Lost Track of Time Episode 23 Recap
> Lost Track of Time Recap
Having accepted bribes and murdered Ling Xi out of jealousy, Xiao Jingque was brought before Mu Ze, who ordered her to kneel. Mu Ze condemned her behavior, stating that the court was investigating corruption and her actions were shortsighted and arrogant, unworthy of a Princess Consort. He decreed that she would kneel under the grapevines for a full day and night to reflect on her actions.
As he left, he looked at Lu Anran, warning her not to let him see her tormented in such a way again. Lu Anran, alone, whispered to Ling Xi's spirit, promising that Xiao Jingque would keep vigil and atone, hoping Ling Xi would wait for her at the Naihe Bridge. Later, Dong Qing attempted to serve Xiao Jingque dinner, but Xiao Jingque refused it, deeming it hypocritical.
Dong Qing persisted, stating it was proper etiquette, and pointed to the stone where Ling Xi had died, suggesting Ling Xi would be grateful for the offering. This deeply disturbed Xiao Jingque. Her head housekeeper, Rong Pei, advised her to endure the humiliation to win back Mu Ze’s favor, emphasizing the importance of acting with the magnanimity expected of a Princess Consort. Xiao Jingque then ordered all valuable gifts to be returned to avoid further trouble.
Lu Anran, seeing the temporary peace in her courtyard, knew it wouldn't last. Meanwhile, Mu Chuan had been restless since Lu Anran’s marriage. His subordinate expressed concern for his health and then reported that Prince Yi, displeased with his manor being demolished, had forcibly seized many farmers' fields in the northern part of the city, even causing deaths.
Mu Chuan, compiling a list of Prince Yi's crimes, intended to report them to the Emperor and have the Capital Governor handle the matter, believing his water conservancy projects were indirectly involved. Xiao Ying visited his sister, Xiao Jingque. He asked if she had been wronged, but she falsely assured him that Mu Ze treated her well and didn't favor Lu Anran. Xiao Ying, satisfied, suggested she host a family banquet to display the dignity of a proper mistress.
Xiao Jingque eagerly agreed. Soon after, Rong Pei delivered an invitation for the banquet to Lu Anran and Mu Chuan. Though Mu Chuan was initially reluctant due to his dam construction work, he agreed to attend when Rong Pei stressed the importance of honoring the newly appointed Princess Consort. Mu Ze, upon hearing Xiao Jingque was organizing the banquet and had invited both Lu Anran and Mu Chuan, praised her for handling the matter well.
On their way to the banquet, Lu Anran and Dong Qing's lantern went out. While Dong Qing went to fetch another, Mu Chuan appeared and offered to light the way for Lu Anran. However, Lu Anran politely declined, citing propriety between a brother-in-law and sister-in-law and the risk of gossip in the prince's estate. Mu Chuan, acknowledging her point, left his lantern for her before proceeding to the banquet.
There, he presented Mu Ze with osmanthus cakes from the farmers and began discussing Prince Yi's land seizures and his intention to report it to the Emperor. Mu Ze interrupted him, suggesting the timing was not yet right, just as Lu Anran arrived. At the banquet, Xiao Jingque welcomed Lu Anran and publicly offered a toast as an apology, hoping they could now get along and serve Mu Ze together. Lu Anran responded with politeness.
Xiao Jingque then proposed a toast to Mu Ze, but he refused, stating that some ceremonial wines could only be drunk once. This statement visibly affected Mu Chuan. Xiao Jingque then feigned curiosity about how Mu Ze and Lu Anran came to be together, expressing envy for their "affection." Mu Chuan also voiced his curiosity. Lu Anran then took it upon herself to explain, fabricating a story about falling in love with Mu Ze in Su City.
She claimed a quarrel led to the substitute marriage, as she had mistakenly believed Mu Ze was only interested in the Lu family's wealth and she desired a husband who loved her wholeheartedly. She further explained that she only realized her mistake when Mu Ze was furious about being tricked into marrying her younger sister, Lu Xinran.
Lu Anran then described how the Lu family's decline, her father's imprisonment, and the seizure of their shipping business left her devastated, and it was Mu Ze's pity that offered her a peaceful life. Mu Chuan, listening to this elaborate tale, felt a pang of betrayal, believing he had been foolish not to see through Lu Anran's supposed deep feelings earlier, and felt he and Mu Ze had been cruelly deceived.
Xiao Jingque then offered to arrange a suitable marriage for Mu Chuan. He politely declined, stating that he had not yet established his career and also that he already cared for someone. At this, Lu Anran dropped her wine cup. Mu Chuan further clarified that he and this woman were fated to meet but not to be, and he understood his "wishful thinking" had to end. Mu Ze rebuked Xiao Jingque for asking too many questions.
Mu Chuan eventually pledged to seek her help for a marriage arrangement once his current affairs were settled. As the banquet concluded, and Mu Chuan prepared to leave after admiring the moonlight, Rong Pei reported to Xiao Jingque that the bracelet's origin couldn't be traced, reinforcing Xiao Jingque’s suspicion that Lu Anran had plotted against her. Enraged, Xiao Jingque slapped Lu Anran, and Mu Chuan instinctively moved to shield her.
Xiao Jingque publicly accused Lu Anran of framing her with the untraceable bracelet. Lu Anran countered, questioning how she could have predicted Xiao Jingque would wear the bracelet and cause a scene in her courtyard. Xiao Jingque appealed to Mu Ze for justice. Mu Ze, however, reminded Xiao Jingque that even if the bracelet was planted, she had still accepted other gifts.
Lu Anran, weary of the conflict, declared she would fight back if provoked, as she was not one to be bullied. Xiao Jingque then insulted the Lu family, calling them "street rats." Mu Ze, angered by Xiao Jingque’s ongoing defiance and public display, ordered Rong Pei to escort the Princess Consort back to reflect on her actions. Xiao Jingque protested her punishment, but was led away.
Mu Chuan, disgusted by the inner-courtyard strife, informed Mu Ze they should conduct future meetings in the study, apologizing for the embarrassing spectacle. As he departed, Mu Chuan wondered if Lu Anran was truly content with a life of petty jealousies within the confined walls of the manor. Later, Mu Ze personally tended to Lu Anran's swollen face. He admitted to being pleased by her display of jealousy, saying it made her resemble her old self.
He asked if she was behind the bracelet incident; when she remained silent, he assured her he wouldn't blame her, as it pleased him to see her engage in such "harem women's petty tricks." Lu Anran stated she disliked causing trouble but would not be bullied. Mu Ze announced he would stay the night but promised not to force her, acknowledging that she didn't yet view him as her husband or the residence as her home.
He vowed to wait patiently, believing he would eventually win her over. Separately, Mu Chuan's subordinate reported new deaths among farmers in the northern district, with one victim's neck cleanly snapped, suggesting military expertise. Mu Chuan ordered an investigation into a possible military connection. Meanwhile, two maids gossiped about the Su City green grapes growing in Lu Anran’s courtyard, noting that Prince Qi personally cared for them.
Xiao Jingque overheard this, and linking it to Mu Chuan's earlier confession of loving someone he couldn't be with, she suspected an affair and ordered Rong Pei to investigate thoroughly. Dong Qing, preparing grape jelly cakes, inadvertently confirmed to a probing maid that the grapes were indeed a gift from Prince Qi. Realizing the maid was a spy, Dong Qing reported this to Lu Anran, who remained unconcerned about Xiao Jingque.
Mu Ze, thinking of Lu Anran's homesickness, sent her dishes prepared by a Su City chef, but Lu Anran found no joy in them, comparing herself to a bird in a gilded cage. Dong Qing also mentioned the escalating farmer deaths due to Prince Yi, and Mu Chuan's connection to the water conservancy project.
Rong Pei confirmed Xiao Jingque's suspicions, detailing Lu Anran and Mu Chuan's past activities, including "strolling and moon-gazing" and "drowning sorrows in Su City," and their respective devotion to the grapevines and peace-bringing rice, confirming their deep affection which Mu Ze seemed oblivious to. Xiao Jingque wanted to expose them immediately, but Rong Pei cautioned against acting without concrete evidence, given Lu Anran's persuasive abilities.
Since Lu Anran and Mu Chuan were now avoiding each other, Rong Pei suggested creating an unavoidable encounter. Mu Chuan's subordinate reported that Xiao Ying's camp personnel were seen near the northern farmlands. This information, coupled with Mu Ze's earlier remark about the "timing not right" for reporting Prince Yi, made Mu Chuan suspect Mu Ze's involvement. He decided to visit Prince Qing's residence.
The steward guided him to the study, and Xiao Jingque, informed of his arrival, confirmed her "foolproof" plan was ready, hoping to sow even the slightest doubt about Lu Anran in Mu Ze's mind.
