A Girl Like Me Episode 39 Recap
> A Girl Like Me Recap
Ban Heng, while scaling the walls of the Xie Mansion, was caught off guard when Count Xie, who had been loudly narrating a theatrical story to distract his family, suddenly excused himself due to stomach discomfort. A loud crash from Xie Wanyu's room prompted the frantic Count Xie to rush in, only to discover a disheveled Ban Heng sprawled on his daughter's bed. Enraged, Count Xie demanded an explanation.
Xie Wanyu quickly claimed Ban Heng was there for a marriage proposal. Count Xie scoffed at the idea of a proposal done by climbing walls and peeping, threatening to expel Ban Heng and insisting his father, Ban Huai, should make the formal request. However, Ban Heng asserted his own authority in the matter. He confessed his love to Xie Wanyu, recounting how he was smitten after tasting her scallion oil chicken, a dish that made him forget all other delicacies.
He admitted that he began to think of her whenever he was hungry, missing her day and night. He proposed they be together, promising to eat whatever she made. Though surprised, Xie Wanyu was touched. Ban Heng then presented what he believed was a magical bracelet to seal their bond, only to discover he had been scammed; it was just a bag of flour.
While Count Xie was furious, Xie Wanyu found it endearing, asking how Ban Heng knew of her love for the kitchen. Despite Count Xie's refusal, Xie Wanyu's mother gave her blessing, supporting her daughter's choice. Rong Xia meticulously prepared Ban’s Mansion for the family's return, explaining that new items would be more convenient after their long absence. He expressed a deep attachment to the courtyard, having visited it many times, and emphasized its importance as Ban Hua's home.
Ban Hua, relieved to be back, declared they were finally home and would never be separated again. Under a pomegranate tree, Rong Xia envisioned a future where they would walk and chat leisurely while watching their children grow, promising to pick pomegranates for her grandmother. Ban Hua vowed to be by his side for life, enjoying happy days no matter the challenges. Later that night, Emperor Jiang Zhang visited Ban’s Mansion, urging Rong Xia to reconsider abdicating the throne.
Jiang Zhang confessed his deep-seated fear that he lacked the ability to govern, preferring simple pursuits like cultivating plants over statecraft and fearing he would fail the people of Daye. Rong Xia gently reminded him that a ruler's inaction could be as disastrous as wrongdoing. Jiang Zhang clarified his fear was not the burden of his duties, but of "feeling guilty before the whole world." He gave Rong Xia until morning court to decide.
The next day, Rong Xia sent only a letter, confirming he would not accept the throne. The Emperor, feeling the weight of his responsibilities, acknowledged his discomfort in a role he felt a more capable person should fill. Privately, Suyue warned Emperor Jiang Zhang that his trust in Rong Xia was akin to "raising a tiger."
She recounted how Rong Xia’s actions led to the downfall of the Shi family, the death of her grandfather, and the imprisonment of Shi Feixian and Jiang Luo. She argued that if Rong Xia accepted the throne, he would be scorned by the people, and if he refused, he would be seen as abandoning them. Suyue proposed a solution: bestow upon Rong Xia an undeniable favor by arranging his marriage to Ban Hua in the sacred Moon Palace.
This would bind him to the court out of gratitude, and once Daye was stable, they could be granted a life of solitude. During morning court, Emperor Jiang Zhang reinstated Ban Huai as Marquis Jingting and appointed Shi Jin as National General. Most significantly, he named Rong Xia the Right Prime Minister and decreed that he and Princess Changle (Ban Hua) would marry in the Moon Palace with national rites.
When some officials objected to an outsider receiving such an honor, and Rong Xia tried to decline, Ban Hua interrupted. She declared she would only marry Rong Xia if he met her conditions: he must provide the finest wedding procession, always defend her, buy her any beautiful things she desires, and love only her. Furthermore, in times of peace, he must travel with her, and in times of war, he must be her military advisor.
To the court's surprise, Rong Xia readily accepted every term. At Ban’s Mansion, Ban Huai and Ban Heng plotted a series of gate-crashing challenges for the groom. To their surprise, Rong Xia arrived two hours early. The first challenge was a declaration of love. After his classical poetry was deemed too complex, Rong Xia spoke from the heart: "Hua, I’ve read many books, but none are as good as you.
Since the day I met you, every step I’ve taken was to walk into your heart. I love you." Ban Hua, having just arrived, overheard his confession and delightedly demanded he repeat it daily. For the second challenge, an arm-wrestling match against the formidable Softy, Du Jiu cleverly whispered "I like you" in Softy's ear, causing the distracted guard to lose. The third challenge was a one-coin entrance fee.
Ban Heng tried to help by tossing a coin from inside, but Ban Huai, labeling him a spy, promptly ejected him from the house. As the standoff continued, Count Xie arrived. With time running out and Ban Huai refusing entry, Rong Xia declared he would break down the gate. Count Xie, gleefully admitting he had long wanted to tear down the Ban family's gate, enthusiastically joined in.
They successfully rammed the gate open, and Rong Xia tumbled to the ground at Ban Hua's feet. Looking up at her, Ban Hua had a flash of recognition, realizing he was the husband from her dreams. Meanwhile, Suyue intercepted Princess Anle, attempting to turn her against Rong Xia. She painted him as a vengeful man who was responsible for the former emperor's death and Jiang Luo’s downfall, warning that his rising power threatened the Jiang family.
She assured Anle that if she acted, only Rong Xia would be the target, leaving the Ban family unharmed. Anle appeared to consider her words. Inside, Rong Xia and Ban Hua served tea to her parents. Ban Hua’s mother tearfully asked Rong Xia to be patient with her daughter's spirited nature, and he promised to cherish her always.
Seeing the family's emotional farewell, Rong Xia broke with tradition and invited everyone to accompany them to the Moon Palace, insisting that as one family, they should travel together. The wedding procession thus became a lively carriage filled with family, with Ban Huai and Count Xie continuing their playful bickering. At the majestic Moon Palace, an imperial edict was read, celebrating the union.
Ban Hua playfully questioned the edict's flattering description of her, but Rong Xia passionately affirmed that in his heart, she was more wonderful than any words could describe. After they accepted the ceremonial scrolls, Ban Hua stumbled in her heavy wedding attire, but Rong Xia caught her, reassuring her that he would always be there to shield her from any trouble. With the auspicious moment at hand, they prepared to enter the palace, where the Emperor and Empress awaited to complete the ceremony.
