Unique Lady Season 3 Episode 16 Recap
> Unique Lady Season 3 Recap
Zhong Wumei, upon hearing of Lin Luojing's return, quickly struck a pose he thought was dashing. However, Lin Luojing ignored him and walked past, making him chase after her. He asked where she had been and why she returned so late, to which she retorted, "Would you care?" As Zhong Wumei tried to grab Lin Luojing's hand, Ye Chen Xi intervened, holding a box and asking him why she couldn't open it.
Seeing Ye Chen Xi still in the mansion, Lin Luojing angrily demanded an explanation for her continued presence. Ye Chen Xi began to assert her claim to the place, but Zhong Wumei quickly interrupted her, explaining that Ye Chen Xi was a guest with important matters to discuss with him, necessitating her temporary stay. Lin Luojing then sarcastically questioned what urgent business required a late-night discussion.
Ye Chen Xi then escalated the situation by pointing out that Lin Luojing was wearing a bracelet given by Hua Yingchi. Lin Luojing openly confirmed it was indeed a gift from him, asking if Ye Chen Xi had a problem with it, while Ye Chen Xi criticized her for wearing such a gift as the Consort, especially when Hua Yingchi was her most admired Master.
Zhong Wumei, his face reddening, questioned Lin Luojing about wearing gifts from other men, already having Liu Xiuwen and now Hua Yingchi, asking where that left his reputation. Lin Luojing retorted that he only cared about his own reputation and accused him of hiding his relationship with Ye Chen Xi.
She then brought up the topic of a precious crystal bead belonging to the Zhong family, questioning why everyone else knew about it except her, and whether he truly considered her his wife. Both Zhong Wumei and Ye Chen Xi were startled by this revelation. Zhong Wumei demanded to know how she knew about the crystal bead, confirming its existence with his reaction. Feeling insignificant, Lin Luojing walked away, stating she was tired and going to sleep.
Afterward, Ye Chen Xi quietly wondered if she had said something wrong again. The next day, Lin Luojing went alone to give a lesson to the Qi Yu people, declining Xi Que's offer to accompany her. Meanwhile, Ye Chen Xi decided to follow Lin Luojing, having grown suspicious after Lin Luojing mentioned the crystal bead and frequently left the mansion. Ye Chen Xi quickly lost sight of Lin Luojing in the street.
Drawn by a vendor selling paper lanterns, she stopped to admire one. The vendor handed her a damaged lantern, which then broke when he let go before she could properly grasp it. He immediately accused her of breaking it and demanded payment, trying to swindle her. When the argument escalated, Ye Chen Xi drew her sword. Just then, Lin Luojing arrived and intervened. Lin Luojing observed the lantern's smooth fracture, indicating it was broken long ago.
She chastised the vendor for his dishonest business practices, reminding him that she taught them to use their brains for honest business, not deceit, and warned she would stop teaching them if it continued. The vendor quickly apologized to Lin Luojing and then to Ye Chen Xi, pleading for forgiveness and hoping to continue attending classes. Ye Chen Xi, surprised, asked Lin Luojing if she was helping her, given Lin Luojing's previous dislike.
Lin Luojing responded that while she disliked Ye Chen Xi, it wasn't her style to abandon someone in the right. Ye Chen Xi reflected on the incident, realizing that Lin Luojing was not the scheming and flirtatious woman described in rumors, who was rumored to be intimately involved with Liu Xiuwen, but rather someone who helped her despite past hostility.
Lin Luojing then scolded Ye Chen Xi, calling her out for interfering in other people's relationships and slandering girls, labeling it "princess syndrome." Ye Chen Xi, surprisingly, was deeply moved by Lin Luojing's righteous outburst. She explained that since her parents' deaths, only her brother, Zhong Wumei, had scolded her so sincerely in her childhood, making Lin Luojing the fourth person to do so, which felt "intimate and warm."
Lin Luojing, surprised to hear Zhong Wumei referred to as her brother, realized Ye Chen Xi's true identity. Ye Chen Xi, whose real name is Zhong Ziyun, confirmed she is the youngest princess, sent to the Tian Yi Clique for cultivation due to her mischievous nature and using "Ye Chen Xi" to conceal her identity. Zhong Ziyun asked Lin Luojing not to reveal her identity.
Lin Luojing then wondered why Zhong Wumei would let her misunderstand the situation rather than reveal his sister's true identity. Zhong Ziyun suggested he might have wanted to make Lin Luojing jealous so she would value him more. Zhong Ziyun then apologized for her past interference and urged Lin Luojing to reconcile with her brother, emphasizing their mutual affection.
Lin Luojing admitted she didn't want the stalemate either but found Zhong Wumei's arrogant, domineering, and inconsiderate nature difficult to deal with, vowing not to forgive him easily. Lin Luojing asked Zhong Ziyun about Hua Yingchi, whom Zhong Ziyun called "Master" or martial uncle/master. Zhong Ziyun explained that Hua Yingchi's cultivation was high, his whereabouts unknown, and she hadn't seen him in a long time.
Lin Luojing mentioned that Hua Yingchi was very important to her and had helped her a lot, asking if Zhong Ziyun knew his current location. Zhong Ziyun initially believed he was no longer alive, but then corrected herself. She clarified that every Tian Yi Clique disciple has a spirit lamp to guard their soul, and as long as the lamp remains lit, the soul persists. She confirmed that Hua Yingchi's lamp was still burning, meaning he was alive.
Relieved, Lin Luojing recalled a man who had saved her on the street and suspected it was him. As newfound friends, Zhong Ziyun asked Lin Luojing to help her find Hua Yingchi, as she had rushed to Sheng Jing upon hearing he might be there and couldn't return empty-handed. Lin Luojing agreed, and they began discussing possible locations using a map.
Meanwhile, Zhong Wumei lamented Lin Luojing's absence for three nights, missing her deeply and wondering if she no longer cared for him. Lin Luojing, still in the side room, refused to return until Zhong Wumei apologized for his domineering behavior. Zhang Ji and Xi Que, observing their masters' stubbornness, decided to act as matchmakers.
Zhang Ji advised Zhong Wumei to prioritize Lin Luojing over his dignity, citing lessons from Xi Que's romance novels, emphasizing that in a marital dispute, winning or losing is not important. Zhong Wumei, realizing his error, pondered how to approach Lin Luojing, feeling he couldn't be worse than the "wooden" Zhang Ji. Simultaneously, Xi Que advised Lin Luojing that men become difficult when jealous, and Zhong Wumei's childish outbursts only showed his deep care for her and their future.
Lin Luojing then acknowledged her own fault in not considering his feelings, reflecting on how she had met Liu Xiuwen, someone from the opposing faction, shortly after Zhong Wumei helped her secure the position of Consort, admitting her fault in provoking his jealousy and doubting his love. Both masters, reflecting on the wisdom of mutual understanding and trust in marriage, realized they were ready to reconcile but lacked a way to break the ice.
Zhong Ziyun, overhearing their predicament, devised a plan. She presented Zhong Wumei with a plate of sushi, hinting that Lin Luojing had made it. Believing it was from Lin Luojing, Zhong Wumei's spirits lifted. At the same time, Xi Que informed Lin Luojing that Zhong Wumei had prepared an apologetic dinner for her. The two then met, and Zhong Wumei expressed how much he missed her.
Lin Luojing questioned why it took him so long, to which he earnestly declared he thought of her constantly and forbade her from ignoring him again. Both quickly apologized for their roles in the argument: Zhong Wumei for his harsh words, and Lin Luojing for doubting his love and not considering his feelings, admitting her fault in provoking his jealousy. Zhong Wumei revealed his jealousy stemmed from a fear of losing her and feeling inadequate in her presence.
After their reconciliation, Lin Luojing brought up the crystal bead again, and Zhong Wumei confirmed its existence as a precious item guarded by his family, but emphasized its highly sensitive nature, known to few, and chose not to elaborate further unless absolutely necessary. Lin Luojing, considering the risks and her own limited knowledge, opted not to know more.
Zhong Wumei then enthusiastically offered her more of the sushi he claimed to have made himself, despite its dubious taste, and vowed to make it for her every day, which Lin Luojing diplomatically declined due to concerns about a balanced diet and his effort. Before attending a banquet at Linjiang Tower, a servant reported to Zhong Wumei that there were new clues in the opium case Lin Luojing had asked to be investigated.
At the banquet, Zhong Wumei and Lin Luojing were present as guests from the Sheng Jing Chamber of Commerce, alongside Qi Yu's Chamber of Commerce. Prince Qi Yu and Zhong Wumei exchanged thinly veiled taunts regarding their past competition, with Zhong Wumei specifically mocking Prince Qi Yu for failing to secure the Chairman position. Lin Luojing tried to ease the tension, suggesting they enjoy the evening rather than discuss serious matters, reminding them they were old acquaintances.
Jiang Xuanyu arrived late and conversed with a woman named Yi Yi, while Zhong Wumei complained about his tardiness. Lin Luojing playfully chided Zhong Wumei not to compete with Jiang Xuanyu, while he, in turn, asked her to spend the evening by his side. Yi Yi and Jiang Xuanyu discussed their past, with Yi Yi mentioning she used to live only for one person and was now content to be by his side. Suddenly, Zhong Ziyun arrived to bid farewell.
She enthusiastically told Lin Luojing that she had finally learned of Hua Yingchi's whereabouts and, as his number one fan, was leaving immediately to find him. She promised to bring him back to meet Lin Luojing once found. Zhong Ziyun then gave Lin Luojing a red handkerchief, a gift from her mother, instructing her to be a good sister-in-law and speak highly of her to Hua Yingchi, which Lin Luojing readily agreed to.
Both Lin Luojing and Zhong Ziyun, engrossed in their conversation about Hua Yingchi, largely ignored Zhong Wumei. He, feeling left out, humorously questioned their sudden camaraderie after their previous conflicts, calling them "chicken and dog" in their past fights. Zhong Ziyun instructed Zhong Wumei to take good care of Lin Luojing and to keep her return to Sheng Jing a secret from their royal brother, as she intended to continue her adventures "wandering the world with my sword."
She bid them farewell, proclaiming, "Green hills do not change, green water always flows. Until next time!" After her departure, Zhong Wumei mused on his sister's carefree life, acknowledging that their father's decision to send her for cultivation had "hardly worked," yet her freedom was a luxury for a member of the Zhong family.
He then became sentimental, confiding in Lin Luojing that it was his mother's birthday, which he believed only he remembered, and expressed his gratitude for Lin Luojing's companionship, finding comfort in her. As fireworks lit up the sky, Lin Luojing assured him that his mother was watching him from heaven and would be proud of his efforts for Sheng Jing.
Later, while Lin Luojing was complimenting Tang Meng on the success of her "Thirteen Moons" clothing shop, Xiaolan loudly revealed shocking information. She claimed that Tang Meng had poisoned Jiang Xuanyu with opium during a past competition. Xiaolan, now a top performer at Wen Xiang Lou with access to high-level intelligence, further disclosed that Tang Meng's father, Master Tang, had conspired with the former grand chancellor in a plot against Sheng Jing.
