Choice Husband Episode 26 Recap
> Choice Husband Recap
Song Xiyuan arrived at the Baima Temple and was immediately confronted by Zhan Yue, who guarded the entrance. Song Xiyuan demanded to see Shen Miao, asserting that she was his wife, and accused Pei Yanzhen of manipulating Shen Miao. Zhan Yue, however, insisted that Shen Miao and Pei Yanzhen loved each other and would reconcile. Their argument quickly escalated into a physical fight.
Tie Niu attempted to assist Song Xiyuan, leading to a scuffle with Constable Zhao, who called Tie Niu a "Stupid man." Awakened by the commotion, Xiao cheered for "Third Master Song." Hearing her son, Shen Miao rushed out, witnessing the fight. Seeing Shen Miao, Pei Yanzhen attempted to explain himself, but Xiao quickly told his mother that Pei Yanzhen, his maternal grand-uncle, had hurt her.
Song Xiyuan used this opportunity to take Shen Miao away for treatment, despite Pei Yanzhen's pleas for her to stay. Song Xiyuan confronted Pei Yanzhen, accusing him of being the cause of all Shen Miao's suffering. Zhan Yue defended Pei Yanzhen, claiming that his master would not have been injured if Song Xiyuan had not hidden Shen Miao.
Song Xiyuan then reminded them that Pei Yanzhen's actions had made it impossible for Shen Miao and Xiao to live peacefully in Weiyang. Pei Yanzhen, in a desperate attempt to win Shen Miao back, proclaimed his unwavering love for her, putting her before the nation, and asked for another chance. Shen Miao, however, acknowledged their past love but lamented that she must be the person he hated the most for him to have treated her with such cruelty.
Song Xiyuan urged her to disclose what Pei Yanzhen had done, suggesting that any past grievances should be settled by now. Shen Miao simply replied that Pei Yanzhen was fully aware of his misdeeds. With that, Song Xiyuan took Shen Miao and Xiao away to treat her injuries. Song Xiyuan then brought Shen Miao to a temple, where he introduced her to Master Guanshan of Baima Temple, who had recently returned from his travels.
Song Xiyuan explained that he had asked the master to treat Shen Miao's current injuries and her old one from two years prior. Shen Miao initially felt her injuries were too minor to trouble such a renowned master, but Master Guanshan, a long-time friend of Master Wangyun, assured her it was their destiny to meet and agreed to treat her old and new wounds.
Later, Shen Miao expressed her wish for Master Guanshan to treat Pei Yanzhen's eyes, reasoning that his injury was a consequence of pursuing her, and she felt indebted, acknowledging his suffering over the past two years. Song Xiyuan was baffled by her compassion for the man who had caused her pain, finding her excuse far-fetched. Master Guanshan confirmed that Master Wangyun had already entrusted him with treating the Regent's eyes.
However, he cautioned that his medicine could only heal physical ailments, not the deep-seated "heart sickness." Before leaving, Master Guanshan offered Shen Miao three words of advice: "Don't obsess with the truth." Song Xiyuan immediately misinterpreted this as a warning for Shen Miao to stay away from Pei Yanzhen. Meanwhile, Lvying confided in Tie Niu about her confusion over Shen Miao's recent actions, particularly her decision to rescue Pei Yanzhen and linger at the temple.
Tie Niu related that his master, Song Xiyuan, also displayed erratic behavior when thinking of Shen Miao. Curiosity piqued, Tie Niu asked Lvying whom she would choose if she were in Shen Miao's shoes: Pei Yanzhen or Song Xiyuan. Lvying mused that Pei Yanzhen was scheming and unreliable, while Song Xiyuan was goofy and undependable. She asserted that her ideal partner would be kind, cheerful, reliable, and good company.
After a moment, she blushed, realizing the personal nature of the question, and clarified that she had no intention of marrying or having children, wishing only to remain by Shen Miao's side. Shen Miao then approached Song Xiyuan with a request. She asked him to apply for a travel pass on behalf of her family, who were currently in the unstable region of Yanlan, to facilitate their return to the Central Plains.
She promised that once Pei Yanzhen's eyes recovered, she would return to the capital with her family and Song Xiyuan. Overjoyed by her words, Song Xiyuan asked if she truly meant it and if she had forgiven his two years of deception. Shen Miao reassured him, acknowledging his kindness over the years and stating that she would let bygones be bygones as long as he did not deceive her again, hoping their relationship could return to how it once was.
Thrilled, Song Xiyuan declared that his "spring is coming." Constable Zhao observed Pei Yanzhen's eyes, who then admitted to seeing "blur shadows." Constable Zhao suggested that Pei Yanzhen's "heart sickness" was the real issue and that Shen Miao was his cure. Pei Yanzhen expressed despair over Shen Miao's determination to leave, yet found hope in their reunion at the temple. He sought advice on how to resolve their past grievances. Constable Zhao pointed to Song Xiyuan as the primary obstacle.
Soon after, Lvying informed Pei Yanzhen that Shen Miao had invited Master Guanshan to treat his eyes. Master Guanshan, after examining Pei Yanzhen, confirmed that his head and back wounds were minor and would heal with a few days of medicine. He revealed that Pei Yanzhen's eyes, thanks to earlier treatments, were now free of poison and would regain full vision within a day or two. Master Guanshan then directly questioned Pei Yanzhen about his recovered eyesight.
Pei Yanzhen admitted his vision had returned but asked the master to keep it a secret, citing that "some things can only be discerned by blind eyes." Master Guanshan, recognizing Pei Yanzhen's intelligence, cautioned him that "beauty is merely void form." Pei Yanzhen clarified that he only wished to reveal his recovery to Shen Miao himself. As a "prescription for heart sickness," Master Guanshan gave Pei Yanzhen three words: "Nip the vain hope."
Pei Yanzhen later pondered these words, declaring that he would not give up his desires, stating he would "brave the storm even though it will strike me to death." He also challenged Shen Miao's "Don't obsess with the truth," asking, "How could I not pursue the truth?" Shen Miao made arrangements for the journey back to the capital, preparing two carriages so they could enjoy the scenery.
She told Song Xiyuan that Xiao needed his own personal space, to which Tie Niu jokingly observed that Song Xiyuan merely wanted alone time with Shen Miao. Suddenly, Zhan Yue and Constable Zhao appeared, announcing that Pei Yanzhen had received an imperial decree to return to the capital and suggested that they all travel together for mutual support, given Pei Yanzhen's recent injuries.
Song Xiyuan dismissed this idea, but Constable Zhao stressed that Master Guanshan had warned of Pei Yanzhen's severe lung injuries, which required careful management. Song Xiyuan remained unconvinced, suspecting Pei Yanzhen of faking his illness due to his overly dramatic portrayal. Shen Miao, however, believing Pei Yanzhen's injuries were serious, agreed to let them join their travel, acknowledging his role as Xiao's maternal grand-uncle.
Later, as they traveled, Song Xiyuan tried to entertain Shen Miao with suggestions of playing chess, listening to stories, or hearing a new song. In the carriage, Song Xiyuan expressed frustration about Shen Miao's lack of reciprocation. Tie Niu, seemingly referring to his own romantic troubles, asked Song Xiyuan what it felt like to love someone who did not love you back, especially if they preferred someone inferior. Realizing Tie Niu's plight, Song Xiyuan joked about the "agony of love."
They resolved to work together to eliminate both "Devious Pei" and "Lackey Zhao" before reaching the capital. Later, Shen Miao asked Lvying for details about how Pei Yanzhen had lost his eyesight. Lvying recounted that after Shen Miao's supposed death, Pei Yanzhen became self-destructive, refusing treatment for Qin Miuzhen's poison, which led to irreversible damage to his heart and meridians. His resolve only returned when Xiao fell ill, yet doctors still declared his eyes incurable.
Lvying further revealed that rumors of Shen Miao leaving a deer carving for Pei Yanzhen had caused political turmoil and attracted various enemies seeking the Lu family's wealth. Pei Yanzhen and Xiao had endured numerous dangers, forcing Pei Yanzhen to remain in power to protect his son. Lvying concluded by lamenting the difficulties of life. Shen Miao then inquired about Lvying's relationship with Constable Zhao, noting their apparent closeness.
Lvying admitted she initially found Constable Zhao unreliable and glib, but had recently come to appreciate his sincerity and optimism. Shen Miao teased her about an impending marriage, but Lvying confessed her confusion, as she also found Tie Niu honest, endearing, and thoughtful, leaving her torn between the two. Lvying then generalized that men often possessed complex, dual natures, such as Tie Niu's blend of rough exterior and gentle care, or Constable Zhao's mix of craftiness and genuine honesty.
She then suggested that while Pei Yanzhen had undeniably caused Shen Miao great suffering, his love for her might be equally genuine, prompting Shen Miao to deeply reflect on her feelings. At an inn, Xiao gave Pei Yanzhen some sweets from Shen Miao. Later, Song Xiyuan bribed the innkeeper, requesting adjacent courtyard rooms for himself and Shen Miao. The innkeeper informed him that only one courtyard room, the First Suite, was available and it was reserved for the "Regent."
Song Xiyuan attempted to trick the innkeeper into assigning Pei Yanzhen a leaky second-floor room, falsely claiming that Pei Yanzhen, being from Jiangnan, preferred damp and elevated accommodations and would be displeased with a ground-floor room. The innkeeper, misled, agreed to this arrangement. Soon after, Shen Miao entered, assisting Pei Yanzhen. Song Xiyuan immediately tried to take over, but Pei Yanzhen subtly feigned a stumble, making it appear as if Song Xiyuan carelessly let him fall.
Shen Miao scolded Song Xiyuan for his insensitive behavior. Pei Yanzhen then subtly revealed that his hearing had improved since his "blindness," implying he had overheard Song Xiyuan's scheme regarding the rooms. Still believing him to be blind, Shen Miao further chastised Song Xiyuan for his "meanness." Witnessing Pei Yanzhen's success, Constable Zhao attempted to emulate his "self-hurting" tactic by comically feigning severe back pain while struggling with luggage, hoping to elicit sympathy from Lvying.
However, Lvying saw through his act, dismissed it as "disgusting," and warned Tie Niu not to assist him. Taking Pei Yanzhen's supposed mobility issues into account, Shen Miao decided that he should occupy the First Suite in the courtyard, while Song Xiyuan would take a room on the second floor. Song Xiyuan was left seething, while Tie Niu and Constable Zhao were left in disarray regarding their own accommodations.
Later that night, as Shen Miao contemplated Master Guanshan's advice, "Don't obsess with the truth," Song Xiyuan entered her room with a pot of wine, hoping for a private moment since Xiao was asleep. He urged her to share a drink. Their quiet time was interrupted by a knock, and Pei Yanzhen's voice asked if he could enter. Song Xiyuan was annoyed, recognizing Pei Yanzhen's intrusive tactics.
He tried to deter Pei Yanzhen, pointing out the impropriety of a man being in a woman's room late at night, but Pei Yanzhen feigned ignorance. Pei Yanzhen explained that he had brought two bowls of noodles, worried Shen Miao might be hungry after their travels. He offered to leave, but Shen Miao accepted the noodles. She scolded Song Xiyuan for "bullying" Pei Yanzhen, assuring Pei Yanzhen that she would protect him.
She then escorted Pei Yanzhen back to his room. Inside Pei Yanzhen's room, Shen Miao offered to change his wound dressing and asked for the medicine. Pei Yanzhen, forgetting his act of blindness for a moment, pointed directly to the medicine. Shen Miao immediately questioned how he knew its exact location. Pei Yanzhen quickly recovered, claiming he "bumped into it" earlier and remembered the spot, an explanation Shen Miao accepted without further suspicion.
As Shen Miao changed Pei Yanzhen's dressing, he subtly probed her feelings, but she clarified that her assistance was purely out of "chivalry," not affection. He then used his feigned vulnerability, expressing his worries about returning to the capital with his injuries, given that his blindness was a secret. He lamented that his loyal subordinates, Zhan Yue and Constable Zhao, had grown tired of him. Shen Miao reassured him of their long-standing loyalty, dismissing his worries as mere complaints.
Pei Yanzhen then asked if she planned to take Xiao and leave him forever. Shen Miao responded that her immediate goal was to reunite with her family in the capital, and she hadn't considered anything beyond that. Pei Yanzhen then presented her with a box containing letters from Shen Qian spanning the past two years, along with recent portraits of her father and family in Yanlan, revealing that he had been secretly protecting them.
He offered to bring them back to his residence. Shen Miao, however, declined his help, stating that she and Song Xiyuan had already made arrangements. She firmly reiterated that their current relationship, one of respectful distance without hostility, was ideal. She asserted that they were merely Xiao's parents and should live separate lives upon returning to the capital, though she assured him she would not prevent Xiao from seeing him.
Pei Yanzhen expressed his yearning for more than this arrangement, but Shen Miao concluded their conversation by stating that some things, once broken, cannot be mended, and bids him goodnight before leaving.
