The Unexpected Marriage Episode 23 Recap
> The Unexpected Marriage Recap
In Xiuwen Hall, Lv Guan was deeply engrossed in reading "Collection of Jokes," her laughter echoing frequently. Princess Changsheng and Lv Jing, hoping to facilitate a romance, came to inquire if Xiao Zilv had said anything to her recently. As if summoned, Xiao Zilv arrived. Changsheng and Lv Jing quickly concealed themselves behind a pillar. Xiao Zilv, usually eloquent, became flustered, unable to voice his proposal. Lv Guan, perhaps sensing his nervousness or giving him space, moved to the garden.
Changsheng and Lv Jing emerged and urged Xiao Zilv to pursue her. Xiao Zilv followed Lv Guan to the garden, still visibly nervous and struggling to speak more than simple affirmations. He commented on the scenery and pointed out twin lotuses. Lv Guan found his awkwardness amusing. Finally, gathering his courage, Xiao Zilv took out a jade pendant.
He explained its significance, stating it belonged to his mother, who had split it in two to give one piece each to him and his sister, Jin. He asked Lv Guan if she would accept his jade pendant and, after fumbling over the words, if she would marry him. At that moment, the Emperor appeared behind Changsheng and Lv Jing, who were watching the scene unfold. The Emperor, eager for his sister Lv Guan's marriage, urged her not to hesitate.
Lv Guan then accepted Xiao Zilv's proposal, agreeing to marry him. Meanwhile, in Prince Song's Mansion, Yiyi, Prince Song Lv Hou's consort, debated over wedding gifts for Princess Changsheng and Prince Qin Lv Jing. She admired several items, including a night pearl and a Hetian jade pendant, finding them all suitable but reluctant to part with any of them as she had acquired them for Lv Hou. Lv Hou suggested seeking advice from his brother, Lv Ke.
Yiyi immediately objected, strictly forbidding Lv Hou from associating with Lv Ke further. She perceived Lv Ke as a negative influence who had manipulated Lv Hou and warned him that further contact would only lead to him being exploited. Lv Ke found himself isolated after losing power; the officials who once courted him now avoided him. He expressed frustration about their ingratitude to a companion. Chu Ge, his consort, entered and pledged her lifelong devotion to him.
Lv Ke harbored suspicions that Chu Ge might abandon him too. He had overheard her instructing a servant to pawn their valuables in batches for travel the next day, specifically telling the servant to keep it secret from him, leading him to believe she was planning to leave him. Later, during a private moment, Lv Ke offered Chu Ge wine. She remarked on its strong scent, suggesting it might make her too tipsy to speak her mind.
She then reminisced about their past, recalling how Lv Ke had saved her in the Royal Garden years ago when she was a young girl caught picking flowers, stating that from that moment, her heart had been attached to him and her life belonged to him. Despite her clear devotion, Lv Ke remained fixated on his rivalry with Prince Qin Lv Jing, speaking of his desire to eliminate him but acknowledging they had lost.
He refused to back down, vowing to fight even to the death rather than accept defeat in disgrace. Chu Ge, reaffirming her love and desire for him to live safely, declared that she would undertake the dangerous "fight to the death" path herself, for his sake. Anticipation built for the upcoming double wedding. Guests arrived at Prince Qin's Mansion. Princess Changsheng was joyfully reunited with her parents, her sister Jin, and her friend Guangde.
Her parents commented happily on her appearance, seeing that she was well cared for in Great Tang. Jin mentioned her husband Xie Lin's strictness and how Guangde had helped persuade him to allow her to travel for the wedding. Guangde also noted that Lv Jing was marrying Princess Royal Lv Guan, remarking on his past ambition to marry a princess. Changsheng's mother presented her with a wedding gift from Sheng Tiangang, advising her to only open it in an emergency.
A celebratory feast was prepared. On the wedding day at Prince Qin's Mansion, Guangde intercepted Lv Jing before he could easily collect Princess Changsheng. She insisted on a challenge, suggesting riddles composed by Changsheng herself, finding poetic duels too dull. Lv Jing agreed. The first riddle asked why swallows fly south in autumn; Lv Jing guessed incorrectly, the answer being their slow speed on the ground.
The second asked what cloth and paper feared; again, Lv Jing's guess was wrong, the answer being a pun about anticipating disaster. Having failed both riddles, Guangde playfully suggested the wedding couldn't proceed, but Changsheng chimed in, joking about her struggle to finally get married, to which Lv Jing replied he had worked hard to marry her. Meanwhile, Princess Royal Lv Guan chose Xiuwen Hall as the location for her wedding ceremony with Xiao Zilv.
Upon his arrival, Lingzhi relayed Lv Guan's message: her choice of location had three reasons – it was where they shared the most memories and their favorite place. The third reason was a request for his most valuable item. Xiao Zilv considered this carefully. Lingzhi returned to Lv Guan, who eagerly asked what he had given. He had written "A promise," which Lv Guan felt was indeed the most precious item. The double wedding ceremony commenced.
During the proceedings, it was noted that Prince Song, Lv Ke, was absent. Later, Lv Ke awoke in a carriage, finding his hands tied. Furious, he broke free, leaped out, seized a sword, and angrily demanded an explanation, accusing his attendants of conspiring with "that wretch." His attendants explained that Chu Ge had ordered them to pawn their property and escort him safely outside the border.
They clarified that Chu Ge did this knowing her own mission was likely a suicide mission and she feared being a burden to him. They implored him to leave quickly for his safety. Lv Ke reacted with disbelief and anger, recalling Chu Ge's stated devotion and their shared past, including a promise to view rhododendrons together. At the wedding reception in Prince Qin's Mansion, guests celebrated. Yiyi and Lv Hou toasted the newlyweds, expressing hope for a good relationship.
Chu Ge arrived late, apologizing for her tardiness and the absence of Lv Ke, stating he had "important matters." Lv Jing greeted her but privately instructed Youmou to closely watch Chu Ge, suspecting her intentions were not friendly. Other guests whispered about Chu Ge being alone and the strained relationship between her and Lv Ke. Lv Jing mentioned his surprise for Changsheng was still to come. Chu Ge offered to perform a play, revealing she had studied opera.
She then sang a short piece with unsettling, ominous lyrics about death and spirits, disturbing some of the guests. After her performance, she made a chilling comment hinting at sending someone to death shortly. Immediately, black-clad figures attacked the reception. Lv Jing, Youyong, and Youmou fought to defend themselves and the guests, who were quickly incapacitated, likely by a substance like the "fireworks" smell mentioned earlier. Despite their skill, the attackers were numerous.
Lv Jing was wounded by a sword and injured in the back. Chu Ge seized Ru Jing and held her hostage. Just as the situation escalated, the Royal Guards arrived, forcing the attackers to retreat. In the aftermath of the chaos, Lv Jing was shown urgently calling for medical attention for Yi'an, who was injured. Amidst his concern, a memory flashed of Changsheng agreeing to be his support, symbolized by a nose scratch signal, reinforcing their bond in times of danger.
