A Girl Like Me Episode 26 Recap
> A Girl Like Me Recap
Ban Hua entered a chaotic gambling house, searching for her brother Ban Heng. Rong Xia, who was with her, overheard people gambling on scandalous rumors concerning the imperial family, specifically whether Count Cheng’an was His Majesty's love child. Rong Xia immediately stepped forward to scold them, asserting that such matters of the royal family should not be discussed lightly or gambled upon. However, the gambling house owner retorted, asking who Rong Xia was and reminding him this was his turf.
Just then, Ban Hua appeared with Ban Heng. She immediately asserted her authority, stating that no one dared abuse her man. The owner, recognizing Princess Fule and Count Cheng’an, quickly apologized. Ban Hua cut him off, declaring that matters on the gambling table should be resolved by gambling rules.
She proposed a wager: if she won, the gambling table would be removed, and they would never again speak ill of Count Cheng’an; if she lost, she would never inquire into their gambling again, and all of Rong Xia's money would be theirs. Rong Xia attempted to interject, but Ban Hua confidently declared, "Your business is mine. Relax. I won’t lose."
Despite not having practiced for a long time, Ban Hua, once known as the capital's legendary gambling master, easily won. The terrified owner knelt and promised to remove the table, vowing never to use Count Cheng’an or the imperial family as a subject for gambling again. Ban Hua then turned to Ban Heng, chiding him for gambling again.
She explained that life, like gambling, should not be taken too seriously, emphasizing the importance of knowing when to advance and when to retreat to avoid complete ruin. Rong Xia, listening intently, recognized her underlying message was also meant for him and expressed his gratitude.
He also acknowledged that the Emperor's decision for them to marry at the Great Moon Palace was a form of compensation for her, though the rumors would stir conflict, he assured Ban Hua he would handle it. At the imperial palace, Prince Luo brazenly raised the circulating rumors that Count Cheng’an was His Majesty’s love child. The Emperor, enraged, ordered Prince Luo to leave.
The Empress tried to mediate, assuring His Majesty she did not believe the rumors but acknowledged their danger. The Emperor lamented that if Rong Xia truly were his son, he would have fewer worries. The Crown Prince, who was also present, surprisingly agreed, suggesting that if he had a brother like Rong Xia, it would be right for him to inherit the throne. This statement visibly disturbed both the Emperor and the Empress.
Meanwhile, considering the rumors and the recent incident where Rong Xia brought a dagger to court, Xie Chongjin decided it was time to act, relaying an order in Prince Luo's name for Rong Xia’s assassination. As Ban Hua sent Rong Xia back to his mansion, a sudden thunderstorm broke out, forcing her to stay at Rong’s Mansion overnight. While Rong Xia was in the kitchen planning Ban Hua's breakfast, a dozen assassins from Fude House suddenly appeared.
Rong Xia ordered his guard, Du Jiu, to protect Ban Hua, emphasizing her safety above all else. He confronted the assassins, who stated they were merely paid to kill him. Just as Rong Xia, fighting valiantly, was overwhelmed and injured, Ban Hua arrived, whipping her way through the attackers and declaring that no one would harm Rong Xia without her permission. When reinforcements from Rong’s Mansion arrived, the remaining assassins retreated.
However, Ban Hua, having sustained severe injuries, collapsed into Rong Xia’s arms and fell unconscious. Elsewhere, a drunken Prince Luo sought out Shi Feixian, professing his deep affection. Shi Feixian assured him that her heart belonged only to him. Worried that Shi Feixian, who feared thunder, was alone, Xie Wanyu went to Prince Luo's mansion to comfort her. However, upon entering, she discovered Prince Luo and Shi Feixian in a passionate embrace. Enraged, Xie Wanyu slapped Prince Luo.
Shi Feixian quickly knelt, begging Xie Wanyu for forgiveness and claiming she and Prince Luo were in love. Xie Wanyu confronted Shi Feixian, reminding her of her recent confession of love for Count Cheng'an and accusing her of lying. Shi Feixian admitted to the deceit, theatrically threatening to take her own life if she wasn't forgiven. Prince Luo intervened, dismissing Xie Wanyu and insisting his heart belonged only to Shi Feixian.
Heartbroken and betrayed, Xie Wanyu realized there was nothing left for her in the capital. She left the mansion, riding through the night until she found refuge in a mountain cave. Coincidentally, Xie Wanyu found Ban Heng in the very cave where he was preparing an elaborate proposal setting for Rong Xia and Ban Hua. Seeing Xie Wanyu soaking wet, Ban Heng bluntly gave her a wedding dress he had prepared for Ban Hua to change into.
His practical and unvarnished advice that she should live for herself and could even outlive the prince to remarry profoundly impacted Xie Wanyu. The next morning, she presented Ban Heng with her wristband as a thank-you gift, declaring her decision to divorce Prince Luo and take control of her own destiny, just like Ban Hua. Elsewhere, Shi Feixian was informed by a physician that she needed to improve her health to conceive a child.
Her maid, seeing Prince Luo’s continuous presence, speculated that Shi Feixian would soon become the new princess. Rong Xia visited the Crown Prince, informing him of the assassination attempt and hinting at the culprit. He directly accused Prince Luo, revealing he had discovered the prince's ties to the martial artists who attacked him. The Crown Prince, however, defended his brother, believing it was a misunderstanding. Disappointed by the Crown Prince’s naivety, Rong Xia departed.
He then met with Xie Chongjin, who, despite having passed on the kill order, now proposed an alliance. Rong Xia saw through his intentions, knowing Xie Chongjin feared losing influence now that Shi Feixian was with Prince Luo and wanted to use him to eliminate her. Rong Xia resolved to tackle the problem by striking at its root. Back at Rong’s Mansion, Ban Heng arrived, distraught to see Ban Hua still unconscious.
Her father, Ban Huai, explained that while her physical wounds had healed, she seemed unwilling to wake up. Rong Xia, holding Ban Hua's hand, vowed to her parents that he would stay by her side, no matter how long it took for her to awaken.
