General's Lady Episode 13 Recap
> General's Lady Recap
Early one morning, Shen Jin was already at her vanity when Chu Xiuming awoke. She explained she was applying makeup to avoid looking haggard, but Chu Xiuming, still believing she was terminally ill, misunderstood her words as a sign of her worsening condition. Worried, he questioned her, but Shen Jin playfully deflected, urging him to have breakfast. Later that evening, Chu Xiuming returned to find Shen Jin tasting various bitter medicinal herbs, retching from their taste.
His concern deepened, but Shen Jin insisted she was fine and that he was overthinking. Unconvinced and heartbroken by her supposed suffering, Chu Xiuming pulled her into a tight embrace, promising that he would always protect her, recognize her anywhere, and love her unconditionally, whether she was young or old. Touched, Shen Jin asked if he would always speak such sweet words to her, and he readily agreed.
Xiao Su later reported to Chu Xiuming that the ninth princess had a lover, a palace guard recently banished by the Emperor. Xiao Su noted the Emperor’s unusual leniency, which allowed the guard to live and the princess to leave the palace.
Connecting this information with Shen Jin's recent strange behavior, Chu Xiuming deduced her grand plan: she had been feigning illness not to test him, but as a cover to help the ninth princess elope, even risking her own life in the process. Realizing he had been played, Chu Xiuming decided to counter her scheme with a "ruse within a ruse."
Soon after, a distressed ninth princess rushed to Shen Jin, revealing that Chu Xiuming had arrested her lover, Su Chen, as an assassin. Believing all was lost, she despaired. Shen Jin immediately sought out Chu Xiuming, attempting to soften him with a playful offering of wine. Seeing through the act, Chu Xiuming demanded her true intentions. Shen Jin dropped the pretense and begged him to release Su Chen.
Chu Xiuming feigned ignorance, then slyly suggested Su Chen must be Shen Jin’s lover. When Shen Jin’s panicked reaction seemed to confirm it, he finally revealed he knew the truth all along: her plan was to help the ninth princess and Su Chen elope. Meanwhile, the Vice General, Chu Xiuyuan, still worried about rumors of Shen Jin's "incurable illness," questioned Meaty, who vehemently denied it.
Unconvinced, he took her to Doctor Li, who clarified that Shen Jin was not terminally ill but did suffer from irregular menstruation. Taking this to heart, Chu Xiuyuan confronted Chu Xiuming, earnestly advising him to cherish Shen Jin and care for her properly, calling her recovery a blessing. He sternly warned Chu Xiuming that if he drove Shen Jin away with his behavior, he would end up utterly alone.
Chu Xiuming acknowledged his words, promising to fulfill his duties after he finished surveying some terrain. Shen Jin then detailed her escape plan to Chu Xiuming: the princess would fake her death and be buried, after which Shen Jin would have her secretly exhumed. Chu Xiuming pointed out a major flaw, asking what she would do if the Emperor ordered the body moved to the imperial mausoleum.
As Shen Jin faltered, Chu Xiuming reassured her he had a solution, stating the plan would have to wait until the Double Ninth Festival. When she worried about the long wait, he hinted that managing such delays was her specialty. As preparations began, Meaty became utterly bewildered after delivering items, witnessing what appeared to be "two Generals" and "two Madams" in different places. She worried she was hallucinating from overeating or that her masters had "become spirits."
Xiao Su simply dismissed her confusion as a product of her imagination. The plan, a classic "golden cicada shedding its shell" ruse, was set. The ninth princess, dressed as Shen Jin, and Su Chen, dressed as Chu Xiuming, sat with the real couple. The princess expressed her profound gratitude for their help. As a parting gift, she gave Shen Jin a rouge box, explaining it was from a very close relative and that they may never meet again.
On the Double Ninth Festival, Chu Xiuming cleverly dismissed the ninth princess’s maid, claiming the mountain path was too rugged for her. He then had Su Chen, disguised as an attendant, escort the princess up the mountain, where they made their escape. The news sent to the Emperor was that the princess had tragically fallen from a cliff and died.
Overcome with grief, the Emperor ordered the matter handled quietly, secretly content that his daughter could now live the free life she desired. The dismissed maid, uncertain of the princess's fate, reported to a court official. Noting the Emperor’s lack of inquiry, the official had the maid silently disposed of to avoid complications. With the princess safely away, Shen Jin expressed her relief and gratitude for Chu Xiuming's trust.
Overhearing her, he playfully appeared and promised to support her in all things, urging her to confide in him. He then offered to do her makeup, vowing to do so for the rest of her life. Shen Jin handed him the rouge box from the princess. As he opened it, he noticed two faint lines of script: "Withered eyes gaze at mountains and water; the hollow space has known many a heart."
The word "hollow" reminded him of the jade seal in his study. Recalling the princess's words that the box was from a "very close relative," he fetched the seal and confirmed it was hollow. He had Xiao Su examine it, who identified the scent of a medicinal herb unique to the Eagle Clan. Realizing the profound connection, Chu Xiuming declared he would investigate personally.
He informed Shen Jin he would be leaving for the Eagle Clan's territory for a few days. Feigning sadness, Shen Jin playfully insisted on accompanying him to avoid the "three autumns of longing" from a single day's separation. Though concerned for her safety, Chu Xiuming eventually relented, arranging for Chu Xiuyuan to protect her and Meaty. He promised to meet them at the Pear Blossom Bistro once his business was done.
Upon arriving, Shen Jin and Meaty, protected by Chu Xiuyuan, excitedly explored the local market. Shen Jin bought snacks and trinkets, including a floral paper accessory she playfully compared on herself and Meaty. She also bought a pair of shoes for Chu Xiuming, and another for a protesting Chu Xiuyuan. Meanwhile, Chu Xiuming went to an apothecary and presented the medicinal powder from the seal, but the pharmacist did not recognize it.
