The First Jasmine Episode 8 Recap
> The First Jasmine Recaps
The next day, Mo Xiuyao visited Ye Li to apply Yuji Ointment to the scars on her arms, which she had received from monkey scratches on Lishan Mountain. He explained that this rare tribute from the Western Regions, made with precious ingredients like angelica, peach kernel, and pearl powder, was highly effective at fading scars. Thankful for his gesture and for resolving the city's monkey issue, Ye Li requested another jar for her maid, Qingshuang.
Later, when Mo Xiuyao asked his subordinate Ah Jin about Qingshuang, Ah Jin admitted he had never heard of a maid by that name in the princess's courtyard but promised to look into it. Meanwhile, Dowager Consort Qin, who lived as a practitioner under the name Devotee Yunji, sent an invitation to Ye Li and Wen Ran for the Red Sleeve Gathering at Changsheng Fang.
Realizing the Consort used these social events to recruit alliances for Empress Dowager Guo Jin, Ye Li attended, knowing Prince Ding’s Mansion had been excluded for years until her arrival. At the gathering, after Lin Tinglan performed the heartbreaking tune "Duan Chang Diao" on the zither, she questioned Ye Li on why Lishan Academy did not admit female students.
Ye Li easily cleared up the misunderstanding, explaining that the famous author Fuyao the Hermit was actually a woman, and that Lishan indeed had female scholars and teachers; it was only societal preferences that led to more male students. Dowager Consort Qin then tried to corner Ye Li regarding rumors that Lishan had closed down to avoid the Empress Dowager's potential ascension.
Ye Li tactfully defuted the trap by praising the harmonious rule of the young Emperor and the Empress Dowager, asserting that anyone spreading such divisive rumors deserved execution. During the feast, Ye Ying tried to boast about her luxury while eating a Sihe Pastry, but Ye Li easily embarrassed her by pointing out black sesame seeds stuck in her teeth. Afterward, a clumsy maid accidentally soiled Ye Li's dress and led her away to clean up.
Sensing something amiss, Ye Ying followed. Ye Li was taken to a desolate area, only to find Mo Jingli waiting for her. He desperately claimed their broken engagement was forced by Guo Jin’s suspicion and proposed running away together. Ye Li rejected him with utter disgust, calling him a cowardly hypocrite. Outside, Ye Ying overheard their conversation. Inside, Mo Jingli refused to accept Ye Li's coldness, claiming she must have killed Lu Changfu out of love to aid him politically.
Ye Li firmly corrected him, stating she killed Lu Changfu solely to avenge the seven Lishan scholars he had murdered. As she walked away, Mo Jingli threatened to drown himself in a nearby pond despite not knowing how to swim. Disgusted, Ye Li compared his fragile ego to a cicada's thin, noisy membrane and walked away. Witnessing Mo Jingli's pathetic obsession with her sister, Ye Ying was left heartbroken and consumed by jealousy.
Determined to rebuild his strength, Mo Xiuyao met with the newly released Gu Zheng, inviting him to join the Jingzhao Prefecture. Gu Zheng agreed on the condition that the denunciation he had written eight years ago be engraved on Marquis Muyang's tombstone. Mo Xiuyao readily agreed to the deal.
Meanwhile, Mo Jingli's advisor urged him to maintain his public reputation as a reckless, degenerate fool to avoid the Empress Dowager's suspicion, as any signs of him settling down after marriage would make him a threat. The advisor organized upcoming social events for him, including a polo match where he was to pick a fight with Yuan Changkong.
Frustrated by the constraints of his survival, Mo Jingli agreed to retreat to the Yinshan Mountain Villa for a few days to clear his head. At Prince Ding's Mansion, Ye Li's maids happily showed her that the Shiying flowers had finally bloomed. Soon after, Ye Li's third uncle, Ye Wenshen, moved into the mansion with an overwhelming amount of belongings from Changsheng Fang, including a statue of the Goddess Miaotian.
Complaining about her room's simple decor, he insisted on staying for a month or two. Meanwhile, consumed by hatred, Ye Ying sought to eliminate Ye Li. After being rejected by ordinary guards who refused to commit murder, she met with the assassin Han Mingxi at a busy restaurant. Seated back-to-back, she hired him to capture Ye Li alive so she could personally execute her, offering double the price for a live capture.
Dowager Consort Qin visited Empress Dowager Guo Jin to inform her that Mo Xiuyao had requested Gu Zheng’s reinstatement. Guo Jin recalled how Gu Zheng had tried to impeach Marquis Muyang eight years ago over the deaths of Lishan scholars and had insulted her at the palace gates, though he was spared execution due to ominous weather signs. Guo Jin lamented the young Emperor's lack of foresight and resolved to guide him.
Late that night, Ye Wenhua followed the eerie sound of a zither to Xu Wanzhou's ruined courtyard and fainted from terror upon seeing her memorial tablet. The same night, Mo Xiuyao woke up from severe pain in his legs and spotted Ye Li hurriedly returning to her room from outside. The next morning, Ye Wenhua woke up and recounted his terrifying experience to his wife, Lady Wang.
Later, Ye Li asked Mo Xiuyao if he would join them for dinner since she had invited her senior brother over, and she once again offered to treat his legs, pointing out that his nerves still had sensation. However, Mo Xiuyao coldly questioned how she could possibly help him.
