Jun Jiu Ling Episode 1 Recap
> Jun Jiu Ling Recap
During the Tianyou era, Emperor Zhizong passed away, and his younger brother, Chu Rang, ascended the throne. Soon after, Princess Chu Jiuling, the late emperor's second daughter, was ordered to marry Lu Yunqi, the commander of the Wude Command. However, on her wedding day, Jiuling defiantly confronted Chu Rang in the palace hall, accusing him of regicide and usurpation.
She declared that she had uncovered the truth: her father was cruelly murdered by Chu Rang, evidenced by red strangulation marks on his neck, contradicting the Imperial Hospital's official report of a relapse of an old affliction. Her assassination attempt failed, and she was immediately imprisoned. Chu Rang, concerned about who might have incited Jiuling, learned from a eunuch that she refused to confess despite severe torture. The eunuch also reported that a servant girl named Bing'er had escaped.
Chu Rang speculated that Jiuling, being highly intelligent, likely sought death, understanding that her demise would prevent him from harming her simple-minded older sister, Jiuli, and underage younger brother, Jiurong, due to public sentiment. He revealed that he had ordered Lu Yunqi to marry Jiuling as a precaution. Confident she would not yield information, Chu Rang ordered her to be dealt with, stressing that no one should escape this time.
That night, just as Jiuling was being prepared for execution, her master, Doctor Jun Yingwen, infiltrated the prison and rescued her. Jun Yingwen's daughter, Jun Zhenzhen, selflessly offered to take Jiuling's place to ensure Chu Rang believed Jiuling was dead. While Zhenzhen remained in the prison cell, a fire was set to create the illusion of Jiuling's self-immolation. Lu Yunqi arrived later, reporting to Chu Rang that Jiuling had perished in the blaze.
Feigning sorrow, Chu Rang declared he would not pursue the matter further. Upon waking, Jiuling discovered that Doctor Jun Yingwen had used a secret prescription to alter her ruined face and voice. Overwhelmed by grief, she learned that Zhenzhen had indeed sacrificed herself. Doctor Jun explained that this drastic measure was necessary to convince Chu Rang of Jiuling's death, emphasizing that the Jun family was repaying the immense kindness shown to them by the late emperor.
Jiuling, still reeling from the loss, vowed to find Zhenzhen, but Doctor Jun urged her to live well and not betray Zhenzhen's sacrifice. Jiuling then revealed to her master that Bing'er, her father's maid-in-waiting, had secretly informed her that Chu Rang and Lu Yunqi had entered the palace just before her father's sudden death, engaging in a fierce argument with him. Bing'er had witnessed the strangulation marks on her father's neck, confirming Chu Rang's culpability.
Jiuling, burning with a desire for vengeance, resolved to live as Jun Zhenzhen, understanding that only by staying alive could she seek justice. She reflected on her past decision to marry Lu Yunqi, which was a calculated move to lower Chu Rang's guard and protect her siblings. Doctor Jun reassured her that her changed appearance was now a blessing in disguise, severing any connection to Princess Jiuling. Tragedy soon struck again.
While searching for a rare herb on a mountain, Doctor Jun Yingwen accidentally fell off a cliff. As he lay dying, Jiuling tried desperately to save him, but he knew it was futile. He entrusted her with the Jun family's heirloom jade pendant, reiterating that she was now Jun Zhenzhen. He then revealed a critical secret: a sealed note from the late emperor found within his personal letters.
This note concerned the murder of the previous emperor's father by the Beiqi people, a crime the late emperor suspected was linked to Chu Rang. Doctor Jun had been covertly investigating this at the late emperor's command, but his efforts were cut short when Chu Rang murdered the emperor. He believed these two royal murders were Chu Rang's Achilles' heel. Recognizing Jiuling's vulnerable position, he advised her against returning to the capital.
Instead, he instructed her to travel to Zezhou and seek refuge with the prosperous Fang family, Zhenzhen's maternal relatives, as it would provide both safety and an opportunity to investigate the truth. Following Doctor Jun's instructions, Jiuling traveled to the Biyunpo Inn, where she found Liu'er, a servant girl from the Jun family's old house in Runan. Liu'er was being held by the innkeeper, unable to pay her outstanding rent after her money pouch had been stolen.
Jiuling intervened, settling Liu'er's debt. Liu'er, unaware of Jiuling's true identity, joyfully mistook her for Miss Jun Zhenzhen. After an emotional reunion, Liu'er eagerly agreed to accompany Jiuling to Zezhou, despite expressing concern about the Fang family's merchant status. Jiuling, however, declared her indifference to status, prioritizing her mission. In Zezhou, the wealthy Fang family, known for their business acumen, welcomed the new arrivals. The family included the lively and pampered Fang Jinxiu and the gentle and sensible Fang Yuxiu.
Upon meeting Fang Cao, the old lady of the Fang family and Zhenzhen's maternal grandmother, Jiuling presented the jade pendant. Fang Cao was initially skeptical, and the mistress of the first household openly accused Jiuling of being a fraud seeking money. Jiuling patiently answered questions about her mother's passing and accurately described a specific jade bracelet Yuxian had cherished and was buried with.
This detail, along with Fang Yuxiu's plea for patience, swayed Fang Cao, who agreed to let Jiuling stay temporarily while they sent inquiries to Runan. Jiuling realized she needed to find a way to earn the Fang family's full trust. Life at the Fang family manor proved challenging due to Fang Jinxiu's constant provocations. One day, Fang Jinxiu criticized Jiuling for giving medical advice to Fang Cao. Liu'er, fiercely loyal, leapt to Jiuling's defense, leading to a heated argument.
Jiuling intervened, pulling Liu'er away and later advising her to be cautious and to discern good intentions from bad, regardless of how they were spoken. Later, Liu'er informed Jiuling that she had a bundle from Doctor Jun, containing an important document. Inside, Jiuling found a marriage contract between Jun Zhenzhen and a Mr. Ning. Liu'er was excited, knowing Mr. Ning was a highly sought-after bachelor.
Though she understood the advantageous nature of the marriage, Jiuling, living under Zhenzhen's identity, could not truly accept it. However, she decided the contract could serve as proof of her identity. At dinner, she presented the marriage contract to Fang Cao. Pleased, Fang Cao acknowledged Mr. Ning's noble reputation and intended to visit the Ning family to finalize the arrangement, despite Jiuling's hesitation.
The following day, Fang Jinxiu confronted Jiuling, revealing that Fang Cao had visited the Ning family but had been humiliated by Mrs. Ning, who rejected the marriage despite the elders' prior agreement. Fang Cao returned home ill from anger and anxiety. Resolved to cure Fang Cao's "heart illness with heart medicine," Jiuling decided to confront Mrs. Ning herself. Upon meeting Mrs. Ning, Jiuling presented the marriage contract and asserted its legitimacy.
She explained that the late Mr. Ning had insisted on the marriage to repay a life-saving debt, as her grandfather had repeatedly refused any monetary payment. Mrs. Ning remained dismissive, viewing the Jun family's medical lineage as a bargaining chip and insultingly offered money to annul the contract. Jiuling, with steely resolve, countered by exposing the Ning family's secret history of buying their first official rank.
She argued that just as the Ning family had used money to elevate their social standing, they could now use it to rid themselves of the unwanted marriage contract. Jiuling initially demanded 2,000 taels of silver. Mrs. Ning, stunned by Jiuling's knowledge of her family's past, reluctantly agreed. However, seeing Mrs. Ning's desperation, Jiuling immediately raised the price to 5,000 taels.
