General's Lady Episode 22 Recap
> General's Lady Recap
A disagreement arose between Shen Jin and Chu Xiuming regarding Chu Xiuyuan. Shen Jin accused Chu Xiuming of interfering by forcing Ruonan to push Chu Xiuyuan away, causing him immense pain. Despite Chu Xiuming declaring his decision final, Shen Jin asserted her own resolve. Believing Chu Xiuyuan's affections for Ruonan were clear, and since he had no parents to act on his behalf, Shen Jin decided she would propose marriage for him the very next day.
Shen Jin questioned Ruonan about the heavy burdens she carried as an unmarried woman. In response, Ruonan challenged Shen Jin, asking if she was curious why her fabric store offered a long-term 20% discount. Intrigued, Shen Jin agreed to accompany Ruonan to a secret location. Ruonan led her to a remote village filled with the elderly and children, all of whom were grateful recipients of her support.
They explained that Ruonan had taken them in after their family members, who worked as escorts, died or were injured without earning much. Ruonan then recounted how, after leaving the capital years ago, she was cared for by an escort team. As these escorts and their families aged, she brought them to this village and established her fabric store. By having able-bodied villagers escort and deliver goods themselves, she saved on transportation costs, allowing her to offer lower prices.
She emphasized that this was not charity; everyone capable contributed, enabling them to support themselves and their families with dignity. Shen Jin was deeply moved and ashamed, realizing that while she had also become wealthy from humble beginnings, she had only considered her own well-being, whereas Ruonan carried the welfare of an entire community.
Shen Jin declared that Ruonan was doing something truly great, so much so that not only Chu Xiuyuan but even her own husband did not deserve her. Ruonan admitted to having feelings for Chu Xiuyuan but stated her primary focus was to help more people escape poverty. Back at the General's Mansion, Shen Jin continued to praise Ruonan as her new role model, proclaiming she had finally found meaning in her life.
This adoration greatly irked Chu Xiuming, who, feeling neglected, decided it was time to reassert his authority as her husband. The playful but tense exchange quickly escalated, with Chu Xiuming biting her, fueling Shen Jin's accusation that he was jealous and revealing his "wild nature." Later, when Chu Xiuyuan approached Shen Jin, she used a tea analogy to subtly deter him from pursuing Ruonan.
She explained that just as fine tea requires a fitting teapot, Ruonan, with her grand ambitions and immense responsibilities, was a woman far beyond his current standing. Shen Jin urged him to give up, but Chu Xiuyuan remained unwavering, declaring his commitment to winning Ruonan's affection. Chu Xiuming later visited Shen Jin's fabric store, concerned for her well-being.
A shop assistant informed him that Shen Jin had gone to Ruonan's store across the street to discuss business and had not returned. Chu Xiuming found Shen Jin there, offering Ruonan snacks and behaving with an intimacy as if they were already becoming family. He confronted her, accusing her of neglecting her own business to please a competitor.
The argument escalated when he brought up her matchmaking, declaring that Ruonan, a commoner, was not a suitable match for his lieutenant, Chu Xiuyuan. Shen Jin fiercely defended Ruonan and retorted that if status mattered so much, then she, a former commoner herself, was also an unsuitable match for a great general like him. The heated exchange continued, prompting Ruonan to urge them to leave the public space. Defiantly, Shen Jin asserted that her past was an unchangeable fact.
Frustrated, Chu Xiuming threatened to close her store if she continued to be stubborn. That night, Shen Jin insisted on sleeping in separate beds. Chu Xiuming, exhausted by court affairs, expressed his weariness of always having to coax her after their disputes, prompting Shen Jin to tell him not to bother. Meaty and Xiao Su, enjoying a quiet moment, observed Shen Jin and Chu Xiuming leaving their residence at separate times, confirming they had fought.
Meaty, accustomed to their quarrels, reassured Xiao Su that the couple would reconcile, while Xiao Su expressed his hope that their own future would be free from such disputes, vowing that nothing was more important to him than Meaty. Shen Jin later went to Ruonan's fabric store, where she became intoxicated and lamented the societal expectation for women to be endlessly generous. When Chu Xiuming arrived to take her home, a volatile argument ensued.
He expressed his exasperation with Ruonan's influence on both Shen Jin and Chu Xiuyuan, telling them to keep their distance from her. Chu Xiuyuan then appeared, attempting to mediate, but Chu Xiuming's anger only intensified. As the argument reached its peak, Shen Jin, in a drunken fit, dared Chu Xiuming to divorce her as he had threatened before. Enraged, Chu Xiuming accepted her challenge and stormed out, declaring she should not return home.
Shen Jin, shocked into partial sobriety, was left dazed and wandering the streets, unsure of where to go. After Shen Jin's departure, Chu Xiuyuan remained with Ruonan. He offered her a bottle of medicinal wine for sprains, expressing his unwavering commitment and promising to always be by her side, willing to bear any difficulties with her. Shen Jin returned to Prince Rui's Mansion that night, tearfully embracing her mother, Side Concubine Chen, and expressing how much she had missed her.
Unbeknownst to Shen Jin, Chu Xiuming had followed her the entire way. The next morning, Shen Zi, upon hearing of Shen Jin's return, eagerly approached her to mock her. However, Shen Jin, using her status as Countess Yongning, skillfully turned the tables, asserting her authority and reminding her sister of her place. Meanwhile, Xiao Su reported to Chu Xiuming on his investigation into the fire at the Eighth Prince's Mansion years ago.
He confirmed that all occupants had perished, with rumors implicating the current Emperor. Chu Xiuming revealed his personal connection, as his aunt was the Eighth Princess Consort, and he sought the truth of her death. Xiao Su, however, defended the Emperor, describing him as a clear-sighted and wise ruler, despite appearing to be swayed by treacherous officials. Later, Chu Xiuming dispatched Meaty to Prince Rui's Mansion with Shen Jin's belongings.
He also personally visited Side Concubine Chen, reassuring her that Shen Jin was merely having a tantrum and that he found her occasional stubbornness endearing, planning to reconcile with her once she calmed down. However, when Shen Jin later found Meaty with Xiao Su, Meaty revealed the harsh truth: Chu Xiuming was furious and had sent Meaty away because her face reminded him of Shen Jin's, and he did not wish to see it. This blunt explanation further deepened Shen Jin's distress.
