A Dream of Splendor Episode 8 Recap
> A Dream of Splendor Recap
The relationship between Ouyang Xu and Zhao Pan'er was only known to Sun Sanniang and Song Yinzhang. Even neighbors around the teahouse rarely noticed, so Gao Hui had no idea about his so-called 'confidante'. In contrast, Gao Hui's intention was clear. She repeatedly emphasized that she would tolerate her husband taking concubines and was willing to treat the other party as a sister, living in harmony. Such generosity and propriety made Du Changfeng secretly admire her greatly.
Just as he was about to speak, Ouyang Xu immediately interrupted, stating that he would adhere to the Ouyang family's teachings and never take a second wife in this life. As expected, upon hearing this, Gao Hui stopped being aggressive. Reassured by Ouyang Xu's guarantee, she finally left with peace of mind. Originally, Du Changfeng wanted to go along with the flow, making it convenient for Zhao Pan'er to enter the family as a 'ping qi' (equal wife).
However, Ouyang Xu understood Gao Hui very well; on the surface, she seemed knowledgeable and proper, but in reality, she was jealous and malicious. Previously, Miss Su from the Su family had merely given Ouyang Xu plum blossoms, but three days later, she had an accident that resulted in her left eye being permanently blinded. Initially, Ouyang Xu didn't think much of it.
It wasn't until other women successively encountered accidents that he finally realized Gao Hui was definitely not a kind person. In fact, there might be some justification for Gao Hui's behavior. After all, her father was a high-ranking official in the court, and her aunt was the Emperor's favorite concubine. Naturally, she believed that everything in the world should be hers to give and take.
Zhao Pan'er's inherent pride and resilience destined her not to endure the insult of being demoted from wife to concubine. To protect her safety, Ouyang Xu had no choice but to intentionally provoke her upon their reunion. Du Changfeng understood Ouyang Xu's difficulties and couldn't help but sigh. As for Zhao Pan'er's illness, Ouyang Xu also had to restrain himself from visiting, lest all his previous efforts go to waste.
In the room upstairs, Zhao Pan'er personally burned the portrait Ouyang Xu had painted for her. From now on, their feelings for each other were gone. Song Yinzhang suffered from nightmares, unable to forget Zhou She's humiliation and beatings, and was even lost in confusion because she couldn't get her status redeemed. Zhao Pan'er felt for Song Yinzhang, so she personally wrote a contract, willing to exchange her dead love for freedom.
Gu Qianfan accompanied Xiao Qinyan to worship their ancestors. Even when facing the Xiao family's fallen ancestors, he still refused to acknowledge his lineage. Xiao Qinyan was truly helpless. His only hope was that he would visit the old Xiao family mansion. Gu Qianfan did not refuse, but on the way to the old mansion, he noticed he had lost his hairpin, so he immediately returned to look for it.
As a result, he saw many people splashing dirty water on the tombstone. Seeing the steward arrive with people, Gu Qianfan stepped forward to stop them, allowing the common people to disperse noisily. Through the steward's account, Gu Qianfan learned that people would come to cause trouble around the Ghost Festival and Qingming Festival every year.
Now that his father held a high position, the outside world said he was a corrupt minister disrupting the social order, and he himself was an agent of the eunuch faction. He clearly wanted to be a good person, but the center of power was destined to be dirty and corrupt. Just as Ouyang Xu was looking at an object and thinking of someone, he suddenly heard that Zhao Pan'er had arrived, which was both unexpected and joyful.
However, Zhao Pan'er's true purpose in coming was to make a deal with Ouyang Xu. As long as Ouyang Xu agreed to write a letter of annulment; redeem Song Yinzhang's status; and return the 'Night Revels' painting, they would go their separate ways from then on, never to meet again unless in the afterlife, rather die unjustly than be related.
But if Ouyang Xu could not fulfill these three points, Zhao Pan'er would make their engagement known to the whole world. By then, Ouyang Xu's path to success would be cut off, and she wouldn't care about her own reputation either. When Ouyang Xu heard these words, he subconsciously looked up. A pair of deep, pool-like eyes looked back at him, carrying a cool meaning. Without much thought, Ouyang Xu directly agreed to Zhao Pan'er's requests.
He turned and went to his study, searching through boxes and cabinets but failing to find the 'Night Revels' painting. Since Ouyang Xu did not yet hold an official position, he had to entrust Du Changfeng to help resolve the problem of Song Yinzhang's status. Zhao Pan'er gave him three days, hoping she wouldn't be disappointed again.
However, not long after Zhao Pan'er left, Uncle De returned, covered in dust, stating directly that Zhao Pan'er was deeply cunning and truthfully recounting what he had witnessed in Huating County. Initially, Ouyang Xu didn't believe him at all, but Uncle De described it in great detail, including Zhou She's identity, which made him doubt. To avoid affecting Ouyang Xu's reputation, Du Changfeng did not agree to redeem Song Yinzhang's status.
So, in this way, Uncle De also gave the 'Night Revels' painting to Ouyang Xu's mentor. He had failed to accomplish all three things and truly had no face to meet Zhao Pan'er. On the third day, Zhao Pan'er waited a long time but did not see Ouyang Xu, so she took Sun Sanniang to his house to get a clear answer. However, Ouyang Xu avoided her and ordered the servants to guard the door.
Uncle De also hired Chi Yanei's younger brothers with a few strings of cash. Zhao Pan'er had met them once before and suddenly came up with a plan. Following Gu Qianfan's method, she hinted to Sun Sanniang to acupressure the leader, He Si, lying that this point would prevent men from having children. He Si believed her. He was the only son in his family for generations and was so scared that he quickly begged Zhao Pan'er for mercy.
Finally, at Zhao Pan'er's instruction, He Si led everyone to bang gongs and drums outside Ouyang Xu's door, shouting, "If you don't repay your debts, heaven's justice will not be at peace," attracting many people to watch. They shouted until noon, but Zhao Pan'er still did not see Ouyang Xu open the door, so she simply went back with Sun Sanniang to eat something, instructing He Si to continue shouting.
