Jade's Fateful Love Episode 20 Recap
> Jade's Fateful Love Recap
With the Lord of the South, Gao Yuan, having returned to the Capital City with his troops, rumors of imminent war between Beishuo and Dongyu spread. In the imperial court, the South Prince and Prime Minister, Zhou Jingyuan, along with several ministers, urged the Emperor to declare war. They cited perceived insults from Dongyu and the reported death of the North Prince Zhou Shiyu there as justification.
While some voices, such as an official concerned about Beishuo's recent famine and need for recovery, advocated for caution, the Prime Minister dismissed these concerns, arguing that inaction would leave Beishuo open to ridicule from other nations. As calls for war intensified, the Emperor prepared to issue a decree. However, just as the decree was about to be announced, Zhou Shiyu strode into the court, alive. His appearance visibly astonished and disappointed the South Prince and Prime Minister, Zhou Jingyuan.
Zhou Shiyu presented a marriage letter from the Dongyu Khan, which promised significant annual tributes, including rare Dongyu horses. He explained that this reflected the Khan's deep affection for his daughter, Princess Yueling, noting that Dongyu society did not distinguish between children based on their birth status and that the Khan treated all his children equally, showing particular favor to the Princess. Witnessing this sincere offer, the Emperor suggested suspending the war plan.
South Prince and Prime Minister Zhou Jingyuan vehemently objected, arguing that sending the assembled generals home without action would be humiliating and undermine the Emperor's authority. Zhou Shiyu directly challenged him, questioning if Jingyuan's premature summoning of the generals before a decision was made was intended to incite conflict and ensure Zhou Shiyu's demise in Dongyu. Jingyuan denied this accusation, but Zhou Shiyu emphasized the immense devastation a war would cause.
Asked for his opinion, the Lord of the South, Gao Yuan, stated that as a general, his duty was to defend the border, but war was costly and detrimental to the populace, an outcome he wished to avoid. He added that while he would fight if necessary, he believed other frontier generals shared his reluctance for war. Zhou Shiyu reiterated Dongyu's evident sincerity, dismissing Jingyuan's continued objections as unnecessary.
Ultimately, the Emperor decided to approve the marriage alliance and postpone the war preparations. To appease the generals who had gathered, the Emperor instructed the Prime Minister, Zhou Jingyuan, to personally escort them out of the Capital and offer them reassurance. Anxious for news, Yueling was overjoyed to see her brother, Xingyi, return safely. She was further relieved upon hearing that Zhou Shiyu had also returned unharmed, having sustained only minor injuries that had since healed.
Xingyi brought happy news from Dongyu: their father, the Khan, had found their sister Ashina Zhu and Du Er after discerning the true meaning of the letter Yueling had sent. Ashina Zhu was now pregnant, and the Khan was so delighted that he bore no resentment towards them and had resolved matters favorably back home. Xingyi gave Yueling letters from their father and sister before departing quickly, mentioning other urgent matters.
Reading the letters, Yueling found her father's message expressed both anger and underlying concern. He reprimanded her for secretly going to Beishuo and allowing herself to be "mistreated," stating she had brought disgrace upon him. He demanded that she must return to the grassland after marrying, warning that he would personally lead troops to retrieve her otherwise.
Ashina Zhu's letter conveyed her relief that Yueling was safe, apologized for the hardships she endured in Beishuo, and expressed that despite their father's stern words, both she and the Khan genuinely wished for Yueling's happiness and hoped for her swift return. Meanwhile, Countess Luoyi waited outside the palace gates for Zhou Shiyu. Upon seeing him exit, she eagerly approached him, expressing her deep worry and joy at seeing him alive.
She invited him to the Lord of the South's mansion to join her brother, Gao Yuan, for drinks. Zhou Shiyu politely declined, citing important matters he needed to attend to. Elsewhere, South Prince and Prime Minister Zhou Jingyuan expressed frustration that Zhou Shiyu was still alive and ordered his subordinate, Lin Su, to investigate the failed assassination attempt and discover what went wrong. Zhou Shiyu immediately went to the princess's mansion to reassure Yueling of his safety.
Despite his assurances, she remained concerned about his past injuries. He recounted the attack, explaining that he and Xingyi had been surrounded by assassins. At a critical moment, a female assassin intervened, using darts to incapacitate their attackers and save them. He identified her as Su Nian, noting her connection to the Roufeng Sect and that she deliberately created the false news of their deaths to deceive the Prime Minister.
Yueling voiced concern for Su Nian's safety upon her return to the Capital, but Shiyu promised to have his people search for her whereabouts. Zhou Shiyu stayed with Yueling at the princess's mansion. Their attendants exchanged knowing remarks about the couple finally having time together after their separation. Yueling presented Zhou Shiyu with an embroidered sachet she had made, hoping it would protect him when she could not be with him.
Zhou Shiyu gratefully accepted the gift, telling her that she herself was his true talisman and that her presence ensured his safety. The Emperor summoned Zhou Shiyu to the palace. He acknowledged that although they had frustrated the Prime Minister (referred to as "Imperial Uncle"), he would undoubtedly continue to scheme.
The Emperor expressed regret for having had to rely on Zhou Jingyuan and appoint him as Prime Minister early in his reign due to his own circumstances, acknowledging it led to the current difficult situation. Zhou Shiyu reassured the Emperor, stating that several important ministers had secretly pledged allegiance, and others were wavering, limiting the Prime Minister's ability to act rashly now. He advised preparing Liuzhou for potential conflict if it became unavoidable.
Zhou Shiyu suggested that securing the support of the Lord of the South, Gao Yuan, would significantly increase their chances, as he commanded substantial frontier forces and held influence among generals, despite the late emperor's decree preventing the Gao family from holding office in the Capital. Zhou Shiyu proposed approaching Gao Yuan cautiously to gauge his willingness to form an alliance. South Prince and Prime Minister Zhou Jingyuan discussed his plans with his subordinate, Lin Su.
He instructed Lin Su to manage affairs in the Capital while he was away escorting the generals out of the city. Jingyuan believed that planning from a distance, away from the Emperor's immediate presence, offered an advantage. He noted the Lord of the South's presence in the Capital with his army and suspected Gao Yuan might align himself with the Emperor. He cautioned Lin Su against underestimating the Gao family and ordered close monitoring of their activities.
He stated his intention to return eventually. Meanwhile, Xingyi went to the House of Romance searching for Su Nian. A new courtesan named Mujin, claiming to be in Su Nian's former room and not knowing her, spoke to him briefly before he left. Xingyi then found Madam Sang, the madam of the house. He inquired about Su Nian, and Madam Sang informed him that Su Nian had returned to her hometown.
He also asked about another person named Lingxi, whom Madam Sang said had also left. Zhou Shiyu reported to the Emperor the results of his outreach to the Lord of the South, Gao Yuan. Gao Yuan had agreed to support the Emperor as a vanguard against the "treacherous minister," but only on the condition that the Emperor grant a marriage between his sister, Countess Luoyi, and Zhou Shiyu.
Gao Yuan asserted that this marriage would solidify their alliance and guarantee his family's full backing. The Emperor found himself in a difficult position, troubled by Gao Yuan's insistence on the marriage. He worried that refusing the request would push the powerful Lord of the South into the Prime Minister's camp, yet Zhou Shiyu was clearly unwilling to marry Countess Luoyi. Days passed without Zhou Shiyu visiting the princess's mansion, causing Yueling considerable anxiety and affecting her appetite.
She considered going to him but hesitated, fearing it would appear inappropriate. Instead, she sent her attendant, Qianqian, to inquire at the North Prince's mansion. Qianqian returned and reported, based on information from Zhou Shiyu's attendant, Limu, that Zhou Shiyu was merely overwhelmed with official duties but was indeed concerned for Yueling and had arranged for guards to protect her outside the mansion. Elsewhere, Countess Luoyi was despondent and refusing to eat.
Her brother, Gao Yuan, encouraged her, hinting that she would soon be married. When she asked to whom, Gao Yuan confirmed it was Zhou Shiyu, revealing he had formally requested the Emperor's approval for the marriage and expected it soon. Countess Luoyi was overcome with joy and profusely thanked her brother. Later, Zhou Shiyu was seen leaving his mansion, telling his attendant, Limu, that he was going to the palace.
