Introduction
I told you in the second part, Shadow Love: Drama Recap Episodes 9 to 18, that we were entering dark moments starting the third part of this recap series, right? However, despite the hardships, Jin An and Li Shuang’s romance had grown to full bloom. Not only theirs, the second couple’s romance, Mo Yin and Lu Xin’s, was also budding.
As I mentioned previously that I wanted to feature the couple with the Male Lead’s different personalities, this is Jin An in the featured image. This scene was taken from Episode 28. A memorable episode, I should say, without spoiling anything for the readers who haven’t watched/read the particular episode!
Recap Episodes 19 to 28
Episode 19
The poisoned Muyang was taken care of by Lu Xin. While guarding outside, Jin An saw a man acting suspiciously. That man called him “Prince Annan” but then ran away. He wanted to return to Yao, but was killed by Sorcerer Jin. Mo Yin actually had been following that man, too. When he found the person dead, Jin An showed up and wanted to capture Mo Yin. With his magic, Mo Yin was quite tricky. Jin An transformed into the masked superhero. Mo Yin saw it and realized that Jin An was affected by the Jade Linglong. He agreed to leave with Jin An.
Mo Yin saved the crown prince easily with his poison-eating. Everyone changed their attitude towards Mo Yin when they knew he was from Wuling Mountain. Suddenly, he became a person of interest, haha. Li Shuang asked Mo Yin to stay for several days to monitor Muyang’s condition. Lu Xin was super interested in Mo Yin’s medical skills. Mo Yin himself was very interested in Jin An because he saw the blue patterns on Jin An’s body when he transformed into the superhero. Mo Yin told Jin An that his condition was caused by Jade Linglong, and its power was not easy to control. The longer he and Jade Linglong were integrated, the greater the damage to Li Shuang would be. Mo Yin wanted Jin An to go back with him to Wuling, but Jin An didn’t believe him unless he could find the culprit.
Episode 20
Jin An lied to Li Shuang that Mo Yin told him he would be fine as long as he could control his power. She sent him to protect Muyang, because his brother Prince Su Muli would arrive in Lucheng, too, to give a sacrifice. Muyang already guessed that Jin An was the masked superhero.
I didn’t like the scenes with Su Muli, so I fast-forwarded. So, basically, he was a brutal prince. He made indecent advances to Li Shuang, which angered Jin An. Mo Yin spilled his drink on Muli so he went to change his clothes, and pulled Jin An from the banquet. Su Muyang was also angry with his brother’s humiliation of Li Shuang and him, and smashed all the furnishings in his room. When Jin An handed him a vase, he saw that Muyang’s ring hand could suddenly move. Su Muyang was stunned for a moment and quickly returned to his usual appearance. Uh oh, so Muyang had lied about his disability the whole time?
Jin An took Li Shuang out to see a beautiful scenery, since today was her birthday. He gave this beautiful scenery to her as a birthday gift. She said, today was only the day she was picked up by Li Wei, not her birthday. Jin An also did not know where he came from, so the two agreed to take today as their common birthday, hoping to see the world hand in hand in the future.
Episode 21
Ugh, another episode with annoying people!
Sorcerer Jin approached Mo Yin, seeing him made friends with Jin An and Li Shuang. He rekindled the memories with Mo Yin, since they had the same master. At the beginning, Sorcerer Jin made a mistake and practiced forbidden techniques, and was expelled from the school. Sorcerer Jin said he heard about Jade Linglong, came to investigate, and found that the Jade and the shadow puppet were in the General’s Mansion. The Jade and the shadow puppet would become a major issue in the future. Sorcerer Jin asked Mo Yin to work together to kill the masked man. When Mo Yin refused, Sorcerer Jin paid people to dress up as the masked man and kill people. Mo Yin mistakenly thought that Jin An did the killing, but Jin An was in the General Mansion every day. He refused to go with Mo Yin to Wuling Mountain. Mo Yin felt that Jin An really didn’t look like the kind of person who killed innocent people indiscriminately.
Mo Yin said that when Jade Linglong was taken off Jin An’s body, Jin An would forget everything, including Li Shuang.
Poor Jin An! He was very conflicted. Mo Yin had said that he was Li Shuang’s greatest danger. He remembered her saying that Su Muyang was a good candidate for the throne, and that if he became emperor, the people of the world would be better off. If she were with Muyang, she would materialize her wish about the people. He confessed to Muyang that he was the masked man and that he was willing to be Muyang’s ally.
Mo Yin and Sorcerer Jin refined the Kongqing water that could suppress Jade Linglong. Sorcerer Jin promised to hand it over to Mo Yin after it was refined.
Su Muli invited his brother, Li Shuang, Jin An, and others to go hunting together tomorrow. Li Shuang and Jin An suspected that this invitation was ill-intentioned. Sure enough, Su Muli burned Lu Xin’s apothecary after knowing she was Li Shuang’s friend. He also sent people to General Mansion to hand over Muyang using the royal dagger (I assumed this was like a presidential executive order, without the royal decree). Qiao’er and others quickly hid Su Muyang in the secret room.
Episode 22
Oh my God!!! This episode is so heartbreaking!
Qiao’er and the other General Mansion’s guards were taken by Su Muli to his mansion for interrogation and punishment. They didn’t want to tell him anything about Su Muyan, Li Shuang, or Jin An. So Qiao’er, as the head of the guards, was severely beaten. Jun went to Su Muli’s mansion to rescue Qiao’er, but he too was caught. Li Shuang went to Su Muli’s mansion on her behalf, not the Changfeng Army, however, Jin An was faster than her. He also came to Su Muli’s mansion, disguised as the masked hero. Seeing that Li Shuang and Jin An were both in danger facing Su Muli, Qiao’er committed suicide using Su Muli’s sword. She did not want to be a burden to everyone. Jun crawled to her side and wailed when his beloved died in his arms. Li Shuang broke into the mansion and saw the dead Qiao’er. Su Muli revealed that His Majesty intentionally sacrificed Su Muyang. Thus, Li Shuang’s protection of Su Muyang was a violation of the imperial edict, and the Li family would have to be buried with her! As Li Shuang’s arrow stabbed deeper into Su Muli, Jin An pulled him to Qiao’er to kowtow. Ji An knew Li Shuang could not kill Su Muli.
I also felt so heartbroken for Ouyang Jun. This second couple’s romance was just blooming and cute, a relief from the looming angst for Jin An and Shuang. It was short-lived! Later, he left the Changfeng Army Camp with Qiao’er memorial tablet. He couldn’t avenge her. There was only hatred in his heart.
Qiao’er’s death took a toll on Li Shuang’s heart. She asked Muyang to pack his bags and leave the next day. She helplessly told Muyang that he was the sacrifice for His Majesty. The emperor wanted to kill Su Muyang, and Li Shuang couldn’t disobey the imperial edict, so she could only ask him to leave. Su Muyang knelt down and begged Li Shuang to save him. But Li Shuang was worried not only about Jin An, but also about her family’s lives and the Changfeng Army. Su Muyang left with hatred.
Episode 23
Well, it was not Li Shuang’s nature to send someone away into danger. She planned to trick Su Muli. Unfortunately, she didn’t tell the crown prince her plan, so he hated her now.
When Su Muli learned that Li Shuang and his brother had fallen out, and immediately sent someone to intercept the carriage. But it was Jin An who was in the carriage. So where was Su Muyang? Li Shuang didn’t expect that Su Muyang’s carriage had not arrived at the meeting point for a long time, and Su Muyang was gone! Su Muyang was taken away by Sorcerer Jin. He pretended he wanted to help the crown prince, but Su Muyang had to hand over Jin An.
Jin An treated Li Shuang’s wounds since she worried about everyone’s else but herself
Li Shuang and Jin An found Muyang’s carriage and the familiar silver needles they had found before. Li Shuang felt very guilty putting the crown prince and her old friend into danger. DUH, had she told Muyang about her plan… They finally found the crown prince and his guard in the cave.
Mo Yin was tasked with taking care of the crown prince and his guard. He was suspicious that Sorcerer Jin kidnapped the crown prince, although Muyan told everyone that he was taken by his brother. Li Shuang saw that Mo Yin had just concealed something, so she threatened him to confess the truth. Mo Yin explained helplessly that the purpose of his coming to the mansion was for the masked man, Jin An. Mo Yin explained to Li Shuang about the Jade Linglong. The Jade had to be taken out of Jin An to save both of them, and even people. Li Shuang already had a hunch about it. Mo Yin added, once taken out, Jin An would have a memory loss, thus forget Li Shuang.
Mo Yin also clarified that he was not in cahoots with whoever used the silver needles, since his master was also killed by them. Li Shuang took out the wanted portrait of Sorcerer Jin. Mo Yin panicked, thinking that he had helped Sorcerer Jin refine the Kongqing water.
Mo Yin decided to leave the General’s Mansion since he still had unfinished business with Sorcerer Jin about the death of their master. He asked Jin An if he still remembered his agreement with him. Jin An agreed to go with him, but Lucheng was now in turmoil. He would help Li Shuang through this difficult time first, then find Mo Yin. Mo Yin agreed.
Meanwhile, Sorcerer Jin met Su Muli and told him that if he wanted his brother to die, he should attack the General’s Mansion. Don’t worry about the might masked man, he wouldn’t appear!
Episode 24
Knowing from Mo Yin that her days with Jin An were numbered, she wanted to spend time with Jin An dating, and even asked him to marry her. She didn’t want to have regret in the future. So they went for a date in the night market. While watching a shadow play, the storyteller told the story of General Duan Aodeng and General Li Wei (Li Shuang’s father). Jin An suddenly had blurry visions. Who was Duan Aodeng?
During the date, Li Shuang chose to confront Jin An about the Jade Linglong and Wuling Mountain. Jin An clearly knew about this matter long ago, but he was unwilling to tell her the truth. She felt sad because that she was unworthy to Jin An about his condition. Jin An explained that he had found himself suddenly out of control when Su Muli came to visit and humiliated her. Luckily, Mo Yin calmed him down. This was the situation he least wanted to see. He did not want to hurt Li Shuang, or Li Shuang would be hurt because of him. Once the Jade Linglong leaves his body, all their sweet memories will disappear. Li Shuang decided that she would accompany Jin An to the Wuling Mountain after everything was settled. She was Jin An’s blood master, and only she could ensure that he would not lose control. As long as they were together, even if Jin An really lost his memory, Li Shuang would make him remember himself.
When Li Shuang and Jin An returned home, it was already guarded by Su Muli’s men. He threatened Li Shuang with her family. Su Muyang’s misunderstanding of Li Shuang was even deeper. Sorcerer Jin reported to the Empress Dowager that he had already taken care of everything. Even the Emperor of Taijin and his two sons were manipulated by him. Ugh… apparently the reason he was willing to work with Empress Dowager was because he was in love with her!
Tomorrow was the day of sacrifice. I wonder who would die…
Sorcerer Jin sent Muyang a reminder about his promise to hand over Jin An, so Muyang invited Li Shuang and Jin An to attend the banquet together. The two were suspicious, but they couldn’t refuse. At the banquet, Muyang gave the couple two glasses of wine, and he was relieved watching the two drink the wine.
Li Shuang and Jin An performed a sword dance at the banquet
Su Muli led people into the mansion to attack. Muyang requested Jin An on his side. He told Jin An that he and Li Shuang had abandoned him. Jin An could not bear it any longer and told the truth about Li Shuang’s plan. He scolded the stupid crown prince. Muyang and Li Shuang have grown up together since childhood. Others might not understand her, and even Muyang did not understand or trust her! Muyang said, It was too late.
Episode 25
After Jin An finished lecturing Muyang, someone barged in and Jin An recognized the man was with Sorcerer Jin. The man chained him with magic, and he couldn’t use his superpower. Then the man pricked him with a silver needle, and Jin An passed out. Muyang had drugged him.
After the man took Jin An away, Muyang had a showdown with his brother. But he was tricked, too, by Sorcerer Jin. Muli’s men were too many. Suddenly, Li Shuang showed up to protect him. Muyang was trapped in the quicksand and was rescued by Li Shuang. But she herself was trapped now.
Luckily, when Sorcerer Jin took away Jin An, Mo Yin chased after him. When he saw the weapon Sorcerer Jin used to attack him, Mo Yin confirmed that the sorcerer was the murderer of his master/adoptive father. While they were fighting, Jin An, who was still unconscious, could still sense that Li Shuang was in danger. She was slowly pulled down by the quicksand. Li Shuang took off the hairpin Jin An gave her and threw it nearby to show Jin An that she was buried nearby. Jin An forcibly broke free and rushed to save Li Shuang at the last moment. Mo Yin stopped fighting Sorcerer Jin and chased Jin An. He was worried that Jin An would lose control. True enough, while rescuing Li Shuang, he wanted to choke her to death. It was her blood in his bead necklace that reminded Jin An. But Mo Yin came and smashed the bead, and Jin An completely lost control. Li Shuang was unwilling to believe that Jin An, in front of her, was a killing puppet. She believed that Jin An still remembered her. Mo Yin wanted to subdue him but Li Shuang shielded Jin An and got hurt instead. Li Shuang passed out. Jin An threatened Mo Yin to save her; otherwise, he would die with the Jade and Mo Yin would lose it. Mo Yin promised her.
That coward Su Muyang ran away while Li Shuang was in the quicksand. He met his brother on the way. Su Muli wanted to kill Muyang, but Muyang killed him instead. When Li Shuang woke up, Jin An and Mo Yin were gone. She searched for them, but found Muyang with Muli’s body instead. Muyang lied, stating that Jin An killed Muli. In fact, Muyang used his right hand to kill Muli! He blamed Jin An because he wanted to clear his name.
Mo Yin and Jin An arrived in Mount Wuling. Jin An refused to eat and drink and was angry at Mo Yin because he had injured Li Shuang. It was a critical situation, as Mo Yin wanted to subdue Jin An. Mo Yin prepared everything, and tomorrow would be the day to take Jade Linglong out of Li Shuang’s body.
The Emperor collapsed upon hearing that his son Su Muli was dead. Su Muyang returned to the capital and wanted to bring Li Shuang to the Emperor later. He also went to see his father-in-law and told him about his father, who wanted to sacrifice him. His father-in-law was naturally willing to help him ascend at this critical moment. After all, Su Muyang was now the emperor’s only son.
Episode 26
I’m glad that Su Muli is dead. But I feared that this Su Muyang was even a scarier villain! Especially, since he was obsessed with Li Shuang!
Su Muyang bribed Su Muli’s people, controlled the Emperor’s people, and marched to the palace. Today was the day of Su Muli’s funeral. The Emperor couldn’t understand why Su Muli died instead of Su Muyang. Su Muyang said that the masked man killed Su Muli, but the Emperor didn’t believe him. Su Muyang gave his father the poisoned pill with his right hand. The Emperor knew Muli’s death was connected to Muyang. Now we know the twisted relationship between the Emperor and his two sons. Muyang’s mother was a commoner who was taken as a concubine. Muyang was bullied since little. One day, the Emperor made him the crown prince instead of Su Muli. Now Muyang understood that his father didn’t want to lose Muli, who was his noble son. Muyang was supposed to be sacrificed for the Emperor’s attempt to reach eternal life. However, Muli had poisoned his own father slowly, so when Muyang died, Muli would kill the Emperor. The Emperor died, and Muyang ascended the throne.
Meanwhile, in Wuling Mountain, Mo Yin and the other disciples couldn’t remove the Jade Linglong from Jin An’s body. Everyone was depressed. To prevent himself from losing control again, Jin An chained himself up to avoid hurting the innocent. He carved the memories in his mind on the walls, so when he lost his memories, he could remember everything about Li Shuang.
Li Shuang woke up after being in a coma for several days and wanted to find Jin An right away. However, Muyang’s aide arrived and delivered the imperial edict from Muyang, who wanted her to return to the Capital as soon as she recuperated.
Lu Xin knew that her bestie was worried about Jin An, so she offered to go on her behalf to Wuling Mountain. But the guards in Wuling Mountain didn’t want to let her in, so she lied that she was pregnant with Mo Yin’s child, hahaha. Lu Xin took out a rare pearl that was given by Mo Yin before he departed, so she had money to rebuild an apothecary after her old one was burned down by Su Muli. So she was let in. Mo Yin insisted on driving Lu Xin away until she threatened him with the hidden weapon given by Li Shuang. Lu Xin said she was pregnant with Mo Yin’s twins, and if he didn’t want others to know, he should let her stay and watch him treat Jin An.
Episode 27
When Li Shuang went to see the new emperor, Muyang asked her right there and then to marry him and be his empress. Li Shuang refused and she would rather serve the country on the border. Muyang asked if it was because of Jin An. She admitted it and told him that she had to save his life, which was in grave danger. She asked His Majesty to allow her to leave the capital. That coward Muyang still said that he killed Prince Li, which Li Shuang didn’t believe. Finally, Muyang told her that she could go save Jin An, if she gave up the Changfeng Army to him and returned to be his consort. She accepted the two conditions she didn’t want to do.
Who would believe that she would marry the despicable Emperor? Even her adoptive father, General Li Wei, didn’t believe her. After confirming that his daughter really loved Jin An, Dad told her not to return to the Capital. He had experience in the murky palace politics for many years, so he cut ties with Li Shuang. He knew that if Li Shuang eloped with Jin An, her family and the Changfeng Army would be in danger. He told her she had served the country for so many years and upheld the honor of the Li Family. Now it was time to do what she wanted to do. He planned to retire anyway. Li Shuang gave her farewell kowtow, and both shed tears.
Li Shuan planned to go by herself, but Jiran and the rest of the Changfeng Army made a pledge and went with her. They went to Wuling Mountain and almost burned the place down since the guards didn’t want to let them in. Finally, Mo Yin walked out and told her that Jin An was in a grave state. Li Shuang insisted on going in and meeting Jin An; she was prepared to die.
Jin An, who was out of control, almost choked Li Shuang to death. Mo Yin already gave her a way out to strike his Linxu acupoint. But Li Shuang kept reminding Jin An of all the sweet memories they shared. Jin An was able to control the Jade Linglong and release Li Shuang. He was still in agony, so Li Shuang cut her hand and fed Jin An her blood.
Mo Yin didn’t understand why the blood pact that was severed during the battle in the quicksand didn’t work, since Jin An was able to control the Jade Linglong. Lu Xin explained that Jin An and Li Shuang were not only bonded by a blood pact but also by their commitment and love.
Episode 28
This was a great episode!
Li Shuang and Jin An decided to get married to cherish the short moments left before Jin An completely lost his memory. They held the ceremony just the two of them, kowtowed towards heaven and each other, drinking wine in the gourd to confirm their marital commitment, and consummated their union.
Mo Yin and Lu Xin gradually developed feelings with each other. Lu Xin questioned the benefit of gaining a lot of medical knowledge if not shared to heal the world. He accepted her to be his disciple.
Sorcerer Jin attacked Wuling Mountain. He managed to retrieve the Jade Linglong out of Jin An, but he was killed by Lu Xin’s secret weapon Li Shuang gave her last time for protecting herself. The weapon contained many poisoned needles.
After the Jade of Linglong was out, Li Shuang and Jin An had their honeymoon time, but he started forgetting things. For example, the jade hairpin he gave her a long time ago in Ninglan City, he gave it again to her.
Conclusion
What awaited them after their marriage? When Jin An forgot his time with Li Shuang, what would happen? Would they be forced to stand face-to-face as generals of opposing countries and fight each other? How would Shadow Love ( 与晋长安 ) end? So many questions will be answered in the final part of this recap series: Shadow Love: Drama Recap Episodes 29 to 38 (Final).
