Choice Husband Episode 5 Recap
> Choice Husband Recap
Plagued by nightmares after her father, Shen Qian, implied her marriage to Pei Yanzhen might hinder his career, Shen Miao woke to Lvying's urgent news that an imperial edict had arrived. Meanwhile, Pei Yanzhen rushed home to his father, whose chronic illness had worsened. His father, fragile and near death, implored him and Shen Miao to cease their investigations, fearing further complications.
He revealed he had already given Pei Yanzhen the jade pendant bestowed by the late emperor, sensing that "they are already suspicious." Zhan Yue later informed Pei Yanzhen that clan elders had provoked his father by pressing for a divorce and probing into Pei Yanzhen's background, which had severely exacerbated his condition. An imperial eunuch arrived with an edict from the Emperor, ordering an immediate divorce between Shen Miao and Pei Yanzhen.
The eunuch warned Shen Miao against clinging to the marriage, stating it would jeopardize Pei Yanzhen's promising career and bring peril to the Shen family. Though Shen Qian initially considered appealing the decision, Shen Miao, having already decided, dismissed the idea. She stated that she had always desired a divorce, seeing it as a way to avoid further trouble, and promptly prepared to send the divorce letter to the Pei family.
At the Pei residence, clan elders obstructed the physician from reaching Pei Yanzhen's ailing father, arguing that since Pei Yanzhen refused to divorce, he was no longer considered a part of the Pei clan and had no right to bring outsiders into the home. Pei Yanzhen defiantly ordered Zhan Yue to escort the doctor inside, asserting his filial duty.
Observing the clan elders' narrow-mindedness, Pei Yanzhen declared his intention to remove his name from the Pei clan genealogy, severing all ties. At that moment, a servant delivered the divorce letter, bearing Shen Miao's signature and seal. A distraught Pei Yanzhen confronted Shen Miao, pleading with her to reconsider and asking if he had somehow disappointed her.
Shen Miao, maintaining a facade, told him that some relationships were simply not meant to be, and after their divorce, they should each seek new partners. When Pei Yanzhen pressed further, she confessed, falsely, that their marriage had merely been a strategy to avoid an imperial summons for her to enter the palace, and now that the immediate threat was gone, she no longer wished to remain in the Pei family.
She further claimed her heart yearned for a "righteous hero," not a refined scholar like him, and this was not the life she truly desired. Though her words were meant to hurt him, she felt it was better than burdening him for life. She offered a tearful apology for her deception. Separately, the Emperor, concerned for Pei Yanzhen's safety from the Empress Dowager, persuaded Ninth Princess to travel to Lingzhou.
He advised her to "accompany and protect" Pei Yanzhen daily, hoping her presence would deter the Empress Dowager's schemes. Upon her arrival in Lingzhou, Ninth Princess informed Pei Yanzhen that the Empress Dowager had dispatched imperial guards to secretly investigate his background. The Emperor and Empress Dowager clashed over Pei Yanzhen. The Empress Dowager scolded the Emperor for his impulsiveness, implying he had recklessly sent Ninth Princess to Lingzhou.
She declared that while she might spare Pei Yanzhen if he wasn't the person she suspected, the Emperor must ensure Shen Miao was brought into the palace. The Emperor balked at the idea of marrying a "divorced woman," but the Empress Dowager clarified her intent was to have him marry her, not cherish her, implying ulterior motives.
A palace eunuch, having confirmed the divorce to the Emperor, later visited Shen Qian, subtly suggesting that Shen Miao participate in the concubine selection to clear her name amidst the circulating rumors of impropriety. Lingzhou City was quickly consumed by gossip.
Rumors spread like wildfire: some claimed Shen Miao, barely divorced, was already indulging in promiscuity, even jumping into the Yun River for the charming Third Master Song Xiyuan, a wealthy and talented merchant who often rivaled Pei Yanzhen in the "Talent Ranking." Other malicious whispers alleged she had an affair with him even before her divorce, disgracing Pei Yanzhen.
Constable Zhao was inundated with "gifts" of green plants from sympathetic citizens, who urged him to advise Pei Yanzhen to "be patient and tolerant so things will change for the better." Meanwhile, women flocked to Shen's Residence, convinced Shen Miao possessed "peach blossom luck" (a knack for romance) that attracted both of Lingzhou's most eligible bachelors, and they earnestly prayed for their own romantic fortunes. Lvying reluctantly explained Song Xiyuan's prominence to Shen Miao.
During the Dragon Boat Festival's willow-shooting, Shen Miao took her younger brother, Shen Zai, to watch. A surging crowd of women, all eager to catch a glimpse of Song Xiyuan, accidentally pushed Shen Miao into the Yun River. Song Xiyuan, accustomed to such antics, initially assumed she had jumped in to attract his attention, but rescued her nonetheless. Moments later, Pei Yanzhen, in his official robes, arrived.
He carried Shen Miao through the astonished crowd back to Shen's Residence, where he then gently lifted her from the carriage and carried her inside. Shen Miao's aunt noticed her feigning sleep, understanding it was a way to avoid awkwardness, and subtly asked Pei Yanzhen to leave, reminding him that both he and Shen Miao were now free to seek new spouses and should avoid tarnishing each other's reputations.
Pei Yanzhen scoffed, lamenting that an official who couldn't protect his own wife was a joke, before departing. Later, Shen Miao confessed to her aunts that she had faked unconsciousness to avoid Pei Yanzhen and urged her aunt not to tell her father about the incident. Worried about Pei Yanzhen's potential misunderstanding, Shen Miao decided to find him and explain.
Unable to use the main gate due to the ongoing throngs of women, she climbed over the wall, thinking it felt like being a "female warrior." She soon encountered Song Xiyuan, who flirtatiously assumed she had scaled the wall to meet him. Their conversation was interrupted by the arrival of a new wave of chasing women. Shen Miao, desperate to escape, pulled Song Xiyuan and ran. As they fled, Song Xiyuan pointed out Pei Yanzhen.
Shen Miao saw Pei Yanzhen accompanying Ninth Princess, who was displaying an imperial edict commanding Pei Yanzhen to "serve and accompany" her. Pei Yanzhen initially tried to refuse due to his duties, but Ninth Princess persisted, promising to leave if he made her happy. Pei Yanzhen eventually agreed to take her shopping, sending Constable Zhao to find a rouge shop.
Witnessing this, Shen Miao felt a pang of jealousy and, pulling Song Xiyuan, quickly hid to avoid being seen by Pei Yanzhen and the princess. After Pei Yanzhen left with Ninth Princess, who affectionately called him "Yanzhen" and declared he was "the best," Song Xiyuan asked Shen Miao why she was staring at him, adding that her panicked look resembled someone engaged in a secret affair.
Shen Miao again implored him to stop harming her reputation and offered him a lucrative deal: two Nanyang vessels with 2,000 taels of annual profit if he would leave her alone. Song Xiyuan declined, however, instead asking if she still harbored "an unresolved relationship."
