Moonshine and Valentine Episode 11 Recap
> Moonshine and Valentine Recap
A century ago, Lord Qingmu frantically rushed to Princess Zhaoyan, cradling an almost lifeless infant, Jingting, in his arms. He begged her to save the child, explaining that Jingting was half-human, very weak, and suffered from an eye disease, fearing he wouldn't live long. Princess Zhaoyan, filled with resentment, refused. She scorned Lord Qingmu for abandoning his engagement to her sister, Princess Xiyan, for a human woman, and now daring to ask her to save this "human bastard."
She told him to leave and never mention her sister again. However, a mysterious figure, whose voice was identified as Zhao Song, intervened, remarking on Princess Zhaoyan's unhealthy condition and rapidly increasing heartbeat. This leverage seemed to prompt Princess Zhaoyan to eventually heal the infant Jingting. Qian Hua and Zhao Song's impending departure weighed on Lord Helan Jingting. Despite his engagement to the Tushan family, Qian Hua's care for him made her like family.
He distrusted Zhao Song, seeing his words and actions as manipulative, yet knew Zhao Song was the most suitable companion for the journey north. Separately, Helan found himself uncharacteristically distracted since his last meeting with Guan Pipi. Whenever he thought of Guan Pipi, he lost all desire to do anything else, a feeling entirely new to him. Zhao Kuanyong observed Helan's absent-mindedness and listlessness, diagnosing them as typical symptoms of humans in distress.
He advised against using alcohol, warning it could lead to irrational and dangerous behavior, referencing a past incident involving Pipi, and noting that alcohol would make Helan physically uncomfortable. Kuanyong then informed Helan that Qian Hua had sent a WeChat message, indicating she would soon depart for the north as the full moon approached. Helan, unfamiliar with modern technology, expressed surprise at the concept of "WeChat" and "apps."
As they discussed their impending journey to the north, Kuanyong brought up the ancient Minyue family in Qingliu, noting its two beautiful princesses, Zhaoyan and Xiyan. Helan confirmed he had heard of them, particularly Princess Zhaoyan, known as a capable woman within the Fox Clan, though the Northern Fox Clan rarely spoke of her and believed she had died. Kuanyong, however, asserted that Princess Zhaoyan was alive and residing in the north, right under Lord Qingmu's nose.
Just then, Zhao Song appeared, commenting that if Princess Zhaoyan were indeed alive, she must be an incredibly wise elder for hiding so long. He dismissed Helan's map as a mere child's drawing from two centuries ago, stating it was useless for finding Zhaoyan. He revealed that Princess Zhaoyan was the only elder who could use the Gold Flower Mirror, and that Lord Qingmu had once sought her help for it, implying it was related to liver harvesting.
Helan, suspicious of Zhao Song's every word, felt he spoke like a schemer. Zhao Song acknowledged Helan's engagement to the Tushan family, though he knew Helan cared little for it. As Qian Hua and Zhao Song prepared to leave, Zhao Song told Helan that the Pearl of Charm Qian Hua wore was for her safety, given the Northern Fox Clan's difficult temperament. Helan bid Qian Hua to be careful.
Meanwhile, Pipi remained withdrawn, resembling a "vampire," according to Xiaoju, who urged her to get out of bed. Pipi had buried herself in her room, trying to escape the harsh reality of her recent heartbreak. With Tian Xin gone, only Xiaoju was left to help Pipi through her emotional pain. Xiaoju decided to try the "four S" methods for healing emotional distress. First, ""Shopping"".
Pipi, however, grew visibly sad when she saw a brand Jialin liked in a store window, prompting Xiaoju to quickly pull her away. Next, ""Sweet"" food. Xiaoju bought a table full of expensive, high-calorie desserts, explaining that sugar and starch could make the brain happy. Pipi, however, felt nauseous and found the sweets gave her acid reflux, leading to Xiaoju despairing over the wasted money. The third "S" was ""Sport"".
Xiaoju enthusiastically suggested exercise would release endorphins and even taped photos of Tian Xin and Jialin to a punching bag for Pipi to hit. But Pipi declined, explaining that she didn't blame Tian Xin or Jialin; she simply needed time to adjust to the sudden void left by the simultaneous departure of her two closest companions. Later, Jialin called Pipi from America. Pipi answered, calmly assuring him she was doing well and offering advice on adapting to American food.
Jialin apologized, expressing how sorry he was. After the call, Pipi assured Xiaoju she was fine, though Xiaoju remained unconvinced. As Pipi continued to struggle with her emotions, Xiaoju sought help from Kuanyong and Xiu Xian. They brainstormed ways to help a lovelorn girl, suggesting things like losing weight, getting a promotion, eating sweets, going to the gym, crying, or even cosmetic surgery.
Xiu Xian reported back that Pipi had already tried eating and sports, and was afraid of the pain of cosmetic surgery. This left crying, but not just a few tears – a deep, uninhibited wail. Pipi, however, found herself unable to cry, even when watching a sad movie or thinking about Jialin or Tian Xin.
She acknowledged that Tian Xin had been like a mirror for her, helping her understand herself, and expressed gratitude for their time together, despite the things Tian Xin had that Pipi could never possess. She also reflected on how, with Jialin gone, she could now truly relax and be herself when with Xiaoju, a stark contrast to the tension she felt around Jialin and Tian Xin.
Frustrated by Pipi’s inability to express her pain, Xiaoju decided to try the "fourth S," believing Lord Helan's help was essential. When discussing this with Kuanyong and Xiu Xian, a comical misunderstanding arose. Xiaoju's intended "S" was "Superstar," referring to a concert by Pipi's favorite niche singer, Gui. However, Kuanyong and Xiu Xian, misunderstanding the "S" to mean something that brought "great satisfaction or excitement to human body and soul," interpreted it as "Sex."
Despite their misinterpretation, Xiaoju went ahead with her plan. Pipi remained listless, her former vibrant self having vanished. She often found herself thinking of a certain person, a love that could not be. Xiaoju sent Pipi a ticket to a small concert by Gui, a singer Pipi admired. Deciding not to waste Xiaoju's effort, Pipi attended. Amidst the lively crowd, Pipi felt isolated and quiet.
Even as Gui, her favorite singer, performed her beloved song, "Rosefinch Street," it failed to stir her emotions significantly. Suddenly, Pipi noticed Helan Jingting not far away. Their eyes met across the multitude. A smile touched Pipi's lips, and tears welled up. She pushed through the crowd, rushing into Helan's warm embrace. They spoke briefly; Helan apologized for the Qixi Festival night, and Pipi assured him it was alright, that she understood.
Pipi then asked Helan why he was there, and he revealed Xiaoju had sent him. Pipi, surprised, reiterated her deep affection for Gui's music, particularly "Rosefinch Street," and the mysterious aura surrounding the singer.
