Episode 20 recap: Luojing Drawn into the Intrigue
In episode 20, Changsheng realized there would be another tough battle the next day, so she urged Lv Jing to rest early and conserve his energy. Unbeknownst to them, Rujing had peeked through the door crack and mistakenly thought the two were too intimate, leaving in displeasure. As soon as Rujing departed, Changsheng then saw Lv Jing off, and the two did not spend the night together.
The next day, a storm was brewing at court. The Emperor, hearing that Lv Jing had been injured by a farmer, was about to erupt in anger, when he also learned of the Crown Prince's forcible grain collection, further enraging him. At this point, Lv Ke proposed summoning Lv Jing back to appease the situation. Upon hearing the news, the anxious Changsheng decided to personally go assist Lv Jing, as General Zhao's grain aid had not yet arrived. Rujing tried to stop her, but Changsheng, in her role as the Marchioness of the Qin Prince's Mansion, had the servants temporarily escort Rujing away.
The eunuch arrived to deliver the imperial decree, ordering Lv Jing to immediately return to the palace to address the premature grain collection controversy. Lv Guan discreetly reminded him that defying the decree was a grave offense, and that self-preservation was the priority. As Lv Jing hesitated, Changsheng arrived with a letter from Zhao Huaibi, standing firmly by Lv Jing's side in support. Though the farmers harbored doubts, seeing Changsheng's resolute stance, Lv Jing made up his mind to defy the decree and continue the grain collection. Lv Guan then arranged troops to standoff against the Imperial Guards.
Huaishan urged Rujing to leave, to no avail, and departed alone. Learning that Lv Jing had been summoned to the Forbidden Library, the anxious Rujing sought to rescue him. Inside, the assembled officials knelt solemnly. Ultimately, the Grand Duke decided to confine Lv Jing in the Contemplation Prison, pending verification of his locust plague prediction.
Changsheng wished to accompany him, but was ordered to remain in the Qin Prince's Mansion and reflect. Sleepless with worry, Changsheng refused Rujing's request to appeal to the Emperor, as the Mansion could no longer defy the decree. Rujing's impassioned words left Changsheng conflicted, causing her to question her own decision.
In court, accusations against Lv Jing mounted, with Lv Hou fanning the flames. The enraged Grand Duke nearly adopted extreme measures, until Lv Ke's calm analysis proposed temporarily stripping Lv Jing of his military command and title, allowing him to leave the capital and avoid further scrutiny. Knowing this was not the time for further intervention, the prudent Changsheng remained silent.
Lv Ke covertly leveraged Rujing's deep affection for Lv Jing, indirectly prompting her to appeal with the help of her maternal grandfather and the Qin Prince's confidants. However, this backfired, further deepening the Emperor's suspicions. Chu Ge deliberately provoked Changsheng by revealing Lv Jing's perilous journey, and the impulsive Changsheng nearly defied the imperial order, only to be stopped at the city gate. Shen Xing then shrewdly sought aid from the Princess.
Lv Ke's scheme succeeded, as the misled Grand Duke ordered the pursuit of Changsheng and Lv Jing. In the rainy night, Lv Jing's party was ambushed, their fate unknown as they fled in hardship. This crisis not only tested Lv Jing's wisdom and courage, but also the trust and perseverance between Changsheng and Lv Jing.
Comments(Episode 20)