The Love Lasts Two Minds Episode 30 Recap
> The Love Lasts Two Minds Recap
At the Supreme Court, Qiao Li summoned A Yuan late at night, pressing her to confess now that she lacked the backing of Madam Yuan and Princess Changle. Yuan insisted she had already said everything in court. Qiao Li countered, claiming undeniable evidence and testimony, warning her not to be stubborn and bring shame to the Yuan family. Yuan, however, questioned the handkerchief presented as evidence, suggesting the real murderer could have intentionally left it.
She urged Qiao Li to investigate who else knew about Wang Zesheng's meeting with her, indicating that person held the greatest suspicion. She also accused him of having ulterior motives by interrogating her secretly at night after all other officials and Princess Changle had left. Enraged by her defiance, Qiao Li ordered his men to squeeze her fingers. Yuan endured the torture silently until she spat blood and fainted.
After she remained unconscious even after being doused with water, a medic examined her, noting her weak pulse and symptoms of an acute illness. Fearing a death in custody would result in charges of involuntary manslaughter, Qiao Li ordered her to be taken for medical care. Meanwhile, Xiao Lu was also taken for questioning. The interrogator presented her with a document, promising she and Miss Yuan could go home if she signed it.
Illiterate, Xiao Lu was about to comply but recognized the character for "guilty" on the paper. Realizing she was being tricked into incriminating Miss Yuan, she angrily refused to sign it, declaring Miss Yuan innocent and condemning their deceit. She was then brutally tortured. Later, Yuan awoke in her cell, her fingers throbbing from the torture. She recalled someone secretly passing her two pills with a note that read, "Take the pills if they punish you."
She believed these were from her mother, grateful they allowed her to feign a serious illness and avoid further suffering. She then discovered Xiao Lu lying beaten and unconscious under some dry straw nearby. Qiao Li's subordinate brought Zuo Yanxi to examine Yuan. Yuan immediately pleaded with him for medicine for Xiao Lu.
Zuo Yanxi provided a small bottle but warned her that the medicine would be of little help for such severe injuries, and even if Xiao Lu survived, she would likely be permanently disabled. Yuan began applying the medicine to Xiao Lu. Xiao Lu regained consciousness, but her vision was gone. She asked why the cell’s lamp was out, to which Yuan tenderly replied that the wind must have blown it out.
Xiao Lu tearfully recounted how her captors had tried to force her to admit that Miss Yuan killed Wang Zesheng, but she adamantly refused, vowing never to let them frame her lady. She spoke of her immense pain from the beating. Crying, Yuan embraced Xiao Lu, promising to take her away from the capital to Qinhe once she recovered.
In her fading moments, Xiao Lu joyfully spoke of seeing "Mischief," asking it to come with them to Qinhe, before slowly closing her eyes and dying in Yuan’s arms. Zuo Yanxi, witnessing this tragic scene, consoled Yuan, assuring her not to blame Jing Ci, who was actively working to clear her name.
He revealed that the pills Yuan had taken to feign illness were sent by Jing Ci, who had entrusted Zuo Yanxi to deliver them to Mu Beiyan and Madam Yuan. Yuan asked him to thank Jing Ci on her behalf. Jing Ci, Princess Changle, and Zhao Yan returned to Xi River to investigate further, recognizing the fisherman's testimony as a significant obstacle to Yuan's defense.
Jing Ci questioned the old man about why he was fishing in Xi River, a considerable distance from his usual spot. The fisherman explained that a few days prior, someone had brought him a basket of fresh fish and told him that the fish in Xi River were exceptionally plump that year, even suggesting the best fishing location.
Jing Ci surmised that this meant someone had deliberately led the fisherman to that precise spot to ensure he would witness Yuan's arrival and departure, but not any other potential activities on the boat or covert entries. He concluded that Yuan was intentionally framed, and that this elaborate plot was likely orchestrated by Lord Ye, whom Yuan and Mu Beiyan had previously offended. Later, Jing Ci visited Zuo Yanxi, complaining of fatigue.
After examining Jing Ci, Zuo Yanxi confirmed his pulse was stable due to continued medication but acknowledged his exhaustion. He also mentioned a new prescription he was developing, but two of the necessary herbs were difficult to acquire. Jing Ci then inquired about Yuan's condition in prison. Zuo Yanxi relayed that Yuan had largely escaped severe torture by taking the pills and feigning illness, but tragically, Xiao Lu had been brutally beaten to death.
Jing Ci was visibly shaken by the news. He then produced a small bottle of medicine, revealing it was the memory-restoring medicine, which Yuan had thrown into the river and not consumed, thereby disproving Qiao Li's motive. He also showed Zuo Yanxi an earring, which he said Princess Changle found at the crime scene, suggesting it might have been dropped by the murderer during a struggle. Zuo Yanxi was surprised by this revelation but maintained his composure.
Immediately after Jing Ci left, Zuo Yanxi confronted Jiang Tan, directly asking her if she was responsible for Wang Zesheng's murder. Jiang Tan admitted her involvement, explaining that she only wanted to escape Lord Ye's control and live a peaceful life.
Zuo Yanxi angrily accused her of causing suffering to many, laying bare Lord Ye’s cunning plan: Wang Zesheng’s marriage to Prince Bo would weaken Lord Ye, so he arranged her murder and framed Yuan, thereby destabilizing both the Palace of He and the Yuan family—a multi-pronged attack carried out by Jiang Tan. Jiang Tan confessed that she felt compelled, as Lord Ye had promised her freedom if she completed the task, allowing her to permanently break free from his command.
She also cited Lord Ye's past assistance to her family as a reason for her actions. Enraged, Zuo Yanxi questioned if her personal freedom justified aiding evil and mercilessly killing innocents. He expressed profound sorrow at having loved a woman who held human life in such low regard.
He informed her that he had rescued her father and taken him to her courtyard, urging her to leave Yong State with him quickly, warning her that Lord Ye's downfall was imminent and she would suffer if she remained. Jiang Tan tearfully pleaded with him to come with her, but Zuo Yanxi firmly refused, declaring that he could never be with her again, haunted by the fear of nightmares filled with the blood of innocent victims.
He turned and walked away. As Zuo Yanxi walked despondently, Jing Ci appeared, stopping him from looking back at Jiang Tan. Jing Ci explained that Jiang Tan was merely a "blade" in Lord Ye’s hand, and destroying her now would only prompt Lord Ye to find another equally sharp weapon to wield against them. He conceded that while they both knew the truth, the true challenge lay in exposing it to the public and making the truth undeniable.
Zuo Yanxi, filled with regret, admitted his selfish attempt to save Jiang Tan had only pushed her further down a path of no return. Jing Ci responded that if she chose to leap into the abyss, no one could pull her back. Jing Ci then claimed that his own illness had worsened due to recent exertions and required constant care, thereby compelling Zuo Yanxi to remain by his side.
Upon learning of Wang Zesheng's death in Yong State, Lord Zhao was furious, vowing to avenge his daughter. At the Palace of Duke Duan, Princess Zesheng's attendant, Aunt Zhixia, mournfully burned paper money, pledging to make the murderer pay. Jing Ci tried to persuade her that Yuan was not the culprit, but Aunt Zhixia scorned his words, accusing him of misjudging the situation and assuring him that the Supreme Court would soon provide a clear answer.
Shortly thereafter, the Emperor arrived at the Palace of Duke Duan. He remarked that Princess Zesheng’s coffin was ill-suited to remain there and expressed concern for Jing Ci’s health, advising him to rest and take care of himself for the sake of his loved ones. Jing Ci reassured him that Zuo Yanxi was diligently overseeing his health. Suddenly, cries from outside the palace gates demanded justice for the Princess, lamenting that the villain remained unpunished.
