A Girl Like Me Episode 3 Recap
> A Girl Like Me Recap
In the imperial court, His Majesty ordered Xie Qilin to recount the true events of his injury. Before Xie Qilin could speak, Rong Xia pressed him, revealing his knowledge that the poetry collection gifted to Xie Qilin was a unique copy and that Shi Feixian had been with him on the day his eye was injured. Aware of their private meeting, Rong Xia offered Xie Qilin a choice: reveal the truth or risk Shi Feixian's reputation.
Cornered, Xie Qilin confessed that he had accidentally tripped over branches, injuring his eye, and that Ban Heng was innocent. Despite the crime of deceiving the Emperor, His Majesty, considering Xie Qilin's blindness and his family's past contributions, leniently sentenced him to twenty floggings and banned him from court for life. Later, Shi Feixian's brother, Shi Jin, thanked Rong Xia for his assistance, admitting he had covered up his sister's meeting with Xie Qilin to protect the family's honor.
Rong Xia expressed understanding, acknowledging that even upright individuals have personal motives. Meanwhile, the Ban family offered prayers, and Ban Hua expressed relief that the incident was resolved. However, a vivid dream disturbed her: she saw her family's mansion and wealth being confiscated by order of the Emperor. This dream, much like a previous one about Xie Qilin's blindness that came true, intensified her anxiety about a new emperor seizing their fortune.
The Ban family discussed their predicament, speculating whether the kind Crown Prince or the treacherous Prince Luo might be the future emperor. Ban Hua’s mother proposed a three-part strategy: first, secretly bury their valuables for future use; second, identify the potential new emperor and establish strong ties with him; and third, live lavishly to enjoy their wealth while they still could. Acting on the plan, Ban Hua sought to curry favor with Rong Xia.
Dismissing her servants' cruder gift ideas, she chose a painting she believed would appeal to his refined taste. When Rong Xia received the gift, he was astonished to find it was "A Panorama of Rivers and Mountains," a legendary, long-lost painting from a previous dynasty, rumored to be connected to missing treasures and the Tiger Tally.
Realizing Ban Hua was oblivious to the painting's immense value, Rong Xia accepted it, believing it might lead him closer to the truth about the Tiger Tally. He began to wonder if the Ban family had been feigning ignorance for years and arranged a secret meeting to discuss this development. Sometime later, Ban Hua and Ban Heng ventured into the forest to bury their "life-saving money," a childhood game of theirs.
They were surprised to encounter Rong Xia, who claimed to be searching for his lost cat as a cover. He secretly instructed his men to verify if the siblings were truly burying treasure; if not, they were to be eliminated. During their walk, a sound from the forest startled Ban Hua, and Rong Xia used the distraction to pretend to lose his jade pendant.
As Ban Hua was about to board her carriage, a firework signal—a sign from Rong Xia's men confirming the treasure was just money—erupted. Rong Xia swiftly pulled her away from her carriage, where assassins had been hiding. Oblivious to the danger, Ban Hua simply commented on the unexpected fireworks. Rong Xia then insisted on personally escorting her home in his own carriage. Du Jiu later reported to Rong Xia that he had found the buried items, which were only money.
Rong Xia decided to "safeguard" the money for them. He told Du Jiu that the Ban family's close bond would be useful for his long-term plan to get closer to the Princess Royal, dismissing concerns that Ban Hua might grow suspicious. Back at the Ban mansion, Ban Hua confided in her family that she suspected Rong Xia was the usurper from her dream.
Her mother, recalling the accuracy of the dream about Xie Qilin, advised her to proceed with caution while still trying to get closer to him. Meanwhile, Ban Heng began publicly gathering information on Rong Xia, posting notices with high rewards. In her own attempt to win Rong Xia over, Ban Hua first tried to imitate Shi Feixian, but her servants found the effort "scary" and advised her to be herself.
She then arranged for an elaborate meal to be delivered to Rong Xia. Though she disliked mustard fish, Rong Xia's favorite, she ate it to maintain her pretense, while his butler meticulously noted her preferences. Xie Wanyu informed Shi Feixian of Ban Hua's public pursuit of Rong Xia. Shi Feixian then visited the palace, where she was accosted by the profligate Prince Luo before her sister, the Crown Princess, intervened.
The Crown Princess gave Shi Feixian a list of Rong Xia's preferences to help her compete with Ban Hua. Inspired, Ban Hua arranged a luxurious carriage for Rong Xia's use. Du Jiu scoffed, betting Rong Xia would never ride in it, only to be proven wrong when Rong Xia accepted. Later, Shi Feixian and Xie Wanyu devised a plan to give Ban Hua an impossible task.
They decided to tell her that Rong Xia loves skating, knowing it would be impossible for her to find an ice rink in autumn. Xie Wanyu subsequently found Ban Heng and told him that Rong Xia loved skating above all else. That evening, Rong Xia's butler noted that his master had barely eaten, musing that he always ate more when Ban Hua was present, to which Rong Xia simply dismissed him.
