The Love Lasts Two Minds Episode 31 Recap
> The Love Lasts Two Minds Recap
The Emperor was conversing with Jing Ci in the Duan Manor when he heard a commotion outside. His eunuch, Xue Cai, identified the voice as Zhixia's, and the Emperor noted she was speaking about Princess Zesheng. Upon stepping outside, they saw Zhixia kneeling, pleading for the Emperor to deliver justice for the princess, insisting that "the murderer is still on the loose. The princess won’t rest in peace."
Jing Ci instructed A'heng to escort Zhixia away, but as she was being led off, Zhixia continued to shout, "Yuan Qingli is the murderer." The Emperor, irritated by the unruly servant, told Xue Cai to arrange for Zhixia to live in the royal palace for her old age, instructing him not to let her disturb Jing Ci again. Xue Cai promised to arrange it immediately.
Jing Ci tried to explain Zhixia’s outburst, stating she was deeply grieved by Zesheng's tragic death. The Emperor then mentioned that Mrs. Yuan had attempted to see him the previous day and asked Jing Ci if he now understood Yuan Qingli’s true character. Jing Ci respectfully requested to speak, but the Emperor, assuming he would plead for Yuan Qingli, advised him to "save his efforts." Jing Ci clarified that he intended to reveal the truth, not merely plead.
He explained that he, along with Zhao Yan and Princess Changle, had meticulously reviewed the case and, despite some lingering ambiguities, were "quite sure that Yuan is not the murderer. She was deliberately framed by someone." The Emperor scoffed, questioning why Yuan Qingli constantly found herself in trouble since returning to the capital. Jing Ci presented his findings: Yuan Qingli had not consumed the medicine given by Zesheng, thus lacking a motive for murder.
Furthermore, the fisherman who implicated Yuan Qingli was intentionally directed to the crime scene beforehand to testify against her. They also discovered that another woman, besides Yuan Qingli, Zesheng, and Shu, had been present and left an earring at the scene. Jing Ci emphasized that the letter Zesheng sent to Yuan Qingli, which mimicked Princess Changle's handwriting, was beyond the capabilities of a woman new to the Yong State.
He concluded that the entire case was a meticulously planned conspiracy, with Princess Zesheng being an unwitting pawn. While he had strong clues, definitive proof would still require more time. Jing Ci then reported that Qiao Li had privately interrogated Yuan Qingli and her maid, Xiao Lu, the previous night, employing cruel methods that resulted in Xiao Lu being "beaten to death alive."
He warned the Emperor that if Yuan Qingli were to be further harmed and later proven innocent, it would be extremely difficult to account for it to Mrs. Yuan. Lord Qing seconded Jing Ci's argument, highlighting the Yuan family's loyalty and Mrs. Yuan's devotion to the Emperor. He expressed concern that if her only daughter were to die unjustly, Mrs. Yuan, in her despair, might not wish to live on.
The Emperor was enraged upon hearing about the unauthorized torture, exclaiming, "Qiao Li is so audacious!" He issued an imperial decree to continue the search for the true culprit and ordered that Yuan Qingli be detained without further torture. He then instructed Jing Ci, who was raised by Lord Zhao, to write a letter explaining that Zesheng's death was "an accident" and promising to thoroughly investigate and deliver justice to Lord Zhao.
On his return journey to the palace, the Emperor secretly instructed Xue Cai to halt further investigation into Yuan Qingli's case, ordering her immediate execution within two days if the true murderer was not apprehended. Afterward, Zuo Yanxi, noticing Jing Ci's continued worry despite the Emperor's visit, inquired about his state. Jing Ci revealed that Yuan Qingli was in grave danger, explaining that the Emperor might sacrifice her to appease Zhaozhou.
Zuo Yanxi was surprised, recalling the Emperor's recent order against torturing Yuan Qingli. Jing Ci clarified that emperors prioritize state stability over "minor details" like an individual's life. He surmised that since the real killer remained elusive, the Emperor intended to quickly execute Yuan Qingli as a supposed culprit to calm Zhaozhou, a decision evident in his failure to punish Qiao Li for the unlawful torture.
He further explained that while dealing with Jiang Tan might not be difficult, Lord Ye, as a prince, had many connections despite not being ambitious. Therefore, their struggle was no longer confined to the Supreme Court but had moved to the royal palace itself. In the prison, Yuan Qingli was accompanied by the lifeless body of Xiao Lu.
When a guard offered to remove Xiao Lu's body, Yuan Qingli refused, saying Xiao Lu had been brave, always protecting her, and she didn't want Xiao Lu to be alone. She wished for Xiao Lu to remain by her side. Yuan Qingli confided that while proving her innocence was straightforward, uncovering the true mastermind and killer was proving difficult.
She expressed her fear that if an order for her release didn't arrive within the next day or two, she would surely die in prison. She heartbreakingly told Xiao Lu to wait for her on the "long way to the next world" so they could travel together. Yuan Qingli then asked the guard to relay a message to her mother, affirming that she had no regrets about being her daughter and wished to be so again in her next life.
Soon after, Xiaohan arrived at Jing Ci’s residence, bringing a box that Sese had hidden on a beam in her friend Ping’s room, thus escaping Lord Ye’s search. Zuo Yanxi questioned if Sese and Yin were killed because of the secret contained within the box, to which Xiaohan replied it was "very possible." Jing Ci then used a key, previously found by Princess Changle under a flowerpot in Sese's room, to open the box.
Inside were a beautifully embroidered pouch and a folding fan. Xiaohan noted that the embroidery on the pouch resembled Consort Qiao's handiwork. Zuo Yanxi recalled that Yuan Qingli and Yin had both mentioned Lord Ye's close relationship with a concubine in the harem. When Jing Ci opened the fan, Xiaohan immediately recognized Consort Qiao's distinctive handwriting, revealing it was a love poem she had written for Lord Ye.
Zuo Yanxi deduced that Sese must have discovered their illicit affair and, for her own safety, stole these tokens. This discovery likely led to Lord Ye interrogating and torturing Sese to death. Xiaohan further speculated that Yin, perhaps believing Sese was still alive or simply wishing to preserve her body, attempted to carry her to Qin Gu. However, they were pursued, and Yin was eventually struck down, falling into Lanyue Lake with Sese’s body.
She lamented that this loving couple tragically died because of the shameful affair between Consort Qiao and Lord Ye. Jing Ci asked Xiaohan when Consort Qiao entered the palace, and Xiaohan replied it was "over three years ago." Jing Ci then pointed out that the love poem was inscribed "four years ago," revealing that Consort Qiao and Lord Ye's affair predated her entry into the palace.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Yuan was heartbroken upon hearing that Yuan Qingli, still in prison, wished to be her daughter again in her next life. Her maid expressed frustration at the Emperor’s ruthlessness, believing he was intent on sacrificing Yuan Qingli, despite knowing her innocence, to placate Zhaozhou. Soon after, Jing Ci, in disguise, met with Mrs. Yuan.
He stated that Yuan Qingli was the precious treasure Mrs. Yuan would "protect with her life," and similarly, "the one I value and cherish the most" in his own heart. He declared his intention to save Yuan Qingli and sought Mrs. Yuan's assistance. Mrs. Yuan initially questioned his sincerity, recalling his past actions, but Jing Ci vehemently asserted that he had "never given up on her" and that all his previous actions were for a deeper reason.
He reiterated his profound love for Yuan Qingli, leading Mrs. Yuan to agree to his plan. Jing Ci, already aware of a spy (Xiaohai, disguised as a servant) within his manor, pretended to be oblivious. He strategically conversed with Lord Qing about Princess Zesheng's case, stating that he was "not going to stay out of it, but there's no need to do anything" because the Emperor had "approved his request."
He expressed confidence that the case's outcome would not disappoint him, as he awaited the true murderer to "pay the price." Lord Qing also mentioned that Prince of Bo’s confinement had been lifted, and he had been dispatched to Xiangzhou. The spy, Xiaohai, relayed this information to Consort Qiao, highlighting Jing Ci's sudden ease and the Emperor's unspecified promise. Consort Qiao found this news peculiar.
Later, Consort Qiao observed Chang Yuan, Concubine Lin’s trusted eunuch, hurrying out of the palace with a package. She dispatched her maid, Jinxin, to intercept him. During the encounter, the package was dropped, spilling gold bars onto the ground. Chang Yuan nervously explained that Concubine Lin had instructed him to deliver the gold to Prince of Bo for house renovations, as Prince of Bo was soon to celebrate a "happy event."
He added that Concubine Lin had requested discretion, citing the Emperor’s recent orders for reduced palace expenditures. Consort Qiao, deeming this situation highly suspicious, immediately wrote a letter to her father, Qiao Li. This letter, after being forwarded to Lord Ye, was secretly swapped by Xiaohan, who then delivered the original to Jing Ci, confirming that his "fish has bitten the hook." Jing Ci examined the letter, recognizing the handwriting as identical to that on the folding fan.
He then instructed Xiaohan to remain in Spring Palace and refrain from further actions to avoid arousing suspicion. Mu Beiyan sought an audience with the Emperor, who immediately assumed he had come to plead for Yuan Qingli. The Emperor, expressing frustration, stated that while everyone claimed Yuan Qingli was innocent, no one had presented the true killer, leaving him in a difficult position with Lord Zhao.
Mu Beiyan clarified that his visit was neither for Yuan Qingli nor for personal matters, but for "the state’s safety." The Emperor sternly warned him against exaggeration, threatening to behead him if his claims were baseless. Undeterred, Mu Beiyan, stating he "dare not speak rashly," presented a letter. He explained that he had intercepted what appeared to be a standard family letter from Consort Qiao to her father.
However, upon carefully dusting it with incense ashes and holding it against the sunlight, he had uncovered hidden writing. The Emperor, seeing for himself that Mu Beiyan's discovery was true, was enraged and promptly summoned Consort Qiao. When brought before the Emperor, Consort Qiao vehemently denied any wrongdoing, claiming she had no knowledge of the letter's origin. She suggested her handwriting had been forged, drawing a parallel to how Princess Changle's handwriting was imitated to frame Yuan Qingli.
The Emperor, furious at her evasion and attempt to use Yuan Qingli's situation as an excuse, slapped her and demanded to know if she was involved in Princess Zesheng’s death. Mu Beiyan pressed Consort Qiao, questioning how a "deep palace woman" could be privy to such intricate case details. He then highlighted the contradiction: Consort Qiao claimed Yuan Qingli was framed, yet her father, Qiao Li, had mercilessly tortured Yuan Qingli and beaten Xiao Lu to death.
He accused Consort Qiao and her father of being single-mindedly intent on harming Yuan Qingli. At this critical juncture, Mrs. Yuan arrived. She revealed that Yuan Qingli and Mu Beiyan had once accidentally discovered Lord Ye and Qiao Li secretly conspiring in an old dyeing workshop. Shortly after, they were ambushed and almost killed, only surviving due to Lord Qing's timely arrival.
Mrs. Yuan mentioned that Yuan Qingli had only vaguely overheard Lord Ye expressing resentment towards the Emperor for favoring Jing Ci, and also speaking ill of General Yang and Mrs. Yuan's father. Mu Beiyan further accused Lord Ye by recounting that the two suspects in his father's murder had mysteriously died while being escorted back to the capital, shortly after they had encountered Lord Ye.
The Emperor was absolutely furious upon hearing these accounts, demanding Lord Ye be summoned immediately and fuming about the untold "heinous acts" Lord Ye must have committed behind his back. Jing Ci then elaborated on his intricate plan to Zuo Yanxi, explaining how he made Consort Qiao and Lord Ye "hand over the evidence themselves." He leveraged Mrs. Yuan's extensive connections within and outside the royal palace.
Mrs. Yuan sent an old palace maid to visit Concubine Lin and inform her of their intentions to confront Lord Ye, asking for her cooperation. Concubine Lin then publicly sent money and personal treasures to Prince of Bo’s residence, creating the impression of an impending "happy event" for Prince of Bo. Simultaneously, the eunuch delivering these items was instructed to subtly spread rumors within Consort Qiao’s inner circle that the Emperor would soon announce favorable news for Prince of Bo.
Jing Ci explained that after the Emperor’s visit, his apparent withdrawal from the investigation would lead Consort Qiao to believe the Emperor had made him a secret promise. Combined with the news from Concubine Lin’s palace, Consort Qiao would interpret the "happy event" as the Emperor’s decision to restore Prince of Bo to a position of power. Jing Ci called this a "mind game," aiming to convince Consort Qiao that Prince of Bo was about to be reappointed.
He revealed he deliberately used the spy, Xiaohai, planted by Consort Qiao in his own manor, to disseminate this misinformation. He knew she would trust her own spy's report, compelling her to "send a letter to her father and Lord Ye immediately."
Jing Ci stated that any such communication "will be then used as evidence," and that Mu Beiyan was the ideal person to present this evidence to the Emperor, which he was doing at that very moment in the Palace of Rules. Jing Ci noted that Mu Beiyan was acting "at any cost" to save Yuan Qingli, avenge his father, and protect himself.
He then reassured Zuo Yanxi that while Yuan Qingli's name might not be fully cleared immediately due to the elusive true killer, with Lord Ye now preoccupied, it would not be difficult for Mrs. Yuan to secure her daughter's release. As for Jiang Tan, Jing Ci believed she "should already left Yong State with her father" and, without Lord Ye's coercion, would "not commit a crime again."
