Resumen del episodio 33 de A Splendid Match
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Madam Fu, the Grand Secretary's wife, furiously scolded her nephew from the Dai family for his utter incompetence. He had greedily taken on a massive court contract to supply winter robes to the soldiers of the Nine Garrisons but instead provided rotten, low-quality materials while pocketing the government funds.
She warned him that if a mutiny broke out due to the freezing conditions, the imperial court would trace the corruption back to the Dai family, and they would all face execution for deceiving the Emperor. Terrified, her nephew begged her to help him resolve the crisis, admitting he was at his wit's end trying to gather fifty thousand winter robes with only three days left before the deadline. Just then, Gu Jinzhao arrived to see Madam Fu.
Having caught wind of the shortage through her maternal family's previous interest in the military order, Jinzhao offered to help. She revealed that she had thirty-five thousand winter robes stored across her various warehouses and could mobilize her resources to secure more if needed. Deeply relieved by this timely rescue, Madam Fu insisted that the Dai family would purchase the robes from her at full price.
To show her gratitude and help Jinzhao in her ongoing conflict with Madam Wang, Madam Fu handed the organization of the upcoming tea gathering over to Jinzhao, advising her not to let the impatient Madam Wang bother her. Meanwhile, Chen Yanyun's subordinate reported that his own attempt to assist Jinzhao with the winter robes had been disrupted by the sudden arrival of Ji Yao.
Yanyun was not bothered, but his assistant, Chen Yi, asked why Yanyun did not simply tell his wife about his quiet efforts to support her businesses. Yanyun explained that Jinzhao valued her financial independence and her business highly as a secure path for her future. If he interfered too much, it would only make her feel uncomfortable.
Even so, Yanyun felt satisfied that by orchestrating the downfall of Shuntian Prefect Zheng Xiaoyou, he had successfully retaliated against those who targeted his wife. At the Wang residence, Madam Wang was throwing a temper tantrum over Jinzhao's growing influence, especially now that she had secured the tea gathering. Wang Xuanfan was deeply irritated by his wife's reckless actions, particularly her private usurious lending, which she had hidden from him.
He stopped her from smashing their expensive household items, urging her to calm down, and assured her that he had already set Zheng Xiaoyou to dig up dirt on Chen Yanyun so they could launch a devastating impeachment. However, their plotting was cut short when a servant rushed in with news that Zheng Xiaoyou had been arrested mid-trial by the Court of Judicial Review for bribery, selling offices, and violence.
Wang Xuanfan was left trembling with rage, knowing Yanyun was behind it. As the grand secretary and his wife enjoyed a quiet moment, Yanyun reassured Jinzhao that she no longer had to face difficulties alone. Jinzhao expressed how much she had come to rely on his quiet strength. Soon after, Jinzhao was tasked with managing Chen Xuanqing's upcoming wedding preparations.
When Xuanqing came to ask about the departure time to the Yu family for the formal setting of the wedding date, Jinzhao politely maintained her distance, setting the departure for the next morning. The following day, Jinzhao and Yanyun visited the Yu residence alongside Xuanqing. Old Madam Chen had chosen three auspicious dates for the wedding, which Lord and Lady Yu found highly suitable.
However, when Jinzhao suggested letting the bride, Yu Wanxue, make the final choice, Lady Yu mentioned that Wanxue had been melancholic and unable to sleep lately. Jinzhao offered to speak with her privately in her room. While Jinzhao went to see Wanxue, Xuanqing excused himself to retrieve a forgotten gift from his carriage. Instead, he cornered Jinzhao in the courtyard, dismissing the servants so they could speak alone.
He accused her of avoiding him and desperately tried to clarify a past misunderstanding, revealing that three years ago, he actually did go to Yong'an Bridge and saw the kite she flew for him. Jinzhao firmly cut him off, stating that their past was nothing but a distant memory she had long since forgotten. She urged him to appreciate Wanxue, who loved him dearly, and to stop causing unnecessary trouble. Unfortunately, Yanyun witnessed the encounter.
Furious, Yanyun confronted them and punched Xuanqing. Containing his anger for the sake of the Yu family's dignity, Yanyun ordered Xuanqing to immediately pack his things, move to the Hanlin Academy quarters, and stay there until further notice. Back at his study, Yanyun privately brooded over reports of Jinzhao and Xuanqing's past connection, feeling a bitter sting of resentment despite knowing his anger was somewhat irrational. At the Hanlin Academy, Xuanqing vented his bitter resentment to his servant, Yunting.
He felt suffocated by the Chen family's expectations and was furious at Yanyun, whom he viewed as a petty, vindictive hypocrite who had used his position to steal the woman he loved. Back at the Chen estate, Jinzhao grew increasingly anxious. Learning that Xuanqing had moved out, she realized Yanyun was actively avoiding her, having stayed overnight at the Wenyuan Pavilion for days.
Jinzhao tried to practice how she would confess her past youthful infatuation with Xuanqing to Yanyun, but found every draft sounding worse than the last. Frustrated, she confronted Mr. Jiang, threatening to wait outside the palace's Xihua Gate in the freezing cold if Yanyun did not return. Caught in a bind, Mr. Jiang finally admitted that Yanyun was currently meeting a guest at Baoxiang Temple.
Jinzhao immediately traveled to Baoxiang Temple, but the guards at the entrance barred her from entering. Inside, Yanyun was meeting with Lord Yao to finalize their moves against Wang Xuanfan. Lord Yao questioned whether Yanyun truly intended to abandon his uncle-in-law, Gu Deyuan, who was deeply implicated in corruption. Yanyun firmly stated that as a censor, Gu Deyuan had abused his power and deserved punishment. Lord Yao agreed to join him in prioritizing justice over family ties.
When an urgent imperial summons arrived for Yanyun, he had to leave the temple immediately. Outside, a freezing Jinzhao was devastated to learn from her maid that Yanyun had already departed without seeing her, mistakenly believing he was actively avoiding her. At court, a censor initiated the impeachment of Wang Xuanfan, detailing his treasonous ties to the late rebel Prince Chengqing.
When Wang Xuanfan vehemently denied the charges, Yanyun stepped forward with concrete evidence, exposing how Wang Xuanfan and another corrupt official had accepted bribes from the rebel prince years ago. Trapped, Wang Xuanfan launched a desperate counter-attack, accusing Yanyun of using his corrupt uncle-in-law, Gu Deyuan, to sell offices. To prevent a chaotic deadlock between the two grand secretaries, Grand Secretary Fu stepped in, recommending that both men step aside while the Three Judicial Offices conducted a thorough investigation.
The Emperor agreed. Following the court session, Gu Deyuan was arrested by the Court of Judicial Review. His mother, Gu Old Madam, lamented her failure to raise him right but urged the weeping family to save their tears for the Chen Mansion, as only Jinzhao had the power to save him now. Hearing of the arrest, Yanyun rushed back to his estate, knowing the Gu family would descend upon Jinzhao.
True to his fears, Gu Old Madam and her daughter-in-law cornered Jinzhao, demanding she ask Yanyun to use his grand secretary status to release Gu Deyuan. Jinzhao refused, pointing out the severity of his crimes and the undeniable evidence. A pregnant Gu Lian threw herself at Jinzhao's feet, begging for mercy. In the struggle, Gu Lian collapsed and began to bleed. Distressed, Jinzhao ordered a female physician to be brought discreetly.
Meanwhile, Old Madam Chen was in the middle of lecturing Xuanqing for neglecting his wedding preparations and staying at the Hanlin quarters when news of the emergency in Jinzhao's courtyard reached them. Xuanqing immediately rushed over. After the physician stabilized Gu Lian, an exhausted Jinzhao stepped outside to clear her head, only to find Xuanqing waiting for her. Xuanqing grabbed her hand, demanding to know why she was pushing him away.
Jinzhao struggled to free herself, but their tense interaction was abruptly cut short when Yanyun arrived. Yanyun's cold gaze fell upon them. Ordering his nephew to let go, Yanyun was met with bitter defiance. Xuanqing stood his ground and confronted Yanyun, shouting that Jinzhao had loved him first and accusing Yanyun of using his immense power to steal her away.
