Resumen del episodio 20 de A Splendid Match
> Resúmenes de A Splendid Match
At the spring outing, Chen Yanyun showcases his superior skills in the archery and riding contest, easily defeating Mrs. He and Yao Wenxiu. However, when facing Xue Qinglan—the woman his mentor, Lord Fu, intends for him to marry—he intentionally misses several targets to let her win. Rather than feeling flattered, Xue Qinglan is insulted by being patronized. She angrily forfeits the contest, throwing her bow to the ground.
Lord Fu and his wife, Madam Wang, observe the friction; while Madam Wang is perplexed by her niece’s temper, Lord Fu realizes Chen Yanyun has no interest in the match and decides not to force the union. Stepping in after Xue Qinglan leaves, Gu Jinzhao challenges Chen Yanyun. The two are evenly matched, resulting in ties for the first two rounds. As the excitement grows, noble ladies like Xue Qinglan and Madam Wang significantly increase the prize pool.
During a rest, Gu Jinzhao asks how Chen's horse, Yuhuacong, recognized her. He reveals that since their time in Tongzhou, he had his groom fume his clothes with osmanthus scent every day so the horse would become accustomed to her specific fragrance. Taking advantage of their private moment, Chen Yanyun asks if she has reconsidered his earlier proposal. Gu Jinzhao remains hesitant, noting that marrying a high-ranking official brings stifling social expectations.
Chen counters by explaining that marrying Lord Fu’s choice would officially tie him to the "Fu faction," a political commitment he wants to avoid. He expresses a desire for a wife independent of court factions—someone he can trust and truly likes. He even playfully suggests that she might already like him back. In the final round, Gu Jinzhao focuses and manages to defeat him. The festivities are abruptly interrupted by Ye Xian and the agents of the Bureau of Justice.
Acting under imperial orders, Ye Xian ruthlessly arrests Du Wangfa, a director from the Ministry of Justice. When Xue Qinglan tries to intervene, claiming his presence is inappropriate for a hosted event, Ye Xian coldly threatens to arrest her for harboring criminals, making it clear that his bureau only "apprehends or kills."
Watching from afar, Wang Zan, the arrogant son of the Minister of Court of Judicial Review, becomes intrigued by Gu Jinzhao’s skill and decides he wants to challenge her himself. Back at the Gu residence, the ladies gossip about the day's drama. The Gu matriarch mocks the Ji family’s history as mere businessmen, prompting Gu Jinzhao to retort that her grandmother’s investment in the Gu family was perhaps her only lapse in judgment.
The conversation turns to social standing, with the ladies criticizing Xue Qinglan’s status as a "widow-before-marriage" and claiming divorcees are social pariahs. Gu Jinzhao remains unmoved by their snobbery, asserting that living a fulfilling life is more important than maintaining a hollow reputation. Later, Ye Xian’s sister (Fifth Aunt) speaks privately with Gu Jinzhao.
She notes that while Ye Xian is fond of her, the political suppression of military nobles makes a marriage difficult, as Ye Xian is expected to marry into a powerful family to secure the Marquis household's future. Meanwhile, Yao Wenxiu secretly sends a hairpin to Gu Lan. Fearful of her sister Gu Lian's jealousy, Gu Lan hides the gift.
She later approaches Gu Jinzhao with eight thousand taels, hoping to invest in her sister's business to secure a dowry and eventually rescue her mother. Gu Jinzhao refuses, explaining that Gu Lan is too risk-averse for business. At the Chen household, the family discusses Chen Xuanqing’s future. Madam Gu suggests a wedding date at the end of the year, but Chen Xuanqing expresses a desire to join the diplomatic mission to negotiate with the Northern Barbarians.
He feels his work at the Hanlin Academy is too comfortable and fears losing his ambition. Chen Yanyun supports the decision, noting it is a faster path to meaningful service. Despite the rejection at the outing, Wang Zan pursues Gu Jinzhao on the street, attempting to harass her into a contest or a dinner. He is firmly intercepted by a protector, and Jinzhao rejects him.
Chen Yanyun later meets with Madam Wang, who realizes he intentionally provoked Xue Qinglan to sabotage the match. When Chen learns that Wang Zan is spreading rumors that Gu Jinzhao is "overbearing" to save face after her rejection, he realizes he must intervene to protect her reputation.
