Jun Jiu Ling Episode 32 Recap
> Jun Jiu Ling Recap
Upon learning of Qi Xuan's emergence, Chu Rang was greatly alarmed. Reflecting on the ongoing complaints from literati regarding the enfeoffment of military generals, he realized that refusing great tutor Qi Xuan entry would deeply wound the hearts of all scholars. Following Prince Xian's persuasion, Chu Rang dispatched Yuan Bao with an oral decree to the Third Prince, instructing him to immediately open the city gates and welcome Qi Xuan and Lord Cheng into the capital.
Outside the city gates, tens of thousands of common people from the three northern prefectures clamored for Lord Cheng's entry. Coupled with great tutor Qi Xuan's significant influence, the Third Prince found himself in a difficult position. Just as he hesitated, Chu Rang's oral decree arrived via Yuan Bao, ordering him to grant passage. The city's inhabitants lined the streets to welcome them, creating a truly magnificent spectacle.
Amidst the joyous commotion, Zhu Zan approached Prince Xian (Uncle Yuan) and expressed his gratitude, acknowledging Prince Xian's crucial role in his father's smooth entry. Prince Xian playfully teased Zhu Zan about his lack of grace compared to Lord Cheng but praised Jun Jiuling's resourcefulness, urging Zhu Zan to marry her soon. He then inquired why Jun Jiuling, who had orchestrated such a clever plan, had not yet appeared.
Zhu Zan explained that to publicly sever Lu Yunqi's persistent entanglement, he and Jun Jiuling needed to enact a public charade. Meanwhile, Lu Yunqi, upon realizing that tens of thousands of refugees had entered the capital, questioned his subordinates. He learned that Deshengchang had covertly mixed the refugees into caravans, allowing them to bypass checkpoints via waterways and land routes. His subordinate admitted their oversight, noting that only Jun Jiuling could have conceived of such a sophisticated plan.
As the procession continued into the city, Jun Jiuling appeared, riding a horse in striking red attire. Lu Yunqi gazed at her, a subconscious smile gracing his lips, before he abruptly regained his composure, suppressing his emotions, and ordered her arrest. Zhu Zan promptly intervened, not only obstructing the Arm Moral Department but also publicly declaring Jun Jiuling to be the wife of His Lordship, Lord Cheng's son.
He emphasized that with his father, Lord Cheng, currently in an audience with His Majesty, arresting Jun Jiuling would be tantamount to defying the will of His Majesty. Seeing Lu Yunqi hesitate, Zhu Zan seized the opportunity to display affection for Jun Jiuling in front of the crowd, addressing her as "my dear wife" and being called "my dear husband" in return. Their public display of endearment infuriated Lu Yunqi, leaving him seething.
Jun Jiuling later remarked that she publicly provoked him, knowing that if he reacted, their actions would be justified even before His Majesty. Subsequently, Lu Yunqi's subordinates, who had been tasked with tracking Jun Jiuling, doffed their uniforms and approached him to admit their failure. However, Lu Yunqi, acknowledging Jun Jiuling's safe return, did not pursue the matter further and ordered them to don their uniforms again, making no additional comments.
Lord Cheng entered the palace to seek an audience with Chu Rang, admitting his "guilt." He confessed to having resisted ten imperial edicts and acknowledged that while Zhu Zan's escape was due to the conflict between the two states, his son was not entirely blameless. Chu Rang, however, dismissed Lord Cheng's self-incrimination, stating that resisting imperial edicts for the sake of the nation was excusable, and Zhu Zan's heroic act of saving the refugees balanced any wrongdoing.
Lord Cheng's strategy of turning a passive situation into an active one successfully cleared him of any blame, leaving even Prime Minister Huang speechless. Considering Chu Rang's true intentions for summoning him to the capital, Lord Cheng requested to retire from his official post, citing old age and his inability to continue guarding the North. He offered his military power to Chu Rang, symbolically withdrawing his influence to avoid further involvement.
Chu Rang initially offered to temporarily hold the military tally, intending to return it, but ultimately accepted Lord Cheng's resignation. Lord Cheng then requested Chu Rang to revoke the donation order, which Chu Rang granted, with Lord Cheng expressing his gratitude for the Emperor's trust.
This decision also paved the way for Ning Yunzhao's uncle to return to court, as his opposition to peace talks had been the cause of his earlier suspension, and Chu Rang, acknowledging his devotion to the nation, pardoned him and reinstated him. Li Sanbing and Baotang returned to the Mansion of Lord Cheng, having been fed up with the overly affectionate displays of Zhu Zan and Jun Jiuling.
Once inside, they reported their recent findings: Prime Minister Huang had secretly met with Yu Chihai, the Crown Prince of Beiqi. Yu Chihai had used a scapegoat to conceal his movements and destroyed all evidence, making direct accusation difficult. Baotang then mentioned the public's criticism of Ning Yunzhao, who was now seen as a "covetous minister" and had become thick-skinned due to the "expert" behind him.
Jun Jiuling felt a pang of self-reproach, as Ning Yunzhao's "slanders" in court were actions she had instructed. That evening, Zhu Zan brought Bing'er to the Mansion of Lord Cheng, arranging for her to stay with Jun Jiuling. Bing'er, who had survived the disaster and changed her appearance, now went by the name Sujuan. Jun Jiuling recognized Sujuan as Bing'er, a former attendant of the late emperor.
Bing'er tearfully apologized for her past actions, believing her words might have contributed to Jun Jiuling's initial predicament. Jun Jiuling comforted her, asserting that neither of them was at fault and revealing that Zhu Zan had rescued Bing'er and kept her safe.
Bing'er then recounted the details surrounding the late emperor's death, though Zhu Zan noted that the pattern on the imperial seal impression was something the late emperor had discussed with Highly Skilled Doctor Jun and that Prime Minister Huang had also seen it. After returning from the palace, Lord Cheng explained the situation to his family.
Madame Yu, who had always admired Jun Jiuling and understood her son's affection, playfully suggested adopting Jun Jiuling as her foster daughter, making them siblings. This ploy forced Zhu Zan to truthfully express his feelings about Jun Jiuling. Jun Jiuling, equally mischievous, did not object to Madame Yu's proposal, feigning indifference, further teasing Zhu Zan about their engagement being merely an "expedient."
The next day, Zhu Zan, Jun Jiuling, Li Sanbing, and Baotang went to a restaurant for a meal, where they coincidentally encountered Lu Yunqi. Li Sanbing and Baotang intentionally provoked Lu Yunqi by repeatedly addressing Jun Jiuling as "sister-in-law," almost instigating a brawl with the Arm Moral Department's men. Lu Yunqi, infuriated, left the restaurant and boarded Prime Minister Huang's carriage. Inside, Prime Minister Huang proposed a collaboration, promising that Jun Jiuling would eventually come begging to Lu Yunqi.
Baotang, still seething over Lu Yunqi, regretted having saved him as a child. He inadvertently revealed the story of Princess Jiuling's childhood encounter with Lu Yunqi. He recounted how, about ten years prior, Lu Yunqi had been caught stealing from their mansion but refused to admit it. Princess Jiuling, upon seeing the older boys bullying him, had intervened and saved him. Baotang lamented that Jun Jiuling would surely regret having saved such a person.
Meanwhile, Ning Yunzhao went to Jiuling Drugstore to find Jun Jiuling. However, his new reputation as a "covetous minister" preceded him, causing misunderstanding and disdain. Fang Jinxiu, without hesitation, blocked his entry. She harshly criticized his transformation from a "noble childe" to a sycophant, constantly praising His Majesty even when Ning Yunzhao's own uncle was demoted for speaking up for Lord Cheng.
Liu'er, another attendant, also expressed her disdain, stating that Jun Jiuling was now the wife of His Lordship and must align with her husband's family. Jun Jiuling eventually agreed to meet him but firmly told him that their paths had diverged and they could no longer be friends due to their differing convictions and pursuits. Understanding her clear message, Ning Yunzhao left, promising not to bother her again.
