A Female Student Arrives at the Imperial College Episode 22 Recap
> A Female Student Arrives at the Imperial College Recap
At the Imperial College Archive, Song Jiayin caused a disturbance, publicly displaying her resentment towards Sang Qi and Yan Yunzhi. She defiantly refused to leave, even challenging Zhuo Wenyuan to physically remove her. Zhuo Wenyuan, taking her up on her dare, lifted her. He sternly informed her that while he generally favored women, he made an exception for those who troubled Sang Qi or disrespected the Archive's etiquette.
He then attempted to put a hairpin on her, but his expression turned cold as he noticed a familiar scent on her, urging her to return home quickly. Nevertheless, he later offered to escort her home. Upon their arrival at the Grand Commandant's Residence, Zhuo Wenyuan engaged in a private conversation with Grand Tutor Song.
He subtly warned Grand Tutor Song that the family was under scrutiny, particularly regarding aromatics purchased from a recently confiscated warehouse, implying it was a trap set by Yan Yunzhi. Meanwhile, Song Jiayin found herself conflicted, weighing Zhuo Wenyuan, the impressive top scholar who treated her kindly, against Yan Yunzhi, whom she had previously considered the only man worthy of her. Elsewhere in the Imperial College, discussions arose among students about the rare opportunity for commoners to enroll.
However, these quickly turned into complaints about Sang Qi, a female Librarian, whom they accused of gaining entry solely due to her status as the Grand Commandant's daughter, dismissing the "opening to the public" initiative as merely a means to benefit influential families. Sang Qi, stopping Yan Yunzhi from intervening, calmly stepped forward. She acknowledged her family's privilege in her admission but firmly stated that her official rank was earned through her own diligent efforts.
To prove her competence, she challenged her detractors to a test within the Archive. Despite the vast collection of books, Sang Qi demonstrated her profound knowledge by precisely locating "Laozi Zhi Gui" and further recommending a complementary text, 'He Shang Gong Zhang Ju', thereby effectively silencing her critics. Sang Qi further elaborated on her position, explaining that while her family background played a part, she faced far more criticism and harshness than others.
She clarified that the "opening to the public" initiative was not a mere gimmick but a genuine effort to foster fairness and allow all students to study without excessive scrutiny or external judgment. Her eloquent defense resonated with the students, earning their respect and causing the initially anxious Yan Yunzhi to relax and smile with satisfaction. He praised her for her rational and effective counter-argument.
Sang Qi playfully credited his guidance for her success and teased him, saying that her praise elevated his value as the person she liked, thereby showcasing her own discernment. Pleased, Yan Yunzhi left, vowing to bring honor to her.
As the Eighth Day of the Eighth Month, Yan Yunzhi's birthday, approached, he was embarrassed to directly tell Sang Qi, so he instructed Yan Yan to 'unintentionally reveal' his birthday to her, emphasizing that the message must be delivered "word for word." However, Yan Yan, upon encountering Lian Pian at the Grand Commandant's Residence, became sidetracked by her insistence that he clean his messy room, and completely forgot to deliver Yan Yunzhi’s crucial message.
On the day of his birthday, Yan Yunzhi arrived at the Grand Commandant's Residence, expecting a celebratory feast. To his dismay, Sang Qi clarified that the elaborate meal was Lian Pian’s effort to celebrate Yan Yan's one-month stay at their household. Later that evening, under the soft moonlight, Sang Qi sensed Yan Yunzhi's unspoken disappointment.
She then revealed that she had known about his birthday all along and presented him with a meticulously crafted embroidery, a product of many late nights spent learning the craft from Lian Pian. Yan Yunzhi was genuinely touched by the gift. Sang Qi playfully admitted to deliberately feigning ignorance as a form of "payback" for his own fondness for setting traps and teasing others, calling it "a taste of your own medicine."
Their tender moment was abruptly interrupted by a servant bearing dire news: the Prefecture Court had raided the Yan Residence, and the Grand Preceptor, along with others, had been arrested. Rushing to the sealed Yan Residence, they found Yan Yan and Lian Pian already there, equally confused and desperate for answers. Yan Yunzhi, seeing Prefectural Court official Yan San Lang, allowed the arrests to proceed, expecting an explanation later.
Yan San Lang subsequently explained that his investigation, initially targeting the Song family based on clues related to a confiscated warehouse, goods from Xizhao, and Song Jiayin's unique fragrance, had taken an unexpected turn. He had apprehended a timid salt merchant named Ding Hao, who, without even being tortured, immediately confessed. However, Ding Hao inexplicably implicated the Yan family, claiming they had forced him to engage in illicit salt trade and sell official titles for the Grand Preceptor's Residence.
He even produced a detailed ledger, meticulously recording dates, amounts, and transaction partners. Yan Yunzhi immediately recognized this detailed record as a clear fabrication, knowing that illegal traders would never keep such transparent accounts. Despite his suspicions of a setup, Yan San Lang was obligated to report the confession to His Majesty, who promptly ordered the arrest of the Grand Preceptor and the sealing of the Yan Residence.
Yan Yunzhi deduced that the Song family must have discovered their investigation and hastily framed the Yan family. To swiftly prove the Yan family's innocence, Sang Qi requested to interview Ding Hao, even though he had already confessed and could not be subjected to further torture. Sang Qi then devised a cunning plan to manipulate Ding Hao.
She entered the same prison cell as him, where she dramatically feigned extreme distress and the effects of torture, raving about a terrifying and untraceable torture method called "suffocation" involving paper and water. She convinced Ding Hao that she, too, was unjustly arrested due to her association with the Yan family. When Yan Yunzhi entered the cell with a stern demeanor, Sang Qi exaggeratedly reacted with terror, pretending to resist as guards led her away, all for Ding Hao's benefit.
Yan Yunzhi then interrogated a terrified Ding Hao, making it clear that he was not interested in the salt smuggling itself but in obtaining enough evidence to definitively convict the Yan family. Under the immense psychological pressure and believing Yan Yunzhi to be relentless, Ding Hao, completely broken, finally agreed to confess everything he knew, starting with the fabricated ledger.
