General's Lady Episode 3 Recap
> General's Lady Recap
One morning, Chu Xiuming departed from a side gate, much to Shen Jin's delight. Seizing the opportunity, she hurried to the general's study to search for her jade pendant, turning the room upside down but finding nothing. Just then, the Vice General arrived in a hurry. He couldn't find Chu Xiuming and found Shen Jin there instead. He reported that the Eagles had attacked the city gate, and Leopard Head was leading the troops in defense.
He suspected some Eagles spies had already infiltrated the city. With Chu Xiuming absent, no one could make crucial decisions, and the General's absence was a dereliction of duty that could bring severe punishment from the imperial court. Shen Jin, understanding the gravity of the situation, quickly decided to take charge.
She proposed that the Vice General guard the city gate while she would defend the General’s Mansion and deal with any internal enemies, thereby buying time for Chu Xiuming’s return. Despite the Vice General’s concerns for her safety, Shen Jin insisted he follow her plan. Unbeknownst to them, Chu Xiuming, observing from afar, realized that Shen Jin was not a spy but someone sent by an ally to help him.
Inside the mansion, Eagles soldiers searched for Chu Xiuming, surprised to find someone in golden armor and a golden mask within the residence, immediately suspecting a trick. Shen Jin, knowing they had fallen for her ruse, attempted to draw the general's heavy sword as a show of force, but it was too heavy for her to lift. She quickly switched to her small pocketknife. The Eagles, interpreting this as a blatant act of disrespect, charged forward.
In her nervousness, Shen Jin blurted out, "This person is not Chu Xiuming!" inadvertently revealing her identity. Realizing her mistake as the Eagles soldiers intensified their attack. Just as Shen Jin was about to be overwhelmed, Chu Xiuming, armed with his sword, swiftly intervened, cutting down the Eagles soldiers with fierce precision. He then slowly approached the figure in golden armor, removed the mask, and revealed Shen Jin's face. Their eyes met, both relieved and aware of their narrow escape.
Thanks to Shen Jin’s quick thinking and delaying tactics, Chu Xiuming was able to return and defeat the remaining Eagles. That evening, the servants and staff gathered at the mansion to celebrate their victory. Shen Jin, drinking heavily, became visibly intoxicated. She wandered around looking for Chu Xiuming, eventually finding him in his room.
Shen Jin, in her drunken state, praised Chu Xiuming, expressing profound understanding for the heavy burden he carried daily—the cumbersome armor, the weighty sword, and the mask—all while fighting to protect the city. She felt a deep admiration for him, having experienced the weight of the armor herself. She then reminded him of her own significant contribution to defending the mansion, asserting her merit surpassed his and demanded his bed as a reward.
She complained that her own room felt like a "haunted house" while his was a "paradise" with soft bedding and ample space. Chu Xiuming, seeing her completely inebriated, reluctantly agreed, and Shen Jin promptly passed out. Chu Xiuming then had to find another place to sleep for the night.
Meanwhile, in the imperial court, a censor named Lord Liu reported to the Emperor that General Chu Xiuming was not in the city during the Eagles' raid, and it was his wife who had defended the General's Mansion. Lord Liu questioned how a mere woman could manage such a feat and suggested that Chu Xiuming, with his military power, might harbor rebellious intentions, fearing that his wife could be exploited.
The Emperor, after some consideration, decided against sending spies, instead dispatching a royal artist to observe and record the daily life of the "invincible general and his wife," believing this would reveal the truth without causing alarm. The next morning, Shen Jin awoke on the floor, startled to find the servants happily moving her belongings into Chu Xiuming’s room.
The servants, overjoyed by her presence, described the room as a veritable paradise and expressed their belief that she had brought life and laughter back to the otherwise dull mansion. They joyfully implied that since Shen Jin was the first wife allowed to reside in the General's room, their marriage would soon be consummated.
However, when Chu Xiuming arrived, he quickly clarified to Shen Jin that while he agreed to her moving in, he had no intention of sharing the bed. He stated their marriage was one of name only, with no actual intimacy. Shen Jin agreed with this arrangement but then challenged why she had to sleep on the chaise longue while he kept the large, soft bed.
Chu Xiuming explained that she had demanded to move in as her reward, and more importantly, if he were to move out, it would raise suspicion about their nominal marriage in the capital, potentially leading to dire consequences for both of them. They agreed to coexist in the room, with him on the bed and her on the chaise longue, defining strict boundaries not to be crossed.
Shen Jin, however, declared that all space in the room, excluding the bed itself, now belonged to her. Shen Jin noticed the household staff seemed much happier since she moved into Chu Xiuming's room. Curious, she asked Aunt Qingqiu about the rumors concerning the unnatural deaths of Chu Xiuming’s three previous wives.
Aunt Qingqiu dismissed these as mere rumors, clarifying that the general had never even met those wives in person, and Shen Jin was indeed the very first among his wives to live in his room. Later, when the royal artist arrived, Chu Xiuming introduced Shen Jin simply as "this is my wife." Shen Jin, annoyed by his lack of affection compared to his "devilish" behavior in their private disputes, decided to play a trick on him.
She asked Meaty to retrieve something, subtly implying her intention to tamper with his clothes to teach him a lesson. During the painting session, Chu Xiuming began coughing and sneezing, a result of Shen Jin’s prank. Shen Jin feigned deep concern, attributing his condition to overwork and a chill. She then took the opportunity to suggest that his spacious and soft bed was too luxurious for a general who must protect the country.
She advocated for him to sleep on the hard, narrow chaise longue instead, claiming it would help him "self-cultivate and temper his will." Chu Xiuming, however, wittily refused, stating he preferred to "degenerate" in comfort. In the days that followed, Shen Jin continued her mischievous attempts to vex Chu Xiuming.
When Meaty brought a basket of aromatic sweet potatoes, Shen Jin deliberately ate them in front of Chu Xiuming, playfully taunting him and reminding him not to "cross the border" into her designated space while he sat nearby, seemingly engrossed in a book. Later that evening, Chu Xiuming informed Shen Jin that she must attend the banquet for the artist, reminding her of her role as the mistress of the General's Mansion.
Shen Jin grumbled, complaining that she was already full because he hadn’t told her about the feast earlier. At the banquet, as Chu Xiuming was about to toast the artist, Shen Jin interrupted. Feigning concern for his health, she announced that Chu Xiuming had a severe cold and must eat lightly, presenting him with a bowl of her specially concocted herbal porridge. Despite Chu Xiuming's attempts to decline, claiming he felt better, Shen Jin insisted, securing the artist’s agreement.
She then proceeded to spoon-feed Chu Xiuming the peculiar-tasting porridge. In retaliation, Chu Xiuming declared that he was too unwell to enjoy the array of delicious dishes. Not being one to waste, he instructed Shen Jin to eat all the delicacies on his behalf. He then ordered the kitchen to prepare even more dishes, including two extra plates of Shen Jin’s favorite sweet potatoes, forcing her to consume a massive meal.
