General's Lady Episode 26 Recap
> General's Lady Recap
Chu Xiuming, upon hearing his wife, Shen Jin, had been convicted by His Majesty and that Prince Rui's Mansion was locked down, immediately ordered his horse to be prepared to return to the Imperial City. Meanwhile, in prison, Shen Zi vehemently blamed Shen Jin for their plight, stating that Shen Jin had dragged the entire family down.
Shen Jin's mother comforted her, asserting it wasn't Shen Jin's fault, as she had been unwilling to marry far away in the first place, and that the general would surely come to rescue them. Shen Jin expressed concern for her unborn child.
Outside the prison, Meaty, clutching a deed of gift from Shen Jin, lamented that she wished she was the one imprisoned, confessing that her previous claims of not wanting to suffer with Shen Jin were not her true feelings. Xiao Su reassured her that he would do his utmost to help Shen Jin and that Chu Xiuming would soon return, securing Shen Jin's release.
After returning, Chu Xiuming immediately sought Xiao Su's help to gain access to the prison and see Shen Jin. Despite imperial orders forbidding visitors, Chu Xiuming insisted. Inside the cold prison cell, Shen Jin was speaking to her unborn child, promising it delicious food once they were free. Chu Xiuming entered and addressed her as "Jin," bringing tears to her eyes as the recent days' hardships overwhelmed her.
Shen Jin, though relieved to see him, asked why he was late, and he apologized for the delay. She assured him she was well-fed and rested, and felt no fear with him by her side. She professed her love for him, calling marrying him the best choice she ever made.
Chu Xiuming vowed to beg His Majesty for her pardon and pledged to get her out at all costs, reminding her of their dream to return to the frontier with their son. However, their reunion was cut short when Xiao Su alerted them that someone was approaching, forcing Chu Xiuming to leave hastily while Shen Jin tearfully urged him to go.
Xiao Su informed Chu Xiuming that the Emperor was furious due to courtiers speaking ill of him, especially after his unauthorized return to the Imperial City. Seeing that other officials were gloating, Chu Xiuming refused to wait any longer despite Xiao Su's warnings against impulsiveness, stating he intended to see the Emperor.
Knowing the Emperor would refuse an audience, Chu Xiuming sought help from Lord Situ, who, despite acknowledging the increased risks due to imperial favor and jealousy, agreed to intercede for his sister. Chu Xiuming pleaded with the Emperor to release Shen Jin, offering to take all the blame himself, but the Emperor angrily refused, unwilling to condone the crime of deceit and warning Chu Xiuming not to ruin his family's reputation for one woman.
Upon learning that the Emperor would not release Shen Jin, Chu Xiuming, with Chu Xiuyuan and Xiao Su's help, orchestrated a prison break. Shen Jin initially resisted, fearing she would implicate Chu Xiuming and Prince Rui's Mansion further, but her mother, present in the prison, implored her to leave for the sake of her child.
During the jailbreak, Shen Zi screamed for guards, but Prince Rui, enraged, silenced everyone from his mansion, warning that anyone who spoke of the night's events would no longer be considered part of his family, a desperate attempt to protect Shen Jin. Chu Xiuming, Chu Xiuyuan, and Shen Jin fled. Shen Jin, fearing she would implicate Chu Xiuming, suggested she return, but he reassured her he had a plan.
Chu Xiuyuan proposed they quickly leave the city before dawn, where Ruonan would be waiting. As they made their escape, they were confronted by black-clad assailants. In the ensuing fight, Chu Xiuming sustained an injury. They managed to evade their pursuers and, with Shen Jin concealed within a wagon, passed through the city gates. Lord Liu, investigating the escaped prisoner, questioned a guard about a suspicious mark on his arm, remaining unaware of the fugitives' passage.
After their harrowing escape, Shen Jin felt unwell due to the ordeal and her pregnancy. Outside the city, Ruonan met them and suggested they go to her secluded village, where a skilled physician named Mr. Hua resided. Chu Xiuming initially hesitated, concerned that their presence might endanger Ruonan's community, and asked Chu Xiuyuan about his alternative arrangement, which was two hours away, too long for Shen Jin's condition.
Both Ruonan and Chu Xiuyuan insisted that the hidden village was the best option, prioritizing Shen Jin's health. Shen Jin expressed her gratitude and guilt to Ruonan for the risk she was taking, but Ruonan brushed it off, asserting they were family. Upon arrival, Ruonan brought Shen Jin to her house while Chu Xiuming and Chu Xiuyuan waited outside, as Mr. Hua was a reclusive, mute, and deaf man whose face had been disfigured by a fire.
After Mr. Hua's examination, Ruonan informed Shen Jin that she was merely over-stressed and would recover after taking some medicine. Shen Jin then gently patted her stomach, relieved that her child was well. While Shen Jin rested, Chu Xiuming surveyed Ruonan's village, admiring her dedication to sheltering the disabled and homeless. He confessed to Chu Xiuyuan his regret for his past rudeness towards Ruonan, acknowledging her as a true heroine.
Chu Xiuyuan, however, dismissed the apology, stating that their past interactions had led to Ruonan accepting him. Chu Xiuming felt relieved to know Shen Jin was safe in the secluded village under Ruonan's care. He then pondered the identity of the black-clad attackers who had specifically targeted Shen Jin, suspecting a hidden orchestrator.
Chu Xiuyuan suggested laying low while Shen Jin recovered, but Chu Xiuming, refusing to be a fugitive, stated his commitment to keeping his promise of a stable life for Shen Jin and protecting both their families. Meanwhile, in the Imperial City, Lord Liu dismissed his black-robed assassins who had failed to capture Shen Jin, realizing his plan to force Chu Xiuming into rebellion by killing his wife would not be easily accomplished.
Shen Jin awoke from a nightmare where Prince Rui's family was executed. After taking Mr. Hua's medicine, Chu Xiuming came to check on her. She tearfully asked about her parents, expressing a desire to confess to the Emperor and take all the blame to protect her family and Chu Xiuming. He reassured her that Prince Rui, as a royal family member, would be safe and urged her to focus on her health, promising to handle everything outside.
To lift her spirits, Chu Xiuming took Shen Jin for a walk. They reminisced about their life at the frontier, their first meeting, and his unwavering love and protection for her. Shen Jin expressed a longing to return to their simple life at the border. Chu Xiuming reaffirmed his promise to protect her family and return to the border with their child once all was resolved.
During their walk, Shen Jin noticed a vibrant flower, and Chu Xiuming, upon picking it, observed a similar plant resembling the Sky Lantern Flower. He inquired with Ruonan and then Mr. Hua, learning it was called the Phoenix Flower. Unsure if it was related to the Eagles' Sky Lantern Flower, Chu Xiuming asked Ruonan, who frequently visited the Eagles for escort work, to investigate its connection.
Chu Xiuming reflected on a series of clues: Shen Jin's jade pendant, the ancient lock, the patterns on the letters leading to the Seal of the Eighth Prince, and the pollen from the Ninth Princess's verse, which he now realized was from the Eagles and possibly connected to the Phoenix Flower.
He deduced that a mysterious informant had painstakingly guided him through these clues, possibly through Prince Rui's Mansion due to the close relationship between Princess Rui and the eighth prince's wife, leading him to wonder if any of the eighth prince's family were still alive. His thoughts were interrupted by a shadow outside his window; he pursued it but found no one. Ruonan then arrived to inform him that the city was safe, as confirmed by Chu Xiuyuan's message.
She then assured Chu Xiuming that she would take good care of Shen Jin. Meanwhile, having failed to locate Shen Jin throughout the Imperial City, the Emperor ordered Lord Liu to search the General's Mansion, suspecting Chu Xiuming was harboring her there due to his suspicious silence. When Lord Liu arrived with soldiers, Meaty tried to block their entry, claiming the general was ill. Lord Liu attempted to enter Chu Xiuming's bedroom, but Chu Xiuming emerged himself, confronting Lord Liu and challenging whether the search was the Emperor's command or Lord Liu's personal vendetta.
