A Girl Like Me Episode 12 Recap
> A Girl Like Me Recap
While Prime Minister Yan Hui tearfully pleaded with the Emperor in court for the marriage between his son, Yan Zhen, and Princess Ban Hua, his wife took drastic measures. Mrs. Yan, disregarding all decorum, threatened to kill her son and then herself to force Ban Hua's hand. Ban Hua confronted her, resolutely declaring she would never marry into the Yan family and that if Yan Zhen were to die, she would willingly pay with her own life.
Back in the palace, as a desperate Yan Hui clung to Ban Huai, several bank notes fell from Ban Huai's robes. Ban Huai revealed that the notes contained evidence of Yan Hui's illicit activities, including buying and selling official posts. Upon reviewing the evidence, the Emperor was enraged and ordered Yan Hui's execution. Rong Xia and Prime Minister Shi Chonghai intervened, arguing that Yan Hui's crimes did not warrant death.
In his desperation, Yan Hui attempted to smear Shi Chonghai, accusing him of similar corruption. The Emperor ultimately decided against execution, instead dismissing Yan Hui from all official posts, imprisoning him, and ordering that double the amount of his ill-gotten gains be confiscated. Mrs. Yan's face turned ashen upon hearing the Imperial Edict. Later, Rong Xia visited Yan Hui in prison, where Yan Hui realized the evidence had come from Rong Xia.
Rong Xia pointed out three critical mistakes Yan Hui had made and offered a deal: if Yan Hui revealed the truth behind the downfall of the Rong family, Rong Xia would ensure the survival of the Yan family. Ban Hua dreamt of being struck by an arrow while wearing a white fox fur cloak. Upon waking, she sketched the cloak's design and instructed Ying Bangbang to have it crafted from the finest white fox fur.
After learning that his sister had also dreamed of Shi Jin, Ban Heng immediately assumed Rong Xia had lost his chance. Grateful for Shi Jin's recent help, Ban Hua decided to teach him the "back-thrust spear" technique passed down by her grandfather, giving him hands-on instruction. Ban Heng then relayed the news of Ban Hua's dream and her interaction with Shi Jin to Rong Xia, urging him to pursue her and offering his full support.
He explained that for Ban Hua, clothing is paramount, so dreaming of Shi Jin alongside a cherished cloak signified his importance. Shi Chonghai observed Shi Jin practicing two specific moves, which Shi Jin admitted were taught to him by Princess Ban Hua. Delighted, Shi Chonghai advised his grandson to give her a return gift to win her heart and informed him that the Ban family was searching for white fox fur.
Shi Jin immediately went hunting for white foxes but was injured in the process. Meanwhile, Rong Xia instructed Du Jiu to take down his deceased mother's white fox fur to give to Ban Hua. However, she showed no interest and instead rushed to visit the injured Shi Jin, personally applying a special medicinal powder to his wound, a moment witnessed by Shi Feixian. Shi Feixian deliberately waited for Rong Xia at a calligraphy shop he frequented.
She pretended to discuss Ban Hua applying medicine to a bare-chested Shi Jin with her maid, ensuring Rong Xia would overhear. Rong Xia remained composed and politely declined Shi Feixian's invitation to talk. Elsewhere, Ban Hua returned home with the prey Shi Jin had hunted for her. Her mother, Mrs. Yin, immediately recognized the gesture from the classic poem "The Dead Roe" as a marriage proposal, though the less-scholarly Ban Hua missed the implication.
The entire idea, including wrapping the prey in white cloth, had come from Shi Chonghai, and the martial-minded Shi Jin was equally oblivious to the poetic meaning. Ban Heng took Rong Xia's white fox fur, had it crafted into a cloak, and urged Rong Xia to bring it to a hot pot dinner at their mansion that evening. Ban Hua was surprised by Rong Xia's arrival and provoked him during the meal.
Unable to watch any longer, Ban Huai revealed the reason for his sister's anger: Rong Xia’s statement to the Emperor that he felt "not good enough" for her. Infuriated, Ban Hua stormed away from the table, and Rong Xia followed to explain. Rong Xia clarified that his words were a sincere expression of his feelings, not an insult.
He described her vibrant personality and the warmth of her family as treasures he had never possessed, admitting he lacked the confidence to provide her with a better future. That was why he had told the Emperor he was not good enough for her. Ban Hua remained angry, accusing him of being insincere and over-complicating things. As she tried to push him away, Rong Xia pulled her into a passionate kiss under the first snowfall, a moment that made Ban Hua momentarily forget everything.
