A Female Student Arrives at the Imperial College Episode 19 Recap
> A Female Student Arrives at the Imperial College Recap
Zhuo Wenyuan finally confessed his feelings to Sang Qi, telling her he had always wanted to marry her. He explained that when he was exiled to the frontier as a child, she was the only one who treated him as an equal, and her letters were his sole comfort in Bianjing, making her his only friend. He admitted that he knew she and Yan Yunzhi were in love, but his feelings for her were his own affair.
As he spoke, he tightened his grip on his bow and shot a wild rabbit. Sang Qi then aimed her bow to the side, remarking that even the best hunter needs prey to succeed, and that their childhood bow, however good, was no longer suitable for them as adults.
She returned the bow to Zhuo Wenyuan, gently but firmly telling him that her heart belonged only to Yan Yunzhi and that he should not waste his time on her, lest they lose their friendship entirely. Zhuo Wenyuan, feeling that Sang Qi had left him no other choice, threw the bow down in frustration. Upon Sang Qi's return, Yan Yunzhi playfully feigned anger, demanding to know what she had discussed with Zhuo Wenyuan.
Sang Qi found his act amusing and, leaning in, kissed him. Delighted, Yan Yunzhi immediately spoke of his eagerness to propose to the Sang family soon.
Later that night, Sang Qi confided in her late brother Sang Yu's portrait, excitedly detailing her plans with Yan Yunzhi: their wedding at the Imperial College where they first met and which held great significance for her brother, a banquet for her maiden family at the frontier fortress, and how they would name their many children, with some taking her surname and others his. Her face beamed with happiness and anticipation, her eyes curving into crescent moons.
Unbeknownst to her, her father, Grand Commandant Sang, was secretly listening nearby, growing increasingly agitated. Grand Commandant Sang, already aware of Yan Yunzhi’s close friendship with his son Sang Yu, was now confronted with an even deeper connection between Yan Yunzhi and his family. He sought out Yan Yunzhi directly, unequivocally stating his disapproval of the marriage.
While grateful for Yan Yunzhi’s assistance in helping Sang Qi participate in the imperial examination, Grand Commandant Sang explained that as she was his only daughter, he would not tolerate her suffering any hardship. He emphasized his need for an in-law who could fully protect her. Yan Yunzhi, though surprised, stood firm in his resolve to marry Sang Qi, promising to persevere until he gained approval.
With the imperial examination concluded, Yan Yan felt confident enough to confide in his mother about his romantic feelings. However, Madam Yan misinterpreted his intentions, mistakenly believing he was in love with Sang Qi. She promptly prepared lavish gifts, intending to propose to the Sang family on his behalf. Meanwhile, Grand Commandant Sang, also under a misapprehension, believed that Yan Yan and Lian Pian shared feelings for each other.
Overjoyed at this prospect, he declared that if the Yan family consented, he would formally add Lian Pian to the Sang family genealogy. But then, recalling Yan Yunzhi's unwavering determination from earlier, Grand Commandant Sang's expression hardened, and he instructed his retainers to prevent anyone from entering the residence. Despite Grand Commandant Sang's orders, Lian Pian, seeing Madam Yan's visit, quickly welcomed her into the mansion.
Grand Commandant Sang was initially pleased, until Madam Yan revealed that her son's intended bride was Sang Qi. The revelation stunned everyone present, leaving them bewildered as to why Madam Yan would suddenly seek Sang Qi's hand for Yan Yan. Observing their reactions, Madam Yan belatedly realized that her son’s affections lay with Lian Pian. Her smile instantly faltered, and she coldly reprimanded Yan Yan. Grand Commandant Sang was dissatisfied with both marriage proposals that day.
One family, the Yan family, had rushed to propose, immediately pressing their marriage letter into his hand upon entry. The other suitor, Yan Yunzhi, was Chancellor Yan’s son from a concubine, and even Chancellor Yan himself was somewhat distant to his own son, let alone a future daughter-in-law. Later, Lian Pian felt disheartened by Madam Yan’s harsh words but acknowledged the kindness shown to her by Grand Commandant Sang and Sang Qi.
Elsewhere, Madam Yan, still fuming, confined Yan Yan to their residence, forbidding him from stepping outside, intending to find him a more suitable bride. Yan Yan however, defiantly asserted that Lian Pian was not a "lowly woman" but a proper young lady. Sang Qi, discussing the day's events with Yan Yunzhi, assured him she wasn't anxious about their delayed proposal, confident that he would still marry her, and he promised not to keep her waiting.
Sang Qi then tried to reason with her father about Yan Yunzhi, pointing out his "obnoxious" personality mirrored their own. Grand Commandant Sang however, praised Zhuo Wenyuan for his thoughtfulness in comparison. Noble Consort Zhuo, Zhuo Wenyuan's aunt, encouraged him to pursue Sang Qi despite her public relationship with Yan Yunzhi, asserting that without parental consent and a proper procedure, their bond was not unbreakable. She suggested he use his cleverness to separate them.
Later, Zhuo Wenyuan found Su Jieyu at Qingfeng Restaurant, noting her apparent loneliness and expressing a sense of shared predicament. He candidly asked why she remained fixated on Yan Yunzhi, given Yan Yunzhi’s consistent aloofness and his now public relationship with Sang Qi. Su Jieyu recounted a childhood memory: at age eight, while playing hide-and-seek blindfolded in the garden, she stumbled and grabbed onto someone, only to discover it was Yan Yunzhi.
He had gently led her away, lifting his head only when they reached the eaves, explaining later that he had saved her from falling into a thorny patch of Chinese roses that could have seriously injured her. Zhuo Wenyuan dismissed this as mere common courtesy, suggesting she would have developed feelings for anyone who helped her. He concluded that Yan Yunzhi clearly did not love her.
Nevertheless, he proposed an alliance, stating his desire to keep Sang Qi for himself, and asking if she still wished for Yan Yunzhi. He suggested that if she couldn't win his heart, she could first secure his presence, believing that shared meals and beds would eventually lead to a deeper connection. After Yan Yunzhi had been ambushed at the border of Jingzhou and Official Wei assassinated, Yan Yunzhi and Yan San Lang began an investigation.
When they arrived at Official Wei’s residence, they found it had already been thoroughly searched. However, nearby villagers reported seeing a man, posing as a merchant selling Official Wei’s belongings, frequently entering and exiting the house. They correctly identified him as a spy from Xizhao. Following this lead, Yan Yunzhi and Yan San Lang tracked the spy to a Xizhao stronghold on the outskirts of the city.
The stronghold was filled with Xizhao’s unique, poisonous plants, the same kind from which the substance that had once poisoned Sang Qi was extracted. They apprehended a guard who claimed he was only responsible for guarding and transporting smuggled salt. Yan Yunzhi deduced that the operation involved trading smuggled salt for these toxic Xizhao plants, an illicit enterprise meticulously planned and executed by a powerful mastermind, far beyond the capabilities of the Wei family.
Yan Yunzhi noted a strange, unpleasant odor in the air that was irritating his nose, while Yan San Lang seemed unaffected, finding the smell pleasant. Realizing Yan Yunzhi was being affected by the plants, Yan San Lang urged him to rest. Yan Yunzhi instructed Yan San Lang to secure the warehouse and collect evidence, confirming it was the Prefecture Court's duty.
Soon after, Zhuo Wenyuan received news that the warehouse had been sealed and its contents confiscated, though critically, the ledger had not been found. His subordinates were instructed to be extremely cautious and avoid the warehouse area. Zhuo Wenyuan also learned that Yan Yunzhi’s marriage proposal to Sang Qi had been rejected. Following this, Su Jieyu visited Madam Yan, Yan Yunzhi’s mother, claiming she wanted to chat and brought her snacks.
She mentioned that Yan Yunzhi was out of the residence due to the issuance of the orders for the imperial examination. Madam Yan expressed surprise, having been unaware that Yunzhi had already gone to the Grand Commandant’s Residence to propose. During her visit, Su Jieyu quietly contemplated the advice she had received from Zhuo Wenyuan about getting close to Yan Yunzhi physically to eventually win his heart.
