A Female Student Arrives at the Imperial College Episode 28 Recap
> A Female Student Arrives at the Imperial College Recap
After Sang Qi, overwhelmed by anxiety and despair, fainted, a physician diagnosed her condition as severe melancholy, compounded by the presence of a toxin in her body. Zhuo Wenyuan was well aware of this, as he had orchestrated the poisoning. That night, after Yan Yun Zhi fell off a cliff, his personal pouch was found. Zhuo Wenyuan, in a fit of rage, decided to put a slow-acting poison from Qian Jiu into the pouch.
He then had it deliberately placed where Sang Qi would find it, wanting to ensure she kept it close, knowing that her deep attachment to Yan Yun Zhi would lead her to hold onto the pouch, thus accelerating the poison’s effect. Later, he attempted to retrieve the pouch from Sang Qi, but she clung to it fiercely and without hesitation, reaffirming her profound connection to Yan Yun Zhi.
Zhuo Wenyuan, noting that she was no longer the Sang Qi he once knew, declared that if he could not have her, Yan Yun Zhi would not either, vowing to remain by her side in the end. He also commanded his men to continue searching for Yan Yun Zhi, dead or alive, believing that Yan Yun Zhi knew too much and posed a significant threat. Days turned colder, yet there was no news of Yan Yun Zhi.
Su Jieyu, still worried about his uncertain fate and the charges against him, discussed her concerns with her brother, who remained optimistic. Meanwhile, Lian Pian noted the approaching Lantern Festival, reminding Sang Qi of how Yan Yun Zhi, dressed in white, had saved her from danger. Despite her fragile health, Sang Qi sought fresh air outside her residence.
It was then that Yan Yan arrived with grave news: Zhuo Wenyuan had replaced Yan Yun Zhi as the Deputy Chief of the Imperial College. Zhuo Wenyuan had initiated drastic changes, including a new rule requiring visiting cards for entry, effectively making the institution exclusive to those with certain backgrounds and wealth.
Furthermore, he had abolished many of the new regulations Sang Qi and Yan Yun Zhi had established and, citing "inappropriateness," removed Sang Qi from her position as Bibliographic Manager. Furious, Sang Qi immediately went to the Imperial College to confront Zhuo Wenyuan in what used to be Yan Yun Zhi's study. She demanded to know his intentions regarding her removal and the reinstatement of the old system that valued students’ backgrounds.
Zhuo Wenyuan claimed he acted out of caution, asserting that Yan Yun Zhi's years of infiltration and his motives for abolishing the status requirement were unclear, adding that His Majesty had approved these changes. Sang Qi insisted that opening the Imperial College to all was her brother Yu’s dying wish, but Zhuo Wenyuan dismissed it as something Yan Yun Zhi had told her, implying it could be a fabrication.
Desperate, Sang Qi asked what it would take for him to cease his actions. Zhuo Wenyuan then proposed a condition: if she would accompany him during the upcoming Lantern Festival, his mood might improve, and he might reconsider his decisions. After a moment of thought, Sang Qi agreed, stating that as long as he preserved her brother Yu’s final wish, she would abide by his wishes in the days to come.
Shortly after leaving the Imperial College, Sang Qi encountered Su Jieyu. Su Jieyu questioned Sang Qi's continued belief in Yan Yun Zhi amidst the prevalent city rumors. She then candidly confessed that she once harbored resentment towards Sang Qi, having grown up longing for a life with Yan Yun Zhi, whom she considered her ideal husband, a dream Sang Qi’s appearance had shattered.
However, upon reflection, Su Jieyu admitted she understood why she could never prevail against Sang Qi, acknowledging that Sang Qi and Yan Yun Zhi shared a profound bond forged through life-and-death experiences, making them interdependent. She confessed her envy for Sang Qi’s daring spirit and resilience, humbly deeming herself an ordinary woman despite her renowned title.
Sang Qi, in turn, offered words of comfort and encouragement, asserting that all ways of life are valid as long as one finds contentment, and expressed her belief that Su Jieyu would eventually find someone who truly loved her. Su Jieyu thanked her and offered any assistance Sang Qi might need. On the night of the Lantern Festival, the streets were brightly lit and bustling. Sang Qi walked with Zhuo Wenyuan, who attempted to buy her a kite.
While he was momentarily distracted, Sang Qi subtly slipped away. Suddenly, Yan Yun Zhi emerged from the shadows and pulled her into an alley. Sang Qi, initially overjoyed, was met with his furious gaze. He declared that he should now refer to her as "Madam Zhuo," accusing her of being a heartless woman who intended to marry Zhuo Wenyuan while he was presumed dead.
He scoffed, suggesting she no longer needed him after gaining fame and success upon leaving the Imperial College. Despite Sang Qi’s attempts to explain, Yan Yun Zhi refused to listen, vehemently stating he would never forgive her. As Zhuo Wenyuan and his men arrived, Yan Yun Zhi choked Sang Qi's neck and held her, using her as a hostage to escape.
Before fleeing, he mockingly advised Zhuo Wenyuan, as someone who had experienced betrayal, to reconsider his affection for such a "heartless woman." Left behind, Sang Qi sadly murmured, "He still doesn't believe me." Upon returning to her room, Sang Qi’s demeanor shifted from sadness to playful amusement as she confronted Yan Yun Zhi. She scolded him for his earlier "performance" in the alley, accusing him of using harsh words.
Yan Yun Zhi, now apologetic, admitted he had not controlled his force when he shoved her away. He then revealed the truth: after falling off the cliff, he was discovered and rescued by Grand Commandant Sang, who, while out for a walk and wishing for someone to "fall from the sky" with answers, found him and secretly brought him back for treatment.
Yan Yun Zhi also admitted he was the one who had closed the door on Sang Qi earlier when she was praying at her brother’s portrait. He explained his previous secrecy was due to the circumstances, and they both agreed he would no longer hide anything from her.
They then discussed their elaborate plan to expose Zhuo Wenyuan: Yan Yun Zhi's public appearance was a deliberate move to confirm their suspicion that Zhuo Wenyuan would mobilize forces from the Prefecture Court to capture him, thus leaving the court vulnerable for an attempt on Yan San Lang’s life. Yan Yun Zhi assured Sang Qi that his plan was foolproof.
Soon after, Zhuo Wenyuan arrived at Grand Commandant Sang’s residence with a contingent of men, claiming he was there on His Majesty’s orders to protect Sang Qi from Yan Yun Zhi, whom he asserted had attempted to kidnap her. Grand Commandant Sang, though angered by the intrusion, could not defy the imperial decree. Zhuo Wenyuan proceeded to Sang Qi’s room. Sang Qi, feigning sleep, told him she was fine and preparing for bed, making it clear she was unavailable.
As Zhuo Wenyuan was about to leave, he claimed to hear a noise and abruptly re-entered the room. Sang Qi coolly denied any sound and chastised him for inappropriately barging into her private chambers with his men. Zhuo Wenyuan then left, promising to guard her door all night. Once he was gone, Yan Yun Zhi, who had been hidden in the room, emerged. Recognizing their predicament, Yan Yun Zhi accepted that he would have to stay there for the night.
Lying together, they discussed their next moves. Yan Yun Zhi reiterated his plan: Zhuo Wenyuan would undoubtedly mobilize the Prefecture Court’s forces to capture him, creating a window of opportunity to target Yan San Lang. He revealed that he had already prepared Yan Yan to act as a decoy and that Yan San Lang was now safely under the protection of his Second Uncle, Yan He Xing.
They concluded that past grievances, such as Yu’s death, Xizhao’s involvement, or Yan San Lang’s previous injury, were insufficient to bring Zhuo Wenyuan down. Instead, they needed to focus on the salt route investigation, find evidence of his illegal salt dealings, and catch him red-handed. To achieve this, they would need to make Zhuo Wenyuan relax his guard.
Yan Yun Zhi quietly noted that this night might be their last together for a while, as Zhuo Wenyuan would soon realize his presence. Yan Yun Zhi’s prediction proved accurate. Zhuo Wenyuan’s attempt to assassinate Yan San Lang at the Prefecture Court failed; his men were ambushed, and the assassin, a loyal "dead man," took his own life after being captured, leaving no clues.
Yan Yan had indeed taken Yan San Lang’s place, and Yan San Lang himself was safely under the protection of Yan He Xing. Suspecting Yan Yun Zhi’s involvement, Zhuo Wenyuan ordered a thorough search of Bianjing, but Yan Yun Zhi remained elusive. Zhuo Wenyuan, having spent the previous night guarding Grand Commandant Sang’s residence without success, was increasingly frustrated.
His frustration peaked when his wife, Jia Yin, complained about a lost hairpin, only for it to be found in her own room after a thorough search. This seemingly minor incident prompted a sudden realization for Zhuo Wenyuan, who immediately ordered his men to return to Grand Commandant Sang’s residence.
Despite Grand Commandant Sang’s open annoyance and Sang Qi’s firm protests about his repeated intrusions, Zhuo Wenyuan insisted on a search, claiming to have received a tip-off that Yan Yun Zhi was hiding within the estate. However, after a comprehensive search of the entire residence, including Sang Qi’s room, his men reported no unusual findings, forcing Zhuo Wenyuan to finally depart. As he left, Sang Qi, exhausted, collapsed.
