Jade's Fateful Love Episode 19 Recap
> Jade's Fateful Love Recap
In the Golden Hall, Zhou Jingyuan declared that Yueling was not the Eldest Princess of Dongyu, Ashina Zhu, but the baseborn princess, Ashina Yueling. He presented "The Imperial Banquet," a painting he claimed to have acquired from a Dongyu court painter, depicting the Emperor of Dongyu and two princesses. Many old ministers who had been envoys in Dongyu confirmed recognizing the Emperor and affirmed the painting's authenticity.
Ministers voiced outrage that Dongyu had used deception, demanding punishment for being misled by a "small state." Some felt Yueling being a baseborn princess showed a lack of sincerity from Dongyu. Zhou Zhixuan countered that the core purpose was peace between the states, arguing that any princess demonstrated sincerity and questioning if focusing on lineage differences was worth the risk of war.
Zhou Jingyuan became more assertive, proposing they sweep away the small state of Dongyu and offering to lead the troops. He then accused Zhou Shiyu of deceiving the Emperor, claiming Zhou Shiyu must have known the truth about the replacement on the journey to fetch her and concealed it, which constituted deceiving the Emperor. Yueling quickly stepped forward, taking all the blame herself.
She explained that she had always longed for Beishuo and, defying her father's wishes, begged her elder sister to help her swap places to come for the Marriage, asserting that Zhou Shiyu was completely unaware. Zhou Jingyuan remained unyielding, insisting Yueling be imprisoned in the imperial jail. Zhou Shiyu then proposed he be given one month to renegotiate the Marriage with Dongyu, during which Yueling should be confined for reflection at the North Prince's Mansion.
Zhou Jingyuan disagreed with confining her to the North Prince's Mansion. The Emperor mediated between their demands, ultimately deciding that Yueling would be confined at the Princess's Mansion. The Emperor declared the room sealed, forbidding Yueling from leaving without a summons. Upon hearing that Yueling was confined, Prince Xingyi wanted to force his way into the Princess's Mansion to be with her. Qian Qian and others urged him to calm down, noting the heavy guard and lack of servants inside.
They worried about Yueling's well-being and wanted to send her food and warm quilts. Prince Xingyi decided to seek Zhou Shiyu's help, demanding the guards let him pass when he arrived at the North Prince's Mansion. Zhou Shiyu assured him that he had arranged for people to care for Yueling at the Princess's Mansion and she would be safe.
He stated the most pressing matter was to travel to Dongyu immediately to obtain the Khan's letter of marriage, asking Xingyi to accompany him. Xingyi agreed without hesitation for Yueling's sake. That night, Zhou Shiyu climbed over the wall into the Princess's Mansion to visit Yueling. He brought supplies from Xingyi and Qian Qian, including food and a warm fur pelt.
He explained that he was working on placing his own men among the guards outside, which would allow her more freedom soon. As they talked, they accidentally knocked something over, startling the guards outside. Yueling quickly told Zhou Shiyu to hide in her bedding. The guards checked but found nothing amiss and left.
Zhou Shiyu held Yueling tenderly and emphasized the importance of testing her food for poison every time she ate, stressing that this was a temporary measure until he could arrange her release. He promised to return quickly after the trip to Dongyu and make arrangements for her care within the mansion. After making arrangements for Yueling's safety, Zhou Shiyu and Prince Xingyi left the capital city for Dongyu. Zhou Jingyuan was informed of Zhou Shiyu's departure.
His subordinate, Lin Su, suggested acting against Zhou Shiyu during his journey. However, Zhou Jingyuan decided it would be better to wait until Zhou Shiyu entered Dongyu territory before making their move, specifically planning for Zhou Shiyu to die there. He also began mobilizing support for war by requesting various generals and seigniors to petition the Emperor to attack Dongyu. Zhou Jingyuan specifically stated he would write the letter to the Lord of the South himself.
Meanwhile, Zhou Zhixuan expressed his admiration for Yueling's willingness to take the blame for Zhou Shiyu in court, wishing someone would be so devoted to him. Yang Xu seized the opportunity, suggesting they take advantage of Zhou Shiyu's current predicament to eliminate him as a rival. Zhou Zhixuan rebuked Yang Xu, calling him opportunistic for suggesting they attack Zhou Shiyu when he was vulnerable.
He stated he would not engage in such dishonorable behavior and warned Yang Xu against pursuing such ideas. Separately, two assassins discussed their orders. Su Nian was instructed by her master to kill Prince Xingyi but seemed hesitant, explaining it was her business. The other assassin questioned her inaction, saying she wouldn't be spared if Xingyi lived.
She revealed that Xingyi was with the North Prince on their journey to Dongyu and that their master had already sent assassins after them, suggesting this time they might not be so lucky. This news shocked Su Nian. Prince Xingyi led Zhou Shiyu to where the Khan was camping, explaining that at this time of year, his father would be patrolling the grasslands rather than at the capital city. Xingyi went ahead to speak with his father first.
The Khan was initially upset about Xingyi and Yueling having run off earlier, but he was relieved that they were both safe and that he had found Ashina Zhu, who was now pregnant and doing well with Du Er. Xingyi admitted that his father already knew about Yueling imitating Zhu's handwriting, but the Khan stated he could recognize Zhu's writing regardless. Xingyi explained that Yueling and Zhou Shiyu were genuinely in love and that Zhou Shiyu was waiting outside.
The Khan was in no hurry to see Zhou Shiyu, making him wait overnight, acknowledging that while Yueling's decision to switch places was inappropriate, Zhou Shiyu seemed like a brave young man. Xingyi tried to persuade his father to invite Zhou Shiyu in, pointing out the harsh conditions he had endured on the journey, having arrived in less than half a month by changing horses frequently at post houses without even stopping for water.
The Khan remained firm, expressing his own anger at the sisters' actions but admitting he loved Yueling and would defend her against Beishuo if they harmed her. He decided to meet Zhou Shiyu the next day to resolve the engagement matter, but vowed not to make it easy for someone who wanted to be his son-in-law. The next day, the Khan finally agreed to meet Zhou Shiyu.
Zhou Shiyu had stood all day and night outside the camp without food or water before the meeting. Xingyi brought him hot soup first. When meeting the Khan, Zhou Shiyu stated he was there to formally propose marriage to the princess. When asked for a proposal gift, Zhou Shiyu offered "peace between the two states." The Khan questioned how one person could guarantee peace, as relations between states constantly change.
Zhou Shiyu responded by asking for a written decree from the Khan – the letter of marriage. He explained this letter would acknowledge the love between him and Yueling and also help resolve the current tension between Dongyu and Beishuo. Seeing Zhou Shiyu's sincerity and determination, the Khan agreed and wrote the letter. Zhou Shiyu and Prince Xingyi immediately departed from Dongyu with the letter, not daring to waste a moment.
Back in Beishuo, Yueling had a dream one night that Zhou Shiyu was assassinated. On his return journey from Dongyu, Zhou Shiyu was indeed ambushed. The following day, news reached the Beishuo imperial palace that the North Prince had been killed while in Dongyu territory. A confidante Zhou Shiyu had placed in the Princess's Mansion brought the tragic news to Yueling.
Overwhelmed with grief, Yueling remembered past moments with Zhou Shiyu, including a time he wished for her to be his wife and vowed to be with her always, and her own silent wish offering her life for his safe return.
