Episode Summary
Jian Mingshu grows suspicious of the veiled Tang Sheng, who Lu Chang later recognizes as Su Tangli, the daughter of his mentor, Mr.Su. Su Tangli reveals she faked her death, was rescued from the Jiaofang Si by Xie Xu years ago, and believes Jian Mingshu holds clues from her father. After an assassination attempt on Jian Mingshu, orchestrated partly by Xie Xu but involving an unknown attacker, Lu Chang rescues her. While unconscious, Jian Mingshu calls out Song Qingzhao's name, hurting Lu Chang. Lu Chang confronts Xie Xu, and later, Jian Mingshu discovers Lu Chang secretly meeting Su Tangli, leading to a confrontation where Su Tangli's identity is revealed, but Jian Mingshu remains firm that past hardships don't excuse harming others. Meanwhile, Prince Rui makes unwelcome advances towards Yin Shujun.
Spoiler Alert
"Serendipity" Episode 14 Recap & Spoilers: Secrets, Suspicions, and a Shocking Reveal
Alright, so things are getting twisty at the academy. Our girl Jian Mingshu bumps into the mysterious, always-veiled Tang Sheng. Jian Mingshu tries a friendly hello, but Tang Sheng just glides past, cold as ice behind that veil. An older lady nearby spills some tea: apparently, Tang Sheng's face was badly burned in a childhood fire, hence the veil. She showed up at the academy about a year ago – right around the time the Wen'an County Mistress started getting suspicious of Xie Xu. Hmm, interesting timing, right? Plus, Tang Sheng is described as pretty slight; you could mistake her for a woman. And neither Song Qingzhao nor our main man Lu Chang had ever even heard of this person before. Suspicious? You bet.
Jian Mingshu, ever the detective, decides to investigate. She pulls a classic "oops, I tripped!" move right in front of Tang Sheng's room to get inside, asking for some medicine for scrapes (you know, jin chuang yao). While inside, she subtly scopes the place out but finds nothing obviously out of place. Jian Mingshu then casually drops Xie Xu's name, trying to get a reaction. Nada. Tang Sheng is cool as a cucumber and even turns the tables, peppering Jian Mingshu with questions.
This whole interaction piques Lu Chang's curiosity. He decides to check out Tang Sheng's room himself later. And BAM! The moment he sees her properly, he recognizes her instantly. This isn't Tang Sheng; it's Su Tangli, the daughter of his respected mentor, Mr.Su! Su Tangli instinctively tries to hide, but Lu Chang's known her since they were kids – there's no fooling him.
He confronts her, "Why didn't you tell me it was you? Why all the hiding?" Su Tangli explains she's supposed to be dead; living under a fake name is the only way she can survive. She feels their statuses are worlds apart now ("clouds and mud," as she puts it), and she doesn't want to drag him down. But Lu Chang sees her as family, practically a sister, especially given his debt to her father.
Su Tangli, however, gently pushes him away, saying she's found someone to rely on: Xie Xu. Turns out, back when she was suffering horribly in the Jiaofang Si (a place you really didn't want to end up), she thought of Xie Xu for help. He'd apparently been smitten with her five years prior. Desperate for revenge and a way out, she asked him to save her, and surprisingly, he did. Lu Chang warns her that the Wen'an County Mistress is already investigating Xie Xu.
Now, Xie Xu really doesn't want Lu Chang telling Jian Mingshu about Su Tangli's true identity – she barely escaped the Jiaofang Si with her life. Lu Chang, protective as ever, wants to get Su Tangli somewhere safe, especially since Jian Mingshu is so focused on her investigation, and he feels he can't directly interfere. But here's a kicker: Su Tangli reveals that Jian Mingshu might actually hold the key! Her father, Mr.Su, apparently passed crucial clues to Jian Mingshu while she was imprisoned. This makes Lu Chang realize he completely misjudged Jian Jinhai back in the day. Whoa.
Meanwhile, in a different kind of drama...
We get a quick scene switch. Prince Rui shows up at Yin Shujun's chambers late at night. She tries to avoid him by taking a super long bath, but eventually has to face him. Yin Shujun is like, "Dude, what are you doing here? We're partners in scheming, not... this." Prince Rui uses recent rumors (that she likely started) as leverage, basically saying, "You started this fire, now let's add some fuel." He sweeps her off her feet (literally, bridal style onto the bed), gets all close and personal, but then notices how tense she is (clutching the bedframe for dear life). Being the tease he apparently is, he makes an excuse and leaves her hanging. Okay, Prince Rui, we see you.
Back to the Main Mystery:
Su Tangli is convinced Jian Mingshu has her father's evidence. Lu Chang insists they can't push Jian Mingshu, especially since she can't handle major shocks, and declares he intends to protect her for life. Su Tangli is desperate to clear her family's name, but Lu Chang forbids her from targeting Jian Mingshu for the clues. You can almost taste the resentment starting to brew in Su Tangli.
Later, disaster almost strikes. Jian Mingshu is delivering some plants when a heavy door plaque suddenly falls! Song Qingzhao leaps in and saves her just in time (cue the slow-mo!). Jian Mingshu grumbles that Lu Chang never should have saved that Lu Wencai guy (seems unrelated, but noted). Su Tangli also gets slightly injured in the chaos and limps away quickly when Jian Mingshu tries to check on her.
Now, Song Qingzhao got hurt saving Jian Mingshu. Our usually tough guy Song Qingzhao actually complains about the pain in front of her (a big change!). Jian Mingshu, concerned, moves to apply medicine herself, but Lu Chang swoops in and takes over, clearly not wanting her getting too close to Song Qingzhao. Jealousy, party of one?
Jian Mingshu can't shake Su Tangli's weird reaction during the plaque incident. Lu Chang, however, misinterprets her thoughtfulness, assuming she's worried about Song Qingzhao. Jian Mingshu casually mentions she just feels comfortable around Song Qingzhao and even dreamed about him. Ouch, Lu Chang. Double ouch.
Lu Chang confronts Su Tangli, pretty sure Jian Mingshu already suspects she's a woman after helping her up earlier. He urges her to leave the academy ASAP. Su Tangli refuses, arguing that leaving now would look way too suspicious. Jian Mingshu then catches Lu Chang in a lie – he said he was going to the library (Cangshu Ge) but actually went to the back courtyard (likely to meet Su Tangli). The suspicion deepens.
Things escalate quickly. Xie Xu deliberately sets a trap for Jian Mingshu. She realizes it's a setup but gets cornered anyway by a black-clad assassin with a drawn sword. Plot twist: this attacker wasn't part of Xie Xu's plan! Su Tangli hears Jian Mingshu's cries for help and instinctively wants to intervene, but Xie Xu stops her.
Jian Mingshu, exhausted, trips and falls. The assassin closes in. Thinking fast, she manages to lure him into Xie Xu's original trap and makes a run for it, but collapses from exhaustion shortly after.
Both Lu Chang and Song Qingzhao are frantically searching for her. Su Tangli sends someone to tell them Jian Mingshu was seen heading towards the back mountain. Lu Chang finds her unconscious near the trap and rushes her back to her room, tending to her carefully. While unconscious, Jian Mingshu dreams again of that mysterious man (presumably Song Qingzhao?) and murmurs "Don't go," grabbing onto Lu Chang... but calls out Song Qingzhao's name. Oh, the heartbreak for Lu Chang!
When Jian Mingshu wakes up, she believes the assassin wasn't sent by Xie Xu. Song Qingzhao is furious, arguing that even if Xie Xu didn't send the killer, he set the stage and did nothing to help, making him just as guilty. To keep Jian Mingshu safe, Lu Chang initially wants to send her away from the academy. But Song Qingzhao argues that sending her away creates unknown dangers; it's better to keep her close where they can protect her. Lu Chang agrees. Then, Jian Mingshu drops the bomb: she's sure Tang Sheng is a woman. Lu Chang stays silent.
Furious, Lu Chang finds Xie Xu and roughs him up, warning him that if he ever harms Jian Mingshu again, he'll come after him, consequences be damned. He also calls Xie Xu out regarding Su Tangli, accusing him of wanting both Su Tangli's affection and the status that comes with the Wen'an County Mistress. He tells Xie Xu to make a choice and be clear if he can't commit.
Later, Su Tangli tells Lu Chang she never wanted Jian Mingshu to get hurt. Lu Chang doesn't blame her. Unfortunately, Jian Mingshu walks in on them talking privately. "Why are you meeting her behind my back?" she demands. Su Tangli quickly explains her true identity and difficult past, and why Lu Chang felt compelled to keep her secret. Jian Mingshu doesn't push the issue of the secrecy but reminds Su Tangli that she was tasked by the Wen'an County Mistress to investigate, and she still needs answers. Jian Mingshu acknowledges Su Tangli's hardships but firmly states that's no excuse to harm others. Su Tangli pleads that Xie Xu was her lifeline, her only hope. Jian Mingshu isn't buying the sob story: wrong is wrong. Lu Chang might cover for her, but Jian Mingshu feels no such obligation.
Phew! What an episode! Secrets are out, tensions are sky-high, and poor Lu Chang is stuck right in the middle of it all. Can't wait to see what happens next!
