A Girl Like Me Episode 28 Recap
> A Girl Like Me Recap
Rong Xia, feeling he had been too abrupt, was hesitant to face Ban Hua, but Du Jiu pointed out that she was rapidly approaching. Arriving on horseback amidst a display of fireworks, Ban Hua boldly declared that the man she loved could not retreat. She confessed her earlier hesitation had caused him pain, but now she regretted it and asked if he was still willing to marry her, asserting that while she could refuse him, he could not refuse her.
In response, Rong Xia immediately kissed her, causing Du Jiu to quickly look away. Nearby, Ban Hua's mother proudly remarked that her timely advice had ensured the expensive fireworks were not wasted. Under the fireworks, Rong Xia and Ban Hua vowed to never be separated, and Rong Xia recited a poetic couplet for the occasion. Meanwhile, Shi Feixian watched the same fireworks alone, her heart heavy, lamenting how drastically her circumstances had changed.
Witnessing his sister's happiness, Ban Heng complained about being overlooked, feeling sad and isolated, which led his thoughts to Xie Wanyu. Noticing Ban Heng's mood, Ban Huai teased him about wanting to marry. Ban Heng insisted he preferred his carefree single life, a sentiment his mother challenged, arguing that true happiness required a partner. Elsewhere, a dejected Xie Wanyu felt her culinary talents were meaningless because no one, except perhaps Ban Heng, truly understood her.
After a tender farewell where Rong Xia promised to return from court, he instructed Du Jiu to keep the Ban family from getting involved in his assassination investigation, as new evidence revealed a more intricate plot than first assumed. Inside her mansion, Ban Hua vowed to find Rong Xia’s attacker and ordered her aide, Softy, to keep her own investigation secret from him.
Softy presented a price list from an assassin organization called Fude House, which had bounties on many officials, including Rong Xia and Ban Hua. The notable absence of any Xie family members led Ban Hua to suspect Xie Chongjin's involvement. Ban Heng was dismayed that his own bounty was a mere 100 taels, far less than Rong Xia's, to which Ban Hua playfully suggested that no one was willing to pay for his life.
That night, Ban Hua and Ban Heng secretly entered Xie Mansion. They encountered an old man whom Ban Hua identified by his silent, powerful footsteps as a master and the likely head of the assassins who attacked Rong Xia. When the man and his companions reacted aggressively, her suspicions were confirmed. Later, in Ban Hua's boudoir, they were joined by Shi Jin, who explained he had followed them out of concern.
Despite Shi Jin's discomfort about being in a lady's room, which could lead to gossip, Ban Hua dismissed his concerns. Their discussion on how to find Fude House was interrupted when Ban Huai burst in with Rong Xia. Finding Ban Heng and Shi Jin in his daughter's room, one of them on her bed, Ban Huai flew into a rage.
Ban Heng claimed they were discussing swordsmanship, while Shi Jin insisted their conduct was honorable, an explanation Ban Huai found preposterous given Ban Hua’s engagement. He began to scold and beat a fleeing Ban Heng with a ruler. Rong Xia, remaining calm, revealed he was also investigating Fude House and proposed they share information. He playfully warned Ban Hua that if she held another clandestine meeting in her room, he would guard it every night.
Just then, Du Jiu reported that Fude House's accountant, Zhao Xiancai, and its killers would all be meeting at Yuzhen House, the capital’s top teahouse, the next day. Rong Xia found their audacity surprising and decided they needed to observe the situation firsthand. Meanwhile, Shi Feixian feigned kindness to Jiang Luo, suggesting he not neglect Xie Wanyu for her sake.
Misinterpreting this as a sign of her gentle nature, Jiang Luo reassured her that he intended to divorce Xie Wanyu and install Shi Feixian by his side legitimately. The next day, Ban Heng went to Yuzhen House and deliberately caused a scene, which led him to the private room where the assassins were meeting. Du Jiu arrived just in time to pull him to safety.
Later, Ban Heng recounted that the group's leader strongly resembled the man from the Xie mansion. After Du Jiu confirmed Fude House’s accountant was also present, Rong Xia concluded that the man Ban Heng saw was indeed their leader. He advised against rash action, and Ban Hua subtly suggested that Ban Heng’s disruptive behavior could serve as effective bait. A physician discovered that Shi Feixian's tea was laced with Huanhua Plant, a herb that causes infertility.
Realizing Xie Chongjin was trying to render her barren, she vowed revenge. That night, Xie Chongjin was ambushed and severely injured by assassins. Count Xie begged Ban Huai for help, and Madam Yin generously sent their skilled Physician Yu to treat Xie Chongjin. Ban Hua and Ban Heng returned to Yuzhen House, where Ban Heng again created a disturbance, drawing out the Fude House boss. As assassins tried to flee, Du Jiu intercepted one, and the ensuing fight broke out.
Shi Jin protected Ban Hua from harm. Ban Hua offered the boss a deal if he exposed Xie Chongjin, but he refused, citing the code of the underworld. In a final act of loyalty, all the captured Fude House assassins committed suicide by poison, ensuring the organization was finished. Jiang Luo formally welcomed Shi Feixian into his residence. Upon learning of Fude House's destruction and Xie Chongjin's injury, he was stunned.
Shi Feixian fueled his suspicion by suggesting only the Crown Prince could have orchestrated an alliance between Rong Xia and Shi Jin, aiming to weaken Jiang Luo's power. Concurrently, Xie Wanyu learned of her brother’s injury and was stopped by guards from leaving. Shi Feixian hypocritically intervened, claiming she had already gotten Jiang Luo’s permission for her to go.
At the Xie Mansion, a distraught Xie Chongjin learned from Physician Yu that while his life was saved, he could never father children. Ban Hua and Ban Heng deduced that the attack, which only targeted his ability to have heirs, was likely a "crime of passion." Soon after, they were summoned to the palace, where the Emperor gifted them a grand residence for their wedding, insisting it be celebrated with great pomp.
