Jade's Fateful Love Episode 18 Recap
> Jade's Fateful Love Recap
The North Prince, Zhou Shiyu, informed Yueling that he had been given authority to assist the Ministry of Revenue and oversee the Capital Government, including the West Market. He explained that his goal was to soon improve life for the Dongyu people in Beishuo. Yueling realized his recent busyness was for her people and regretted her earlier suspicions. He apologized for not having time to see her due to the complexity of the work.
He also acknowledged he knew about her situation with the noble ladies in the abandoned palace and felt satisfaction in punishing them. He then presented her with banknotes for her expenses, admitting his oversight. Yueling declined, stating she had found a way to earn money. Zhou Shiyu questioned if she was taking money from the South Prince instead, which she confirmed she had borrowed from him. Zhou Shiyu insisted she take his money, refusing to let go until she accepted.
Yueling's business selling lipsticks featuring paintings by Mr. Perfect, Qin Siyuan, proved immensely successful. These limited-edition items were highly popular and commanded high prices, allowing Yueling to earn considerable wealth, which she used to rescue many Dongyu female slaves. Word of her thriving business and her frequent association with Qin Siyuan reached the North Prince, prompting him to visit the West Market.
At Yueling's stall, several noble ladies and Princess Luoyi were intensely competing and arguing over the day's limited supply of lipsticks. To prevent further escalation, Yueling offered a high price of two hundred taels. The ladies refused to yield, leading to a scuffle. Yueling was pushed, fell, hit her head on the corner of a table, and lost consciousness.
The North Prince arrived at that moment, rushed to cradle her, and ordered his soldiers to arrest everyone involved in the disturbance. The arrested ladies were taken to the Capital Government prison, where they complained about their situation and speculated about Yueling's injury, suggesting she might have caused it herself. Ministers whose daughters were imprisoned gathered outside the palace, appealing to the Emperor for their release and protesting their daughters' innocence.
The Emperor initially directed them to the North Prince, but his attendant noted their persistence and status. The Emperor then summoned the North Prince, indicating it was time to conclude the matter. The North Prince reported that Yueling had woken up but her mind was unclear, suggesting potential lasting effects, and demanded the ladies be punished for causing her injury. The ministers protested vehemently.
The North Prince aggressively argued that their daughters bore responsibility and implied serious consequences if Yueling did not recover fully. The Emperor's physician confirmed Yueling was awake but confused. The North Prince leveraged this to demand punishment. Faced with the North Prince's pressure, Prince Gao Shan appealed for a compromise. The North Prince proposed that the ladies must personally apologize to Yueling and obtain her forgiveness. Prince Gao Shan readily agreed.
The North Prince then stated this meant Prince Gao Shan owed him a favor and requested their help, along with Marquis Qixuan, in overcoming resistance to the new West Market policies. The ministers agreed to work together to achieve the North Prince's goal. Later, a royal decree was issued, formally granting Dongyu people the right to trade legally in the West Market with equal status to Beishuo merchants, including the same taxes and protection from arbitrary detention.
Back at the North Prince's Mansion, Yueling was recovering from her injury. Her attendant, Qianqian, expressed concern, but Yueling said the injury was minor compared to helping her people. Xingyi arrived and shared the news of the royal decree, confirming Dongyu people could now trade legally in the West Market. Yueling was delighted, feeling her suffering was worthwhile. Xingyi noted the North Prince had caused quite a stir in court to achieve this.
Yueling agreed she hadn't expected him to go to such lengths. Xingyi informed her that the West Market vendors were worried about her and had sent an invitation for a celebratory banquet, which he accepted. Despite her injury, Yueling felt it was important to attend to reassure her people and honor their appreciation. She decided to invite Su Nian, Mr. Perfect (Qin Siyuan), and the South Prince, and planned to ask the North Prince herself.
Yueling went to see the North Prince, bringing tea cakes she had made for him as a special thank-you gift for his efforts. He initially teased her about the cost but she insisted they were free, made specially for him. He feigned surprise, saying he did nothing special, but she thanked him on behalf of all the Dongyu people for his great contribution.
He countered that she had made a greater sacrifice by using herself as bait and even involving him in her plan. She apologized for trapping him, explaining she felt she had no other choice. He clarified that his anger was because she risked her life, emphasizing the potential disastrous outcomes if he hadn't intervened or if the plan had failed. He urged her to think of him first when facing trouble and to let them solve problems together.
He asked if her injury still hurt, and she assured him it did not. He then agreed to accompany her to the banquet. That evening, the West Market buzzed with celebratory activity. The South Prince, Zhou Zhixuan, arrived early but felt overlooked as the Dongyu people focused on the anticipated arrival of the North Prince and Yueling. When the North Prince and Yueling arrived, the vendors greeted them with profound respect and gratitude for helping them gain legal trading rights.
Zhou Zhixuan, annoyed by the attention given to the North Prince, complained he deserved more credit for his help. Yueling quickly thanked him, which somewhat placated him. During the feast, an elderly vendor toasted Yueling, recalling her from her childhood visits with her father and calling her "Princess Yueling." The North Prince quickly interrupted, identifying her as his consort, Ashina Zhu. Yueling also confirmed she was the Eldest Princess, Ashina Zhu, and the old man apologized for his mistaken memory.
Later, as Zhou Zhixuan enjoyed the food, Yang Xu informed him that the North Prince and Yueling were having a private romantic moment. Losing his appetite, Zhou Zhixuan confronted them, questioning their private meeting. The North Prince stated they had a right to privacy as a couple. Zhou Zhixuan argued that she was not yet officially titled as consort, meaning others still had a chance, and reminded Yueling she had promised to marry him.
Yueling tried to discourage him, asking what he liked about her and suggesting he look at other noble ladies. Zhou Zhixuan declared he did not like anything specific about "her" but was determined to compete for her because she was "Zhou Shiyu's woman." Meanwhile, Zhou Jingyuan questioned Lingxi about Su Nian's investigation into the North Prince and Yueling's weaknesses. Lingxi reported that Su Nian had found no weaknesses.
Zhou Jingyuan, concluding Su Nian was likely disloyal and covering for them, ordered that Su Nian's antidote be stopped, stating she was no longer useful. Later, at the North Prince's Mansion, Qianqian and Xingyi teased Yueling about the North Prince's clear affection for her, noting how he constantly sent her gifts, including the Emperor's recent rewards for the West Market success, crediting Yueling's vital role.
The North Prince walked with Yueling, discussing the flourishing West Market and the Dongyu people's future security and happiness there. Yueling reflected that their location was less important than their well-being. The North Prince told her he initially thought she was merely a "fake princess" but now saw her as a "true princess," not just innocent but caring and righteous for her people. He asked for some of her time the following evening.
That night, he took her to the highest point in the capital to view the city lights and watch fireworks, which he offered as Beishuo's equivalent of Dongyu's lively bonfires. He suggested they make wishes, and Yueling asked if wishes come true. He affirmed that they do if one is sincere. Yueling agreed to make a wish.
The North Prince then publicly declared his wish for Ashina Yueling to become his consort and for them to spend the rest of their lives together, asking if she was willing. She accepted without hesitation. The next morning in court, ministers lauded the North Prince for the swift and significant increase in tax revenue from the West Market since the new policies were enacted. The Emperor praised the North Prince, who humbly accepted the commendation.
However, a minister interrupted with a serious report based on reliable sources, accusing the Dongyu Princess of being an impostor. The court reacted with shock and indignation at the alleged deception. At the North Prince's Mansion, Yueling and Qianqian were happily looking at wedding dress designs for her upcoming marriage, with Qianqian teasing her about her excitement. Their preparations were abruptly halted when imperial guards stormed into the courtyard, pushing past the servants trying to stop them.
The guards declared they were acting on the Emperor's decree to arrest Yueling for impersonating the Eldest Princess and bring her before the Emperor for questioning. Qianqian attempted to shield Yueling as the guards advanced to apprehend her.
