Shadow Love Episode 16 Recap
> Shadow Love Recap
The following morning, Li Shuang and Jin'an both woke up, each lost in their own thoughts about the previous night. Jin'an replayed the events, wondering how he had allowed her to grab his collar and kiss him, regretting that he hadn't been the one to take the initiative. Meanwhile, Li Shuang similarly reflected on her own initiation of the kiss, thinking 'I ended up being the eager one,' and concluded that drinking causes trouble.
She quickly dispatched servants to remove all the fine wine she had hidden in her room for years, declaring that alcohol only leads to mistakes. Confused and regretful, Jin'an sought out Lu Xin to confide in her. Lu Xin, understanding the situation, listened as Jin'an spoke vaguely about "trouble." She insightfully summarized that in a moment of passion, they had "followed their feelings, forgot about propriety, and in a moment of impulse, did something they now deeply regret."
Jin'an, however, firmly corrected her, stating that he was serious about Li Shuang and had no regrets. Observing Li Shuang's gaze towards Jin'an the previous day, Lu Xin expressed her approval of their relationship, telling Jin'an that Li Shuang deserved such happiness. Playfully, Lu Xin declared herself Jin'an's "half mother-in-law" and demanded he care for Li Shuang and be dutiful to her. Jin'an retorted that if Lu Xin wanted to be a mother, she should have her own child.
He then pressed Lu Xin to explain why Li Shuang was avoiding him. Lu Xin suggested that despite being a general, Li Shuang was still a woman and likely desired a sense of ceremony for a lifelong commitment. Jin'an pondered this idea. Returning to the General's Residence, Jin'an struggled with how to express his feelings. He decided to practice his confession on a scarecrow, delivering a heartfelt speech about finding love and pledging eternal devotion to Li Shuang.
His practice was interrupted when Qiao'er, who had been crying nearby, angrily punched the scarecrow, declaring that the sandbag, which had been with her for many years, would not tolerate such "lewd words." Jin'an apologized, and Qiao'er told him she was sorry for putting him through such humiliation. Meanwhile, the Emperor, who had been ill for over half a year, was pursuing immortality.
A minister informed him that the celestial sign of "Mars retrograding near Antares" would appear next month, and Crown Prince Su Muyang, as the rightful heir, could be sacrificed to ensure the Emperor's eternal life. The minister suggested Lucheng as the ideal place for the sacrifice. The Emperor then summoned Su Muyang, commending his tireless service during his illness.
He announced his intention to send Su Muyang to Lucheng to reward the troops and grant honors, asking if he was willing. Su Muyang readily agreed to follow his father's arrangements, unaware of the sinister plot behind it. News of the Emperor's decree reached Crown Princess Ji Tianjiao before it was formally announced. Enraged, she stormed into Su Muyang's study, forbidding him from going to Lucheng.
Su Muyang subtly reminded her that such defiance could anger the Emperor and jeopardize her father, Prime Minister Ji's, painstaking efforts and the honor of the Ji family. Ji Tianjiao accused him of having no ambition and only eagerly taking on the mission to Lucheng to meet his former lover, Li Shuang, citing his past actions in defending Li Shuang before the Emperor.
She asserted her status as the Prime Minister's daughter and the rightful Crown Princess, demanding no one else be in his eyes. Su Muyang coolly asked if she intended for him to defy an imperial order. Though hesitant, Ji Tianjiao stood her ground, but Su Muyang dismissed her concerns and ordered his attendant Huai'en to escort her back. Away from court, Su Muli was already aware of the Emperor's true intentions.
His subordinate reported that the Emperor had not only sought a longevity elixir but had also had the Imperial Astrologer calculate the birth charts of Su Muyang and Ji Tianjiao, planning for Su Muyang to serve as a perfect sacrifice during the "Mars retrograding near Antares" event. Su Muli gloated that Prime Minister Ji Lan believed he was making a strategic move, unaware that his precious daughter would soon become a widow.
His subordinate also noted that Li Shuang's recent victory had restored the Li family's favor with the Emperor, making them a force to be reckoned with if allied with the Crown Prince. Su Muli, however, declared that he doubted Su Muyang would even make it safely to Lucheng. Meanwhile, a furious Ji Tianjiao vented her anger by smashing objects in her chambers, feeling that Su Muyang's open pursuit of Li Shuang disrespected her and made her a laughingstock.
Her father, the Prime Minister, arrived and chastised her for her shortsightedness. He explained that Prince Li's (Su Muli's) growing power worried the Emperor, who was now subtly promoting Su Muyang to create a balance. He urged Ji Tianjiao to consider the larger picture, emphasizing that Li Wei, General Li's father, had once faced imperial suspicion due to his military power.
He implied that if General Li could be swayed to their side, Su Muyang might have a chance at the throne. He assured Ji Tianjiao that as long as she secured her position as Empress, who Su Muyang associated with was irrelevant, given his weak nature. He advised her to treat Su Muyang better and to act like a Crown Princess rather than constantly returning to her parental home.
Elsewhere, Lu Xin was called to the prison to treat a prisoner who had a sudden epileptic seizure. She calmly diagnosed his condition and sent a guard for medicine, asserting that even a condemned prisoner deserved care until execution. After she successfully treated him, the prisoner suddenly took her hostage, demanding a fast horse. The prison guards hesitated.
From a nearby cell, Mo Yin, who had been casually watching a cricket fight, interjected, chastising the prisoner for his ingratitude and for dirtying the kind physician's hands. He emphasized that all lives, from soldiers to crickets, held equal value. As the prisoner threatened Lu Xin, Mo Yin deftly intervened, disarming him. Just then, Li Shuang arrived and, without hesitation, killed the prisoner for hostage-taking and attempted escape.
Li Shuang immediately checked on Lu Xin, who claimed to only have a twisted neck. Lu Xin then thanked Mo Yin for saving her. Mo Yin, who had been in the prison for several days, revealed that he had an official document and could leave whenever he wished, but chose not to show it earlier, desiring the "experience." Li Shuang returned his hairpin and warned him against causing trouble in the city.
Mo Yin, introducing himself, vowed they would meet again and departed, briefly heading in the wrong direction before being corrected by a guard. Later, Lu Xin confronted Li Shuang about her swift action, pointing out the irony of Li Shuang's decisiveness in killing after Lu Xin had worked hard to save the man. Li Shuang retorted that Lu Xin would not have been alive to complain if Mo Yin hadn't intervened.
Li Shuang then inquired about Lu Xin's dowry, offering to complete it and arrange a marriage with Ji Ran for her protection, assuming Lu Xin still held feelings for him. Lu Xin adamantly refused, stating that her past with Ji Ran was over and she had no intention of marrying him, especially not to a soldier whose life was constantly at risk. She teased Li Shuang about her own recent "trouble" caused by drinking.
Li Shuang conceded, respecting Lu Xin's decision. However, she decreed that starting the next day, Lu Xin must report to the General's Residence at 7 AM to train with the maids for self-defense and physical fitness. When Lu Xin protested her late-sleeping habits, Li Shuang threatened to proceed with the marriage arrangement, prompting Lu Xin to reluctantly agree to the training. Li Shuang then received a letter from the capital announcing the Crown Prince's impending visit to Lucheng.
Her subordinates speculated the visit was either to appease the troops after a recent scandal or, more likely, related to the mysterious man in black. Li Shuang dismissed their theories, instructing them not to speculate about the Emperor's intentions. She ordered her subordinate, Luo Teng, to issue a command prohibiting all soldiers from discussing the man in black recklessly, reminding them that he was the Changfeng Army's benefactor and any violation would result in military punishment.
Before his departure, Su Muyang was seen off by Li Ting. Li Ting brought gifts for Li Shuang, and though Su Muyang suggested he could have sent them via messenger, Li Ting explained he wanted to see him off and check on his health for the long journey. Crown Princess Ji Tianjiao also appeared, offering "unwanted" but exquisite gifts for Li Shuang as a "token of her regard."
Li Ting, always protective of Li Shuang, pointed out Li Shuang's frugal nature and military lifestyle, suggesting such delicate items would be unsuitable. Ji Tianjiao remarked on Li Shuang's admirable military achievements, superior to "some men," prompting Li Ting to reiterate Li Shuang's philosophy that righteousness transcends gender roles. Ji Tianjiao insisted Li Shuang must accept the gifts as a royal reward.
After she left, Su Muyang gently told Li Ting not to take her temper to heart, and Li Ting reassured him he wouldn't. Li Ting then expressed his hope that Li Shuang would finally understand her own feelings and urged Su Muyang to treat her exceptionally well. A flashback revealed Li Shuang's and Su Muyang's childhood. Li Shuang, an orphan adopted by the General, was often bullied.
Su Muyang, a prince with a disabled hand, was also tormented by other children. Li Shuang, already skilled, fiercely protected him. She encouraged him to always stand tall and offered to teach him sword-fighting, suggesting he use his left hand if his right was unable. Su Muyang, grateful, asked her to call him Muyang instead of "Your Highness," formalizing their childhood friendship.
On his journey, Su Muyang's attendant expressed concern about Prince Li's influence and warned him about being seen with Li Shuang due to her military power. Su Muyang dismissed these concerns, stating he had always avoided power struggles to show his brother he desired a peaceful life. He believed his father's decision to send him to Lucheng was a tacit approval of his feelings for Li Shuang.
He held up a hairpin, confident that he could now rightfully place it on her. Later, Li Shuang and Jin'an were discussing the Crown Prince's impending arrival. Jin'an joked about the previous night's events, which Li Shuang claimed she couldn't remember, adding that 'amnesia is a good thing' in this case. Li Shuang expressed her unease about the Crown Prince's visit, especially with the news of the man in black reaching the capital.
She worried that given Jin'an's extraordinary abilities, the court might believe possessing him would grant them power over the realm. Jin'an, however, was more interested in how Li Shuang planned to introduce him. He offered suggestions like "my servant," "my boytoy," or "my husband-to-be." Li Shuang found his bluntness amusing but reminded him of her identity as a woman.
Jin'an countered that he never cared for societal shackles on women and believed women could fight battles and joke freely just like men. Li Shuang agreed with his sentiment. Jin'an then offered to teach her etiquette, hinting that it would be useful when she eventually went to the capital to meet the Emperor. Li Shuang was receptive, and Jin'an proposed she formally accept him as her teacher by offering him a bowl of wine. Li Shuang paused, then playfully questioned if he could teach her more to make the Crown Prince happy, perhaps even singing songs, leaving Jin'an speechless.
