Dr. Cutie Episode 24 Recap
> Dr. Cutie Recap
Upon learning Tian Qi's true identity as Shen Zhao'er, Madame Ji became desperate to eliminate her, fearing she had entered the mansion disguised as a man to investigate her father's case. Ji Heng, observing his mother's reaction, realized that Chen Wuyong's claims were true, confirming his mother was indeed involved in the killing of Mr. Shen and his family. His mother admitted that she had them exiled and subsequently killed to prevent her secrets from being revealed.
Ji Heng questioned why she would harm a mere doctor who was his friend. Madame Ji dismissed it as past events, confessing to her mistakes but asserting they were driven by her desire to be a good mother and protect Ji Heng, instructing him not to interfere. Ji Heng pointed out the two innocent lives lost and Zhao'er's harrowing childhood, asking how he could ignore such suffering.
Madame Ji expressed her anguish, feeling that both Ji Zheng and now Ji Heng resented her. Ji Heng then confronted her about her actions towards Ji Zheng and the secrets she kept. Madame Ji recounted her past struggles, including forcing Ji Zheng's birth mother to her death, stating all her terrible actions were out of necessity and for Ji Heng's sake, even if it meant eternal damnation for herself.
Overwhelmed, Ji Heng declared that he would bear the burden of all the wrongdoings, asking only that his mother not harm Tian Qi, promising to handle everything else. Distraught, Ji Heng dreamt that Shen Zhao'er, having discovered his true identity, confronted him. In the dream, she expressed relief that he was the one she had been searching for but then demanded he help her avenge her family and capture Chen Wuyong.
Ji Heng, conflicted, apologized, saying he could help with anyone else, but that particular person he truly could not touch. Overcome with hatred, Shen Zhao'er then stabbed him, repeating "I hate you." Ji Heng awoke in a cold sweat from the nightmare, as noted by Sheng Anhuai. The next morning, Ji Heng urgently visited Shen Zhao'er, embracing her tightly, telling her he missed her.
He silently vowed that even if the tragic outcome of his dream were to become reality, he would rather be killed by her hand than ever release her. During their conversation, while showing her a drawing, Ji Heng mused about a simpler life where he was just a "little brother" growing up next door.
Though Tian Qi mentioned she indeed had such a childhood "little brother," Ji Heng deliberately refrained from revealing his identity as that boy, as he knew acknowledging his true past and connection to her would complicate his efforts to protect his mother. He could only bury everything in his heart, prioritizing her safety and his mother's secret, even as he expressed his lifelong dedication to guarding Tian Qi.
Ji Heng had secretly planned a wedding for Shen Zhao'er, but now he canceled it. He secretly confined Chen Wuyong in the mansion's prison, instructing Sheng Anhuai to ensure no one, especially Ji Zheng and Tian Qi, knew of Chen Wuyong's whereabouts. Sheng Anhuai questioned why Ji Heng would keep this from Tian Qi, knowing her anxiety, but Ji Heng insisted on his plan.
Sheng Anhuai later falsely informed Shen Zhao'er that the misunderstanding with Madame Ji was resolved, the guards withdrawn, and that Ji Heng had personally left the city to pursue Chen Wuyong. Shen Zhao'er, convinced Chen Wuyong would need her antidote, was eager to find Ji Heng or pursue Chen Wuyong herself, but Sheng Anhuai claimed ignorance and departed.
Reporting back to Ji Heng, Sheng Anhuai confirmed the guards were removed from Tian Qi's door and she was told Ji Heng was out of the mansion. When asked about the wedding, Ji Heng simply dismissed the matter. Meanwhile, Ji Zheng was also struggling. Shaofeng found him drinking alone, suggesting he forget Tian Qi since she had chosen Ji Heng and reminding him of Madame Ji's potential worry.
Ji Zheng angrily dismissed any concern for Madame Ji, stating that everything was a pretense and that he couldn't even trust his brother, fearing he was lying too. He expressed his disillusionment, realizing that his childhood home was not what he had believed and that no one truly cared for him. Shaofeng subtly encouraged him to stop yielding and instead fight back to achieve his desires. Ji Zheng later reflected on Shaofeng's words, his resolve hardening to change his circumstances.
After Ji Zheng indicated his desire to help and trust, Shen Zhao'er revealed her true identity as Shen Zhao'er, daughter of Shen Qingyun, the former doctor of Mansion Ji. Shocked by this revelation, Ji Zheng immediately confronted Ji Heng, who was secluded within the mansion. Ji Heng admitted to his deception, citing his own complex reasons, and requested Ji Zheng to keep his presence a secret from Tian Qi.
Ji Zheng, revealing Shen Zhao'er's true name, questioned Ji Heng's lack of surprise, realizing Ji Heng had known all along. Ji Heng insisted that "Tian Qi is Tian Qi," and her past identity was irrelevant, as she was the one he was dedicated to protecting. Ji Zheng then accused Ji Heng of deceiving Shen Zhao'er, pointing out that he had promised to find Chen Wuyong but had instead withdrawn all city guards and sent no one to help her.
Ji Heng, angered, ordered Ji Zheng to stop questioning him. Ji Zheng retorted, reminding Ji Heng that Madame Ji had murdered his birth mother, thus stripping Ji Heng of any moral authority to give him orders. Ji Heng apologized for his mother's actions regarding Ji Zheng's birth mother, claiming she had her reasons, and offered to bear all of Ji Zheng's resentment.
Ji Zheng then demanded Ji Heng give him Shen Zhao'er, which Ji Heng firmly refused, stating she was a person, not an object to be traded. Ji Zheng declared he would no longer concede and would fight to reclaim Shen Zhao'er, even if it meant becoming enemies with Ji Heng, as his respect for his brother and Madame Ji was now gone.
Dong Zichun, working to frame Ji Heng, learned that Chen Wuyong had been captured and imprisoned within Mansion Ji. He instructed his subordinate to "add more fuel" to the situation by sending an anonymous note, via Chen Wuyong's contacts in the mansion, to Shen Zhao'er, revealing Ji Heng's secret detention of Chen Wuyong. Shen Zhao'er, receiving the message and driven by a need for answers, went to the dungeon, accompanied by a disguised helper known as Uncle Qian.
Ji Zheng also arrived, joining them. They found a gravely ill Chen Wuyong, barely clinging to life. Shen Zhao'er demanded to know who ordered her parents' murder. Chen Wuyong, in his dying moments, accused Ji Heng, claiming that Ji Heng's rising influence had made the late Jiedushi suspicious, leading to plans to pass his title to Ji Zheng. This, Chen Wuyong alleged, prompted Ji Heng to plot the late Jiedushi's poisoning, which Shen Qingyun refused to assist with.
Consequently, Ji Heng framed Shen Qingyun, leading to his exile and subsequent murder to ensure his silence. Shen Zhao'er, horrified, initially refused to believe him, accusing Chen Wuyong of fabricating the story to escape blame.
Chen Wuyong countered by asking why he, an individual with no personal enmity towards Shen Qingyun, would pursue them across great distances to kill them, noting that only a few high-ranking individuals in the mansion, including the late Jiedushi, Madame Ji, and Ji Heng, could have given him such orders. Ji Zheng, supporting these claims, further pressed the point that Ji Heng's actions of detaining and then poisoning Chen Wuyong were to silence him.
Chen Wuyong then claimed Ji Heng had poisoned him long ago to prevent him from revealing secrets. Ji Zheng added that Ji Heng had been in the mansion all along, not out chasing Chen Wuyong, and had deliberately hidden this from Shen Zhao'er to avoid her. This confluence of testimonies and circumstances made Ji Heng appear guilty in Shen Zhao'er's eyes, despite her fervent wish to believe otherwise. This new information was a devastating blow to Shen Zhao'er's trust.
She adamantly refused to believe anyone but Ji Heng himself. Ji Zheng, offering comfort, promised to stay by her side and protect her, no matter what truth emerged. Meanwhile, Ji Heng stood at Shen Qingyun and his wife's grave, the wind-blown leaves mirroring his desolate heart. He recalled meeting a young Shen Zhao'er at a fireworks festival and the profound warmth he felt in her home, a stark contrast to his own childhood.
He recognized that her ability to bring joy to others was a testament to her parents' loving upbringing. Ji Heng lamented his failure to save them, which led to Shen Zhao'er's difficult life. He expressed his deep desire to perpetuate their love and protect Zhao'er forever, but confessed that the true circumstances of their deaths left him unsure how to face her, fearing that revealing everything would only worsen the situation and cause her to leave him.
Upon returning to the dungeon, Ji Heng found Chen Wuyong dead. Sheng Anhuai reported no signs of struggle, indicating a suicide by poison. Ji Heng noted the unsettling similarity to the deaths of Madame Shu and the assassin at the banquet, both by poison. He immediately ordered Sheng Anhuai to investigate if Chen Wuyong's poison was the same as Madame Shu's, and to trace Chen Wuyong's movements and contacts before his death to uncover the truth. Sheng Anhuai also mentioned that the guard who was incapacitated during the dungeon infiltration had recovered and reported seeing "Dr. Tian" before he fainted.
