Jade's Fateful Love Episode 3 Recap
> Jade's Fateful Love Recap
Yueling, feeling the danger in the Beishuo court after experiencing poisoning, tells Zhou Shiyu that as she is currently pretending to be the princess, she cannot afford to die and needs protection. She asks him to stay in her room for the night for protection, suggesting it would benefit them both, especially if the person who poisoned her attempts something again that evening.
When Zhou Shiyu questions the sleeping arrangement, she proposes he sleep on the floor and offers to provide a quilt. She tells him they are friends now and promises to treat him well in Beishuo. As Yueling drifts off to sleep, Zhou Shiyu reflects on their encounters and feels a sense of guilt for getting her involved in the conflict.
After days of difficult travel following his recovery, Xingyi arrives at the princess's mansion in the capital, looking like a beggar. Lin Mu tries to offer him clean clothes before he sees Yueling, but Xingyi refuses, wanting his sister to see how he was treated by the Beishuo people.
Lin Mu attempts to explain that they didn't abandon him and even left soldiers to search for him, but Xingyi insists he survived on his own after being discarded and nearly died. He dismisses Lin Mu's explanations, stating that Beishuo people cannot be trusted. Xingyi rushes to Yueling, and they share an emotional reunion.
Yueling asks about his injuries, and he recounts his suffering, describing being poisoned in the forest, crawling, becoming crippled and needing a cane, and enduring cold and hunger. He apologizes, but Yueling says it's her fault for not protecting him. He claims the Beishuo people didn't give him the antidote and says he used his clever wit to trick the female assassin for it after being abandoned. Lin Mu makes one more attempt to explain their actions to Yueling.
Meanwhile, Lin Mu reports to Zhou Shiyu about the search for Xingyi, mentioning they encountered Roufeng Sect assassins who were scared off by reinforcements. The captured assassins killed themselves with poison. Lin Mu notes that the Roufeng Sect seemed fully prepared and even possessed the escort route map, suggesting they targeted Zhou Shiyu, likely at the behest of someone in court.
Zhou Shiyu asks if the scout sent to investigate Yueling's identity in Dongyu has reported back; Lin Mu says not yet. Zhou Shiyu then asks if Lin Mu doesn't trust Yueling, and instructs him to keep a close watch on the siblings but also provide assistance if needed, emphasizing that they must not be allowed to escape. Later, while enjoying Beishuo food, Xingyi asks Yueling if she truly intends to stay and marry.
Yueling explains that she cannot leave yet, as it would provoke Beishuo, potentially leading to war and exposing their true identities and the matter of her eldest sister. Xingyi acknowledges her foresight, and she concludes they must wait and observe, expecting the Emperor won't summon her to the palace soon due to Beishuo's strict rules. Hearing the news from the capital, Prime Minister Zhou Jingyuan rushes back overnight, entering the court with his sword.
After some discussion, prompted by his loyal ministers, the Emperor is compelled to grant Zhou Jingyuan the privilege of carrying his sword in court henceforth. During the discussion about the recent escort and the upcoming marriage, the South Prince, Zhou Zhixuan, highlights the attack and casualties, implying Zhou Shiyu was negligent and deserved punishment. Zhou Shiyu defends himself and points out the South Prince's own lack of concern for his own near-death experience, subtly referencing the poisoning attempt.
The Emperor, however, declares that since the Princess of Dongyu survived and the marriage is a joyous occasion, Zhou Shiyu's alleged fault is excused. This decision prompts protest from other ministers. Prime Minister Zhou Jingyuan, now established in court, voices his opinion on the proposed marriage. He asserts that Dongyu is merely a small state and their princess is not worthy of becoming the Emperor's consort.
He clarifies that he doesn't advocate breaking the alliance but suggests the princess be married to an imperial relative instead. Zhou Zhixuan eagerly volunteers himself, claiming to be the best match. However, Zhou Jingyuan proposes that, given Zhou Shiyu's efforts in the escort and his unmarried status, the princess be betrothed to the North Prince. The Emperor ultimately agrees with Zhou Jingyuan's suggestion. Zhou Zhixuan protests loudly, reminding Zhou Shiyu of seniority and threatening him.
Following the court session, other ministers express concern over the constant rivalry between the two princes and their suitability to rule, finding solace in the Prime Minister's presence in handling court affairs. After court, Zhou Zhixuan congratulates Zhou Shiyu sarcastically on his new betrothal. Zhou Shiyu returns the pleasantries before Zhou Zhixuan departs with a threat.
Lin Mu questions Zhou Shiyu on the sudden change, wondering why the Prime Minister arranged for him to marry the princess instead of the Emperor, and whether it means Zhou Shiyu will gain Dongyu's support. Zhou Shiyu states the Prime Minister orchestrated it but is not acting out of kindness, anticipating the Prime Minister will make his move soon. Elsewhere, Prime Minister Zhou Jingyuan meets with his counselor Lin Su and other followers.
Zhou Jingyuan expresses anger that the Emperor formed an alliance with Dongyu in his absence, forcing his hasty return to prevent the Emperor from marrying the princess himself, which he sees as the Emperor developing his own power to challenge them. Lin Su questions why Zhou Jingyuan would betroth the princess to Zhou Shiyu, his rival, seemingly giving him Dongyu's influence.
Zhou Jingyuan reveals his cunning plan: while a successful marriage "would" benefit Zhou Shiyu, he predicts the princess might not make it to the wedding. If she were to die in his mansion before the marriage, Zhou Shiyu would be severely implicated, thus eliminating him as a threat. His followers admire the strategy.
At the North Prince's Mansion, Zhou Shiyu orders his staff to quickly renovate and decorate the eastern courtyard and chambers in the style of Dongyu, preparing for the wedding. His men question if he is serious about marrying the "fake princess," to which he replies that regardless of whether she is real or fake, once she is married, she will be his true Princess Consort, and they should adapt to this fact.
Meanwhile, a royal decree arrives at the princess's mansion, addressed to Ashina Zhu. Yueling receives it and reads that the Emperor has decreed her marriage to the North Prince, Zhou Shiyu, with the wedding set for three months later on Beishuo's national day. Xingyi is indignant at the change, feeling insulted that his sister is being married to a prince rather than the emperor, viewing it as disrespect to Dongyu and a lesser status. Yueling acknowledges her own surprise.
She observes that the increased gifts listed in the marriage contract, including gold, silver, treasure, livestock, are likely intended to pacify Dongyu's people. Xingyi remains insistent that the marriage should not happen and that Zhou Shiyu is not a good person. They discuss escaping. Yueling weighs the idea but expresses concern that they still haven't received word from the real Eldest Sister, Ashina Zhu. She comments on the difference between the exquisite Beishuo mansion and their homeland prairie.
Several days later, Qian Qian arrives in the capital and finds Yueling. Qian Qian explains the difficulties of her journey after ensuring the real Princess Ashina Zhu was safely settled, including facing refugees and being robbed. Yueling thanks her, expressing understanding for her hardship. Qian Qian confirms that Princess Ashina Zhu and Diplomat Du Er are safely settled in Dongyu's northwest tribe, allowing the real princess to marry the man she loves.
Yueling is greatly relieved, noting they are reunited now and Yueling can finally relax. Yueling then decisively states they should escape. Later, Lin Mu brings a variety of snacks to Xingyi. He finds Xingyi packing his clothes. When asked, Xingyi claims he's merely tidying up because he prefers cleanliness. Yueling enters the room, and Lin Mu takes his leave, but lingers outside the door. He overhears Yueling and Xingyi discussing their departure.
Xingyi asks if they are leaving that day since he has finished packing, but Yueling insists they must finalize their plan first to avoid raising suspicion and alerting anyone. Determined to marry the Princess of Dongyu, Zhou Zhixuan seeks advice from his follower, Yang Xu. Yang Xu acknowledges Zhou Zhixuan's handsomeness but points out the Emperor's deference to the Prime Minister, suggesting they must remain on good terms with Zhou Jingyuan. Zhou Zhixuan expresses reluctance to provoke the Prime Minister.
Yang Xu then proposes an alternative strategy: Zhou Zhixuan should get close to the princess and earn her affection "before" her marriage to the North Prince. If she were to petition the Emperor herself to marry Zhou Zhixuan instead, there might be a chance. Zhou Zhixuan finds this plan promising. Meanwhile, Xingyi, having been in the capital for a while, expresses his desire to visit the famous House of Romance and asks Yueling to take him. Yueling eventually agrees.
Learning that the princess has left her mansion, Zhou Zhixuan confirms his plan is approved and prepares to go out to execute it. On the way, as Yueling and Xingyi walk through the streets, a group of thugs confronts them, making lewd remarks towards Yueling. Xingyi tries to intervene, but Yueling, noting his recent injury, asserts she can handle them herself. As she engages the thugs, Zhou Zhixuan appears and dramatically calls for the fighting to stop.
When the thugs turn on him, he positions himself to protect Yueling and defeats them. Impressed by his seemingly effortless skill in dispatching the attackers, Yueling praises his martial arts abilities. Zhou Zhixuan boasts about his lifelong training and supposed invincibility in the capital. Yueling, intrigued, then proposes they spar a few rounds. Yueling, calling Zhou Zhixuan "Young Master" and praising his martial arts, asks him to spar with her. Despite his reluctance to fight a woman, Yueling attacks.
Xingyi tries to stop her, but Yueling quickly lands two blows that give Zhou Zhixuan black eyes. He complains about being hit. His follower, Yang Xu, rushes to his aid. Seeing how easily Zhou Zhixuan was defeated, Yueling expresses surprise, noting she expected a martial arts expert. She apologizes, offers to take him to a clinic and escort him home, and assures him she will cover all costs. Yang Xu quickly refuses, stating Zhou Zhixuan has other important matters.
Yueling finds the men of Beishuo peculiar, changing from enthusiastic to distant so quickly, and thinks they are weak for attempting to be heroes without the skill. She and Xingyi decide to proceed to the House of Romance. Back with his followers, Zhou Zhixuan is visibly upset by his bruised face and blames Yang Xu, who tries to apologize. Yang Xu suggests they focus on targeting the North Prince since their plan involving the princess failed. Zhou Zhixuan considers this.
The South Prince, Zhou Zhixuan, sends a messenger to the North Prince Zhou Shiyu's mansion, inviting him to the House of Romance for a gathering. Initially, Zhou Shiyu intends to refuse, dismissing it as Zhou Zhixuan's antics and not wanting to play along. However, Lin Mu informs him that Yueling might be planning to escape and mentioned going to the House of Romance before she leaves.
Hearing this, Zhou Shiyu decides to accept the invitation, telling Lin Mu they will play along with Zhou Zhixuan's plans, noting their rivalry always entertains the palace. The House of Romance is bustling for the performance of the esteemed flower queen, Su Nian. As Su Nian takes the stage, Xingyi finds her face strikingly familiar.
He then realizes with certainty that she is the female assassin from Dongyu who had given him the antidote on the escort journey and, in his view, humiliated him. He tells Yueling about his discovery, but Yueling dismisses his claim as nonsense and tells him to stop causing trouble, even threatening to send him back. Xingyi is insistent, resolving to find proof of her identity and exact revenge for the humiliation.
Meanwhile, Zhou Shiyu notices Zhou Zhixuan's bruised face and lightheartedly mocks him, suggesting he must have been chased by a dog. Zhou Zhixuan is visibly annoyed. As Yueling moves through the crowded room, she overhears two officials speaking in low voices. One official mentions completing a task for the Prime Minister, creating a fake account book for the North Prince's Mansion to switch with the real one, and confirms it looks convincing.
The other asks if Zhou Shiyu's men discovered the switch, which they apparently did not. The second official states he must acquire the book, recognizing its value as leverage or a weakness against the North Prince. Yueling listens attentively to their conversation.
