The Love Lasts Two Minds Episode 23 Recap
> The Love Lasts Two Minds Recap
At the flower banquet, Princess Changle noticed Yuan Qinhe's low spirits and asked if she was unwell or had argued with Jing Ci, as she hadn't mentioned him. Yuan Qinhe responded that perhaps she had been mistaken all along, believing that Jing Ci treated her worse than how Mr. Zhao treated the princess. Princess Changle was surprised by this revelation. Meanwhile, Princess Zesheng approached Jing Ci with tea, toasting him with it since he couldn't drink alcohol.
She expressed her happiness at seeing him after a long time, having worried about his health since his return from Zhaozhou without saying goodbye. Jing Ci apologized for making her worry. As they conversed, her hairpin fell. Jing Ci picked it up, and she asked him to put it back in her hair, which he did despite his reluctance. She then asked if she looked good. Observing this, some princes grew jealous, and Yuan Qinhe felt discomfort.
She told Princess Changle she was unwell and wanted to leave. Princess Changle, also annoyed by the "pungent smell of powder," agreed, and they excused themselves from the Emperor. Not long after, Jing Ci followed them, asking Yuan Qinhe if she was unwell and offering to call a doctor. Princess Changle questioned why he wasn't pleasing Princess Zesheng instead. As Yuan Qinhe and Jing Ci exchanged glances, with much unsaid, Mu Beiyan abruptly arrived.
He explained that Mrs. Yuan was worried about Yuan Qinhe catching a cold and had sent him with a robe, which he then draped over her. Just as Jing Ci was about to speak, a maid approached, reporting that Princess Zesheng was suffering from a severe headache and discreetly requested his presence. Jing Ci looked helplessly at Yuan Qinhe, who, with a pained expression, turned and departed.
Mu Beiyan escorted her back to her mansion, telling her that no matter what troubles or bothersome people she encountered in the future, he would always be there for her. He also reminded her about his father's funeral the day after tomorrow, and she confirmed she would attend to see Prince He off. Jing Ci followed the maid back to see Princess Zesheng. Finding her condition not serious, he prepared to leave.
However, she expressed fear of being alone in the vast palace and asked him to stay. Jing Ci warned her that someone was targeting him and had attempted to kill him multiple times, advising against them being too close. Princess Zesheng countered that after the banquet, everyone knew their close relationship, and she might already be a target. She then clutched her head, complaining of pain.
Aunt Zhixia, supporting the princess, suggested Jing Ci stay, promising to arrange bedding for him in a side hall until Princess Zesheng adapted to Yong State life, after which he could return to the Palace of Duke Duan. Jing Ci, having no other option, reluctantly agreed. He had privately told Zhixia that his stalker might be in the palace, and he intended to draw them out, but refused Zhixia's suggestion to involve Princess Zesheng.
Mu Beiyan found Zuo Yanxi studying medical texts and asked if he was trying to cure Jing Ci. Zuo Yanxi revealed that Jing Ci, already weakened since childhood, likely only had a few years left. What's more, he had been continuously poisoned since his trip to Qinhe, and the source remained unknown, making a full recovery difficult. Mu Beiyan declared that he wouldn't marry Yuan Qinhe to a dying man.
He also noted that even if he wanted to break their engagement, Mrs. Yuan now disagreed, making it impossible for him to do so. Zuo Yanxi, however, adamantly stated that Jing Ci would not die and vowed to find a cure for him. Mu Beiyan then muttered that Yuan Qinhe might as well marry him instead of enduring daily heartbreak with Jing Ci. The next day, at Prince of He's funeral, Emperor Yong, Jing Ci, and Yuan Qinhe were present.
Yuan Qinhe complimented Mu Beiyan on his capable management of the Palace of He, to which he responded that he was learning to shoulder responsibilities. Emperor Yong arrived, expressing deep sorrow for Prince of He's passing. When Yuan Qinhe attempted to follow Jing Ci and Zuo Yanxi as they went to the backyard, Aunt Zhixia blocked her path.
Zhixia asserted that Jing Ci's affairs were none of Yuan Qinhe's concern, and even if Jing Ci himself disagreed, the Emperor's will would prevail. She implied that Jing Ci and Princess Zesheng were getting along well, and an imperial edict might soon formalize their union, adding that Jing Ci would never be with a "notorious woman" like Yuan Qinhe.
Inside, Zuo Yanxi checked Jing Ci's pulse and urged him to take better care of his health, noting his poor complexion and irregular pulse indicated overwork or stress, despite his previous prescription. Jing Ci then inquired about the Imperial Army. Zuo Yanxi explained that it was split into two factions, the Dragon and Tiger Army led by Han Qing and the Dragon-Prancing Army led by Huang Shijian.
Both were directly under the Emperor's command, but their leaders were constantly at odds, creating a system of mutual checks and balances, which the Emperor seemed to tolerate. Princess Zesheng approached, questioning Aunt Zhixia about Jing Ci's whereabouts, then introduced herself to Yuan Qinhe. She boasted that Jing Ci spent every day and night with her at the palace and lamented not having friends her age in Yong State.
Zhixia interjected, warning against "unscrupulous vixens" coveting Jing Ci, declaring that Princess Zesheng and Jing Ci, as childhood sweethearts with matching status and interests, were a "match made in heaven" that no one could break. Yuan Qinhe retorted, calling their union an "arranged marriage" and dismissing it as Zhixia's wishful thinking. She asserted that Jing Ci was still hers, and as long as she didn't let go, even "Heaven couldn't break them apart."
An infuriated Zhixia accused her of insolence, to which Yuan Qinhe advised Zhixia not to meddle in others' affairs lest she get hurt. After Yuan Qinhe left, Zhixia muttered, wishing Yuan Qinhe would remember her past humiliation. Zuo Yanxi continued to refine Jing Ci's prescription, stating that he would be more confident in curing him if the source of the ongoing poisoning, which started in Qinhe and continued in the capital, could be identified.
Jing Ci dismissed his concern, saying he knew his own body. Zuo Yanxi then correctly deduced Jing Ci wanted to find Yuan Qinhe, noting she was likely with Mu Beiyan. Later, Zuo Yanxi instructed Xiaohan to monitor Jing Ci's medicine intake and meticulously inspect all his daily items, suspecting that the poisoning originated from his personal belongings, as his food and previous medicine had been clear.
He emphasized the urgency of finding the source to prevent Jing Ci from further suffering. Later that night, Xiaolu rushed to the Palace of He, looking for Yuan Qinhe, who hadn't returned home. Mu Beiyan quickly organized a search and found her drunk in the garden. He helped her into a room, where Xiaolu offered her hangover soup.
Yuan Qinhe, heartbroken, cried that the thought of Jing Ci and Princess Zesheng marrying felt like a piece of her heart had been ripped out, causing unbearable pain. Mu Beiyan confessed he felt a similar void at the idea of giving her away. He offered to confront Jing Ci the next day, assuring her he wouldn't let anyone bully her, regardless of their engagement. Yuan Qinhe refused, stating that Jing Ci had asked her to trust him, and she would.
However, she vowed to abandon him if he ever betrayed that trust. The next morning, Yuan Qinhe woke up at the Palace of He. Mu Beiyan had porridge prepared for her. Admiring a painting in his study, Yuan Qinhe praised its elegance, with Xiaolu explaining it was her own work. Yuan Qinhe, however, recognized that the handwriting on the poem wasn't hers. After comparing it with her current handwriting, Mu Beiyan confirmed they were indeed different.
Yuan Qinhe recalled that her mother had removed all her calligraphy and paintings from her room shortly after she woke up from her accident, making her wonder if it was intentional. Mu Beiyan reassured her that Mrs. Yuan loved her and must have had a reason.
Later, Mrs. Yuan heard from a steward that Feng Mianwan, who married General Li Yuan in the Ji State, not only resembled Yuan Qinhe but also shared her gentle, intelligent, poetic, and artistic nature, and was happily married. Mrs. Yuan suspected Qingli had orchestrated her own abduction and felt relieved knowing she was living well. The steward commented that Yuan Qinhe's situation, though initially a setup, wasn't necessarily a bad outcome.
Mrs. Yuan secretly mused about Jing Ci's mistreatment of Yuan Qinhe and Mu Beiyan's steadfastness, resolving to secure Mu Beiyan's inheritance of the Prince of He title by seeking an imperial edict the following day. At the Palace of Duke Duan, A'heng informed Jing Ci that the craftsman who made Prince Ye's tokens had died a month prior. Jing Ci deduced that the craftsman had been silenced shortly after they found the token.
A'heng presented several tokens from the craftsman's home, along with one from Prince Ye's residence. Upon comparison, Jing Ci noted their similarity in material ("secret color ware"), leading him to suspect Prince Ye's involvement. Aunt Zhixia had tried to convince Jing Ci to compete for Princess Zesheng's hand, arguing that marrying her would bring power, but Jing Ci feigned disinterest, claiming his health prevented him from engaging in such struggles.
Upon hearing that Princess Zesheng was visiting Prince Ye's residence (Wan Chun Palace), Jing Ci immediately went there. At Prince Ye's palace, Jing Ci noticed that the teaware on Prince Ye's table was identical to that found in the secret room, confirming his suspicions. Princess Zesheng, bored by Prince Ye's attempts to entertain her, asked Jing Ci to take her away to play Go. Jing Ci, making an excuse about her needing medicine, politely excused them from Prince Ye's presence. After their departure, a frustrated Prince Ye, whose attempts to curry favor had been rebuffed, angrily shattered a teacup.
