A Love So Romantic Episode 11 Recap
> A Love So Romantic Recap
Upon Xin Ziqian's late return, Lady Ru was already waiting in his room. He claimed he had been enjoying a gathering with distant friends and lost track of time. Lady Ru chastised him, suggesting that friends who don't remind him to come home late at night are not worthy of deep friendship.
She then reminded him that Cheng Qianyu, who was intended for Gu Yanxi, would arrive the next day and advised Xin Ziqian to approach her, hoping to leverage the Cheng family's influence. Xin Ziqian, however, expressed disinterest in such wealthy young ladies, stating they were "boring and troublesome." Lady Ru pressed him on his preferences, and he promised to introduce her to the woman he eventually found.
After Lady Ru departed, Xin Ziqian sat in silent contemplation, having secretly witnessed Gu Yanxi carrying a drunk Su Xiaowan home the previous night, which left him feeling unsettled. Meanwhile, a maid reported to Lady Ru, implying that she had observed something "interesting" related to Xin Ziqian's activities. The next morning, Su Xiaowan woke with a headache and felt cold.
Her maid, Qiu Xiang, attributed it to her bumping into a door and the windows being left open, though Su Xiaowan sensed something more significant had occurred. Xin Ziqian arrived, bringing chrysanthemum tea for her supposed cold. He inquired why she hadn't met them the previous night, to which she vaguely replied she couldn't find them and returned home. Xin Ziqian then informed her of Cheng Qianyu's imminent arrival and the welcoming banquet, inviting Su Xiaowan to join him.
Feigning severe illness, Su Xiaowan declined, stating she wouldn't attend any festivities and urging Xin Ziqian to go alone. She even accepted his offer to inform their grandmother of her "illness." However, Qiu Xiang later chided Su Xiaowan for her pretense, insisting she should confront Cheng Qianyu directly for the sake of Gu Yanxi's happiness. Though initially resistant, Su Xiaowan eventually decided to discreetly observe Cheng Qianyu.
Soon after, Ru Ying approached Su Xiaowan, eager to learn about the effects of the alcohol detox pill she had tested. Su Xiaowan, spotting Cheng Qianyu, promised to tell him if he could manage to remove Cheng Qianyu's veil. Ru Ying confidently agreed. As Gu Yanxi approached, Ru Ying quickly claimed he was on his way to a new drugstore in the south of the city. As he departed, he "accidentally" dropped his pills, creating a diversion.
Seizing the opportunity, he subtly blew off Cheng Qianyu's veil. He was immediately captivated by her beauty, exclaiming, "She is so beautiful!" Cheng Qianyu introduced herself, and Ru Ying showered her with poetic compliments, praising her name. Gu Yanxi then led Cheng Qianyu away, leaving Ru Ying smitten.
Ru Ying later sneaked into Su Xiaowan's room, complaining that the detox pill hadn't worked and had made a fool of him, to which Su Xiaowan casually replied that "failure is the mother of success" and his embarrassment was of no consequence. He then revealed his true purpose: he needed Su Xiaowan's help to gather information about Cheng Qianyu—her preferences in food, hobbies, and even men—as he intended to pursue her.
Su Xiaowan expressed reservations, pointing out that Cheng Qianyu was Gu Yanxi's childhood sweetheart, but Ru Ying dismissed it as destiny. Ru Ying, noticing Su Xiaowan's own feelings for Gu Yanxi, proposed that they could both benefit from this arrangement. Su Xiaowan then agreed to help, on the condition that Ru Ying accept her younger brother, Xiao'an, as an apprentice. Ru Ying readily promised to do so in exchange for another meeting with Cheng Qianyu to alleviate his "lovesickness."
Just then, Gu Yanxi returned, surprised to find Ru Ying still there after claiming to have left for the city. After Ru Ying hastily departed, Gu Yanxi questioned Su Xiaowan about their conversation, noting how happy Ru Ying had made her. Su Xiaowan deflected his questions and then, feigning memory loss, asked if anything "inappropriate" had happened when she was drunk last night.
Gu Yanxi teasingly told her she had puked all over him and ruined his clothes, then urged her to prepare for the banquet, mentioning Cheng Qianyu's name. Su Xiaowan inwardly grumbled about Gu Yanxi's familiarity with Cheng Qianyu, dismissing his concern as a shallow attempt to appease her. At the banquet, Cheng Qianyu elegantly played the guzheng.
Grandmother praised Cheng Qianyu's beauty and talent, and Lady Ru echoed her sentiments, recalling how Cheng Qianyu had grown up wanting to marry Gu Yanxi. Su Xiaowan then formally greeted Cheng Qianyu, who graciously presented her with a bracelet. Su Xiaowan initially tried to decline, but Grandmother insisted she accept it. Lady Ru and Grandmother continued to comment on how well-matched Gu Yanxi and Cheng Qianyu appeared. Lady Ru then intentionally prompted Su Xiaowan to perform.
Despite her reluctance and claims of lacking talent, Su Xiaowan was pressured by both Lady Ru and Grandmother. She began to sing "Tian Xian Pei" but faltered when she saw Cheng Qianyu tenderly feeding Gu Yanxi. Xin Ziqian quickly intervened, claiming he had taught Su Xiaowan opera to help her with poetry, and completed the song with her, saving the performance. Grandmother, pleased, remarked that Su Xiaowan's performance was "lively and lovely," reflecting her straightforward character.
After the banquet, Lady Ru reported to Grandmother that Su Xiaowan had been "extremely drunk" the previous night, implying her recent clumsy behavior was due to a hangover. Grandmother was dismayed by such "ridiculous" conduct from a Gu family lady. Lady Ru subtly defended Su Xiaowan by explaining her lack of upbringing due to being lost as a child but assured Grandmother that Su Xiaowan would be "taught" proper manners now that she was back.
Grandmother agreed and ordered Su Xiaowan to copy "Lessons for Women" in her room to learn proper etiquette. The next day, Cheng Qianyu approached Gu Yanxi, who was busy working on a phoenix-shaped tiara. Noting his exhaustion, she suggested they go for a walk to relax. Gu Yanxi, citing his busy schedule, declined but offered to have Yuan He arrange an outing for her. Cheng Qianyu politely refused and then sought out Grandmother, expressing her disappointment.
Grandmother consoled her, affirming her long-standing intention for Cheng Qianyu and Gu Yanxi to marry, recalling a childhood agreement. Later, at dinner, Grandmother continued to subtly push Gu Yanxi and Cheng Qianyu together. She insisted that Gu Yanxi take Cheng Qianyu on an outing to Peach Blossom Town to show her around. Su Xiaowan eagerly asked to join them, but Grandmother firmly denied her request, reiterating that she must stay in her room and copy "Lessons for Women."
Cheng Qianyu thanked Grandmother and left to prepare. Feeling dejected, Su Xiaowan left the dinner table, claiming a lack of appetite due to her "illness." She then overheard Gu Yanxi tell Grandmother that taking Cheng Qianyu out was merely an act of "hospitality" and that Grandmother should stop meddling in his private affairs. He explicitly stated that he only viewed Cheng Qianyu as a sister and had no romantic feelings for her, emphasizing he was too young to marry.
Grandmother grew agitated, insisting he "bond with Qianyu" and "get married soon," aspiring for "two babies within three years," and boasted about already having five names picked out for her great-grandchildren. Gu Yanxi, exasperated, excused himself. Back in her room, Su Xiaowan had a vivid daydream of Cheng Qianyu bearing multiple children with Gu Yanxi. Jolted awake, she resolved not to allow their relationship to progress.
She then asked Qiu Xiang for a huge favor: to copy "Lessons for Women" for her the next day, as she had "very important" reasons to leave the mansion. Qiu Xiang, worried about Grandmother's strict rules, was hesitant but ultimately agreed to help her.
Meanwhile, in his own room, Gu Yanxi, recalling how Lady Ru had previously disciplined Su Xiaowan, instructed Yuan He to assign extra guards to protect Su Xiaowan the following day, ensuring she wouldn't wander off alone and that no harm would come to her. He also made sure to specify that Su Xiaowan was "Gu Wan'er, the daughter of the Gu family," not just a maid.
