Dr. Cutie Episode 19 Recap
> Dr. Cutie Recap
In the Ji Mansion's main hall, Kang Ning'er and Kang De paid their respects to Madame Ji. They presented a facial cream, sent by Ding Zhi, that Kang Ning'er had seemingly used with great results. While outwardly praising "Dr. Tian" (Shen Zhao'er), the siblings secretly harbored malicious intent.
Kang De privately assured Kang Ning'er that the substance they added to the cream was not poisonous, only designed to cause a severe rash, ensuring no fatal consequences but delivering a harsh lesson to the "annoying" Shen Zhao'er. Unsurprisingly, Madame Ji developed a full face of red rashes after using the cream, a direct result of the allergens Kang De and Kang Ning'er had secretly added to frame Shen Zhao'er.
Kang De then confronted Shen Zhao'er in the medicine field, accusing her of using poisonous ingredients in her cream to harm Madame Ji and Kang Ning'er. Shen Zhao'er vehemently denied the accusations, insisting her creams were made from natural ingredients and questioning how Kang De obtained her product. Ding Zhi attempted to defend Shen Zhao'er, but Kang De dismissed their pleas and ordered Shen Zhao'er to be beaten with fifty strokes.
Before the punishment could commence, Ji Zheng arrived, having been sent by Ji Heng. He stopped Kang De, chastising him for exceeding his authority, and declared that he was there to take Shen Zhao'er away. Ji Zheng assured Shen Zhao'er that he knew she was being framed and promised to protect her, regardless of Ji Heng's belief.
Later, Kang Ning'er, her face veiled to conceal the rashes, tearfully pleaded with Ji Heng, exaggerating her and Madame Ji's disfigurement and demanding severe punishment for "Dr. Tian." A subordinate confirmed that the cream indeed contained sensitizing substances. Ji Heng, however, maintained his impartiality, stating that even if the cream was tainted, it didn't definitively prove Shen Zhao'er's guilt and promised a thorough investigation. He sternly warned Kang Ning'er and Kang De against any unauthorized actions.
In a private conversation with Shen Zhao'er, Ji Heng prohibited her from producing or selling facial creams while under suspicion and informed her that her case would be referred to the Medical Academy to determine her future. Shen Zhao'er, heartbroken, reminded Ji Heng of his past promises and her belief that she held a unique place in his heart, hoping for his trust. Ji Heng's cold reply, "I only believe in evidence," shattered her hopes.
As she turned to leave, deeply hurt, Ji Heng stopped her, vowing to uncover the truth and clear her name. Later, Ji Zheng confronted Ji Heng, suggesting that Kang Ning'er and Kang De might be behind the framing due to jealousy. Ji Heng initially dismissed this, but after Ji Zheng questioned whether his actions were truly for Shen Zhao'er's benefit, he agreed to postpone her transfer.
Back in the medicine field, Shen Zhao'er privately expressed her anger at Ji Heng for not believing her, vowing not to forgive him easily. Her maid, Chun Hua, secretly visited her, revealing she had witnessed Kang De and Kang Ning'er suspiciously whispering over Ding Zhi's facial cream and suspected their involvement in the incident. Chun Hua promised to help Shen Zhao'er by gathering evidence.
Shortly after Chun Hua left, a group of black-clad men, led by Chen Wuyong, ambushed Shen Zhao'er, knocked her unconscious, and forcibly took her away. Chen Wuyong, a hidden Dong family remnant, had secretly allied with Lord Sun Congrui and offered Shen Zhao'er as a "generous gift" for his disposal. Unaware of the full extent of the plot, Chun Hua frantically sought Ji Zheng's help.
Ji Zheng quickly informed Ji Heng of Shen Zhao'er's abduction, noting that his deployed guards had been neutralized, and they suspected Sun Fan's involvement due to his known animosity towards Shen Zhao'er. Shen Zhao'er found herself in a dark, filthy private prison at the Sun Mansion, brutally tortured by Sun Fan. Despite her injuries, she repeatedly called out for Ji Heng to save her.
Sun Fan cruelly taunted her, claiming Ji Heng himself had handed her over to curry favor with his father, giving him free rein over her life. Shen Zhao'er defiantly refused to believe him, her unwavering trust in Ji Heng only further enraging Sun Fan, who whipped her with renewed savagery. Determined to prolong her agony, Sun Fan threw her back into the cell, where she clutched a cherished Gold Zongzi, a gift from Ji Heng.
She found solace in memories of his kindness, regretting that she might die before avenging her father and seeing Ji Heng one last time. She eventually fell asleep, holding the trinket. Later, Sun Fan returned, pouring a bucket of salty water over her wounds, reveling in her agonizing screams. When the Gold Zongzi fell, she desperately tried to retrieve it, but Sun Fan stomped on her wrist.
Re-tied to a stake, she faced a red-hot branding iron, repeatedly crying out for Ji Heng. Just as the iron was about to brand her, Ji Heng and his troops burst into the prison. Ji Heng quickly subdued Sun Fan. Witnessing Shen Zhao'er's severely injured body, he was overcome with fury. He offered Shen Zhao'er the whip to take her revenge, but seeing her weakened state, he took the whip himself and mercilessly flogged Sun Fan.
Sun Fan tried to threaten Ji Heng with his father's influence, but Ji Heng, drawing his sword and threatening immediate execution, terrified Sun Fan into fainting. As Shen Zhao'er drifted into unconsciousness, she repeatedly called out for her Gold Zongzi. Ji Heng retrieved the treasured item and promised to keep it safe for her, deeply moved by her devotion to his gift.
While escorting Sun Fan through the Sun Mansion's front courtyard, Lord Sun Congrui confronted Ji Heng, attempting to threaten him with his official position and vowing to report him to the Emperor. Ji Heng calmly revealed that he had evidence of Sun Fan's crimes, including the slaughter of disaster victims and the embezzlement of relief funds, committed in collusion with Lord Sun. Ji Heng further stated that he had already rescued the victims, leaving Lord Sun without a defense.
Ji Heng then ordered the arrest of Lord Sun, successfully bringing down both father and son. This swift action was made possible by Ji Zheng, who had earlier informed Ji Heng of Shen Zhao'er's abduction, allowing them to connect the incident to Sun Fan and leverage Ji Zheng's prior investigation into the Sun family's corruption. Back at the Ji Mansion, a pale and unconscious Shen Zhao'er was brought to her former residence, her lips constantly murmuring Ji Heng's name.
Ji Heng sat by her bedside, no longer concealing the worry and fear in his eyes. Ji Zheng then brought Dr. Ye, a female doctor who had previously treated Shen Zhao'er, ensuring her secret identity remained safe. As they left the room, Ji Heng instructed Ji Zheng not to tell Shen Zhao'er of his visit or concern, and further instructed him to arrange for her to leave the Ji Mansion once she recovered.
Ji Zheng, having heard Shen Zhao'er's delirious calls for his brother, struggled with the painful truth that the woman he loved harbored feelings for Ji Heng. When Shen Zhao'er awoke, she asked if Ji Heng had saved her. Ji Zheng, following his brother's instructions, lied and claimed he was the one who brought her back, also reassuring her that her secret as a woman was safe.
Ji Zheng then conveyed Ji Heng's decision, suggesting that once she recovered, she should leave the Ji Mansion and come to reside in his own mansion. Shen Zhao'er was shocked by Ji Heng's agreement to her departure. Clutching the Gold Zongzi, she adamantly refused to leave, stating that she could not depart until she had avenged her father.
Ji Zheng offered to bring her enemy before her, but Shen Zhao'er remained resolute, leading Ji Zheng to question if her refusal was solely for revenge. He ultimately decided not to pressure her, asking her to rest and promising to visit her later.
