A Girl Like Me Episode 31 Recap
> A Girl Like Me Recap
As a consequence of his deal with Shi Feixian, Rong Xia stood by the unconscious Ban Hua's bed and tore their marriage contract to pieces before departing. Despite being asleep, tears streamed from Ban Hua's eyes. Meanwhile, an urgent summons from the palace announced that the Emperor was unwell, prompting Ban Huai to rush over. Inside the palace, the frail Emperor summoned Rong Xia.
With his last breath, he urged Rong Xia to diligently assist the kindhearted Crown Prince, expressing his concern for the future of the Daye regime and its people. The Emperor also apologized to Rong Xia, vowing to atone in the netherworld for the past wrongs committed against Rong Xia's father. Shortly after, the ministers waiting outside heard Rong Xia announce that the Emperor had passed away. As the mourning bells tolled, the Empress Dowager collapsed upon hearing the news.
The Crown Prince and Jiang Luo knelt before the late Emperor's body, where Jiang Luo noted that Rong Xia had secured the testamentary edict. Concurrently, Xie Chongjin received a newly made imperial robe from Shi Feixian, planning to use it to ensure Jiang Luo's immediate ascension. When Shi Feixian asked about their contingency plan should Rong Xia betray them, Xie Chongjin revealed he had already stationed men outside the Ban family's residence, ready to eliminate them first.
Unbeknownst to them, Xie Wanyu overheard their conversation and instructed her maid, Yun, to warn the Ban family, but Shi Feixian intercepted Yun before she could leave. Jiang Luo confidently strode into the main hall wearing the imperial robe. Rong Xia then publicly read the late Emperor's edict, which shockingly appointed the Crown Prince, Jiang Zhang, as the vassal king of Shu, and named the second prince, Jiang Luo, as the new Emperor.
Amidst murmurs of disbelief, Jiang Luo asserted his authority by ordering the Empress Dowager to be escorted away and commanding the execution of a minister who defied him. He then appointed Xie Chongjin as Prime Minister of the Left and reinstated Shi Chonghai to his former position.
As Shi Jin prepared to leave with the newly-appointed King of Shu and his wife, Xie Chongjin stopped them, declaring that the Emperor had ordered Jiang Zhang to the imperial mausoleum to guard the late Emperor's tomb. In the main hall, Ban Huai furiously berated Rong Xia for his betrayal, but Rong Xia remained impassive while Ban Huai was forcibly removed, still shouting curses.
Meanwhile, Shi Feixian gave an antidote to Shi Jin, falsely claiming she had obtained it from the new Emperor out of concern for Ban Hua. Though skeptical, Shi Jin rushed the antidote to the Ban Mansion. Ban Hua regained consciousness shortly after taking it, and her parents expressed their profound gratitude. Upon waking, Ban Hua asked about the situation at the palace, and her attendant blurted out that Rong Xia had torn up their marriage contract.
Later, when commoners gathered outside Rong's residence to curse him, Ban Hua arrived to defend his name. Rong Xia opened the door and spoke cruelly to Ban Hua, claiming he had only used her as a stepping stone to investigate his family's tragedy. Heartbroken, Ban Hua declared that she was the one abandoning him, not the other way around. She then knelt in sorrow before her grandmother's memorial tablet.
Seeing her distress, Shi Jin comforted her, assuring her that those who truly cared for her only wished for her happiness and safety. Later, Shi Jin confronted Rong Xia, who admitted he had no other choice and asked Shi Jin to take good care of Ban Hua. At that moment, Shi Jin realized it was Rong Xia's influence that had prompted Shi Feixian to provide the antidote. Elsewhere, Shi Feixian delivered a phoenix robe to Xie Wanyu.
When she angrily refused it, Shi Feixian threatened the lives of the Xie family, forcing a resentful Xie Wanyu to comply. After dreaming of her family's home being ransacked, Ban Hua decided her father must resign from his post so the family could retreat to the suburbs. She gave her father the Pardon Token, granted by the late emperor, for his protection. Rong Xia and Shi Jin secretly met with the King of Shu, Jiang Zhang.
The former Crown Prince said he would not mind relinquishing the throne if Jiang Luo could be a wise ruler. Rong Xia, however, warned that Jiang Zhang would be in grave danger once Jiang Luo's power was secure, reaffirming his commitment to restoring the throne to him. News of the secret meeting reached Jiang Luo, and Shi Chonghai suggested making an example of someone to assert authority.
In court, Ban Huai announced his resignation and offered his family's wealth to the treasury. When Jiang Luo questioned the Ban family's loyalty, Rong Xia, understanding the Emperor's intent, shockingly suggested that their mansion be searched and their property confiscated. Afterward, Shi Jin angrily confronted Rong Xia. Rong Xia explained his actions were a strategic move to save the Ban family from a worse fate, such as execution. Realizing his own impulsiveness, Shi Jin apologized. Rong Xia then asked Shi Jin to deliberately oppose him in court to prevent arousing suspicion.
