The Love Lasts Two Minds Episode 36 (Ending) Recap
> The Love Lasts Two Minds Recap
Amidst falling snow, Jing Ci and Yuan were in the cozy Palace of Duke Duan. Yuan teasingly complained that Jing Ci gave her nothing but still wanted her to embroider a pouch. Jing Ci, with a smile, declared that he himself belonged to her, and naturally, everything in his mansion was hers. He playfully asked what he could offer her in exchange, prompting Yuan to laugh. Seeing her radiant smile, Jing Ci leaned in for a kiss.
Their tender moment was interrupted by the arrival of Princess Changle and Zhao Yan. Jing Ci inquired about their urgent visit. Princess Changle announced that due to Zhao Yan's indispensable contributions to the Third Prince's succession, the new Emperor had inquired about a reward. She had seized the opportunity to request a marriage bestowal for Zhao Yan, proudly proclaiming that she herself would be his bride.
Yuan and Jing Ci shared a laugh at her exuberance, with Jing Ci promising to treat Zhao Yan to drinks soon. Just then, Mu Beiyan walked in. He candidly remarked that Yuan frequently visited Jing Ci's mansion, and seeing their affection, he decided to cancel his engagement with Yuan, presenting the betrothal letters they had exchanged. Jing Ci, initially reserved, softened his demeanor. He offered Mu Beiyan a cup of hot tea to ward off the cold.
Mu Beiyan, however, quipped that tea couldn't warm a cold heart. Jing Ci then offered a bowl of chicken soup, to which Mu Beiyan jokingly requested an entire table full of Jing Ci's renowned cooking, a request Jing Ci readily agreed to. Their lighthearted conversation abruptly ended when a messenger arrived, urgently summoning Jing Ci and Zhao Yan to the palace. Lord Zhao had launched an invasion. The news shocked everyone.
At the Imperial Palace, the new Emperor informed them that Lord Zhao had taken advantage of Yong State's recent internal unrest, rapidly capturing several border cities, and was now stationed in Xiangzhou. Mu Beiyan immediately volunteered to lead the troops, offering to follow in his father's footsteps. While the Emperor was appreciative, he expressed concern that his recent ascension meant the loyalty of various military factions was still uncertain.
Jing Ci then stepped forward, offering to go to Xiangzhou to meet Lord Zhao. Yuan questioned his intention, asking if he planned to persuade Lord Zhao to withdraw, deeming it impossible. Jing Ci confidently stated that nothing was impossible, as he had lived with Lord Zhao for over twenty years and understood his priorities.
The Emperor worried about the risk of Jing Ci directly confronting Lord Zhao, suggesting that war might be the only option if negotiation failed, believing Yong's united forces could prevail. However, Jing Ci stressed that the common people needed time to recover from previous conflicts, and the Emperor needed stability, making another large-scale war unbearable. He vowed to do everything in his power to avert the conflict, and after some hesitation, the Emperor agreed.
Distraught, Yuan excused herself due to feeling unwell, and the Emperor urged Jing Ci to follow her. Later, Yuan expressed her profound fear of Lord Zhao, reminding Jing Ci that despite being his foster father, Lord Zhao was not a benevolent ruler. Jing Ci revealed that he had dispatched A'heng to Ji State to find Yuan Qingli and investigate the matter. Qingli had interrogated Yanrong, a maid who had served Feng Mianwan.
It was discovered that Yanrong was a double agent, working for both Lord Zhao and Lord Ye. Jing Ci recalled that during Feng Mianwan's wedding procession, he drank medicinal liquor, which reacted with his regular medicine, causing him to hallucinate and be easily subdued. He dimly remembered seeing a red hand string on his attacker, and later confirmed it was Yanrong who severed his tendons. Xiaoyu and Jiang Tan also wore similar red hand strings.
Yuan wondered why Lord Zhao would harm Jing Ci. Jing Ci explained Lord Zhao's boundless ambition and his dissatisfaction with merely ruling a small territory. When Jing Ci arrived in Yong State, Lord Zhao mistakenly believed he intended to reunite with his biological father and return to Yong State, thus becoming a significant threat to his ambitions, leading him to attempt to eliminate Jing Ci.
Yuan then realized that Jing Ci's initial journey to Yong State was for her sake, to consult with Qingli about swapping identities to avoid the forced marriage to Li Yuan. Jing Ci affirmed that even if it wasn't for her, he would not permit Lord Zhao to instigate another war for his selfish desires. He produced a jade pendant, a relic from his mother, explaining that Lord Zhao had sent it to him shortly after he arrived in Qinhe.
He wore it constantly, unknowingly suffering from the potent poison Lord Zhao had hidden within his mother's keepsake. Enraged, Yuan exclaimed at Lord Zhao's cruelty, repeatedly harming Jing Ci, the son of his own cousin. Jing Ci clarified that Lord Zhao's true victims would be the innocent people of both Yong and Zhaozhou, who would suffer immensely in another war. He then asked Yuan if he should still proceed to Xiangzhou.
Yuan, understanding the gravity of the situation, agreed that he should go, adding that she too could contribute to their cause. Jing Ci, accompanied by two veiled women dressed in white, arrived in Xiangzhou to meet Lord Zhao. Lord Zhao, acknowledging Jing Ci's presence, suggested a game of chess. Jing Ci respectfully accepted. As they played, Lord Zhao remarked on Jing Ci's formal address, "Lord Zhao," instead of "Father," indicating a strained relationship.
Jing Ci responded that he never forgot their past, but Lord Zhao's recent actions were truly unforgettable. Pressed for specifics, Jing Ci recounted Lord Zhao's various acts of betrayal: the poisoned wine given to Feng Mianwan, Yanrong's act of severing his tendons, and the poisoned jade pendant inherited from his mother. Lord Zhao, startled but impressed, praised Jing Ci's intellect for uncovering his schemes, acknowledging him as his own pupil.
Jing Ci then exposed Lord Zhao's manipulation of Lord Ye, who, despite his insecurities and lack of ambition, was secretly incited by Lord Zhao to pursue power, ultimately leading to Emperor Yong's death. He further revealed that Qiao Li, Lord Ye's trusted aide, was also Lord Zhao's pawn, facilitating Lord Zhao's grand plan.
Jing Ci meticulously laid out Lord Zhao's intricate strategy: fostering chaos in Yong State by sending Princess Zesheng to stir up royal disputes, thereby creating an opportunity for him to invade and annex Yong State. Lord Zhao, listening intently, inferred that Jing Ci had already devised a counter-strategy.
Jing Ci then revealed his "unexpected forces": the Jiangbei Camp army, now led by Mu Beiyan, and the combined forces of General Yang Shihou and Lord Bo, who had rallied to support the new Emperor. Lord Zhao scoffed at the idea of Mu Beiyan, a "young dandy," being a key force, and dismissed Yang Shihou's forces as insignificant.
He then boasted of his own "unexpected move," challenging Jing Ci to predict it, stating that if he failed, Yong State would be doomed. Jing Ci calmly replied that he didn't need to break that move, as someone else had already done so. At that moment, the woman to Jing Ci's right lifted her veil, revealing herself to be Yuan Qingli.
She smiled, confirming that Lord Zhao's plan to ally with Ji State to attack Yong had failed, and introduced herself as "Mrs. Li." Lord Zhao, mistaking her for Feng Mianwan, asked if he should now call her Yuan. Yuan Qingli clarified that she was Feng Mianwan by circumstance, but preferred to be called Mrs. Li. Jing Ci commented that sending Feng Mianwan for marriage was Lord Zhao's gravest miscalculation.
The woman to Jing Ci's left then unveiled herself, revealing the true Feng Mianwan, identical to Yuan Qingli. Lord Zhao was stunned. Yuan Qingli expressed gratitude for Lord Zhao's arranged marriage, which inadvertently legitimized her union with General Li. Feng Mianwan, in turn, acknowledged that despite the suffering Lord Zhao inflicted on her and Jing Ci, his actions had unwittingly facilitated her sister's marriage.
Lord Zhao finally realized that Feng Mianwan had sought Yuan Qingli's assistance, but he dismissed the notion that Li Yuan would be swayed by a woman's "pillow talk" to betray their grand scheme. Jing Ci countered that the alliance between Lord Zhao and Ji State was a private agreement, unbeknownst to General Li. Suddenly, a subordinate rushed in, reporting beacon fires along Zhaozhou's border. Lord Zhao was aghast, realizing that General Li had indeed been persuaded to attack Zhaozhou.
Yuan Qingli clarified that General Li was a wise man who saw through Lord Zhao's true intentions. He understood that Ji State would risk annihilation, potentially by Yan State, if they depleted their forces attacking Yong only for Zhaozhou to absorb it. Jing Ci reinforced this, highlighting Yong State's mobilized defenses and the potential combined military strength of Yong and Ji against Zhaozhou.
He urged Lord Zhao to reconsider, appealing to his wisdom not to risk his entire nation for a single-minded ambition. Lord Zhao, fuming, conceded defeat for the time being, but ominously declared that his twenty years of planning would not be wasted, and he would seek retribution. Jing Ci calmly remarked that Lord Zhao's continued rivalry would only serve to motivate the new Emperor of Yong State to rule diligently and prosperously.
With a final, reluctant command, Lord Zhao ordered his troops to withdraw. Jing Ci bid his former foster father farewell. Afterward, Feng Mianwan and Yuan Qingli shared a heartfelt farewell. Yuan Qingli expressed lingering guilt over her complicated past life inadvertently burdening her sister, but Feng Mianwan reassured her, stating that both she and Jing Ci were well. Yuan Qingli inquired about their future plans. Feng Mianwan revealed they would not return to the capital.
Doctor Zuo, Jing Ci's physician, had advised a life of tranquility, free from worldly burdens, living amidst mountains and rivers, for Jing Ci's delicate health. Feng Mianwan expressed her desire to live out their lives together, growing old with Jing Ci. Yuan Qingli offered her blessings, encouraging them to leave the affairs of the court to the new emperor. She asked Jing Ci to care for her sister and extended an invitation for them to visit Ji State.
With a final embrace, Yuan Qingli boarded her carriage and departed for Ji State. Later, Feng Mianwan and Jing Ci walked beside a tranquil lake. Feng Mianwan reflected that perhaps their destiny was sealed the day Jing Ci rescued her and decided to raise her. Jing Ci thanked her for continuing to love him, even after she had lost her memories due to the medicine. Feng Mianwan, looking into his eyes, promised that even in the next life, she would remember to love him still. Jing Ci embraced her tightly, sealing their lifelong vow.
