A Female Student Arrives at the Imperial College Episode 17 Recap
> A Female Student Arrives at the Imperial College Recap
Picking up from where they left off, Sang Qi asked Yan Yunzhi about his injury. As Yan Yunzhi continued to press Sang Qi about his potential departure, she abruptly shouted "Go away!" He was taken aback, only to realize Sang Qi was actually telling a lizard to leave as it secretly approached them.
After a quick glance at the lizard, Yan Yunzhi turned back to Sang Qi, reiterating that he could not yet leave due to his deceased brother's unfulfilled wish and the unresolved matters in Xizhao. However, he then added that if she did not want him to leave, he would not. Sang Qi confessed that she did not want him to leave and wished for him to stay. Yan Yunzhi, seemingly satisfied, embraced her tightly.
After Yan Yunzhi's departure from the Imperial College, the quality of the students' compositions severely declined, with Scholar Feng even remarking that they were "worse than rotten eggs" and fit only for papering walls. Concerned by the profound impact on the students' studies, the scholars discussed petitioning His Majesty for Yan Yunzhi's return. Scholar Feng, noting his own influence among the students, offered to report the matter to His Majesty if the students were truly keen on Yan Yunzhi's return.
News of the petition spread quickly, and students eagerly gathered to sign it. Initially, Zhuo Wenyuan hesitated to sign, but a fellow student urged him, pointing out that without Deputy Chief Yan's return, their "sufferings with Scholar Feng" would be endless. Eventually, Zhuo Wenyuan relented and signed. After days of waiting, the petition had yielded no response, leaving the students anxious. Suddenly, Yan Yunzhi appeared, quietly entering the Imperial College gates.
Students rushed to greet him, expressing how much they had missed him and exclaiming that their "suffering had ended." Yan Yunzhi, observing their renewed energy, remarked that Scholar Feng had managed them well. He then announced that His Majesty had agreed to his return, but with a significant condition: this year's imperial examination results must surpass those of previous years to prove his qualification as Deputy Chief. The students voiced their dismay, finding the condition impossible.
To meet this challenge, Yan Yunzhi, in consultation with Scholar Feng, decided to merge classes. Starting that day, Class Sky would share a classroom with Class Yellow, and Class Terre with Class Black, encouraging mutual learning and assistance among classmates. Students grumbled about the impending "hard days" under the new regime. Under the new classroom arrangements, Sang Qi and Zhuo Wenyuan became deskmates. Zhuo Wenyuan actively assisted Sang Qi with her studies, charming her with his compliments.
As Yan Yunzhi entered the classroom, Zhuo Wenyuan deliberately engaged Sang Qi in conversation. Yan Yunzhi, seemingly perturbed, used the excuse of reviewing Sang Qi's composition to call her to his study. Zhuo Wenyuan attempted to join, claiming his own composition needed improvement, but Yan Yunzhi dismissed him by praising his work as a "first-class model." In his study, Yan Yunzhi praised Sang Qi's revised composition, noting its clarity and coherence.
Sang Qi, however, expressed anxiety about securing a good rank in the upcoming examination. Yan Yunzhi reassured her that rank was not the most crucial aspect. For him, the exam was a test of his leadership, and for her, it was an important step to validate the possibility of women studying in public institutions.
Sang Qi inquired about the ongoing investigation into the Jingzhou Wei family case, but Yan Yunzhi advised her to focus on her duties as a student for the time being. Yan Yunzhi asked Sang Qi about her plans after the imperial examination. Sang Qi enthusiastically declared her desire for a celebratory feast, followed by announcing their relationship to everyone.
Yan Yunzhi suggested he should make the announcement, but Sang Qi argued that if she, as Sang Qi, openly declared it, no one would dare question her or accuse him of taking advantage of his position. Yan Yunzhi conceded, impressed by her foresight. She also revealed her intention to visit Lingwu Mountain to inform her Master that she was now his "nephew's wife," hoping he would stop teasing her.
Yan Yunzhi playfully offered to pull off her Master's beard if he continued. Later, Yan Yunzhi proposed marriage to Sang Qi for after the examination. Although Sang Qi did not give a direct answer, she implied her acceptance by mentioning her new status as his "nephew's wife."
Yan Yunzhi, noticing her playful tone about "vinegar" from his earlier possessive remark, affirmed his jealousy and playfully extracted a promise from her that she would only seek his guidance for her studies and not that of any other man. Yan Yunzhi met with Yan San Lang at a restaurant. Yan San Lang reported on his investigation into the Wei family, confirming their deep ties with Xizhao.
The coroner had discovered a carved tattoo on Official Wei's shoulder, identifying him as a long-term Xizhao spy embedded within the imperial court. Although Wei Zhan Hong's current whereabouts were unknown, his involvement in Sang Qi's poisoning at the Imperial College meant he was undoubtedly implicated. Yan San Lang suspected that Xizhao had first manipulated the Wei family, making them take the blame, and then planned to eliminate Yan Yunzhi while he was secretly protecting them.
This strategy would eliminate both the Wei family and Yan Yunzhi, leaving Yan Yunzhi's death without counter-evidence and allowing Xizhao to falsely incriminate him as their accomplice. Yan San Lang then remarked on Yan Yunzhi's changed approach, noting his past willingness to risk everything for an investigation, and teasingly suggested he had "gone soft" after being "bullied" by Grand Tutor Song. He advised extreme caution, noting that with the imperial court's serious investigation, Xizhao would likely be inactive for now.
Yan San Lang then proposed shifting their focus to the Song family, expecting them to eventually reveal their hand. Meanwhile, Qian Jiu met with Zhuo Wenyuan at her side house. She acknowledged the difficulty in dealing with Yan Yunzhi, but reassured Zhuo Wenyuan that their recent setback in Jingzhou was not a complete loss, as they still held a bargaining chip. She advised laying low for the time being.
Zhuo Wenyuan revealed his ambition to be the top scholar in the upcoming imperial examination to fulfill his aunt's expectations. Qian Jiu affirmed his talent, confident he would rank first. However, she warned him that while they had refrained from acting against Yan Yunzhi or Sang Qi to avoid complications, if either of them threatened Xizhao's foundation again, Xizhao would eliminate them on the spot, regardless of their family status.
Qian Jiu stressed that even Zhuo Wenyuan's intervention would be futile. Zhuo Wenyuan firmly stated that Sang Qi was his bottom line and no one was permitted to harm her. Qian Jiu reminded him that ensuring their cooperation was her mission and that if such a day came, they might find themselves at odds. Zhuo Wenyuan reiterated his seriousness regarding Sang Qi, concluding their conversation abruptly.
To prepare for the upcoming imperial examination, Yan Yunzhi and the scholars introduced a set of new, stringent rules at the Imperial College. Students were dismayed, complaining about the harshness of the regulations, which included extended study hours, daily quizzes, mandatory group exercise, and strict penalties for distractions or rule-breaking. Many students felt the new rules were "inhumane" and lamented Yan Yunzhi's return.
Despite the improvements in student performance, Yan Yunzhi clarified that education was not merely about achieving good grades or fame. He explained that the true purpose of the Imperial College, as taught by him and the scholars, was to cultivate students who first understood propriety and then served the common people. He shared his own experience, noting that achieving an official designation was just the beginning of a long and challenging path.
He urged the students to use the knowledge and principles learned at the Imperial College to remain steadfast in their original aspirations, especially when facing confusion. As the imperial examination approached, Zhuo Wenyuan sent a specially prepared set of writing materials to Sang Qi via Lian Pian, hoping she would use them and promising to wait for her at the examination hall entrance.
However, Sang Qi informed Lian Pian that she already possessed writing materials and would not be changing them, subtly implying she would use the set given to her by Yan Yunzhi earlier. On the day of the exam, Sang Qi's father encouraged her, telling her not to force herself if she wanted to stop. Before entering the hall, Zhuo Wenyuan approached Sang Qi, boldly declaring his intent to be the top scholar to demonstrate his capabilities.
Students and anxious onlookers, including Sang Qi's father, awaited the candidates outside the examination hall. Scholars Feng and Huo Cheng congratulated students on their performance. Zhuo Wenyuan confidently reported his "normal performance." Other students shared their experiences, with Yan Yan expressing satisfaction, while another student jokingly doubted Yan Yan's chances even with an "extraordinary performance." An older student intervened, reminding the bickering pair about the preciousness of their camaraderie before entering official careers. When Sang Qi finally emerged, Yan Yunzhi noted her downcast expression, asking if she had not performed well.
