jing and another person to be escorted back. Changsheng immediately fussed over a scratch on Jing's forehead.
Jing, in turn, asked about her sprained ankle. He mentioned the farmers had become unexpectedly agitated and refused to listen. He warned her not to go outside again due to the danger. Ru Jing offered him food she had prepared, but he did not acknowledge it, stating he would take Changsheng back first. Mr. Huaishan ate the food instead, observing that Jing wasn't eating and reiterating the need to conserve food for the starving populace.
Changsheng tried to tend to Jing's bruises, accidentally causing him pain, and he asked her to hold him. Despite her attempts, she kept hurting him. Youyong brought Xiao Zilv to see Jing. Princess Royal also arrived. Xiao Zilv inquired about Jing's injury from the farmers' confrontation. Jing explained their excessive demands for compensation. Princess Royal remarked on the farmers' greed. Xiao Zilv suspected outside instigation.
He stressed the urgency of the harvest the next day, even suggesting using soldiers if necessary, given Mr. Huaishan's prediction of the locusts' arrival. He framed it as a gamble that, if successful, the people would eventually be grateful for. Princess Royal expressed concern that if the locusts did not arrive as predicted, the instigator would turn public anger against Jing and advised caution. They wished Jing a restful night.
As Xiao Zilv and Princess Royal left, she playfully mimicked his limping gait. He asked why she was copying him, and she responded that she had walked like that for years, suggesting a shared experience. He then told her it was time for her to learn from him. Ru Jing brought midnight snacks to the Prince Qin's Mansion, encountering Princess Royal who declined them. Ru Jing then offered the snacks to Jing, who also declined, saying he wasn't hungry.
Changsheng came to Jing, referencing Ru Jing's comment about needing energy for important things later that night. She thanked Ru Jing for the snacks. Jing told Ru Jing to get rest. Changsheng told Jing he needed to rest well because they had a lot to do that night. Princess Royal later confronted Xiao Zilv about his actions, accusing him of caring for her despite claiming otherwise.
She mentioned how he replaced her book and tried to treat her laughter, reminding him he had lied. She asked if his 'caring' was what she hoped it meant. He responded he didn't know, admitting his lack of understanding of feelings, and asked if her 'caring' was what she thought it meant. He then told her to laugh and that he genuinely didn't care about her laughter. She called him audacious for provoking her to laugh, but he encouraged her, saying she looked good when she did.
