Episode Summary
Jian Mingshu, Song Qingzhao, and Ying Xun successfully capture Qian Si, exposing his perjury. Despite presenting evidence in court, Prefect Jia continues to detain Lu Chang, acting under Minister Lu's influence who seeks revenge. While working to free Lu Chang, Jian Mingshu is ambushed by an assassin and severely injured, requiring a rare medicine. Song Qingzhao defies his father to obtain the cure and cares for the unconscious Mingshu. Lu Chang makes a deal with Prefect Jia for temporary release to see Mingshu, enduring torture upon his return. Minister Lu intervenes to stop the punishment, feigning support. Finally, Lu Chang is officially exonerated by the Ministry of Justice.
Spoiler Alert
Serendipity: Episode 19 Recap & Spoilers
So, the episode kicks off with our trio – Jian Mingshu, Song Qingzhao, and Ying Xun – playing detective late at night. They're lying in wait for this shady character, Qian Si. Sure enough, he shows up, and they manage to grab him. In a pretty bold move, they tie him up right at his mistress's place, ensuring his wife catches him red-handed. As expected, a massive argument breaks out, and in the heat of the moment, the truth spills out: Qian Si confessed he took money to give false testimony!
Bingo! That's the leverage Jian Mingshu and Song Qingzhao needed. They immediately drag Qian Si to the Liangzhou government office to formally accuse him and clear Lu Chang's name. To add pressure, Yin Shujun and the Wen An County Lord make a very public appearance, ordering their carriage flags unfurled – a clear signal of support for Jian Mingshu. With Song Qingzhao standing right beside Mingshu and noble carriages parked prominently, the local official, Prefect Jia, basically has no choice but to convene the court right then and there.
In court, Jian Mingshu and Song Qingzhao demand a medical examination for Qian Si's supposedly injured leg. The first physician confirms the leg injury is real. But Song Qingzhao, thinking ahead, calls in a medical expert from the Dali Temple (think high court). This expert confirms Qian Si's leg is broken, but it's an old injury, and definitely not consistent with being run over by a carriage. It seems like a slam dunk, right? Wrong. Prefect Jia, clearly trying to run out the clock or protect someone, still delays and keeps Lu Chang locked up.
Meanwhile, as Jian Mingshu tirelessly works to free Lu Chang, she's unaware that the assassins are still after her. We learn that the whole scheme to frame Lu Chang is being orchestrated by none other than Minister Lu (Lu Shangshu), who's apparently seeking revenge for his son. This adds a whole new layer of danger.
Jian Mingshu is so stressed she stops eating and drinking. Song Qingzhao is incredibly worried about her. He steps out for just a moment to buy her some pastries (sweet, right?), and in that instant, disaster strikes. An assassin grabs Mingshu and drags her into an alley. By the time Song Qingzhao rushes back, he finds her unconscious and spitting blood. Ying Xun gives chase, but the assassin commits suicide by taking poison before he can be captured.
The doctor's diagnosis is grim: Jian Mingshu's heart meridian is severely damaged. Her only hope is a rare pill called the Ningxin Wan. Song Qingzhao races back to his family estate to get it, but his father stops him. His dad demands to know the nature of his relationship with Jian Mingshu. Song Qingzhao confesses openly, "She is the woman I love," stressing that her life is on the line. However, his father refuses to give him the pill unless Song Qingzhao agrees to completely cut off all contact with Jian Mingshu. In a powerful moment, Song Qingzhao defies his father for the first time ever, prioritizing saving Mingshu's life.
While Jian Mingshu lies unconscious, Song Qingzhao stays faithfully by her side, taking care of her. News of the attack reaches Lu Chang in prison, and he's absolutely beside himself with worry. Back at the Song household, Qingzhao kneels before his father for a long time but refuses to break ties with Mingshu, vowing he will marry only her in this lifetime. His father is furious and resorts to whipping him severely. If his mother hadn't thrown herself over him to protect him, the beating could have been fatal.
Despite his own injuries from the whipping, Song Qingzhao rushes back to Jian Mingshu's side. Meanwhile, Lu Chang manages to persuade a jailer to let him speak with Prefect Jia. Desperate to see Mingshu, Lu Chang asks to be released. Prefect Jia, wanting to ensure Lu Chang misses the upcoming imperial examinations, strikes a cruel bargain: Lu Chang can leave temporarily, but upon his return, he must face severe punishment (heavy torture). Lu Chang agrees immediately.
He finally gets permission for a brief visit home. When he arrives, he's devastatingly told that Jian Mingshu might not survive. Lu Chang is overwhelmed, holding her hand, filled with regret, blaming himself for failing her. He pleads for her to wake up, just so he can see her again, make amends, and protect her properly this time. He admits he never wanted a do-over in life until now – anything, if she would just wake up. His visiting time expires too quickly. Heartbroken, he leaves a gentle kiss on her forehead before being forced to return to prison.
While unconscious, Jian Mingshu dreams again of the mysterious man dressed in green (who viewers might suspect is connected to Lu Chang or a past life?). This time, the dream becomes intimate.
The next day, Jian Mingshu finally awakens. She sees Song Qingzhao asleep by her bedside, exhausted from his vigil. Still hazy, she asks if he's the one who's been taking care of her, seemingly confusing him with the man from her dream.
In other news, Minister Lu (Lu Shangshu) hears that Lu Chang has been framed and imprisoned, and he acts utterly shocked (which is interesting, considering he's supposed to be the mastermind!). When Lu Chang returns to the Liangzhou prefecture, Prefect Jia carries out his threat and subjects him to brutal punishment. Lu Chang clutches Jian Mingshu's scented pouch tightly, finally unable to deny his deep feelings for her. Just when it seems he can't endure more, Minister Lu arrives and orders the punishment stopped! He tells Lu Chang he intervened because Lu Chang had impressed him previously and warns him to be cautious, as he's made enemies in the capital.
Shortly after this dramatic rescue, the official review from the Ministry of Justice arrives: Lu Chang is declared innocent!
