A Girl Like Me Episode 25 Recap
> A Girl Like Me Recap
Jiang Luo summoned Rong Xia, proposing a collaboration. He revealed his knowledge of Rong Xia's long-held wish for revenge and offered his full support to help Rong Xia bring justice to his deceased family. Rong Xia, understanding Jiang Luo’s underlying intentions, urged him to speak plainly. Meanwhile, at Prince Luo's mansion, Xie Wanyu discovered a steward preparing to deliver women's clothing and jewelry to a courtyard.
She confronted the steward, who, under threat of being taken to the authorities, admitted the items were for the courtyard. Xie Wanyu then confronted Jiang Luo directly, accusing him of giving lavish gifts to another woman. Jiang Luo dismissively told her it was none of her business. Incensed, Xie Wanyu went directly to the courtyard, where she was surprised to find Shi Feixian.
Shi Feixian expressed deep regret for her past behavior towards Xie Wanyu, recounting her difficult exile to Xizhou where she missed her dearly. She explained that upon her return to the capital, she found her grandfather dismissed and the Shi family mansion sealed, leaving her nowhere to go until she coincidentally met Prince Luo, who offered her temporary refuge. She reassured Xie Wanyu that her stay was not permanent.
Xie Wanyu, still concerned for Shi Feixian's well-being, offered to find her a more suitable long-term place, admitting she didn't believe Prince Luo was good enough for her. Shi Feixian confided that her heart still belonged to Count Cheng’an, to which Xie Wanyu promised to help her. Soon after, Rong Xia was urgently summoned to the palace as His Majesty was feeling unwell. Ban Hua, upon hearing the news, rushed after him, fearing he might act rashly.
In the Emperor’s chambers, Jiang Luo approached Rong Xia, revealing that most of the Emperor’s attendants, except for Wang De, were his own people. He then proposed that this was the perfect opportunity for Rong Xia to exact his revenge on the Emperor and ensure justice for his family, promising a safe escape for Rong Xia and the Ban family.
Rong Xia then had an audience with the Emperor, directly questioning him about the true circumstances surrounding the deaths of General Ban and his own father, suggesting the Emperor had been aware of foul play. The Emperor initially dismissed Rong Xia's inquiries, but Rong Xia defiantly stated he would rather die than leave without the truth. Pressured by Rong Xia's persistence, the Emperor revealed the long-held secret.
He explained that after ascending the throne, aided by the Ban, Rong, Yan, and Shi families, General Ban and Rong Xia's father were poisoned within three months, and even Rong Xia’s brother mysteriously drowned. The Emperor claimed he was heartbroken but powerless, unable to find the culprit until Princess Royal brought a young Rong Xia into the palace. It was then he realized the tragic events were the machinations of Prime Ministers Yan Hui and Shi Chonghai.
Rong Xia challenged the Emperor, arguing he should have punished them instead of harboring him. The Emperor defended his actions, stating he had to tolerate them for the stability of Daye and its people, and that he kept Rong Xia by his side to compensate him for his family's loss. Rong Xia rejected the Emperor’s emotional appeal, accusing him of using his family's tragedy to counterbalance the Yan and Shi families.
He vehemently criticized the Emperor for turning a blind eye and allowing Yan Hui and Shi Chonghai to seize power, harm the populace, and destabilize the realm. As Rong Xia pressed his accusations, the Emperor stumbled backward. Rong Xia drew a sharp blade, but before he could act, Ban Hua rushed in, crying out to stop him.
Instead of striking the Emperor, Rong Xia dramatically cut the Emperor's imperial robe, declaring that from that moment, their bond was severed, and all past kindness and grudges between them were wiped clean. He then thanked Ban Hua, explaining that her bitter chicken soup had unexpectedly provided him with clarity, making him realize he was no longer alone and had her by his side. He promised Ban Hua he would never let her worry again.
Back at the Ban family mansion, Ban Heng joked about his sister becoming a widow before marriage if Rong Xia had been killed, while his father mused that the Emperor’s actions were likely driven by guilt. They discussed Rong Xia’s and his father’s shared desire to resign from court and live a happy, peaceful life away from political strife, seeing it as a sweet revenge.
However, Ban Hua's mother expressed concern that the Emperor might not permit Rong Xia to leave. Shortly after Rong Xia and Ban Hua returned home, Du Jiu arrived with news that the Emperor had fainted. Ban Hua immediately departed for the palace to inquire about his condition, urging Rong Xia to be cautious in her absence. She found the Emperor frail and ill. Rong Xia then sought an audience with the Crown Prince.
He presented General Ban’s Tiger Tally to the Crown Prince, requesting that he give it to the Emperor and claim to have found it himself. Rong Xia explained this act would stabilize the court and solidify the Crown Prince’s position, while also fulfilling his and Ban Hua's desire to withdraw from official life. The Crown Prince initially hesitated, arguing that Daye needed Rong Xia, especially with the Emperor’s declining health.
Rong Xia, however, reiterated his firm wish to resign from court with Ban Hua. Despite his weakened state, the Emperor insisted on rising from his sickbed to search for a specific piece of calligraphy—the characters he had personally written when he bestowed Rong Xia's name years ago. He wanted Rong Xia to understand his true sincerity and to not harbor resentment. Before Rong Xia and Ban Hua left the palace, the Empress showed them the calligraphy, explaining its profound meaning.
She recounted how, on the night of Rong Xia’s birth, the Emperor had personally chosen the name "Rong Xia." The character "Xia," meaning a blemish on a beautiful jade, symbolized the Emperor's wish that even if Rong Xia had flaws or made mistakes, the world would be tolerant, forgive him, and offer him chances to correct his wrongs.
The Empress conveyed that while the Emperor knew of Rong Xia’s grievances and didn't expect forgiveness, the imperial court and the people of Daye could not afford to lose Count Cheng’an. The Crown Prince then presented the Tiger Tally to the Emperor, telling him that Rong Xia had given it to him. Overjoyed, the Emperor understood that Rong Xia had found the tally and immediately ordered Count Cheng’an to be summoned, eager to reward him.
A eunuch caught up with Ban Hua and Rong Xia as they were leaving the palace, conveying an Imperial Edict. The edict proclaimed that Count Cheng’an and Ban Hua were to be married in the Moon Palace, with the elaborate rites befitting a prince. Jiang Luo, displeased, attempted to signal the Crown Prince to object to this unprecedented arrangement. The Crown Prince, however, was confused.
When Jiang Luo finally voiced his concern that no outsider had ever married in the palace, the Emperor angrily asserted his imperial authority, declaring that a precedent would be set that day. Jiang Luo further tried to argue about established imperial customs, infuriating the Emperor even more. The Empress intervened, calming the Emperor and offering to personally oversee all the wedding arrangements to ensure the couple was not wronged.
Outside the Emperor's chambers, Jiang Luo continued to press the Crown Prince, questioning his acceptance of the Emperor's decision and reminding him that Rong Xia had recently threatened their father with a dagger. The Crown Prince warned Jiang Luo against speaking such dangerous words within the palace. Jiang Luo, frustrated by the Crown Prince’s lack of understanding, muttered that he was "hopeless" and would find his own way to deal with Rong Xia.
He also pointed out that Rong Xia was responsible for resettling the refugees, implying that the Emperor would be displeased if he knew about the chaotic situation in the capital. The Crown Prince seemed to grasp part of his meaning but still remained passive. Ban Hua expressed her dissatisfaction with her wedding being arranged without her input, but Rong Xia comforted her.
He promised that if she was unhappy with the imperial wedding, he would hold another private ceremony for her, emphasizing that her happiness was his priority and he would never allow her to suffer any grievance. Ban Hua playfully asked if he thought she was being melodramatic, mentioning that many women in the capital remarried. Rong Xia firmly stated that she would only marry once in her life, and that person would be him.
Meanwhile, Suyue lamented the downfall of the Shi family, noting how former sycophants had vanished and even the Crown Prince had become distant from Shi Jin. Shi Jin clarified that the Crown Prince was not cold, but had refused to discuss the missing Shi Feixian, citing the Emperor’s poor health. Suyue advised Shi Jin to maintain good relations with the Crown Prince.
Shi Jin assured her he had friends at the border searching for Shi Feixian, and that his own marriage could wait. Suyue then asked if he would continue to be fixated on Ban Hua, who was marrying someone else. Shi Jin admitted that after years of devotion, it was not easy to simply let go.
Elsewhere, Zhou Changxiao dragged Ban Heng to a gambling house, complaining about losing all his money to new, skilled gamblers and pleading for Ban Heng’s help to reclaim his dignity. Ban Heng initially resisted, having promised Ban Hua he wouldn’t gamble, but eventually conceded to play just two rounds for his friend. After losing several rounds, another gambler boasted of his "Count Cheng’an amulet" as the source of his winning streak.
He then excitedly shared palace gossip, claiming that Count Cheng’an, Rong Xia, was actually the Emperor's illegitimate son. Other gamblers enthusiastically spread the rumor, speculating that Rong Xia was destined to become Prime Minister, or even inherit the throne, with an edict already written. One gambler even displayed a doll of Rong Xia dressed in Crown Prince attire. The widespread rumors eventually reached Ban Hua, who angrily confronted the gossiping crowd.
Rong Xia, however, seemed unfazed by the idle talk, remarking that he was used to such whispers. Ban Hua, on the other hand, was annoyed that he had become the subject of such gossip ever since they had gotten together. Rong Xia playfully suggested the doll resembling him was rather cute and they should each get one to make a pair. Just then, an attendant rushed over to Ban Hua with urgent news: Ban Heng had been detained at the gambling house.
