Episode Summary
Shen Jiangli receives divorce papers from Lu Jingming and plans to leave with their son, Yan Yan, aided by her senior, Zimo. Lu Qingqing expresses sadness over Zimo's potential departure. Lu Jingming reveals a secret plan to Zimo, asking him to take Yan Yan to safety, as his own residence is dangerous. On Lu Jingming's wedding day to Chu Ya, his brother Lu Jingxiu attacks with the Golden Armor Guard, intending to eliminate him. However, Lu Jingming anticipates the attack and is prepared. Lu Jingxiu confesses to his past betrayals, including his role in events that affected their sister, Lu Shuyu. The attack fails due to Lu Jingming and Chu Ya's planning. Their father, the Dong Zhou Lord, learns the truth and punishes Lu Jingxiu by stripping him of his title and confining him to the Lu estate.
Spoiler Alert
My Destined Consort: Episode 27 Recap & Spoilers
Alright, so the episode kicks off with Shen Jiangli getting those dreaded divorce papers from Lu Jingming. Honestly, leaving the Lu family estate itself? She's not shedding any tears over that. But her heart aches for her son, Yan Yan. The problem is, Yan Yan is currently with his grandma (Lu Jingming's mom, Lady Shu), and Shen Jiangli is desperate to take him with her before she leaves for good. She turns to her ever-reliable senior brother, Zimo, to figure out a plan to get Yan Yan out.
Meanwhile, Lu Qingqing isn't clueless. She totally suspects Zimo is planning to whisk Shen Jiangli and little Yan Yan away. With the divorce finalized, she realizes this might be the last she ever sees of Zimo, and that hits her hard. She goes to find him, all teary-eyed, asking if he's really leaving forever. Turns out, Zimo's caught some feelings for Qingqing too during their time together, and seeing her so upset genuinely pains him. Qingqing gives him this heartbreaking farewell hug. You can tell Zimo wants to hold onto her, this girl he's clearly fallen for, but his future is so uncertain, he can't bring himself to make any promises he might not be able to keep. Oof, the angst!
Shen Jiangli tries talking to Lady Shu about taking Yan Yan. Lady Shu, while acknowledging that Shen Jiangli got a raw deal in the whole situation, is having none of it. Yan Yan is her only grandson, and she's clinging to him. It's a classic "a fallen phoenix is less than a chicken" situation – Lady Shu feels powerless but is determined to keep her grandson close. So, that's a no-go.
Now, Zimo decides he needs to have a word (or maybe more) with Lu Jingming. Surprisingly, Lu Jingming seems totally prepared for this confrontation. He invites Zimo into his study and lays out his entire secret plan. Plot twist! Lu Jingming actually wants Zimo to take Yan Yan away. He knows his own residence (the Second Young Master's place) is basically a danger zone right now, and getting Yan Yan to safety would give him peace of mind. Zimo listens to the plan, thinking it's incredibly risky, but hey, desperate times. With Lu Jingxiu still lurking, Lu Jingming's life is constantly on the verge of exploding.
So, Lu Jingming arranges for Yan Yan's departure. Zimo escorts Shen Jiangli and the boy to a separate, hidden villa. Shen Jiangli is understandably surprised, like, "Since when did you own property here, bro?" Zimo just plays it cool, smiles, and tells her to rest up. Smooth, Zimo, smooth.
Fast forward to the big day: Lu Jingming's wedding! (To Chu Ya, remember?) Lu Jingxiu sees this as the perfect opportunity to strike. He figures Lu Jingming will let his guard down amidst the celebrations and decides to launch a full-scale attack that night with his Golden Armor Guard, aiming to wipe out Lu Jingming's entire household. Cold. But Lu Jingming is not unprepared. When Lu Jingxiu and his guards surround the courtyard, expecting an easy win, Lu Jingming confidently throws open the gates... revealing he's been waiting for them all along. Mic drop moment!
Finally, Lu Jingxiu drops the facade. Lu Jingming pushes him, wanting him to admit, face-to-face, that the devastating battle five years ago was indeed an inside job – his betrayal. Lu Jingxiu, arrogant and convinced he's about to win, doesn't hold back. He admits it all, even hinting there's more Lu Jingming doesn't know. Lu Jingming, heartbroken, confronts him about their sister, Lu Shuyu. She wasn't just some lady; she fought bravely as a general on the battlefield back then. Did Lu Jingxiu even care? Nope. Lu Jingxiu shows zero remorse, coldly stating it was "her choice." Wow.
But guess what? Lu Jingxiu's little coup fails spectacularly! Thanks to some meticulous planning by Lu Jingming and Chu Ya (teamwork!), the ambush is thwarted. The truth reaches the big boss, the Dong Zhou Lord (their father). He's utterly devastated by what his heir, Lu Jingxiu, has done. The judgment is swift and harsh: Lu Jingxiu is stripped of his title, demoted to a commoner, and basically sentenced to house arrest for life, never allowed to leave his room in the Lu estate again. Talk about karma! After a lifetime spent scheming and plotting, Lu Jingxiu ended up engineering his own spectacular downfall. Hoisted by his own petard, as they say.
