Jun Jiu Ling Episode 26 Recap
> Jun Jiu Ling Recap
After Prime Minister Huang impeached Lord Cheng and his son Zhu Zan, others gradually left the palace. Knowing that the Huang family would not spare Wan Qing, Jun Jiuling ensured Wan Qing took a breathing-suspending pill and entrusted Li Sanbing and Zhang Baotang to transport her out of the city safely. With Zhu Zan now held captive in the Arm Moral Department, his fate uncertain, Jun Jiuling calmed her companions, urging them against impulsive action.
Their immediate priority was to gather information on his condition. Prince Xian then unexpectedly arrived at Jiuling Drugstore, using his concubine's illness as a pretext to invite Jun Jiuling to his residence for a consultation. Although outsiders perceived Prince Xian, also known as Twelfth Uncle, as merely an arrogant and extravagant playboy, Jun Jiuling knew he was once a diligent and ambitious scholar.
His pretense of being a frivolous royal was a shrewd strategy for self-preservation, ensuring Chu Rang would drop his guard and avoid familial conflict, unlike what happened to her own father. Jun Jiuling silently pondered if her younger brother, Jiurong, might face a similar fate.
Once Prince Xian's concubines had departed, Jun Jiuling boldly surmised that his visit to Jiuling Drugstore was at Zhu Zan's behest, meant to bolster her medical reputation and to express gratitude for her successful treatment of Prince Huai. Though Prince Xian initially denied being directed by Zhu Zan, Jun Jiuling pressed, noting that his visit, while popular with the public, went against His Majesty's wishes, confirming his sincerity and risk.
She then appealed to him, requesting that he find a way to save Zhu Zan, as she herself had urgent matters that necessitated her departure from the capital. Prince Xian, acknowledging her cure of Prince Huai as a great service, implicitly agreed to help. Jun Jiuling cautioned him against directly involving Lu Yunqi or approaching Chu Rang about Zhu Zan's situation, as it would inevitably arouse Chu Rang’s suspicion, explaining that his visit to her clinic was already conspicuous enough.
Upon learning that Zhu Zan was being brutally flogged in the Arm Moral Department, Jun Jiuling restrained Zhang Baotang and Li Sanbing from attempting a futile rescue. She resolved to confront Lu Yunqi herself. When she arrived, Lu Yunqi greeted her with a chilling composure, revealing his expectation of her visit and his desire to control her.
Jun Jiuling confronted him about Zhu Zan's torture, reminding him that Zhu Zan was Lord Cheng's son and that torturing him without a proper hearing would be difficult to justify politically. Lu Yunqi, however, expressed his anger at her concern for another man. Jun Jiuling adamantly declared she was not Princess Jiuling, but merely a replacement for her in his eyes.
She then shrewdly pointed out that Zhu Zan’s death would not serve Prime Minister Huang's interests, but rather provoke Lord Cheng and concern Chu Rang. She proposed a deal: if Lu Yunqi ensured Zhu Zan's survival, she would immediately leave the capital. Lu Yunqi accepted the terms and allowed her access to the imperial prison to treat Zhu Zan. His subordinate noted that with Jun Jiuling out of the capital, she would be easier to control.
Inside the imperial prison, the sounds of suffering echoed. Zhu Zan, severely injured, had been enduring agonizing pain, clinging to life by a thread. Jun Jiuling, her heart aching, tearfully applied medicine, scolding him for his reckless actions. She questioned if he had considered the severe repercussions for Lord Cheng and the people of the North should they become entangled.
She revealed her deal with Lu Yunqi to save him, explaining that she needed to depart the capital after treating his wounds. Zhu Zan vehemently opposed her decision, warning her of Lu Yunqi’s vast and complex network that would make escape impossible, and expressing his inability to protect her while imprisoned. Jun Jiuling, however, was resolute, urging him to simply survive, for his life was essential to their future plans.
Meanwhile, Prince Xian visited Chu Rang, trying to subtly intercede for Zhu Zan. He adopted his usual frivolous persona, praising Zhu Zan's prowess in pleasure-seeking activities and suggesting that Zhu Zan should be spared to become his personal companion for entertainment. Chu Rang, initially surprised by Prince Xian being the first to plead for Zhu Zan, dismissed the request, citing the serious implications and telling Prince Xian to mind his own business, though he offered him money.
Unbeknownst to Prince Xian, Chu Rang had never truly intended to kill Zhu Zan, considering Lord Cheng's influence. Instead, he used the incident to gauge the loyalty of his court. He was dismayed that no official dared to speak on Zhu Zan's behalf, which ironically made him wary of Prime Minister Huang's growing power, seeing it as a potential threat.
Despite his stated intentions, Lu Yunqi, driven by personal vendetta, secretly instructed Ghost Hand to inflict various tortures on Zhu Zan. Chu Rang, aware of Lu Yunqi’s actions, turned a blind eye but explicitly warned him not to take Zhu Zan’s life. Jun Jiuling then gathered her companions at Jiuling Drugstore to announce her impending departure from the capital.
She entrusted the management of the drugstore to Fang Jinxiu, instructing her to continue selling medicine but cease offering consultations, thus minimizing potential disputes. Fang Jinxiu, concerned for Jun Jiuling’s safety, arranged for Chen Qi to escort Jun Jiuling and Liu'er back to Zezhou, ensuring they would have protection on their journey. Jun Jiuling explained that her decision to leave was not born of fear, but of a strategic retreat.
She cited historical examples of famous doctors who gained popular support only to be killed by powerful figures, acknowledging that Jiuling Drugstore's rising fame could attract unwanted attention from Lu Yunqi. By no longer providing diagnoses and only selling medicine, she hoped to mitigate future conflicts, seeing it as a tactical withdrawal to gain an advantage.
She reiterated her trust in Prince Xian and instructed Fang Jinxiu to seek his help if any difficulties arose, also mentioning that she had informed Fang Chengyu to ensure Deshengchang provided assistance. She also reminded Fang Jinxiu that, in this world, everything can be abandoned except human life. On the day of their departure, Jun Jiuling and Liu'er found no interference from the Arm Moral Department, leading them to believe that someone, likely arranged by Zhu Zan, had diverted them.
Jun Jiuling herself speculated that Lu Yunqi, having received her letter, would honor their agreement and convince Prime Minister Huang to spare Zhu Zan. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Huang, realizing Chu Rang's true intentions through Lu Yunqi's hints, became fearful. He immediately entered the palace to plead for Zhu Zan, asserting that his son's death was an accident caused by a startled horse and not Zhu Zan's fault, thus absolving him.
Chu Rang, sensing Prime Minister Huang’s attempt to consolidate power and protect himself, agreed to his suggestion. He ordered Zhu Zan to be transferred to the Livestock Office to care for horses and reflect on his actions. This decision both saved Prime Minister Huang's reputation and served as a lesson for Zhu Zan. Having endured his imprisonment, Zhu Zan, mindful of Jun Jiuling's words to survive, was finally released.
Before leaving, he flung a defiant parting remark at Lu Yunqi and departed with a smile. Ghost Hand, witnessing Zhu Zan's rapid recovery and ability to walk within days, marveled at Jun Jiuling's exceptional medical skills. News of Jun Jiuling's impending return to Zezhou thrilled Fang Chengyu, who decided to travel ahead to a post station to await her.
Meanwhile, Jun Jiuling visited the tomb of her master, Jun Yingwen, by herself, confiding in him about the year's trials and growth, her unwavering resolve to seek justice from Chu Rang, and a newfound connection between the Zezhou secret her master entrusted to her and the Fang family. Later, Fang Chengyu successfully met Liu'er and the others, only to realize he had missed Jun Jiuling, who had gone to the tomb. He then resolved to ride quickly to the post.
In Zezhou, Ning Yunzhao had already arrived. He openly admitted to his family that his engagement to Jun Zhenzhen was a fabrication, initially agreed upon due to dire circumstances. However, he also confessed that his feelings for Jun Zhenzhen were genuine. This admission enraged Mrs. Ning, who saw Jun Zhenzhen as a manipulative woman who had ensnared her precious, illustrious son.
Ning Yunzhao attempted to explain his strategic reasoning for publicly addressing the engagement to protect his career from gossip, but his sister, Yunyan, quickly discerned that his rationalizations merely masked his true affection for Jun Zhenzhen.
