Shadow Love Episode 34 Recap
> Shadow Love Recap
A heavy rain poured down on Yao State, a rare occurrence. Prince Annan, also known as Duan Aodeng, remembered that Li Shuang's old courtyard, where she was being held, had a leaky roof. A subordinate had mentioned earlier that the roof needed repairs, especially with recent strong winds. Duan Aodeng rushed to the courtyard, where he found Li Shuang clumsily trying to repair the roof with straw, despite the ongoing downpour.
He commented on her being "so clumsy, just like a prisoner," and questioned why she didn't call the guards. Li Shuang retorted that as a prisoner, she had no right to be picky. Duan Aodeng then stated he feared the dilapidated roof might collapse and kill his prisoner, which would be a loss. He took it upon himself to check the roof, dismissing Li Shuang's query about his personal involvement by saying, "The guards have their own duties."
After Duan Aodeng climbed onto the roof to repair a large hole, he accidentally fell. Li Shuang was momentarily stunned, then couldn't help but laugh. Though injured, Duan Aodeng insisted he was fine. Li Shuang, teasing him, brought him an ointment he had sent earlier, remarking that he was farsighted for providing medicine he could now use himself.
While Li Shuang helped apply the medicine, she commented on Yao State's unusually heavy rain, wishing for similar weather annually so the people could lead better lives. Duan Aodeng found her words, and the rainy scene itself, strangely familiar, as if he had experienced it before. Li Shuang then noted that his fall was because of her, adding that she didn't like owing favors.
Her gaze fell upon a bite mark on his shoulder, a mark she once told him would be their "new bond." Duan Aodeng, noticing her pause, explained that a severe injury had caused him to forget many things, including the origin of that mark. As Duan Aodeng struggled to stand, Li Shuang suggested he stay the night due to the heavy rain and his injury. Duan Aodeng, concerned about propriety, asked if she had "improper thoughts."
Li Shuang countered that his leaving injured in the middle of the night would "cause even more gossip" and reminded him the medicine would help him recover by morning. When he asked where she would sleep, she offered to sleep on the floor to preserve his reputation. Duan Aodeng warned her not to try any tricks while he slept, emphasizing his battle-hardened alertness.
As he lay down, Li Shuang's mind was flooded with memories of their past, including their promise to "die together" and her willingness to "die for him," causing her immense heartache. The next morning, Duan Aodeng woke up having slept deeply, unaware of when he had drifted off. He reflected on how he had intended to test Li Shuang but had inexplicably fallen asleep without any guard. He then ordered a subordinate to find a craftsman to repair the roof.
Meanwhile, Lu Xin and Mo Yin arrived, having tracked Li Shuang. Lu Xin was shocked to discover that Jinan was actually Duan Aodeng. Furious, she accused him of being ungrateful, especially after Li Shuang had almost died for him on Wuling Mountain. Mo Yin, however, calmed her, explaining that Duan Aodeng seemed to have completely forgotten Li Shuang and now only saw her as an enemy prisoner.
To facilitate Li Shuang's rescue, Mo Yin used needles to incapacitate the guards, ensuring they wouldn't remember their presence, though the effect would only last an hour. Lu Xin rushed in to rescue Li Shuang, urging her to leave, citing her poor living conditions and Duan Aodeng's lack of memory. However, Li Shuang refused, explaining that the unresolved misunderstandings between the two nations meant her escape would endanger her fellow captive soldiers, potentially reigniting bloodshed, which she wished to avoid.
Lu Xin, though frustrated by Li Shuang's grand vision for peace, reluctantly agreed to her decision. She promised that she and Mo Yin would protect Li Shuang in secret until Duan Aodeng allowed her safe return to Taijin. Upon exiting, Lu Xin found Mo Yin gone, who had left a message for her to "stay calm" and "meet at the inn in two days."
Back in his chambers, Duan Aodeng was still deeply troubled by his scars and why Li Shuang's every word and action stirred his emotions, leading him to question "why is all of this happening?" That night, he returned to Li Shuang's courtyard and found her sitting on the roof. He joined her, and Li Shuang noted his frequent visits, playfully suggesting he was acting like he owned the place and didn't need to come if there was nothing urgent.
She also showed concern, observing his bloodshot eyes. Duan Aodeng, explaining his visits were necessary for negotiations with Taijin, presented her with a bolt of fabric, a popular Taijin pattern he disliked but felt it would be wasteful to discard. Li Shuang, surprised it was fabric for women's clothing, jokingly asked if he wore it before thanking him. They then discussed their respective nations, with Li Shuang lamenting why, despite everyone's desire for peace, war persisted.
Duan Aodeng explained Yao State's harsh conditions, where many at the borders struggled for sustenance, and how moving the border south to Taijin's fertile land could bring prosperity to his people. Li Shuang challenged him, asking if his pursuit was for his people or a "private vendetta" for his brother's murder and hatred for Taijin. They continued to discuss the heavy responsibilities of rulers and generals, the futility of endless conflict, and the hope for a world free of war.
As it grew late, Duan Aodeng was about to leave when he saw Li Shuang had fallen asleep beside him. He gently brushed a fallen leaf from her forehead, his heart inexplicably stirred. Earlier, Mo Yin had returned to Wuling Mountain and copied Duan Aodeng's past drawings, then sent them to Duan Aodeng's residence. Upon seeing these images depicting their shared past, Duan Aodeng rushed back to Li Shuang, confronting her.
He demanded to know if they had met in Taijin and who he was then, but Li Shuang only responded, "Since you've already forgotten, why bother asking?" Enraged, Duan Aodeng threatened to kill her captive brothers one by one. Li Shuang defiantly asked if war and bloodshed brought him pleasure.
Duan Aodeng then pressed her about the "Brain-Devouring Powder" she had received, questioning why she never acted on her many opportunities to poison him, even when he fell asleep in front of her. He demanded to know her intentions: did she spare him because he resembled Jinan, or because he "was" Jinan? In a fit of passion, Duan Aodeng kissed Li Shuang. She, in turn, drove a hairpin into his shoulder, declaring, "You look like him. But you're not him."
Still reeling from the encounter, Duan Aodeng summoned his subordinate, who was in charge of security, asking if anything suspicious had been observed. The subordinate reported nothing amiss, but Duan Aodeng showed him the recently delivered drawings and demanded an explanation for their appearance. The subordinate apologized, admitting that someone with ill intentions had exploited a loophole. Duan Aodeng then gave a final warning, demanding to know what happened in Taijin and his relationship with Li Shuang.
The subordinate, despite Duan Aodeng's threats of severe punishment, steadfastly refused to speak, citing that it concerned "our nation's fate." At that moment, an urgent report arrived: Li Wei was leading troops, along with the previously unreleased Yao State prisoners, and would reach their city gates within half a day.
Duan Aodeng, understanding that Li Wei's move might not be an act of war, ordered all troops to array in formation, ensuring they would not lose the initiative regardless of what transpired.
