A Dream of Splendor Episode 15 Recap
> A Dream of Splendor Recap
With Xiao Wei's tacit consent, Yu Zhongquan intended to frame someone, and furthermore, found a note regarding secret communication in the Half-Covered Face's account book. This way, Zhao Pan'er became a spy, and consequently, was reduced to a prisoner. Upon learning of this matter, Sun Sanniang rushed to the Southern Yamen to contact Chen Lian. Song Yinzhang was also extremely anxious about it and suddenly thought of Shen Ruzuo, so she decided to seek his help.
Zhao Pan'er already knew Yu Zhongquan's true intention was nothing more than to frame Gu Qianfan using her. She flatly denied the charge of colluding with the enemy, yet Yu Zhongquan forcibly pressed her handprint, believing his scheme had succeeded. Little did he know, Zhao Pan'er had already sensed something was wrong and silently swapped the note. What was called "colluding with the enemy" was merely a foreign script wishing the Emperor congratulations, which could not be considered sufficient evidence.
Realizing he had been tricked, Yu Zhongquan became furious and personally resorted to water torture to force her into submission. Just as Zhao Pan'er was on her last breath, Chen Lian and others appeared in time. Yu Zhongquan struggled free and lunged towards Zhao Pan'er, only to see a dagger fly in, piercing straight towards Yu Zhongquan. Almost simultaneously, Gu Qianfan entered from outside, his gaze dark and ruthless.
To prevent Zhao Pan'er from being implicated, Gu Qianfan pretended not to know her and ordered Chen Lian to escort her away. On the way back, Zhao Pan'er met Song Yinzhang and Shen Ruzuo. However, considering Gu Qianfan's connection with the Capital Security Office, she simply said it was Chi Yanei's malicious revenge and that she was not seriously injured, thus preventing Song Yinzhang from overthinking. Gu Qianfan naturally wouldn't let Yu Zhongquan off.
He negotiated privately with Lei Jing, using Yu Zhongquan's embezzlement and Xiao Qinyan's influence to force Lei Jing to hand this person over to him for severe punishment. That same night, Gu Qianfan instructed his subordinates to throw Yu Zhongquan into a basin of hot water until he bled to death. He then warned everyone to take it as a lesson and not spread further rumors.
Seeing Zhao Pan'er return safely, Sun Sanniang finally felt a huge weight lifted from her heart. Shen Ruzuo said goodbye and left, promising to enjoy Song Yinzhang's pipa music next time. After the turmoil of the night, the three sisters were still shaken. At this moment, Gu Qianfan suddenly arrived.
Hearing that Zhao Pan'er had intentionally hidden the truth, his anger grew even stronger, thinking that if he had arrived one step later, they might have been separated forever by death. But Zhao Pan'er still remembered what had just happened and believed that Gu Qianfan pretending not to know her was also to avoid associating with someone of her lowly status. These words, upon hearing them, felt particularly harsh to Gu Qianfan.
He immediately explained that his intention was very simple: he didn't want the people from the Capital Security Office to know that Zhao Pan'er was his weakness, as it would ultimately lead to her being implicated. Zhao Pan'er felt a mix of emotions upon hearing this and asked Gu Qianfan what kind of feelings he had regarding their relationship. She said if he hadn't thought it through and just came to provoke her, it would be irresponsible to their relationship.
Gu Qianfan had indeed not considered it so deeply. Originally, he had always thought about protecting Zhao Pan'er, but unknowingly, he had fallen into it, unable to extricate himself. After waiting for a long time without Gu Qianfan's response, Zhao Pan'er told him to leave. Gu Qianfan said he would seriously consider their relationship and also had Chen Lian ensure Zhao Pan'er's safety.
After Gu Qianfan and the others left, Sun Sanniang couldn't help but complain about Zhao Pan'er being strong everywhere, relying on herself for everything, and never depending on her sisters, which made it seem like they weren't trustworthy. But after venting, Sun Sanniang and Zhao Pan'er reconciled as before. Recently, Half-Covered Face has been having frequent interactions with Shuangxi Tower. The musicians from the tower have become regular customers and often have tea and snacks prepared for them.
Chi Yanei was particularly unhappy in his heart and demanded that Zhang Haohao break off relations with Zhao Pan'er, but he was refused. Instead, he unexpectedly learned from He Si that He Si had revealed the embarrassing incident of him crying loudly at the Earth God Temple. Chi Yanei immediately ran to confront He Si and happened to see him holding a food box from Half-Covered Face, which made him furious.
But there was a previous agreement that He Si and others would be at Zhao Pan'er's beck and call at any time, so Chi Yanei had nowhere to vent his anger. In a fit of rage, he kicked a cabinet and ended up hurting himself. Last night's incident was too strange. Gu Qianfan interrogated the relevant personnel and only then learned that Yu Zhongquan and Xiao Wei had colluded. He figured Xiao Qinyan must not know about this.
Gu Qianfan ordered someone to disclose it to him and also sent a deer leg to Xiao Wei's residence. Just as Xiao Wei was fuming with rage and preparing to report the matter to the yamen, his steward unexpectedly arrived, conveying Xiao Qinyan's message and warning him that if he were to believe rumors and deal with Gu Qianfan again, he would no longer be considered a son of the Xiao family in the future.
Xiao Wei truly couldn't understand why his father was protecting this person in every way, so he wanted his mother to support him. The steward stopped Xiao Wei and hinted that he should not cause more trouble, as he currently held only a nominal position without real power and was no match for Gu Qianfan at all. Moreover, Gu Qianfan was not his enemy.
Without prior notice, Shen Ruzuo came alone to Half-Covered Face to listen to music, and immediately after, sent a box of pastries, which were actually imitations of Sun Sanniang's goods made by several other tea houses. Not only were the prices cheap and the quantity large, but they even offered similar drinks. Especially Qingming Fang had hired two pipa players who sat in the store and played every day, attracting many customers.
