General's Lady Episode 21 Recap
> General's Lady Recap
At Ruonan Fabric, Chu Xiuyuan visits Ruonan, asserting her confidence in winning the palace bid based on merit alone. He reassures her of the process's fairness and offers her a gift of valuable items. Ruonan initially declines, stating she has not earned such gifts and does not use cosmetics, but out of respect, she accepts only a hairpin. Chu Xiuyuan then helps her put it on, complimenting her appearance and causing Ruonan a rare moment of bashfulness.
Before Ruonan departs, Chu Xiuyuan apologizes for his previous abruptness and confesses his sincere affection for her, asking for a chance. Ruonan questions the nature of his feelings, asking if they are a fleeting whim or a true commitment to a lifetime with only her. Chu Xiuyuan earnestly assures her he is serious, having been drawn to her straightforward and loyal character. He expresses his sincere desire to marry her, promising to love and protect her always.
Ruonan, while acknowledging that he seems to understand her, points out that she knows nothing about his background or life. Chu Xiuyuan vows to tell her everything and proposes visiting her fabric shop daily so she can get to know him before making a decision. Ruonan agrees, asking only that he honor his word. Meanwhile, in the imperial palace, the Prime Minister reports to the Emperor on the army pay corruption investigation.
He has found clues suggesting a deliberate attempt to frame General Chu Xiuming, but notes the plot is so obvious it could even be a deceptive maneuver by the General himself. Troubled by the possibility of his trusted general's involvement, the Emperor orders a thorough, covert investigation to uncover the truth.
Separately, Chu Xiuming asks Xiao Su to use his connections to investigate if the fire at the Eighth Prince's Mansion was an accident or arson, a task Xiao Su accepts. At Jin'er Fabric Shop, business is booming after a 20% price reduction. However, Shen Jin grows suspicious seeing Chu Xiuyuan frequently visiting the rival Ruonan Fabric. She goes to investigate and finds Chu Xiuyuan notifying Ruonan that her shop is also a candidate for the palace bid.
When Shen Jin arrives, Ruonan challenges her to a fair competition. The conversation quickly escalates as Shen Jin accuses Ruonan of using predatory pricing that hurts other businesses. Ruonan defends her model of high-volume, low-margin sales. Their rivalry erupts into a price war, with each vowing to win the bid by offering increasingly steep discounts of 30%, 40%, 50%, and finally 60%, as Chu Xiuyuan tries in vain to mediate.
Later that evening, an enraged Shen Jin vents to Chu Xiuming, who soothes her and invites her for a moonlit walk. He reminisces about his time on the border but assures her that with her by his side, his location is irrelevant, a sentiment she shares. The next day, Chu Xiuming questions Chu Xiuyuan about his deep concern for Ruonan.
Chu Xiuyuan reveals that Ruonan is the girl who saved him from a fall years ago and declares his intention to marry her. Chu Xiuming strictly forbids it, citing Chu Xiuyuan's special status and important missions that leave no time for romance, especially with a commoner. Unmoved, Chu Xiuyuan insists his love is real and he is determined to marry her. Taking matters into his own hands, Chu Xiuming invites Ruonan to a teahouse.
Shen Jin, who was watching Ruonan's shop, follows her and is shocked to see her husband leaving the same establishment, immediately suspecting an affair. Inside, Chu Xiuming introduces himself as Shen Jin's husband and, on Chu Xiuyuan's behalf, demands that Ruonan stay away from him. He states that he has other plans for Chu Xiuyuan and cannot let him waste time on her.
Ruonan angrily asks if this is his demand or Chu Xiuyuan's, and when he confirms it is his own, she abruptly leaves. Shen Jin confronts her husband, who gives vague answers about his presence there. Still suspicious, she seeks out Ruonan. Furious over Chu Xiuming's interference, Ruonan vents to Shen Jin, telling her to control her husband and stop his meddling.
She dismisses the idea that childhood feelings could last so long as "absurd" and says her personal affairs are her own. Shen Jin, hearing this out of context, misinterprets it as the fallout of a lover's quarrel between Ruonan and Chu Xiuming, solidifying her belief that they are having an affair and that she might lose her husband as well as her business. Later, Chu Xiuyuan visits Ruonan with a bracelet, but she coldly rejects it.
She tells him to stop visiting, reversing her earlier promise to give him a chance. When he demands a reason, she cites their vast difference in social status. Though he offers to abandon his position for her, she dismisses it as a fleeting promise, cruelly adding that his presence annoys her and she has never had any feelings for him. Heartbroken, Chu Xiuyuan leaves. Dejected, Chu Xiuyuan finds a listless Shen Jin at her shop.
They share their troubles, and Shen Jin asks if a man can truly love his childhood sweetheart forever. She recounts what Ruonan said after meeting with Chu Xiuming, leading her to believe Ruonan is Chu Xiuming's childhood love. The pieces click into place for Chu Xiuyuan, who realizes Chu Xiuming's intervention is the cause of Ruonan's sudden rejection. Appalled by her husband's meddling, and despite their business rivalry, Shen Jin vows to help her brother-in-law reunite with Ruonan.
That evening, Chu Xiuming tries to apologize to Shen Jin with a gift, but she is not mollified. She demands that, as penance, he must agree to let Chu Xiuyuan marry Ruonan. Chu Xiuming flatly refuses, reiterating that Chu Xiuyuan has a special status and cannot be distracted by romance. Shen Jin calls out his hypocrisy, reminding him that he, a great general, is "wasting time" on her, his self-proclaimed "soft spot." She accuses him of unjustly causing both Chu Xiuyuan and Ruonan pain. The argument ends in a stalemate, with both husband and wife resolute in their positions.
