Jade's Fateful Love Episode 9 Recap
> Jade's Fateful Love Recap
Recent unrest on the border saw Dongyu's Taxila Tribe frequently harassing Beishuo's frontier citizens, likely intending to provoke conflict. The Emperor discussed this with Zhou Shiyu, noting that the marriage alliance is already set. Using the Dongyu Princess as a hostage would likely trigger immediate war, a situation the Prime Minister desires to consolidate his power and military control. The Emperor sought Zhou Shiyu's opinion, and Zhou Shiyu suggested conserving strength and striking decisively when the time is ripe.
He offered to personally go to Liuzhou to gather private soldiers and consolidate forces, mentioning successful progress in Yingzhou and Taizhou. The Emperor expressed concern about the suffering of the people and court turmoil should war break out, urging a more gradual approach. Zhou Shiyu insisted he did not want to wait any longer. Yueling had been feeling bored and restless, finding the days long as she longed to return to Dongyu.
Xingyi tried various ways to cheer her up, showing her a painting of a Dongyu landscape. Yueling was intrigued. Xingyi explained that the artist was a remarkably famous scholar in Beishuo, known as "Mr. Perfect" for excelling at all the arts, including music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. He mentioned that the artist lived in Nanfeng Pavilion, and many scholars visited daily, wearing down his doorstep. Yueling became interested in visiting, and they decided to go that very day.
Nanfeng Pavilion was bustling with people who had come to admire the artwork. Mr. Perfect was rumored to paint divinely, and visitors continuously praised the paintings, calling them impressive and profound. Yueling attempted to join in the praise, commenting on the mountains and trees in one painting, and the length and depth of a river in another, mimicking what she heard, but drew amused or mocking glances. A man sitting nearby also laughed. He then invited Yueling to the tearoom.
Xingyi, slightly protective, questioned who he was and mentioned they were looking for the famous Childe Qin. The man revealed himself to be Qin Siyuan, Mr. Perfect. During their conversation in the tearoom, Yueling learned about Qin Siyuan's unique sources of inspiration. He explained that he had never been to Dongyu but used references.
When asked about the grassland painting, he took them to his backyard, pointing to a chicken coop and calling it his reference for 'tents' and explaining he copied the scenery casually. He then revealed that his 'Painting of Mountains' and 'Painting of River' were based on a stinking ditch in his backyard. Yueling found his perspective special and unconventional. Zhou Shiyu heard that Yueling had gone to Qin Siyuan's residence.
Despite having just returned, he immediately set out to pick her up. He arrived while Qin Siyuan was still discussing art with Yueling. Zhou Shiyu interrupted, stating that while different people have different tastes, one should not take away what another loves. He took Yueling's arm, insisting it was getting late and they should return to the mansion. Yueling questioned why he pulled her away when she hadn't finished looking at the paintings.
Zhou Shiyu asked about her sudden interest in painting, questioning if it was the art or the artist that interested her. When he asked if she planned to learn painting from Qin Siyuan, Yueling confirmed that she did. Qin Siyuan greeted Zhou Shiyu respectfully. Zhou Shiyu commented on Qin Siyuan's handsomeness, comparing it to his own.
Meanwhile, Zhou Zhixuan, who had been visibly struggling and trying to figure out how to get closer to Yueling and break up Zhou Shiyu and the Princess, heard about Yueling's visit to Nanfeng Pavilion and Zhou Shiyu following her there. He saw this as an opportunity, no longer needing to rack his brain for a plan to sow discord between them, stating that Zhou Shiyu had given him the chance.
Earlier, he had been shown eating excessively but was now invigorated to act. Zhou Zhixuan met with Qin Siyuan, who had previously received his favor. Zhou Zhixuan presented a problem, and Qin Siyuan readily offered his help. Separately, Xingyi brought a collection of weapons (including blades, spears, swords, hammers, whips, and sticks) for Su Nian and Lingxi to practice martial arts.
He mentioned he couldn't teach them personally right away because his sister was hosting Mr. Perfect (Qin Siyuan) at the mansion for a painting session, and he had to be there. Su Nian recognized Qin Siyuan's name and expressed great admiration for his paintings, wishing she had a chance to meet him. Xingyi assured her it was easy and he could arrange it.
(Unknown to Xingyi, Su Nian primarily wished to meet Qin Siyuan to seize an opportunity to steal back the account book). On the day Yueling invited Qin Siyuan to teach painting, the eastern yard was lively. Qin Siyuan critiqued the various paintings being created. Zhou Shiyu heard that Qin Siyuan was in the mansion and observed the scene from a distance. Zhou Zhixuan, the South Prince, also arrived, stating he heard Yueling was enjoying painting and had to come.
He boasted he was the second-best painter in Beishuo after Qin Siyuan. He presented his painting, titled "Peregrine Falcon Picture," for Qin Siyuan's critique. Qin Siyuan offered a simple "Wonderful" in praise. Yueling and Xingyi, however, mocked Zhou Zhixuan's painting, noting that the 'eagle' looked like a 'chick' and renaming it "Chick Pecking at the Rice." This caused a commotion. During the disruption, Lingxi seized an opportunity and entered Yueling's room, taking the account book.
Zhou Zhixuan became enraged, shouting for Zhou Shiyu. The Prime Minister instigated Zhou Zhixuan to accuse Zhou Shiyu of illegally operating iron mines in Taizhou and Yingzhou and plotting rebellion, presenting the account book as evidence. In court, Zhou Zhixuan presented a memorial and the account book. Zhou Shiyu confessed to having the iron mines but claimed it was only to accumulate wealth for the mansion's expenses, not for weapons or rebellion. Zhou Zhixuan dismissed this.
Zhou Shiyu then counter-accused Zhou Zhixuan of illegally trading salt, asking why one could engage in forbidden business for profit while the other could not. Zhou Zhixuan admitted to the salt trade but differentiated it from rebellion, claiming Zhou Shiyu had set a trap for him. Zhou Shiyu admitted his own fault but requested he and the South Prince be punished together. Zhou Zhixuan refused to be implicated. The Emperor reprimanded both for their illegal activities driven by selfish desires.
Declaring it a first offense, he sentenced each to twenty floggings in the Ministry of Punishments and a six-month deduction in salary. Zhou Shiyu accepted the punishment, while Zhou Zhixuan initially protested before also accepting. The Prime Minister was seen looking pleased. News of the floggings quickly reached Yueling. She immediately thought of the account book she had obtained earlier and hurried to find it, searching through her belongings. To her dismay, she discovered the account book was missing.
She became distraught, blaming herself and fearing the book had caused Zhou Shiyu's predicament. She wondered who had stolen it. The punishment was severe, with the officers in the Ministry of Punishments showing no mercy, leaving both men badly injured and bleeding again even after initial treatment. Gao Luoyi heard that Zhou Shiyu was injured and promptly visited him, bringing a special medicinal ointment from the south of the Five Ridges.
She expressed concern and asked if he was still upset with her. She requested to stay the night to care for him. Zhou Zhixuan's mansion was also in a state of frantic activity as his servants tended to his injuries, feeling helpless. Yueling arrived at Zhou Shiyu's door with ointment, but hesitated upon hearing Gao Luoyi's voice inside.
Lin Mu exited the room at that moment, saw Yueling pausing, and encouraged her to go in, mentioning the prince was waiting for her and was injured. Yueling entered the room where Luoyi was present. Luoyi commented on how long she had taken to arrive and noted Zhou Shiyu's pain. Zhou Shiyu told Luoyi it was late and she should return to the palace. Luoyi again offered to stay the night to care for him.
Zhou Shiyu stated she need not worry as Yueling was there to care for him. Lin Mu then escorted Luoyi out. Yueling approached Zhou Shiyu and gently applied the ointment. She was upset and blamed herself, admitting she hadn't kept the account book safe, leading to him being accused and flogged. She confessed that she had indeed planned to accuse him earlier, but only because she didn't know he was the North Prince. If she had known his identity, she would never have attempted to steal the account book. Zhou Shiyu told her it was alright and did not blame her.
