Jade's Fateful Love Episode 17 Recap
> Jade's Fateful Love Recap
Observing Zhou Shiyu and the Princess of Dongyu, Yueling, uncover the poison plot beneath his nose, the Prime Minister grew suspicious, wondering if they possessed a preternatural ability. A Taoist Master confirmed they did, explaining their superpower originated from the jade pendants they wore. These were One-love Pendants, crafted from the legendary Galaxy Divine Jade, signifying their destiny to be together and granting them unique encounters. The Prime Minister inquired if he could wield this power by taking the jade.
The Master clarified the pendants had already bonded with their masters, making their power unusable by others. However, he added, separating the destined pair would render the jade pieces powerless. Later, Yueling expressed her distress to Zhou Shiyu, recounting the humiliation she suffered at the banquet, mocked by noblewomen and misunderstood by the Great Consort, all due to her identity as the Princess of Dongyu.
She voiced concern for the plight of ordinary Dongyu people in Beishuo if even she, a princess, faced such treatment. Zhou Shiyu apologized, but Yueling insisted he was not at fault. The issue, she explained, lay in Beishuo's inherent disdain for Dongyu, which extended to her, a reality neither of them could change. Given this, she concluded their marriage was unnecessary.
During a court session, the Emperor addressed the depleted state treasury following years of conflict and famine, seeking proposals to replenish it. Zhou Shiyu presented a plan to establish the West Market as a special trade zone for foreign merchants, arguing it would generate significant tax revenue while showcasing the state's magnanimity. He highlighted that many foreign merchants were already operating secretly, outside the tax system, and regulating their commerce would streamline management and increase income.
While some ministers supported this as a means to boost revenue, the Prime Minister vehemently opposed it, accusing Zhou Shiyu of using national policy to curry favor with the Princess of Dongyu and dismissing the idea of prioritizing commerce over military strength. Zhou Shiyu defended his proposal as essential for national stability and fiscal health, but the Emperor decided to delay a decision to consider the matter further.
The Prime Minister was infuriated by Zhou Shiyu's public defiance in court, noting his growing arrogance. Since the One-love Pendants protected Zhou Shiyu and Yueling from assassination, and their engagement prevented separation, he deemed any direct action too risky. He sought a solution, and Lin Su suggested utilizing Su Nian, who was already acquainted with the pair, to go undercover, find opportunities, and act when possible. The Prime Minister approved the plan, demanding swift execution.
However, Su Nian later expressed her reluctance about the mission to Lin Su, who insisted she comply. Lingxi advised Su Nian to focus on achieving justice for her deceased parents, which required the Prime Minister's support.
Alone, Su Nian lamented her predicament, torn between her affection for Xingyi and the need to rely on the Prime Minister for revenge, recognizing the painful sacrifices required to gain his trust, especially since she had developed feelings for Xingyi at such a difficult time. Meanwhile, Xingyi spent his days near Yueling, appearing downcast.
Yueling noticed his mood and asked about Su Nian, and Xingyi confessed that Su Nian was refusing to see him, leaving him bewildered by Beishuo girls' behavior. Yueling suggested that Su Nian might have feelings for him but was avoiding him due to unresolved personal burdens, possibly related to her family or people's plight, implying that assisting her with these issues might change her stance. She encouraged him to reflect on the situation.
Yueling, Qianqian, and Xingyi visited a popular lipstick store. Xingyi, looking for a gift for Su Nian, asked the shopkeeper for a recommendation for a girl who was sometimes enthusiastic and sometimes distant. As they were shopping, Gao Luoyi entered the store and insulted them. Yueling countered by mentioning Gao Luoyi's recent grounding, which only served to further enrage her. Gao Luoyi then harshly berated a slave named Ashina Zhu.
Yueling was shocked to recognize the slave as Qiyun, her past helper. Qiyun confirmed she had been sold to Gao Luoyi and renamed. Outraged, Yueling offered to buy Qiyun. Gao Luoyi demanded an exorbitant one thousand taels, confident Yueling could not afford it. Despite the steep price, Yueling accepted the terms, agreeing to provide the money within two days to secure Qiyun's freedom.
Later, Yueling and her maids gathered their money and jewelry but found they were still short of the one thousand taels. Xingyi offered his belongings, but Yueling noted they were not particularly valuable and insisted he keep them, prioritizing Qiyun's rescue. Her maid suggested seeking help from Zhou Shiyu, but Yueling declined, citing his busy schedule, and resolved they must find a solution themselves.
The manager of the Diexuan Store, which was part of the South Prince Zhou Zhixuan's ventures, reported the incident involving Yueling and Gao Luoyi, including the agreed-upon price for the slave. Surprised by the amount, Zhou Zhixuan considered intervening. Initially hesitant to engage with Yueling, whom he found cunning, he changed his mind when his subordinate mentioned Zhou Shiyu and Yueling's increasingly close relationship, driven by a desire to provoke his cousin.
He traveled to Zhou Shiyu's residence and waited outside. Upon meeting Zhou Shiyu, Zhou Zhixuan immediately taunted him, implying he was financially struggling and could not provide for Yueling, even showing him the IOU signed by Ashina Zhu (likely Yueling signing under the slave's name for the transaction). He suggested Zhou Shiyu send Yueling to his manor for better care.
Zhou Shiyu calmly rebuffed the offer, stating he could manage his own affairs and suggesting Zhou Zhixuan donate his wealth to the state treasury instead. Zhou Shiyu then instructed his subordinate, Linmu, to immediately repay the one thousand taels to Zhou Zhixuan. Annoyed that his attempt to provoke Zhou Shiyu was so quickly thwarted, Zhou Zhixuan departed, celebrating his minor victory of having briefly irritated him.
Shortly thereafter, Gao Luoyi contacted Yueling again, informing her she had acquired "more" Dongyu slaves and demanding Yueling purchase them as well within ten days. Facing the new, substantial financial demand, Yueling pondered how to raise the necessary funds quickly. She suggested they might be able to make a fortune with the South Prince's involvement. She later met with Qin Siyuan and proposed a business partnership, where Qin Siyuan would paint designs on their lipstick boxes.
They would sell a limited number of five different painted boxes daily and split the profits fifty-fifty with Zhou Zhixuan. Qin Siyuan found the limited edition concept ingenious and agreed to provide the artwork. Yueling planned to promote the unique product to generate excitement and establish its reputation. News of the high-quality, exclusive lipsticks adorned with Qin Siyuan's paintings quickly spread among women, demonstrating the initial success of her plan.
Yueling discussed her goal with Qin Siyuan, explaining that while this business would help rescue Dongyu girls, she needed to earn much more to save more people, acknowledging it wasn't a long-term solution. She recognized the challenges of the West Market but expressed confidence in the product's appeal thanks to Qin Siyuan's artwork. Zhou Shiyu learned that Yueling had been spending extensive time at Qin Siyuan's. He went to Qin Siyuan's residence and overheard Yueling discussing her business plans.
He was pleased to hear her determined to earn money to help her people, although he privately considered the plan insufficient for long-term aid and mused on the difficulties of doing business in the West Market. He then made his presence known by calling out to her. The court reconvened to discuss the West Market. Zhou Shiyu presented his detailed Management Policy.
The Prime Minister reiterated his opposition, arguing it was too risky and could harm domestic commerce, advocating for national stability first. Other ministers supported the policy as a way to replenish the treasury but expressed concerns about managing foreign merchants and the volatile security situation in the West Market. Zhou Shiyu volunteered to oversee the management of the West Market's security alongside the Ministry of Revenue and the Capital Government. The Emperor accepted this compromise, tasking Zhou Shiyu with first establishing order in the West Market before the full new policy would be considered for implementation.
