A Girl Like Me Episode 29 Recap
> A Girl Like Me Recap
The Crown Prince expressed his unease about Jiang Luo bringing Shi Feixian back to his mansion. Ban Hua, present during the conversation, sharply criticized the Crown Prince for his indecisiveness, particularly when it came to Jiang Luo. She reminded him that Jiang Luo was responsible for sending assassins to kill her father, the Count, yet the Crown Prince had covered for him by blaming the former Prime Minister Yan's men.
Ban Hua warned that such indulgence would not be appreciated by Jiang Luo, though the Crown Prince maintained that Jiang Luo, despite being impulsive, was not inherently a bad person. Shi Feixian visited Xie Chongjin, gloating over his injuries and revealing she had given him "Huanhua herbs" as a "thank-you gift." She then informed him with pleasure that his Fude House had been destroyed the previous night.
She claimed it was the Crown Prince's troops but insinuated that Count Cheng'an (Rong Xia) was the true instigator. Furious, Xie Chongjin realized she was the one who had orchestrated the assassination attempt on him. Shi Feixian presented him with two options: either join her in helping Jiang Luo ascend the throne, or face mutual destruction. Just as Xie Chongjin was boiling with rage, his sister Xie Wanyu arrived with chicken soup, prompting Shi Feixian to depart.
Xie Chongjin desperately pleaded with Xie Wanyu to return to Jiang Luo's mansion. He lamented that their family's fortunes had waned: their father was aging and would soon retire, their brother Xie Qilin was blind and could never hold office, and Xie Chongjin himself was injured and unable to have children, rendering him "useless." He stressed that the Xie family's future and reputation now depended entirely on her. Overwhelmed by the heavy responsibility, Xie Wanyu could only weep.
Ban Hua and Rong Xia visited the residence bestowed upon them by His Majesty, admiring the peonies that Ban Hua loved. Rong Xia named the place "Baishou Garden," signifying his wish for them to live together until old age. Meanwhile, Ban Heng was on the street, placing bets on whether Ban Hua and Rong Xia's marriage would actually happen.
He openly bet against his sister's union, comically claiming that since he always lost bets, this was his way of ensuring their successful marriage. While gambling, he spotted a dejected Xie Wanyu and, leaving his game, went to talk to her. Ban Heng and Xie Wanyu bonded over cooking. Xie Wanyu, still distressed, expressed her longing for good almond shortcakes, lamenting that she couldn't find any that suited her taste.
Ban Heng offered her the use of his family's kitchen, and they began to cook together. Xie Wanyu's mood visibly lifted as she displayed impressive culinary skills, even surprising Ban Heng. Subsequently, when Ban Hua held a chef selection competition at the Ban Mansion, she learned of Xie Wanyu's talent and enlisted her help in judging.
Xie Wanyu rigorously assessed the candidates, dismissing some for unappetizing presentation or poor hygiene, and ultimately chose a chef whom she believed truly understood and valued ingredients. Softy and Du Jiu went to a shop to purchase wedding bedding for their respective masters. They bickered playfully while selecting quilts, discussing their masters' preferences, with Softy even mentioning Ban Hua's habit of kicking off her quilt.
During their lively discussion, they accidentally stumbled and fell onto each other, both blushing deeply at the unexpected contact. Princess Anle arrived at the Ban Mansion and playfully teased Ban Hua about her upcoming marriage, before inviting her to her own mansion for a reunion. Rong Xia reluctantly agreed. Princess Anle dismissed his concerns about the late hour, assuring him that she would return Ban Hua "undamaged."
She then urged Ban Hua to seize the chance to "go crazy" before her marriage. Du Jiu informed Rong Xia that Princess Anle had invited numerous male followers to her mansion for a "bachelorette party" for Ban Hua. Growing increasingly jealous, Rong Xia immediately went to Princess Anle’s residence, carrying two buckets of water. He arrived to find Ban Hua being entertained by several accomplished men.
Feigning concern, Rong Xia abruptly splashed water on the men who were drawing too close to Ban Hua, claiming he believed they were "up to no good." He then insisted on taking Ban Hua home to change her wet clothes. Princess Anle teased him about his obvious jealousy, offering clothes from her own mansion. However, Rong Xia firmly made excuses about Ban Hua requiring specific custom-made soaps and a precise water temperature.
When Princess Anle pressed him further, Rong Xia, in a burst of possessiveness, declared he would bathe Ban Hua himself. Princess Anle privately explained to Ban Hua that her intention was to provoke Rong Xia's jealousy, and Ban Hua, understanding, decided to play along by pretending to be reluctant to leave. As expected, Rong Xia displayed clear signs of jealousy.
Later, Ban Hua continued to tease him, mischievously remarking on the "powerful chest" of a Mr. Qin she had met at Princess Anle's mansion. This infuriated Rong Xia, who then shut Ban Hua out of the room. Ban Hua, however, quickly used a combination of apologies and lavish praise, proclaiming Rong Xia to be the most handsome man in the world. Her persistence soon pacified him.
They then discussed their future life together in Baishou Garden, with Ban Hua playfully deducing that he disliked her zither playing. Shi Feixian visited Xie Wanyu, bringing a cup of soup. Xie Wanyu's maid recognized it as containing "Huanhua herbs," a contraceptive, and warned her mistress. Shi Feixian quickly claimed the medicine was for her own use, feigning remorse for having become Jiang Luo's concubine.
To gain sympathy, Shi Feixian reminisced about fabricated childhood memories and presented Xie Wanyu with homemade almond shortcakes. Xie Wanyu, though not recalling the memories, was visibly softened by Shi Feixian's seemingly pathetic situation. However, she remained pragmatic, realizing that as long as she was the prince's wife, she could not truly be friends with Shi Feixian and that the Xie family's future was her priority. The delicious shortcakes only deepened her anxiety about her difficult position.
Jiang Luo sternly warned Xie Wanyu not to mention divorce or Shi Feixian when they met the Empress. Upon their arrival, the Empress angrily reprimanded Jiang Luo for bringing Shi Feixian back and creating chaos. She then turned her ire on Xie Wanyu, criticizing her for failing to manage the harem and, more importantly, for not yet producing an heir.
The Empress warned Jiang Luo that if he failed to produce a child soon, His Majesty might send him to a distant fief. She then advised Xie Wanyu to focus on her duty to bear an heir. Still injured, Xie Chongjin insisted on seeing Jiang Luo, telling his family he could not bear to leave the Xie family's dire situation for Xie Wanyu to resolve alone. Meanwhile, Jiang Luo confided in Shi Feixian about the Empress's threat.
Shi Feixian, feigning concern, offered to leave, but Jiang Luo passionately refused. She then proposed a daring solution: preventing the Crown Prince from ascending the throne. Jiang Luo enthusiastically agreed. Just then, a wounded Xie Chongjin arrived, a clear indication to Shi Feixian that he had chosen to ally with them. Shi Feixian then unveiled an audacious scheme, questioning whether Jiang Luo had the courage to follow through.
The Crown Prince summoned Ban Hua and Rong Xia, confessing that Jiang Luo was indeed responsible for the recent assault on them and apologizing for covering it up. While Ban Hua accepted his apology, she warned him of the potential dangers of Jiang Luo's unchecked malice. The Crown Prince then explained that His Majesty was unwell and had entrusted him with the upcoming Farming Festival.
He feared Jiang Luo might cause trouble during the sacred ceremony to damage his reputation and requested that Ban Hua and Rong Xia attend the sacrifice. Ban Hua pointed out that only married couples were permitted to attend, but the Crown Prince produced an Imperial Edict, revealing that His Majesty had already decreed them an imperially-bestowed couple.
