Unique Lady Season 3 Episode 20 Recap
> Unique Lady Season 3 Recap
Lin Luojing and Xi Que watched the clouds drift across the sky. Lin Luojing asked Xi Que what she thought the clouds resembled. Xi Que guessed a bunny and then a little tiger cub, but Lin Luojing, lost in thought, declared they looked like Zhong Wumei, specifically his back. Suddenly, Lin Luojing grew sorrowful as she remembered Yu.
Xi Que comforted her, saying that Yu had chosen her own path and had no choice but to go against them, suggesting it might even be a relief for her. Lin Luojing confirmed she was fine, just briefly lost in thought. A messenger arrived with letters. Xi Que received a letter from Zhang Ji, which contained a drawing of two chicks, making her smile.
Lin Luojing read a letter from Zhong Wumei that mentioned heavy rain and expressed how much he missed her. Puzzled by the mention of rain, Lin Luojing asked Xi Que when it had rained heavily. Xi Que replied it was the day before yesterday, noting that the letter only just arrived. Lin Luojing exclaimed that this was hardly fast enough for lovesick individuals who cannot wait even a second.
She lamented the underdeveloped communication in ancient times, longing for instant replies like those offered by modern apps. Determined to improve communication speed, Lin Luojing decided to find a solution. Lin Luojing gathered a group of people, announcing the establishment of the Shunshui Squad.
She declared that everyone present was an elite of Sheng Jing, a founder of dreams and a porter of hope, and that their mission was to make information flow in Sheng Jing faster and stronger, aiming for instant replies. Soon, Zhong Wumei received a letter from Lin Luojing sent that very morning, surprised by its rapid delivery.
Zhang Ji explained that Lin Luojing had founded the Shunshui Squad at Saltyshrimp, employing dedicated messengers who could deliver letters the same day, a task that previously took two or three days. This initiative, he noted, had enhanced the efficiency of the entire city. Zhong Wumei praised his consort's novel ideas and urged Zhang Ji that they should not be outdone.
Lin Luojing saw a heart-shaped kite flying in the sky from the direction of the Palace, which Xi Que believed Zhong Wumei had arranged as a romantic gesture. Lin Luojing explained it was their "secret code," just as Xi Que and Zhang Ji had their "emojis."
Zhong Wumei, watching the kite, silently wished Lin Luojing had received his secret code, hoping that one day he could give her all the good things in the world, even though she could not be by his side as consort at that moment. The Shunshui Squad proved highly effective, as an elderly woman quickly received a reply from her son.
Lin Luojing explained that as a top student from the 21st century, she established the squad not just for personal reasons, but also to be a supportive wife to Zhong Wumei, who was diligently managing Sheng Jing's affairs. At the market, Lin Luojing overheard merchants discussing improved relations between Qi Yu's Chamber of Commerce and Sheng Jing Chamber of Commerce, and that Prince Qi Yu (Liu Xiuwen) had negotiated for Qi Yu people to trade freely.
She also heard that Prince Qi Yu had been injured. Remembering the black-clad figure who rescued Prince Jing Yuan, Lin Luojing suspected it might have been Liu Xiuwen and that he and Jin Chen were working together. She went to Qi Yu's Palace to see him, but the guards refused her entry, stating the Prince was unwell and not receiving visitors.
Unwilling to be deterred, Lin Luojing and Xi Que disguised themselves as Qi Yu people, speaking loudly and boldly to mask their identities, and successfully entered the palace. Inside, they immediately encountered Liu Xiuwen, who recognized Lin Luojing despite her disguise. Lin Luojing admitted her deception, explaining it was the only way past his guards. Liu Xiuwen offered her Qi Yu black tea as an apology. She told him she had come because she heard he was injured.
Liu Xiuwen denied any injury, claiming he merely had a cold from the heavy workload and had been declining visitors, which had led to the false rumor of an injury. Lin Luojing, while casually conversing and taking a sip of tea, discreetly jabbed him where she suspected an injury might be, but he showed no reaction. Satisfied, she concluded he was indeed not injured and decided to leave, promising to visit another day.
After Lin Luojing departed, Liu Xiuwen confirmed that his wound had not reopened, acknowledging Lin Luojing's cleverness in sneaking in and her growing suspicion of him. He instructed his subordinate to be more cautious and to ensure Jin Chen, who was currently studying the crystal bead and should not leave the palace, remained hidden. Liu Xiuwen decided against leaving Sheng Jing, believing that the most dangerous place was, in fact, the safest.
Meanwhile, at Tian Yi Clique, Jin Chen, addressed as "Master Uncle," was told by his disciple that the Head and other disciples would be happy to see him after his long absence. Jin Chen, however, instructed his disciple not to reveal his return, explaining that he had expended too much spiritual power and planned to retreat for a while.
He sent his disciple back with an item for the Head to explain his whereabouts, then conjured a flower for the disciple, who was overjoyed. Lin Luojing visited Jiang Xuanyu to pick up new clothes for Zhong Wumei, explaining that Jiang Xuanyu, having known Zhong Wumei for over a decade, understood his preferences better than palace embroiderers. She found Jiang Xuanyu at the market, trying to pick a birthday gift for Tang Meng.
He enlisted Lin Luojing's help, and she advised him on a pair of bracelets symbolizing marital harmony, even joking about getting a similar pair for herself and Zhong Wumei. Unbeknownst to them, Tang Meng and her servant witnessed this interaction. The servant, fueled by rumors that Zhong Wumei had "abandoned" Lin Luojing by not bringing her into the palace, suggested Lin Luojing was now targeting Jiang Xuanyu.
Jiang Xuanyu invited Lin Luojing to a banquet hosted by Liu Xiuwen for the Sheng Jing Chamber of Commerce, hoping her presence would help restore his family's status after the opium incident. Lin Luojing agreed, noting that Zhong Wumei was often jealous of Prince Qi Yu and, as Prince Regent, might not attend. Later, Tang Meng brought lotus porridge to Jiang Xuanyu, who hastily hid the bracelets he had bought.
Tang Meng, observing his secretive behavior, concluded he was hiding something he bought with Lin Luojing. Jiang Xuanyu then invited Tang Meng to the banquet, mentioning Lin Luojing would also be there, suggesting they could go together. He explained that Zhong Wumei, known as the "King of Jealousy in Sheng Jing," would likely not attend.
Tang Meng's servant further agitated her, reminding her that despite their arranged marriage, she and Jiang Xuanyu had not yet had a wedding or consummated their union due to mourning. She also recalled how Yu had openly ridiculed Tang Meng in the past. Tang Meng then remembered Lin Luojing's promise not to reveal the opium incident, and suspected Lin Luojing had deliberately allowed Yu to mock her, viewing it as a malicious act.
Convinced of Lin Luojing's ill intentions, Tang Meng vowed to ensure Lin Luojing would have no place left in Sheng Jing. As the banquet began at Qi Yu's Palace, Tang Meng arrived. She had deliberately arranged for a warehouse fire in the north of the city to lure Jiang Xuanyu away, so she could attend the banquet alone and execute her plan against Lin Luojing.
Jiang Xuanyu, unaware of her true intentions, had instructed Tang Meng to proceed to the banquet, promising to join her later. Inside, Liu Xiuwen toasted the Sheng Jing Chamber of Commerce, expressing gratitude for their tolerance towards Qi Yu's Chamber of Commerce and wishing for future prosperity between the two regions. Lin Luojing, present at the banquet, still harbored suspicions about Liu Xiuwen and wondered if Jin Chen was hidden within the palace walls.
She questioned the logic of Liu Xiuwen hosting such a large banquet if Jin Chen was indeed present, fearing exposure. Meanwhile, Zhong Wumei, back at his palace, feigned diligence over memorials but was clearly worried about Lin Luojing. Zhang Ji suggested he could openly attend the banquet if he was concerned. Zhong Wumei, still stubborn, declared he would never attend Liu Xiuwen's banquet.
