Shadow Love Episode 36 Recap
> Shadow Love Recap
Li Shuang confronted Jin'an, asking why he had admitted to being the man in black at the golden palace. Jin'an explained that when Empress Dowager Qin questioned him, many images flashed through his mind, revealing to him that he was indeed the man in black. Li Shuang pressed further, asking what else he remembered. Jin'an recalled falling in love with a woman in Taijin.
Li Shuang noted that as the Prince Annan of Yao State, falling in love with a woman from Taijin was destined to end poorly. Jin'an then pondered what would happen if he were not the Prince Annan. Li Shuang then inquired about Empress Dowager Qin's whereabouts. Jin'an informed her that because Empress Dowager Qin had drunk Double-Blossom Wine with his brother, Duan Aoze, they could not kill her, so she was imprisoned in the dungeon.
Li Shuang requested to see her. In the dungeon, Empress Dowager Qin cried out for release and to see her son, Yu. She mistakenly believed Li Shuang was sent by Duan Aodeng (Jin'an) to kill her. Li Shuang clarified her purpose, stating that the internal conflicts of Yao State were irrelevant to her.
She was there to see the person responsible for her father's death and was satisfied to see Empress Dowager Qin suffering a fate worse than death, living in a deranged state. Empress Dowager Qin, in turn, blamed Duan Aodeng, claiming he caused the death of Li Shuang's father by repeatedly obstructing her. She also accused Li Shuang of being soft-hearted for a man, which led to her father's demise.
Li Shuang questioned if Empress Dowager Qin's meticulous scheming and actions were worth her current miserable state. Empress Dowager Qin recounted her tragic past, explaining how at seventeen, she fell deeply in love with Duan Aoze after seeing him propose to her sister. She knelt for five days, begging her parents to let her marry him, even as a concubine, and sacrificed her dignity, all for a man who never loved her.
She declared that since he did not love her, she would make him hate her instead. Li Shuang pointed out that since Empress Dowager Qin held Duan Aoze's life in her hands due to the Double-Blossom Wine, she could have sought revenge by dying and taking him with her.
However, Empress Dowager Qin refused to die, insisting she had to live for her son, Yu, who was too young to lose his mother, and pleaded with Li Shuang to take her to him.
Li Shuang, unmoved, delivered a final, scathing indictment: Empress Dowager Qin had ruined her life for someone who did not love her, and while those she cared about would live peacefully, she would be forgotten and suffer a wretched existence in the dungeon, paying for Li Shuang's father's death. Empress Dowager Qin retorted that Li Shuang was no better, as Jin'an had also forgotten her.
Li Shuang, however, responded that while Jin'an might have forgotten her, he had once loved her deeply, a sentiment Empress Dowager Qin had never experienced from Duan Aoze. Mo Yin and Lu Xin had rescued Duan Aoze. Duan Aoze expressed gratitude, though he lamented that his leg injury was too severe for him to ever stand again, forcing others to push his wheelchair.
Lu Xin, observing Duan Aoze, commented that he was a good emperor who cared for his servants and hoped he could curb his younger brother's (Jin'an's) reckless warmongering for the peace of both states. Jin'an, though, cautioned Lu Xin about her impertinence when speaking to his brother. Duan Aoze, in turn, advised Jin'an to manage his temper. Jin'an then privately questioned Mo Yin and Lu Xin about his brother's condition.
Mo Yin confirmed there was no antidote for the Double-Blossom Wine, meaning Empress Dowager Qin could not be killed, but Duan Aoze's health would recover with gradual care. Jin'an profusely thanked them for saving his brother. Lu Xin cryptically suggested that Jin'an had more than one life-saving favor to be grateful for, and that he owed thanks to someone else besides them.
Jin'an then recognized Mo Yin as the person who had trespassed into his mansion, confirming Mo Yin's mysterious nature. Lu Xin, still unsure, wondered if Jin'an remembered anything, but Mo Yin assured her that Jin'an remembered far more than she thought, noting that Jin'an had known their names without them being mentioned. Mo Yin, understanding the complexities, advised letting Jin'an grapple with his memories in his own time.
Later, Jin'an expressed concern over Duan Aoze reviewing memorials so soon after his recovery, but Duan Aoze insisted he needed Jin'an to share the burden. Duan Aoze informed Jin'an that the court officials were vehemently calling for Li Shuang's execution to prevent future threats, especially since Li Wei, who came to negotiate peace, was tragically killed by their troops. Duan Aoze acknowledged Jin'an's unspoken feelings for Li Shuang, which were more complex than loyalty.
Jin'an maintained his unwavering loyalty to Yao State, and Duan Aoze reassured him of his trust. Duan Aoze explained that the protracted war had brought immense suffering to both nations, but with Taijin under a new, benevolent ruler, peace negotiations presented a promising start to a new era of prosperity. He encouraged Jin'an, recalling his brother's once free-spirited nature, to shed the burdens he had carried alone for the past year and return to being himself, following his heart.
Finally, Duan Aoze presented Jin'an with an amulet for his birthday, signifying a new beginning for him, the kingdom, and their relationship. Jin'an went to drink with Li Shuang, who remarked on his decision to join her despite the circumstances. Jin'an said she also needed company, being away from home. Li Shuang inquired about the day's constant fireworks, learning they were spontaneous celebrations for Duan Aoze's return to the throne, as he was beloved by the people.
Li Shuang wished for such peace to spread across the entire realm. Jin'an then informed her that he and his brother had agreed to release her along with the Taijin prisoners, and messages had been sent to the Changfeng Army for her pick-up. Li Shuang expressed surprise that they would release her so easily, given her status as a Taijin general.
Jin'an explained that the truth about their long-standing vendetta had come to light, and it was time for their grudges to end. He recalled Li Wei's dying wish for peace and his own desire to prevent further innocent lives from being lost, also acknowledging that he had not been mistreated during his time in Taijin. A messenger from the palace arrived to invite Jin'an to a birthday feast, which he declined, preferring to visit his brother in the morning.
Li Shuang, observing Jin'an's forgetfulness about his own birthday, remembered their past agreement to celebrate their birthdays together on the same day. She then realized that today was Jin'an's true birthday. To honor the occasion, Li Shuang changed her attire and performed a graceful dance for Jin'an. As she danced, memories of their shared past flooded Jin'an, leaving him entranced.
Later, as fireworks lit up the sky, Li Shuang marveled at their beauty, noting how long it had been since she had seen such a display. When Jin'an asked about her future plans, Li Shuang expressed her desire to take her father, Li Wei, home to Taijin for burial. Jin'an then asked if they would ever meet again, to which Li Shuang, avoiding a direct answer, simply told him he was drunk and should rest.
As Li Shuang prepared to depart, Jin'an saw her off, having prepared food for her long journey. Li Shuang quietly murmured her thanks, a "belated kindness." Jin'an made a final attempt to persuade her to stay in Yao State, offering to find her a residence and even mentioning the fireworks she admired. Li Shuang, however, cut him off, dismissing her drunken behavior and reiterating that with peace achieved, all past events should be left behind.
She heartbreakingly concluded that Jin'an was already dead and she should have realized it sooner. Jin'an then returned a hairpin to Li Shuang, stating it should go back to its owner now that she was leaving. Li Shuang stepped back, questioning the significance of keeping such an external object when their fate together had ended, and bid Prince Annan to take care. Meanwhile, Lu Xin and Mo Yin discussed their return to Wuling Mountain.
Lu Xin acknowledged Mo Yin's role as the mountain master and her reluctance to be selfish, stating she was just taking the opportunity to replenish her herbal stock. Lu Xin then pressed Li Shuang about her relationship with Jin'an, reminding her of their past vows to grow old together and wondering if it would be a shame not to try harder.
Li Shuang confirmed their deep love was real, but so was Jin'an's current amnesia, accepting it as fate's playful hand. Lu Xin offered to take away anything that might cause Li Shuang heartache, symbolically referring to the emotional ties. Li Shuang, however, asked for time to sever those intertwined and complicated ties, to which Lu Xin urged her to be decisive, like the general she once was.
As Lu Xin left, she attempted to reveal that Jin'an had regained his memories, but Li Shuang gently cut her off, urging her to go so Mo Yin wouldn't wait. Later, a servant delivered Pear-blossom Pastries, a favorite Li Shuang's, made by Jin'an, intended to be eaten while warm. As Li Shuang ate, she was flooded with Jin'an's past words from before his memory loss, about loving a Taijin woman and the impossibility of their union as Prince Annan.
Jin'an, amidst the burial of fallen warriors, solemnly declared that with his brother's return and Empress Dowager Qin's fall, the war was over and the people were safe. He pledged that from then on, the world would no longer know a warmongering Prince Annan, and he hoped for everlasting peace and prosperity for his people as he paid respects to the heroic warriors. Li Shuang returned to the Taijin palace, escorting her father, Li Wei's, remains.
Su Muyang, the Emperor, acknowledged Li Wei's sacrifice for the greater good and posthumously granted him the title of Duke of Loyalty and Courage. Li Shuang expressed her gratitude on her father's behalf. However, a courtier immediately interjected, demanding that while Li Wei's contributions were justly rewarded, Li Shuang's grave crimes warranted severe punishment from the Emperor.
