Love Like White Jade Episode 3 Recap
> Love Like White Jade Recap
Jiang Baiyu's master, who had received news about the Golden Phoenix Pin, rushed to the black market but was ambushed and knocked unconscious by a group of black-clad men. Meanwhile, Shui Wuxia assigned Jiang Baiyu to the stables for the night, providing him with an illustrated book on equestrian skills. Despite Jiang Baiyu's protests about the uncomfortable conditions, including potential snakes and rats, Shui Wuxia remained firm, instructing him to use the time to bond with the horses.
Meanwhile, Jiang Tian Ling, the Junior Young Master, met with Qi Delong. He shared how Shui Wuxia's muscle relaxation techniques had made him feel incredibly refreshed, despite his heart racing. He then handed Qi Delong a letter from Shui Wuxia. The letter revealed that Qi Dong Qiang owed 260 silver taels, to be settled at Jiang Mansion's entrance. Angered, Qi Delong crumpled the letter and discarded it.
Jiang Baiyu's attendant, Fang Yun Cheng, who had fallen in love with Qi Delong at first sight, noticed and picked it up. Qi Delong, embarrassed, swiftly retrieved the paper and burned it. Fang Yun Cheng, observing her distress, empathized, explaining that he, too, grew up without parents in the Jiang Mansion, and despite the kindness of Old Madam Jiang and Young Master Jiang, he still yearned for parental affection, even if it meant facing their flaws.
In response, Qi Delong remarked to him that at least he (Fang Yun Cheng) harbored pleasant fantasies about his parents, unlike her own harsh memories. Shui Wuxia later observed Jiang Baiyu diligently grooming the horses and studying the book. Pleased with his newfound dedication, she took him to the archery grounds for a competition against Jiang Tian Ling, the Junior Young Master.
Qi Delong expressed doubts about Jiang Baiyu's chances, citing his lack of practice, to which Jiang Baiyu confidently declared that determination could overcome any obstacle. Shui Wuxia provided him with unconventional coaching, urging him to visualize the small bullseye as a pea and to imagine a snake in his arrow holder to sharpen his focus. During the competition, Jiang Tian Ling achieved an initial score of 40 points, while Jiang Baiyu had 32 points.
In the final round, Jiang Tian Ling's vision unexpectedly blurred, causing him to miss the target entirely. Jiang Baiyu, on the other hand, hit a seven-ring shot. With a final score of Jiang Tian Ling's 40 points to Jiang Baiyu's 39, Hou Chang'an and others were astonished by Jiang Baiyu's significant improvement, a result that thoroughly satisfied Shui Wuxia.
Later, Fang Yun Cheng approached Jiang Baiyu, seeking an advance on his salary to purchase pearl powder for a "sleep powder" he intended to make for Qi Delong. Fang Yun Cheng explained that "Sanqi flower", a key ingredient and the essence of the sleep powder cream, dissolved in water and could induce deep sleep within five minutes, promoting better skin rest.
Seeing an opportunity, Jiang Baiyu struck a deal with Fang Yun Cheng to acquire the Sanqi flower for his own plan. That evening, he prepared Shui Wuxia's bath, adding the Sanqi flower to both the water and an incense burner, masking its presence with scattered rose petals. He also thoughtfully provided luxurious Western saponin for her hair and a silky bath towel from Jiang Nan. Shui Wuxia, upon entering, ordered him out.
Soon after, as she soaked, the Sanqi flower took effect, and she fell into a deep sleep. Jiang Baiyu, waiting outside, confirmed her unconsciousness when she didn't respond to his calls, then quickly directed two passing maids to check on her before making his escape. Shui Wuxia awoke to find a box of pearl powder by her bedside, recognizing it as a pre-arranged signal. A maid confirmed it had been delivered half an hour earlier while Shui Wuxia was asleep.
Acting on the signal, Shui Wuxia, assisted by Liu (Xiaoliu), a contact sent by Ba Xi, donned a disguise and headed to the black market. There, she visited an opium den, where Master Li informed her that a sick individual had acquired a Golden Phoenix Pin and sold it to fund medical treatment, possibly for a prevalent epidemic.
Concurrently, the pin's seller arrived at the black market to complete his transaction but was ambushed by black-clad men, who forced him to surrender the Golden Phoenix Pin to spare his life. Shen Qingli appeared, intercepting the black-clad men as they tried to flee with the pin. Despite his exceptional martial arts skills, he was wounded by their hidden weapons. Shui Wuxia arrived and, recognizing Shen Qingli, joined forces with him once again to repel the attackers.
She immediately attended to his injury, offering a potent Lang Ya Miracle Herb from Lang Ya Pavilion. She warned him that his wound was severe, and attempting to leave without proper care would be fatal, detailing the severe consequences he would face within a short distance. Shen Qingli accepted her assistance, though he initially tried to leave. Shui Wuxia then asked him if the Golden Phoenix Pin was his.
Meanwhile, Master Ma, furious that Shen Qingli had repeatedly thwarted his plans, suspected him of targeting Xiao Kai Zhen. His subordinates assured him they had already dispatched men to investigate Shen Qingli's background and believed Shen Qingli was seriously wounded and unlikely to cause further trouble. Examining the recovered Golden Phoenix Pin, Master Ma noted recent repairs and ordered his men to find the skilled craftsman in Chong'an responsible for the work.
After receiving initial medical attention from Shui Wuxia, Shen Qingli departed to meet his own master at the Lantern Boudoir. He recounted the ambush, his injuries from hidden weapons, and how Shui Wuxia's timely intervention with the Lang Ya Miracle Herb had stabilized his condition. He explained that he had allowed the pin's seller to go free after learning the man had stolen it, but the original owner remained unknown.
Shen Qingli asked his master to investigate all herbal medicine shops in Chong'an for any leads. His master provided him with pain relief powder and 6,000 silver taels to distribute among refugees. Back at Jiang Mansion, Shui Wuxia returned to confront Jiang Baiyu. She found him bathing in the dark, late at night, and noticed a distinct scent of blood.
Jiang Baiyu initially tried to deflect, claiming it was merely his "hobby" and denying any blood, but Shui Wuxia pressed him. He eventually confessed that he had taken an excessive amount of the Pride and Dignity pill from Lantern Boudoir, resulting in a nosebleed from "over-supplementation." Shui Wuxia confiscated the potent medicine and ordered him to finish his bath immediately, then to recite the political discourse she had assigned him, word for word.
Later, Jiang Baiyu, contemplating Shui Wuxia's "adorable" side when she wasn't scolding him, called for Fang Yun Cheng. He found Fang Yun Cheng painstakingly preparing a "facial mask" with pearl powder for Qi Delong. Recognizing Fang Yun Cheng's affection, Jiang Baiyu promised him any items Shui Wuxia didn't want in exchange for a favor. He then instructed Fang Yun Cheng to secretly copy the entire political discourse onto his clothes, so he could cheat during Shui Wuxia's upcoming test.
Fang Yun Cheng protested the sheer volume of text, but Jiang Baiyu insisted. During the test, Shui Wuxia quickly realized Jiang Baiyu was attempting to cheat. Cornered, Jiang Baiyu boldly challenged the political discourse itself, arguing that its emphasis on frugality was misguided and failed to consider the well-being of the common people.
Using the example of edible bird's nest, he eloquently explained the intricate economic web: how the demand for bird's nest provided livelihoods for coastal gatherers, supported merchants, caravan operators, inns, and local vendors. He concluded with a profound statement: "The country's foundation lies in its people's livelihood. The basis of their livelihoods lies in the economy. The economy lies in the transportation and production of goods." Shui Wuxia was visibly surprised by his unexpected insight.
She then prepared a meal for him, incorporating preventative herbs like leptochloa and cedar seeds in the dishes, and ginger and asarum in the porridge, even offering honey, stating it was to prevent the prevalent epidemic. Jiang Baiyu, suspicious of her sudden kindness, questioned her motives.
Shui Wuxia admitted she had initially dismissed him as a frivolous young master but was genuinely impressed by his original and positive interpretation of the bird's nest example, highlighting how "every time you and I share a bowl of bird's nest, a household by the sea will become prosperous."
Jiang Baiyu, pleased, began to boast about his visits to pleasure quarters being for understanding the suffering of common people, but Shui Wuxia quickly cut him off, still pondering the true nature of his complex personality.
