Episode 21 recap: Lv Ke Relentlessly Pursues Changsheng's Near-Death Situation
In episode 21, Lv Jing and You Mou were chased to the edge of a cliff by assassins, with nowhere left to run. Lv Jing was injured in the back while trying to save You Mou, and was then kicked off the cliff. Princess Lv Guan appeared in a disguise and rescued You Yong and You Mou.The Great Emperor summoned Changsheng, who had disobeyed orders, to the palace to be held accountable. Lv Guan revealed that Lv Jing had indeed been attacked by assassins, but by the time she arrived, Lv Jing had already fallen off the cliff. Upon hearing this tragic news, the Great Emperor was visibly shocked. Changsheng looked at Lv Guan in disbelief and then fainted.
The Emperor ordered a search for Lv Jing's body at the base of the cliff, but they found nothing. Instead, they discovered a locust plague had arrived. The Great Emperor tasked Fifth Prince Lv Ke with managing the locust problem, and sent someone to the Qin Manor to inquire if Lv Jing had left any strategies for dealing with the locusts.
Changsheng remembered that Lv Jing did have such strategies, but subconsciously said no, having been reminded of how the Emperor had believed the slanders against Lv Jing. She then had You Yong and You Mou wait for her in the study. Changsheng knew Lv Jing had poured his heart and soul into strategies for the Great Dynasty, yet the Emperor and the people had treated him this way. Changsheng wavered, considering destroying the hard-earned locust control strategies, but ultimately her reason prevailed over her emotions, and she handed over the strategies.
Lv Guan instructed the Hanlin Academy scholars to prepare, to prevent the locusts from damaging the texts. Changsheng refused to allow anyone to touch the 40% of the Qin Manor's grain reserves, saying she had her own arrangements. When Lv Ke came to seize the grain, Changsheng claimed she did not know Lv Jing had planned to donate that 40%. Chu Ge then advised Lv Ke on ways to worsen the Emperor's impression of Changsheng, but the Emperor was still feeling guilt over his treatment of Lv Jing.
Many commoners had gathered outside the Qin Manor, blaming Changsheng for the locust disaster, calling her an inauspicious omen. Without even having eaten, Changsheng was summoned to the palace. The enraged commoners pelted her with objects as she left the manor, injuring her head.
In the palace, Changsheng firmly stated that the 40% grain could not be touched. The furious Emperor was then informed that Lv Jing's body had been found. Changsheng refused to believe it, quickly leaving to see for herself. She did not accept that the body was Lv Jing's, sensing that he was still alive and that the body was not his.
The Emperor issued an edict restoring Qin Wang's title and giving him an elaborate imperial funeral, but Changsheng could not accept this. You Mou had the Qin Manor staff prepare mourning clothes, but Changsheng forbade these inauspicious preparations, threatening harsh punishment. The grieving Emperor was still in mourning, and Lv Ke seized the opportunity to plan to also deal with Changsheng, to avoid future trouble.
Xiao Zi Lv inquired of the Emperor how to handle Changsheng, since she and Lv Jing had not yet married. Lv Guan said the worst-case scenario would be to send her back to Fuyu. But then Ling Zhi quickly arrived, saying Lv Ke had requested and the Emperor had approved, an edict ordering Changsheng to be buried alive with Lv Jing. Lv Ke had already gone to the Qin Manor with the edict.
Lv Guan immediately went to plead with the Emperor in the palace, while Xiao Zi Lv went to the Qin Manor, but neither was able to get the Emperor to rescind the order. Lv Ke tried to strangle Changsheng with a white silk band, but suddenly Lv Jing appeared and rescued Changsheng, driving Lv Ke away.
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