Lost Track of Time Episode 17 Recap
> Lost Track of Time Recap
Cai Wangjin informed Prince Qing Mu Ze that he had gone to Princess Consort Lu Xinran's inner court because a maid named Cuicui had reported the Princess Consort intended to commit suicide. He adamantly denied any illicit relations with the Princess Consort, expressing regret that he had become an unwitting pawn in Lu Anran's scheme against Mu Ze.
To emphasize the truth of his words, Cai Wangjin then took his own life with a dagger, hoping his death would compel Mu Ze to take his accusations seriously. Mu Ze, upon witnessing the act, solemnly stated that he would speak with Cai Wangjin after his own death and bid him a safe journey. Mu Ze’s subsequent investigation revealed that Cuicui had indeed been sent away, with her last known location being Lu Wharf, suggesting she had left the city.
Realizing Lu Anran had orchestrated these events to free the Lu family from their predicaments, Mu Ze vowed to thwart her plans. Meanwhile, Lu Yun angrily confronted Lu Anran, accusing her of being cold-blooded and solely driven by money, especially for exploiting their mother's recent funeral to secure the Lu family's business. He questioned her transformation, lamenting that she now seemed to view everyone around her as tools.
His anger intensified when he found the mentally unstable Lu Xinran locked in her room, crying out that Lu Anran was responsible for her plight. Hearing Lu Xinran's accusations, Lu Yun's trust in his elder sister completely eroded. Lu Anran, sensing his disbelief, chose not to explain further. Dong Qing secretly followed Lu Yun after he left the mansion and discovered he had gone to Xiao Ying's barracks.
Lu Anran was heartbroken to learn that Lu Yun had indeed joined the army. Before her mother's spirit tablet, she swore to bring Lu Yun safely out of the military camp and back to Su City. She then went to the camp, but Lu Yun refused to see her. Realizing she couldn't directly intervene, Lu Anran sought help from Prince Qi Mu Chuan, drawing inspiration from Dong Qing's mention of new recruit deployment.
Mu Chuan was facing difficulties with wealthy landlords refusing to relocate for his river diversion project. Lu Anran suggested using Xiao Ying's fresh recruits to deal with these stubborn landlords, believing their inexperience would make them fearless. She also took this opportunity to ask Mu Chuan to help extricate Lu Yun from the new recruits' camp. Mu Chuan, happy to assist Lu Anran, readily agreed.
Mu Chuan then visited Xiao Ying at the military camp to request the recruits for the river diversion. Anticipating Xiao Ying's reluctance, Mu Chuan had already secured an imperial edict from the Emperor, leaving Xiao Ying no grounds for refusal. Lu Yun, upon learning of his transfer, confronted Mu Chuan, accusing him of acting dishonorably to assist Lu Anran. Mu Chuan admonished Lu Yun, emphasizing that protecting the country wasn't exclusive to being a soldier.
He highlighted Lu Anran's significant contributions, such as resolving a two-decade drought in Yizhou by funding a river diversion, and risking her life in Li City to help it flourish. Mu Chuan stressed that Lu Anran's current calculating behavior was born of desperation. As the sole remaining male in the Lu family, Lu Yun had a responsibility to shoulder their burdens like a man.
Convinced, Lu Yun agreed to Mu Chuan's assignment: overseeing the relocation of private residences along the river. Separately, a subordinate reported to Prince Qing Mu Ze that Prince Yi was using a drug called Five Stone Powder, found in his private residence on Five Miles Street, to control his officials. Mu Ze also learned from Xiao Ying that Mu Chuan had taken Lu Yun away with an imperial edict.
Determined to retrieve Lu Yun for his own schemes, Mu Ze ordered that Prince Yi's private residence, where the drug was discovered, be added to the demolition list for the river project. Later, Lu Anran was informed that Lu Yun had been transferred to Mu Chuan's camp and was diligently assisting with relocations. She expressed profound gratitude to Mu Chuan for bringing Lu Yun back and for his understanding of her difficult circumstances.
She apologized for involving him in court affairs, which he disliked. Mu Chuan, however, reassured her, stating that while he had no interest in court intrigues, he deeply cared for the people Lu Anran held dear and would protect them alongside her. A commotion then erupted at the Lu mansion as Lu Xinran, in a mad frenzy, burst out of her room, snatched Madam Lu's memorial tablet, and hurled it into the water.
She also blamed Lu Anran for everything, deeply distressing Lu Qingzhou, who ordered her to be locked up again. Mu Chuan accompanied a distraught Lu Anran to a temple to enshrine Madam Lu's tablet. Dong Qing, observing Mu Chuan's unwavering support, advised Lu Anran to lean on him for help rather than enduring everything alone. Mu Chuan then planted a wish tree, whispering a prayer that the one he loved would find her own love and live a happy life.
Lu Anran, seeing the nameless wish tag, realized that this was the very tree from her previous life, planted by Mu Chuan for her, and understood the depth of his unspoken affection. He later affirmed that his wish to Buddha was for her to get everything she desired. Lu Anran, in turn, wished for her family's safety and freedom from danger. As Lu Anran and Mu Chuan prepared to leave the temple, they were unexpectedly met by Mu Ze.
He provocatively declared that the Lu family's good fortune had run out, implying their misfortunes were self-inflicted. Before departing, he chillingly advised Lu Anran to pray to Buddha for the safety of her brother, Lu Yun. That night, Lu Anran awoke from a nightmare of Lu Yun in peril.
Soon after, a guard from Prince Qing's mansion reported that Lu Yun had been involved in a conflict with Prince Yi's men during the demolition of the private residence on Five Miles Street. Fortunately, General Xiao Ying had intervened, and Lu Yun was now recuperating in the army camp. Lu Anran immediately surmised Mu Ze's hand in this incident, realizing his earlier words at the temple were a direct warning. She rushed to Prince Qing's mansion, but was denied entry.
Determined, she waited outside the gate all night. The next morning, Mu Ze found her there and questioned her intentions. Lu Anran confronted him, questioning the convenient timing of Lu Yun's conflict with Prince Yi's men and Xiao Ying's rescue. Mu Ze admitted to his machinations, stating that while Lu Anran might find ways to remove her brother from the army, he had a thousand ways to send him back.
He warned her that if she continued to resist, he could not guarantee Lu Yun's safety. He reiterated his intention to restore everything to its original state, declaring that Lu Anran was now only fit to be his concubine. Later, Mu Chuan confronted Mu Ze, attempting to secure Lu Yun's release from the army. Mu Ze cut him off, explaining that Prince Yi's private pharmacy had been destroyed by Lu Yun.
He warned that Prince Yi was vindictive and would ensure Lu Yun met a gruesome end if he left the military camp. Mu Chuan, unable to argue further, could only appeal to Mu Ze to protect Lu Yun, unaware of Mu Ze's deeper, sinister plans. Meanwhile, Lu Anran arrived at Prince Qing's mansion once more, firmly stating her refusal to marry him as a concubine or to take her own life.
