Shadow Love Episode 30 Recap
> Shadow Love Recap
Jin'an assured Li Wei he would take Li Shuang away from Yunjing as soon as possible, believing Su Muyang, fearing the Changfeng Army's power, would not dare move against the General. When Li Wei asked what if Li Shuang refused, Jin'an confidently stated he would find a way, as long as Li Wei did not stop him. If Li Wei did try to stop him, Jin'an declared he would stick around until Li Wei relented.
Li Wei was deeply relieved, stating that only someone with Jin'an's character could truly protect Li Shuang. He understood Li Shuang's insistence on returning to the capital stemmed from her desire not to implicate the Li family and the Changfeng Army, as she felt she owed him her life. Li Wei noted that the values of loyalty, filial piety, propriety, and righteousness, which had shaped her, were also on the verge of destroying her.
He concluded that only Jin'an could break these deadly constraints and set her free. Jin'an vowed not to disappoint the General. Li Wei then presented Jin'an with his Roaming Dragon Sword, a loyal companion for years, as a wedding gift for his future marriage to Li Shuang. He entrusted Jin'an with Li Shuang's safety.
If Li Shuang remained stubborn and refused to leave, Jin'an was to show her the sword and tell her that as Li Wei's daughter, entering the palace would only make her a hostage, a pawn for the Emperor to control or purge Li Wei. Only by escaping far away could Li Wei be free of worry. Jin'an understood and again promised not to fail him. Soon after, a family member presented a cleaned military flag to Li Wei.
Li Wei identified it as the Black Armor Army's flag, belonging to Prince Annan Duan Aodeng of Yao State. He recounted the Battle of Lucheng, where he had led a team to pursue the Emperor of Yao State, Duan Aoze, to capture him and end the war. He described confronting Duan Aoze, telling him that despite the dishonorable circumstances, he had to capture him for the sake of the people.
Li Wei mentioned that Yao State was now sending envoys to negotiate peace, and he intended to return the flag along with the prisoners as a gesture of sincerity. However, Jin'an was visibly distressed by this revelation. Claiming sudden unwellness, he quickly excused himself, leaving the sword behind. Later that night, Jin'an returned to his quarters, his memory piecing together fragmented recollections of his past.
He remembered playing with his elder brother, Duan Aoze, who called him "Aodeng," and bowing before their father, the Emperor. His memories then shifted to a brutal battle scene where Li Wei confronted Duan Aoze. He saw Duan Aoze, the sage ruler of Yao State, pleading "Aodeng, save me!" and asserting "I am your elder brother!" as Li Wei, the General of Cavalry of Taijin, declared his intention to end his life.
This confirmed Jin'an's growing conviction that Li Wei was responsible for his brother's death. Meanwhile, a messenger reported to the Empress Dowager of Yao State about a man resembling the missing Prince Annan, but with a different demeanor, who had a conflict with the Emperor of Taijin over General Li Shuang. The Empress Dowager deduced that this man must be Duan Aodeng, especially since Jin Wujian had not returned to report.
Unable to control him like a "shadow puppet" anymore, she declared that she could not allow him to return alive to Yao State. Her advisor cautioned that Prince Annan's former supporters in the court were still searching for him, and with the young emperor's position unstable, they could not afford to be careless. Recognizing Su Muyang's conflict with the man over Li Shuang, the Empress Dowager decided to offer Su Muyang a generous deal for his cooperation.
In the Taijin imperial court, a minister pressed Su Muyang to convict Jia Shihong for embezzling disaster relief funds. The Prime Minister, Ji Lan, tried to intervene, accusing the minister of rebellion, but the minister urged Su Muyang not to fear powerful officials. Su Muyang then declared Jia Shihong dismissed, his property confiscated, and his entire nine-clan family executed as a warning.
Ji Lan protested, citing his position as Prime Minister, but Su Muyang retorted that Ji Lan himself claimed closeness to Jia Shihong, and further accused Ji Lan of regicide, revealing that a special investigation had uncovered Ji Lan's crime of switching the late emperor's elixir. Su Muyang ordered Jin Bao, the eunuch involved, to confess. Jin Bao tearfully admitted his guilt, blaming Ji Lan for forcing him. Su Muyang immediately ordered Ji Lan imprisoned and the entire Ji family executed.
Back at the Li residence, the steward, Quan, excitedly informed Jin'an that Li Wei's birthday was approaching. Quan was busy making preparations, explaining that while Li Wei usually disliked extravagance, this year, with Li Shuang and Jin'an both present, a lively celebration was in order. Jin'an had not heard about it, and Quan explained Li Wei's usual simple habits but emphasized the special nature of this year's gathering. Later, Su Muyang visited Ji Tianjiao in the Imperial Prison.
She sarcastically noted his newfound interest in visiting her in prison, contrasting it with his previous avoidance of her palace. She accused him of hypocrisy, believing he was merely clearing the path for Li Shuang's coronation. Su Muyang countered that her sole focus on the Empress's position made her unworthy to stand beside him. Ji Tianjiao bitterly reminded him that he would not have survived without her family's support.
Su Muyang dismissed her claims, stating that his survival was due to the late emperor's use of him as a pawn, and he had seized the empire himself, thus he would not forgive the Ji family's attempts to exploit his power. He then presented her with poison and a knife, stating that as his lawful wife, he could not bear to see her publicly executed.
He suggested that a posthumous title would still grant her the Empress position she so coveted. Su Muyang then confronted the Prime Minister, Ji Lan, who was weak from hunger. Ji Lan, in his despair, finally realized Su Muyang's elaborate scheme: all his feigned weakness since arriving in the capital was a trap to arrange Jin Bao's actions, allowing Su Muyang to kill his own father and eliminate Ji Lan in one fell swoop.
Su Muyang openly admitted it was all a staged performance, and a temporary humiliation was a small price to pay. Ji Lan threatened to expose him, but Su Muyang, confident in his absolute power, scoffed at the threat. Su Muyang then dropped Ji Tianjiao's chain near Ji Lan, declaring Ji Lan's death would be his first political accomplishment. Enraged, Ji Lan slammed his head against the wall, dying instantly.
Su Muyang, showing no remorse, ordered Ji Lan's head to be displayed at the city gate for three days as a warning to others. Upon hearing the news of Ji Lan and Ji Tianjiao's deaths in prison, Li Wei knew Su Muyang would inevitably target the Li family next. He urgently told Li Shuang and Jin'an to pack their belongings and depart immediately, fearing further delays. Li Shuang refused to leave her father to face Su Muyang alone.
Li Wei reminded her of his earlier conversation with Jin'an and insisted they leave, assuring her that the Li family's long-standing reputation and the Changfeng Army's continued command would offer him some protection, and that Su Muyang would not dare go too far. At that moment, Su Muyang arrived at the Li residence. Su Muyang approached Li Shuang, holding a hairpin he had wanted to give her in Lucheng, but which she had refused then.
He asked her to wear it for her upcoming coronation. Li Shuang, unimpressed, sarcastically commented on his eagerness to arrange a coronation so soon after the Ji family's demise. Su Muyang tried to justify his actions, claiming he only wished to atone for past regrets caused by the late emperor's arranged marriage that separated them. He even offered Jin'an high office, wealth, and a lifetime of prosperity as compensation, acknowledging Li Shuang's feelings for him.
Li Shuang, however, questioned whether this compensation was truly for Jin'an or for Su Muyang's own guilty conscience. She accused him of drugging Jin'an with "Kongqing Water" to suppress his powers, enabling his abduction. She also directly accused him of killing Su Muli and framing Jin'an, asking if he feared divine retribution. Su Muyang finally dropped his facade, confessing to everything.
He admitted he had personally killed Su Muli with his own hand and intended for Jin'an to bear the guilt of fratricide, to die with injustice and no proper burial. Li Shuang questioned how he could betray Jin'an, who had risked his life for her. Su Muyang responded that the victor takes all, and to achieve his goals, he could sacrifice anyone—parents, siblings, relatives, and even his wife.
He claimed Li Shuang was the only person he ever truly cared for, yet she had betrayed him for another man. Despite this, he claimed to have softened, even allowing her to rescue Jin'an. Proclaiming himself Emperor, he declared that he would obtain whatever he desired. He vowed to keep Li Shuang by his side forever, ensuring she would experience the same unrequited love and despair as him, warning that all who defied him would meet a bitter end.
Meanwhile, Jin'an noticed two men, Wang Meng and Wei Heng, following him. He confronted them, asking their intentions. They explained they were not bandits but were looking for their long-missing master, whose surname was Duan, and whose appearance Jin'an resembled. They revealed that their master was not in the coffin a year ago, and they were sworn to loyalty, even in death. Jin'an provocatively suggested their master might be dead, which angered Wei Heng, who threatened him.
Jin'an then revealed he knew their names, shocking them. Wang Meng and Wei Heng, recognizing him as Prince Annan, immediately knelt. They explained that Empress Dowager Qin had sent a letter to Su Muyang, revealing Jin'an's true identity, and they had ridden swiftly to warn him so he could escape before the message reached Taijin Palace. Jin'an stated he would return to Yao State, but not yet.
He recounted the Battle of Lucheng, remembering Empress Dowager Qin taking his elder brother, Duan Aoze, out of the palace. He remembered a stone chamber and seeing Aoze, but his memory of what happened next was blank. He pressed them for details on his brother's death. Wang Meng tearfully explained that when they arrived, Aoze was lying in a pool of blood. Li Wei, after sheathing his sword, fled despite their pursuit.
Wei Heng then blamed Li Wei for Aoze's death, Empress Dowager Qin's rise to power, and the deaths of their comrades, imploring Jin'an to avenge them. Jin'an firmly stated that Li Shuang was not involved and should not be harmed, declaring that he would only kill Li Wei. His subordinates pledged their unwavering loyalty. Later that night, Li Shuang found Jin'an still awake. She had been waiting for him. Jin'an said he had just been walking around.
Li Shuang playfully teased him about how men change after marriage, accusing him of keeping secrets or hiding money. Jin'an affectionately told her that she was the only one in the world who could keep him in check. He then happily informed her that he had asked Li Wei for her hand in marriage, and Li Wei had agreed. Jin'an planned to take her away from Yunjing, to cut ties with all their troubles and start a new life together.
Li Shuang was overjoyed, expressing her desire to be with him forever. However, she suggested they stay for Li Wei's birthday tomorrow, as they might not see him again for a long time after they left. The following day, a eunuch presented Su Muyang with an urgent letter from Yao State, to his annoyance about unfinished land cession.
Su Muyang, after questioning his eunuch about the birthday gift sent to Li Wei and dismissively reacting to suggestions of showing more imperial favor to the powerful Li family, finally read the letter. The message revealed that the death of Prince Annan Duan Aodeng of the former Yao dynasty was suspicious, and he was now secretly residing in Taijin under the name Jin'an. The letter requested the Emperor of Taijin to facilitate his return and avoid any trouble. Su Muyang, upon reading this, realized that Jin'an was, in fact, Duan Aodeng.
