A Female Student Arrives at the Imperial College Episode 2 Recap
> A Female Student Arrives at the Imperial College Recap
After Yan Yunzhi calls Sang Qi to him to ask what it would take for her to stop bothering him, Sang Qi states that he only needs to accept her pouch. Yan Yunzhi agrees but emphasizes he will only give her this one chance. When Sang Qi reaches for her pouch, she discovers it is missing.
Yan Yunzhi seizes the opportunity to accuse her of simply trying to disrupt order, cutting her off when she tries to explain and declaring she has missed her chance. He then adopts a benevolent tone, promising not to pursue past rumors she had spread and urging her to focus on her studies. As Sang Qi departs, she immediately realizes the truth: Yan Yunzhi must have stolen the pouch himself.
She bursts back in to accuse him, but he feigns innocence and shoos her away. Pleased with himself, Yan Yunzhi summons his attendant, Bai Shi, and instructs him to secretly return the pouch to Sang Qi's desk. However, the confused Bai Shi mistakenly places the pouch in Yan Yan’s desk instead. Upon finding the pouch, Yan Yan assumes Sang Qi has a romantic interest in him.
He begins acting ambiguously towards her, much to Sang Qi's bewilderment, who believes Yan Yan simply resents her for being the only female student. Later, Yan Yan has Zhuo Wenyuan pass a note to Sang Qi, asking her to meet him alone at the school field after class. Interpreting this as a challenge due to Yan Yan's earlier hostile behavior, Sang Qi readily agrees. At the school field, Yan Yan fantasizes about a romantic encounter.
When Sang Qi arrives, she adopts a combative stance, ready to fight. Confused, Yan Yan suggests they are moving too quickly and should follow a more traditional courtship. Misunderstanding completely, Sang Qi punches him. Stunned, Yan Yan reveals the pouch, explaining he believed it was her declaration of affection. Sang Qi instantly recognizes it and realizes Yan Yunzhi's scheme. Mistaking her shock for passion, Yan Yan grandly announces he will consider their marriage.
Aghast, Sang Qi explains it was all a mistake and rushes off to confront Yan Yunzhi, leaving Yan Yan publicly humiliated and vowing revenge. Sang Qi corners Yan Yunzhi, accusing him of orchestrating the entire trick. Yan Yunzhi admits to his actions, justifying them as a lesson in self-preservation, citing the adage that "all's fair in war." He claims it was merely "teaching and educating." Sang Qi scoffs at his explanation, vowing to eventually make him pay for his arrogance.
Meanwhile, classmates gossip about Sang Qi’s audacity, and Yan Yan gathers his men, intending to seek revenge. Zhuo Wenyuan worries about the potential consequences, fearing Yan Yunzhi's vindictiveness more than Yan Yan's antics. When Yan Yan and his group arrive, Sang Qi and Zhuo Wenyuan flee, inadvertently running into Song Luotian’s faction. Quick-thinking, Sang Qi tricks Yan Yan by feigning an alliance with Song Luotian.
An enraged Yan Yan attacks Song Luotian, and their brawl brings them dangerously close to a pool. Sang Qi intends to kick both of them into the water, but someone grabs her arm, causing her to lose balance. Zhuo Wenyuan steadies her, and she promptly kicks both Yan Yan and Song Luotian into the pool. Just as Yan Yunzhi arrives to sternly reprimand the students, a panicked-acting Sang Qi deliberately pulls him into the pool with her, escalating the chaos.
Submerged in the water, Yan Yunzhi's anger is palpable. Once out of the pool, he furiously scolds the students. Later, Wei Zhan Hong of Class Xuan, feigning concern, offers to take Sang Qi to a side room to change her soaked clothes. Aware of his malicious intentions, Sang Qi plays along. As Wei Zhan Hong opens the door, Sang Qi spots a bucket of water poised on a beam and swiftly pushes him into the room, triggering the trap.
The other students who were following rush in, only to get drenched by their own prank. Sang Qi coolly warns them to leave her alone in the future. Back in his chambers, Yan Yunzhi receives ginger soup sent by Sang Qi but refuses to forgive her, harboring a desire for personal revenge. When Scholar Feng complains about Sang Qi bullying the Class Xuan students, Yan Yunzhi dismisses the matter as a minor student squabble.
Though his servant remarks on his magnanimity, Yan Yunzhi reiterates his intention to get his own retribution. During a law class, Yan Yunzhi announces a simulated crime investigation. Sang Qi is initially excited, but her enthusiasm wanes when she draws the role of "the deceased." As the investigation unfolds, Yan Yan suggests a ludicrous theory that the deceased committed suicide by jumping on a knife held upright by ice, causing a frustrated Yan Yunzhi to sigh.
Finally, Zhuo Wenyuan reveals the true solution: the victim was fatally wounded elsewhere before succumbing to his injuries in the room. Yan Yunzhi commends Zhuo Wenyuan, using the case to teach the importance of not being deceived by superficial appearances. After consistently drawing the role of "the deceased" in subsequent simulations, Sang Qi begins to question her decision to join the Imperial College.
She recalls her late brother, Sang Yu, describing his exceptional and kind classmate named "Xiao Bai," who he promised would protect her. Sang Qi wonders where this friend is now, musing aloud that Xiao Bai would surely teach Yan Yunzhi a lesson. Yan Yunzhi, having quietly approached, overhears her. Realizing Sang Qi is talking about him, he decides to conceal his identity to maintain his authority over her and curtly sends her to horseback archery class.
Later, during practice, Yan Yan volunteers to show off his skills, but his horse suddenly bolts. After Yan Yan is thrown, Sang Qi rushes to help. She manages to grab the reins but lacks the strength to control the panicked animal. Just as she is about to be thrown, Yan Yunzhi leaps onto the horse behind her and firmly reins it in. The close call leaves Sang Qi’s heart pounding as Yan Yunzhi reminds her that as his student, her safety is his responsibility.
