Unique Lady Season 3 Episode 3 Recap
> Unique Lady Season 3 Recap
Lin Luojing and Xi Que were exploring the bustling streets when Lin Luojing spotted some sugar figures. As she admired them, Zhong Wumei's head unexpectedly emerged from behind the stall. Still upset with him, Lin Luojing rebuffed his attempts to have her return with him, instead pointing to a sugar figure and declaring it to be his true lady. Their playful bickering was interrupted by a commotion.
A young woman named Yu, followed by her father, rushed out of a nearby shop. Yu's father was desperately trying to force her to marry Councillor Dong, a powerful local figure. Yu vehemently refused, holding a dagger to her throat and vowing to die rather than become Councillor Dong's concubine.
Her father, fearful of offending the influential councillor who was "the law here," begged her to yield, explaining that defying him would mean losing their family store, a legacy of three generations. Despite his pleas and the townspeople's warnings about Councillor Dong, Yu remained resolute. Lin Luojing, moved by Yu's plight, decided to intervene. She offered to pay the bride price herself, but Xi Que reminded her of their limited funds.
Lin Luojing then pointed to Zhong Wumei, indicating he would provide the money. Just then, Councillor Dong arrived, intent on claiming Yu. Lin Luojing immediately confronted him, kicking him and punching him in the face. When Councillor Dong's servants attacked, Zhong Wumei quickly protected Lin Luojing, and he and his guard swiftly dispatched the assailants. Humiliated, Councillor Dong threatened them before retreating with his servants.
Lin Luojing started to give chase, but Zhong Wumei held her back, reminding her not to pursue desperate criminals. The onlookers praised the couple for their kindness and noted their perfect match. As they discussed the payment for Yu, Zhong Wumei's guard admitted they had little money left, having distributed much of it to the poor along the way.
Zhong Wumei considered pawning his jade pendant, a royal family heirloom with a distinct dragon pattern, but his guard advised against it. Yu's father, still anxious about Councillor Dong's retaliation, was reluctant to accept their help and urged them to leave. However, Yu wanted to trust them and stay. At this moment, Jiang Xuanyu appeared. He had been drinking nearby and found their intervention a most "exciting fight."
He offered to cover the bride price, which turned out to be a mere bag of flour. Jiang Xuanyu assured Yu's father that with them staying, Councillor Dong wouldn't dare cause further trouble, promising to help them get justice if he returned. Their discussion was cut short by a waiter rushing out, shouting about "bad news." They followed him to a room where the Governor of water transport lay dead.
Zhong Wumei commented on the unsettling level of open murder in Nan Yan. Meanwhile, Councillor Dong, upon hearing of the Governor's assassination at Sudingxuan Inn, immediately ordered his family to gather valuables and flee. He explained to his confused servant that he recognized Zhong Wumei's jade pendant as a royal family item with a dragon pattern, leading him to suspect that Zhong Wumei was Prince Yuan Zheng, who was rumored to have eloped south with a female doctor.
Fearing implication in the murder and possible investigation, he speculated the assassins were either from Officer Lin or Qi Yu. He decided to inform Officer Lin to maintain their connection and let him handle the aftermath. Back at the inn, Zhong Wumei tried to approach Lin Luojing, but she was still angry and pushed him away. She complained about being "kidnapped" to Nan Yan and burdened with "fighting a mistress" and "curing diseases."
Zhong Wumei attempted to explain that his actions were an effort to gain an opportunity from the Emperor to restore her status. He offered her fish, but she retorted that he was just using the guise of relaxation to be "bossy." Jiang Xuanyu tried to mediate, reminding them that "husband and wife would forgive each other overnight." He ordered wine, and despite Zhong Wumei's protests, Lin Luojing insisted on drinking, quickly becoming intoxicated. Zhong Wumei carried her to their room.
Xi Que offered to attend to Lin Luojing, but Zhong Wumei gently declined, asking Xi Que to ensure Lin Luojing drank water upon waking, as her stomach would surely be uncomfortable. Later, Jiang Xuanyu met with Zhong Wumei, reporting on his investigation into the grand chancellor's former associates. He confirmed Councillor Dong's involvement, noting that his timely appearance during the Governor's assassination was suspicious and potentially a distraction orchestrated with the grand chancellor's men.
Zhong Wumei pointed out that while the Governor wasn't high-ranking, he controlled vital water transport routes. The assassins' prior knowledge of their meeting in Nan Yan indicated a powerful and well-informed adversary, possibly from Qi Yu if not the grand chancellor. Zhong Wumei regretfully noted they were still a step too late. Zhong Wumei recalled the Emperor's secret orders: he was to rush to Nan Yan.
The Emperor had revealed that only by personally apprehending the grand chancellor could Lin Luojing, despite being considered the daughter of a criminal, have her consort status officially restored, with Nan Yan being the crucial entry point. The Emperor also warned of looming threats to water transport and the grand chancellor's cunning disappearance, emphasizing that eradicating his Nan Yan network was necessary to draw him out and capture his faction.
Zhong Wumei's initial mission was to meet the Governor and secure water transport. Jiang Xuanyu confirmed that the Emperor's premonition was correct, as Qi Yu was now endangering Shengjing. Jiang Xuanyu reported that all leads regarding the Governor and evidence against Councillor Dong had vanished from the yamen. However, despite recent business setbacks, Councillor Dong had mysteriously received funds traced to another of the grand chancellor's wealthy Nan Yan associates.
Jiang Xuanyu expressed suspicion that the Tang family might be involved, a revelation that troubled Zhong Wumei due to his connection with Miss Tang Meng'er. Jiang Xuanyu vowed to continue investigating under the pretext of visiting and inspecting salt operations, hoping the Tang family was innocent, especially since Meng'er's father was gravely ill. Zhong Wumei thanked Jiang Xuanyu for arriving in Nan Yan ahead of him.
Jiang Xuanyu credited the Emperor's foresight and Zhong Wumei's strong assistance for helping them uncover the threat to Sheng Jing. Jiang Xuanyu then lightened the mood, asking if Zhong Wumei had told Lin Luojing about the mission. Zhong Wumei decided it was "better not to tell," accepting the misunderstanding. They briefly discussed an excellent breakfast shop in the east street, and Zhong Wumei planned to take Lin Luojing there.
Jiang Xuanyu decided to secretly report to the Emperor and visit various salt divisions that night, urging Zhong Wumei to take care of Lin Luojing and avoid further arguments. Zhong Wumei then instructed his guard not to reveal the true reason for Jiang Xuanyu's sudden departure or the mission's details to Lin Luojing, to spare her worry.
Meanwhile, Lin Fei Yu emerged from a tent in Bei Yu, where his secret guard, Leng Wuxie, presented him with a red apricot hair clasp. Lin Fei Yu fondly associated the item with Lady Wan, recalling a moment when he told her only she was worthy of it. Leng Wuxie, whose life Lin Fei Yu had saved, reported that everything was under control, and the Tang family's funds were secured.
However, the King of Bei Yu remained stubborn, necessitating a backup plan. Lin Fei Yu dismissed any need for Prince Jing Yuan (Jin Chen)'s assistance, asserting his own enduring influence, having accumulated power in court for many years. He entrusted Leng Wuxie with the next phase of their plan. Leng Wuxie then relayed Councillor Dong's message: Zhong Wumei and his retinue had arrived in Nan Yan, where their own old associates were also present.
Lin Fei Yu's chilling command was to "remove them all." Back at the inn, Xi Que was outside Zhong Wumei's room. Hearing commotion, she assumed Lin Luojing was still punishing him. She asked Zhang Ji, the guard, if they should intervene. Zhang Ji, blushing, insisted they would be fine. Xi Que then pressed him on why Zhong Wumei brought Lin Luojing to Nan Yan.
Zhang Ji hesitated, grappling with whether to reveal the Emperor's secret orders about restoring Lin Luojing's status, but decided it was better to let Zhong Wumei bear the blame for the sake of Lin Luojing's peace of mind and his own safety from punishment. Xi Que, misunderstanding his reticence and blush, playfully accused him of being a "naughty guy." Inside the room, Lin Luojing was tugging at Zhong Wumei's fake beard, complaining about its stickiness and inferiority to Councillor Dong's.
Zhong Wumei, feigning discomfort, playfully argued about his beard, then declared he was not just jealous but "will eat you." They shared a moment of reconciliation. Outside, Xi Que noted the quiet in Zhong Wumei's room, concluding that the couple had made up. Zhang Ji offered her his blanket, emphasizing she, as a woman, shouldn't catch a cold and become a burden to the Prince. Xi Que, amused, called him an "idiot."
Later, a report reached the Emperor: the newly appointed Governor of water transport had been assassinated in the inn. Councillor Dong and his family had fled, presumably fearing reprisal and accountability. Investigations confirmed Councillor Dong's collusion with the grand chancellor, and new leads pointed to a wealthy Nan Yan business tycoon as another of the grand chancellor's former associates. Prince Yuan Zheng was to investigate further, and the Emperor ordered that Wu Mei be warned to proceed with extreme caution.
Finally, Zhong Wumei's subordinate reported suspicious grain boats at the dock, suggesting they were the ones plotting against water transport routes. They needed to quickly gather evidence to confirm any involvement of the Tang family, but without alerting them. Zhong Wumei appeared to be suffering from a flare-up of the "Qing Flower Poison," but dismissed it, stating he only needed rest. He urged swift action so that Lin Luojing would not be left waiting for too long.
