Dr. Cutie Episode 15 Recap
> Dr. Cutie Recap
Shen Zhaor was summoned by Madame Ji. Expecting punishment, Shen Zhaor covertly wondered if Madame Ji regretted letting him go and wanted to end his life. Instead, Madame Ji offered him comfort, noting his handsome appearance and expressing concern for his recent illness, even promising to send him tonics. She also brought up the rumors of his close relationship with Marquis Marvel (Ji Zheng), noting how Ji Zheng had cared for him all night.
Shen Zhaor quickly explained that Ji Zheng had merely sought medicine from him and, upon finding Shen Zhaor ill, had shown his chivalrous nature by tending to him. Reassured, Madame Ji advised Shen Zhaor to be cautious with his words and actions to avoid gossip. She then instructed Shen Zhaor to serve General J (Ji Heng) from now on. Shen Zhaor feigned immense gratitude, promising to diligently care for General J and not disappoint Madame Ji.
After Shen Zhaor departed, Madame Ji reiterated to Chen Wuyong that if Tian Qi (Shen Zhaor) could indeed protect her son from disaster, as Hermit Yuyang had stated, then his safety was paramount. She ordered Chen Wuyong to assign bodyguards to protect him within the mansion. Chen Wuyong, however, expressed skepticism about Hermit Yuyang's words, questioning what would happen if Tian Qi actually brought disaster to General J.
Madame Ji, firm in her decision, dismissed his doubts, stating she would observe for herself and reiterated that Tian Qi was not to be harmed without her direct order. Shen Zhaor returned to serve Ji Heng. He dramatically expressed his joy, claiming he hadn't slept all night anticipating his return to Ji Heng's side. Ji Heng, after telling him to rise, directly asked if Madame Ji had summoned him.
Shen Zhaor confirmed, praising Ji Heng as a "prophet" and relaying Madame Ji's instructions to care for Ji Heng and himself, remarking on her apparent concern. Ji Heng acknowledged that his plan seemed to be working. Shen Zhaor then asked if Ji Heng was the one who invited Hermit Yuyang to save him, but Ji Heng curtly advised him not to ask too many questions, adding that "only a fool can live long."
Sheng Anhuai prompted Shen Zhaor to thank Ji Heng, which he did with an effusive declaration of his devotion, claiming he was heartbroken at the thought of not serving Ji Heng and wished to do so for eternity. Ji Heng, remarking on Shen Zhaor's eloquence, suggested he become a storyteller, to which Shen Zhaor responded that he couldn't, as it would prevent him from serving Ji Heng.
Meanwhile, Sun Pan continued to investigate Shen Zhaor's identity, but his subordinates had found nothing beyond the fact that Shen Zhaor was close to Marquis Marvel. Frustrated, Sun Pan berated them for their incompetence, lamenting his inability to seek revenge. His father, Sun Congrui, joined him, inquiring about his anger. Sun Pan complained about the "bastard" who made him lose face, convinced that the incident was related to the Ji Family because of the man's closeness to Ji Zheng.
Sun Congrui, already displeased with Ji Heng's perceived arrogance due to his imperial trust and power, declared his intention to challenge Ji Heng directly. Adding to this tension, Ji Heng, concerned about the rampant plague and the suffering of the people, planned to reduce taxes for the poor and increase taxes on the wealthy. This initiative required Sun Congrui's consent, and his obstruction could jeopardize its implementation.
Sun Pan eagerly asked if his father was serious, to which Sun Congrui confidently affirmed, urging him to wait and see. Ji Zheng asked Shen Zhaor to meet him outside the mansion. On a bridge where they had first met, Ji Zheng presented Shen Zhaor with a jade pendant, explaining its significance: holding it meant he was Ji Zheng's person. In case of danger, showing the jade would buy time for Ji Zheng to come to his rescue.
Shen Zhaor initially refused the valuable gift due to its significance, but Ji Zheng insisted. He emotionally confessed that while he had faced many dangers, he only felt truly scared when Shen Zhaor was in peril. He did not want to lose anyone important to him and asked Shen Zhaor to accept it for his peace of mind. Feeling guilty for constantly receiving help, Shen Zhaor expressed his inability to reciprocate.
Ji Zheng countered by saying Shen Zhaor's existence was a divine gift, and he was only truly happy when with him, urging him to accept the jade for Ji Zheng's own sake. Reluctantly, Shen Zhaor accepted, hoping they would never have to use it and that both would remain safe. After receiving the jade, Shen Zhaor agreed to show Ji Zheng around town, thinking all the while about finding something interesting to cheer up Ji Heng.
Meanwhile, Ji Heng had learned that the man involved in the scandalous rumors with Ji Zheng was none other than Shen Zhaor, and seeing them leave the mansion separately but heading in the same direction fueled his anger. He took his carriage and searched the streets, eventually spotting Ji Zheng holding Shen Zhaor's hand to keep him safe from a passing cart. Ji Heng secretly followed them to a restaurant where they were watching a dance performance.
Ji Zheng and Shen Zhaor, however, were unaware that the performance was an explicit dance. Ji Zheng tried to cover Shen Zhaor’s eyes when a more explicit dance began, insisting he wouldn't have brought him there if he knew. Shen Zhaor, feigning admiration for the dancer's figure, surprised Ji Zheng with his "boldness." Just then, Ji Heng arrived.
Ji Zheng attempted to clarify that he and Shen Zhaor were merely friends, but Ji Heng, furious, ordered Sheng Anhuai to take Ji Zheng out, stating he wished to speak with Shen Zhaor privately. Ji Zheng pleaded for his brother's trust, but Ji Heng's command was absolute. Ji Heng confronted Shen Zhaor, questioning his brazenness as a doctor to bring a noble like Ji Zheng to such a place to see "dancing."
Shen Zhaor initially protested, asking why others could visit such establishments but he and Ji Zheng could not, claiming he hadn't tarnished Ji Zheng's reputation. Ji Heng, however, sternly forbade Shen Zhaor from getting close to his brother, especially after seeing them hold hands, expressing concern about public perception and implying suspicion of an illicit relationship. Realizing Ji Heng's fear of a "cut-sleeve" relationship between him and Ji Zheng, Shen Zhaor quickly changed tactics.
He dramatically confessed to being "horny" and unable to control himself when seeing beautiful women dance, attributing their presence at the "erotic dance" to his own depravity. Ji Heng, though disgusted, was reminded of Shen Zhaor's past purchase of erotic books for him. This, combined with Shen Zhaor's lecherous display, alleviated Ji Heng's suspicions, making him believe Ji Zheng was merely curious about Shen Zhaor's crude interests, not romantically involved.
He dismissed Shen Zhaor as vulgar and nasty and ordered them to return to the mansion. Shen Zhaor dutifully complied, calling Ji Heng "the god." After Ji Zheng was escorted away, Shen Zhaor joined Ji Heng in his carriage. He enthusiastically pointed out sights in the city, like street performers and Western merchants with camels, but Ji Heng remained unimpressed.
To prove his "manhood," Shen Zhaor recounted a harrowing tale of getting lost while foraging for herbs and surviving by eating insects and roots, emphasizing how hard his past was. Ji Heng, in turn, revealed his own vulnerability, admitting he was scared the first time he went to war. He then reassured Shen Zhaor, telling him to remember he was "my man" and that Ji Heng was his "shield" if anyone dared to bully him.
As they continued, Shen Zhaor spotted Sun Pan approaching and, recognizing him, got out of the carriage after telling Ji Heng to stay hidden. Sun Pan, not recognizing Ji Heng in the carriage and emboldened by his father's status, arrogantly stopped their carriage. Shen Zhaor immediately provoked him by asking if he missed their last "streaking" competition. Enraged, Sun Pan ordered his men to seize Shen Zhaor.
From inside the carriage, Ji Heng sternly intervened, declaring Shen Zhaor "my man" and warning anyone against taking him. Sun Pan, mistaking Ji Heng for one of Ji Zheng's associates, taunted him, accusing Shen Zhaor of having multiple "lovers." Ji Heng, unfazed, gave Sun Pan a chance to leave, but the latter remained defiant. Before Sun Pan's men could advance, Ji Heng's hidden guards appeared, holding swords to their throats, quickly subduing them.
Back in the carriage, Ji Heng questioned Shen Zhaor about tricking Sun Pan into streaking, which Shen Zhaor readily admitted, noting Ji Zheng was also present. Ji Heng then asked if he often went out with Ji Zheng. Seeing Shen Zhaor sweating, Ji Heng asked for his handkerchief.
Shen Zhaor proudly produced the handkerchief Ji Heng had given him, explaining that he treasured it as a gift from Ji Heng and planned to give it to the girl he liked someday, rather than using it for sweat. While Shen Zhaor and his master, Ding Zhi, were studying herbs, a distressed house servant arrived, carrying his sick brother who was suffering from severe vomiting after drinking.
Just then, Kang Ning'er, Madame Ji's niece, burst in, demanding that Shen Zhaor immediately treat her slightly injured finger. Ding Zhi offered his services, but Kang Ning'er insisted only Shen Zhaor could treat her. Shen Zhaor, prioritizing the critically ill servant, asked Kang Ning'er to wait. Outraged at being made to wait for a servant, Kang Ning'er tried to bribe Shen Zhaor with money, but Shen Zhaor remained steadfast, emphasizing that human life was paramount, not wealth.
He then instructed Ding Zhi to gather specific herbs for the servant. Enraged, Kang Ning'er stormed off, vowing not to forgive Shen Zhaor. She immediately complained to Madame Ji, claiming Shen Zhaor had publicly humiliated her. Madame Ji, however, chastised Kang Ning'er for her "spoiled" and "arrogant" temper, advising her to be more generous if she wished to marry into the Ji family, reminding her that Ji Heng would likely side against her in such a matter.
Madame Ji then instructed her attendant to keep an eye on Tian Qi, but seemed to believe Kang Ning'er was "spoiled" and Tian Qi had become "arrogant now." Later, Sheng Anhuai reported the incident to Ji Heng. He expressed surprise that Shen Zhaor, whom he considered greedy, had refused Kang Ning'er's money to prioritize saving a servant's life. He also praised Shen Zhaor's medical skill, noting the servant's quick recovery. This incident significantly changed Ji Heng's perception of Shen Zhaor.
Despite his improved opinion of Shen Zhaor, Ji Heng still found the rumors and the image of Ji Zheng holding Shen Zhaor's hand unsettling. The next morning, he summoned both Shen Zhaor and Ji Zheng. He informed Ji Zheng that their mother was concerned about his unmarried status and suggested Lord Feng's first daughter, describing her as knowledgeable, talented, and virtuous – a perfect match.
Ji Zheng, however, deflected, suggesting such a woman would be a better sister-in-law for Ji Heng, to help manage the mansion. Ji Heng then proposed Ju Ming's daughter, known for her martial arts skills and equestrian prowess, believing she would be more compatible with Ji Zheng. Again, Ji Zheng deflected, suggesting Ji Heng meet her first.
Exasperated, Ji Heng demanded to know Ji Zheng's true objections, but Ji Zheng only offered a poetic refusal, calling himself "putrid grass in the mud" and unworthy of such "jade-like" women. Ji Heng then turned to Shen Zhaor, asking for his opinion on who would be suitable for Ji Zheng. Shen Zhaor, eager to avoid involvement, initially claimed it was none of his business and praised both brothers as too transcendent for ordinary women.
Pressed by Ji Heng and securing a promise not to be punished, Shen Zhaor bluntly stated that Ji Zheng should marry whoever he liked, questioning why a doctor like him was being asked about such personal matters. Ji Heng, though not punishing him, was surprised by being perceived as a bully. He then dismissed both of them, stating he would reconsider Ji Zheng's marital prospects.
Ji Zheng was confused by Ji Heng's attempt at matchmaking, but Shen Zhaor shrewdly guessed it was a test, stemming from rumors that she, disguised as a man, was seducing Ji Zheng. Shen Zhaor explained this to Ji Zheng, who, far from being angered by the rumor of seduction, seemed pleased. Ji Zheng began to confess his true feelings to Shen Zhaor, saying, "I don't care what others say. Qi, actually I. . ."
However, he was interrupted by Sheng Anhuai, who arrived to summon Shen Zhaor back to Ji Heng. Relieved by the timely interruption, Shen Zhaor quickly excused himself. Walking away, she mused on Ji Zheng's unstated feelings, realizing that Ji Zheng might indeed have romantic intentions. To prevent further misunderstandings, Shen Zhaor resolved to keep her distance from Ji Zheng. Shen Zhaor then went to Ji Heng, who explained he wanted Shen Zhaor to meet someone to help clarify the misunderstanding about Ji Zheng.
