The Unexpected Marriage Episode 6 Recap
> The Unexpected Marriage Recap
Zhao, a military official, and Princess Guangde were admiring flowers. Zhao informed Guangde that he had official duties to transport salt to Yan State that afternoon and would not be able to spend time with her. He explained that His Majesty trusted the Changle Mansion with managing the Muyan Forest, and the refined salt being transported came from the trees there, a unique and essential resource for Fuyu.
As Zhao was preparing to depart from the Muyan Forest, Guangde's maid arrived in a panic, announcing that the Princess was missing. Guangde had insisted on making fish cakes for Zhao before he left, fearing he would miss hometown pastries, but she had disappeared, and only her shoes were found by the lake. The entire palace, including the Royal Guards, was searching for her. Zhao was worried but couldn't leave his duty.
Changsheng, the Changle County Princess, stepped forward and took charge of finding Guangde, telling Zhao to wait in the Muyan Forest until sunset for news. Changsheng and her attendant, Jinyan, hurried into the palace to search. Changsheng was visibly anxious during the search, even cutting her hand on a stone, but she continued looking. They eventually found Guangde hiding in a small kitchen where they used to play as children.
Guangde confessed she hid because she was afraid the Imperial Kitchen chefs would make the fish cakes for her. Changsheng gave Guangde a pair of shoes and urged her to come and see the King, who was extremely worried. Before meeting the King, Changsheng subtly signaled Guangde not to reveal the timing of events, particularly regarding Zhao's delayed departure for the salt transport.
Upon meeting the King, Guangde blamed him for sending Zhao away, mentioning she just wanted to make fish cakes. Just then, a messenger arrived with urgent news: heavy snow had caused the bridge to Yan State to collapse, making passage impossible. The King expressed relief that Zhao had likely crossed the bridge already, narrowly avoiding the disaster and potential delay to the salt transport.
Changsheng, excusing herself to return to the Muyan Forest to manage snow defense, exchanged knowing glances with Guangde, understanding the bridge collapse meant Zhao was now undoubtedly delayed. Changsheng brought Guangde to the Muyan Forest to see Zhao. Guangde offered him the fish cakes she made. Changsheng sternly told Guangde that delaying the salt transport was a serious crime punishable by death, not something the King would easily overlook.
Zhao, visibly distressed, stated that his life's purpose was to lead troops and defend the country, and if he couldn't do that, he'd rather be killed than retire. Changsheng asked Zhao to wait one night while she tried to find a solution. Guangde was sent back to the palace, with Changsheng emphasizing the need for secrecy regarding the delay. Meanwhile, Yi'an, the Envoy from Great Tang, discussed the situation with his subordinate, Youmou.
Youmou saw the broken bridge and potential delay in Fuyu's salt trade with Yan State as an opportunity for Great Tang, hoping it would cause friction between Fuyu and other states that rely on its salt trade, allowing Great Tang to conquer Fuyu. Yi'an acknowledged this but seemed preoccupied. Changsheng spent the night poring over maps, trying to find a solution.
Yi'an approached her, asking if she was worried about Zhao's salt transport and if she trusted him enough to share the burden. Changsheng admitted her worry but confessed the matter was too large, impacting the foundation of Fuyu and potentially implicating her own mansion if things went wrong. Yi'an, realizing she was relying on him, suggested an alternative: using the frozen river.
Changsheng pointed out the ice was too thick for boats, but Yi'an proposed fitting the salt carts with skates and using sails to slide them across the ice. He calculated the feasibility based on slope and wind direction, estimating the salt could reach Yan State in less than two days. Changsheng was greatly relieved and impressed by his ingenuity, thanking him and expressing renewed trust. She immediately instructed her attendants to prepare the sailing ice carts.
Having worked through the night, Changsheng was unwell. Yi'an found her tired and insisted she rest. He took it upon himself to go to the Muyan Forest to explain the plan to Zhao and oversee the preparations. Yi'an's subordinates, Youyong and Youmou, questioned his actions, wondering why he was helping Fuyu, suggesting he might be smitten with Changsheng.
Yi'an responded that if Fuyu became a tributary of Great Tang due to a salt crisis, Great Tang's trade relations with other states would need to be rebuilt, implying a complex strategic consideration beyond immediate conquest. Changsheng, having rested, felt stifled and wanted to go out. Yi'an initially advised her to rest, but she insisted on thanking him and her attendants for their help by hosting an outing.
They visited a local market, trying pumpkin candy, which Changsheng was fond of. Yi'an, though claiming not to like candy, enjoyed the process of making it, suggesting his appreciation for deliberate effort over simple consumption. Later, they observed Changsheng's attendants catching a bird in the snow, a game from Great Tang.
Changsheng persuaded them to release it, arguing that denying its freedom for a momentary pleasure was wrong, and that the bird had its own instinct to find food and shelter. Yi'an suggested the cage might be a shelter in the harsh winter, leading to a philosophical exchange about fate, freedom, and whether external help is truly beneficial. Soon after, Zhao returned from Yan State, having successfully delivered the salt using Yi'an's method.
He reported to the King and then went to the Changle Mansion to express his gratitude. Guangde arrived at the mansion with medicine for Changsheng and overheard Zhao telling Changsheng that he felt he owed her a great debt and, if she didn't mind, he was willing to marry her. Overhearing this, Guangde became furious and ran out. Changsheng allowed Zhao to pursue her. Guangde confronted Zhao, demanding to know if his proposal was serious.
Zhao confirmed it was, but refused to marry her, despite her pleas and admission of love. She offered to ask her father, the King, not to send Changsheng for the peace-making marriage if that was the reason he felt obligated to marry Changsheng. Zhao could only tell her he truly couldn't marry her before leaving, leaving Guangde confused and heartbroken.
Changsheng later discussed the incident with Yi'an, explaining Zhao's true motive: Fuyu law stipulated that a Prince Consort could not hold an official position. Zhao, valuing his military career, could not marry Guangde because she was a Princess. Proposing to Changsheng, a County Princess, potentially allowed him to circumvent this rule and continue his military path, even if it meant sacrificing his feelings for Guangde. Changsheng understood Zhao's choice was between his career and love, leaning towards the former.
Yi'an observed that Changsheng seemed more concerned with protecting Zhao and Guangde from potential repercussions than with her own prospects. Changsheng countered, asking how he knew she wasn't just being selfish and finding excuses. Yi'an replied that he knew the kind of person she was. Guangde, still distraught and ill from the rejection, refused to eat. When Changsheng came to visit, Guangde accused her of deliberately hurting her and trying to take Zhao away.
Changsheng tried to reason with her, explaining that true love was about supporting the other person's happiness, not possessing them. Guangde, however, remained defiant and jealous. Later, Changsheng and Yi'an were together again. Changsheng still seemed troubled by the upcoming peace-making marriage. Standing before two throwing pots labeled "Peace-making Marriage" and "Zhao Huaibi," symbols of her choices, she decided to let fate decide. As she attempted to throw an arrow, she stumbled, and Yi'an instinctively caught her, causing them to fall into the snow together, sharing an accidental kiss.
