General's Lady Episode 25 Recap
> General's Lady Recap
Shen Jin awoke to find Chu Xiuming gone and, despite a momentary fear that he had left without a word, was reassured by her mother that he had gone to the palace. The Emperor held a farewell banquet for Chu Xiuming, who was to return to the frontier. During the banquet, ministers expressed concern about the treasury's emptiness, questioning if the soldiers would have to fight on empty stomachs against mere stragglers and suggested Chu Xiuming's journey was unnecessary.
Nevertheless, Chu Xiuming accepted the Emperor's order. Before his departure, Shen Jin gave him a jade pendant her mother had given her, urging him to return safely and quickly. After he left, Shen Jin found herself feeling emotional and sad, a side effect of her pregnancy, and wistfully wished she could still playfully bite him. At the frontier camp, Chu Xiuming discussed the military situation with Leopard Head.
Leopard Head reported that what was initially a small group of Eagles rebels with minimal power had recently merged with several other factions, significantly increasing their strength. He revealed that Princess Maya had sought their help, as the rebels aimed to seize control of the Eagles' regime. Leopard Head then inquired about Shen Jin, and Chu Xiuming confirmed she was pregnant and would return after the baby was born.
Overjoyed, Leopard Head congratulated him and eagerly went to share the good news with Xiao Cong and the others. Back in the Imperial City, the General's mansion was overflowing with congratulatory gifts from nobles and distant relatives, all eager to curry favor with Shen Jin, now the well-respected Lady of Count Yongning. Shen Jin remarked to her maid, Meaty, about their opportunistic behavior, contrasting it with the past when no one offered help during her family's hardship.
Bored from being confined to the mansion, Shen Jin received a visit from Ruonan, who brought a young girl to cheer her up. The girl presented Shen Jin with an adorable plant, explaining it was common in her village. Enthralled, Shen Jin convinced Ruonan to take her there, where they met Mr. Hua, the elderly man responsible for cultivating all the beautiful flowers in the village. While out, Shen Jin suggested visiting Ruonan's fabric shop.
She confessed to Ruonan that she had simply mentioned her own "Jin Fabric Shop" to the noble ladies visiting her, not expecting it would lead to such a boom in Ruonan's business. Witnessing the constant stream of customers, Shen Jin proposed merging their shops. She reasoned that since Ruonan was to marry Chu Xiuyuan, they would soon be family, and together they could secure the palace's fabric procurement and expand significantly. Ruonan agreed to the merger.
Chu Xiuyuan then appeared at the shop, expressing surprise at Shen Jin's presence, but she explained the merger would allow Ruonan to manage the business, easing her own worries while growing the enterprise. Upon returning home, Shen Jin's mother urgently pulled her away to Prince Rui's Mansion. There, a woman named Dan Qiao had arrived with a letter, claiming to be pregnant with Chu Xiuming's child and stating an officer had sent her to find the Countess Yongning for arrangements.
Maintaining her composure, Shen Jin questioned Dan Qiao, noting the oddity of her coming to Prince Rui's Mansion instead of Count Yongning's, suggesting an uncanny familiarity with the city's family connections for a newcomer. Shen Jin then tricked Dan Qiao by asking about a supposed birthmark on Chu Xiuming's left lower back. When Dan Qiao nervously claimed to have seen it, her lie was exposed, as Chu Xiuming has no such mark.
Dan Qiao confessed that someone had bought her out of a brothel, holding her indenture, and forced her to cause the commotion. Furious, Prince Rui ordered a painter to sketch the culprit, and the resulting portrait strongly resembled Mammy Liu from Shen Zi's quarters. Prince Rui berated Princess Rui for her lax oversight, while the Princess questioned Shen Jing if the incident was retaliation for a past slap, revealing deep-seated family tensions.
Shen Jin later explained that she had seen through the deception from the start, expressing her unwavering faith that Chu Xiuming would never betray her. The newly merged "Jin Fabric Shop" and "Ruonan Fabric" celebrated their grand opening under the new name "Fairview Fabric Shop" with lively fanfare and a discount. Shen Zi and Shen Jing arrived with gifts, but Shen Jin openly snubbed them, refusing the presents by suggesting they could bring misfortune to her unborn child.
Angered, Shen Zi departed, while Shen Jing remarked on Shen Jin's incredible rise in status. Meanwhile, news of Shen Jin's business reached the Emperor. Concerned by Chu Xiuming's military power combined with Shen Jin's growing financial influence, he worried about their potential to raise an army. To address this, the Emperor decided to host a banquet the following day, inviting Prince Rui's family to congratulate Shen Jin on her pregnancy.
In the carriage to the palace, Shen Jing manipulated Shen Zi, suggesting that if the Emperor learned Shen Jin had intentionally taken her place in the marriage, it would be a crime of deceiving the Emperor, which could ruin her. At the palace, while waiting for the Emperor, Shen Jin discussed her hope that her child would have the freedom to choose their own life and marriage with her elder sister, Shen Shu.
Shen Zi then confronted Shen Jin, insulting her mother as a "foot-washing maid," prompting Shen Jin to slap her. When the Emperor arrived, he announced Chu Xiuming's success in annihilating the rebels and bestowed the title of "Imperial Mandate Madame" upon Shen Jin. However, Shen Zi interrupted, proclaiming that Shen Jin had stolen the marriage and that she was the true Second Lady of Prince Rui's family.
Infuriated by the accusation of being deceived, the Emperor ordered the entire Prince Rui household to be imprisoned pending an investigation. As Shen Jin was led away, she quietly told her maid, Meaty, to find her indenture under the bed. She explained it was meant to be a wedding gift for Meaty and Xiao Su, but she was giving it to her now, advising her to treat Xiao Su well as he would be her only support.
Meanwhile, Shen Shu, now Young Mistress of Yongle Hou Mansion, prepared to return to her maiden home to manage affairs. Her husband was stopped from accompanying her by his mother, the Old Madam, who feigned illness. Knowing he wouldn't be coming, Shen Shu packed only her valuables. She refused a gift of money from the Old Madam and departed, shedding a tear as she looked back.
Shortly after, her husband intercepted her carriage, asking why she hadn't waited for him, bringing her a mix of sorrow and joy. Elsewhere, Lord Liu played chess with a mysterious cloaked figure. They discussed their successful scheme, anticipating that Chu Xiuming would be forced to defend his wife, leading the Emperor to punish him for protecting a criminal.
