Resumen del episodio 8 de The Heiress
> Resúmenes de The Heiress
Wang Zhongyu, hidden in Han Shiyi's closet, was startled to discover she was a woman. He made a sound, but quickly used the Han mansion's cat as an excuse to avoid being discovered. Later, after a small, peculiar fire broke out in an uninhabited part of the mansion, Han Shiyi inspected the room and found signs of tampering near the closet. Realizing the fire and the cat were a diversion tactic, she concluded they had been careless.
Concerned their private conversations might have been overheard and recognizing the danger now extended beyond just the Fifth Prince, Han Shiyi instructed her two female guards, Jinzi and Yinzi, to strictly follow pre-arranged plans to clear the Han Army of any deception against the Emperor should anything happen to her, emphasizing that her own life was not important.
Meanwhile, Chen Yanyi, aware of Wang Zhongyu's presence in the Han Mansion, worried that if Wang Zhongyu had discovered Han Shiyi's true identity, the Wang family might take action, endangering the Han family. He ordered an investigation into the Wang family's recent activities and secretly vowed to protect Han Shiyi and her secret. Wang Zhongyu, still reeling from the discovery, was shocked that "brother Shiyi was actually sister Shiyi."
He understood that if the Emperor ever found out, the Han family would face the calamity of extermination, acknowledging the heavy burden Han Shiyi carried. He then saw her as the perfect "Hua Mulan" heroine for his stories and resolved to protect her. Upon returning home, Wang Zhongyu was summoned to Prime Minister Wang's den, who was furious about Wang Zhongyu sneaking into Duke Han's mansion.
Wang Zhongyu lied, claiming he was simply retaliating against Han Shiyi for pushing him into the water. Prime Minister Wang warned him that his actions could strain their relationship with the Han family, but Wang Zhongyu retorted that a breakdown was inevitable, especially if his father's own secrets were revealed. Prime Minister Wang then instructed Wang Zhongyu to cease contact with Han Shiyi, as she was now allied with the Fifth Prince.
Wang Zhongyu questioned if a peaceful coexistence with the Han family was possible, even mentioning his father's past consideration of marrying Wang Xiyuan to Han Shiyi. Prime Minister Wang scoffed, asserting that coexistence was only possible if the Han family surrendered its military power, otherwise, they must be "wiped out." Wang Zhongyu realized that the Han family's military power was their "wealth that everyone covets," and his own family was undeniably greedy.
Soon after, Wang Xiyuan approached Wang Zhongyu, concerned about his reprimand from their father. She then pressed him for information on the Fifth Prince. Wang Zhongyu told her that their father would never approve of her marrying the Fifth Prince and urged her to give up her pursuit. Unyielding, Wang Xiyuan insisted on pursuing her own happiness and begged Wang Zhongyu to arrange a meeting with the Fifth Prince, promising to abandon her affections if rejected. Wang Zhongyu reluctantly agreed.
He took a disguised Wang Xiyuan to the Imperial College, placing her on a path the Fifth Prince typically used, reminding her to remain inconspicuous and leave if rejected. Along the way, Wang Zhongyu encountered Chen Yanyi. Chen Yanyi questioned Wang Zhongyu about his disguise at Duke Han's mansion, indicating his awareness, and then warned him to manage his Yidian Pavilion well and know what he should and shouldn't do.
Han Shiyi, hiding behind a rockery, watched as Wang Xiyuan began her confession to the Fifth Prince. Han Shiyi found Wang Xiyuan feisty and pretty, acknowledging they were a suitable match, and wondered how Chen Yanyi would respond. As Wang Xiyuan approached Chen Yanyi, a guard mistook her for an assassin and kicked her to the ground. She bravely rose, introduced herself, but Chen Yanyi sternly reprimanded her for disguising herself and violating Imperial College rules.
Just as Wang Xiyuan was expressing her deep attraction to him, Chen Yanyi spotted Han Shiyi and called out, "Heard enough?" Startled, Han Shiyi lost her footing and tumbled from the rockery, only to be caught by Chen Yanyi. Han Shiyi apologized for interrupting the confession, jokingly pretending not to have heard anything, and even offered her "expert" consultation on confessions.
Wang Xiyuan, frustrated and embarrassed, blamed Han Shiyi for ruining her chance, convinced Chen Yanyi would have noticed her otherwise. Chen Yanyi, however, told Han Shiyi he was glad she interrupted, implying she understood his true feelings. Han Shiyi, remembering Chen Yanyi's belief that he preferred men like her, quickly tried to excuse herself, flustered. Shortly after, Han Shiyi mentioned a minor fire at her mansion the previous night.
Chen Yanyi then suggested Han Shiyi visit her grandaunt that day, which Han Shiyi agreed to, as she had been meaning to pay her respects. As Han Shiyi left the Imperial College, Wang Xiyuan, still enraged, lashed out with a whip, striking Han Shiyi and dislodging her hairpin, causing her hair to fall loose. Chen Yanyi swiftly intervened, shielding Han Shiyi's head with his robe to conceal her identity, and quickly escorted her to his carriage.
Wang Xiyuan attempted to physically punish her own handmaid for not stopping Han Shiyi. Zhou Xuezhang intervened to protect the handmaid, and Wang Zhongyu also stepped in, reminding Wang Xiyuan that the Imperial College was not her private estate for such unruly behavior and apologizing to Zhou Xuezhang. In the carriage, Chen Yanyi gently helped Han Shiyi re-tie her hair and then gave her his own exquisite hairpin, stating he never took back gifts.
He told her she no longer needed to hide her martial arts skills from others. He explained he had deduced her abilities when she fell from a tree, choosing a protective landing stance despite the pain, rather than revealing her skills. He assured her that if any trouble arose, he would personally cover for her. Han Shiyi felt a surge of happiness from his protective words.
After being dropped off at her mansion to change, Chen Yanyi quietly affirmed his commitment to keeping her safe. Han Shiyi visited her grandaunt, who welcomed her warmly. During their conversation, Han Shiyi cautiously inquired about the rumors regarding the Emperor's ascent to the throne with the Chu family's support. Her grandaunt confirmed that the Emperor was indeed an overlooked son of a concubine, but he was a cunning and reserved man.
He strategically married General Chu's daughter, Empress Yuan, to secure the Chu family's vital military backing, without which he would not have survived the brutal succession struggles. Han Shiyi noted the popular belief that the Emperor favored Empress Wang over the late Empress Yuan and wished to name the Second Prince, Empress Wang's son, as his heir, which was why he delayed the official announcement of the Crown Prince.
Her grandaunt warned Han Shiyi to be mindful of these complex political currents to avoid falling into traps, stressing that the Han family must remain a loyal and patriotic military force, never engaging in imperial power struggles. Later, her grandaunt noticed Chen Yanyi's hairpin in Han Shiyi's hair. She revealed it was a rare treasure made of black gold, not common violet gold, and was a deeply significant memento of the late Empress Yuan, gifted to Chen Yanyi.
She deduced that Chen Yanyi must hold Han Shiyi in extremely high regard to have given her such a precious item, again cautioning Han Shiyi to be more prudent in her actions. Reflecting on her grandaunt's revelations about the Emperor's calculating rise to power and the complex history of Empress Yuan and Empress Wang, Han Shiyi realized the hairpin's profound importance to Chen Yanyi. Given the existing misunderstandings about their relationship, she decided she absolutely could not keep it.
She also concluded that Chen Yanyi was a deeply "crafty" individual, requiring her to be even more cautious around him. The next day, Han Shiyi attempted to return the hairpin to Chen Yanyi, but he refused, reiterating that he never took back gifts and told her she could ask for it whenever she wanted. Chen Yanyi then invited Han Shiyi to join him for a meeting with other officials regarding Zhou Xuezhang's case.
Zhou Xuezhang was facing an accusation of being unfilial for not supporting his birth mother, a charge that would undoubtedly prevent him from becoming a supervisor and could ruin his entire career. He expressed confusion as to why the Li family would suddenly accuse him, suspecting manipulation and bribery, and lamenting the idea of sharing blood with such people. He even proposed begging them to tell the truth, to which Han Shiyi scoffed, saying begging solved nothing.
When Chen Yanyi asked Han Shiyi for a solution, she initially demurred. Chen Yanyi, seemingly giving up, then suggested that Han Shiyi take over the supervisor position. Realizing this was Chen Yanyi's cunning way to pressure her, Han Shiyi suddenly "had an idea." Knowing that Zhou Xuezhang's status as supervisor was due to her, and not wanting to see his career ruined, she proposed a strategy to "beat them in their own game."
Han Shiyi and Chen Yanyi visited Madam Lee's lavish home, immediately suspecting she was being manipulated by unseen forces, as her visible wealth contradicted her claims of needing support. Han Shiyi introduced herself and Chen Yanyi as Imperial College students investigating the accusation, with Chen Yanyi being the "official in charge." Madam Lee complained about Zhou Xuezhang's ingratitude now that he was successful.
Han Shiyi explained that because everyone knew Zhou Xuezhang as a "Zhou" with a Zhou mother, it would be difficult to legally prove Madam Lee's claim as his birth mother and his obligation to her. She suggested Madam Lee transfer some property to Zhou Xuezhang to solidify their relationship and his responsibility. Madam Lee and her family were hesitant to part with their land, calling it their "life."
Han Shiyi then subtly implied the transfer could be a "fake title deed" to win the lawsuit and teach Zhou Xuezhang a lesson, while highlighting his current prosperity (carriages, a house in the capital) compared to her rural life. Madam Lee finally agreed. The next day, Han Shiyi and her attendants arrived at Madam Lee's land, announcing plans to clear it for new crops. Madam Lee was bewildered, having believed the transfer document was fake.
Han Shiyi clarified that the deed was indeed real and that for Zhou Xuezhang to be legally obligated to support her, he had to inherit her property. Realizing she had been tricked, Madam Lee grew furious. Han Shiyi then challenged her to prove Zhou Xuezhang was her son, prompting Madam Lee to produce the original deed of sale, which stated she had sold Zhou Xuezhang to the Zhou family for fifty taels of silver.
As the county magistrate, Chen Yanyi pointed out that, by selling him for those fifty taels, Zhou Xuezhang had, in essence, already provided for Madam Lee's family. Chen Yanyi reprimanded Madam Lee for her false accusation. Though he initially threatened flogging, he spared her due to her age and status as Zhou Xuezhang's birth mother, warning her against any future false charges.
Madam Lee tearfully confessed that men from the capital had forced her to sign the document and given her something, claiming she couldn't read and didn't know their identities. Chen Yanyi deduced the Wang family was behind the scheme. Zhou Xuezhang, touched, thanked Madam Lee and promised to be filial to her. He then thanked Han Shiyi for clearing his name. Han Shiyi, downplaying his role, said he was simply bored and couldn't stand Madam Lee's "unreasonable behavior."
Zhou Xuezhang reflected that he would treat his birth mother better in the future. Han Shiyi, considering the matter resolved, then casually mentioned his desire to visit Hong'er and Luan'er at Yidian Pavilion. With the matter successfully resolved, Chen Yanyi informed Han Shiyi that he would take her somewhere special to reward her good performance. Han Shiyi playfully teased him, asking if he was taking her to meet new women. Chen Yanyi simply smiled, telling her she would see when they arrived. The two then rode together to a breathtaking, endless field of flowers, a world seemingly unto itself.
