Mirror: A Tale of Twin Cities Episode 2 Recap
> Mirror: A Tale of Twin Cities Recap
The Heavenly Ring recognized Zhen Lan, confirming his legitimate identity and ability to inherit the power of the heavens. This revelation brought great joy to the High Priest and the King. An edict was immediately issued, appointing Zhen Lan as the Crown Prince of Kongsang and Bai Ying of the Bai Clan as the Crown Princess.
This decision effectively silenced any further objections from Qing Wangchen, who had previously questioned the choice, noting that for seven thousand years, Kongsang had always appointed the eldest princess of the Bai Clan as Crown Princess. Upon returning to the Bai Royal Residence, Bai Wang informed his daughter, Bai Ying, of her new appointment. Bai Ying found this news incredibly difficult to accept.
She expressed her dream of becoming a general, like her Senior Brother Xi Jing, rather than a Crown Princess. She felt that if her mother were still alive, she would agree with her desire to live as Bai Ying, not merely as a title. Her father urged her to consider the matter carefully and, until she had come to a decision, instructed her not to leave the residence.
Despite her father's words, Bai Ying remained deeply troubled, her thoughts constantly returning to Su Mo. Later, Princess Hong Yuan, the eldest princess of the Chi Clan, visited Bai Ying with a wedding invitation, announcing her impending marriage to Prince Lan. Hong Yuan explained the necessity for all six clans to unite in the face of current threats to ensure Kongsang's peace.
She asked Bai Ying to accompany her for a final meeting with Zhi Xiu, her beloved, to bid him farewell in person before her marriage. During their emotional meeting, Hong Yuan told Zhi Xiu to leave the Chi Royal Residence, embrace his freedom, find someone new to love, and forget her. Zhi Xiu, however, tearfully responded that as a Quanxian merperson, he could only love one person for his entire life, before departing with a heavy heart.
Meanwhile, Aunt Ru implored Su Mo to accept his destiny, stressing that he could not defy fate. She reminded him that he was never an ordinary merperson, having saved countless people during his two years of wandering, even without knowing his true identity as the Emperor of the Sea. She reiterated that he carried the great responsibility of saving Quanxian, a destiny carved into his fate, and that since his return, his heart had already resolved to face everything.
After this conversation, Su Mo set out to find the Sea Soul Pearl, which was hidden in the Bai Royal Residence. Bai Ying’s father summoned her once more, admonishing her for her wilfulness and insisting she should accept her marriage to Zhen Lan. Bai Ying expressed her frustration, asking if being part of the Kongsang Royal Family truly offered no personal choices.
She wondered if she could truly change the fate of the world if she couldn't even change her own. Bai Wang recounted his own experiences of war and chaos when he was conferred by the king, emphasizing that not following the will of their ancestors would make it difficult to fulfill the will of their people. After their tense conversation, Bai Ying returned to her room.
Her younger sister, Lin'er, joined her to offer comfort, mentioning that their father dearly missed Bai Ying during her years on Kongji Mountain. As Lin'er left, Bai Ying began to undress. Hidden by an invisibility cloak in the room, Su Mo accidentally revealed his shoes, leading Bai Ying to discover his presence. Bai Ying immediately realized Su Mo was there for the Sea Soul Pearl.
Su Mo explained that the pearl could open the barrier at the bottom of Jing Lake, allowing the merpeople to escape abuse from Kongsang. Recalling Su Mo's previous help in prison, Bai Ying acknowledged his kindness, noting he was different from other people. She then handed him the Sea Soul Pearl, telling him it could save many lives. Su Mo thanked her, promising to repay her kindness. They formally introduced themselves: Bai Ying and Su Mo.
As Su Mo attempted to leave, he was captured by Qing Wangchen. Qing Wangchen revealed that he admired talent and would treat Su Mo well if he served him. When Ru Yi appeared, calling Qing Wangchen despicable, he threatened to kill Ru Yi and Su Mo's companions one by one if Su Mo did not cooperate. Ru Yi vehemently urged Su Mo not to agree.
Qing Wangchen then blinded Su Mo, telling him that being blind could be a good thing, as seeing too clearly in this world often only caused pain, and it would make the Crown Princess take more pity on him, thus making his task easier. Later, Bai Ying sought out her father, asking about her mother's character.
Bai Wang described her mother as the bravest, kindest, and most responsible woman he had ever known, who ultimately fell ill from her tireless dedication to the Bai Clan. He advised Bai Ying that inheriting the power of the earth required both responsibility and courage, urging her to be courageous like her mother. Bai Ying, deeply moved, apologized to her father and promised to be a good Crown Princess, worthy of her mother and the Bai Clan ancestors.
Bai Wang affirmed his pride in her. As the auspicious day approached, Bai Ying prepared for her entry into the Jing Pagoda. During the Pagoda Entering Ceremony, a seal representing her holy purity was placed upon her. Bai Ying was instructed that she must be cautious and well-behaved until her grand wedding, as any impure deed would automatically remove the seal.
She was to spend three months isolated in the Jing Pagoda, meditating and studying royal customs and Kongsang rituals, awaiting her wedding day with the Crown Prince. Bai Wang bid his daughter a poignant farewell, expressing his lifelong wish for her to live a life free from royal burdens. He then performed a formal bow, explaining that from that day forward, they must observe the proprieties of ruler and subject, rather than father and daughter.
The High Priest reiterated the rules for her confinement, stating that she must not have contact with any outsiders. Her personal maids, A'Yu and Yao'er, along with dozens of other servants, would accompany her. Within the pagoda, Yao'er assigned duties, insisting that no outsiders could enter the Crown Princess's bedchamber, and refused A'Yu’s suggestion to place Su Mo, a servant proficient in music, in the main hall.
Su Mo, remembering Qing Wangchen's threats against his companions if he failed to disrupt the wedding, worried about how he would approach the main hall. Meanwhile, Crown Prince Zhen Lan was in the Pavilion of Books in Jing Pagoda. When the High Priest tried to instruct him on Kongsang's history, Zhen Lan showed little interest, preferring a book on calligraphy. He excused the High Priest, requesting instead for delicious food and drinks to aid his studies.
This highlighted Zhen Lan's initial disinterest in his royal duties. Back in Bai Ying’s quarters, A'Yu and Yao'er accidentally broke a harp. A'Yu, knowing Su Mo’s musical talent, asked if he could repair it, despite his blindness. Yao'er was skeptical but agreed to ask Bai Ying. Bai Ying, feeling troubled, granted permission for the musician to attempt the repair. After Su Mo successfully mended the harp, he played the Kongsang melody "Moon Over Jing Lake."
Bai Ying, who was nearby, was captivated by the beautiful music, admiring the musician's skill, though she remained unaware it was Su Mo. Upon learning of his proficiency and the successful repair of her rare harp, Bai Ying decided it would be more convenient to have the musician in the main hall.
Despite Yao'er’s concerns about her father's instructions for strict isolation, Bai Ying insisted she would be careful and commanded A'Yu to arrange for the musician to move to the main hall once the harp was fully tuned. Daily, the High Priest instructed Bai Ying on palace rules and customs, stressing the importance of becoming a crown princess who complies with customs and rules, and gently urging her to accept inevitable responsibilities.
Bai Ying expressed concern about her father and the outside world, but the High Priest advised her to focus on nurturing her spirit. After one of these lessons, Bai Ying encountered Su Mo. She was startled to see him and noticed his eyes, asking about them. Su Mo, though blind, politely responded that his eyes were fine and thanked her for her concern. Bai Ying wondered why Su Mo was there in the Jing Pagoda, reflecting on his presence as another lonely soul within its walls.
