Debit Queen Episode 12 Recap
> Debit Queen Recap
Following her escape attempt, the culprit was apprehended with the assistance of Xu Zilu and Wang Zhujue. Ping'er was subsequently released from prison. Ling Se expressed her relief at Ping'er's return, noting that she seemed to have gained weight, which Ping'er attributed to having little else to do in prison besides eat. Ling Se instructed Ping'er to specifically thank Wang Zhujue, crediting him with personally catching the culprit this time, though she warned against over-praising him.
Ping'er readily agreed to thank him sincerely. Wang Zhujue, dressed ostentatiously, came to visit Ping'er, expressing concern that she had suffered and lost weight in prison, contrary to her appearance. Ping'er assured him she was well-treated and hadn't lost weight, thanking him for saving her and offering to repay him. Wang Zhujue dismissed her gratitude, promising no one would bully her as long as he was around.
Ping'er offered to treat him to a meal, but Wang Zhujue had already prepared a feast of her favorite dishes. During the meal, Wang Zhujue shared his happiness that his father had commended him, saying he would surely bring glory to their family. Ping'er affirmed his excellence and suggested he focus on the Provincial Examination as a way to achieve this glory, even though he had failed before.
Inspired, Wang Zhujue asked Ping'er to be his teacher, finding her explanations easy to understand. However, Ling Se immediately objected to Ping'er teaching Wang Zhujue. She explained her need for Ping'er's help as she was short on funds and staff for her upcoming tea shop, fearing it wouldn't succeed otherwise. Ping'er, doubting her own usefulness and large appetite, felt she might be a burden and still preferred teaching Wang Zhujue.
Ling Se insisted the lack of funds was the main issue, not Ping'er's eating. Xu Zilu suggested Ling Se borrow money from her friend, Liu Yeniang, who ran an inn. Ling Se initially voiced a principle against borrowing money, but later approached Liu Yeniang (referred to as Yeniang) and Tao Meili about investing and becoming shareholders in her tea shop.
She enthusiastically presented her plan, emphasizing a supplier discount and calculating potential profits, convincing them to invest, with Tao Meili contributing a surprising 100 taels. Xu Zilu, busy with matters related to the Assessment of Imperial Merchants for his perfume workshop, received a visit from Ling Se. She brought him a new product and invited him to the tea shop opening the next day, which he said he would attend if time permitted.
On the opening day, Ling Se, Ping'er, and Tao Meili were busy serving a rush of customers. All their stock sold out, leaving them exhausted but happy. They decided to put off hiring more staff to save money for now. Tao Meili and Ping'er left, with Ping'er heading off to tutor Wang Zhujue. Meanwhile, Xu Zilu was delayed by a persistent, tipsy business partner.
After finally getting away late in the evening, he rushed to the tea shop only to find it closed. Ling Se, standing outside, saw him arrive sweaty and out of breath. He explained he had just been exercising and offered her an orange as a congratulatory gift for the opening. They then walked home together.
Ping'er attempted to tutor Wang Zhujue in the Book of Rites, but he feigned inability to see or stay awake, using various tricks like crossing his eyes and pretending to be blind. Ping'er grew frustrated, warning him he wouldn't sleep if he didn't finish the work, which he reluctantly accepted, admitting he couldn't fool her. After the successful opening day, Ling Se's tea shop saw a sharp decline in business, with days passing without customers.
She became disheartened, doubting the quality of her products. Ping'er visited during this lull, explaining her absence the previous day was due to tutoring Wang Zhujue, who had made her fall asleep with his antics. Ling Se wished for even just one customer. Xu Zilu found Ling Se visibly upset and crying. She denied it was tears, calling it dew, and voiced her frustration and self-doubt about her business struggling.
Xu Zilu comforted her, assuring her the tea was good with room for improvement, and quoting the full saying that things are difficult at the beginning, in the middle, and most difficult at the end. He then invited her to a trade fair the next day, explaining that his social status required him to bring a companion and suggesting it could help her understand the preferences of wealthy women, which would benefit her business.
Ling Se agreed, citing her current difficulties. At the trade fair, Xu Zilu was immediately pulled away by a business associate after arriving. Ling Se was stopped at the entrance for not having an invitation letter. A gentleman nearby, witnessing her predicament, found a dropped invitation letter and presented it to her, allowing her entry.
Inside, she was initially met with critical stares and comments from several ladies who questioned her presence, her name, and her clothing, especially upon learning she was the Young Madam of the Xu Family. She attempted to share some of the snacks provided, but they were dismissive. Someone informed Xu Zilu that his wife, a newcomer, needed to be introduced to the prominent ladies as they could be challenging to deal with alone.
Xu Zilu went to check on her, only to find her surprisingly getting along well with the ladies, who were eagerly listening to her cooking tips for rice and egg custard. The ladies teased Xu Zilu for secretly observing, implying he was worried about his wife and commenting on their seemingly close relationship.
Ling Se later remarked to Xu Zilu that she was surprised by how wealthy women socialized, and he reiterated that understanding their preferences was good for her business, confirming he had brought her for that purpose, albeit describing it as "incidental." Ling Se's tea shop business remained poor, leading her to spend time at the Fulai Inn, where she encountered Mrs. Qiu drinking alone and looking distressed.
Mrs. Qiu complained about her difficult relationship with her mother-in-law and that Ling Se's previous cooking advice hadn't helped. Feeling sorry for her, Ling Se decided to help. At the Xu Mansion, Ling Se consulted Xu mother about assisting Mrs. Qiu. Although initially hesitant to interfere in family matters, Xu mother agreed to Ling Se's plan: invite Mrs. Qiu's mother-in-law over for a game of mahjong and stage a situation to soften her stance.
During the mahjong game with Mrs. Qiu's mother-in-law, Ling Se offered some Furong Cakes she made, which the elder woman initially criticized. However, Xu mother subtly praised the cakes, remarking they were better than her daughter-in-law's, and mentioned that Mrs. Qiu had recently come to Ling Se to learn cooking specifically to please her mother-in-law. Mrs. Qiu's mother-in-law remained unimpressed, complaining about her own daughter-in-law keeping her son and grandson from her.
Seizing the opportunity, Ling Se began to cry, apologizing to Xu mother for not having provided her with a grandchild yet, lamenting that she wished she could contribute to the family like Mrs. Qiu had by having children. This performance caused Mrs. Qiu's mother-in-law to reflect on her own daughter-in-law's role in giving her a grandson, realizing that every family has its own difficulties and advising them to stop crying and play.
Following the incident, the tea shop, now referred to as the Scented Aromatic Tea Shop, saw a dramatic increase in customers, which Ling Se believed was thanks to Mrs. Qiu's promotion. Ping'er was amazed by the sudden popularity and suggested the customers would become repeat visitors. Amidst the bustling activity, Xu Zilu arrived, and Ling Se, busy with orders, immediately put him to work helping serve customers.
She mentioned how busy she was and needed more help, expressing her ambition to open a branch next year, stating she had already decided on the name, Scented Aromatic Tea Shop, and planned to hire versatile and eloquent staff. Ling Se made a special "Wish You Prosperity" milk tea for Xu Zilu, thanking him for his guidance. He downplayed his help, took the drink, and left happily.
The gentleman who had helped Ling Se with the invitation at the trade fair was standing outside, observing Xu Zilu leaving. He then smiled strangely before entering the busy tea shop himself.
