Episode Summary
In Episode 9 of My Destined Consort, Lu Jingxing and Yaoyao visit Tingyuxuan and uncover emotional remnants of Lu Jingming and Shen Jiangli’s past romance. A surprise encounter reveals the existence of their hidden child, Yan Yan. As secrets unfold, Jiangli falls into a deadly trap set by Dan Ling but is saved by Jingming. Later, Yan Yan collapses due to a mysterious illness, and only the rare medicine Lei Wan can save him. Jingming vows to protect both his son and Jiangli while keeping their secret safe from the scheming main household.
Spoiler Alert
Just when you think things can’t get more tangled in My Destined Consort, Episode 9 delivers a hefty dose of emotional whiplash, hidden children, and near-death escapes—all wrapped up in lush scenic backdrops and quiet heartbreak.
A Stroll Turns Into a Storm
Lu Jingxing and Yaoyao are enjoying a calm day with nothing better to do than drop by Tingyuxuan, a picturesque garden pavilion that screams "romantic hideaway." Jingxing shares that his older brother, Lu Jingming, had this place built for his wife, Shen Jiangli, back when they were still madly in love. But, like many love stories in this show, theirs hit a wall—misunderstandings drove them apart, and Jingming hasn’t set foot here since Jiangli left.
This hits a little too close to home for Yaoyao, who starts worrying: if even Jingming and Jiangli, once so in love, fell victim to manipulation and mistrust—could the same happen to her and Jingxing?
A Familiar Face... Or Rather, Eyes
Things take a turn when Jingxing spots a child playing in the courtyard—lively, bright-eyed, and eerily reminiscent of how Lu Jingming looked as a boy. Before he can get much out of the kid, both Jingming and Shen Jiangli rush in, clearly panicked. Talk about awkward. Luckily, Yaoyao saves the moment by inviting them on a spontaneous countryside picnic.
That picnic isn't just small talk and snacks. Shen Jiangli pulls Yaoyao aside and confides a massive secret: the boy is her and Jingming’s son, and no one else can know. Why? Because Dan Ling—the ever-scheming woman from the main household—can’t have children of her own. If she finds out there's an heir from the secondary branch, she’ll stop at nothing to eliminate him. Everyone agrees: this secret must stay buried, for the child's safety.
A Deadly Trap in the Mountains
Later, while foraging for mushrooms in the mountains, Jiangli catches sight of an old man who’s just collected a basket full of lingzhi—a rare herb she’s been hunting for. She rushes off to get some, leaving Yaoyao to head back and cook. But surprise! The whole thing is a setup—Dan Ling’s trap. Jiangli steps right into a deadly mechanism hidden in a flower field, where one wrong move would unleash a barrage of arrows.
Just when it looks like she’s doomed, Jingming—clearly still deeply protective of her—shows up. Using his martial skills, he triggers the trap himself to let Jiangli escape. They make it out, bruised but alive, and stumble upon a flower field lit by fireflies. It’s a quiet, almost magical moment. Jingming watches her by the fire, and his long-buried feelings resurface. He’s haunted by the fact that he once believed lies over her, forcing her into five years of pain. Now, he wants to make up for it.
A Child’s Secret Illness
But there’s no time for romance when tragedy strikes again. Their son, Yan Yan, suddenly collapses—seizing uncontrollably. Jiangli is devastated. Jingming learns it's a rare parasitic disease, and the only cure is Lei Wan, a potent medicine. Now it all makes sense—when Jiangli first returned to the Lu estate, she bargained hard for Lei Wan. It wasn’t for herself, but for their son.
Jingming confirms the boy is indeed his son and promises to do whatever it takes to get the medicine. But with the crossbow weapon still under development and Dan Ling’s eyes everywhere, they’ve got to tread carefully. If the main household catches wind of the illness, they’ll use it as leverage—or worse.
Final Thoughts
Episode 9 is a rollercoaster: tender flashbacks, buried secrets, and real danger. Lu Jingming and Shen Jiangli’s fractured love story is finally getting a second chance, but with so many eyes watching and a child’s life in the balance, their path forward is anything but clear.
