Dr. Cutie Episode 18 Recap
> Dr. Cutie Recap
Ji Heng told Sheng Anhuai to find a place for Tian Qi where he wouldn't see her, rejecting the suggestion of sending him to the army as "not far enough." Sheng Anhuai then proposed assigning Tian Qi to cultivate in the herb fields, reasoning that Ji Heng had never visited that area, ensuring he wouldn't encounter Tian Qi. Ji Heng agreed to this.
Tian Qi was sent to work in the herb fields daily, and her master, Ding Zhi, was also demoted there for having spoken on her behalf. Kang Ning'er brought homemade red bean cake to Madame Ji, who praised her culinary skills and expressed how lonely she would be without Ning'er's company. Madame Ji also lamented that Ji Heng refused to marry Ning'er despite her repeated suggestions, but Ning'er insisted she was content simply staying by their side.
When Ji Heng entered and greeted his mother, Kang Ning'er immediately noticed his poor complexion and inquired about his well-being. Ji Heng attributed it to heavy official duties. Madame Ji then urged him to consider marriage, suggesting it was time he had someone to care for him. Ji Heng gave his assent, though it was clear he did not share his mother's enthusiasm for Kang Ning'er.
At the herb fields, Ding Zhi confessed his confusion to Tian Qi about why Ji Heng had demoted them, especially since he had only spoken a few words on her behalf. Tian Qi admitted she found Ji Heng's moods unpredictable and expressed her desire to return to Mansion Ji to investigate the truth behind past events involving Madame Ji and Chen Wuyong. Ding Zhi pragmatically pointed out that she needed money even to gather information.
The strenuous labor and hot weather took their toll on Tian Qi, who, not being as robust as a man, fainted from sunstroke while moving herbs. After she regained consciousness, she found Ding Zhi wearing one of her newly developed facial masks. He praised its comforting effect and suggested they sell it in the city to "girls who love beauty" to earn money.
Tian Qi then explained that the facial cream, called "Yunifang" (mask/facial cream), was made using her father Shen Qingyun's "splashing technique," a method of grinding with water and repeated filtration to create a fine, smooth mud. When combined with chalcanthitum, this mud had the effect of cleansing and moisturizing the skin. They resolved to begin searching for chalcanthitum the following day. Back at Mansion Ji, Ji Heng continued to suffer from sleepless nights, much to Sheng Anhuai's concern.
Sheng Anhuai begged him to reconsider bringing Tian Qi back, reminding him that his insomnia could only be treated by Tian Qi and expressing worry about Ji Heng's health. Ji Heng, however, maintained his decision, vaguely stating he had his reasons and even questioning if Sheng Anhuai found Tian Qi to be a mysterious individual. Despite his outward resolve, Ji Heng privately inquired about Tian Qi's welfare.
Sheng Anhuai reported that Tian Qi, unaccustomed to manual labor, had fainted from sunstroke due to the intense heat and arduous work in the herb fields. This news clearly distressed Ji Heng, who only calmed down when assured that Tian Qi was now recovering and well. That night, Ji Heng was tormented by the same recurring nightmare; the girl he secretly yearned for turned into Tian Qi, who was disguised as a man, when she finally faced him.
He awoke with a start, instinctively calling out Tian Qi's name, only to find Kang Ning'er by his bedside. She explained that she had heard of his sleeplessness and offered to replace Tian Qi in fanning him to sleep. Ji Heng reacted with fury, reprimanding her sharply and ordering her out, declaring he needed no one's service.
As she dejectedly left, he picked up the fan on the floor, his mind drifting to memories of Tian Qi faithfully fanning him to sleep. Kang Ning'er, humiliated by his rejection and his calling out Tian Qi's name, felt her hatred for Tian Qi intensify. Kang Ning'er confided in her brother, Kang De, about the humiliating encounter, lamenting that Ji Heng had mistaken her for Tian Qi and angrily dismissed her.
She expressed her frustration that in Ji Heng's eyes, she was less important than Tian Qi's "brotherhood," and that Tian Qi's constant presence had prevented her from getting close to Ji Heng. Kang De, in turn, reassured her, promising to "take care" of the "annoying" Tian Qi and "guarantee he won't come back." He suggested that with Tian Qi now outside the mansion and at the herb fields, it was the "best time" to eliminate her.
In a secluded chamber, Chen Wuyong, who was addressed as "Master" by the Dong family's young master, met with him. The young master inquired about recent developments in Mansion Ji. Chen Wuyong reported that Ji Heng, due to Ji Zheng’s close relationship with Tian Qi, had directly provoked Sun Congrui by taking action against the Sun family. Although Ji Heng had then inexplicably sent Tian Qi away, Chen Wuyong saw this as an opportunity.
He proposed leveraging Ji Heng's conflict with Sun Congrui by offering Tian Qi's life as a "big gift" to secure an alliance, reasoning that Sun Congrui was eager for revenge and would be pleased by the demise of the person who caused Sun Pan's public humiliation. Chen Wuyong concluded that Tian Qi's current banishment to the herb fields provided the perfect "best time" to strike. Tian Qi and Ding Zhi diligently worked on their facial cream.
Ding Zhi, after trying it, was amazed by its skin-smoothing effects. The next day, Tian Qi set up a stall to sell her facial cream in the town, actively promoting it as a "magical facial cream" that would make skin smooth like a baby's and attract suitors.
Meanwhile, back at Mansion Ji, Sheng Anhuai, sporting dark circles under his eyes, pleaded with Tian Qi for help, explaining that Ji Heng's insomnia, caused by her absence, was also keeping the entire staff from sleeping. Tian Qi then gave him a medicinal pillow she had sewn, filled with calming herbs and Ji Heng's favorite gardenia scent, instructing Sheng Anhuai to give it to Ji Heng but not to reveal her as its maker, fearing Ji Heng's continued anger.
Sheng Anhuai delivered the pillow to Ji Heng, deliberately exaggerating Tian Qi's plight, describing her as "poor," "wasted away through illness," and suffering from sunstroke due to the arduous labor. This account spurred Ji Heng to visit Tian Qi himself. However, upon arrival, he was surprised to find her energetically and joyfully selling her products, far from the miserable state Sheng Anhuai had described.
Later, as Tian Qi and Ding Zhi were dividing their earnings from the successful sales, Ding Zhi inquired if she harbored any resentment towards Ji Heng for her demotion. Tian Qi, after some thought, declared that she didn't resent Ji Heng, but rather herself for being "stupid" enough to consider someone as high and mighty as him her "true friend," given her own humble status.
Ji Heng, who had been discreetly observing them, overheard her words and, angered, left abruptly, instructing Sheng Anhuai never to report anything about Tian Qi to him again. Ding Zhi visited Mansion Ji, presenting Kang Ning'er and Kang De with the popular facial cream as a gesture of goodwill. He lavished Kang De with praise, calling him "handsome and well-behaved," "destined for greatness," and "knowledgeable," and then revealed he feared leaving Mansion Ji soon.
He humbly asked them to speak favorably of him to Madame Ji, hoping for a chance to return to the mansion. Kang De and Kang Ning'er agreed to try. However, when Ding Zhi further requested that they also put in a good word for his clever student, Tian Qi, Kang Ning'er's expression instantly darkened.
Concurrently, Ji Zheng sought out Tian Qi, advising her to leave the mansion permanently and offering to help her and Ding Zhi establish a new life elsewhere. Tian Qi, however, was resolute, explaining she had crucial matters at Mansion Ji, including seeking revenge for her father, and perhaps even for Ji Heng, which made her unwilling to leave.
Ji Zheng gently reminded her that Ji Heng's actions clearly indicated his stance and questioned if she had "things or people to care for" within the mansion. Tian Qi confessed to sending Ji Heng a medicinal pillow to alleviate his nightmares, asserting it was her duty as a doctor.
Ji Zheng warned her that Ji Heng's rise to power had hardened his heart, rendering him unable to make exceptions for anyone, and that the exposure of her female disguise would lead to "ghastly consequences." Tian Qi acknowledged her humble status and accepted that any punishment she might face would be deserved. Ji Zheng then declared that he would intervene to stop her if she pursued dangerous paths, not for the sake of the mansion, but for her own safety. Tian Qi, touched by his concern, reiterated her desire for them to remain in their respective positions to avoid implicating him further.
