Shadow Love Episode 17 Recap
> Shadow Love Recap
Feeling restless about his lack of a formal title and the impending arrival of the Crown Prince, Jin'an sought solace and complained to Lu Xin at the pharmacy. Lu Xin urged him to return home, warning that if Li Shuang discovered him drinking with her, she would likely make Lu Xin train even harder. Jin'an argued that he was simply seeking comfort with a friend, asserting that if neither of them spoke, Li Shuang would never know.
He questioned Lu Xin's trust, but Lu Xin, expressing her own curiosity about men caring for titles, stated that she and Li Shuang believed in equality. She deduced that Jin'an's agitation stemmed from the Crown Prince's visit. Jin'an admitted to feeling uneasy, wondering why Li Shuang hadn't moved past her history with the Crown Prince, given his betrayal. Lu Xin countered that romantic feelings are rarely easy to shed.
She then tried to reassure Jin'an, saying he was no worse than the Crown Prince; both were fine young men, and like Jin'an had said, all beings were equal. However, the Crown Prince and Li Shuang shared an irreplaceable past, while Jin'an couldn't even recall his own. Jin'an lamented this, wishing he could share his past with Li Shuang but having no memories.
Lu Xin mused that perhaps he and Li Shuang had met before, their encounter a fleeting, fated glance as described in love stories. Jin'an agreed to try a memory-recovery method Lu Xin mentioned, despite his previous bad experiences with her "tonics" that led to him growing a beard. Lu Xin, assuring him no medicine was involved this time, instructed him to clear his mind and focus on a pendant, imagining himself growing drowsier.
Instead, Jin'an felt nauseous and ultimately vomited, frustrating Lu Xin who remarked on his low alcohol tolerance. Later, Jin'an sneaked back to the General's Residence, only to be caught by Li Shuang, who was still awake. She noted his strong smell of wine, despite his claim of having sobered up. Jin'an fabricated a story about Lu Xin insisting he drink due to his melancholic mood.
Li Shuang chastised him for criticizing her manners while indulging in unseemly behavior himself, reminding him that as her teacher, he should set an example. Jin'an acknowledged his error. Moments later, Li Shuang formally served him tea, acknowledging his sudden request to be her teacher but insisting on proper etiquette. She presented five gifts, each symbolizing virtues like diligence, painstaking instruction, good fortune, early success in imperial exams, and perfect merit.
Jin'an pointed out that traditionally there should be six gifts, to which Li Shuang explained that dried meat was too expensive. She then presented him with a special gift: a bead containing her blood. She explained that with the Crown Prince's arrival, she would be busy, and the bead could be used in emergencies when she was not around. Jin'an expressed concern over her harming herself again, recalling her past sacrifices for him.
Li Shuang dismissed it as nothing compared to what he had done for her. Jin'an, moved, embraced her. Meanwhile, Su Muli was actively plotting against Crown Prince Su Muyang. A subordinate reported that the Crown Prince had entered Liangzhou and would reach Lucheng in two days. All prefectures were loyal to Prince Li (Su Muli), making it impossible for the Crown Prince to win them over, though he had met with Li Wei's son, Li Ting, before his departure.
Su Muli, contemplating his brotherly bond, concluded that the Crown Prince was a persistent threat, aiming to secure the powerful General's Residence's support. He ordered his men to eliminate the Crown Prince swiftly and cleanly, asserting that he shouldn't be blamed for his ruthlessness, as it was the Crown Prince's own actions that led to this.
As Li Shuang led her troops to welcome the Crown Prince, her subordinate questioned why she didn't wait in the camp as instructed by Su Muyang. Li Shuang explained that while the Crown Prince was considerate, failure to greet him would violate established protocols. Upon their meeting, Su Muyang affectionately called her "Xiao Shuang" and asked why she had come despite his instructions. Li Shuang maintained her formal demeanor, stating it would be against protocol not to greet him.
Shortly after, assassins ambushed their procession. Su Muyang was wounded protecting Li Shuang, taking a sword strike to his back. Li Shuang, prioritizing his safety, ordered him to be taken to the General's Residence, recognizing that the post station might not be secure given the unknown identity of the attackers. She also commanded that all news of the attack be suppressed.
Upon their arrival at the General’s Residence, Jin'an, smelling blood, rushed out to see Li Shuang, who briefly promised to explain later before escorting Su Muyang inside for treatment. The physician reported that while the wound was deep, it had thankfully missed any vital organs, though rest was crucial for a full recovery. Li Shuang, kneeling, apologized for her failure to protect the Crown Prince and requested punishment.
Su Muyang dismissed her apologies, stating he owed her and it was his duty to protect her. He expressed his longing over the past three years, asking if she had been well. Li Shuang, still formal, replied that all was well in Lucheng, but cautioned against informal conversation due to potential gossip that could tarnish his reputation. Su Muyang, noting a man's presence in her residence, remarked on her usual female-only attendants.
Li Shuang explained that Jin'an had saved her life and, being without family, was given a job in her household. Su Muyang, alluding to the border's instability, suggested it was best to employ people of known backgrounds and asked to meet Jin'an. When Jin'an appeared, Su Muyang questioned how he ended up in the wilderness. Jin'an recounted being attacked by a beast and blacking out.
Su Muyang, with a hint of sarcasm, noted the "humanity" of Lucheng's beasts for merely attacking but not eating him. Jin'an retorted that Su Muyang could test it himself if he doubted. Li Shuang interjected, apologizing for Jin'an's lack of manners due to his recent arrival. Su Muyang acknowledged his name, Jin'an, meaning "lasting peace in Taijin," and assumed Li Shuang had given it to him. He then patronizingly instructed Jin'an to behave diligently and learn a household servant's manners.
Jin'an, indignant, declared he was no mere servant, but Li Shuang's exclusive teacher, who had received her master-disciple tea and was devoted to her. Li Shuang again apologized for Jin'an's disrespect, urging him (Jin'an, who had an injury) to rise.
Su Muyang then suggested that as her teacher and childhood friend, Jin'an needn't be so formal in front of him, and talked about the value of arts (like Qin, chess, calligraphy, and painting) in the dull military life, asking if Li Shuang had read the biographical scrolls he sent her. Jin'an, cutting him off, announced he was taking Li Shuang to dress her wounds.
As Jin'an led Li Shuang away, Su Muyang implored her, reminding her of his feelings and offering to have his engagement to the Ji family canceled. This prompted Li Shuang to recall a moment three years prior when she returned a hairpin, a family heirloom of Su Muyang's mother, signifying their broken ties due to his impending marriage.
Back in the present, Li Shuang reprimanded Jin'an for his disrespectful behavior towards the Crown Prince, warning that such provocations could lead to severe consequences. Jin'an, however, argued that Su Muyang was at fault for her injury and declared he would avenge her even if it meant destroying the entire Taijin court. He apologized, admitting his words stemmed from worry, but passionately pleaded with Li Shuang to stop recklessly endangering herself.
Li Shuang reiterated her duty as a general to protect the nation, her family, and the Changfeng Army, stating her life was always ready for sacrifice. Jin'an retorted, questioning what would become of him, given their bond, if she were to die. At the Imperial Palace of Taijin, the Emperor, furious, summoned Su Muli.
He rebuked Su Muli for attempting to assassinate the Crown Prince while heavenly tribulation was imminent, explaining that the ritual's strict rules meant the Crown Prince must not die before the sacrifice, or the formation would collapse. Su Muli feigned ignorance and remorse. The Emperor, while acknowledging Su Muli's ambition, criticized his impatience and lack of caution. He then gave Su Muli a chance for redemption: he was to immediately go to Lucheng to assist with the sacrifice.
On the day of the tribulation, he was to bring the Crown Prince to the altar and cut out his heart. To ensure compliance, the Emperor gifted Su Muli a dagger, granting it his imperial authority. After the audience, Su Muli’s subordinate expressed surprise that the Crown Prince survived, noting his strong fate. Su Muli admitted he underestimated him and confirmed his plan to settle old scores with his brother in Lucheng.
His subordinate reminded him of Jin Bao's loyalty and his successful scheme to poison the Emperor with aconite, signaling that a power shift was near. Su Muli, believing his father's days were numbered and driven by the Emperor's desperation for a life-extending sacrifice, emphasized that while he didn't believe in astrology, the Crown Prince absolutely could not die on the altar before the ritual.
Acknowledging the Emperor's potential spies in Lucheng, Su Muli clarified that Su Muyang’s death would be orchestrated just before he ascended the altar on the day of the ritual. Then, upon his return to the capital, with his father succumbing to the poison, he would legitimately ascend the throne as the supreme ruler, a position he truly coveted, unlike the mere title of Crown Prince.
Later, the Emperor's decree was read aloud, commending the Changfeng Army for its valor and bestowing treasures, silk, and imperial wine. Li Shuang then requested an audience with Su Muyang, who welcomed her informally. She presented him with a fine wound salve, a gift from her famous doctor friend, to aid his recovery.
Su Muyang observed her distant demeanor, lamenting how much of her life he had missed in three years, but expressed happiness that she had found new friends at the border. Li Shuang then spoke of Lu Xin, her close friend and benefactor who saved her life, and also introduced Jin'an, whom she had rescued and who had since saved her many times. She took responsibility for Jin'an's earlier disrespect towards the Crown Prince.
Su Muyang, professing indifference to formalities, appreciated that Li Shuang had trustworthy people by her side. Li Shuang, noting his incomplete recovery, suggested he rest, and then departed, citing military duties. After she left, Su Muyang's aide remarked that Li Shuang still cared for him, evidenced by her personal delivery of the salve. Su Muyang admitted he would be kind to her friends, but Li Shuang's careful distance still saddened him. He then inquired about Jin'an’s background.
The aide reported little information, noting that Jin'an had lost his memory due to a head injury when Li Shuang found him, and also that he was the one who killed Huo Du.
