The Unexpected Marriage Episode 20 Recap
> The Unexpected Marriage Recap
It was a rare moment of peace, and although Liu Changsheng admitted she had no appetite, she ate to cherish the food. She encouraged Lv Jing to eat as well, telling him not to let tomorrow's difficulties spoil today. She promised to help him find a solution after dinner, reassuring him that if he acted with goodwill, his actions would be blessed, as they were for the greater good, not personal gain.
She pledged to support him regardless of the outcome. Despite Ru Jing observing them from a crack in the door and disapproving of Liu Changsheng allowing Lv Jing to stay overnight before they were married, Liu Changsheng promptly sent Lv Jing away for the night, reminding him he needed to conserve his strength for the difficult day ahead. The next morning, the Emperor was angered upon hearing that Lv Jing had been beaten by farmers.
A further report arrived stating Prince Qin was forcefully collecting grain and confronting farmers in the fields. Lv Ke seized the opportunity to suggest summoning Lv Jing back to the palace to reconsider the matter. Lv Hou supported this, adding that the incident damaged the royal family's reputation. Lv Guan, Lv Jing's aunt, whispered a warning to him that defying an imperial decree was a grave offense and self-preservation was paramount, subtly advising him to abandon the collection and return.
Liu Changsheng soon learned of the escalating situation. With General Zhao's grain shipment not yet arrived, she quickly gathered her household staff to go to the fields and assist Lv Jing. Ru Jing attempted to stop her, suggesting she stay and study women's virtues. Liu Changsheng, however, asserted her authority as the Princess of Fuyu and the mistress of Prince Qin's Mansion, ordering her staff to remove the obstructive Ru Jing.
Meanwhile, an imperial eunuch arrived at the fields with a decree summoning Prince Qin, Lv Jing, to the palace immediately for a lengthy discussion on the grain collection matter. Lv Guan again urged Lv Jing to accept the decree and protect himself. Just then, Liu Changsheng arrived, carrying a letter from General Zhao Huaibi confirming he had successfully gathered grain and was personally escorting it, expected to arrive within three days.
Liu Changsheng presented the letter and spoke to the farmers, explaining the urgency due to the impending locust plague and promising compensation. However, the farmers were suspicious of her identity and the letter, having never met the Princess of Fuyu. Liu Changsheng stood by Lv Jing, publicly supporting his actions and intentions. Emboldened, Lv Jing chose to defy the imperial decree, ordering his men to proceed with the forced grain collection.
Lv Guan simultaneously ordered the soldiers from her Princess Royal's mansion to stand guard and confront the Royal Guards brought by Lv Ke, creating a standoff to prevent further conflict in the fields. In another location, Mr. Huaishan advised his granddaughter Ru Jing that it was time for them to leave, explaining that they had caused enough trouble. He reminded her of the meaning behind her name, emphasizing clarity and detachment from illusions.
Despite Ru Jing's reluctance, Mr. Huaishan left, leaving a letter for Lv Jing and instructions on how to find him. Upon hearing that Lv Jing had been taken to the Imperial Study for defying the decree, Ru Jing rushed there. Inside the Imperial Study, Lv Jing, Liu Changsheng, Lv Guan, and Xiao Zilv knelt before the Emperor. Lv Ke was also present.
After deliberation, influenced by Lv Ke's suggestion, the Emperor decided to confine Lv Jing to the Reflection Room to appease public resentment. He ordered the collected grain to be returned to the people in batches the following day. Liu Changsheng requested to join Lv Jing in confinement, but the Emperor ordered her to remain under house arrest in Prince Qin's Mansion, forbidden to leave.
Lv Guan later explained to Liu Changsheng the harsh conditions of the Reflection Room, which was used for royal family members and was more severe than a typical prison, inflicting mental torture through extreme cold, isolation, and deprivation. They realized that Lv Jing's only hope for release was the timely arrival of the locust plague to validate his prediction; any delay would prolong his suffering. Liu Changsheng was restless with worry for Lv Jing.
Separately, Chu Ge shared drinks with Lv Ke, celebrating their success but also advising him to continue pressuring Lv Jing to ensure he could not recover. News spread quickly. Within a day, many ministers began submitting memorials to impeach Lv Jing, some demanding his execution to calm public outrage. Lv Hou fueled the Emperor's anger with vivid descriptions of farmers' protests and self-harm. The Emperor, furious, ordered Lv Hou out but kept Lv Ke.
Lv Ke offered a more tempered suggestion: temporarily strip Lv Jing of his military power and title and send him away to a fiefdom to recover until public anger subsided, then recall him later. The Emperor reluctantly agreed. Liu Changsheng understood the precarious situation and realized that anyone who publicly supported Lv Jing now would be seen as challenging the Emperor, potentially worsening Lv Jing's fate. Lv Ke, aware of this, cunningly used Ru Jing's genuine affection for Lv Jing.
Ru Jing contacted her grandfather and planned to go to the palace with him and Liu Changsheng to plead for Lv Jing's release. However, Liu Changsheng explained she was confined and could not leave the mansion, stating that the Prince Qin's Mansion could not afford a second act of defiance. Ru Jing was sharply critical, questioning why Liu Changsheng hadn't stopped Lv Jing the day before and stating that Liu Changsheng should not have come to Great Tang.
Liu Changsheng was left speechless. Later, Chu Ge visited Liu Changsheng, gloating about Lv Jing's situation and his impending banishment to a fiefdom (mentioning that she suggested the plan). She then subtly hinted at potential dangers during Lv Jing's journey, speculating whether the guards would be diligent or if someone might try to harm him. This veiled threat galvanized Liu Changsheng, who immediately decided to leave the mansion to warn Lv Jing, disregarding her confinement.
Chu Ge's maid noted that Liu Changsheng's maid Shenxing was not present with her usual companion Jinyan, implying Shenxing had gone somewhere else for help. Ignoring Jinyan's pleas and warnings about the capital crime, Liu Changsheng declared she would rather die with Lv Jing than live without him and left Prince Qin's Mansion. As she attempted to depart the city, she was intercepted by Chu Ge, who admitted she had lured her out.
Meanwhile, Shenxing had rushed to Princess Royal's mansion to seek aid from Lv Guan. At the Imperial Study, Lv Ke presented a distorted report to the Emperor, claiming Lv Jing was dissatisfied with the decree and had escaped on the way to his fiefdom, and that Princess Changsheng had stolen money and escaped the mansion, defying the imperial order. Enraged, the Emperor issued a decree ordering Lv Jing and Liu Changsheng to be captured alive.
At the same time, Lv Jing, accompanied by Youyong and Youmou, faced an ambush by assassins. They were attacked in the pouring rain by men ordered to kill Lv Jing for his disobedience. Despite the danger, Lv Jing's loyal guards urged him to flee for the sake of the larger cause. Outnumbered, they fought fiercely as they attempted to escape the pursuit in the heavy rain.
