Resumen del episodio 22 de Faithful
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Driven by Wu Lian's aggressive demands, Zhang Rong'er proposed a divorce. However, Wu Lian retorted that such a decision required his consent, and her mother would certainly oppose it given the potential damage to the Zhang family's reputation. He reminded Zhang's mother that Zhang Rong'er had lost her virginity before marriage, and if he had revealed it then, the Zhang family's reputation would have been ruined.
Wu Lian then threatened to publicly denounce Zhang Rong'er as an unfaithful wife, which would destroy the Zhang family's centuries-old reputation, the good name of all female relatives, and Zhang's mother's accumulated prestige. To prevent this, Zhang's mother reluctantly agreed to Wu Lian's terms: she would use her family's connections, specifically a distant relative serving in the Ministry of Personnel, to secure Wu Lian a position as the director of the Embroidery Office in the capital.
Wu Lian had already prepared funds and carriages for her journey, emphasizing that her cooperation would save both him and her daughter. Before Zhang's mother departed for the capital, Zhang Rong'er tearfully confessed the full extent of the atrocities committed at Yanyu Tower, admitting her complicity in harming many people. She revealed that while initially coerced, she later actively participated in Wu Lian's schemes in a desperate bid for acceptance and status within his household.
Overwhelmed with regret, Zhang's mother blamed herself for advising her daughter to endure an unhappy marriage, realizing Zhang Rong'er's immense suffering. Zhang Rong'er also admitted she had always believed her mother prioritized the family's reputation over her well-being, but now understood her mother's love. Zhang's mother vowed to embark on the journey immediately, stating that no personal humiliation was too great if it meant freeing her daughter from her predicament.
Wu Lian observed their farewell, anticipating his "good news" from Zhang's mother's efforts. Soon after, Zhang's mother sent word from the capital that the arrangement was successful. Zhang Rong'er immediately approached Wu Lian, demanding her divorce settlement. However, Wu Lian, showing his true colors, refused to grant it yet.
He stated that he first needed to receive his official letter of appointment, travel to the capital, claim his official seal, and fully secure his new position as director of the Embroidery Office. He mockingly suggested Zhang Rong'er could return to her family home in the meantime if she missed her mother. Disgusted by his treachery, Zhang Rong'er instructed her maid to pack only her dowry, refusing to take anything else from the Yanyu Tower.
She also extinguished the candles in the Wu family ancestral hall as a symbolic severance and told her maid not to address her as Mrs. Wu anymore as she departed for her family's residence. Meanwhile, news of Wu Lian's appointment as director of the Embroidery Office spread, surprising many. Huang Jiaojiao, a shopkeeper of Huangji Embroidery, expressed concern for her own business, fearing it was now in danger.
She noted the irony of Wu Lian, a merchant who failed the Embroidery Convention, suddenly securing a high-ranking position in the capital, speculating it was through bribery. Meng Wan confirmed their plan to appeal three days later, coinciding with Lou Mingzhang's departure for the capital. She also advised further delaying the delivery of the Empress's birthday gift, a risky strategy to be deployed only in a desperate situation.
Separately, Li Chunfeng remained at home, seemingly preoccupied with preparing a special gift for Tian Xiaoling, leaving others curious about his intentions. Witnessing Zhang Rong'er's departure from Yanyu Tower to her family home while Wu Lian prepared for the capital, Meng Wan and Liu Xin suspected a hidden agenda. Realizing Zhang Rong'er was taking a route south, not west to the capital, Liu Xin correctly deduced she was returning to her maiden home.
Meng Wan, suspecting foul play, decided to intercept her. Taking a shortcut, they stopped Zhang Rong'er's carriage. Despite Zhang Rong'er's feigned ignorance and reluctance, Meng Wan insisted on taking her to Qingshui Nunnery, where Liu Xin forcibly redirected her carriage. At the Nunnery, Meng Wan confronted Zhang Rong'er, reminding her of their shared past at Yanyu Tower and directly accusing her of helping Wu Lian bribe his way into an official position.
She also pressed Zhang Rong'er about the death of Lin Rulan seven years prior, suggesting Zhang Rong'er's subsequent retreat into a secluded courtyard indicated a troubled conscience. Meng Wan then revealed Tian Xiaoling, who had lived at the Nunnery for seven years, asking if Zhang Rong'er remembered her.
Though Zhang Rong'er denied knowing Tian Xiaoling and tried to leave, Meng Wan held her, questioning why she continued to protect and please Wu Lian despite his mistreatment, emphasizing that true peace of mind required atonement. Overcome with emotion, Zhang Rong'er broke down. She tearfully confessed that her life had been controlled by others since she was a child, having been deceived and forced by her cousin to lose her virginity.
She believed she had suffered enough to pay for her past sins and only wished for freedom and control over her own destiny, imploring Meng Wan to leave her alone. Meng Wan, however, firmly countered that simply moving away would not absolve her of the suffering inflicted upon the women of Yanyu Tower, and her sins would haunt her forever unless she faced them. Pressed further, Zhang Rong'er finally revealed the existence of a secret, small account book.
This ledger, she explained, meticulously documented all of Wu Lian's illicit dealings, from procuring doctors and abortion pills for pregnant embroideresses, to bribing family members of troubled women, influencing local officials, and even the recent bribery involved in securing his director position. This book, wrapped in yellow cloth, was hidden in the Buddha shrine within Yanyu Tower's secluded courtyard, its existence unknown to Wu Lian. Unbeknownst to Meng Wan, Wu An had secretly followed Zhang Rong'er to Qingshui Nunnery.
Overhearing her confession about the hidden account book detailing Wu Lian's illicit activities, Wu An immediately reported back to Wu Lian, confirming the book's location in the Buddha shrine. Wu An retrieved the book before Meng Wan could.
Wu Lian, cynically remarking on Zhang Rong'er's "kind-hearted" nature, ordered Wu An to return the book to its original hiding place in the Buddha shrine, anticipating that Meng Wan would soon come for it and setting a trap in his study to lure her or her allies. Meanwhile, Li Chunfeng, having been isolated at home, stumbled upon the news of Wu Lian's grand banquet celebrating his appointment as director of the Embroidery Office.
Sensing trouble, he went to Yanyu Tower, where he witnessed Wu An returning the yellow-wrapped account book to the Buddha shrine. Seizing the opportunity, Li Chunfeng stealthily retrieved the book. Meng Wan, having received an invitation from Wu Lian, decided to attend the banquet, her true objective being to locate the account book. Despite Liu Xin's concerns about her safety and visibility, she insisted on entering through the front while he would provide backup from the rear.
Wu Lian's trap was sprung, and Li Chunfeng, engrossed in the contents of the account book in the study, was ambushed by Wu An and his men. Wu Lian demanded the book. Li Chunfeng, severely beaten and bleeding, feigned surrender, offering the book from his robes. As Wu An moved to retrieve it, Li Chunfeng suddenly produced a small knife and lunged at Wu Lian, only to be stabbed by Wu An in the chest.
Just then, Meng Wan arrived, witnessing the brutal beating and ordering them to stop. Wu Lian, defiant, burned the account book to ashes right before her eyes, daring her to challenge him further. He taunted that Li Chunfeng could be dismissed as a mere thief and Meng Wan an interfering woman whose injuries would be "normal."
Before the situation could escalate further, Liu Xin appeared, holding a knife to Wu Lian's throat, forcing him to order his men to stand down. Liu Xin then quickly spirited Meng Wan and a mortally wounded Li Chunfeng away, escaping through the back door as Wu Lian directed his men to pursue them discreetly through the front, unwilling to disturb his banquet guests. Despite their escape, Li Chunfeng was gravely wounded.
Meng Wan and Liu Xin brought him back to his humble room. With his last breaths, Li Chunfeng urged Meng Wan, "Tian Xiaoling is waiting for you at Qingshui Nunnery." He directed her to his study, where she found a rabbit-shaped lantern, which he had made for Tian Xiaoling. Li Chunfeng confessed that he had sent a letter to Qingshui Nunnery, promising to meet her at his home on the upcoming Qiqiao Festival.
As his life ebbed, he asked Meng Wan and Liu Xin to go in his stead, entrusting them with a gift he had prepared on his bed and a letter on his desk for Tian Xiaoling. His final, poignant request was that if Tian Xiaoling was unwilling to leave the mountain, they must "never force her," threatening to haunt them if they did. Meng Wan solemnly promised to honor his wish.
Li Chunfeng passed away, holding the rabbit lantern, lamenting that he was "not meant to have this lantern." On the Qiqiao Festival, Meng Wan, Liu Xin, and their companions arrived at Qingshui Nunnery with a display of rabbit lanterns, fulfilling Li Chunfeng's dying wish. They presented Tian Xiaoling with the lantern and the letter. In his letter, Li Chunfeng expressed deep regret over their seven-year separation, imagining a simple, happy life they could have shared.
He stated his intention to meet her at his home at noon that day to propose marriage, promising not to blame her or bother her again if she did not come. He concluded by reflecting on their shared tendency to hide behind facades, realizing it was all "self-deception." Reading his words, Tian Xiaoling was overwhelmed with grief and immediately fled back to the Qingshui Nunnery, where she mourned his death throughout the night.
The friends of Li Chunfeng gathered at his home, mourning his death, settling his debts, and waiting in vain for Tian Xiaoling. As noon passed without her arrival, an official messenger invited them to the Zuixian Restaurant, where Lou Mingzhang awaited. There, Lou Mingzhang explained the dire situation: with Wu Lian now officially appointed as a capital official, his case would fall under the jurisdiction of the Dali Court in the capital, placing it beyond Lou Mingzhang's reach.
He lamented that the Dali Court was notoriously overburdened and understaffed, implying any further pursuit of justice there would be futile. Despite the group's pleas, Lou Mingzhang maintained that as an inquisitor, his duty was to all people, not just those in Huaizhou. He offered a solemn apology, promising to return if his assistance was ever again needed, before announcing his imminent departure for the capital the next day.
The meal concluded in a somber mood, though the group understood Lou Mingzhang's constrained position. The following day, as Lou Mingzhang and his wife prepared to leave Huaizhou by carriage, Meng Wan and her companions strategized. Meng Wan, acknowledging that there was "no way back," declared it was now her turn to act. When questioned about the impact on her husband Xu Ziyang's reputation, Meng Wan revealed she had already left her divorce settlement, signifying her complete commitment to justice. As she stepped forward to intercept Lou Mingzhang's carriage at the city gate, Tian Xiaoling suddenly emerged, kneeling dramatically before the carriage and loudly accusing Wu Lian of rape.
