A Female Student Arrives at the Imperial College Episode 4 Recap
> A Female Student Arrives at the Imperial College Recap
Imperial Physician Wen was urgently sought out by Yan Yunzhi to treat Sang Qi, who had been gravely poisoned. Although displeased about being intercepted halfway on his journey home, Imperial Physician Wen, guided by his medical ethics, quickly began his examination. Both Yan Yunzhi and Zhuo Wenyuan were deeply anxious. Meanwhile, the real culprit, Qi Lang, was baffled, having only intended to administer a laxative, not something that would cause poisoning.
He confessed his involvement to his friend, Song, expressing fear of expulsion from the Imperial College, but Song advised him to remain calm and appease his father. After a long night, Imperial Physician Wen successfully detoxified Sang Qi, but she remained unconscious even as the sun rose high. Yan Yunzhi realized with alarm that Sang Qi's symptoms, especially the hallucinogenic aspect, mirrored those of Sang Yu's past poisoning.
This made him even more worried, and he disregarded his own lingering cold, insisting on staying to care for her. Sang Qi briefly regained consciousness before drifting back to sleep. Her maid, fetching warm water, asked Yan Yunzhi to watch over Sang Qi. After a moment of hesitation, he entered her bedchamber. In her haze, Sang Qi mistook Yan Yunzhi for her brother, Sang Yu, clinging to his hand and seeking comfort.
Yan Yunzhi, initially awkward, sat down as she softly called out "Brother." As her vision cleared, Sang Qi recognized him, abruptly pulling her hand away in shock. Yan Yunzhi then admitted he knew her brother, Sang Yu, and explained that the poison was likely intended for him due to past investigations where he'd offended some people. He also informed her that the poisoned meals were sealed in the Imperial College's cold storage.
Sang Qi resolved to help him investigate once she recovered. Soon after, Yan Yan, Sang Qi's close friend, arrived at The Grand Commandant's Residence with tonics. His boisterous entry caused a maid to spill a basin of water, leading to a brief, petty argument. Zhuo Wenyuan then arrived, and upon learning Yan Yunzhi was already with Sang Qi, quickly proceeded inside. Yan Yunzhi, feeling it inappropriate to linger, departed shortly after.
Back at his own residence, Yan Yunzhi found himself unusually distracted, his thoughts consumed by Sang Qi. He penned a letter describing the strange poisoning incidents and dispatched Bai Shi to deliver it to Miss Su Lan at Nanshan Manor. Meanwhile, Sang Qi's maid, Lian Pian, urged her to rest, emphasizing that her health was still fragile and that the Imperial College was closed for the New Year.
However, Sang Qi, concerned about Yan Yunzhi's safety and the ongoing investigation, secretly slipped away after her maid left to prepare food. She knew the college gates would be closed, but her determination to find the culprit fueled her actions. She managed to enter the cold storage, which, to her surprise, was unsealed. A sudden large hand seized her arm, pulling her out of sight just as guards entered for a routine check, failing to detect anyone.
Once the guards were gone, Yan Yunzhi, the one who had pulled her aside, and Sang Qi realized their extreme proximity, quickly pushing each other away. This motion accidentally toppled a storage shelf, scattering its contents. Among the spilled items, Sang Qi immediately spotted the bean sprouts she had made, confirming her suspicion. Yan Yunzhi, recognizing the significance, carefully collected a suspicious red powder found with them.
Their relief at finding the evidence was short-lived as they discovered the door was locked from the outside. Yan Yunzhi declared they would freeze to death if not rescued. Sang Qi attempted to bang on the door with a stick, but Yan Yunzhi pointed out that the louder crash of the fallen shelf had gone unnoticed. Sang Qi, accepting their predicament, somberly stated they should "do something meaningful" before they died.
Outside, Lian Pian was frantic over Sang Qi's disappearance, realizing her scholar uniform was gone. Zhuo Wenyuan arrived and quickly deduced Sang Qi had gone to the Imperial College to investigate, promising to bring her back safely. Inside the freezing cold storage, Sang Qi shivered uncontrollably. Yan Yunzhi, without hesitation, removed his outer coat and draped it over her.
Though weak, Sang Qi inquired if he liked fireworks, reminiscing about her brother, Sang Yu, and how fireworks warmed her, even in the coldest weather. Yan Yunzhi responded poetically about the beauty of fireworks. Sang Qi, noting his uncharacteristic care, asked why he was being so attentive. He simply replied it was a teacher's duty to care for his students. To cheer her, Yan Yunzhi promised to introduce her to "White" once they were free.
Still focused on her wager, Sang Qi asked him to accept her pouch if he truly cared for her. Yan Yunzhi, though initially dismissive, conceded he would "consider it" if they survived. He also reminded her that with the college closed, they wouldn't see each other again until the Lantern Festival, urging her to reflect on her studies.
Their ordeal ended when Bai Shi arrived, having been sent by Yan Yunzhi to provide backup if he didn't emerge within a set time. As they exited, Yan Yunzhi, carrying Sang Qi, explained why he had feigned anxiety earlier: it was a contingency plan to prepare her for the worst and keep her spirits up. Sang Qi, still coherent enough to recall his promise, pressed him about meeting "White," accusing him of lying.
Yan Yunzhi admitted he had fabricated the promise to motivate her. As they exited, they encountered Zhuo Wenyuan, who observed Yan Yunzhi carrying Sang Qi with a visible surge of anger and jealousy. Zhuo Wenyuan swiftly took Sang Qi from Yan Yunzhi, returned his outer coat, and escorted Sang Qi away.
He later received the red powder sample, learning it was a poison possibly originating from Xizhao, and noted its symptoms of eye swelling and spinal arching matched those of Sang Yu's previous poisoning. The city buzzed with excitement as New Year's Eve arrived. Sang Qi awoke from a dream where she had kissed Yan Yunzhi, feeling a rush of emotions. Her maid informed her it was New Year's Eve, and her father was at the palace.
Zhuo Wenyuan was waiting for her, having prepared a warm setting and food. Sang Qi confessed to him her feelings of loneliness in the bustling capital, reminiscing about her father's lively fireworks parties on the frontier. She also mentioned her upcoming guqin performance at the Lantern Festival. Unbeknownst to Sang Qi, it was Zhuo Wenyuan who was setting off a spectacular display of colorful fireworks.
His servant remarked on his unusual fondness for fireworks, to which Zhuo Wenyuan mused that the fireworks seemed to convey a message for him not to give up, and in an internal monologue, promised Sang Yu he would take good care of Sang Qi. Despite her recent ordeal, Sang Qi remained fixated on her wager.
She confided in her maid, Lian Pian, deciding to formally present her pouch to Yan Yunzhi at Chancellor Yan's Residence the next day, though she knew the chances of his acceptance were slim, and he was prone to breaking promises. Meanwhile, at a teahouse, Song Jiayin confidently boasted to Yin that Sang Qi would undoubtedly fail in her attempt to give the pouch to Yan Yunzhi.
Song Jiayin dismissed Sang Qi as an "imprudent girl" and Yan Yunzhi as her "future husband," belonging to Chancellor Yan's distinguished residence, thus implying he would never accept a pouch from Sang Qi. When Yin pointed out Zhuo Wenyuan's apparent affection for Sang Qi, Song Jiayin scorned him as an un-influential royal relative, merely coveting Grand Commandant Sang's status, and a "hopeless romantic" known for frequenting pleasure houses to seek out singers.
She then inquired about Miss Su Lan, who was soon returning to Bianjing after a three-year mourning period at Nanshan Manor. Yin, unfazed, declared herself Yan Yunzhi's destined partner but allowed that Miss Su, being learned and kind, might be considered as a concubine in the Yan household.
The next day, Sang Qi bravely went to Chancellor Yan's Residence, only to be informed by a servant that Yan Yunzhi was out, having gone to greet an old friend, and his return time was uncertain. Dejected, Sang Qi left. As she walked, a heavy rain began to fall. She expressed a peculiar wish for the rain to intensify, hoping it would deter her from having to perform at the Lantern Festival.
Zhuo Wenyuan found her in the downpour, expressing concern for her health and questioning her strange attire. Sang Qi admitted she wished to catch a cold to avoid her guqin performance, but Zhuo Wenyuan reassured her, promising he had plans to handle the situation for her.
