A Female Student Arrives at the Imperial College Episode 30 (Ending) Recap
> A Female Student Arrives at the Imperial College Recap
Following the discovery of ill-gotten gains hidden within the Imperial College's ancient texts by Yan San Lang, Zhuo Wenyuan grew increasingly alarmed. His network of contacts—including those in the Prefecture Court, a warehouse, and the Imperial College—had all vanished without a trace. Further reports confirmed that Yan San Lang, previously presumed unconscious, was not only awake but had been seen near the Imperial College.
Zhuo Wenyuan realized with dismay that he had fallen into an elaborate trap, concluding that Yan San Lang must have been conscious for a prolonged period, even aiding Yan Yunzhi in clearing his name, and that Yan Yunzhi’s capture and feigned vulnerability were merely part of a larger deception. Enraged that Sang Qi's supposed death had not broken Yan Yunzhi's spirit, Zhuo Wenyuan defiantly refused to yield.
He commanded all incriminating invoices within his residence to be destroyed and prepared his forces for a swift departure from the city. He planned to pass it off as a hunting trip if undisturbed, or to confront Yan Yunzhi directly and eliminate him under the guise of "purging corrupt officials." In a ruthless display, he declared that Grand Tutor Song, his own father-in-law, would be the convenient scapegoat for his crimes.
Acting under the orders of Yan Hua from the Prefecture Court, Yan Yan arrived at Grand Tutor Song’s residence to arrest him. Song Luotian, however, bravely confronted Yan Yan, questioning the Prefecture Court’s authority and adamantly refusing to allow his father to be unjustly blamed. Recognizing the inevitable clash, Yan Yan and Song Luotian agreed to a personal duel, instructing their respective subordinates to stand down.
During their fierce exchange, an arrow was suddenly fired, aimed at Yan Yan, but Song Luotian instinctively shielded him, taking the arrow himself. Believing he was mortally wounded, Song Luotian confessed to Yan Yan that despite their constant rivalry at the Imperial College, those shared times were truly unforgettable, and his sole intention was to protect his parents. Yan Yan, however, calmly revealed that the wound was merely a graze, not life-threatening.
Yan Yan then assured Song Luotian that while his family would face the consequences for their actions, he would ensure they would not meet a fate as unjust as Qian Jiu’s. With the confrontation resolved, Yan Yan proceeded with Song Luotian’s arrest. In the dead of night, Yan Yunzhi confronted Zhuo Wenyuan as he attempted to flee the city. Zhuo Wenyuan feigned a hunting trip, but Yan Yunzhi exposed his true intent to "hunt" Yan Yunzhi himself.
Zhuo Wenyuan then signaled his armed, black-clad men to surround Yan Yunzhi, boasting of his numerical superiority and vowing to eliminate Yan Yunzhi and his allies to preserve his image as a loyal official. He lamented that Yan Yunzhi’s persistent investigation into Sang Yu’s death had led to this confrontation, suggesting that peace could have been maintained if Yan Yunzhi had not interfered.
Yan Yunzhi retorted that it was not too late for Zhuo Wenyuan to face justice for his illicit profiteering. Zhuo Wenyuan then declared that Yan Yunzhi would die with his secrets. Suddenly, an arrow soared through the air, narrowly missing Zhuo Wenyuan, who recognized the archery skill as belonging to Grand Commandant Sang’s forces. To his profound shock, the archer was revealed to be Sang Qi, alive and well.
Sang Qi’s vibrant red attire illuminated the darkness, gradually giving way to Zhuo Wenyuan’s stunned realization. Sang Qi revealed that she and Yan Yunzhi had long been aware of the poisonous pouch she wore, and her supposed death was an elaborate ruse. A flashback showed a physician noting Sang Qi’s pale lips and beads of sweat on her nostrils, signs of poisoning.
Upon examination, the physician identified a highly concentrated poison powder from Xizhao in the pouch, warning of its fatal effects if worn daily. Sang Qi realized that the pouch, which she had briefly taken off, must have been tampered with by Zhuo Wenyuan, confirming his connection to Qian Jiu's death. She then instructed the physician to keep her condition a secret, allowing her and Yan Yunzhi to play along with Zhuo Wenyuan’s scheme.
Their plan was to let Zhuo Wenyuan believe he had triumphed, leading him to become overconfident and make a critical error, thus creating an opportunity for their counterattack. Sang Qi further explained that her apparent demise was orchestrated using Su Jieyu’s Pseudocide Pill, which induced a death-like state, successfully deceiving Zhuo Wenyuan.
While the public mourned her and Yan Yunzhi was captured, Sang Qi, despite the uncomfortable side effects of the pill, utilized a secret passage beneath her coffin to escape. Her "death" provided a plausible explanation for Yan Yunzhi’s subsequent "capture" and "surrender." In prison, Yan Yunzhi intentionally provoked Zhuo Wenyuan, knowing that he would keep him alive until his grand scheme was complete.
This strategy allowed Yan Yunzhi and his allies to track Zhuo Wenyuan’s newly established salt route, leading them to expose his remaining confederates and uncover the locations where he had hidden his ill-gotten gains. Faced with his exposed treachery, a distraught Zhuo Wenyuan asked Sang Qi why she was cold to him, implying it was because he had tried to kill her.
Sang Qi told him he was now a stranger, vastly different from the person she had grown up with, and that they should accept their respective fates. Zhuo Wenyuan insisted on a final resolution to their long and complicated history. Despite Yan Yunzhi’s apprehension, Sang Qi, witnessing Zhuo Wenyuan’s despair, attempted to persuade him to surrender and return with her to confess.
However, Zhuo Wenyuan, declaring he was "too far gone" and wishing to repay the life he felt he owed Sang Qi, tragically took the sword from her hand and ended his own life. Following Zhuo Wenyuan’s death, the case was declared clear. Zhuo Wenyuan was confirmed as the primary culprit, and his confederates were apprehended.
Noble Consort Zhuo, for manipulating imperial ministers and framing loyal officials, was stripped of her title and confined to the cold palace for life, though she was spared execution out of respect for the Emperor's marital bond. Grand Tutor Song was stripped of his official rank and exiled to the frontier fortress, while Song Luotian was demoted to a commoner.
Song Luotian voluntarily accepted his punishment, vowing to accompany his father, reflect on their actions, and strive for a new beginning. The story then transitioned to a joyous wedding day. Sang Qi, radiant in her bridal gown, rode a horse towards her waiting groom, Yan Yunzhi, who gallantly rushed forward to sweep her off the horse.
Before the main ceremony, Sang Qi visited Sang Yu’s cenotaph, speaking to his spirit about Yan Yunzhi fulfilling his promise to care for her and their collective efforts to realize Sang Yu’s vision for the Imperial College. She also shared a heartfelt farewell with Yan Yan and Song Luotian, acknowledging their roles in her life despite their divergent paths.
Song Luotian, now a commoner, reaffirmed his commitment to atonement and his hope of one day returning to the Imperial College through legitimate academic achievement. Amidst these personal moments, Miss Song was seen taking Zhuo Wenyuan’s remains back to the frontier fortress, a place he had always loathed. During the wedding ceremony, Yan Yunzhi humorously presented Sang Qi with a bamboo ruler, symbolizing his desire for her to "discipline" him in their marriage.
Sang Qi, in turn, gifted Yan Yunzhi a pouch, a poignant nod to how their relationship began and a symbol of their enduring bond. A royal decree then arrived, presented as a wedding gift from His Majesty. The Emperor, recognizing Sang Qi and Yan Yunzhi’s contributions, first granted Sang Qi her request to become a Boshi (Scholar) at the Imperial College, making her the first female scholar of the Imperial College.
He then accepted their joint proposal to establish Class Hualin within the Imperial College, opening its doors to all talented individuals regardless of age, gender, or social status. Additionally, the Emperor informed Yan Yunzhi that his prior engagement to Su Jieyu had already been annulled when he was unjustly accused, and now formally blessed his union with Sang Qi, commending their resilience and hoping they would serve as a model for all couples in Bianjing.
As a new academic year commenced, the Imperial College once again buzzed with lively activity. Sang Qi, now a scholar, playfully climbed onto a rooftop, prompting Yan Yunzhi to lightheartedly remind her about maintaining proper decorum. She retorted that she was no longer merely "Scholar Sang" and he was no longer "Deputy Chief Yan." When he asked who he was then, she lovingly declared him her husband.
Together, Sang Qi and Yan Yunzhi observed the vibrant campus, their hearts filled with profound satisfaction, knowing that after overcoming immense hardships, they had not only realized their personal dreams but also ushered in a new era of inclusive education for all.
