Shadow Love Episode 5 Recap
> Shadow Love Recap
At the Imperial Palace in Xianyang, the Emperor intended to close the spy case now that the spy was dead. However, Su Muli stepped forward to urge the Emperor to reconsider, arguing that a dead man could not defend himself and that the so-called treasonous letters might have been fabricated.
He further suggested that Li Shuang might be abusing her power to persecute her opponents, especially since Huo Du, the Military Supervisor of the Changfeng Army, was conveniently labeled a spy. Su Muyang interjected, defending the Li family's long history of loyalty and asserting they would never commit such a despicable act. Su Muli then revealed that Li Wei's son, Li Ting, had taken Su Muyang's carriage to leave the capital for the border, subtly implying a conspiracy.
The Emperor, surprised by this information, questioned whether Li Ting had special permission to leave or if General Li was trying to control the border troops for personal gain. Su Muyang tried to explain Li Ting's actions as natural filial piety, but the Emperor remained unconvinced.
The Emperor decided that the spy case remained inconclusive and issued a decree: Li Wei was stripped of his rank as General of Cavalry and demoted to Military Protector, and the Li family in the capital was forbidden from leaving without summons. Su Muli praised the Emperor's wisdom. Meanwhile, Li Shuang’s subordinates were wary of Jin'an, who was observed carrying dried leaves and fresh flowers, suspecting he might be a spy trying to send coded messages.
Li Shuang dismissed their concerns, telling them to focus on their work. Jin'an then found Li Shuang and proudly showed her a flower bed he had meticulously arranged for her, explaining that the dried leaves underneath would keep it dry and warm, and the surrounding flowers would aid sleep. He also prepared a similar bed for himself. Li Shuang chided him for not focusing on proper duties, but Jin'an argued that a general needs good rest.
He then presented her with wine he had obtained from Auntie Huang by helping her plow a field. Li Shuang was touched and drank the entire quantity, quickly falling into a drunken sleep. As Jin'an lay beside her, he still felt a persistent ache in his body and wondered if what he truly needed was blood, recalling a previous instance where it had brought him stability.
Later that night, Jin'an, in his desperate need, went into a chicken coop, causing a ruckus. Auntie Huang, hearing the commotion, rushed over and was horrified to see blood on Jin'an’s mouth. She immediately ran out, then brought Jin'an to Li Shuang, urging her not to argue with the simple-minded young man. Li Shuang, however, demanded to know why Jin'an was stealing chickens in the middle of the night.
Jin'an hesitated, considering whether to reveal his true condition, but fearing Li Shuang’s reaction, he simply claimed he was hungry. Li Shuang later provided a large amount of food to the villagers, who hailed her as a savior. Overwhelmed by guilt, Li Shuang hid, feeling that the villagers' gratitude was undeserved, as she was the one who had brought ruin to their lives, making their current happiness feel like a deception. Jin'an found her, understanding her distress.
He comforted her, reminding her that she had done her best to make amends, and that as a general, the decisions of war were not hers to make. He pointed out that their current joy was a direct result of her efforts. As they watched shooting stars, Jin'an encouraged Li Shuang to make a wish. She wished for a world free of war and for lasting peace for its people. Despite having consumed some blood, Jin'an still felt unwell.
He resolved not to take advantage of Li Shuang’s vulnerability, choosing to endure the pain and find a solution while staying by her side. Upon returning to the military camp, Li Shuang received urgent news from the capital. Military Advisor Qin and other subordinates informed her of Li Wei’s demotion and the Li family’s precarious situation.
They pressed her to hand over Jin'an, arguing that his unauthorized killing of Huo Du was a grave offense and that failing to surrender him would lead to the destruction of the Li family and the Changfeng Army. Li Shuang, however, was reluctant to do so. Back at the General’s Residence, a restless Jin'an sought tasks to occupy himself. Li Shuang suddenly asked if he would be willing to die for her.
She quickly dismissed it as a casual inquiry and offered him wine. Li Shuang then gently urged Jin'an to leave Lucheng, giving him money to start a new life. She explained that his presence in a household of women would draw unwanted gossip, and his current status prevented his return to the army. Jin'an pleaded, stating he could not leave her, as he felt he could not survive without her.
He considered revealing his true condition but again decided against it, fearing she would reject him. Li Shuang, steeling herself, responded that she was accustomed to loss in battle and that their shared experiences were insignificant. Jin'an reiterated his willingness to die for her, but Li Shuang demanded proof, emphasizing that survival was a human instinct. Accepting her decision, Jin'an, recognizing her authority as a general, dejectedly agreed to leave.
Commandant Luo, Li Shuang's subordinate, questioned why she let Jin'an go. Li Shuang explained that a critical operation was planned for that night, and Jin'an’s presence would only increase the danger. She confessed her inability to send him to his death, given his repeated acts of bravery in saving both her and Li Ting.
She acknowledged that the Emperor's distrust of the Li family was the root cause of their difficulties and declared that she would bear all responsibility for any future repercussions. Later that night, intruders, believed to be Huo Du's remaining allies, infiltrated the General's Residence to steal a deployment map. Outside, the intruders' leader quickly found a map, but a subordinate realized it was a trap, noting that Li Shuang and Commandant Luo had been feigning weakness.
They deduced they were being led into a "trapping us in our own game" scenario and retreated. Simultaneously, Li Shuang's subordinates were instructed to secure the actual deployment map at the General's Residence. Inside the residence, Li Shuang fought the remaining intruders, deliberately showing weakness to make them believe the fake map they would eventually take was genuine. Suddenly, Jin'an, who had returned, sensed Li Shuang's blood.
He burst in, shielding Li Shuang from a fatal blow and taking a severe wound himself, reminding her that he had promised to die for her. It was later revealed that the night's elaborate ruse was a "trap within a trap," designed to ensnare Huo Du's elusive remaining allies.
The strategy involved making the initial theft of a fake map appear too easy to be real, thus compelling the enemy to desperately fight for a second, seemingly more authentic, fake map. Commandant Luo had played a key role in this deception. Jin'an lay severely wounded and unconscious. Lu Xin, examining him, noted that despite the deep but non-fatal wound, his pulse was alarmingly weak. She remarked on Li Shuang's visible concern.
Li Shuang confirmed that Jin'an had taken the knife for her. Lu Xin, in turn, challenged Li Shuang's supposed lack of caution, asserting that anyone Li Shuang tested and trusted, as she had Jin'an, should be beyond suspicion. Lu Xin argued that Jin'an's selfless act, regardless of his unknown past, should have dispelled any doubts about him. She then remembered ancient texts describing martial artists who trained with blood and required it to heal grievous wounds when conventional medicine failed.
She hypothesized that this might be why Jin'an remained unconscious. Lu Xin left to consult medical texts and left Li Shuang with ointment for a wound on her neck. Later, as Jin'an lay in his bed, he began to murmur "blood." Suddenly, he bit Li Shuang's neck. After a moment of consideration, Li Shuang allowed him to continue feeding. The next morning, Li Shuang awoke with an intense headache, while Jin'an, fully recovered, felt no discomfort at all.
He realized that Li Shuang herself was the source that could alleviate all his pain. When Li Shuang went to change his wound dressing, Jin'an, fearing she would discover his unusually rapid healing and send him away again, tried to dissuade her. As she insisted and approached, he noticed that the wound on Li Shuang’s neck was significantly worse than the previous day.
