The Love Lasts Two Minds Episode 35 Recap
> The Love Lasts Two Minds Recap
Qiao Li, under the pretense of delivering medicine by imperial decree and checking on Duke Duan's (Jing Ci) health, visited the Palace of Duke Duan. Seeing Jing Ci coughing violently and even spitting blood, he noted Jing Ci's extremely pale complexion. Jing Ci's attendant informed Qiao Li that after the passing of Zuo Yanxi, who had been treating Jing Ci's illness all along, other doctors were helpless.
Qiao Li expressed concern for Jing Ci's severe condition before departing, promising to inform the emperor and send the best imperial doctors. Upon his return to the Palace of Uprightness, Qiao Li reported to Lord Ye that Jing Ci, who had been weak since childhood, fell seriously ill and vomited blood after hearing news of Yuan Qinhe and Prince He's accident. Based on his observations, Qiao Li concluded that Jing Ci's days were numbered.
Lord Ye, relieved, stated that if Jing Ci were to die from his illness, he could not be blamed for being ruthless. Qiao Li then informed Lord Ye about the jailing of Huang Shijian, the leader of the Longxiang Army. He explained that Huang Shijian had many loyal followers due to his long tenure, and dealing with his loyal followers might lead to greater dissatisfaction among them.
Qiao Li suggested that even if Lord Ye replaced them with his own men, these followers could still cause trouble. Lord Ye asserted that his own Imperial Guards must only obey him. He commanded Qiao Li to investigate all of Huang Shijian's followers and to arrest or execute them as he deemed fit. Later, Fu Xiaohan, whom Lord Ye addressed affectionately as "my love" and "concubine," brought him her Eight Treasure Calming Soup.
Lord Ye, however, called for his silver spoon, explaining that the Directorate of Astronomy and Calendar had reported strange celestial signs, prompting him to be cautious. Fu Xiaohan expressed hurt that he didn't trust her, but Lord Ye reassured her it wasn't personal. When the eunuch used the silver spoon, the soup's color changed, indicating poison. Fu Xiaohan immediately drew a knife from her sleeve and lunged at Lord Ye, who narrowly dodged.
Feng Ting, Lord Ye's loyal general, intervened and quickly overpowered Fu Xiaohan, knocking her to the ground. Lord Ye questioned why she would betray him after he had treated her well. Gritting her teeth, Fu Xiaohan declared him devoid of conscience and unworthy of being the Yong State's emperor, then lunged at him again. Feng Ting fatally stabbed her. Lord Ye was enraged at Feng Ting for killing her, then lamented, believing she was sincere only to discover her deceit.
He wondered if anyone in the world truly cared for him. Zhao Yan reported to Jing Ci at the Palace of Duke Duan that Fu Xiaohan's assassination attempt on Lord Ye had failed, resulting in her death. Jing Ci was surprised by the news. Zhao Yan added that the Directorate of Astronomy and Calendar's recent report of strange celestial phenomena had made Lord Ye extremely paranoid.
Even Huang Shijian, the Longxiang Army commander, had been arrested, leaving the army in disarray and its officers fearful for their lives. Fu Xiaohan's death only intensified Lord Ye's suspicion, leading to the arrest of many ministers who had previously impeached him. Jing Ci deduced that the Directorate of Astronomy and Calendar would not target Huang Shijian without reason. He suggested that if a scapegoat for the celestial anomalies was truly needed, he or Lord Qing would be more suitable.
He then asked who would benefit most from this situation. Zhao Yan identified Qiao Li, noting that his recent promotion to Chancellor of the Yong State after Lord Ye's ascension meant he lacked a stable foundation and sought to eliminate rivals to strengthen his position. Zhao Yan also mentioned that Qiao Li wouldn't consider Jing Ci a threat since he had personally witnessed Jing Ci's severe "illness."
Jing Ci then instructed Zhao Yan to find a way to contact the Longxiang Army officers, stating that since someone had already disrupted the court, it was time for them to make some risky moves. He also mentioned that playing moves only within the court might not be sufficient.
Looking at a jade pendant given to him by his "Auntie," he dismissed the notion that Yuan Qinhe had ever harmed him, saying she lived a pure life and treated people with kindness. He then sent his attendant, A'heng, to the Ji State. Meanwhile, in the Ji State, Lord Zhao inquired about news from the Yong State, expressing disdain for the new Yong emperor's supposed addiction to wine and women, neglect of state affairs, and tyrannical rule.
He noted that many senior ministers had been imprisoned or demoted, leaving the remaining officials fearful and subservient. Lord Zhao believed the new emperor disregarded Jing Ci, whom he had personally trained. Hearing that Jing Ci's health had been deteriorating, Lord Zhao summoned General Li Honggui. Lord Zhao recalled Li Honggui's repeated suggestions to ally with Ji State to attack Yong and expressed his desire to hear the plan in detail again.
Later, on a cold winter night, deep thunder rumbled outside the Yong State's great hall, unsettling the ministers who perceived it as an ill omen. When Lord Ye arrived, he questioned why he had been summoned at midnight. Zhao Yan reported severe celestial anomalies, including a dimmed Northern Star, a comet flying through the Big Dipper, and prolonged heavy rain, causing widespread public unease.
He further revealed that a sudden thunderbolt had struck and collapsed the ongoing construction of the late emperor's tomb. Lord Ye dismissed these concerns, attributing the tomb's collapse to negligent craftsmen who should be replaced. The ministers, however, continued to voice their alarm at the highly abnormal winter thunder. Amidst this, a palace attendant announced that Duke Duan (Jing Ci) sought an audience, claiming to know the reason for the celestial phenomena.
Lord Ye, surprised to hear that Jing Ci, whom he believed to be gravely ill, had recovered, granted him entry. Upon entering, Jing Ci deliberately addressed Lord Ye as "Lord Ye" instead of "Your Majesty," enraging him. Qiao Li immediately ordered Jing Ci's arrest for disrespecting the emperor. Jing Ci halted them, challenging Lord Ye to reflect on his actions given the ominous signs.
Lord Ye, furious, accused Jing Ci of growing too arrogant after being spared, and of courting death in front of the senior ministers. Jing Ci countered that before these officials, he intended to clarify certain matters to reveal the truth to the world and deliver justice for the late emperor. Lord Ye dismissed this as nonsense.
Jing Ci then stated that Lord Ye claimed to have ascended the throne by the late emperor's will, but Jing Ci possessed another instruction written by the late emperor before his death, which contradicted Lord Ye's claims. Lord Ye vehemently denied it, asserting that he was by the late emperor's side and saw no such instruction. Jing Ci explained that Lord Ye would naturally deny the instruction because he had held the late emperor captive.
He revealed that Lord Ye manipulated the Dragon and Tiger Army and dispatched Feng Ting to attack Jianzhang Hall. The late emperor, weakened by age, was defeated and confined. Subsequently, Madam Yuan and Prince Bo, who were also in the royal palace, fell into Lord Ye's hands.
Jing Ci further exposed Lord Ye's overconfidence, revealing that Prince Bo, who witnessed Lord Ye's evil deeds, had been rescued and was recuperating, soon to return to the palace to seek justice for himself and the late emperor. Enraged, Lord Ye ordered Jing Ci to be seized and flogged to death. However, no one moved to obey.
Lord Qing, followed by other ministers like Zhao Yan, intervened, urging Lord Ye to allow Duke Duan to finish, citing the grave importance of the late emperor's death. Lord Qing even offered to personally hack Jing Ci to pieces if his accusations were proven false. Jing Ci explained that the late emperor, a hero who expanded the Yong State's territory, was tragically confined by his own son. In his fury and grief, the emperor coughed blood and fell gravely ill.
Before his death, he wrote his final decree in his own blood, using his hand as a brush and blood as ink. Jing Ci further narrated that Fu Xiaohan had attempted to rescue the late emperor, but by the time she managed to sneak in, it was too late; the emperor had already passed away. She found scattered pieces of paper smeared with incomplete words. Not understanding their meaning, she collected them and entrusted them to Jing Ci.
It took Jing Ci a considerable amount of time to piece together the fragments and decipher the words. He then presented the reconstructed decree, which clearly read: "Lord Ye betrayed me." The assembled ministers confirmed it was indeed the late emperor's handwriting. Lord Ye immediately accused Jing Ci of forging the handwriting to slander him, arguing that imitating handwriting was easy, and ordered Jing Ci's execution. Again, the imperial guards remained motionless.
Zhao Yan then revealed that Han Qing, the commander of the Dragon and Tiger Army, had been apprehended by Lord Qing's subordinates for a public disturbance in a brothel. Consequently, the Dragon and Tiger Army in the palace was without a leader, and the guards currently present were, in fact, Longxiang Army soldiers in disguise. Lord Ye, realizing their premeditation, accused them of blatant treason and attempting to murder him.
He declared the court dismissed and vowed to settle accounts another day, attempting to leave with his personal guards. However, the Longxiang Army soldiers blocked their path. Suddenly, Feng Ting seized Lord Qing, holding a knife to his throat, demanding the Longxiang Army make way for Lord Ye. Jing Ci subtly signaled the Longxiang Army to comply and urged Lord Ye to release Lord Qing.
Lord Ye scoffed at Jing Ci's apparent concern, accusing him of using Lord Qing as a pawn to usurp the throne. He questioned whether Jing Ci truly wanted Lord Qing released or dead, and challenged Jing Ci to take Lord Qing's place as a hostage if he truly had no ulterior motives. Jing Ci agreed without hesitation, walking calmly towards Feng Ting, who then released Lord Qing and grabbed Jing Ci.
Meanwhile, Qiao Li discreetly slipped out of the hall and fired a signal flare into the sky, revealing Lord Ye's pre-arranged elite troops stationed outside the palace, poised to come to his rescue upon receiving the signal. Shortly after, the sounds of fierce battle erupted outside the hall. A soldier reported to Lord Qing that imperial guards had broken through the palace gate and stormed into the royal palace.
Lord Ye, believing victory was his, triumphantly declared Jing Ci had lost and mocked his hopes for a rescue. Qiao Li ran down the steps, desperately shouting for imperial guards to rescue the emperor. Suddenly, a guard next to him was struck by an arrow and fell. Qiao Li looked up in shock to see Yuan Qinhe (Feng Mianwan) on horseback, who then shot him through the heart, avenging Xiao Lu. Behind her rode Mu Beiyan, leading troops from Weizhou.
Another report reached Lord Qing: Prince He had intercepted the imperial guards attempting to enter the palace and was now leading his own troops inside. Lord Ye was utterly shocked, exclaiming that Mu Beiyan was supposed to be dead and questioning where they had acquired such an army.
Jing Ci explained that the troops were from Weizhou, having successfully escaped by jumping off the cliff and then making their way to Weizhou, a plan orchestrated by Jing Ci himself through a message he sent. Jing Ci further revealed that Lord Ye's many evil deeds had alienated even the city's defense generals, who willingly allowed the Weizhou troops to enter. Lord Qing urged Lord Ye to repent, but Lord Ye defiantly refused, calling them all losers.
He declared that even in defeat, he had achieved his ambitions and reached the highest position, proclaiming that his end would be his own decision. Realizing that all was lost, Lord Ye used his sword to take his own life. Following his death, the assembled ministers, along with Jing Ci, Mu Beiyan, and Yuan Qinhe, all knelt and respectfully requested Lord Qing to ascend the throne.
In the aftermath, Mu Beiyan acknowledged his father's revenge was achieved, and Yuan Qinhe spoke of her mother's revenge. Lord Qing, though deeply affected by the betrayals and violence, stated that his father's revenge was also accomplished. Jing Ci reflected on the late emperor, lamenting that he had always yearned to call him "father" but never found the words, always believing there would be more time for them to bond.
He remembered the emperor's past words urging him to prioritize his health for the sake of his loved ones. Yuan Qinhe and Mu Beiyan offered comforting words, expressing hope that their loved ones in Heaven would wish for their peace and happiness. Later, Jing Ci received a letter from Yuan Qingli, confirming that she had interrogated Yanrong and uncovered the truth about past events, just as Jing Ci had predicted. Jing Ci then asked Yuan Qinhe to make him a new embroidered pouch, playfully teasing her about whether her embroidered mandarin ducks would resemble real ducks.
