Better Halves Episode 18 Recap
> Better Halves Recap
Marquis Wu'an, enraged by Cheng Ruoning's refusal to marry him, lambasted his subordinate for suggesting a clumsy act of revenge, fearing easy exposure. As the subordinate was dismissed, Fang Yue arrived. The Marquis expressed his disappointment in Fang Yue's failure to contain Shi Fa'ke, who, despite being a mere marriage broker, had publicly humiliated him.
Fang Yue acknowledged Shi Fa'ke's strength, attributing it to her pure heart and unwavering dedication to matchmaking, a quality that enables great accomplishments, unlike her own self-serving motives. She advised the Marquis that forcing a marriage against fate would lead to no good and questioned his intent to exploit matrimony for personal gain before taking her leave. Meanwhile, at Cheng Ruoning’s mansion, Shi Fa'ke and Lu Chi arrived to discuss Cheng Ruoning and Young Master Qiujiang's wedding.
The couple appeared troubled, prompting Lu Chi to deduce their distress stemmed from Marquis Wu'an. Cheng Ruoning confirmed her rejection of the Marquis's proposal and the subsequent embarrassment she caused him, fearing his relentless pursuit of revenge. She worried he would escalate his harm towards Young Master Qiujiang and considered leaving the capital. Young Master Qiujiang, however, was reluctant to abandon their ancestral home and assets, despite Cheng Ruoning’s willingness to endure hardship for their love.
With no apparent solution to Marquis Wu'an's escalating threats, Shi Fa'ke questioned if anyone could control him. Lu Chi assured them such a person existed, though he could not reveal the identity. He promised to coordinate a solution and arranged for Lu Yi to protect Cheng Ruoning and Young Master Qiujiang in the interim. Later, Shi Fa'ke eagerly pressed Lu Chi about his solution. As Lu Chi leaned in to whisper his strategy, Shi Fa'ke flinched in surprise.
He revealed his plan: for the Cheng family to shed their vast wealth, thus removing the source of Marquis Wu'an's covetousness, as "the innocent suffer for possessing something valuable." Shi Fa'ke worried Cheng Ruoning might not agree, but Lu Chi maintained it was Cheng Ruoning's decision, and Shi Fa'ke shouldn't blame herself if she refused. Shi Fa'ke concurred that decisive action was better than endless worry. Cheng Ruoning initially struggled with the monumental decision to donate her family’s hard-earned fortune.
However, Lu Chi and Shi Fa'ke impressed upon her that this was the only viable path to safety, as Marquis Wu'an would relentlessly pursue her wealth and seek vengeance if she and Young Master Qiujiang remained unprotected. They assured her of their unwavering support, regardless of her choice. News soon reached Marquis Wu'an that the Cheng family had indeed donated all their assets to the imperial court, converting them into "royal merchants" to bolster Liang State's prosperity and military funds.
The Marquis was furious that the money had gone to the Emperor instead of him, blaming Lu Chi and Shi Fa'ke for devising such a scheme. He vowed to eliminate Cheng Ruoning, but his subordinate cautioned against it, revealing that the Emperor had already recognized Cheng Ruoning as his sworn sister, bestowing upon her the title of Princess Jiangning. Enraged, the Marquis felt outmaneuvered and swore to demonstrate his ultimate authority.
He dismissed his subordinate's suggestion to dispose of Lu Chi and Shi Fa'ke, confident that they were mere "mantises trying to stop a chariot" and would submit once his grand ambitions were realized. With Cheng Ruoning’s support lost, Marquis Wu'an resolved to find new allies. He was informed that the King of Gaoyou State intended to marry his daughter to the Emperor, but the Princess of Gaoyou had fled to the capital and was missing.
The Marquis ordered an immediate search for her. Meanwhile, Lu Chi revealed that when the Cheng family donated their assets, he had secured their Baihua Art House, which they could convert into a theater. Cheng Ruoning would continue to manage the business, and Young Master Qiujiang could perform there. The couple expressed their gratitude to Lu Chi for his thoughtful arrangements and invited him to the theater's grand opening.
Shi Fa'ke, a great admirer of Young Master Qiujiang, promised to attend. At the bustling opening of the new theater, Shi Fa'ke lauded her innovative "Elegant Guest List" idea to He Ketian, which allowed the top-ranked guest to select the day's play. He Ketian, however, felt a sense of melancholy, describing her current state as an "empty dream" as she missed Zhu Yanyan and the gatherings of their Heiresses' Society. Shi Fa'ke echoed her sentiment, wishing Yanyan were present.
As Young Master Qiujiang performed, Yan Qiyue entered the theater. Observing Shi Fa'ke's recent bold actions against Marquis Wu'an, Lu Chi anticipated the Marquis's retaliation. Initially considering sending Lu Yi to protect Shi Fa'ke, Lu Chi ultimately decided to go himself, driven by lingering worry. As the performance concluded, Shi Fa'ke and He Ketian prepared to leave. He Ketian, noticing Shi Fa'ke's interest in Yan Qiyue, teased her about her matchmaking instincts taking over.
Shi Fa'ke then approached Yan Qiyue, inquiring about his origins, age, and marital status, before introducing herself as a marriage broker. Just then, Lu Chi arrived, observing Shi Fa'ke's familiar matchmaking spiel with Yan Qiyue, a scene that stirred a familiar pang of jealousy within him. Shi Fa'ke introduced Yan Qiyue to Lu Chi and suggested they dine at Xibao Pavilion.
A jealous Lu Chi quickly interjected, claiming Xibao Pavilion was closed for a "mid-month inventory check" and urging Shi Fa'ke to return home. Undeterred, Shi Fa'ke instead led Yan Qiyue to a favorite local noodle stall. While eating, Yan Qiyue confessed to a long-standing crush on someone whose name and whereabouts were unknown, describing this person as his "spiritual comfort." He revealed his hobby was admiring Mr. Lin Yuan's paintings.
Shi Fa'ke excitedly shared her own admiration for the artist and invited him to her home to see a painting. However, Lu Chi interrupted once more, insisting it was late. They walked Yan Qiyue back to Qingfeng Inn, where Yan Qiyue reflected on Shi Fa'ke's warmth, wondering if she was a trustworthy ally who could help him find Mr. Lin Yuan.
Away from Lu Chi, Shi Fa'ke confronted Yan Qiyue, asking if she should address her as "Mr. Yan" or "Miss Yan." Yan Qiyue confessed her disguise, explaining she had fled an undesirable arranged marriage. Shi Fa'ke promised to keep her identity secret, citing a matchmaker's virtue of discretion, and reaffirmed her commitment to help Yan Qiyue find her beloved. Meanwhile, Shi Fa'ke’s brothers, Shi Xianxian and Shi Chongshan, noticed her frequent outings with Yan Qiyue.
They secretly followed them, observing Yan Qiyue's seemingly frail physique and expressing their disapproval, deeming him an unworthy rival for Lu Chi. Concurrently, Lu Yi reported to Lu Chi about Shi Fa'ke’s outings with Yan Qiyue, falsely claiming Yan Qiyue was being touchy with her. A visibly jealous Lu Chi ordered Lu Yi to thoroughly investigate Yan Qiyue.
Back with Yan Qiyue, she passionately reasoned to Shi Fa'ke that Mr. Lin Yuan's paintings, devoid of any marital or familial figures, suggested he was unattached and of a similar age. Despite Shi Fa'ke's cautious advice, Yan Qiyue insisted on meeting Mr. Lin Yuan to avoid lifelong regret. Moved by her plea, Shi Fa'ke promised to find the elusive artist. In another part of the capital, Marquis Wu'an questioned his subordinates about suppressing news of the Princess of Gaoyou.
They confirmed all information had been erased but admitted their failure to locate her. The Marquis then instructed Fang Yue that the princess, who was seeking a certain "Mr. Lin Yuan," would likely seek out the Official Matchmaking Agency. He ordered Fang Yue to monitor the agency closely and assist him in marrying the princess. Unbeknownst to them, the Princess of Gaoyou, disguised as Yan Qiyue, was staying at the Gaoyou Posthouse.
Believing her father had abandoned the marriage plan, she felt safe enough to consider shedding her disguise. Later, Shi Fa'ke approached Lu Chi, asking if he would help her with anything. He affirmed his readiness to assist her. Shi Fa'ke then revealed her request: to help her find Mr. Lin Yuan. Lu Chi appeared momentarily surprised but then agreed, with a condition yet to be specified.
