Jun Jiu Ling Episode 39 Recap
> Jun Jiu Ling Recap
Outside the capital city, the sounds of battle raged, and the drums on the city wall intensified as the massive Beiqi army advanced like an overwhelming tide. The defenders of the capital had largely fallen, their formation shattered, shields splintering, and blood splattering. Amidst this chaos, Chu Jiuling fearlessly continued to beat the war drum. Seeing Jiurong almost succumb to the enemy, she loudly encouraged him.
Though initially afraid, Jiurong, strengthened by her words, declared himself unafraid and urged everyone to fight the invaders. Just as Jiurong was on the brink of death, Zhu Zan arrived with reinforcements. Lord Cheng Zhu Shan and Earl of Qinghe Zou Jiang also led their troops to the capital. News then reached the Beiqi general that their emperor had been assassinated, and that the Second Prince had already retreated.
His subordinate urged him to return to prevent infighting among the princes for the throne. Facing potential heavy casualties if they continued alone, the Beiqi general ordered a full withdrawal. A voice from the Tianyou forces then announced that the enemy emperor had been killed, and King Dapeng's army was surrounded, urging surrender. Inside the palace, Chu Rang was astonished to learn the capital city had been held, eager to understand how.
Chu Jiuling, having successfully defended her father's empire, finally collapsed from exhaustion into Zhu Zan's arms. The good news reached Chu Rang, but his momentary joy quickly turned to worry. He pondered how his people would view him now that Zhu Zan, whom he had previously accused of treason based on Prime Minister Huang Cheng's slanders, had saved the capital.
Ning Yunzhao advised him, explaining that the accusation of treason against Lord Cheng was solely Prime Minister Huang Cheng's doing, and Chu Rang had merely trusted him. Ning Yunzhao suggested that Prime Minister Huang Cheng's disappearance was a sign of his guilt, as he likely fled under the guise of peace negotiations.
He further explained that Dr. Jun and Prince Xian had already disseminated a story: before the siege, Chu Rang had departed to the imperial mausoleum to atone for the war that had caused suffering. Though unable to return during the siege, his heart remained with the capital, and even Zhu Zan's assassination and Lord Cheng's and Earl of Qinghe's return were presented as being under Chu Rang's command.
Satisfied with this narrative, Chu Rang ordered preparations for his triumphant return to the capital the next morning. After dismissing his officials, Chu Rang bade Lu Yunqi stay behind. He mused on Jun Jiuling's motives, suspecting her intentions were deeper than just begging for Lord Cheng's mercy.
He pointed out that she released Prince Huai, who then delivered a speech on the streets, implying solidarity with the suffering people and subtly criticizing the court – words Chu Rang believed Jun Jiuling had orchestrated to allude to him. He expressed growing apprehension about Jun Jiuling's ability to incite the people, fearing she could rally them to do other things as she had done in defending the city. He ordered Lu Yunqi to kill her.
Lu Yunqi, citing the sanctity of imperial decrees, reluctantly agreed. Later, Ning Yunzhao confronted Lu Yunqi, confirming Chu Rang's murderous intent. Ning Yunzhao revealed his own desire for a peaceful and prosperous era under a wise emperor and good ministers, hinting at his role in hiding the imperial seal and advocating for Prince Huai, the rightful heir after the late emperor's death, to ascend the throne. Lu Yunqi confirmed that Chu Rang planned to act after the imperial awards ceremony.
With the conflict settled, a sense of calm returned to Tianyou. Zhu Zan diligently watched over Chu Jiuling until she gradually awakened, a visible wave of relief washing over him. He tenderly assured her of his safe return. Jiurong then entered, expressing his gratitude to Jun Jiuling, admitting that her courage had inspired his own bravery on the ramparts. Zhu Zan, however, questioned why she attributed all the credit for the city's defense to Chu Rang.
Jun Jiuling explained her strategic reasoning: she needed to lure Chu Rang back to the capital to settle old scores. Chu Jiuli, also present, expressed relief that the capital was secured and thanked Jun Jiuling on behalf of the Chu family, though she voiced concern about Jiurong's safety given his public exposure during the siege.
After Zhu Zan left to allow them privacy, Chu Jiuling began to recite a childhood nursery rhyme, a secret only she and her elder sister, Chu Jiuli, knew. Chu Jiuli recognized the rhyme and recalled a moment from their childhood involving "Lady Worms," confirming Jun Jiuling's identity as her younger sister, "Ling'er." Chu Jiuli was bewildered by her sister's changed appearance and voice.
Jun Jiuling explained that without the Jun family's help, she would not have survived to see them again. Jiurong, too, was overjoyed, embracing his "Second Sister" and expressing his disbelief that she was alive. Chu Jiuli, deeply emotional, questioned why Jun Jiuling hadn't revealed herself sooner. Jun Jiuling explained the perilous circumstances of her marriage to Lu Yunqi and his growing suspicions due to her very name, making it dangerous to expose her true identity.
She had been waiting for the right moment to confess everything to them. Chu Jiuli, heartbroken by her sister's solitary burden, vowed that from now on, they would face all challenges together as a family. The night before her entry into the palace, Chu Jiuling and Zhu Zan conversed by the lake. Zhu Zan inquired if she was nervous, assuring her that justice would prevail.
Jun Jiuling informed him that Fang Chengyu had returned with her and was safely settled in the Sky Pavilion to avoid detection, noting his increased maturity after their shared experiences. Both reflected on their personal growth. Chu Jiuling asked about the dangers of assassinating the Beiqi emperor, which Zhu Zan downplayed, though he affirmed his willingness to die for the well-being of the people.
Chu Jiuling, however, urged him to always remember her worry if he were to take such risks again, confessing how much she had missed him and feared losing him during their separation. Zhu Zan reciprocated, describing the emptiness he felt without her and how his sole motivation for survival during the assassination was the thought of her. He then confessed his love for her multiple times, leading to a heartfelt exchange.
Under the guise of restored peace, Chu Rang made a grand return to the capital, summoning Lord Cheng Zhu Shan, Earl of Qinghe Zou Jiang, Zhu Zan, and County Princess Shanyang Jun Jiuling to the hall for awards. Chu Rang lavished praise upon Lord Cheng and Earl of Qinghe for their contributions to Beiqi's defeat.
He then lauded Jun Jiuling for her wisdom, decisiveness, and care for the people, declaring her a model for all women and formally conferring upon her the title of Princess Shanyang. However, Jun Jiuling remained motionless, neither acknowledging the honor nor displaying any emotion, which bewildered the assembled officials and prompted a eunuch to reprimand her.
As Chu Rang prepared to charge Jun Jiuling with disrespect, Zhu Zan swiftly intervened, redirecting the conversation by pleading for his father, Lord Cheng, to be vindicated. Chu Rang attempted to defer the matter, citing Prime Minister Huang Cheng's disappearance as an obstacle to finding evidence. However, Prince Huai dramatically entered, personally escorting the captured Prime Minister Huang Cheng into the hall.
Prince Huai explained that Prime Minister Huang Cheng had been found outside the city attempting to meet Yu Chihai, a Beiqi official, and was almost killed by Beiqi soldiers before Prince Huai's guards rescued him. Prime Minister Huang Cheng vehemently protested his innocence, but Chu Rang, feigning anger, accused him of colluding with the enemy and disrupting the court, ordering him to be taken away.
Lord Cheng quickly interjected, demanding an immediate confrontation with Prime Minister Huang Cheng to clear his name in front of the court, arguing that failing to do so would undermine the stability of the court and the morale of the military, and damage Chu Rang's reputation. Numerous officials voiced their agreement, supporting Lord Cheng's demand for a public reckoning.
Pressured by the officials, Chu Rang directly questioned Prime Minister Huang Cheng, who admitted to fabricating the accusations of treason against Lord Cheng. He confessed it was a personal vendetta, as he could not forgive Zhu Zan for killing his son, Ziqing, and thus sought an opportunity for revenge. Chu Rang, pretending outrage, ordered Prime Minister Huang Cheng to be handed over to the Supreme Court for thorough interrogation.
However, Prince Xian immediately interjected, advocating for Prime Minister Huang Cheng's swift execution by slicing, citing his betrayal of the nation and framing of a loyal minister as crimes warranting the most severe punishment according to imperial law. Under this immense pressure, Chu Rang reluctantly agreed to the death sentence. As he faced his impending execution, Prime Minister Huang Cheng, in desperation, cried out, "Have you forgotten what happened in the third year of the Taiyan period?"
Chu Rang, horrified by the outburst, immediately ordered him to be dragged away. Lord Cheng stopped them, demanding to know the truth behind Prime Minister Huang Cheng's words.
Amidst the mounting tension, Fang Chengyu unexpectedly entered the hall, announcing he was there on behalf of the Fang family to express gratitude for Chu Rang's trust in them during the third year of Taiyan, when a batch of silver was entrusted to their family, leading to the prosperity of their business, Deshengchang. When Chu Rang tried to dismiss the silver as fake, Fang Chengyu produced the actual imperial treasury silver from the third year of Taiyan, confirming its authenticity.
He then revealed that this was the only batch of silver produced by the court in that year, intended as a ransom to redeem the late emperor. This revelation proved that Beiqi had never received the ransom and thus did not betray their word by killing the late emperor; rather, the silver had never even left the capital, deeply implicating Chu Rang in the late emperor's demise. Fang Chengyu also subtly alluded to Chu Rang's past attempt to burn him alive, further escalating the confrontation.
