Shining Just For You Episode 16 Recap
> Shining Just For You Recap
Yu Xiuming, eager to obtain the auspicious date for his imperial tour, went to the Bureau of Astrology, even though the three-day period he had granted Ye Lingshuang for her seclusion had not yet passed. Duanmu Yan, who was scolding an official for a mistake related to the Great Chao Unified Calendar, was startled by Yu Xiuming's arrival and quickly apologized, then led the Emperor to Ye Lingshuang's chambers.
At the door, Cheng Wu, assigned by Ye Lingshuang to guard her, boldly blocked Yu Xiuming. Cheng Wu insisted that Director Bai was engrossed in calculating the auspicious date for His Majesty and could not be disturbed, emphasizing his duty to ensure her work was uninterrupted. Undeterred and amused by Cheng Wu's defiance, Yu Xiuming kicked open the door. Inside, Yu Xiuming found a lifelike dummy, a decoy, and Ye Lingshuang herself unconscious.
He gently moved her to the bed and roused her. Ye Lingshuang awoke, disoriented, and initially scolded Yu Xiuming for trespassing in her private quarters, only to realize her deceptive seclusion had been exposed. She promptly handed him the auspicious date for the imperial tour, explaining she had been re-verifying it with the Great Chao Unified Calendar.
Her mind had been trapped in an illusion where she was with Qi Hairui, dreaming of a shared future, but Yun Wen's urgent warnings had urged her to break free, reminding her that her seal was broken and the visions were not real. Ye Lingshuang accused Yu Xiuming of hypocrisy, questioning his orchestration of events regarding Zuo Jintian, Qi Hailian, and Jie Zhuying.
She stated that he intentionally led Zuo Jintian to believe he would be appointed Protectorate General of Yuezhou, only to bestow the title upon Jie Zhuying. Knowing Zuo Jintian's ruthless nature, she believed Yu Xiuming deliberately provoked him to attack Jie Zhuying and the Yebei people, ultimately manipulating Qi Hailian's desperate bid for survival into a path of certain death. She branded his actions as hypocritical and disgusting.
Enraged, Yu Xiuming silenced her, reminding her that his indulgence had made her reckless with her words, risking her life. Just then, Fan Ruhui and other officials arrived seeking an audience. Yu Xiuming, channeling his fury at their interruption and perhaps to project an image of stern justice, ordered Ye Lingshuang to be thrown into the celestial prison to "clear her head" from her drunken misbehavior and defiance.
Cheng Wu, upon hearing this, was confused, noting that Ye Lingshuang had not been stripped of her official post, an unusual occurrence for someone imprisoned. In prison, Ye Lingshuang appeared surprisingly comfortable. She continued to receive official documents for her perusal and even had food and blankets delivered by caring colleagues, including Cheng Wu. This led the prison guards to remark on her seemingly enjoyable confinement, questioning if she was truly imprisoned or simply enjoying a leisurely break.
Later, Yu Xiuming, still in a somber mood, visited Leng Tianxi. Leng Tianxi, observing his unhappiness, mused about Ye Lingshuang's true standing in his heart, questioning if she was merely an official or something more akin to a concubine. Yu Xiuming confirmed that Ye Lingshuang was in prison.
He then went to the celestial prison himself, commenting sarcastically on Ye Lingshuang’s pleasant stay and her enjoying not having to attend court, before ordering her to resume her duties at the Bureau of Astrology. During a court session, Yu Xiuming addressed the sentencing of Zuo Jintian.
When Official Yong presented a severe judgment that included mutilating the corpse and exterminating nine clans, Yu Xiuming cautioned against the old practice of over-sentencing criminals to allow the monarch to appear merciful by reducing penalties. He declared that hereafter, justice must be served impartially, without attempting to anticipate his wishes or exaggerating charges. He then commanded Official Yong to execute Zuo Jintian's severe sentence exactly as written in his memorial, warning him of public scorn if he faltered.
Yu Xiuming then announced that the Bureau of Astrology had predicted Zuo Jintian’s treason months ago. He called upon Ye Lingshuang to publicly corroborate this, which she did by fabricating a narrative of observing unsettling star movements in the Lanque region, signaling military unrest. Following this, Yu Xiuming publicly lauded Fan Ruhui, noting his in-law relationship with Zuo Jintian, for prioritizing state righteousness over family ties and denouncing Zuo Jintian, urging all ministers to emulate his example.
After court, Yu Xiuming summoned Ye Lingshuang to gauge her reaction to his public declarations. She responded with cynical amusement, remarking that the Bureau of Astrology's primary function was to legitimize his imperial will as divine providence. Yu Xiuming then inquired if she wished to accompany him on his upcoming imperial tour, to which she promptly declined. However, her stance changed when Duanmu Yan presented the tour itinerary.
Although she initially dismissed it, a particular destination, "Minzhong Mountain," caught her attention. Her subsequent research revealed that Minzhong Mountain was where Yu Xiuming, once gravely wounded and surrounded by enemy forces, mysteriously gained an advantage, described as "divine aid," enabling him to triumph by single-handedly killing the enemy commander. She theorized that a Truth Master's array, a source of immense power, might be located there, making it crucial for her to join the tour.
Yun Wen, her spiritual companion, reproached her for initially refusing such a valuable opportunity. After realizing the importance of Minzhong Mountain, Ye Lingshuang struggled to find a way to tell Yu Xiuming she wanted to join the tour, especially as he was now angry and unwilling to see her. Later, Fan Ruhui presented the list of officials accompanying the tour to Yu Xiuming. Yu Xiuming unexpectedly struck the entire Bureau of Astrology from the list.
Determined to join, Ye Lingshuang attempted to see Yu Xiuming but was turned away by guards, who informed her that the Emperor’s order forbidding visits applied even to holders of the prestigious Qilin Fang Token. Frustrated, she complained to Yun Wen about Yu Xiuming's obstinacy and high-and-mighty attitude. Meanwhile, Leng Tianxi presented Yu Xiuming with a specially made outfit for his tour.
Noticing his uncharacteristic melancholy, she playfully speculated that he was quarreling with Ye Lingshuang, remarking on how their playful squabbles seemed to bring him joy and making her happy for him. Yu Xiuming, however, firmly insisted he wished for no involvement with Ye Lingshuang.
A short while later, Qi Hailian and Jie Zhuying made a dramatic return, bringing immense relief and jubilation to the Yebei people, who had believed them dead and were holding a mourning ceremony, displaying Jie Zhuying’s sword as a symbol of remembrance. The villagers explained how Jie Zhuying had bravely protected them, earning their deep gratitude. Yu Xiuming was also relieved to learn of Qi Hailian's survival. Overjoyed by the news, Ye Lingshuang felt a renewed sense of purpose.
Yu Xiuming then summoned Ye Lingshuang. She presented the newly completed Unified Calendar of Chao for the coming year, but he cursorily dismissed it, instructing her to deliver it to Fan Ruhui for national issuance and to focus on her other duties, subtly avoiding her attempts to discuss the imperial tour. He observed her buoyant mood, discerning that she had learned of Qi Hailian's survival.
He feigned anger at Jie Zhuying, calling him a disgrace for not engaging Zuo Jintian in a duel and instead surrendering. Ye Lingshuang, playing along with his aggressive philosophy, argued that he should visit Jie Zhuying in Yuezhou to personally reprimand him, suggesting her accompaniment would be beneficial.
Yu Xiuming proposed a game of chess, promising that if she could guess why Jie Zhuying and Qi Hailian were still alive, he would grant her request to join the tour, specifically to Yuezhou. During the game, Ye Lingshuang subtly underscored the importance of an astrologer to predict weather conditions during a long journey.
Finally, she revealed her astute deduction: Yu Xiuming had secretly dispatched forces to protect Jie Zhuying all along, using the situation to expose Zuo Jintian's disloyalty and strategically dismantle the alliance between the Zuo and Fan families. She questioned if he had feared miscalculation and the loss of his most capable general. Yu Xiuming acknowledged her insight, explaining that pursuing great aspirations often necessitated making difficult sacrifices. Satisfied with her answer, he granted her permission to join the imperial tour.
An ecstatic Ye Lingshuang shared her success with Yun Wen, who reminded her that upon her return, he would manifest a physical form and would need to be entrusted to a reliable caretaker. However, Fan Ruhui approached Yu Xiuming to question his sudden change of mind about Ye Lingshuang joining the tour, pointing out that Yu Xiuming had initially stated the Bureau of Astrology would not accompany him. Yu Xiuming dismissed his questioning.
Fan Ruhui then reported that court officials were gossiping that Yu Xiuming's preferential treatment of Ye Lingshuang surpassed that of a ruler towards a subject. Fan Ruhui subtly suggested that if Yu Xiuming indeed harbored romantic feelings for her, he should bring her into the imperial harem to quell rumors and safeguard his wise reputation, avoiding ministers looking askance. Yu Xiuming, however, sharply demanded to know who was spreading such talk.
