Shadow Love Episode 9 Recap
> Shadow Love Recap
Enraged by Li Shuang's perceived disrespect, and regretting not inflicting "dozens more strokes," Li Zhangyi orders a letter sent to the court. The letter is to report that Huo Du's killer is being harbored in the Changfeng Army and that Li Shuang is shielding him, daring her to see "how she's going to pull that off."
His subordinate, however, advises against this, pointing out that Li Shuang, despite her father's demotion, holds significant influence with the Li family and the Changfeng Army. The subordinate explains that Li Shuang risked "crossing Prince Li" and openly defied Li Zhangyi to protect this person, indicating "that boy means a great deal to her." It is revealed the person's name is Jin'an, a "homeless" "useless wretch with no martial skills" Li Shuang took in.
The subordinate clarifies that Jin'an killed Huo Du accidentally by simply pushing him, and "that worthless fool just died." Suggesting a more strategic approach, the subordinate advises Li Zhangyi to "do Li Shuang a favor and let it go." If Li Shuang can be persuaded to align with Prince Li, it would greatly please His Highness. If she refuses, Li Zhangyi can always deal with her and Jin'an "later."
Convinced, Li Zhangyi sends word that he will personally visit the General's Residence later that day. Lu Xin finds Li Shuang injured from the military rods, expressing her anger at Li Zhangyi for hurting her "so badly." Li Shuang, downplaying her injuries, reminds Lu Xin that she "always worry about me" and should be "used to it" by now, promising to be "more careful."
As Lu Xin leaves, calling Li Shuang "always trying to be tough" and reminding her to "remember to apply the ointment," she passes Jin'an, who is waiting outside. Looking at Li Shuang, Lu Xin advises her that "it's over between you and the Crown Prince. Rather than dwelling on the past, you should let it go and cherish what you have now."
Meanwhile, Lu Xin encounters Ji Ran at the General's Residence and advises him that his "frequent visits may not be proper," given that "with women everywhere," it is Li Shuang's private residence. Ji Ran insists he has "important" matters to report to Li Shuang, but Lu Xin, observing his demeanor, implies he "knows best" if there's a misunderstanding and she's merely "offering a friendly reminder."
Jin'an, still in a sullen mood, approaches Li Shuang, asking if she blames him for stepping forward and taking the blame. Li Shuang assures him she doesn't, acknowledging his courage. However, she warns him that his actions have now "pulled you into this power struggle," and "they won't let you off easily." Jin'an questions why she wouldn't compromise, given Li Zhangyi is Prince Li's man, and Prince Li is favored by the Emperor and ambitious, coveting the Crown Prince's position.
Jin'an warns that if Prince Li gains military power, he will start a war, and "it's the common folks who will suffer." He then suggests that "since ancient times, the struggle for imperial power inevitably involves bloodshed. Perhaps you're just a pawn too. Why get yourself involved?" Li Shuang admits, "Perhaps I am just a pawn. But I don't want to be involved in court politics. I only know that behind me stand the Li family and the Changfeng Army.
All I want is to protect the people I should protect." Jin'an expresses his guilt for not being able to protect her from Li Zhangyi, saying that he decided to return to face this with her, and "It's my fault that I failed to protect you—letting Li Zhangyi hurt you like this." Li Shuang calmly responds, "Being in the eye of the storm, I'm bound to suffer a little."
Later, a subordinate informs Li Shuang that "Li Zhangyi has sent word. Tonight, he'll visit you in person." Li Shuang immediately instructs them to "prepare a banquet for him." Jin'an notices Li Shuang's wound has reopened and carefully bandages it for her. He then offers to accompany her to the banquet, reasoning that if she hides him, Li Zhangyi "certainly won't let it go." Jin'an believes his presence could protect her. Li Shuang dismisses the idea, asking, "Protect me? How?
You're as weak as a kitten now. . . Even the strange strength from childhood is gone. What will you use to protect me?" She reminds him that he "took a blade for me and barely survived" once already, stating, "Rather than risking your life to protect me, I'd rather you stay alive and well."
As Jin'an sees the blood from her wound, he nearly loses control, expressing frustration over his current powerlessness and questioning why she still keeps him by her side. Li Shuang explains that many women in her residence "are homeless castaways," and since he has nowhere else to go, he can stay, especially given "the blood pact between us."
Recalling Jin Wujian's earlier words about a way to break the blood contract, Jin'an deliberately tests Li Shuang, asking directly: "To you, is this blood pact a blessing or a curse? If it could be broken, would you try it? Or. . . would you still choose to keep me here?" Outside Li Shuang's room, Ji Ran waits for Jin'an. Upon seeing him, Ji Ran inquires about Li Shuang's condition, to which Jin'an replies that her wound "has been dressed.
Nothing serious." Ji Ran then presses Jin'an about what transpired in Ninglan, but Jin'an deflects, suggesting Ji Ran ask Li Shuang directly as he is her confidant. Ji Ran admonishes Jin'an to "show some respect" when speaking of Li Shuang. Jin'an retorts, asking if Ji Ran's "prestige" isn't enough for killing enemies, "but also forcing others to be grateful?"
Growing agitated, Ji Ran states that Jin'an "has no right to complain about General" and reminds him that "if it weren't for you, she wouldn't have been punished today." He asserts that Jin'an's past is suspicious, and Li Shuang "already showed you mercy by sparing your life." Ji Ran then reveals that "before leaving for Ninglan, she even asked me to find your portrait and look into your past, just to give you a surprise."
He issues a chilling warning: "If you dare presume upon her kindness and be disrespectful to her, I'll kill you myself." Jin'an, deeply affected by this revelation, realizes that "she cares so much about me, yet I listened to others and misunderstood her, doubting her." Li Zhangyi arrives at the General's Residence and, feigning politeness, apologizes for having given Li Shuang military strokes, hoping she "won't take offense." Li Shuang calmly responds that "achievements should be rewarded.
Mistakes should be punished. That's the rule of the Changfeng Army." Li Zhangyi then provocatively questions whether Jin'an killing Huo Du was "an achievement. . . or a mistake?" He quickly dismisses it as a joke but then slyly brings up Li Shuang's father, expressing sympathy for him "being affected because of this."
He then presents a magnificent dagger, explaining it was "forged of cold iron" with a "once-in-a-century" pearl, "made especially for you" by Prince Li, hoping to persuade her to align with the Prince. Li Shuang politely declines, stating that as "a rough warrior," she is "not used to such delicate things" and "can't accept His Highness's kindness." Li Zhangyi is visibly irritated, retorting that she "doesn't know what's good for you" and asking if she has "forgotten your place."
Ji Ran interjects, reminding Li Zhangyi that the Li family and Changfeng Army are loyal subjects of Taijin, serving only to defend the country. To diffuse the tension, Li Zhangyi proposes an archery contest, having heard of Li Shuang's skill. When Ji Ran tries to substitute for the injured Li Shuang, Li Zhangyi dismisses it, remarking that generals fight wars even when injured. Li Shuang tells Ji Ran to "stand down" and accepts the challenge.
Li Zhangyi proposes a wager: if he wins, Li Shuang must accept Prince Li's dagger. Li Shuang counters that if Li Zhangyi loses, he must "drop all charges against Jin'an," and she will provide "a satisfactory explanation" to His Majesty regarding Huo Du's collusion with the Yao State. Li Zhangyi scores 39 points and then attempts to pressure Li Shuang by mentioning her father's suffering, implying Prince Li's help could alleviate it.
At this critical moment, Jin'an steps forward, declaring that since the wager concerns him, he "should be the one to shoot the arrows," asserting that "your fate should be in your own hands." Li Zhangyi agrees but doubles the wager to Jin'an's "life." Jin'an accepts. After an initial miss, Jin'an scores four consecutive bullseyes, totaling 40 points and winning the contest. Jin'an then reminds Li Zhangyi to "honor your agreement."
After the contest, Li Shuang expresses surprise at Jin'an's hidden skills, asking, "You've been by my side for so long. . . yet I had no idea you had such remarkable skills." Jin'an attempts to re-bandage her bleeding wound. Li Shuang directly confronts him, saying, "You deliberately missed the target earlier. You were testing me." Jin'an admits he "had to know where your heart lies" because Li Zhangyi had threatened her with her father.
He then states, "My heart has never changed," and when Li Shuang asks if he thought she only cared about her father, Jin'an emphasizes, "I care about your life too." Li Shuang questions why she means so much to him, given their short acquaintance. Jin'an replies that in these chaotic times, "staying alive is hard enough. How could I speak lightly of life and death?"
Li Shuang then mentions that Ji Ran informed her that Jin'an went to Zang Budu "to find out about my past, not to investigate me." She asks him why he didn't tell her. Jin'an explains he "haven't uncovered anything yet. There was nothing to say." Li Shuang then adds, "Perhaps you're right, we only met recently, I shouldn't have pried into your affairs." Li Shuang admits, "It's my fault this time. If I'd had more thoughtfulness or patience. . .
maybe I wouldn't have misunderstood you. I overestimated myself. . . and underestimated you." She then presses him again, asking what he had been hiding from her, referencing his strange behavior in Ninglan and his continuous testing since their return. Jin'an then recounts the "whole story" of Jin Wujian's accusations. When Li Shuang asks if he has anything to say, he simply replies, "You already have doubts. I have nothing to say."
Jin'an then explains that since he lost his memory, Jin Wujian was the first person to mention his past, so he "had to spend more time thinking," but ultimately, he decided, "I trust you." When Li Shuang asks what makes him trust her without memories, Jin'an responds, "Although I have no memories, I still have my intuition. You've never mistreated me or anyone around you. I trust what I see and what I feel."
Li Shuang then asks about the blood pact, acknowledging the "excruciating pain" and loss of freedom it inflicts, and questions why he wouldn't try to break it if there was a way. Jin'an asserts that if it can be broken, he will find a way himself "instead of putting you in danger with me." Li Shuang, with a final probe, asks, "Have you considered. . . what if that person was telling the truth?"
Jin'an responds by kissing her wound and declaring, "I want to tell you that even if this blood pact was deliberately made by you, I still want to have a deeper bond with you." Despite Jin'an's renewed trust in Li Shuang, Jin Wujian's earlier words about Li Shuang using him (to turn him into a bloodthirsty beast) continue to echo, urging him not to be influenced.
Meanwhile, Jin Wujian tells his subordinate that Jin'an has not shown up within the three days allotted, deducing that he won't come, as "a shadow puppet can't live without their blood master." He concludes that "if we control Li Shuang, the shadow puppet will be easy to deal with."
Back at the General's Residence, Lu Xin changes Li Shuang's dressing, noting that the wound is "healing so slowly this time" and joking that Li Shuang looks "pale as a ghost," as if she has "been drained of blood." Li Shuang internally questions if this slow healing "could it really be related to Jin'an drawing my blood?"
Lu Xin then provides Li Shuang with a map to a "natural hot spring" outside the city, which is said to "promote blood circulation and fade scars," insisting that Li Shuang "make time" to visit. However, Li Shuang is soon confronted by Jin Wujian, who tells her not to "waste your energy," confirming her suspicion that he was "behind it" all along—the ambushes on her camp. Jin Wujian declares that Jin'an "was mine to begin with.
I just want it back," claiming to act "for your sake" by removing someone of "unknown origin" who "must be unsettling" to have around. He demands Li Shuang "give him to me so we don't have to go against each other." Li Shuang defiantly states, "Once he entered my residence, he is my person. Whether I keep him or kill him, no one else has any say in it." Jin Wujian retorts, "Then the General will probably suffer."
Suddenly, Jin'an feels an acute pain and cries out "Li Shuang!" before transforming into his shadow puppet form (Yu Linglong) and rushing to her aid. Jin Wujian is surprised by Jin'an's "perfect fusion" with his shadow puppet form and his ability to "hold out until now and still not begging for mercy," acknowledging Li Shuang's reputation as "Taijin's first female general." Jin Wujian then gains control over Li Shuang, forcing her to attack Jin'an.
He threatens Li Shuang's life to compel Jin'an to leave with him. Jin'an agrees, prompting Jin Wujian to observe his "true love" for his blood master and his surprising lucidity after transformation. Jin'an briefly manages to control Jin Wujian, who then reveals that he is the only one who can unravel the mystery of Jin'an's past, urging him to come with him for answers. Jin Wujian retaliates by using the controlled Li Shuang to stab Jin'an.
As Jin Wujian's subordinate rescues him, Jin Wujian retreats, and Li Shuang is released from his control. The following day, Ji Ran frantically searches for Li Shuang, eventually finding her alone outside the city. He delivers an urgent report: "General, the enemy has reached the border."
