Dr. Cutie Episode 13 Recap
> Dr. Cutie Recap
Shen Zhao'er was feeding a turtle when Ru Yi approached, fascinated by the creature. Ru Yi affectionately called Shen Zhao'er "Mom," which surprised Ji Zheng, who was already present. From a distance, Ji Heng witnessed the scene and, upon hearing Ru Yi's address, became visibly upset. He sternly ordered Shen Zhao'er to take Ru Yi to Madame Ji's room to reflect on their inappropriate behavior. Later, Ru Yi innocently asked Shen Zhao'er why "Big Uncle" was angry.
Shen Zhao'er, quick-witted, concocted a story that Ji Heng was upset because the divine turtle had hidden its head from him, preventing him from playing. Ru Yi, feeling sorry for Ji Heng, agreed to play with the turtle secretly with Shen Zhao'er in the future, and Shen Zhao'er consented. Ru Yi also promised not to call her "Mom" anymore, agreeing to call her Tian Qi instead. After the encounter, Ji Heng spoke with Ji Zheng about an ongoing investigation.
Ji Heng expressed concern that Dong Zichun, the young master of Dong Mountain Village, might be alive and living under a false identity, a possibility Ji Zheng acknowledged would be complicated. Ji Heng then suggested they both go to greet their mother, who had just returned to the mansion. Ji Zheng, however, made an excuse, claiming an appointment with Zheng Shaofeng, and promised to visit Madame Ji later.
Ji Heng urged him to go soon, mentioning how much their mother missed him. Later, Shen Zhao'er and Ding Zhi heard screams and discovered a maid being brutally beaten. Chun Hua quickly arrived and identified the merciless man as Chen Wuyong, Madame Ji's favored commander, who oversaw all guards in the mansion. Since Chen Wuyong had accompanied Madame Ji to the temple, Shen Zhao'er and Ding Zhi were unfamiliar with him.
Chun Hua warned them to stay away from Chen Wuyong due to his ruthless nature. This interaction jogged Chun Hua's memory, and she vaguely recalled seeing Chen Wuyong with a string of prayer beads identical to the one Shen Zhao'er had inquired about. Although not entirely certain, Shen Zhao'er was determined to investigate. Shen Zhao'er soon presented Chen Wuyong with a box of jewelry, carefully placing the unique prayer beads in a prominent position.
Chen Wuyong's expression changed upon seeing the beads, and he admitted they were indeed a set he had once given away, expressing surprise at their return. Capitalizing on his reaction, Shen Zhao'er then offered a special scar-removing ointment, which she claimed to have made after sustaining an injury while saving Ji Heng, and further claimed to have heard about an old injury on his right arm, offering it as particularly effective for old scars.
Chen Wuyong confirmed he had been injured years ago by a fierce animal. Convinced that Chen Wuyong was the black-clad assailant she had bitten years ago, Shen Zhao'er discreetly left. That night, Chen Wuyong was plagued by a nightmare where Shen Zhao'er, dressed in black, stabbed him in the neck. Waking in a cold sweat, he was deeply disturbed and decided that Shen Zhao'er must be eliminated using a 'borrowed knife' scheme.
The next day, Madame Ji brought Zhi Jin, a maid from the former Lady Shu's room, before her. Zhi Jin had been an accomplice in the murder of Infanta Shuncheng, whom Ji Heng had spared. Madame Ji, however, was not as lenient and prepared to punish her. Chen Wuyong intervened, cautioning Madame Ji that punishing Zhi Jin after Ji Heng had shown mercy might strain her relationship with her son. Madame Ji agreed to let Chen Wuyong handle Zhi Jin.
Seizing the opportunity, Zhi Jin claimed to have urgent information that could endanger Ji Heng. She revealed that Shen Zhao'er was a jinx, a person whose strong horoscope brought misfortune to their masters, and alleged that the Emperor sent him to Ji Heng because Ji Heng's own strong fate could counter it. Zhi Jin also pointed out that Ji Heng had faced numerous assassination attempts since Shen Zhao'er's arrival.
It was then revealed that Chen Wuyong, holding Zhi Jin's life hostage, had coerced her into making these accusations against Shen Zhao'er. When questioned by Madame Ji, Chen Wuyong further corroborated the claims, confirming his own verification. Convinced, Madame Ji declared that Shen Zhao'er could not be allowed to stay. Ding Zhi rushed to inform Shen Zhao'er of Madame Ji's decision to eliminate her, urging her to pack and flee.
Shen Zhao'er was surprised, and Ding Zhi revealed that Madame Ji had conspired with Chen Wuyong. Calming herself, Shen Zhao'er reasoned that as an imperial doctor and Ji Heng's personal physician, Madame Ji would not openly kill her. She predicted Madame Ji would first try to reassign her away from Ji Heng, then secretly dispose of her.
Shen Zhao'er devised a plan: she would feign a highly contagious illness, resembling smallpox, which would force her into quarantine, thus delaying Madame Ji's plot and keeping her safely within Ji Heng's domain. Ding Zhi found Shen Zhao'er preparing potent allergenic herbs, and after some questioning, understood her ingenious scheme to induce a severe rash and fever, creating a convincing facade of smallpox. He warned her of the intense discomfort but offered to provide an antidote when she was ready.
Shen Zhao'er, determined, decided to take the medicine that very night. As expected, the following day, Madame Ji formally requested Ji Heng to transfer Shen Zhao'er to her service, citing her own frequent ailments and Ru Yi's fondness for the doctor. Ji Heng, though somewhat surprised, agreed to his mother's request. However, shortly after, Ji Heng was informed that Shen Zhao'er had suddenly developed a fever and smallpox, necessitating his quarantine.
Madame Ji, upon hearing the news, immediately retracted her request for Shen Zhao'er. Ji Heng quickly pieced together the events, realizing Shen Zhao'er's "illness" was a clever ruse. Despite his concern, he reluctantly kept his distance, knowing that an open show of care might put Shen Zhao'er in greater danger. He pondered how he could protect Shen Zhao'er without directly confronting his mother.
Meanwhile, Shen Zhao'er, isolated and itchy from the medicine, reassured Ding Zhi that she was fine and committed to maintaining the charade. Later, Ji Heng and Ji Zheng joined Madame Ji for dinner. During the meal, Ji Heng subtly mentioned Ji Zheng's birth mother. Although Ji Heng and Ji Zheng were unaware, Madame Ji had been responsible for Ji Zheng's birth mother's death, and Ji Heng's words caused Madame Ji a moment of visible distress.
Ji Zheng, for his part, expressed profound gratitude to Madame Ji for her upbringing, believing even his birth mother would be thankful. Madame Ji then inquired about Ji Zheng's marriage prospects. Ji Zheng, smiling at a memory of Shen Zhao'er, replied he wasn't in a hurry but lightheartedly asked Ji Heng for help if he were to find a beloved. Ji Heng readily agreed. Ji Zheng then heard about Shen Zhao'er's "smallpox" and immediately went to visit him.
Despite Ding Zhi's earnest warnings about the contagiousness of the disease, Ji Zheng insisted on staying by Shen Zhao'er's side, declaring Shen Zhao'er his friend and refusing to leave him unattended. Ji Heng, meanwhile, found himself watching from afar, still wondering about Shen Zhao'er's well-being and what his next move should be.
