Dr. Cutie Episode 22 Recap
> Dr. Cutie Recap
Ji Zheng visited Ji Heng and inquired about Tian Qi, noting Ji Heng's apparent dissatisfaction with him. He subtly suggested taking Tian Qi off Ji Heng's hands, explaining that Tian Qi's personality suited him better. Ji Heng immediately rejected the idea, asserting that Tian Qi would remain in Mansion Ji.
Ji Zheng pressed further, asking why Ji Heng was so determined to keep Tian Qi if he truly felt no satisfaction, and what Ji Heng's true feelings for Tian Qi were. Ji Heng finally admitted that Tian Qi had saved his life, and he had promised to protect him, viewing it as a bond of brotherhood. Ji Zheng acknowledged this but then asked Ji Heng to grant Tian Qi freedom for a better life should he ever wish to leave.
Ji Heng agreed to this condition but firmly stated that if Tian Qi chose to stay, no one would be able to take him away. Ji Zheng made Ji Heng promise to remember his words. Before leaving, Ji Zheng also informed Ji Heng about rumors of a group recruiting followers, potentially linked to Dong Mountain Village. He requested permission to investigate these clues, which Ji Heng granted, also asking Ji Zheng to return before any major mansion affairs were handled.
Later, Ji Heng, recalling Sheng Anhuai's past regrets about unconfessed love and his advice to "pluck flowers as they bloom," decided to make a grand romantic gesture. He declared a holiday for all servants in the Mansion, ensuring he and Tian Qi would be alone. As Tian Qi stood outside her bamboo house, pink petals suddenly rained down, and Ji Heng descended amidst them, appearing before her.
Ji Heng then revealed to Tian Qi that he knew she was a woman. Tian Qi, initially flustered, admitted her fear that revealing her true identity would mean she could no longer remain by his side. Ji Heng reassured her, promising his unconditional belief and protection. He then presented her with a beautiful pink and white dress he had chosen, which she initially hesitated to wear. After much playful resistance, she tried it on, transforming her appearance.
Ji Heng expressed his relief, joking that he no longer had to feel like he was falling for a man. Ji Heng then took Tian Qi to a secluded pavilion, where he confessed his deep affection, declaring he was no longer the imposing General J but simply Ji Heng, devoted to her and ready to shield her from all storms.
Tian Qi was deeply touched by his trust, and she felt her life had become sweeter since meeting him, comparing him to both a radiant sun and a hopeful meteor. Ji Heng revealed he had arranged a special "meteor shower" for her that evening. Tian Qi reminisced about her parents taking her to see stars and making wishes, lamenting how quickly beautiful moments pass.
Ji Heng promised her a prolonged celestial display, and as he spoke, the sky erupted in a spectacular fireworks display. Moved by his thoughtfulness, Tian Qi made a silent wish to avenge her parents and to remain with Ji Heng forever. Ji Heng, seeing her joy, declared his own wish had already come true. Their passionate embrace and kiss were accidentally witnessed by Ru Yi.
Meanwhile, in a dark prison cell, Chen Wuyong interrogated Ji'er, who had been subjected to torture. Ji'er initially feigned ignorance about Tian Qi, claiming she only sold the beads Chen Wuyong had given her. Under threat of death, she eventually divulged that Tian Qi, whom she knew as Zhao'er, was a girl Auntie Hong had brought, and that Auntie Hong had explicitly told her to keep Zhao'er’s real name and medical skills a secret.
Hearing this, Chen Wuyong immediately deduced that "Zhao'er" with medical skills must be Shen Qingyun's daughter, Shen Zhao'er. Recognizing Ji'er as a liability, he swiftly murdered her to ensure her silence. The next day, Madame Ji returned from her prayers to find Ru Yi distracted. Ru Yi innocently recounted how "uncle Heng" and Tian Qi had set off beautiful fireworks the previous night and that Tian Qi was wearing a lovely dress "like a lady."
Most shocking of all, Ru Yi mentioned seeing "uncle kiss Tian Qi." Enraged, Madame Ji summoned Sheng Anhuai. Meanwhile, rumors began to spread throughout the Mansion about General J and Tian Qi's "unnatural" relationship, as everyone still believed Tian Qi to be a man. Sheng Anhuai fiercely reprimanded the gossiping servants, threatening severe punishment, and vehemently denied the possibility of General J having a "broken sleeve."
Simultaneously, Tian Qi's Shifu, having overheard similar rumors about a doctor "seducing" General J, approached Tian Qi in a panic, mistakenly believing the accusations were aimed at his own alleged improprieties with various female servants. He begged Tian Qi to speak to Ji Heng on his behalf. Tian Qi promised to help if his story was true, while also realizing that the rumors likely stemmed from her own situation. Ji Heng found Tian Qi distressed by the gossip.
He reassured her, stating that he would soon formally reveal her true identity within the Mansion to dispel all rumors. He promised to bear any consequences as long as she stayed by his side. Later, Sheng Anhuai accidentally walked in on Ji Heng and Tian Qi, prompting Ji Heng to scold him about knocking first.
After Tian Qi briefly left, Sheng Anhuai, still believing Tian Qi was a man, tearfully lamented Ji Heng's supposed "sinful path" and his abandonment of the Ji family's ancestral honor. Ji Heng then revealed that Tian Qi was, in fact, a woman. Sheng Anhuai was stunned, questioning how a woman could become a doctor from the Imperial Medical Academy. Ji Heng explained she must have used a male identity to gain entry, acknowledging the serious implication of lese-majeste.
Sheng Anhuai, now worried about Tian Qi's true intentions and loyalty, suggested an investigation. Ji Heng dismissed his concerns, citing Tian Qi's many past opportunities to harm him and his unwavering trust in her. Sheng Anhuai then mentioned that Ji Zheng also knew Tian Qi's secret and had been protecting her, implying a rivalry between the brothers.
Ji Heng quickly assured him that no matter the outcome of his relationship with Tian Qi, it would never lead to conflict between him and Ji Zheng. Just then, a maid announced that Madame Ji wanted to see Sheng Anhuai. Before Sheng Anhuai left, Ji Heng confided in him that he had revealed Tian Qi's true gender and that Sheng Anhuai should be her point of contact if Ji Heng were ever absent.
Tian Qi, however, playfully teased Ji Heng for worrying about an "old man's feelings" more than her anger over his deception, to which Ji Heng affectionately scoffed. Later, in Tian Qi's room, Ji Heng playfully attempted to draw her eyebrows, but Tian Qi teased him for his lack of skill. She then, in turn, insisted on applying a special facial cream, an "ancestral secret recipe," to Ji Heng's face. Despite his initial reluctance, Ji Heng allowed her, fulfilling her "punishment."
Sheng Anhuai went to Madame Ji, who questioned him about the true nature of Ji Heng and Tian Qi's relationship. Sheng Anhuai, now privy to the truth, initially attempted to deflect, claiming their relationship was purely professional, based on Ji Heng's trust in Tian Qi for his insomnia treatment. However, Madame Ji, citing Ru Yi's account of Tian Qi in a woman's dress and Ji Heng's private fireworks display, demanded the truth.
Realizing he could no longer conceal it, Sheng Anhuai was about to reveal Tian Qi’s secret when Madame Ji angrily stormed off to confront Ji Heng herself. Madame Ji burst into Tian Qi's room to find Ji Heng and Tian Qi in an intimate moment, with Ji Heng's face covered in the facial cream Tian Qi had just applied, a scene that confirmed her worst fears.
She immediately ordered Tian Qi to be dragged out and beaten to death for "defiling" the Ji Mansion. Ji Heng vehemently intervened, and just then, Ji Zheng arrived. Ji Zheng quickly calmed his mother and dismissed all the servants, preventing further scandal. Madame Ji, distraught, accused Ji Heng of shameful behavior with a man and then turned her fury on Ji Zheng, realizing he too seemed to be involved with Tian Qi.
She was utterly distraught that both her sons had seemingly been "bewitched" and were defying her. Threatening Tian Qi's life, Madame Ji declared that only her death would allow Tian Qi to live. In a moment of desperation, Ji Heng blurted out the truth: "Tian Qi is a woman!" Madame Ji was shocked, confirming with Tian Qi, who admitted her female identity. Learning that both her sons had known, Madame Ji was furious, scolding them for their foolishness.
She pointed out Tian Qi's official status as a male Imperial Medical Academy doctor, meaning her true identity implied a severe crime of deceiving the Emperor. Madame Ji accused Tian Qi of being a deceitful "female liar" who harbored ill intentions and had infiltrated their household. Ji Heng firmly declared that he chose to keep Tian Qi after learning her truth and would take full responsibility. He asserted that if the Emperor were to punish Tian Qi, he should be punished first.
