General's Lady Episode 15 Recap
> General's Lady Recap
Following Chu Xiuyuan and Shen Jin's capture, Chu Xiuming left his loyal maid, Meaty, with a crucial instruction: if he did not return by nightfall, she was to immediately go back to the mansion and inform Leopard Head. He then proceeded alone to a secluded bamboo grove, prepared for the gravest outcome. Deep within the grove, Hute, accompanied by his warriors, held Shen Jin and Chu Xiuyuan captive.
Hute’s fury was palpable as he confronted Chu Xiuming, demanding retribution for his father, Bartel, who was slain by Chu Xiuming on the battlefield. Chu Xiuming calmly acknowledged he had killed Bartel, but explained it was an act of self-preservation during war. He recounted that six months prior, while patrolling the border with only twenty soldiers, Bartel had ambushed him with fifty elite warriors, killing over a dozen of his men.
Chu Xiuming and his remaining seven soldiers had to fight their way out, and with Bartel in relentless pursuit, killing him was the only way to save his own comrades. Hute, however, refused to listen, blinded by vengeance and insisting on "a life for a life." Chu Xiuming then posed a poignant question: his own mother was killed by the Eagle tribe, and his father died protecting him from them. Should he, too, seek revenge by slaughtering all Eagles?
He argued that the hard-won peace, bought with the blood of countless soldiers from both sides, was not meant to perpetuate hatred but to allow for a better, more peaceful life. If his death could bring lasting peace and allow Hute to relinquish his hatred, Chu Xiuming offered his life without hesitation. As Hute raised his blade, Princess Maya, an old acquaintance of Chu Xiuming, intervened.
She admonished Hute, stating that his actions were improper now that the war had ceased and warned that she would report him to her father, the king, causing Hute to back down. Chu Xiuming then gently approached Hute, explaining that war had claimed loved ones from both sides, but harboring hatred would only spread further suffering. Moved by his words, Hute released Shen Jin and Chu Xiuyuan.
Later, in a joyous gathering, Princess Maya and her husband, Yuan'er, shared that she was pregnant. As everyone celebrated, Chu Xiuming recalled his investigation and asked Princess Maya to recommend an experienced Eagle pharmacist. The next day, a pharmacist identified the substance he had found as "Sky Lantern Flower," a plant used for detoxification and promoting healing.
Realizing this plant had no connection to the Eighth Prince's death and that no further clues would be found at the border, Chu Xiuming decided he must find a way to return to the imperial court. Meanwhile, Tarou approached Chu Xiuyuan, but he gently rejected her, admitting he did not reciprocate her feelings.
He explained that he had witnessed the profound love between Chu Xiuming and Shen Jin—a love so deep Chu Xiuming was willing to die for his wife—and he did not feel such intensity for Tarou. Feeling abandoned, Tarou lamented that her own brother, Hute, did not truly want her.
Chu Xiuyuan tried to persuade her to trust her brother, sharing that he had lost his own family and envied those who had one, emphasizing that Hute's strictness was a form of protection. Tarou dismissed his words as excuses. Hute, reflecting on Chu Xiuming's words, was beginning to let go of his hatred when he found a note from Tarou announcing her departure.
Panicked, he rushed to Chu Xiuming's quarters and, finding Chu Xiuyuan there, accused him of taking her away. Chu Xiuyuan clarified that he had refused Tarou's request to leave with him. Enraged, Hute challenged Chu Xiuyuan to a fight, but Chu Xiuming intervened, urging them to focus on finding Tarou. They quickly organized a search. Hute eventually found Tarou perched high on a city wall.
He angrily scolded her for running away, but Tarou burst into tears, accusing him of always yelling and never truly caring for her. She felt abandoned by everyone and declared her intent to leave permanently. Chu Xiuyuan tried to console her, reminding her that her brother had been frantic with worry. Realizing the impact of his harshness, Hute apologized, admitting that his father had raised him with sternness and he didn't know how else to express his care.
He promised to change and begged her not to leave, reminding her that she was his only family. Tarou made him swear on their father's name to never yell at her again and, most importantly, to let go of their hatred. Hute solemnly agreed. With their family ties mended, Princess Maya, Yuan'er, Hute, and Tarou gathered to bid farewell to Chu Xiuming's party.
Hute expressed his respect for Chu Xiuming, acknowledging that the war was the true enemy and that letting go of hatred was a form of self-forgiveness. As they departed, Tarou playfully called out to Chu Xiuyuan, claiming she hadn't really liked him and then cheekily told him to reconsider marrying her. Back at the General's Mansion, Chu Xiuming received secret reports that several ministers had petitioned the Emperor to investigate him for embezzling army pay.
Seeing an opportunity, he decided to use their accusations to his advantage. He instructed Xiao Su to create a fake ledger detailing five years of accounts, fabricating evidence of embezzlement and falsifying soldier numbers. His plan was to have Xiao Su deliver the incriminating ledger to the Emperor, forcing a recall to the capital where he could expose his true enemies and attend to other critical matters.
That evening, Shen Jin surprised Chu Xiuming by wearing a vibrant Eagle tribe costume. He was captivated and, noticing her bare feet were cold, tenderly warmed them. He then presented her with a beautiful jade pendant, a cherished gift from his late aunt who had doted on him as a child. He confessed that his aunt had died under mysterious circumstances, and he was determined to clear her name.
The pendant, he explained, was meant for the woman he wished to protect for a lifetime. Deeply moved, Shen Jin assured him that she was now his family and would never let him face his burdens alone. Chu Xiuming confessed that before meeting her, he was the cold "Demon General," but she had warmed his heart and made him feel human again. In the following days, preoccupied with his plans, Chu Xiuming tasked Chu Xiuyuan with accompanying Shen Jin.
Shen Jin quickly grew reliant on his help, from running errands to making dumplings for Chu Xiuming. Meaty observed their growing proximity with concern, cautioning Shen Jin about maintaining proper boundaries and revealing that Chu Xiuyuan had even inquired about Shen Jin's irregular menstruation out of concern. Stung by the realization that Chu Xiuming had delegated her care so completely, Shen Jin felt forgotten and immediately set off for the military camp to confront him.
She burst into his tent, where he was discussing his plan with Xiao Su, and accused him of neglecting her and entrusting her to his subordinate without regard for her feelings or potential gossip. To her irritation, Chu Xiuming began to laugh. He then revealed the truth: Chu Xiuyuan was his younger brother, making him Shen Jin's brother-in-law.
Chu Xiuming explained that Chu Xiuyuan was the secret orphan of the late Eighth Prince, who had been the Crown Prince, and his own aunt, the Crown Princess. Years ago, their mansion mysteriously burned down, killing everyone except the infant Chu Xiuyuan, who was rescued and secretly raised by Chu Xiuming's father. Since his parents' deaths, Chu Xiuming had been investigating the fire to restore Chu Xiuyuan's identity and clear his aunt's name.
Stunned, Shen Jin’s anger turned to empathy, and she vowed to stand by him, protect their secret, and bear the heavy burden with him. Grateful, Chu Xiuming told her he had one more gift for her: he was taking her back to the capital to reunite with her mother.
