The First Jasmine Episode 19 Recap
> The First Jasmine Recaps
Empress Dowager Guo Jin issues an immediate decree to Zhou Jing, ordering the Imperial Court of Judicial Review to take control of the capital's gates and major roads, executing anyone acting suspiciously. They are to seize all letters, documents, or witnesses linked to Mo Jingli and the Eastern Palace, while the Left and Right Gate Guards are ordered to strictly seal the palace gates. This ruthless purge stems from deep-rooted secrets.
Years ago, the fire that consumed the Eastern Palace was no accident; Zhou Jing had secretly aided Guo Jin's ascent to power. In return, she secured him the position of Chief Minister of the Imperial Court of Judicial Review. Zhou Jing remains convinced that regardless of whether the Empress Dowager approves of his bloody methods, only he can deliver the results she desires.
Overnight, a wave of apprehension sweeps the capital as the Imperial Court of Judicial Review launches widespread arrests and surrounds Prince Li's Mansion. Despite the charred remains found in the ruins, Ye Li refuses to believe Mo Jingli is dead. Having known him for years, she discusses her suspicions with Mo Xiuyao, pointing out that Mo Jingli is a survivor who would never take his own life while a way out remained.
As they speak, she cares for Mo Xiuyao's healing legs with a warm herbal compress, reminding him to avoid strenuous physical exertion. Meanwhile, Zhou Jing and his guards barge into the Jingzhao Prefecture, aggressively demanding the arrest of Wang Suwu. He claims Wang Suwu is implicated due to his fourth uncle's past ties as a purchasing agent for the Eastern Palace and his presence at the Penglai Alley ambush.
Despite Wang Suwu's defense that he was merely executing his official duties as the Military Advisory Commissioner, Zhou Jing uses the imperial decree to drag him away. Furious at the arrest, Mo Xiuyao confronts Deputy Prefect Zheng Zuoshi, knowing Zheng was present during Qiu Xian's interrogation and leaked the information to Zhou Jing.
Mo Xiuyao confronts him with evidence of his deep-seated corruption and warns the terrified official that if any harm comes to Wang Suwu in the dungeons, Zheng's own life will be forfeit. Privately, Mo Xiuyao orders Gu Zheng to have their informants in the Imperial Court of Judicial Review keep a close eye on Wang Suwu, and to search the areas near Prince Li's Mansion for any hidden escape routes.
News soon arrives that Princess Li, Ye Ying, has attempted suicide in her grief but was saved by servants. When Zhou Jing tries to arrest her, Ye Li steps in to protect her sister. She points out that the Empress Dowager's decree only ordered the mansion to be sealed and searched, not the arrest of the princess consort, whose marriage was personally arranged by the Empress Dowager. Lacking concrete evidence, Zhou Jing is forced to leave empty-handed.
Sitting with Ye Ying, Ye Li finds herself unable to hate her despite her family's past misdeeds, realizing how simple-minded the young princess is. Ye Ying laments her short-lived marriage and shares her love for Mo Jingli. Ye Li gently explains that Mo Jingli's royal lineage meant his life was always destined to be consumed by conflict, and he had never spared a thought for her safety when setting the fire.
However, Ye Ying mentions Mo Jingli's strange parting words about meeting again if heaven willed it, confirming Ye Li's suspicion that he survived the blaze. To uncover his escape route, Ye Li has Wei Zhuang retrieve historical maps, including the Capital Underground Waterways Map, the Chronicle of Yongzhou Prefecture, and the Record of Huai River Dredging. She deduces that Mo Jingli likely dug a secret passage connecting Prince Li's Mansion to the underground drainage canals beneath Dehua Ward.
Meanwhile, Zhou Jing intimidates a subordinate looking for a residence, forcing him to drink from a rare South Seas coconut while cryptically comparing it to an official's cap and a flowerpot. Wang Suwu is eventually returned to the Jingzhao Prefecture, heavily tortured but alive, and Mo Xiuyao has him sent home to be treated by Physician Guan. Eager to investigate the canals, Ye Li heads out in sturdy martial arts attire.
She confronts Han Mingxi, who has been following her to repay a debt of two lives. Accepting his help, they scale the walls of Prince Li's Mansion. Inside the ruins, Ye Li utilizes her knowledge of water-powered mechanisms, instructing Han Mingxi to pour water to trigger the stone mechanism and open the hidden passage. They descend into the ancient underground waterways.
Navigating through the branching canals, Ye Li explains that Mo Jingli must have taken the main flood drainage canal leading toward the Yongding River to escape unnoticed. Han Mingxi easily guesses her target and promises to keep her secret as a matter of professional assassin code. However, as they emerge from the tunnels, they are suddenly ambushed by a band of masked men in black. Han Mingxi immediately springs into action, using his martial arts to shield Ye Li from the attackers.
