Jun Jiu Ling Episode 8 Recap
> Jun Jiu Ling Recap
On her wedding day, Chu Jiuling officially became the eldest daughter-in-law of the Fang family. She reflected on her life, having experienced three engagements – one with Lu Yunqi, another with Childe Ning, and a third with her cousin, Fang Chengyu himself. None of these had truly belonged to her, and she wondered if she would ever have a real engagement. Now, her only wish was to cure Fang Chengyu as quickly as possible.
The wedding ceremony was brief, with Chu Jiuling asking to skip the usual formalities given Fang Chengyu’s weak health. After they bowed as husband and wife, she prepared a medicated bath for him. When she began to help him undress, Fang Chengyu initially misunderstood her intentions. Chu Jiuling clarified that it was for the medicated bath she had mentioned previously, reminding him that since they were married, he should now accept her treatment, ignoring any previous talk about gender boundaries.
She warned him that the longer he stayed in the bath, the more painful it would become, though the efficacy would also increase, and he might even faint. Despite the pain, Fang Chengyu endured, expressing concern about being useless. Chu Jiuling reassured him he would recover soon and encouraged him to shout if the pain became unbearable. When he eventually screamed for her to leave, she insisted she must stay, knowing he might faint.
She finally relented and stood guard at the door. Liu'er, waiting outside, nervously inquired about Fang Chengyu's condition, to which Chu Jiuling responded that he was strong but needed to recover quickly for a potential long journey, advising early preparations and packing extra herbs. As the medicated bath concluded, Fang Chengyu collapsed into unconsciousness. Chu Jiuling carefully helped him onto the bed and began the delicate process of acupuncture.
Zhu Zan, who had arrived uninvited and observed the entire process, admired her medical skills. He also seemed pleased that their marriage was merely a sham for the purpose of treating Fang Chengyu. After the acupuncture, Zhu Zan approached Chu Jiuling. He brought up the betrayal of Beiqi in the third year of the Taiyan period, suggesting that the ransom money from that time was not handed over but secretly hidden by conspirators.
He implied that the Fang family might be involved and presented Chu Jiuling with a re-drawn diagram of a crucial seal, which he believed was connected to the missing silver. He explained that the drawing was based on the memory of the late emperor's attendant, thus differing slightly from the original. Zhu Zan also pointed out that the prince who had governed Zezhou at the time was the current emperor.
Chu Jiuling expressed skepticism, likening their efforts to an "ant trying to shake a giant tree," but Zhu Zan countered that even a massive dike can be brought down by an ant hole, indicating vulnerability. He then proposed a deal: she would secretly investigate the Fang family and trace the origin of the seal's pattern, while he would identify the person secretly harming the Fang family and keep Fang Chengyu's medical condition a secret.
Chu Jiuling agreed, but only on the condition that if the Fang family was found to be involved in the illicit silver, Zhu Zan would not pursue them, acknowledging that they might have been coerced. They arranged to meet the following day. The next morning, Song Yunping arrived at the Fang residence with Imperial Doctor Sun, feigning concern for Fang Chengyu's health to ascertain the true extent of his illness. Chu Jiuling, however, had anticipated this move.
Imperial Doctor Sun, after examining Fang Chengyu’s pulse, declared him gravely ill, stating his internal organs had decayed and even a miracle-working doctor could not save him, advising the Fang family to prepare for his impending death. Ms. Cao was shocked, wondering how Fang Chengyu’s condition could have deteriorated so rapidly since he had appeared more spirited a few days prior. Imperial Doctor Sun suggested it might have been a momentary recovery or due to temporary tonics.
Chu Jiuling discreetly revealed to Fang Chengyu that the herbal decoction being prepared was merely a show for their visitors, taking advantage of his weakened state after the medicated bath to deceive them. She then asked for calming soup to be prepared for Ms. Cao and Grandma. Later, Chu Jiuling discussed her suspicions with Ms. Cao and Grandma, identifying Song Yunping as the culprit who had been harming the Fang family.
She worried about future attempts to uncover Fang Chengyu’s true condition and questioned if Song Yunping was acting alone. To ensure Fang Chengyu's complete safety and to lure out the true mastermind, Chu Jiuling proposed taking him away from Zezhou to Runan. Ms. Cao and the family helped her make swift preparations. Chu Jiuling hired Mr. Lei, an armed escort, to drive the carriage, having been impressed by his earlier performance at the lantern festival.
Zhu Zan, upon hearing of their travel plans, insisted on accompanying them, not just as an escort but with the explicit intention of uncovering Chu Jiuling's true identity once they reached Runan. He even demanded a hefty sum for his services, noting her own past profits. Shortly after their departure, Song Yunping rushed to the Fang family to inquire about Fang Chengyu’s whereabouts.
Ms. Cao, following Chu Jiuling’s advice, feigned ignorance, claiming that a master from Dakong Temple had advised moving Fang Chengyu to break a curse, and that for safety, even the family did not know his exact location. Song Yunping, though frustrated, accepted the explanation and vowed to find Fang Chengyu himself. Along the journey, Chu Jiuling spoke with Mr. Lei, learning he had been an armed escort for fourteen years.
He recounted a past incident while escorting for the Fang family where bandits attacked, resulting in the loss of goods and lives, including Fang Chengyu's father, and the injury to Mr. Lei’s hand. Fang Chengyu, who had rarely ventured outside, was overjoyed by the journey. Usually quiet, he became talkative and lively, chatting continuously with Chu Jiuling and praising her skill at the pitch-pot game.
Zhu Zan interjected, mocking Fang Chengyu’s childishness, which prompted Fang Chengyu to retort by calling Zhu Zan an "uncle." A playful argument ensued, with Zhu Zan defending his youthfulness and Fang Chengyu accusing him of shameful eavesdropping and premature judgment. The group later stopped to rest by the roadside. Chu Jiuling, eager for Fang Chengyu to try walking, prepared crutches for him.
With the assistance of Chu Jiuling, Liu'er, and Santao, Fang Chengyu made a determined effort and, to his elation, managed to stand up with the crutches. He was overjoyed, exclaiming that he had once only dreamed of leaving the Fang residence, never imagining he would be able to stand and walk. Chu Jiuling assured him he would go even farther in the future.
As they practiced walking, Chu Jiuling couldn't help but think of her brother, Jiurong, trapped in Prince Huai's Mansion, also yearning to experience the wider world like Fang Chengyu. While resting, Fang Chengyu noticed Chu Jiuling’s absence and asked Liu'er, who told him she had gone to a nearby mountain to gather herbs. Concerned about her being alone in the wilderness without martial arts skills, Zhu Zan quickly set off to find her.
Chu Jiuling, meanwhile, had discovered a rare purple immortal herb on a cliff face. Unable to reach it, she used a vine to climb down. Although she successfully plucked the herb, the vine, weakened by friction, suddenly snapped, sending her plummeting down the cliff.
