Unique Lady Season 3 Episode 22 Recap
> Unique Lady Season 3 Recap
Lin Luojing and Xi Que ventured into nearby farmlands, gathering a large basket of fresh vegetables and fruits. Xi Que questioned if the produce had an owner, but Lin Luojing assured her they had left money, explaining that country vegetables were far fresher than those in town. She also expressed her enjoyment of the "farm visit" experience, finding it exciting and a way to avoid boredom.
Their playful foraging was cut short by the sound of a dog barking, prompting them to quickly flee. Later, while sharing their roasted bounty with Jiang Xuanyu, he commented on how delicious it was. Lin Luojing voiced her concerns about Zhong Wumei, who was undoubtedly busy with many matters. Jiang Xuanyu, however, reassured her that Zhong Wumei was wise and decisive and would handle everything competently.
He advised Lin Luojing that her best course of action was to remain calm and well-fed, ensuring Zhong Wumei had no worries about her. Lin Luojing agreed, choosing to enjoy herself rather than succumb to anxiety. She also tried to activate a crystal bead by crying, but failed. She decided to continue her efforts throughout the full moon night, believing she could succeed.
Meanwhile, Jin Chen held Hua Yingyun captive in a dungeon, bound by an Immortal Rope, which he explained was unbreakable. Jin Chen greeted her as an important guest and revealed that his ancestors were masters of the Tian Yi Clique. Hua Yingyun immediately defended the honor of her sect's master, but Jin Chen clarified that his clan had long disowned that "treacherous fellow." She demanded to know his purpose for imprisoning her.
Jin Chen claimed he merely sought her wisdom, justifying the use of the rope by her formidable cultivation. He then produced a crystal bead, which shocked Hua Yingyun, who questioned how he obtained it. Jin Chen stated it was an ancestral gift but admitted his inability to activate it, asking for her guidance.
Hua Yingyun asserted that the crystal bead was a profound secret of the Tian Yi Clique, unknown even to her as the Head, or to Elder Hua Yingchi. Jin Chen recounted a past event from a century ago, when Hua Yingyun allegedly stole Hua Ying Xue's crystal bead, breaking an enchantment, and causing Hua Yingchi to be punished.
Hua Yingyun defiantly refused to reveal any information, stating she would die before betraying her sect and that a new Head would simply replace her. Jin Chen, acknowledging her strong will, left her. Soon after, Liu Xiuwen arrived and found Jin Chen still attempting to activate the crystal bead. Liu Xiuwen immediately noticed that the ancient book Jin Chen was consulting was a mere fragment, missing a crucial page containing the "approach to initiate it."
He chastised Jin Chen for his carelessness and granted him a few more days, threatening to reclaim the bead if no solution was found. Jin Chen then suggested that since Hua Yingyun proved unhelpful, their efforts should focus on Zhong Wumei, whose weakness was Lin Luojing.
Jin Chen further revealed that he was responsible for poisoning the Sheng Jing River downstream, which was affecting Qi Yu Village, but deliberately misled Liu Xiuwen into believing it was the work of Zhong Wumei, his forgotten enemy, hoping to rekindle Liu Xiuwen's drive for vengeance. Zhang Ji reported to Zhong Wumei about growing unrest in Qi Yu Village, stemming from both the river's interruption and the poisoning of its downstream section.
Recognizing the severity of the situation, Zhong Wumei decided to personally investigate. Shortly thereafter, Zhong Ziyun arrived, having returned to Sheng Jing due to widespread rumors about Zhong Wumei's alleged philandering and his banishment of Lin Luojing. Zhong Wumei clarified that their public estrangement was merely a staged act with Lin Luojing.
Examining Zhong Ziyun's crystal bead, Zhong Wumei realized it had been covertly replaced during the recent sacrificial ceremony, which directly correlated with the interruption of the Sheng Jing River. Zhong Ziyun also informed him that the Head of Tian Yi Clique, Hua Yingyun, was missing. Zhong Wumei deduced that their enemies were targeting the crystal bead to activate it.
Zhong Ziyun expressed guilt over the bead's loss, but Zhong Wumei reassured her, explaining that Liu Xiuwen, the masked individual responsible for the bead swap, was highly skilled in martial arts and assassination, making it difficult for anyone to detect his actions. Zhong Wumei emphasized that as the princess and the chosen guardian of the sacred artifact, she now had to embrace her responsibility to resolve the crisis.
Their immediate plan was to locate Hua Yingchi, rescue Hua Yingyun, and then devise a method to recover the crystal bead. Zhong Ziyun informed him that Hua Yingchi was in closed-door cultivation within Huan Hua Wonderland, protected by an impenetrable enchantment. Zhong Wumei tasked her with finding a way to breach the enchantment, to which she pledged her utmost effort.
They decided to divide their tasks: Zhong Ziyun would search for Hua Yingchi, while Zhong Wumei would tackle the issues of the river's interruption and the poisoning. Separately, a masked Jin Chen entered Jiang Xuanyu's mansion, playing the zither to draw out Tang Meng. He told her that Jiang Xuanyu was with Lin Luojing, subtly implying a romantic entanglement and questioning Zhong Wumei's calm demeanor in the face of their disappearance. Tang Meng, skeptical, asked his true purpose.
Jin Chen asserted his enmity towards the Zhong family and his need for Jiang Xuanyu's whereabouts to find Lin Luojing, framing it as a shared cause against common enemies. Tang Meng recounted how he previously manipulated her to expose Lin Luojing, which only led to her humiliation and failed to win Jiang Xuanyu's affection.
Jin Chen conceded that their past attempt was flawed but reiterated that their shared hatred for Lin Luojing and his conflict with the Zhong family meant they should collaborate. When Tang Meng resisted, Jin Chen resorted to threats, revealing his knowledge of her past misdeeds: her attempt to trap Lin Luojing and Liu Xiuwen (which inadvertently led to her husband being implicated) and her use of opium to harm Jiang Xuanyu.
He further exposed her father's embezzlement of the salt industry through forged account books, which tragically led to Jiang Xuanyu's father's death. He also revealed that her father had colluded with the former prime minister in attempts to harm Sheng Jing. Jin Chen warned her that Jiang Xuanyu would inevitably discover her family's treachery, and her misdeeds would be exposed. Tang Meng, distraught, denied her father's guilt and insisted Jiang Xuanyu would protect her.
Jin Chen, however, continued to press, reminding her that "bad acts would always be exposed." Distraught, Tang Meng tearfully accused Jin Chen of being a "devil" and causing her current predicament. Jin Chen twisted her words, saying her own "fear and jealousy" drove her actions against Lin Luojing, creating opportunities for him. He suggested that as long as Lin Luojing lived, Tang Meng would be trapped as a "devil." Desperate, Tang Meng agreed that Lin Luojing was the true "devil."
Jin Chen then offered to eliminate Lin Luojing, promising Tang Meng that she could remain Lady Jiang, in exchange for her swiftly finding Jiang Xuanyu and disclosing his location. He assured her that "everything would be settled" once this was done. Meanwhile, Lin Luojing received a letter from Zhang Ji, informing her that Zhong Wumei and his men were heading to Qi Yu Village to investigate the poisoning.
Fearing Zhong Wumei might fall into a trap due to his urgency, Lin Luojing consulted the System, which offered two choices: "A) Inform a former love rival" or "B) Leave here and look for Zhong." Recalling Zhong Wumei's instruction not to leave her current location, she chose A. She first considered Liu Xiuwen but realized he wouldn't help given his current involvement with Qi Yu Village. She then identified Wen Ru Yu as the "former love rival."
Xi Que mentioned that Wen Ru Yu, after leaving Sheng Jing, had traveled to Nan Yan instead of returning to Bei Yu. Lin Luojing saw this as an advantage, as Nan Yan was close to Qi Yu Village. Recognizing that cross-city letters couldn't be sent directly, Lin Luojing thought of Wen Xiang Lou's intelligence network. When Jiang Xuanyu arrived, having received a letter from Zhong Wumei, Lin Luojing asked him to visit Wen Xiang Lou on her behalf.
Upon learning Jiang Xuanyu had gone, Lin Luojing instructed Xi Que to have people follow him and record his movements. In Qi Yu Village, Zhong Wumei and Zhang Ji observed heated arguments between Qi Yu and Sheng Jing villagers by the Ju Xian Canal over water. The once friendly villagers had become hostile due to resource scarcity.
Zhong Wumei reflected on how water, a once limitless resource, had become rare and led to "stockpiling rare items," which he found understandable under the circumstances. He asked Zhang Ji why people would fight so fiercely for things, concluding that when what is "most important and cherished in their lives" is threatened, people would fight to the death.
Zhang Ji noted Zhong Wumei's longing for Lin Luojing, which Zhong Wumei confirmed, stating he would meet Liu Xiuwen again regardless and hoped for a smooth resolution. Continuing their investigation, Zhong Wumei and Zhang Ji found evidence of poisoning along the river. As they entered the village, they encountered an old man desperately pleading for help for his son, Liang, who was suffering from severe symptoms like a pale face, vomiting, and diarrhea, with local remedies proving ineffective.
Zhong Wumei offered horses to transport the boy to a city doctor, but the old man feared Liang wouldn't survive the journey. Zhong Wumei asked when Liang's symptoms began and if he had consumed river water that morning.
The old man confirmed Liang fell ill after breakfast and explained that with the upstream flow cut off, and the village well guarded by the Chamber of Commerce charging unaffordable prices, they were forced to take water from the downstream section of the river. Zhong Wumei concluded that Liang was suffering from poisoning. Lin Luojing, having arrived in the village, applied her medical expertise.
She had prepared a medicine to cure the epidemic, though she cautioned that an overdose or an allergic reaction could cause mild poisoning symptoms such as white foam vomiting and a high fever, though not fatal. To test the medicine and acupuncture points, she needed a volunteer. Zhong Wumei tried to pawn the task off to Zhang Ji, but Lin Luojing, as the Immortal Doctor's favorite pupil, insisted on testing it on Zhong Wumei himself.
A slightly embarrassed Zhong Wumei reluctantly agreed. Lin Luojing applied acupuncture to a crucial acupoint on him, explaining its function in testing for drug allergies and alleviating vomiting and food poisoning. She then treated Liang with acupuncture to slowly expel the poison from his body, predicting he would recover within half an hour and advising his father on rest and diet. The grateful old man profusely thanked her. Lin Luojing reassured him that they would diligently investigate and apprehend the perpetrator, preventing further harm to the populace.
