A Girl Like Me Episode 13 Recap
> A Girl Like Me Recap
Ban Hua pressed Rong Xia for the meaning of the poem he had mentioned earlier, insisting she would not be able to sleep without knowing what made the "number one gentleman of Daye" so jealous. Rong Xia explained the concept of the six rituals for marriage, detailing how the poem "There is a Dead Deer in the Wilds" describes a man tempting a maiden with prey, as the living swan geese traditionally used for the rituals are hard to hunt.
Ban Hua then questioned if he believed she was "seduced" by Shi Jin for accepting his prey, to which Rong Xia clarified the difference between temptation and seduction. When Ban Hua asked about the rest of the poem, Rong Xia evasively stated it was "not important" and that she would "know it later." Reflecting on the day's events, Rong Xia confessed that they had clarified his own feelings.
He declared to Ban Hua that he would prepare "wedding presents stretching for ten miles" for her. Ban Hua, overwhelmed, asked him why he was "torturing" her. Soon after, Rong Xia received a thank-you gift sent by Ban Hua in her brother's name: a magnificent painting titled "Full Moon above the Cold Mountain." Recognizing it as a priceless masterpiece, Rong Xia decided to send a return present.
He chose a set of blood-red, yet serene, jewelry that his mother wore on her wedding day, pondering who would be truly worthy of such a beautiful set. The jewelry was delivered to Ban Hua, who showed it to her mother.
Ban Hua’s mother, admiring the exquisite pieces, commented on her daughter growing up and wondered why Rong Xia had not yet come to perform the six rituals of marriage, speculating it might be due to his parents' early demise leaving him unversed in such customs. Ban Hua, however, claimed she was not in a hurry. Unbeknownst to her, her grandmother, the Princess Royal, and her mother had already prepared her dowry long ago, simply awaiting a worthy suitor.
Later that night, the Princess Royal secretly summoned Rong Xia. She revealed that both her late husband, General Ban, and Rong Xia's father had died from jequirity poison. However, their deaths differed: Rong Xia's father died suddenly, while General Ban suffered a prolonged illness. Their families subsequently declined, while the Yan and Xie families prospered. Rong Xia pressed for substantial evidence, but the Princess Royal admitted she had none.
She urged Rong Xia to stop his pursuit of revenge, especially since the Yan family had already collapsed, and warned him against using the Ban family as a tool, vowing she would not stand idly by if he did. Rong Xia insisted he no longer intended to use the Ban family. Madam Chang, the Princess Royal's longtime attendant, later observed her mistress's continued worry.
The Princess Royal, recalling Physician Zhang's warning that a particular golden elixir was like "quenching thirst by drinking poison," consumed the final dose to hide her failing health before preparing to enter the Palace. Prime Minister Shi presented a Tiger Tally to the Emperor, claiming he had found it in the Princess Royal's mansion. However, the Emperor, having noticed a damaged corner, grew enraged, accusing Prime Minister Shi of deception.
The Prime Minister then cunningly suggested that the fake Tiger Tally in the Princess Royal's possession implied she also held the real one and was plotting a rebellion. At that moment, the Princess Royal arrived, admitted her "guilt" and explained that she had lost a fake Tiger Tally.
She clarified that after General Ban's passing, she had commissioned a replica of his treasured Tiger Tally to cope with her grief, specifically made from fragile casting sand to ensure its obvious falsity. The Emperor, dismissing Prime Minister Shi's insinuations, assured his "Aunt" that no one could sow discord between them. Afterwards, the Princess Royal subtly suggested to Shi Chonghai that their families could make peace through a marriage alliance, an idea he readily accepted.
The Princess Royal, having prepared herself with meticulous makeup to hide her illness, attended the Ban family banquet. Shi Jin arrived, having been personally invited by her to subtly promote a match between him and Ban Hua. Rong Xia also appeared, stating he was invited by Ban Hua herself. A subtle rivalry began, with Rong Xia gifting Ban Hua a rare rouge from the Western Regions.
The Princess Royal deliberately brought up the recent incident involving the Yan family, thanking Shi Jin for his intervention. Ban Huai attempted to give credit to Rong Xia, but Rong Xia modestly stopped him. The competition between Rong Xia and Shi Jin then escalated as they vied for Ban Hua's attention by piling food onto her plate, creating an awkward atmosphere. After the banquet, the Princess Royal confronted Rong Xia, questioning his actions.
He explained that while he understood her aims, he disagreed with her methods and was determined to uncover the truth about his family's past while sincerely protecting Ban Hua. The Princess Royal remained skeptical. Meanwhile, Ban Hua accompanied Shi Jin outside. Acknowledging the Princess Royal's matchmaking, Shi Jin promised not to pressure Ban Hua, vowing to win her heart genuinely. When Ban Hua expressed she had no desire for marriage, he declared he would wait for her indefinitely.
Later, Rong Xia approached Ban Hua and boldly declared his feelings, calling her the "most attractive prey" and asserting his desire to be the "only hunter who can have" her. Afterwards, the Princess Royal and Ban Hua strolled through the garden. Seeing a pomegranate tree, the Princess Royal reminisced about her late husband, recalling how their hands touching while picking up a fallen pomegranate led to a lifetime together.
She assured Ban Hua that she too would find someone truly devoted. Later, Akeqi, the Prince of Aipo, arrived in the capital for the Emperor's birthday. In a separate event, Shi Jin was promoted to Deputy Commander of the Imperial Guard, and Ban Hua complimented his handsome new armor, to which he replied she looked like a moon goddess. At the palace, Ban Hua kindly spoke to a young eunuch, naming him Xiao Yuanzi.
Akeqi observed this and mistakenly believed Ban Hua to be the renowned "No. 1 talented woman in Daye." During the Emperor's birthday banquet, Ban Hua, wearing the beautiful blood jade jewelry from Rong Xia, drew admiring gazes. Shi Feixian teased her about the potential "good news" with Rong Xia. Akeqi, after presenting his gift, boldly requested to marry Daye's "No. 1 talented woman," specifying she was surnamed Shi and known for poetry and painting.
Prime Minister Shi humbly tried to decline on behalf of his granddaughter. To everyone's astonishment, Akeqi then walked directly to Ban Hua, knelt, and asked her to marry him, leaving Ban Hua utterly shocked by the case of mistaken identity.
