A Girl Like Me Episode 32 Recap
> A Girl Like Me Recap
Bad news reached the Ban family as Xie Qilin arrived, quickly followed by Xie Chongjin and his men, who had come to search their mansion under an imperial decree. His Majesty had approved Duke Ban’s resignation but accused the family of secretly hiding wealth, ordering all their property to be confiscated.
Ban Hua tried to entrust some bank notes to Xie Qilin, knowing he was trustworthy, but Xie Chongjin intervened, seizing the money despite Xie Qilin’s pleas for the family, reminding his brother that the Ban family had once saved his life. Xie Chongjin, however, insisted he was merely following orders and drove everyone out, leaving the once prosperous Ban household on the streets.
As they walked through the capital, they overheard mocking comments from passersby, who gossiped about the Ban family’s downfall, attributing it to the passing of the Princess Royal and Count Cheng’an siding with the current Emperor. Ban Hua blamed herself for not protecting the family, but her parents reassured her it was their responsibility.
With their suburban residence also sealed and only twenty taels left, Ban Heng bitterly blamed Ban Hua for entrusting their money to Xie Qilin, but Ban Hua corrected him, placing the blame squarely on Xie Chongjin. They decided to find an inn for the night. Ban Hua and Ban Heng planned to retrieve some treasures they had buried previously. However, upon reaching the spot, they found only a note stating, "For an emergency. Will repay double in the future."
Ban Heng was furious, cursing the thief, but Ban Hua, realizing who it was, dismissed the idea of confronting him. An enraged Ban Heng deduced the thief was Rong Xia, and Ban Hua's silence confirmed his suspicion, further fueling his outrage over the broken engagement and the theft. Ban Heng, still fuming, cursed Rong Xia with a series of misfortunes, but Ban Hua assured him she wasn’t foolish enough to still have feelings for him.
The next morning, Ban Hua offered her valuable earrings to Softy and Rocky, suggesting they pawn them to return home or find good husbands, but both loyal servants tearfully refused, vowing to stay with her even if it meant hardship. Just then, Ban Heng burst in with exciting news: they had found a place to live, Xiangle Mansion.
Shi Jin, who had arranged for the Ban family to stay at Xiangle Mansion, explained that the residence belonged to his uncle, who was away for three years mourning a deceased family member. He assured them they could stay without worry. Ban Hua thanked him, and Shi Jin, expressing his pleasure in helping, cautioned them to maintain a low profile, as he feared the Emperor might not easily let Duke Ban off.
Later, Softy suggested they go to a noodle restaurant in the area, a place Ban Hua had visited with Rong Xia. Shi Jin initially tried to discourage them, calling the restaurant too humble, but Ban Hua agreed for Softy’s sake. They indeed saw Rong Xia there, though no words were exchanged. Shi Jin, still concerned, asked Ban Hua if she understood Rong Xia’s actions.
Ban Hua admitted she had pondered them countless times, concluding his every move was to protect her family. However, she confessed that after enduring so many hardships, her only desire was to live a simple, peaceful life with her family, putting an end to the turbulent past. Life in Xiangle Mansion was modest. Yin Shi was reluctant to buy mosquito coils due to their limited funds, asking Rocky to give the last remaining ones to Ban Hua and Ban Heng.
Ban Hua, however, insisted they be used in her parents' room. When Ban Hua offered to find a way to earn money, Yin Shi revealed her plan: she would have Rocky buy seeds and eggs to grow vegetables and raise chickens in their yard, saving monthly expenses. She also planned to start a small business selling steamed buns, a skill she learned from her grandmother.
Meanwhile, in the palace, Jiang Luo was consumed by pleasure with Shi Feixian, refusing to attend court and ordering all memorials to be sent to Minister Xie and Minister Shi. As Jiang Luo fumed about the lack of volunteers to lead troops against rebels in Qizhou, who were robbing official grain supplies, Ban Hua requested an audience. She bravely volunteered to lead the troops and suppress the rebellion.
Despite objections from an official who deemed her unqualified as a woman, Ban Hua asserted her capabilities, reminding Jiang Luo of her martial prowess. When another official questioned her knowledge of military strategy, Ban Hua declared that she had studied the art of war with her grandfather, General Ban, since childhood, and it was her time to repay the country’s kindness.
When Rong Xia suggested sending an experienced vice-general to assist her, Jiang Luo dismissed his suggestion, praising Ban Hua’s loyalty and patriotism. He then appointed Ban Hua as the General to Pacify the Rebellion, ordering her to lead troops to Qizhou immediately. Her title of Princess Fule was restored, and her stipend reinstated. The Ban family was deeply worried about Ban Hua going to war.
Ban Heng questioned if she was doing it for money, but Ban Hua clarified she was trying to forge a path for their family. Her father warned her of the grave dangers of battle, but Ban Hua reiterated her resolve to be the Ban family's backbone, fearing that Jiang Luo would eventually move against them if they remained passive.
She emphasized that while their family was related to the imperial house, their true standing relied on her grandfather's military achievements and her grandmother's benevolence. Lacking her grandmother’s grace, Ban Hua would rely on her grandfather’s martial arts to prove that even after General Ban and the Princess Royal’s passing, the Ban family still had capable successors.
Ban Heng and Softy volunteered to join her, but Ban Hua instructed them to stay and protect their parents, explaining that their safety was crucial for her success. At court, Rong Xia knelt before Jiang Luo, requesting to accompany Princess Fule on the expedition, despite their broken engagement. Jiang Luo questioned his sincerity, making him kneel for a long time to demonstrate his resolve before the officials.
Meanwhile, Shi Jin explained to a curious official that Rong Xia’s true intention was to protect Ban Hua. In a prior conversation, Rong Xia had arranged for Shi Jin to take the Ban family out of the capital after Ban Hua’s departure, knowing that whether she succeeded or failed, Jiang Luo would find an excuse to harm her family. Shi Feixian, seeing Rong Xia kneeling, confronted him, scolding him for humiliating himself for Ban Hua.
Rong Xia coldly dismissed her, reaffirming his sole devotion to Ban Hua, stating he feared no death if he could share it with his beloved. Heartbroken, Shi Feixian realized her affections had been wishful thinking and declared their bond severed like spilled water. Witnessing this, Jiang Luo clenched his fists in fury and agreed to let Rong Xia join the expedition, determined that he would never return alive.
News of Rong Xia joining the expedition reached the Ban family, leaving Ban Heng bewildered by his actions. He pointed out how Rong Xia had torn up the marriage contract, helped Jiang Luo ascend the throne, and how it was Shi Jin who brought the antidote when Ban Hua was poisoned. Ban Hua then revealed that it was Rong Xia who had sought the antidote, and many of his seemingly cruel actions were strategic choices to protect them.
She confirmed her suspicions by checking with Shi Jin, who implicitly agreed. That night, Ban Hua secretly met Rong Xia. She accused him of acting alone without consulting her, explaining that his repeated interventions made her feel useless. She told him to remain in the capital to resolve the larger issues he had created, insisting he not accompany her. Rong Xia refused to let her venture into danger alone, believing Jiang Luo’s order to be a trap.
Despite their differing views, Ban Hua had Shi Jin knock Rong Xia unconscious, ensuring he couldn't follow her. The next day, Ban Hua arrived to lead her troops, only to find they were a ragtag group of criminals released from prison, granted a chance to atone for their sins by fighting. They were unruly and openly scorned being led by a woman. Ban Hua sternly warned them against desertion, citing the law of immediate execution for deserters.
She declared herself their Chief Commander and swore on the name of her grandfather, General Ban, that she would lead them to victory and bring them home safely. Meanwhile, Rong Xia regained consciousness to find Shi Jin standing guard. Shi Jin explained that he was entrusted by Ban Hua to keep him from joining the dangerous expedition. Undeterred, Rong Xia declared that he was never afraid to share life and death with her. Seizing an opportunity, he swiftly knocked Shi Jin unconscious, determined to reach Ban Hua.
