Jun Jiu Ling Episode 23 Recap
> Jun Jiu Ling Recap
With the palace examination concluded, Ning Yunzhao successfully became the new No. 1 Scholar. Meanwhile, Lu Yunqi dispatched someone to invite Jun Jiuling to treat Prince Huai, known as Jiurong. After Jun Jiuling confirmed Jiurong’s health, she proceeded to vaccinate him. She meticulously explained the procedure, assuring Jiurong it might itch slightly but that he must try not to sneeze. Jiurong bravely complied.
Jun Jiuling then offered to stay and assist with his care that night, an offer Lu Yunqi gratefully accepted. Later, Lu Yunqi’s subordinate, Gu Qing, questioned why Jun Jiuling was called for a follow-up given Jiurong’s recent good health, but Lu Yunqi dismissed his concerns.
Princess Jiuli, Jiurong's elder sister, warmly thanked Jun Jiuling, and to confirm her inner guess, cordially held her hand and subtly probed her personal situation, noting Jun Jiuling’s profound care for Jiurong and Jiurong’s unusual closeness to her, observing that Jiurong did not easily trust others. Jun Jiuling attributed their bond to mutual affinity.
Internally, Jun Jiuling wondered if Princess Jiuli was subtly probing her identity, feeling the urge to reveal herself to her sister and Jiurong but knowing it was not yet the right moment. She excused herself, feigning the need to decoct herbs. Princess Jiuli suggested Jun Jiuling stay on to continue caring for Jiurong, especially since Gu Qing had taken leave.
Lu Yunqi, before departing for the palace, agreed with Princess Jiuli’s suggestion, noting the evident affinity between Jun Jiuling and Jiurong. Jun Jiuling, having not brought a change of clothes, was offered some old garments by Princess Jiuli. Though initially hesitant, deeming them too noble, Jun Jiuling accepted. She recognized one of the dresses as her former self, Chu Jiuling's, favorite, a piece Princess Jiuli had personally embroidered for her.
She questioned whether this was a deliberate test or mere coincidence, but decided to wear it, confident in her current changed appearance. Princess Jiuli complimented her, remarking that the dress fit her perfectly. Later, Jiurong, waking from a dream, mistakenly called Jun Jiuling his "second sister," distressed that someone else was wearing her clothes.
Jun Jiuling tried to explain his error and offered to remove the dress, but Princess Jiuli intervened, stating it was the only memento left by her late sister and asking Jun Jiuling to keep wearing it and leave it behind when she departed. Unable to suppress her emotions at the bittersweet reunion, Jun Jiuling fought back tears and quickly left, unaware that her departing back confirmed Lu Yunqi's suspicions about her identity.
Concurrently, Zhu Zan, seeking to alleviate the tax burden on the capital's populace, took Prince Xian, his twelfth uncle, who usually disregarded state affairs, on a tour of the city. He aimed for Prince Xian to witness the common people's plight firsthand, such as a pancake vendor struggling to earn enough to pay taxes. Zhu Zan hoped Prince Xian, who held significant sway within the royal family, would speak to Emperor Chu Rang and influence tax policy.
Their discussion was interrupted when Zhang Baotang hastily arrived, informing Zhu Zan that Lu Yunqi intended to take Jun Jiuling as his concubine and had sent betrothal gifts to Jiuling Drugstore. Enraged, Zhu Zan immediately headed there, intending to smash the gifts. Upon returning to Jiuling Drugstore, Jun Jiuling was confronted by Liu'er and Fang Jinxiu, who were outraged by the large boxes of precious gifts.
They informed her that Lu Yunqi had sent them to propose marriage, specifically to take her as his concubine. They expressed concern that this public gesture, especially after her involvement with Prince Huai’s treatment and her prior public dispute with Lu Yunqi, would severely tarnish her reputation, leading people to believe she had conspired with him all along.
Jun Jiuling understood Lu Yunqi’s true intention was not to marry her, but to ruin her good name and prevent her from treating noblewomen. She resolutely decided to return the gifts publicly, not discreetly, to directly confront Lu Yunqi’s attempt to defame her.
She instructed Chen Qi to take an imperial decree and return all the gifts, along with the previous 8,000 taels of silver note, to Lu Yunqi’s mansion immediately, stating there was no need for civility as their ties were already broken. Zhu Zan arrived at the drugstore, intent on smashing the betrothal gifts. Jun Jiuling, amused by his furious demeanor, calmly informed him that she had already sent them back.
Zhu Zan expressed his willingness to have personally smashed them, knowing he would face no repercussions, but worried for her staff’s safety. Jun Jiuling, however, assured him that she had everything under control. Chen Qi, armed with an imperial decree, confidently arrived at Lu Yunqi’s mansion. He brazenly instructed his porters to unload the gift boxes at the entrance, returning them along with the 8,000 taels.
Jin Shiba, a deputy commander under Lu Yunqi, was enraged by Chen Qi’s defiance and drew his sword. However, Lu Yunqi, recognizing the imperial decree, ordered Jin Shiba and his men to stand down. He then calmly told Chen Qi to convey a message to Jun Jiuling: "Days are long." Chen Qi departed feeling triumphant, relishing his success.
Back at Jiuling Drugstore, Jun Jiuling and her staff anxiously awaited Chen Qi’s return, breathing a sigh of relief only when he arrived safely. Chen Qi recounted how he had sensed Lu Yunqi's helplessness, while Fang Jinxiu playfully suggested Lu Yunqi might have seen resolve in Chen Qi's eyes. Liu'er reassured them that Jun Jiuling's reputation, especially as County Princess Shanyang, could not be easily slandered by Lu Yunqi.
Zhang Baotang and Li Sanbing praised Jun Jiuling's exceptional courage in using the imperial decree to publicly reject the marriage proposal. Li Sanbing then shared somber news: Minister Wan, a loyal official, and his entire family had been executed after being falsely accused of embezzlement by Huang Cheng's son, Junior Huang. It was revealed that Minister Wan had previously accused Junior Huang of the same crime, but his memorial was suppressed, and he was ultimately framed.
Fortunately, Minister Wan's granddaughter had escaped, and Zhu Zan was secretly investigating her whereabouts to avoid alerting the Wu De Si. Later, Princess Jiuli confronted Lu Yunqi about his continued pursuit of Jun Jiuling despite her rejection. Lu Yunqi dismissed her concerns, stating that people often do things they don't want to do, and that his "approval" was honor enough for a woman.
Princess Jiuli then inquired if he no longer wished to see Princess Jiuling, implying his obsession stemmed from Jun Jiuling's striking resemblance to her. Lu Yunqi admitted the resemblance was indeed extraordinary, but firmly declared he would never give up on Jun Jiuling.
