Choice Husband Episode 27 Recap
> Choice Husband Recap
Tie Niu, observing Lvying suffering from carsickness, went to town and bought her an exquisitely crafted pillow made of fine materials. He presented it to her, explaining his concern for her comfort. He then boldly declared that all his money would be hers if she would have him, to which Lvying shyly responded that she hadn't agreed to marry him.
Just then, Shen Miao entered, casually taking the pillow from Lvying and stating that she would rest there, assuring them she wouldn't interrupt their "date," causing an awkward silence. Pei Yanzhen then consulted Constable Zhao and Zhan Yue, offering silver notes for their advice on how to win Shen Miao back. Zhan Yue, dismissive of Pei Yanzhen's pretense of blindness as a "stupid trick" for temporary sympathy, asserted that it wouldn't truly win Shen Miao's heart.
Constable Zhao, however, believed that Pei Yanzhen and Shen Miao's relationship was improving. Zhan Yue countered that Constable Zhao was merely mimicking Pei Yanzhen, noting that Lvying was closer to Tie Niu than to him. When pressed for his own strategy, Zhan Yue emphasized the importance of understanding Shen Miao's deepest concerns. He correctly identified Shen Xiao as Shen Miao's primary concern, not Song Xiyuan.
Zhan Yue advised Pei Yanzhen to leverage his blood ties to Shen Xiao, believing that securing Xiao would compel Shen Miao to remain by Pei Yanzhen's side once they returned to the Regent's Residence in the capital, where he would then have complete control. Pei Yanzhen commended Zhan Yue's insight. Zhan Yue then highlighted the challenge of getting Shen Miao to move into the residence, but Pei Yanzhen confidently declared he could persuade her.
Constable Zhao interjected, reminding them of their impending arrival in the capital. Pei Yanzhen then shared a new plan that required Constable Zhao's full cooperation, which Zhao enthusiastically accepted. The following day, as part of their plan, Pei Yanzhen instructed Constable Zhao to "act." He then approached Shen Miao and Song Xiyuan, feigning distress and explaining that Constable Zhao had accidentally let their horses loose, leaving them stranded and facing significant delays.
He politely requested permission to share Shen Miao's carriage to the capital. Shen Miao initially questioned why his predicament was her concern, prompting Pei Yanzhen to theatrically offer to walk back instead. Reluctantly, Shen Miao agreed, remarking that Constable Zhao and Zhan Yue had become increasingly careless, but since they were almost at the capital, it was fine. As Pei Yanzhen went to give instructions, Shen Miao expressed her discomfort with the arrangement, reminding him she hadn't explicitly agreed.
Song Xiyuan, suspicious, asked her to wait while he verified Pei Yanzhen's claims. At mealtime, both Pei Yanzhen and Song Xiyuan vied for Shen Miao's attention by constantly placing food into her bowl. Growing increasingly annoyed by their antics, Shen Miao finally demanded if they were finished with their childish squabble. Song Xiyuan immediately blamed Pei Yanzhen, who then sarcastically conceded that it must be his fault.
Exasperated, Shen Miao threatened to leave the table, prompting both men to quickly cease their bickering and urge her to stay and eat. As the group set off for the capital, Song Xiyuan and Pei Yanzhen crowded close to Shen Miao in the carriage. Tie Niu and Constable Zhao argued about the correct path.
Tie Niu, consulting the map, believed they should head north, but Constable Zhao, mocking him for having "lost his sense of direction," insisted on his own way. Despite his reservations, Tie Niu followed, only for them to arrive at an uncrossable river. Constable Zhao immediately blamed Tie Niu for blindly following him, anticipating Song Xiyuan's impending anger. Lvying, unfazed by the argument, reassured Tie Niu and pointed out a pretty stone.
Inside the carriage, the two men continued to vie for Shen Miao's attention, offering her different snacks and bickering over their "cold" or "heated" natures, further irritating her. Shen Miao threatened to leave and sit with Shen Xiao, which they hastily prevented. She then voiced her discomfort with the cramped space, but Pei Yanzhen cheekily suggested it was "nice." Song Xiyuan, in response, called him "shameless." A servant then announced their arrival in Fuyang.
Shen Miao was taken aback, realizing they had traveled further away from the capital. Constable Zhao quickly placed the blame on Song Xiyuan for not trusting him and allowing Tie Niu to lead, framing Tie Niu's misdirection as a mere "accident." Pei Yanzhen, maintaining his charade, apologized for failing to earn Song Xiyuan's trust. Upon entering an inn in Fuyang, Zhan Yue was surprised to encounter the Ninth Princess.
She revealed that she had tracked him down, asserting that no one could hide their whereabouts from her. She then confronted him about his failure to reply to her letters, in which she had openly expressed her feelings and inquired about his. Zhan Yue feigned ignorance about the letters and attempted to leave, but the Ninth Princess desperately called after him. When Zhan Yue saw Shen Miao, he was shocked, exclaiming, "You came back to life again."
Shen Miao explained that she had been suffering from amnesia, only recently recovered, and was now on her way to the capital to find him. Soon after, the Ninth Princess also found Shen Miao and expressed her frustration at being left behind in the capital while everyone else went to Weiyang.
Shen Miao surmised that her anger stemmed from Zhan Yue, which the Ninth Princess confirmed, lamenting his obliviousness to her numerous attempts to test his feelings and his sudden departure from the capital. Shen Miao offered reassurance, suggesting that some individuals are simply slower to understand matters of the heart and that more opportunities would arise in the capital. Expressing concern for her safety, Shen Miao inquired why the Ninth Princess had ventured to Fuyang alone.
The Ninth Princess admitted to getting lost shortly after leaving the capital but considered their unexpected reunion a blessing. Shen Miao then pressed for details about the situation in the capital and the true reason for her journey to find Zhan Yue. The Ninth Princess revealed that she was being forced into an "allied marriage" with a chieftain from an uncivilized region and felt that only Shen Miao could save her.
She explained that her brother, the Emperor, was powerless against the current court, and Pei Yanzhen, with his ruthless nature, would allow the marriage unless he was persuaded otherwise. Shen Miao asked if her feelings for Zhan Yue were genuine or merely a means to escape the marriage. The Ninth Princess vehemently affirmed her sincere love for Zhan Yue and her unwillingness to enter the allied marriage.
She also voiced her fear that Zhan Yue might propose out of a sense of duty, leaving her heartbroken. Shen Miao, observing Zhan Yue's behavior, assured the Ninth Princess that he likely harbored true feelings for her and that if Pei Yanzhen became aware of their mutual affection, he would undoubtedly intervene to prevent the allied marriage. Overjoyed, the Ninth Princess implored Shen Miao for her help. Meanwhile, Lvying was waiting to go buy pastries with Tie Niu.
Constable Zhao, as part of a trick, locked Song Xiyuan and Tie Niu in their room. He then approached Lvying, falsely claiming that Tie Niu had sent him, stating that an urgent command from Song Xiyuan prevented Tie Niu from keeping their appointment. Constable Zhao then eagerly offered to accompany Lvying himself. Lvying, however, firmly declined, remarking that he was a bad influence on children, and instead took Shen Xiao with her to the market.
Pei Yanzhen questioned Zhan Yue about his true feelings for the Ninth Princess, playfully accusing him of also pretending blindness. Zhan Yue, visibly uncomfortable, denied having returned any letters from the princess and awkwardly dismissed the idea of "love" for a "macho man" like himself. Pei Yanzhen, however, interpreted this as an admission of affection, but Zhan Yue deflected, telling him to focus on Shen Miao instead.
Later, Zhan Yue confessed to Pei Yanzhen that he did like the Ninth Princess, but felt undeserving of her due to his humble origins as a "boor" who didn't even know his parents' names, adding that their backgrounds were "completely different." He feared her interest might be a passing fancy and wished to distance himself to allow her to clarify her true feelings.
Meanwhile, the Ninth Princess, wanting Zhan Yue to understand her affections, had brought Shen Miao to a theater in Fuyang. She explained her plan to have a play, "The Golden Bough"—a tale of a hero and princess finding love—performed as a heartfelt confession. Concerned by Fuyang's lack of skilled actors for such a crucial moment, she persuaded a reluctant Shen Miao to perform in the play herself.
Despite never having acted before and feeling extremely nervous about potentially "screwing it up," Shen Miao, after much encouragement from the Ninth Princess—who had already sent Zhan Yue an invitation in Shen Miao's name and appealed to their friendship—agreed to take on the role. The Ninth Princess, overjoyed, went to scout the premises while Shen Miao prepared in a princess costume.
Pei Yanzhen and Zhan Yue arrived at the theater, where Zhan Yue immediately spotted the Ninth Princess, causing Pei Yanzhen to realize that she had used Shen Miao's name to send the invitation. Zhan Yue, asserting his dislike for plays and claiming urgent matters with Pei Yanzhen, attempted to leave.
However, Pei Yanzhen, feigning the joy of a blind man finally able to enjoy a performance, insisted Zhan Yue stay, and the Ninth Princess also urged him to remain, compelling him to reluctantly take a seat. On stage, Shen Miao, dressed as a princess, performed a scene where she listed three criteria for her future husband: no scholars, no politicians, and no unfaithful men—a clear message intended for Zhan Yue.
Pei Yanzhen, observing Shen Miao, a noble lady, acting as a performer, expressed his displeasure to the Ninth Princess, who playfully claimed Shen Miao enjoyed it. Pei Yanzhen then ordered Zhan Yue to retrieve Shen Miao from the stage, but the Ninth Princess intervened, insisting that Zhan Yue continue to watch. During her performance, Shen Miao stumbled and twisted her ankle.
Without a moment's hesitation, Pei Yanzhen leaped onto the stage, caught her in his arms, and called out her name. In that instant, Shen Miao saw his eyes were open and fully functioning, realizing he had been deceiving her all along. Overwhelmed by anger and betrayal, she demanded to know when his eyesight had truly recovered. Pei Yanzhen stammered, claiming it had only "recently" returned, unable to provide a precise timeline.
Shen Miao bitterly accused him of enjoying her naive efforts to care for him, calling him a "habitual scammer" and an "expert at scheming." She reiterated her hatred for deception and pleaded with him to release her from their relationship. Pei Yanzhen tried to explain that his deception was not intentional and that his love for her was genuine.
As Zhan Yue attempted to defend Pei Yanzhen's actions as born of care, Shen Miao sarcastically asked if she should be grateful. The captivated audience, enjoying the dramatic turn of events, cheered for the "exciting" show. The Ninth Princess, observing the escalating tension, subtly urged Shen Miao to move backstage, away from the public eye. Backstage, consumed by emotion, Pei Yanzhen and Shen Miao erupted into a heated argument.
Shen Miao demanded to know why he hadn't revealed his recovered eyesight earlier, accusing him of deliberate concealment despite her trust and unwavering support. She passionately decried his recurring patterns of deception, lies, manipulation, and scheming, behaviors she abhorred. Pei Yanzhen attempted to explain his actions were not intended to deceive her, and that he truly loved her.
He then countered, asking if Song Xiyuan would always hold a more significant place in her heart than him, implying that if she had met Song Xiyuan first, he would have no chance. Shen Miao adamantly declared that Song Xiyuan had "never hurt her" and that she only trusted those who treated her with genuine sincerity. Pei Yanzhen pressed further, questioning if his past threat to "annihilate" her was so unforgivable that she can never overcome it.
Shen Miao retorted that his words were "ridiculous," highlighting his repeated deceptions while simultaneously blaming her for not being "broad-minded" or "tolerant." She asserted that he seemed to believe he was always right and that she should accept whatever he did simply because he claimed to love her. She then declared that while she "once had" feelings for him, she would now "completely forget" him, imploring him to release her and spare himself further anguish. Shen Miao then stormed out.
Pei Yanzhen tried to follow, but Song Xiyuan blocked his path, admonishing him for exhausting all his schemes and failing to sway Shen Miao's heart, concluding that he had "pressured her enough." Pei Yanzhen, in turn, confronted Song Xiyuan, revealing that he had deliberately refrained from investigating certain past events to preserve Song Xiyuan's dignity in front of Shen Miao. He then questioned Song Xiyuan's own actions, implying hypocrisy if he considered Pei Yanzhen's behavior to be mere "scheming."
Song Xiyuan claimed ignorance, but Pei Yanzhen reminded him of the past, specifically asking if it was "really an accident" that Shen Miao had overheard their "entire plan" from the talking bird, hinting at Song Xiyuan's manipulation. Meanwhile, outside, Tie Niu and Constable Zhao were engaged in a fierce physical altercation, exchanging insults and debating the fairness of their impromptu duel as they grappled. Song Xiyuan told Tie Niu to handle Constable Zhao while he went to Shen Miao.
The two men armed themselves with various sticks and poles, each attempting to gain an advantage in weapon length and arguing about the rules of their "fair match," before finally charging at each other. In their chaotic struggle, they accidentally demolished the inn's pavilion. The enraged inn manager and a servant rushed out, accusing them of causing trouble. The manager condemned them as "three unhappy couples" whose "shameless" love entanglements reflected the "moral degradation" of society.
Despite their offers to compensate or rebuild the pavilion, the owner, fed up with their disruptive behavior, ordered the entire group to leave immediately, refusing to let them stay. Lvying worried about how Shen Miao would react to their predicament, but Shen Xiao innocently remarked that his mother, being in a similar situation, wouldn't mind. Tie Niu apologized for causing everyone to "be out in the wild" and offered to accept any punishment.
Song Xiyuan, however, attributed their misfortune to "someone blocking the wheels" and "insinuating," implicitly blaming Pei Yanzhen. Seeing Shen Xiao was tired, Shen Miao took him to sleep, then advised everyone else to get some rest as it was getting late, leaving the entire group to spend the night outdoors.
