The Love Lasts Two Minds Episode 14 Recap
> The Love Lasts Two Minds Recap
Yuan Qinhe entered Jing Ci's room calling out his name, Zhiwan. Jing Ci introduced her to Aunt Zhixia, who had just arrived. Yuan politely greeted Aunt Zhixia, but Zhixia responded coldly, chastising Yuan for entering a man's room without knocking and questioning her understanding of proper etiquette. Taken aback by the unwelcoming reception, Yuan disregarded Zhixia's words and instead asked Jing Ci if he would like to visit a newly opened tea house in the street.
Before Jing Ci could respond, Aunt Zhixia interjected, accusing Yuan of being shameless for asking a man out for tea. Yuan retorted, asking if Zhixia was speaking to her, pointing out that it was merely an outing with a colleague from the government office, and there was nothing to be ashamed of.
Aunt Zhixia then claimed Yuan was feigning ignorance, criticizing her for wearing male attire, spending her days with men, and neglecting traditional feminine skills like needlework and virtuous conduct. She challenged Yuan, asking how anyone could view her favorably, or even dream of asking her (Zhixia's) young master out for tea, or possibly want to marry a girl like her.
Yuan, instead of getting angry, chuckled and remarked that "gentle, virtuous, frugal, and humble" girls were plentiful, but nowadays, people preferred unique individuals like her. She added that this was why Jing Ci was happy to go out with her for tea, conversations, and stargazing. Infuriated, Aunt Zhixia accused Yuan of being "cheap" and displaying inherited shamelessness.
Yuan then turned to Jing Ci, asking if Dr. Zuo was available, pretending concern that Aunt Zhixia's "manic" state seemed severe and needed medication to prevent her from offending important officials. Zhixia, enraged by the insult, made a move as if to draw a weapon. Jing Ci quickly intervened, explaining that his aunt was tired from her journey and needed to talk to him. He then suggested Yuan go have tea with Xiao Lu.
Yuan agreed, shooting a dismissive glance at Zhixia before leaving. Xiao Lu, upon hearing about Aunt Zhixia's harsh words to Yuan, indignantly offered to confront Zhixia. Yuan, however, stopped her, saying it wasn't worth it, as she needed to buy needlework supplies. Xiao Lu asked if Yuan was still planning to embroider a pouch for Jing Ci despite the insults. Yuan explained that she wasn't angry with Jing Ci, and since "that thing" had happened between them, she felt responsible.
She believed embroidering a pouch would help solidify their relationship. After Yuan left, Aunt Zhixia told Jing Ci that he had seen Yuan's true nature—cunning and outrageous—and how she had previously feigned a gentle disposition in Zhaozhou to delude him. Jing Ci calmly affirmed that this was indeed Yuan's true character, no longer timid or overly respectful towards his aunt. Zhixia expressed regret for allowing Yuan to stay, fearing she would bring harm to Jing Ci.
Jing Ci, however, stated firmly that he was the one who decided to keep her, both eighteen years ago and now. He then instructed A'heng to accompany Aunt Zhixia to her prepared room and help her settle in. Meanwhile, Hongyu returned to report to Lord He on her month-long investigation into deceased officials with missing little fingers, covering sixteen states and counties and even the capital.
She revealed that these officials appeared to have been killed by the Shadow Guardians, who operate under the Emperor's command. Lord He was surprised, acknowledging the Shadow Guardians as the Emperor's elite secret force. Hongyu presented evidence suggesting these officials harbored disloyal intentions or had displeased the Emperor, leading to their secret assassination.
Lord He deduced that the Elder Princess must have similarly offended the Emperor, resulting in her death, and decided it was best not to interfere in imperial affairs. As Hongyu was about to leave, Lord He noticed her normal gait, recalling that the real Hongyu had sustained a leg injury years ago that affected her walk. He immediately confronted her, demanding to know her true identity.
A struggle ensued, during which Lord He tore off her disguise, confirming she was an impostor. She managed to escape as Lord He's reinforcements arrived, pursuing her. Lord He vowed to capture the impostor. Zuo Yanxi discovered that Jing Ci showed signs of poisoning once again, expressing concern about the long-term damage to his body. Jing Ci mused that someone might be continuously poisoning him, undetected for a long time.
Zuo Yanxi mentioned that he had recently located his junior sister apprentice, who possessed some of their master's medical texts, which might contain a cure for Jing Ci's illness. He planned to retrieve these books soon for further study. At that moment, a servant rushed in with urgent news: something had happened at Lord He's residence, involving an assassin. Zuo Yanxi quickly departed to investigate.
The impostor Red Jade, having escaped Lord He, returned to her master in a hidden cave, revealing that she and A'tan served the same master. She apologized for her failure to deceive Lord He. Her master, furious at her incompetence, ordered his subordinates to execute her. He then revealed and killed the real Red Jade, who had been held captive.
The master informed his remaining followers that they had "waked the sleeping wolf," and Lord He, a staunch supporter of the Prince of Bo, would surely track them down. He commanded them to take immediate action. Lord He, plagued by nightmares, was offered a calming talisman by his wife. He furiously lashed out at her, accusing her of wanting everyone to know about his vulnerability, and then physically abused her for shaming him.
Yuan Qinhe meticulously embroidered a pouch for Jing Ci. Xiao Lu, observing her, commented that the embroidered "mandarin ducks" looked more like ordinary ducks, and even colorful ones. Yuan, initially defensive, admitted that they did resemble ducks and wondered why her needlework had deteriorated so much. Xiao Lu then pointed out the uncanny resemblance between Yuan's embroidered ducks and those on Jing Ci's own pouch. Yuan mused that perhaps many women struggled to embroider realistic mandarin ducks.
Meanwhile, Jing Ci had prepared a pheasant soup as an apology for Aunt Zhixia's behavior towards Yuan. As he approached Yuan's room, he overheard Xiao Lu discussing Yuan's "male friends," and Yuan declared that she only remembered Jing Ci. Jing Ci, contemplating his own uncertain future, thought that if he could not be with her long-term, he shouldn't let her devote herself solely to him. He then handed the soup to A'heng and left.
A'heng sat down outside Yuan's room to drink the soup, but the aroma quickly drew Yuan and Xiao Lu out. Xiao Lu promptly snatched the bowl, accusing A'heng of trying to steal soup that was surely meant for them. A'heng clarified that Jing Ci had initially made it for them but, believing it wasn't good enough, had given it to him instead. Yuan, concerned, asked about Jing Ci's whereabouts.
A'heng replied that Jing Ci had been feeling unwell for the past two days and had likely gone to Shuxin Clinic. Noticing Jing Ci's recent pallor, Yuan decided to visit Dr. Zuo to inquire about his condition. At Shuxin Clinic, a maid instructed Yuan to wait in a side room as Dr. Zuo was occupied with a patient. Mu Beiyan soon approached Yuan, playfully saying he missed her.
Yuan, still irritated by their previous encounter, felt an urge to hit him. Mu Beiyan tried to explain that the love potion incident was a misunderstanding, claiming a friend had prankishly swapped his "zombie powder" with a "love potion." He flirted, suggesting they were destined for each other, but Yuan dismissed him as a notorious lecher. Just then, Lord He passed by and witnessed Mu Beiyan holding Yuan's hand. Enraged, he summoned Mu Beiyan.
Mu Beiyan sat awkwardly before his father. Lord He demanded to know his relationship with Yuan and accused him of drugging her. Mu Beiyan denied it, again calling it a misunderstanding and claiming Yuan was merely a friend he was joking with. Fed up with Mu Beiyan's dissolute behavior and involvement in recent cases, Lord He grounded him, forbidding him from leaving his room until their return to the capital. When Zuo Yanxi returned, he inquired about Yuan's presence.
Yuan, concerned about Jing Ci's recent pallor, asked about his illness. Zuo Yanxi initially brushed her off, saying it was none of her concern. Yuan insisted on her close friendship with Jing Ci, expressing her hope for a long-term future together. Zuo Yanxi sternly told her she "thought too much" and that they would not be together.
He then revealed that he knew she was a woman and wished to be with Jing Ci, but delivered the devastating news that Jing Ci was "terminally ill" and had "not long to live." Shocked, Yuan accused Zuo Yanxi of lying. Zuo Yanxi admitted to lying, adding that Jing Ci might live longer if people like Yuan stayed away from him. A servant then interrupted, reporting that Lord He had beaten Mu Beiyan due to his involvement with Yuan.
Seeing Zuo Yanxi preoccupied, Yuan hastily left. Zuo Yanxi mused that Mu Beiyan deserved the punishment but remained deeply concerned about Jing Ci's worsening condition, deciding to write a letter to his junior sister apprentice, A'tan. Later, Mu Beiyan, unable to endure his confinement, kicked open his door and escaped, despite the efforts of his servants. He went to a tavern, ordered wine, but quickly collapsed after a couple of drinks.
Jing Ci was conversing with Aunt Zhixia, who shared news from Zhaozhou and mentioned Zesheng's longing for Jing Ci. As Yuan approached, Jing Ci politely dismissed Zhixia. Zhixia, however, confronted Yuan again, calling her a "crazy woman" and shameless. Yuan retorted that she was at the government office for official business, while Zhixia consistently behaved like a "shrew," eyes wide and scolding, wondering if she was not afraid of shaming Jing Ci. Jing Ci covertly smiled at Yuan's retort.
Zhixia insisted that Yuan was the one shaming Jing Ci. Yuan deliberately asked Jing Ci if his aunt had forgotten to take her medicine. When Xiao Lu asked "what medicine?" Yuan replied, "medicine for insanity," pointing out Zhixia's obvious symptoms. Sensing the rising tension, Jing Ci again urged Zhixia to leave.
Yuan then thanked Jing Ci for the pheasant soup he made that morning, praising its deliciousness and her enjoyment of it, which nearly made Jing Ci spit out his tea. Yuan then directly asked Jing Ci about "their affairs" and his plans for them. Jing Ci stared at her for a moment, then claimed he didn't know what she was talking about, and walked away.
Yuan, however, interpreted his reaction as shyness, optimistically concluding that they had a long future ahead. Lord He was furious upon learning of Mu Beiyan's escape, berating Zuo Yanxi for failing to advise his adopted son. He ordered Zuo Yanxi to assume the role of an elder brother, supervising Mu Beiyan and holding him accountable for any future transgressions. Zuo Yanxi offered Lord He some tranquilizing pills, but Lord He angrily dismissed him.
Later, as a servant brought dinner, Lord He, still raging, inquired if Mu Beiyan had been found. Upon hearing he had not, Lord He condemned his servants as "useless" and "waste," ordering them out of his sight. The next morning, Yuan Qinhe arrived at the government office kitchen to find Jing Ci and Mr. Li having breakfast. She greeted Jing Ci warmly, asking how he had slept and noticing he was eating red bean porridge.
She silently wondered if he had overheard her conversation with Xiao Lu about counting "male friends" and if he was "jealous." She then commented aloud on the health benefits of red beans. Mr. Li, feeling overlooked, coughed to draw attention to himself. Yuan asked if he had a sore throat. Mr. Li, annoyed, sarcastically asked if she was blind, seeing as she only greeted Jing Ci and not him.
Yuan, ever the flatterer, assured him she couldn't possibly miss such a dignified and stylish man, but then added that for "youthful charm," she preferred to look at Jing Ci. Mr. Li, exasperated by her "indecent" behavior, was interrupted by a frantic constable. The constable reported that Lord He was dead, apparently murdered. Mr. Li, utterly shocked, stumbled and fell from his chair.
