Shadow Love Episode 11 Recap
> Shadow Love Recap
On the battlefield, Li Shuang recognized Jin'an and was relieved to see that he was alive, asking if he was alright and expressing her gladness that he had survived. Meanwhile, a Yao Army officer reported their defeat to a Counsellor, describing how a mysterious man in black with extraordinary martial skills had suddenly appeared, collaborating with Li Shuang to kill General Shi Du and saving Lucheng.
The Counsellor was surprised by the man in black's unexpected involvement but declared that the battle was a must-win. He vowed not to return without triumph, stating his intention to petition the court for a new military commander to ensure Lucheng was conquered, no matter how difficult. Li Zhangyi, attempting to flee Lucheng, cursed Li Shuang for his predicament and vowed to report her to Prince Li upon his return to the capital.
His aide urged him to hurry as horses awaited. However, Li Shuang's subordinates intercepted them, questioning their late-night travels. Li Zhangyi, asserting his authority as an imperial military supervisor, was nonetheless informed that General Li Shuang requested his presence, as her subordinates would "spoil his night" for him. Li Shuang visited Yunge in prison, telling her she should be grateful to have been captured by Li Shuang rather than Li Zhangyi, as she would otherwise be dead.
Yunge defiantly told Li Shuang to kill her, but Li Shuang recognized Yunge as a trained assassin and questioned how many more such "death mission" individuals were in Lucheng, the Yao State's true objective, and Yunge's connection to Li Zhangyi. Yunge, fearless of death, refused to provide any information, but Li Shuang countered that people like her feared survival more than death.
Li Shuang then revealed she had just returned from the Fragrance Garden, where Li Zhangyi, in an attempt to capture Yunge, had ordered the massacre of over twenty people, including Yanzhi. Showing Yunge a sachet, Li Shuang asked if she recognized it, explaining that the herbs inside were for Yunge's sleep, a testament to Yanzhi’s deep care, which tragically led to her own demise. Enraged, Yunge lashed out, accusing Li Shuang of being evil and demanding to be killed.
Li Shuang stopped Yunge from harming herself, stating that Yanzhi had believed Yunge was innocent until her last breath and that suicide would only betray Yanzhi further. Li Shuang urged Yunge to confess Li Zhangyi's wrongdoings to avenge her friend, reminding her that her mission for the Yao State was already complete.
Yunge, heartbroken, confessed her past as a trained assassin, having crawled out of piles of corpses and forgotten what it felt like to be human, until Yanzhi had shown her genuine love. She then vowed to drag Li Zhangyi to hell for refusing to open the city gates, which resulted in the deaths of countless Lucheng soldiers. Li Shuang's subordinate later confirmed Li Zhangyi's confession regarding the loss of his token at the Fragrance Garden.
Li Shuang ordered Li Zhangyi and both confessions sent to the capital for His Majesty's judgment. She also instructed that Yunge be buried alongside Yanzhi. When a subordinate questioned the appropriateness of this, given Yunge's role as a Yao State spy, Li Shuang acknowledged that in chaotic times, many were merely unfortunate beings without control over their own fates. Lu Xin visited Ji Ran in prison, bringing him medicinal herbs for his battlefield injuries.
She observed that Li Shuang was preoccupied with searching for Jin'an and seemed to have forgotten about Ji Ran. Lu Xin then questioned Ji Ran's unwavering loyalty despite his imprisonment, openly accusing him of jealousy towards Jin'an, given his reckless actions even though he knew Jin'an had Li Shuang's full trust. Ji Ran, the head of the Guardians' Unit, insisted his actions were out of duty to protect Li Shuang from Jin'an, whose identity was peculiar and suspicious.
Lu Xin countered that his feelings were more likely jealousy, as he envied Jin'an for being the one to share Li Shuang's worries and solve her problems. Lu Xin reminded Ji Ran of their first meeting three years ago when he had heroically saved her from falling off a cliff. She also recalled witnessing his panic and worry when Li Shuang was poisoned, realizing at that moment how deeply he cared for someone.
Ji Ran adamantly stated that Li Shuang was his general, and his feelings for her were solely "lifelong loyalty and sworn allegiance," cautioning Lu Xin against making remarks that could tarnish Li Shuang's reputation. Lu Xin departed, remarking that unspoken affection was like unstoppable running water and promising to rescue Ji Ran and repay his kindness for saving her life. Later, Lu Xin found Jin'an near the General's Residence and was visibly relieved he was safe.
Jin'an, deducing her purpose, acknowledged Ji Ran's imprisonment. Lu Xin admitted she had come to plead with Li Shuang but couldn't bring herself to speak, so she now sought Jin'an's help to convince Li Shuang to release Ji Ran. Jin'an questioned whether it was worthwhile to assist someone who had always been cold towards her.
Lu Xin explained that love transcended worth, driving her to care for Ji Ran's concerns and find happiness in his smile, especially to repay him for saving her life. Jin'an agreed to help, reasoning that Ji Ran, despite his error, had acted out of concern for Li Shuang's safety, and since Jin'an was now safe, further punishment seemed petty. He added that he was grateful to Ji Ran's actions as they had led him to something even more important.
Jin'an visited Li Shuang, who was awaiting his return. Li Shuang playfully chided him for his reckless actions, such as breaking into the city tower and holding an official hostage. Jin'an, noting her concern rather than suspicion, explained his absence by attributing his survival to luck after falling from the cliff. Li Shuang, relieved he was safe, let the matter drop.
Jin'an then asked her to release Ji Ran, arguing that Ji Ran's unwavering loyalty meant his rash actions stemmed from a desire to protect her, and punishing him further would be unjust. Li Shuang agreed to release Ji Ran, acknowledging his many years of loyal service. Upon his release, Ji Ran admitted his mistake in acting without orders but maintained he had no regrets, reiterating his suspicion regarding Jin'an's still unverified identity.
Li Shuang, reflecting on trust, mused on the courage required to fully trust someone in such tumultuous times. Despite Jin'an's secrecy, she chose to believe him, concluding that sometimes, trust itself was the greatest truth. Scouts reported that the Yao Army had not retreated but had established a camp twenty li from Lucheng, now led by a new general named Zhao Jingyuan.
Li Shuang realized their intention was to besiege Lucheng and starve them out, as their supplies would only last four more days. She dispatched Qin Lan and three soldiers to Yongcheng to request reinforcements and supplies, which were expected in two days. Meanwhile, the Yao Counsellor celebrated with Zhao Jingyuan, boasting of their imminent victory over Lucheng by simply waiting for the city to run out of resources.
However, during the night, Jin'an assassinated Zhao Jingyuan, leaving his severed head outside Li Shuang's office with a message. Separately, the Yao Counsellor met with a superior who offered him a chance for redemption for previous failures. The superior then inquired if the Counsellor found the man in black familiar, to which the Counsellor acknowledged his resemblance to the deceased Prince Annan.
Later, the Yao State publicly appointed Tian Daweng as the new Guardian General, rallying their troops by downplaying the man in black's actions and reaffirming their resolve to conquer Lucheng. News reached Li Shuang that the Yao Army had also unexpectedly stormed and captured Ninglan, a vital transportation hub. Her officers debated whether to fight or await reinforcements, fearing their strategies were compromised and their dwindling three-day supply of provisions.
Li Shuang, frustrated by the bickering, asserted that Long Wind soldiers would die fighting, not waiting. Li Shuang revealed a map of Ninglan, which her officers enthusiastically noted would greatly increase their chances of victory. Li Shuang then declared that Ninglan must be reclaimed and Lucheng secured. Her officers noted the Yao Army's new general, Tian Daweng, and the loud public display of their new appointment, suspecting it was a trap to lure out the man in black.
Li Shuang agreed, deducing that the cunning Yao Counsellor intended to eliminate Jin'an, who had been an unforeseen variable in their plans. Recognizing the dire situation, Li Shuang decided to use herself as bait. She ordered Ji Ran to gather two thousand elite soldiers to accompany her to Ninglan, despite her officers' protests that it was a suicidal mission.
Li Shuang stated that since the Yao Army was determined to win, her forces must fight to the death, and ordered the names of the two thousand soldiers to be recorded for future honors. She then penned a final letter, dedicating her life to her state, her army, and her father, wishing her father and brother Ting lasting peace.
Jin'an, finding her letter, realized she had left no words for him, confirming his suspicion that she intended to use her small force as bait against the overwhelming Yao Army. Li Shuang explained her duty as a general to protect Ninglan, a promise she had made to Zang Budu, and her willingness to gamble on a slim chance, even if it meant breaking their blood pact and granting him freedom.
Jin'an, deeply moved, declared that he did not value freedom over her and that their lives were intrinsically bound. He vowed not to let her lose and would stall the main Yao forces if she took ten thousand soldiers to reclaim Ninglan. Jin'an then confessed that Li Shuang had likely known his true identity as the man in black all along, apologizing for his long-held secret. In a tender moment, Li Shuang made him promise to stay alive.
A subordinate reported the initial order of two thousand troops ready, but Jin'an corrected him, stating Li Shuang's revised order was for ten thousand soldiers. Li Shuang confirmed the change, gave Ji Ran final instructions to defend Lucheng and expect supplies in two days, then personally led her army of ten thousand soldiers to Ninglan, shouting their resolve to defeat the Yao invaders.
