The First Jasmine Episode 21 Recap
> The First Jasmine Recaps
Ye Li recalls a childhood memory of keeping a beautiful bird that was said to speak human language once it grew up. One day, the bird escaped. Fearful that she would be heartbroken, her mother, Xu Wanzhou, bought an identical bird and claimed the original had returned, but Ye Li immediately knew it was a replacement.
This experience taught her that once something is gone, it is lost forever, making her highly reluctant to keep pets like cats or dogs to avoid the pain of inevitable loss. Feeling deeply sympathetic, Mo Xiuyao promises that he will always remain by her side. As she treats his injured legs with medicine, she strictly forbids him from moving, insisting that the treatment requires him to sit still for six hours.
Under a scorching sun, a group of Dachu officials waits anxiously at Changxing Gate. Lin Tinglan arrives and is surprised to find Mo Xiuyao waiting so early, noting that the Cangbei delegation was only expected to arrive later in the afternoon. The other officials reveal that Marquis Muyang, Zhou Jing, had instructed them to assemble early in the morning.
Mo Xiuyao realizes that Zhou Jing deliberately misled them about the arrival time, leaving him laughing in exasperation at the petty deception. The Cangbei delegation, led by General Lei Tengfeng, finally arrives at Changxing Gate. Having faced each other in the brutal battles of Suixue Pass, where Mo Xiuyao killed Lei Tengfeng's father and Lei Tengfeng crippled Mo Xiuyao's legs, the two men must suppress their mutual hatred to preserve diplomatic relations.
Mo Xiuyao officially welcomes the delegation but quickly points out a protocol violation. Princess Lingyun's carriage is decorated with twelve jade bi discs, a high-ranking imperial specification reserved solely for the Dachu Emperor. To prevent overstepping protocol within Dachu's borders, Mo Xiuyao requests that they either remove the discs or have the princess switch to a prepared Dachu carriage.
Though Lei Tengfeng is furious, the woman posing as the princess inside the carriage instructs him to comply with Dachu's rules, and the jade discs are removed. While the citizens discuss the delegation and express their hopes for lasting peace, Feng Zhiyao has a secret reunion with Princess Lingyun, who has slipped away from her entourage in male disguise. Meeting at the Qingfeng Mingyue Tower, the two catch up over drinks.
Feng Zhiyao presents her with premium Yusuichun wine, which has been aged for ten years under a plum tree, while she shares a strong, fiery brew she acquired on her journey. Feng Zhiyao also shows her the Jinlinzhan flowers she loves, promising to prepare a batch for her when she returns to Cangbei.
She admits she hasn't decided on the length of her stay until her business is finished, and Feng Zhiyao eagerly offers to act as her guide around the capital. The delegation is escorted to the envoy hostel, where Lin Tinglan outlines the security provided by Prince Ding and the Jingzhao Prefecture, while Honglu Temple manages their daily needs. After the Dachu officials leave, Lei Tengfeng is alarmed to realize the princess is missing from the delegation.
Princess Lingyun soon sneaks back in, changes out of her male disguise, and confronts her maid, Su Zuidie, who had posed as the princess in the carriage. Princess Lingyun questions if Su Zuidie's compliance in removing the jade discs was due to lingering feelings for her former betrothed, Mo Xiuyao.
Su Zuidie explains that her father once served as the Eastern Palace's Left Inner Guard, giving her knowledge of carriage etiquette, and she only yielded to keep their deception from being exposed. Su Zuidie maintains that her betrothal to Mo Xiuyao ended when her family was exiled, and Princess Lingyun warns her that reviving such feelings can only bring harm, especially since they now stand on opposite sides of a national divide.
At the welcome banquet, Mo Xiuyao points out some of Dachu's prominent young talents to Ye Li, including Wu Qi of Yunchuan and the master craftsman Zhong Xingtong. Ye Li notes that the banquet feels more like a matchmaking event, and Mo Xiuyao agrees that many young men hope to secure their future by winning the princess's hand.
Ye Li notices Mo Xiuyao's focus on the princess and learns that the woman in the carriage the previous day was actually her attendant. She is amazed by Princess Lingyun's audacity to swap places so boldly. Meanwhile, Marquis Muyang attempts to introduce his son, Zhou Tianyang, to Lin Tinglan, but she politely rebuffs him by reminding him of her local roots.
As the banquet proceeds, Academician Luo Yu, heavily intoxicated, loudly denounces Princess Lingyun as a hypocrite for forcing her father to abdicate. Princess Lingyun defends her actions, comparing her father's abdication to her brother to the noble, ancient traditions of sages. When Luo Yu sneers at a woman ruling a nation and dismisses her brother as a puppet, Princess Lingyun turns the argument on its head.
She highlights the remarkable achievements of Dachu's own prominent women, including Lin Tinglan's writings, Princess Ding's education, and the governance of Empress Dowager Guo, cornering Luo Yu for his apparent contempt for women. The Empress Dowager steps in to diffuse the tension and asks Ye Li for her opinion.
Ye Li brilliantly dismisses Luo Yu's remarks as arrogant nonsense born of ignorance, while humorously suggesting that he only spoke so wildly in a desperate attempt to catch the beautiful princess's attention. Her clever response defuses the conflict and wins the Empress Dowager's praise. During the banquet, Ye Li strikes up a conversation with Zhong Xingtong about astronomy and pomegranates, promising to visit him. Feeling tipsy, Lin Tinglan slips out of the hall and meets Qin Cang.
She attempts to recruit him with a generous financial offer and the promise of a recommendation for a palace post, warning him that Marquis Muyang's overbearing nature will lead to a bad end. However, Qin Cang silently rejects her by leaving her handkerchief behind, making his unwavering loyalty to the Marquis clear. Meanwhile, Clerk Gu Zheng receives an urgent report from Gongshu Yang in Huaixi regarding an assassination plot.
Recognizing the gravity of the situation, he orders a squad of elites to apprehend Zhang Hengyuan and rushes to find Mo Xiuyao. Outside the palace, Gu Zheng informs Mo Xiuyao that Cangbei has colluded with Zhang Hengyuan to assassinate Zhong Xingtong, a plot deeply tied to Marquis Muyang. Mo Xiuyao demands to see the Emperor immediately, but a eunuch instructs him to wait in the armory's side hall instead.
At the same time, Qin Cang informs Marquis Muyang that Mo Xiuyao has successfully obtained the secret letter. On the martial stage, Lei Tengfeng invites Dachu's warriors to spar. Wu Qi of Yunchuan steps forward but is quickly overpowered by Lei Tengfeng's swift and aggressive fighting style. Lei Tengfeng taunts his opponent, comparing Wu Qi's weapon to an embroidery needle. Next, Wei Heng of Zhechong Prefecture steps up to challenge him, but he too is defeated, leaving the arrogant general highly pleased with himself.
