Serendipity Episode 36 Recap
> Serendipity Recap
Lu Chang watched the shadow play in a daze, recalling how Jian Mingshu once invited him to watch a shadow play with her, only for him to coldly refuse. Song Qingzhao brought Jian Mingshu to see the shadow play, which turned out to tell the story of Lu Chang and Jian Mingshu. Jian Mingshu gradually began to shed tears. It was only after the play ended that Lu Chang and Ying Xun appeared.
Jian Mingshu was deeply saddened but repeatedly reminded herself not to look back. She used a hairpin to tear through the screen and told Lu Chang not to do anything meaningless anymore—things had come to this point; there was no turning back.
When Jian Mingshu returned to Hualang Pavilion, Yin Shujun and Princess of Wen’an looked helpless as they told her that the Emperor had bestowed a marriage upon her and Song Qingzhao, and the imperial decree had already been issued. Jian Mingshu was anxious—such a decree at this time felt extremely odd, and she knew she could not delay any longer.
When Lu Chang heard of the bestowed marriage between Jian Mingshu and Song Qingzhao, he went to her room in the middle of the night, intending to take her and Aunt Zeng away to a far-off place. But Jian Mingshu said the marriage had nothing to do with him and asked him not to interfere. His shadow play did not move her but instead cut deeply into her heart.
She once again pushed Lu Chang away, and after closing the door, tears streamed from her eyes. The Imperial Consort came to the Song residence, thinking that Song Qingzhao would be happy to have his wish fulfilled. Unexpectedly, Song Qingzhao begged her to rescind the decree, saying Jian Mingshu already had someone in her heart and that the entire matter was a misunderstanding. Although he truly had feelings for Jian Mingshu, fate was not on their side—it was one-sided.
But how could an imperial decree be easily revoked? This was Song Qingzhao's last chance. Was he really willing to watch the woman he loved marry someone else? Jian Mingshu obtained a household registration from Jianglin, thus cutting all ties with the Lu family from that moment on. Song Qingzhao repeatedly confirmed that there was no possibility between her and Lu Chang and hoped Jian Mingshu would give him a chance, but she still refused.
Jian Mingshu gave the 1,000 taels of profit from her shop to Aunt Zeng. Wei Zhuo was also present that day, and Jian Mingshu expressed her desire to recognize Aunt Zeng as her mother. Aunt Zeng, worried, looked at the tea Jian Mingshu offered her—drinking it would mean officially accepting Jian Mingshu as her daughter. Lu Chang rushed in and smashed the teacup, saying he never wanted to recognize Jian Mingshu as his sister—he only wanted to marry her.
But Jian Mingshu was sincere in wanting to acknowledge Aunt Zeng as her mother and Lu Chang as her elder brother. Wasn’t that what he had always wanted? Lu Chang brought Jian Mingshu to another room and asked her what she really intended to do. Jian Mingshu wanted to return to Jianglin and didn’t want Lu Chang to accompany her. But Lu Chang had already ordered someone to keep an eye on her—there was no room for discussion.
Ying Xun was tasked by Lu Chang to watch Jian Mingshu. After thinking it over, Jian Mingshu invited Lu Chang to dine with her at a restaurant and, with a complete change in attitude, began reminiscing with him. Under Jian Mingshu’s goading, Lu Chang drank the wine she offered and soon collapsed, his body weak.
Jian Mingshu said that it might have been better he didn’t agree to her back then; otherwise, he too would have been caught in this disaster. Jian Mingshu wished Lu Chang had never saved her, that they had never met. As Lu Chang fainted, he repeatedly begged Jian Mingshu not to go alone. Jian Mingshu said nothing, but after he lost consciousness, she kissed his cheek and, as always, called him Ah Chang gege. Lu Chang had a nightmare.
When he woke, it was already the next day. Jian Mingshu had left behind only a letter and departed. By then, she was likely already out of the city. Lu Chang rushed to catch up. Jian Mingshu gave a letter to Minister Cui, stating that she had no connection whatsoever to the Lu family and, because she was in mourning, could not marry Song Qingzhao. The letter reached Prince Rui and the Imperial Consort.
The Imperial Consort was furious, but thankfully Minister Cui was cautious and intercepted the letter in time—otherwise, her life would have been in danger. Su Tangli wanted to become a maid at the Lin household. Granny Li took all the money she had. Coincidentally, a victim came looking for Granny Li, revealing she was a swindler. Su Tangli drew her blade to reclaim the money, and at that moment, she saw the figure of Jian Mingshu standing outside.
