A Female Student Arrives at the Imperial College Episode 15 Recap
> A Female Student Arrives at the Imperial College Recap
After enjoying a meal for which they had no money, Sang Qi and Yan Yunzhi decided to settle the bill the following day. As they walked away from the bustling streets to a secluded spot, a powerful spark of affection ignited between them. Yan Yunzhi, unable to resist, leaned in and softly kissed Sang Qi, filling the air with a sweet intimacy. He then playfully suggested they embrace their roles as a "pair of thieves" and do something truly unexpected.
Soon after, a beautiful display of fireworks lit up the sky, captivating Sang Qi. She excitedly led Yan Yunzhi to a nearby bridge for a better view. However, she became so engrossed that she didn't notice Yan Yunzhi momentarily stepping away. Panicked, Sang Qi called out for him, but he soon returned, carrying two cups of water.
He revealed he had been teasing her about their lack of funds, wanting their outing to be special and memorable, much to Sang Qi's amusement and slight exasperation, though she found him sometimes a bit silly. Meanwhile, at the Imperial College, the students lamented the departure of Wei Zhan Hong, who had been taken away by officials following Official Wei's exile.
They noted how Wei Zhan Hong had always been loyal to Song Luotian, only to be discarded when no longer useful, which they found deeply regrettable. Just as Wei Zhan Hong was being escorted away, Song Luotian arrived, attempting to intervene with a whip, but his own servants quickly restrained him, reminding him of his father's strict orders not to leave the residence and warning him of potential punishment.
Song Luotian promised Wei Zhan Hong that he would seek help from his father, the Grand Tutor, to intercede on his behalf. However, a disheartened Wei Zhan Hong firmly declared that he no longer wished for any ties with the Song family, leaving Song Luotian dejected and unable to calm his inner disappointment as Wei Zhan Hong was led away.
Under the cloak of night, Grand Tutor Song met with Zhuo Wenyuan in a secluded, austere room, which Zhuo Wenyuan explained was conducive to clear thinking and insight. Grand Tutor Song expressed his gratitude for Zhuo Wenyuan's shrewd plan that had helped resolve the tea plantation incident and offered his full support should Zhuo Wenyuan wish to pursue an official career.
Grand Tutor Song then voiced his concerns, stating that while Official Wei had taken the blame, the truth might eventually surface, bringing culpability back to him if Official Wei couldn't withstand the intense scrutiny. He also saw Yan Yunzhi as a significant threat, believing Yan Yunzhi's interference had exposed the tea plantation affair.
Fearing Yan Yunzhi would not let the matter rest, Grand Tutor Song suggested eliminating Official Wei to prevent future complications, a plan Zhuo Wenyuan calmly assured him he would handle. News spread that Grand Tutor Song would deliver an imperial lecture at the Imperial College, seemingly to clarify public perception following the tea plantation incident. The students, however, saw it as a brazen attempt to gain favor and decided to disrupt his lecture.
During his speech, where Grand Tutor Song proclaimed his unwavering loyalty to His Majesty and dismissed rumors against him, a pre-arranged branch from the famed "Evil-eradicating Cypress" suddenly fell, narrowly missing him. Incensed, Grand Tutor Song vowed to uncover the culprits. Yan Yunzhi then arrived, taking full responsibility for the incident. Sang Qi, feigning anger, reprimanded Yan Yunzhi for trying to cover for the students, further enraging Grand Tutor Song.
The students, in a show of defiance, loudly declared their own culpability to protect Yan Yunzhi. Sang Qi then provocatively suggested cutting down the "Evil-eradicating Cypress" to appease Grand Tutor Song, claiming it had mistakenly offended him.
As the students prepared to chop the tree, Grand Tutor Song's own son, Song Luotian, appeared, leading to a tense confrontation where Grand Tutor Song, humiliated, vowed to report the entire farce to His Majesty and disowned his son, ordering him to "get lost." Later that night, Yan Yunzhi met with His Majesty. His Majesty reprimanded Yan Yunzhi for the chaotic imperial lecture and the "petty tricks," implying Yan Yunzhi had failed to properly harass Grand Tutor Song.
Yan Yunzhi humbly accepted the blame for allowing Grand Tutor Song to be humiliated. His Majesty then revealed his knowledge that the Song family was indeed involved in the tea plantation incident, but their swift move to blame the Wei family had foiled Yan San Lang's initial investigation. To both appease Grand Tutor Song and allow Yan Yunzhi to fully pursue the investigation into the Song family, His Majesty announced Yan Yunzhi's removal from his post as Deputy Chief.
Yan Yunzhi acknowledged His Majesty's wisdom and vowed to fulfill his expectations, understanding this was a covert operation requiring utmost caution. The following day, a panicked Yan Yan rushed into the Imperial College, announcing Yan Yunzhi's dismissal as Deputy Chief at Grand Tutor Song's insistence. The news shocked the students, especially Sang Qi, who stood up in alarm.
The students clamored to find Yan Yunzhi, nearly causing Scholar Feng, who was temporarily taking over as head of the Imperial College, to collapse from frustration over their lack of discipline. After Scholar Feng managed to calm them, Yan Yunzhi briefly returned to collect his books, calmly advising the students to respect Scholar Feng and the new rules.
Back at Sang Qi's residence, her father, aware of her mischievous involvement in the Imperial College incident that had become a laughingstock among officials, grounded her, forbidding her from going out or receiving guests at night. However, Zhuo Wenyuan arrived to offer Sang Qi an escape from her confinement, teasingly referring to himself as her future husband.
The students remained deeply concerned about Yan Yunzhi, speculating about his whereabouts and state of mind, even wondering if he was secretly crying to his father or planning a counterattack. Sang Qi tried to dissuade them from bothering him, suggesting he preferred solitude and might be upset by their intrusion, but they insisted on finding him. Eventually, after searching various locations, Yan Yan bravely entered a bathhouse and discovered Yan Yunzhi.
Yan Yunzhi appeared disheveled and heavily intoxicated, casually inviting them to drink with him, though Sang Qi averted her gaze, urging the others to leave. He mockingly declared his relief at no longer being Deputy Chief, claiming he was tired of dealing with students and looked forward to more time for leisure and drinking with friends, though he specifically excluded Sang Qi from these future outings. The students, seeing him seemingly well and carefree, began to disperse, relieved.
However, once only Yan Yan remained, Yan Yunzhi abruptly dropped his drunken act, snatched the wine bottle, and sharply questioned Yan Yan if he thought the assigned homework was insufficient, assuming his stern teacher persona. Meanwhile, Zhuo Wenyuan, having observed Yan Yunzhi's performance from a distance, noted his continued feigned indulgence, instructing his subordinate to bring all the wine from his residence, further maintaining his act.
Separately, Zhuo Wenyuan was informed by his subordinate that the troop escorting Official Wei had left Bianjing. Despite knowing that Yan San Lang (Yan Yunzhi) had sent people to monitor and protect Official Wei along the way, Zhuo Wenyuan remained unconcerned. He instructed his subordinate, Qian Jiu, to prepare to intercept Official Wei once they reached Jingzhou, where they had more resources to ensure the operation's success.
Meanwhile, Yan Yunzhi had sent Bai Shi to invite Qing Xuan for an outing, a detail Bai Shi shared with Su Lan. The next day, Sang Qi encountered Su Lan, who was busy purchasing snacks for her upcoming outing with Yan Yunzhi. Sang Qi's heart sank upon learning this, realizing Yan Yunzhi’s casual demeanor about his dismissal was, in fact, an elaborate deception.
Despite her internal turmoil, Sang Qi maintained her composure, acknowledging Su Lan's plans and reflecting on how Yan Yunzhi's newfound "freedom" was indeed part of a larger, hidden agenda, a truth Su Lan remained blissfully unaware of.
