A Female Student Arrives at the Imperial College Episode 1 Recap
> A Female Student Arrives at the Imperial College Recap
The Imperial College, a prestigious institution in Bianjing, was known to gather the finest scholars and teachers of the Song Dynasty. After the previous chief's resignation, the young and capable Deputy Chief Yan Yunzhi took over, shifting the focus from ornate literature to classical teachings and current affairs. Intrigued by the news, Sang Qi, clad in red and riding a fine steed, decided to visit the Imperial College herself to uncover the truth.
Meanwhile, Yan Yunzhi found his carriage deliberately agitated for the third time that month. When his coachman noted that the horse was about to run into Young Lady Song Jiayin, the beloved daughter of Grand Tutor Song, Yan Yunzhi calmly ordered him to accelerate, anticipating she would dodge. However, Sang Qi dramatically intervened, leaping from a rooftop to rescue Song Jiayin before seizing the reins and bringing the runaway horse to a halt.
Far from grateful, Song Jiayin accused Sang Qi of ruining her plans and asserted her identity as the daughter of Grand Tutor Song. Sang Qi, identifying herself as Sang Qi, boldly retorted that she never judged lives by status and challenged Song Jiayin to try and catch her. Upon hearing the name Sang Qi, Yan Yunzhi emerged from his carriage, his gaze filled with surprise and interest as he observed her.
Sang Qi, noting his silence, mistakenly concluded he couldn't speak, expressing pity before departing, unaware of his exasperated internal thoughts about being deemed mute. Later, at Qingfeng Restaurant, Sang Qi shared her surprising ambition with her childhood friend, Zhuo Wenyuan: to enroll in the Imperial College. Zhuo Wenyuan was astonished, reminding her that the academy, the most prestigious in the Song Dynasty, traditionally only accepted noblemen aged fourteen to nineteen.
Sang Qi was resolute, declaring that she would petition His Majesty to become the first female student, as it was the dying wish of her late brother, Sang Yu, for her to inherit his ambition and study there. Their conversation was interrupted by the demanding voice of Song Jiayin outside.
Inside the restaurant, Song Jiayin, despite learning Sang Qi was the daughter of Grand Commandant Sang, was disrespectful, calling her an "uncouth girl from the frontier" who had embarrassed her in front of her "future husband." Sang Qi and Zhuo Wenyuan then exchanged insults about Song Jiayin in their native dialect, which Song Jiayin, misinterpreting as compliments on her grace and beauty, encouraged.
This led to a bet: Sang Qi had to make Yan Yunzhi accept her pouch by the Lantern Festival. If she failed, she would perform publicly like an entertainer; if she succeeded, Song Jiayin would apologize in front of everyone in Bianjing. Zhuo Wenyuan warned Sang Qi that Yan Yunzhi, revered as one of the Four Young Masters of Bianjing and the Chancellor's secondary son, was exceptionally talented but known for rejecting advances.
Undeterred, Sang Qi seized the opportunity when Yan Yunzhi appeared, presenting him with her pouch. Yan Yunzhi, however, recognized her earlier comments about him in dialect. He sarcastically dismissed her offering as a "tip" and threw the pouch to a waiter, confirming that he did understand their dialect. Back at the Grand Commandant's residence, Sang Qi's father, Grand Commandant Sang, secured a royal decree for his daughter to study at the Imperial College.
This unprecedented move sparked outrage among the scholars, who demanded an additional entrance exam for Sang Qi, hoping she would withdraw. Deputy Chief Yan Yunzhi initially argued against rigid traditions, stating that if Sang Qi had academic potential, she shouldn't be discriminated against simply for being a woman. However, Scholar Feng insisted on the exam to prove her academic capability and to have a justified reason should His Majesty question their decision. Yan Yunzhi eventually conceded.
Sang Qi, finding the situation difficult, sought Zhuo Wenyuan's help. He provided her with crucial insights into the examiners: Scholar Feng, who was old-fashioned but had predictable exam questions, and Scholar Huo Cheng, a martial arts teacher close to the Sang family, who would likely test her horseback archery skills. It was during this discussion that Sang Qi realized Yan Yunzhi was the Deputy Chief, accusing him of being petty for making her take an exam after the pouch incident.
Despite the challenge, she declared her determination to enroll. With Zhuo Wenyuan's assistance, Sang Qi successfully passed her exam, securing her admission. On the first day of school, Sang Qi's arrival as the Imperial College's first female student caused a stir. Students, including Yan Yan, the Grand Preceptor's eldest son, expressed their displeasure, suggesting she was merely there to find a suitor.
Undeterred, Sang Qi confronted Yan Yunzhi again, presenting him with a pouch as a "student's gift," a formal gesture, not a romantic one. Yan Yunzhi, however, scorned the "insignificant trick," publicly tore up the pouch, and again refused the gift, complaining about her persistent and annoying attempts and denying any "past connections" as Sang Qi had claimed.
After this attempt failed, Sang Qi persisted in her efforts to get Yan Yunzhi to accept her pouch, but all were met with failure. To instill humility and responsibility in Sang Qi, Yan Yunzhi assigned her to Class Yellow, the lowest-ranked class, despite her family background and exam results being sufficient for Class Terre.
He explained to Zhuo Wenyuan that if Sang Qi, as the pioneering female student, could not set a strong example of humble reverence for learning, it would deter other women from ever daring to enter the Imperial College. Surprisingly, Zhuo Wenyuan, a top student from Class Sky, voluntarily transferred to Class Yellow to be Sang Qi's classmate.
When Yan Yunzhi questioned this decision, Zhuo Wenyuan cited Yan Yunzhi's own teaching that study should not be solely for glory, and then subtly probed Yan Yunzhi's seemingly harsh treatment of Sang Qi. Yan Yunzhi’s response revealed his true intentions for Sang Qi's placement: to set a precedent.
A flashback then showed Sang Yu, Sang Qi's late brother, asking Yan Yunzhi to look after Sang Qi should she ever return to Bianjing and enroll in the Imperial College, a promise Yan Yunzhi had made. Later, Sang Qi visited Yan Yunzhi's quarters, finding him in a peculiar state as he was testing a piece of white silk, related to investigating a suicide case for the Jingzhao Mansion.
Misinterpreting his actions, she rushed in, startling him and causing him to fall. Convinced he had attempted suicide, she quickly shared this sensational news with Zhuo Wenyuan. The rumor of Deputy Chief Yan Yunzhi attempting suicide then spread like wildfire throughout the Imperial College, reaching Yan Yunzhi himself, who was furious. He confronted Sang Qi, who braced herself for a reprimand, still convinced she had witnessed a suicide attempt.
