The First Jasmine (Mo Li): Ep 17/18 Recap - The Mystery of the Maid
Previous recaps: Ep 1-4, Ep 5/6, 7/8, 9/10, 11/12, 13/14, 15/16
Main characters:
Bai Lu as Ye Li
Cheng Lei as Mo Xiuyao/Prince Ding
Novel fan translation: Mo Li
Ep 17: Mo Xiuyao reveals that the store is actually his and offers that Ye Li can run it. She very much wants to do that.
The Marquis Muyang tells Guard Qin Cang that he won't get the promised position as it went to someone else, I'm guessing this is because the Empress Dowager is angry with him. Nope, turns out the marquis son prevented him from getting the post. What is with this kid and also can I please see a family tree! How are these two brothers! I want history.
Ye Li plots with Li Feibai about how they can learn more about the Dowager Consort. Her Third Uncle suddenly moves out of the house, so she goes to find him at his shop. They try not to let her in but she goes anyway.
Ye Wenshen isn't happy to see her, he says he can tolerate everything else she's done except the Grandma murder. Ye Li explains what happened. Ye Wenshen says she's too smart and manipulative so she probably came to turn him into a pawn. I don't think he's wrong.
Feng Zhiyao complains to Mo Xiuyao that he's been seduced by a beauty into giving all management over to Ye Li. Then he sees that Mo Xiuyao can walk and decides that it's actually totally fine for him to give his wife everything. He's so fun. He did bring some intelligence on Ye Li as Mo Xiuyao formerly requested, but Mo Xiuyao doesn't read it.
Ye Wenshen asks if Ye Li is doing all this for a man, but she says it's for her mom. Mo Xiuwen (older brother) told Ye Li's mother where to find the imperial decree. She was supposed to give it to the grandfather (head of Lishan) to argue in court for his release. As we know, she died at the hands of the Ye family instead. Ye Li asks her uncle to help her with the consort dowager. He tells her about the consort's past, including a special relationship with his former master. The consort visited him before he died and wanted to help save him, but Ye Wenshen doesn't know why she didn't produce the edict back then.
The marquis son is tormenting one of Qin Cang's men. When Qin Cang saves the guy and refuses to eat with the son, he starts talking about how human meat is the best in taste and flavour and it was very creepy. The stand-off is only broken because another guy distracts the son away.
Mo Xiuyao has reduced the number of servants so that no one will know that he can walk again. Ye Li asks why her imaginary maid isn't allowed in and then talks to her right in front of her husband.
He realizes that he hasn't been taking the "she's quirky and talks to herself" thing seriously enough. He reads the information that Feng Zhiyao gave him, which confirms that only Ye Li left the mountain. There is definitely no maid Qingshuang.
Well she was odd in other ways...
He talks to a doctor who basically says she's so sad and lonely that she invented a person to hang out with. The treatment is good food, sleep, and having people around.
so she no longer feels lonely.
I think this means they should start sleeping with each other He goes over and gives her soup, which spills on her letters.
Ep 18: Mo Xiuyao offers to go with Ye Li to her shop, because it's a family property, but she insists it's only hers. In the city, Qin Cang and a new girl see a man with pneumothorax, which she treats by stabbing the man in the chest.
Mo Xiuyao wants Ye Li to come with him to work, but she says it's boring. Feng Zhiyao shows up and is very offended that Mo Xiuyao is visiting her shop and not his establishment. He accuses Mo Xiuyao of being fickle.
Doctor Girl and Qin Cang wash up (is she is love interest?). Ah yes, she fell into his arms, definitely love interest. They talk about her home town.
They are given melons as a thank you for saving the man, Doctor Girl cuts it up with her knife, same knife she used to treat the patient and kill wolves, but don't worry! she cleaned it. She leaves, he watches after her, so she comes back and tells him if he is still thinking about her in three days then it's love and he should come find her. Her name is Lin Tinglan.
At the office, Mo Xiuyao offers Ye Li some stories to keep her from being bored, but she pulls out some non-fiction and starts to calculate some astronomy (I bet this is about the plan where heaven will help them). Mo Yiuyao asks if he can help, but Ye Li says no.
Ye Li falls asleep. Mo Xiuyao holds a scroll so it blocks out the sun but he can still read it (cute). On the way back, Ye Li asks why he's being so nice to her. He asks if she's lonely at the manor, which she denies. She also denies being lonely on Lishan mountain and says there were tons of people there. Then he notices a rash on her neck which is a food allergy so that gets treatment. Then they are talking and
He says they should consummate their marriage since he's healthier now and knows her feelings. She seems hesitant. I think maybe this is too soon according to her master plan? Her husband keeps doing things! Unexpectedly! (the discussion yesterday about why she was annoyed at him being home too often, I do think she is wary when people act out of her big plan)
Gu Zheng arrests the soldier who betrayed the mission before at the Jingzhao office. Turns out Mo Xiuyao was able to work on that case and pay attention to his wife! So competent. Everyone starts angry at Clerk Gu for arresting without telling them first, but the evidence is so good that they quickly believe him.
They find the shop where Prince Li was hiding that day. Unfortunately, the shop keeper stabs himself instead of telling them anything. They go inform Mo Xiuyao about what happened which is RUDE because he was holding his wife's hand all cutely
It's too dark for this to be a good screenshot
The man was a former servant in the Eastern Palace, which is where the former Crown Prince and Prince Li lived. Mo Xiuyao also figures out that the vice prefect must be corrupt, and we do indeed see him immediately go to talk to the Marquis Muyang.
Information screenshot instead of cuteness screenshot. Crimes.
Prince Li tries to send Ye Ying away but she breaks into his document burning party. Then the whole room sets on fire.
Mo Xiuyao is raiding the Prince Li mansion when the marquis shows up as well. The conclusion from him is that Prince Li murdered Yuan Guan and then set himself on fire when he was caught. Back home, Ye Li is wondering why Mo Xiuyao had to leave so late at night. They see can see the fire from the mansion. When he comes home, Ye Li asks what happened and is told Prince Li is dead. She doesn't believe it, so she gets to go look at corpses.
A doctor identifies the body as Prince Li, but Ye Li looks unconvinced (so am I). Dowager consort Qin and the marquis report what happened to the Dowager Empress and emperor. She seems suspicious of them.
Every episode is just as good as the last one! More tomorrow
Posted Jun 16, 2026, 11:41 AM UTC