Shadow Love Episode 18 Recap
> Shadow Love Recap
Li Shuang's subordinates, including Qiao'er, were on high alert, ensuring Su Muyang's safety upon his arrival at the General's Residence. Jin'an, having acutely overheard some inappropriate words, did not kneel before His Highness. When Huai'en, an attendant, chastised him, Jin'an retorted that the Crown Prince himself had stated there was no need for such formalities. Su Muyang, puzzled by Jin'an's overt hostility, asked why he seemed to bear such animosity despite their never having met.
Jin'an stated that the General was wounded because of Su Muyang, and if Su Muyang only felt hostility, Jin'an was already being lenient. Huai'en quickly interjected, reminding Jin'an that Su Muyang had risked his own life to shield General Li, sustaining a more severe injury. Jin'an dismissed this, declaring that he served only the General and cared solely for her safety.
Su Muyang, pleased by Jin'an's loyalty to Li Shuang, also mentioned that he heard Jin'an was the one who killed the spy, Huo Du, asking if it was true. Jin'an challenged him, asking if he was looking for an excuse to punish him. Su Muyang clarified that Huo Du deserved death, and as he was rewarding the troops, Jin'an also deserved an award. Su Muyang then presented Jin'an with many fine items.
Jin'an, however, showed no interest in the lavish gifts. He immediately instructed an attendant to distribute them among the ladies of the residence, or exchange them for weapons if the women preferred, stating that he should be allowed to dispose of items given to him by the Crown Prince as he pleased.
Su Muyang, excusing Jin'an's lack of etiquette due to his memory loss, then invited Jin'an to go fishing with him that afternoon, reminiscing that Li Shuang (whom he called "Xiaoshuang") used to love eating the fish he caught for her. Jin'an, initially having no interest, agreed to join him upon hearing this. At the fishing spot, a subtle war of words ensued between Jin'an and Su Muyang, both referencing Li Shuang.
Su Muyang expressed his surprise at the beautiful scenery and abundant fish in the border region, wondering if Xiaoshuang had ever visited. Jin'an countered, questioning Su Muyang's leisurely pursuit given his state responsibilities, hinting at Su Muyang's idleness. Su Muyang calmly explained that everyone has their place, and unwanted closeness only causes trouble. When Su Muyang successfully caught a fish, he confidently declared that no matter how much Jin'an interfered, what was meant to be his would remain his.
As they concluded, Su Muyang invited Jin'an to drink with him that night. Jin'an feigned cordiality, apologizing for any offense Li Shuang might have caused due to her straightforward nature, but Su Muyang again stated his preference for candid women. Before leaving, Jin'an released all the fish they had caught, claiming that Li Shuang's benevolent nature would want them to return home.
Later, Jin'an, still bothered, went to Lu Xin's clinic, explaining that he had detected an unusual medicinal scent on Su Muyang, different from his usual medicine. Lu Xin initially dismissed it as common wound salve, suggesting Jin'an was simply jealous. However, she eventually admitted it was a special wound medicine she had formulated, which Li Shuang had personally requested. Lu Xin told Jin'an not to be jealous, as Su Muyang had taken the wound for Li Shuang.
Jin'an, highly dissatisfied, demanded to have the same medicine Su Muyang was receiving. Lu Xin, exasperated by his childishness, was then asked by Jin'an for a "thousand-cup-sober" medicine for his drinking contest with Su Muyang that night, as he couldn't afford to lose again after the fishing competition. Lu Xin, finding men's competitive nature childish, eventually gave him a packet of what she claimed would allow him to drink a catty of alcohol.
After Jin'an left, Lu Xin confessed to her assistant Nanxing that it was merely Xiaoyao Pills for digestion, a "psychological trick" to get him to leave her alone. That evening, Jin'an arrived at Su Muyang's room with a large jar of wine, clearly intent on a drinking contest rather than a casual drink.
Su Muyang observed that while Li Shuang trusted Jin'an, he could not, especially with Jin'an's unclear identity and claimed memory loss, suggesting Jin'an might have other intentions towards Li Shuang. Jin'an dismissed Su Muyang's past with Li Shuang, stating that three years had passed, and things had changed. He subtly mocked Su Muyang, suggesting that if he wanted to win Li Shuang's favor, he should adapt to her current interests, like drinking.
Confident from Lu Xin's "medicine" and his keen sense of smell, Jin'an and Su Muyang began drinking from large bowls. Su Muyang remained remarkably clear-headed, while Jin'an quickly became inebriated. Leaning against Su Muyang, a drunken Jin'an slurred that Li Shuang was hopelessly in love with him, then advised Su Muyang to let go of the past and accept his loss. Late that night, Li Shuang returned to the residence.
Noticing Ouyang Jun and Qiao'er in a secretive conversation, she invited Ouyang Jun to join Qiao'er and others for dinner. Upon learning that Jin'an was drinking with the Crown Prince, she rushed to Su Muyang's room. She found Jin'an drunkenly sprawled on Su Muyang's bed, babbling nonsensically about waves and being an aquatic dragon. Li Shuang tried to rouse him, while Su Muyang quietly observed. Jin'an, still confused, commented on Li Shuang's hairpin, claiming he had given it to her.
Li Shuang, apologizing to Su Muyang for Jin'an's behavior, promised to bring him to apologize the next day, and then took the highly intoxicated Jin'an away. As they left, Jin'an plucked a flower and playfully placed it in Li Shuang's hair, remarking on its beauty. Despite this playful gesture, Jin'an felt a pang of melancholy. The next morning, Su Muyang's attendant informed him that Li Shuang had not left Jin'an's room after escorting him back the previous night.
Su Muyang had prepared Li Shuang's favorite breakfast dishes, including a specially sweetened pear-blossom pastry, hoping to share it with her. Meanwhile, Jin'an woke up in Li Shuang's bed, horrified and confused, with tear stains on his face from crying all night while hugging her. Li Shuang, seemingly unfazed, simply told him he wouldn't remember and to look in the mirror later, then complimented his crying. She then went to meet Su Muyang, maintaining a distant demeanor.
Su Muyang proposed they spar with tree branches, as they did in their childhood, offering to give her the plain jade hairpin she wore if he won. Li Shuang, however, declined, citing their current lord-subject relationship and her inability to disrespect him. Su Muyang insisted, stating that "General Li cannot do it, but Xiaoshuang can." During their spar, Li Shuang accidentally grazed Su Muyang's wound. An alarmed Huai'en immediately berated Li Shuang for her recklessness.
From a distance, Jin'an, with his acute senses, detected an intensified, ominous scent emanating from Su Muyang. Ignoring Huai'en's protests, Jin'an swiftly pulled open Su Muyang's shirt, revealing the wound, which was oozing black tendrils, a clear sign of poisoning. Lu Xin arrived quickly and stated that if Jin'an hadn't detected the poison in time, Su Muyang would have died instantly. She explained that the poison was formidable and unique, having silently infiltrated his vital organs.
Lu Xin confirmed that the wine Jin'an had given Su Muyang inadvertently stimulated his blood circulation, exposing the poison. Lu Xin admitted she was unfamiliar with such a rare toxin and couldn't guarantee a cure. She suggested moving Su Muyang to her clinic for better care.
Li Shuang expressed grave concern, fearing dire consequences for Lu Xin and the entire Li family if the Crown Prince could not be cured, and worried about the catastrophe it would bring upon the Changfeng Army. Lu Xin, however, dismissed her worries, stating that as a physician, she would do her duty and feared no repercussions, emphasizing her long-standing friendship with Li Shuang.
Later, Jin'an confided in Li Shuang about his extraordinarily sharp five senses, which he had possessed since Li Shuang found him, but had temporarily lost after the incident with the witch in the secret chamber. Li Shuang, recalling how Jin'an had previously heard Li Zhangyi's whispers, understood. She then handed him a poisoned blade, found on one of the assassins, asking him to confirm if the scent matched the poison in Su Muyang's body.
Jin'an, making a lighthearted remark about being used like a bloodhound, confirmed the similarity but noted a missing element. Li Shuang further revealed that the assassins, though disguised as bandits, showed signs of professional training and organized intent, which was unusual for common thieves. She also provided a luxurious money pouch found on an assassin, which seemed out of place for such a person.
Jin'an recognized a familiar scent on the pouch—the calming incense Su Muyang’s late mother used to make for him to aid his sleep, raising questions about why such a potent poison was used if it was a self-inflicted ruse. Setting aside these court intrigues for the moment, Li Shuang decided to move Su Muyang to Lu Xin's clinic.
