Jade's Fateful Love Episode 10 Recap
> Jade's Fateful Love Recap
Yueling carefully considered the people who were present at the East Courtyard on the day the painting was done, including Mr. Siyuan, Miss Su Nian, Miss Lingxi, and the South Prince. Thinking about the stolen account book, she concluded that the South Prince must be the one responsible and decided he should no longer be allowed into the mansion.
Despite his injuries, Zhou Zhixuan had himself carried to the palace gate, dramatically demanding to see the Emperor and threatening to end his life if he was not granted an audience. Once admitted, Zhou Zhixuan questioned the Emperor's judgment, arguing that Zhou Shiyu's punishment for his offense was far too light compared to his own, attributing this disparity to Zhou Shiyu being the lineal son while he was merely a concubine's son.
He vowed to petition the Emperor daily if he perceived a lack of impartial justice. The Emperor denied any favoritism, stating that both Zhou Zhixuan and Zhou Shiyu were vital to him, like his arms, and he would not willingly harm either. He reaffirmed his equal regard for both princes, noting that the South Prince had never lacked what the North Prince had. Unsatisfied with the Emperor's response, Zhou Zhixuan persisted.
The Emperor then proposed sending Zhou Shiyu to Liuzhou to manage disaster relief as a means to atone for his mistakes. Zhou Zhixuan found this arrangement acceptable and later expressed his satisfaction to Yang Xu, announcing plans to celebrate Zhou Shiyu's departure. When Qin Siyuan visited again to teach Yueling painting, she, having heard from Xingyi that Qin Siyuan was well-informed, asked him where she could acquire Qishang San.
She explained it was a special and effective wound medicine from Dongyu, needed for a friend. Qin Siyuan suggested that such a unique medicine might only be available at the West Market. They traveled there, finding the market somewhat quiet. A vendor confirmed they had the powder, stating the price was five taels of silver per bottle and the rule was payment first, then delivery. Yueling proceeded to purchase the medicine.
As Zhou Shiyu prepared to depart for Liuzhou, he inquired if Yueling had returned, noting that Lin Mu had visited her residence three times. Realizing she was not back yet and needing to leave before dark, he finalized his preparations. He instructed Lin Mu to pack the ointment Yueling had given him. Lin Mu suggested taking the potentially more effective Lingnan miracle ointment from Princess Luoyi instead, but Zhou Shiyu insisted on bringing Yueling's ointment.
He had even delayed his departure by half a day to wait for Yueling, but the long trip to the West Market meant she would not return in time. Shortly after, Yueling returned to the North Prince's Mansion with the Qishang San she had acquired, hoping to give it to Zhou Shiyu. Lin Mu informed her that Zhou Shiyu had already set off for Liuzhou.
Lin Mu also relayed that Zhou Shiyu had left strict instructions for him to follow all of Yueling's commands in his absence. Later, Yueling received a notice from the palace: the Great Consort was hosting a small gathering for her relatives to celebrate a nephew's birthday and had invited the North Princess Consort. Yueling began preparations to attend. Separately, at the House of Romance, Xingyi sought to visit Su Nian.
Lingxi informed him that Su Nian was unwell and unable to see visitors. Inside her room, Su Nian reflected that since they had obtained the account book, there was no longer a need to maintain the pretense of learning martial arts with Xingyi. Upon arriving at the palace banquet, Yueling was immediately subjected to taunts from Gao Luoyi and other princesses, who ridiculed Dongyu as a backward and barbaric state.
Yueling defended her homeland, listing its strengths and advising them to educate themselves before speaking to avoid making fools of themselves. Their mockery continued, focusing on her status as a princess sent for marriage and leaving her home. A maid then approached Yueling, informing her that the Great Consort wished to speak with her privately, explaining it was because the Great Consort cared for the North Prince and wanted to talk with his future consort.
Yueling followed the maid to a secluded, dimly lit area. Unexpectedly, the maid shoved Yueling into a dark room filled with unsettling sounds and quickly locked the door from the outside, leaving Yueling trapped and calling for help. Inside the room were several individuals exhibiting signs of mental instability. Zhou Zhixuan was also present at the palace banquet, where he exchanged sharp words with Gao Luoyi.
Their argument included insults about his character and her praise for Zhou Shiyu, while Zhou Zhixuan countered by mentioning Zhou Shiyu's recent banishment and the uncertainty of his return. When the Great Consort arrived and inquired about the Princess of Dongyu's absence, Gao Luoyi falsely claimed Yueling had felt unwell and returned home early.
Zhou Zhixuan, recalling Gao Luoyi's earlier statement that the Great Consort had summoned Yueling and now hearing Gao Luoyi tell the Great Consort she had left, realized Gao Luoyi was lying. Meanwhile, Yueling remained trapped and frightened in the dark room, wishing for Zhou Shiyu's presence. At this point, Zhou Zhixuan arrived outside the locked door and opened it, discovering Yueling inside the abandoned palace and freeing her, achieving his wish of saving the beauty.
After leading Yueling out of the dark room, Zhou Zhixuan boastfully recounted his heroic actions and cleverness in figuring out her location from Gao Luoyi's lie, suggesting Yueling was fortunate he found her. Yueling thanked him briefly. Seeking more effusive praise, Zhou Zhixuan highlighted the difficulty of the rescue. Yueling then proposed they consider the matter settled, stating she would not pursue the issue of the stolen account book, effectively calling them even.
Zhou Zhixuan was utterly confused by her accusation, adamantly denying that he had stolen anything and calling her strange for accusing him immediately after he had saved her life instead of praising him. Yueling simply reiterated her thanks and promised to visit him another day.
Zhou Zhixuan then boldly suggested that Yueling should break off her engagement with Zhou Shiyu and marry him instead, claiming his rescue entitled him to her hand in marriage as repayment and that he would reluctantly allow her to pledge herself to him. He regretted that Zhou Shiyu did not witness his heroic feat and decided to write a letter to inform him. Later, Zhou Shiyu received a letter from the Capital City, delivered with urgency.
The letter, purportedly from Zhou Zhixuan, boasted of saving Yueling from being locked in the abandoned palace overnight, declared that they had fallen deeply in love, and claimed Yueling was now devoted to him. It concluded by urging Zhou Shiyu to abandon his engagement quickly to avoid the shame of being the first man in his family to have his engagement broken.
Upon reading that Yueling had been confined to the abandoned palace, Zhou Shiyu immediately ordered Nie Chen to return to the Capital City and gather full details of everything that had happened to Yueling. Yang Xu conferred with Zhou Zhixuan, pointing out that if Zhou Shiyu successfully managed the disaster relief in Liuzhou and returned triumphantly, he would earn significant merit that could overshadow Zhou Zhixuan, especially given Zhou Zhixuan's recent attempts to get closer to Yueling.
Zhou Zhixuan expressed concern about this possibility and the risk of Zhou Shiyu returning without any fault. Yang Xu then suggested that if Zhou Shiyu were to handle the relief efforts improperly and be unable to return successfully, the potential threat he posed would be eliminated, implying a scheme to undermine Zhou Shiyu's mission. Zhou Shiyu arrived in Liuzhou, a region suffering greatly with widespread discontent.
He proceeded to the relief center where disgruntled refugees were protesting, complaining they were receiving only watery soup without any grain, while corrupt officials were hoarding the provisions. Officials attempted to quell the unrest, but Zhou Shiyu intervened, ordering the officials who managed the grain supply to be apprehended. He addressed the crowd, promising to resolve the situation swiftly. An investigation uncovered substantial stores of official grain hidden in a grain keeper's residence, confirming the corruption.
Zhou Shiyu ordered all grain supplies inventoried and allocated fairly to ensure every refugee received proper porridge, noting that the number of refugees was increasing and current supplies were limited, highlighting the critical need for Shi Xuan's expected grain delivery, which he called a life-saving straw. As more refugees converged on the relief center, a rush for food erupted, leading to chaos. Amidst the commotion, assassins who had blended into the crowd seized their opportunity and launched an attack on Zhou Shiyu.
