The First Jasmine Episode 2 Recap
> The First Jasmine Recaps
Two months ago, after soldiers escorted Ye Li down the mountain from Lishan Academy but refused to pay for her journey to the capital, she pestered them until they finally scraped together some loose change. With the copper coins, Ye Li secured a carriage and headed to the capital. Upon arriving, Ye Li visited Prince Ding's Mansion, only to find it desolate and abandoned.
A local street vendor explained that eight years ago, Mo Xiuyao's elder brother, Mo Xiuwen, had unauthorizedly led troops back to the capital. This left the border vulnerable to Cangbei invaders, who subsequently captured three cities, causing countless civilian casualties. Mo Xiuwen was executed, and though Mo Xiuyao was spared, his legs were permanently crippled in the war. Knowing that Lishan Academy owed a debt of gratitude to Prince Ding's Mansion, Ye Li silently vowed to repay it.
The morning after their wedding, Ye Li prepared to pay her respects to Mo Xiuyao’s sister-in-law, Wen Ran. However, Wen Ran excused herself by claiming she had caught a chill. In truth, Wen Ran remained deeply depressed, consumed by grief for her late husband, Mo Xiuwen. She spent her days neglecting her son, Mo Wuyou, and her failing memory was so severe that she had completely forgotten his tutor, Tutor Song, had left a year ago.
Having only seen her new husband twice since their wedding, Ye Li went to the study to find him. However, she was blocked by Lu Cheng, the Grand Astrologer of the Taishi Bureau. Lu Cheng claimed Mo Xiuyao was copying scriptures to atone for the family’s blood guilt and insolently refused to let her in. Refusing to force her way through, Ye Li departed to meet her third uncle, Ye Wenshen, at the Longevity Shop.
At the shop, Ye Wenshen served her Dew Bud Spring tea and praised her cleverness. He revealed that Lu Cheng had risen from a minor post of registrar in Lianzhou by currying favor with Marquis Muyang, meaning his hostility toward Prince Ding's Mansion was undoubtedly ordered by the Marquis. While they spoke, Lu Cheng's wife caused a scene in the shop, demanding a larger ceremonial lamp.
Seeing this, Ye Li requested a lamp of her own to pray for Mo Xiuyao the following day. When Ye Li returned to the mansion, she was horrified by what she discovered. Steward Cui explained that under the guise of purifying the mansion's bad karma, Lu Cheng conducted a monthly ritual. Ye Li witnessed the harrowing scene: Lu Cheng burned Mo Xiuyao's hand-copied scriptures, then whipped Mo Xiuyao's back until it bled, demanding his repentance.
Once Lu Cheng departed, Ye Li entered the study. Ignoring Mo Xiuyao's cold demands for her to leave, she gently cleaned the ashes from his hair and offered to keep him company. She shared stories of Lishan, describing her extensive studies in arithmetic, astronomy, and water conservancy under Master Helai. Checking his pulse, she read his fortune, predicting a long, blessed life.
When Mo Xiuyao bitterly remarked that a long life was a curse that left him surviving alone, Ye Li simply urged him to eat. As she looked at him, Ye Li recalled the true nature of their past. On her wedding day, she had lied about it being their first meeting. In the spring of Jinghe 13, while traveling to Huobai City with her mother, they had been attacked by desert bandits near Yanming Pass.
It was Mo Xiuyao who had swept in with his troops and saved her life. Though he had long forgotten the encounter, Ye Li had never forgotten the vibrant, lively young prodigy he once was, and she was determined to help him find that strength again. Meanwhile, in the imperial palace, Emperor Mo Yanqi was caught playing dice with his attendants by his mother, Empress Dowager Guo Jin.
Furious at his neglect of state affairs while the three towns of Heshuo delayed tributes and Zhedong rebels seized territory, the Empress Dowager ordered the attendants punished. The Emperor retaliated with sharp words, pointing out that if Lishan Academy had not sealed its doors years ago, she would have taken the throne herself. Back at the study, Ye Li bypassed the guards who tried to enforce Lu Cheng's restrictions.
Knowing Mo Xiuyao had been fasting for days, she brought him a warm bowl of almond congee to soothe his stomach, patiently waiting for him to eat. Outside, the servants discussed how Mrs. Lv had placed her ceremonial lamp in the Longevity Shop, but the fragile peace was suddenly disrupted by the unexpected arrival of Senior Eunuch Shunxi, throwing the servants into an immediate panic.
