Lost Track of Time Episode 6 Recap

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> Lost Track of Time Recap

The following morning, Cai Wangjin arrived at the Lu family estate with betrothal gifts, intending to propose marriage on behalf of Prince Qing, Mu Ze. Madam Liu, along with Lu Xinran, initially believed the proposal was for Lu Xinran and even had her invited. However, Cai Wangjin clarified that he was representing Prince Qing. Lu Anran then confidently stated that the proposal was for her.

Mu Ze, who had been disguised as Cai Wangjin's guard, revealed his true identity as Prince Qing. He declared that he and Lu Anran had fallen in love at first sight and were deeply compatible, formally requesting her hand in marriage from Lu Qingzhou and Madam Lu. Lu Qingzhou, though honored by the Prince's favor, emphasized that his daughter's choice was paramount.

Lu Anran publicly affirmed her willingness to marry Prince Qing, expressing her desire to walk through life with him, "through both honor and disgrace." Lu Qingzhou expressed his apprehension about Lu Anran marrying into Prince Qing's residence, fearing for her well-being. Lu Anran, however, showed her father a map, explaining the need to expand their river transport beyond the current thirty-six ports and to acquire more strategically located harbors before competitors.

When Lu Qingzhou voiced his desire for family peace over further expansion, Lu Anran reassured him. She asserted that like prey attracting predators, the Lu family's current position made them a target, and retreating would only provoke greater ambition from those in power. She assured him that she had a comprehensive plan to "completely escape this quagmire."

Lu Qingzhou, trusting his daughter's resolve, urged her to prioritize her safety, promising the full backing of the Lu family, even if it meant "fighting to the bitter end." Meanwhile, Lu Xinran wept, heartbroken that the marriage proposal that could have been hers was now for Lu Anran. Her mother, Madam Liu, was furious, warning Lu Xinran that if Lu Anran married Prince Qing, they would be forever suppressed.

Madam Liu dismissed the idea of love, stating that Prince Qing's interest was solely in the Twin Fish Token and the Lu family's assets. She insinuated that if Lu Anran were no longer an option, and Lu Xinran became the sole daughter of the Lu family, Prince Qing would inevitably turn his attention to her. Dong Qing announced that Mu Chuan, the Ninth Prince, was waiting to see Lu Anran.

Mu Chuan remarked on the vastness of the Lu estate, expressing his sadness that Lu Anran, with her spirited personality, would choose to be "trapped" in the palace, assuming she loved his second brother, Mu Ze, deeply. Lu Anran quickly corrected him, stating there was "no genuine affection" involved; her marriage was merely "a transaction."

She explained that the Lu family's extensive river transport business had placed them in a precarious position, akin to being "on the chopping block," leaving her with no alternative but to choose Mu Ze over Prince Yi to secure her family's future. When Mu Chuan asked if there truly was no other way, she firmly replied, "There isn't." He then presented her with a bracelet as a "wedding gift," casually claiming he "just randomly bought" it in Su City.

Lu Anran, however, remembered that in her previous life, he had told her a different story: that he received the bracelet from an old monk in Nanxiao as a charm for protection. This discrepancy made her question why he would lie. Mu Chuan reiterated his offer of help should she need anything. As Mu Chuan left, deeply unsettled, he walked away into the heavy rain, ignoring Dong Qing's offer of an umbrella.

Dong Qing later returned to Lu Anran, remarking that Mu Chuan seemed greatly concerned for her and would "go all out to help" if he understood her plight. However, Lu Anran insisted that "the less he knows, the better," believing it was the best way to protect him. With the wedding still six months away, Lu Anran resolved to resolve all inner courtyard matters before the ceremony, promptly starting to audit household accounts with Ling Xi and Dong Qing.

Lu Xinran sent Lu Anran a box of Yipintang rouge, which Danqing quickly identified as containing castor, a substance that would cause skin damage and disfigurement with prolonged use. Lu Anran discussed this with her mother, Madam Lu, and they decided to frame Cuigu, a maid from Madam Liu's courtyard. Madam Liu and Lu Xinran, anxious about exposure, also accused Cuigu of poisoning the legitimate daughter, Lu Anran.

Faced with pressure, Cuigu confessed to the crime, claiming it was her doing to stop Lu Anran from investigating her past embezzlement. Madam Lu, portraying righteous indignation, ordered Cuigu to be punished with fifty strokes of the cane for harming the legitimate daughter. Madam Liu and Lu Xinran realized this was a warning, a clear declaration of hostility.

Madam Liu vowed vengeance for Cuigu, her personal maidservant, and urged Lu Xinran to prepare, stating that once Lu Anran was married, Lu Xinran would be the Lu family's sole daughter, inheriting the Twin Fish Token and Prince Qing's favor. Six months later, Prince Qing, Mu Ze, returned victorious from leading the army against the encroaching Beilin forces. He leveraged his significant military merits to secure an imperial decree for his marriage to Lu Anran.

Cai Wangjin expressed his doubt, suggesting that merely taking Lu Anran as a concubine would suffice, and that exchanging military merit for the Lu family alone seemed "unworthy." Mu Ze, however, corrected him, stating that the combination of "the Lu family plus Lu Anran" made the alliance invaluable. He elaborated that whoever controlled Great Han's extensive river transport network held the nation's lifeline, which was critical for both "military affairs" and the "civilian economy."

Beyond the family's wealth, Mu Ze highly valued Lu Anran's expertise in shipbuilding, believing her abilities could significantly "improve warships." If her talents could be harnessed for his cause, he concluded, "mere military merits mean nothing." With the wedding day drawing near, Lu Anran was informed that the Ninth Prince, Mu Chuan, who was in Su City to escort the bride on Prince Qing’s behalf, was occupied with wedding preparations at the posthouse.

She sought him out, finding him in the rice fields discussing cultivation with local farmers. Recalling his earlier offer of help, she cautiously asked if it still stood. Mu Chuan affirmed his commitment to assist her in any way possible.

However, instead of asking for help with her plans, Lu Anran changed her request, asking him to visit Su City annually to continue guiding the local farmers, as she did not wish to burden his hands, which she believed were destined to "benefit countless people," with her "selfish" schemes. Mu Chuan readily agreed, viewing it as an excellent opportunity to research new rice varieties.

That evening, as a candle burned low, Lu Anran examined the bracelet Mu Chuan had given her. She discovered a hidden inscription: "What night is tonight, that I may see my beloved. My dear beloved, I shall never betray you." This poignant message brought back a memory from her past life, where Mu Chuan had described his ideal woman—"clever and whimsical," with "eyes that shine" when discussing ambitions, and "radiant and breathtaking" at their first encounter.

Realizing he had asked for her name then, "Su City, Lu Anran," she finally understood that he had always loved her. Late that night, Dong Qing secretly went to an inn to see Mu Chuan, urgently requesting his help in finding Gelsemium elegans and Snow Cicada. She fabricated a story about needing them to "scare" former tormentors and offered her life in return.

Mu Chuan, however, easily discerned her lie, recognizing her inability to meet his gaze, and understood that these rare poisons were actually for Lu Anran. The following morning, Mu Chuan visited Lu Anran, who despite her earlier resolve, appeared troubled. He asked her if she would choose a path that offered both "happiness" and protection for her family. Lu Anran replied that she knew one "can't have both" in life and never dared to dream of such a thing.

Mu Chuan then openly proposed to her, offering his status as a prince to protect her and the Lu family. He suggested he could petition the Emperor to allow the Lu family to collaborate with him on regulating Great Han's waterways and expanding farmland, thus safeguarding their interests and enabling Lu Anran to pursue her ambitions while he handled any "troublesome matters." Lu Anran, however, rejected his offer with a cold demeanor.

She stated that if he had proposed "earlier," she might have considered it, but with the imperial decree for her marriage already issued, she "cannot drag him into this." She then accused him of trying to make her "break off the engagement" and questioned if he was "concerned for me or harming me," suggesting he was no different from Mu Ze or Prince Yi, merely seeking to "use the Lu family."

Deeply hurt by her words, which he described as "sharp as knives," Mu Chuan left the Gelsemium elegans and Snow Cicada for her and departed, profoundly disappointed. Later, Dong Qing admitted to Lu Anran that she had approached Mu Chuan on her own initiative, as she knew how vital the poisons were to Lu Anran's plan and wished to spare her from feeling guilty towards the Ninth Prince.

Lu Anran mused that perhaps this outcome, where "wishes turned to ashes," was for the best. Lu Anran's mother brought her some peach pastries. Soon after, Lu Xinran arrived to visit. Lu Anran showed Lu Xinran her exquisite, royal wedding dress, which Lu Xinran praised as a testament to Lu Anran's good fortune.

While their mother went to review the dowry list, Lu Anran deliberately offered Lu Xinran the peach pastries, which Lu Xinran politely declined, stating she was too full and would take a walk in the garden. She suggested Lu Anran eat the pastries herself. Lu Anran then conspicuously ate a piece of the peach pastry.

Later, Lu Xinran gleefully reported to her mother, Madam Liu, that she had "saw Lu Anran with my own eyes eat the peach pastry," confidently believing that "nothing can go wrong now." Madam Liu was overjoyed, declaring that Lu Anran would "definitely not survive tonight" and that Lu Xinran would become "the Lu family's only daughter" by morning. However, their triumphant anticipation was cut short when a servant burst in with alarming news: "The young mistress is in trouble!"

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