Shadow Love Episode 6 Recap
> Shadow Love Recap
As Li Shuang carefully tended to Jin'an's shoulder, she noticed his wound had not yet healed, prompting Jin'an to wonder if it was connected to the mysterious loss of his supernatural strength. Jin'an observed a change in Li Shuang as she cleaned his wound. He then realized that her hurtful words and attempts to drive him away were meant to protect him from the complicated and dangerous court intrigues.
However, Jin'an argued that from the moment she found him and discovered the secret of his body, he was already embroiled in this struggle. He admitted to killing Huo Du and was willing to surrender himself if it would resolve the issue. Li Shuang, concerned for his life, told him he would die. Jin'an confessed that while he feared death, he was not afraid to die for her, which was why he had returned.
Li Shuang pressed him on why he repeatedly claimed he couldn't leave her, especially noting his rapid recovery from a coma. Jin'an explained that their connection began when she rescued him from the Yao Army; he felt a powerful urge to protect her. He clarified that he now understood he specifically needed her blood, not just any blood, and that being away from her caused him agonizing pain.
He vaguely recalled hearing the term "blood contract" when she took him to the stone chamber. Li Shuang questioned why he hadn't revealed this when she tried to send him away. Jin'an replied he didn't want to frighten her and simply complied with her wishes, emphasizing that while their blood contract might be real, his desire to protect her was equally genuine.
Li Shuang then expressed her concern, asking where he would go and if his death would be on her conscience. She noticed his newfound worry for her safety, remarking that if it stemmed from him taking a blow for her, it was worth it, and urged him to focus on recovering. Before she left, Jin'an, wanting to test his theory, took Li Shuang's hand and placed it on his unhealed wound. To their surprise, the wound quickly mended.
Intelligence reports confirmed the Yao Army's intent to launch a surprise attack, indicating they had likely obtained the fake deployment map. Li Shuang, seizing the opportunity, decided to fight aggressively. The Changfeng Army achieved victory, but Li Shuang immediately ordered the troops to remain vigilant, emphasizing continued training and meticulous logistics management.
Ji Ran noticed Li Shuang's pallor and tried to express concern by presenting a gift, but a servant interrupted, reporting that Li Ting was causing a commotion in the backyard. Li Ting was burning large amounts of paper money and various personal items, including fine fabric and fur-lined boots, in honor of fallen soldiers, almost setting the residence ablaze.
When Li Shuang was about to intervene, Jin'an initially tried to stop her, but Li Shuang then dispatched him to confront Li Ting. Jin'an understood that Li Ting was likely seeking her attention and reminded him that genuine sincerity was more valuable than burning paper. Li Shuang, watching from afar, explained to Jin'an that she personally maintains the register of fallen Changfeng Army soldiers, crossing out their names as a way to remember those who fought by her side.
Moved, Li Ting then offered a heartfelt prayer to the deceased, asking them to protect Li Shuang and even offering his own lifespan to extend hers. Jin'an later conveyed to Li Ting that Li Shuang cared deeply for him. Observing Li Shuang's growing closeness to Jin'an, Li Ting became suspicious of Jin'an's unknown origins and resolved to seek information from Lu Xin.
Prince Annan's loyal subordinates, having infiltrated his funeral procession, confirmed their suspicions: the heavily damaged corpse in the coffin, though bearing a resemblance, was not Prince Annan. They feared he was either missing or, worse, captured by Consort Qin, who had disbanded their Black Armored Army and hunted them down. With only three survivors, they decided their best course of action was to seek the aid of Prime Minister Zuo Chengzhi, a close confidant of Prince Annan.
Meanwhile, in the imperial palace, a decree from the Emperor and Empress Dowager promoted Shi Du to General of the Cavalry and Zhao Jingyuan to General of the Chariots, with Shi Du assigned to guard the Southern Pass. Prime Minister Zuo Chengzhi immediately voiced his objections, deeming the new generals too inexperienced for such vital roles and advocating for the army's recuperation after the Battle of Lucheng.
He also directly challenged Consort Qin regarding the suspicious circumstances surrounding Prince Annan's death, highlighting the unrecognizable corpse and the massacre of his guards, suggesting foul play. Consort Qin vehemently dismissed his accusations as absurd, asserting that the war was necessary for vengeance. However, she granted Zuo Chengzhi permission to conduct his own thorough investigation into Prince Annan's fate.
Later, Consort Qin harshly reprimanded Jin Wujian for his failure to properly swap the body, which allowed Zuo Chengzhi to gain leverage. Consort Qin then declared her intention to find Prince Annan and force him into her service, thereby securing her son's throne and neutralizing political opposition. She gave Jin Wujian ten days to locate Prince Annan and retrieve specific items.
Following this, Consort Qin visited a hidden chamber where Prince Annan (referred to intimately as "Aodeng" in the subtitles) was chained. She expressed her desire for them to "stay together forever," revealing her personal motive for his captivity. Li Shuang invited Jin'an for a meal, surprised to see him only eating rice. Jin'an explained his inability to appreciate the elaborately prepared dishes, citing their poor cooking techniques and unbalanced flavors.
He revealed that, inexplicably, he automatically discerned the flaws and qualities of the food. In contrast, he highly praised the rice as exquisite, fresh from Lucheng's paddies. Impressed by his culinary insight, Li Shuang decided to take him to Manxiang Restaurant, Lucheng's finest, to ensure he ate well and recovered. Meanwhile, Li Ting visited Lu Xin, attempting to inquire about Jin'an. Lu Xin, however, advised Li Ting to mature and show more consideration for Li Shuang.
As Li Shuang and Jin'an exited the restaurant, Jin'an commented on the delicious fish but questioned the decorative gold leaf, which Li Shuang dismissed as an "art of the dining table." She then wondered if his discerning tastes meant he was a "young master" in his past, a thought Jin'an playfully entertained, hinting at a "perfect match" with her status as a general's daughter, which she promptly denied. They proceeded to a tailor's shop.
Jin'an displayed a critical eye for clothing, rejecting several garments before selecting an expensive brocade outfit. Li Shuang, noting his elegant appearance in the new clothes, admitted that while she wasn't particular about attire herself, she bought them for him as a gesture of gratitude for his help and sacrifices, including risking his life for her. She humorously added that his share of the cost would be deducted from his wages.
Back at Lu Xin's, Li Ting was stunned to learn from Lu Xin that Jin'an was the one who killed Huo Du to save him. Lu Xin emphasized that Li Shuang, despite the consequences of Jin'an's actions (including her father's demotion), chose to protect him, and his recent act of taking a blow for Li Shuang further proved their deep connection, implying they were a suitable pair. This revelation began to soften Li Ting's stance toward Jin'an.
After Jin'an changed into his new, dashing outfit, Li Shuang found herself staring, remarking how well it suited him. He then jokingly lamented the cost, which Li Shuang affirmed would be deducted from his wages. Back at Lu Xin's, Li Ting, now more understanding of Li Shuang's decisions regarding Jin'an, inquired about the assassin's sleeping gas. Lu Xin assured him it was harmless to Li Shuang.
Taking the opportunity, Li Ting then complimented Lu Xin's collection of exotic medicines and, after some persuasion, managed to see a "high-quality tranquilizer." While Lu Xin was distracted by Li Ting's request for sugar for his tea, he slyly stole some of the potent powder. Later, Li Shuang, recalling Jin'an's sophisticated taste, suggested that his past might be linked to it. She sincerely offered to help him explore his forgotten history whenever he recalled something.
In return, Jin'an presented Li Shuang with a dress, accompanied by a note. The note read: "Occasionally treating yourself well is not indulgence. You deserve all the beautiful things this world has to offer." That night, both Li Shuang and Jin'an rested peacefully.
