General's Lady Episode 17 Recap
> General's Lady Recap
During Prince Rui's birthday banquet, his daughters and their husbands gathered to offer congratulations. Shu and her husband were first to wish Prince Rui a long life and boundless happiness. Soon after, Shen Zi presented her father with a painting, claiming it was a famous piece and meticulously detailing its artistic merits. She subtly suggested that Chu Xiuming, being merely a general, lacked refinement and education.
Shen Jin was visibly annoyed by Shen Zi's thinly veiled insults, but Chu Xiuming calmly leaned in and whispered to her, asking her to trust him. As the painting was brought closer to Shen Jin, she dramatically tore it in half. A surprised Prince Rui was about to question her action when Chu Xiuming interjected, explaining that the painting was a forgery.
He pointed out that the artist Tong Douzi's distinctive forceful strokes were imperfectly replicated, with repetitive lines that a master wouldn't make. Furthermore, he noted that the paper was contemporary official Xuan paper, not the civilian paper of the previous dynasty, which proved it was fake. To compensate, Chu Xiuming instructed Meaty to present another scroll, which turned out to be the "Bamboo Sea and Autumn Wind" painting that Prince Rui had long sought.
Prince Rui was overjoyed, declaring that Shen Jin knew his heart best. Meanwhile, Shen Zi and her younger sister were furious, feeling publicly humiliated by Shen Jin and the unexpected wit of Chu Xiuming, who they realized was both brainy and brawny. Shen Zi, unable to contain her anger, decided to seek assistance from someone more formidable: Prince Rui's new concubine, Mother Bai, who was soon to return to the mansion.
She believed Mother Bai was ruthless enough to handle Shen Jin, describing it as "using another person to get rid of our adversary." A few days later, Mother Bai returned to the Prince's Mansion, and Prince Rui warmly welcomed her, acknowledging her pious prayers for his health and the mansion's peace. Shen Jin's mother, Princess Rui, attempted to greet Mother Bai as "sister," but Mother Bai pointedly ignored her.
Shen Jin then stepped forward to address Mother Bai, asserting her mother's greetings. Mother Bai, however, smugly stated that, by seniority, even General Chu Xiuming should address her as "Mother Bai," let alone Shen Jin. Despite her internal frustration, Shen Jin reluctantly bowed and uttered "Mother Bai" as instructed by her mother. Feeling like "a mean person holding sway," Shen Jin left, convinced Mother Bai was trouble.
Later, Shen Zi visited Mother Bai, offering her specially prepared snacks and profusely flattering her. Shen Zi praised Mother Bai's character and predicted she would soon manage the entire Prince's Mansion. She then subtly poisoned Mother Bai's ear against Shen Jin, alleging that Shen Jin, emboldened by her general husband, was arrogant and disrespectful, even hinting that Shen Jin might try to help her mother regain favor with Prince Rui.
Mother Bai, convinced by Shen Zi's words, resolved to subject Shen Jin to proper discipline and promptly dispatched her personal maid, Zhu'er, to snoop around Shen Jin's quarters. Meaty observed Zhu'er peeking into their room, realizing that Mother Bai had quickly begun to act against them. That evening, Shen Jin confided in Chu Xiuming about her frustration with Mother Bai, describing her as a snobbish former songstress.
Chu Xiuming advised Shen Jin to control her temper to avoid trouble for her mother and even suggested moving out if she was unhappy. Shen Jin, however, worried about leaving her mother alone. She then playfully accused men of being greedy for multiple wives and teased Chu Xiuming about how many concubines he planned to take. Chu Xiuming reassured her, affirming that he needed only her in his life and that her "monkey business" was charming.
He affectionately called her his "little demon." The following morning, as Shen Jin was having breakfast, Zhu'er arrived, claiming Mother Bai had sent pastries for all the young ladies and wished to observe them eating to gather feedback. Shen Jin tried to refuse politely, but Zhu'er insistently pleaded, citing severe punishment if she failed. Zhu'er even implied Shen Jin was refusing because she suspected foul play with the pastries.
Meaty "accidentally" dropped the plate, hoping to end the interaction, but Zhu'er immediately produced another portion. Just then, Chu Xiuming entered. He tasted the pastry, found it sweet and palatable, but told Zhu'er that his wife, Countess Yongning, did not like sweet food and requested Mother Bai not to send any more in the future. After Zhu'er left, Shen Jin expressed concern that the pastries might contain harmful substances.
Chu Xiuming calmed her, stating that those who scheme openly, like Mother Bai, are less dangerous than those who act with a smile while plotting in secret. Soon after, Prince Rui announced that His Majesty had bestowed several pieces of cloth upon the mansion for the young ladies, along with a tailor for custom fittings. At the selection, Shu's husband showed no interest in choosing fabric, complaining about women's frivolousness before leaving to study.
Shen Zi, trying to assert her status, hinted that Shu's marriage, despite appearances, was unhappy and empty, advising Jing not to envy it. When it came to selecting fabrics, Shen Zi tried to claim a beautiful blue piece that Chu Xiuming had pointed out would suit Shen Jin. Jing then feigned meekness and asked for the same fabric, playing on the family's kindness.
Although Shen Jin was about to protest, Chu Xiuming subtly intervened, graciously allowing Jing and Shen Zi to take the chosen fabrics for themselves, citing the importance of maintaining harmony within the mansion over mere trifles. Shen Jin later questioned his politeness, but Chu Xiuming explained it was to avoid gossip. To compensate for Shen Jin missing out on the imperial fabrics, Chu Xiuming took her to the capital's best fabric store.
On their way, Chu Xiuming openly held Shen Jin's hand, to her slight embarrassment, but he teasingly reminded her of his bolder displays of affection in the frontier markets. While shopping, Shen Jin suggested they buy white fox fur for Shu, explaining that as a concubine's daughter, she rarely received imperial gifts, but Shu, as the eldest, always shared her portions with her. They purchased three white fox furs for Shu and Shen Jin's mother.
Returning from the market, Shen Jin noticed Zhu'er rushing into an inn. Later, as they arrived back at the Prince's Mansion, Shen Jin saw Zhu'er assisting Mother Bai, confirming Mother Bai had also visited the same inn, which struck Shen Jin as peculiar. Meanwhile, Shu was discovered holding an undergarment, visibly distressed, which she quickly hid as Shen Jin entered. Shen Jin then presented Shu with the white fox furs, genuinely delighting her eldest sister.
Soon after, Imperial Physician Wang arrived at Princess Rui's request to check Shu's pulse. He advised Shu to relax and avoid anger, reassuring her that her health would improve and she would have more children. Shen Jin then asked Imperial Physician Wang to check her own pulse for signs of pregnancy. After examining Shen Jin, the physician remained silent. Sensing something amiss, Chu Xiuming also offered his wrist.
The Imperial Physician checked both their pulses, sighing repeatedly, leaving Shen Jin increasingly perplexed and wondering if she and Chu Xiuming had contracted some strange illness or were unable to conceive.
