Hilarious Family 2 Episode 23 Recap
> Hilarious Family 2 Recap
The newly wed Ai Sixi awoke in a festive room, her head throbbing from the previous night's celebratory drinks. She smiled contentedly upon seeing Jing Kan asleep on the floor. However, her morning tranquility was short-lived as she rushed to check on her mother, only to find Mai Youyou's room empty. A letter lay on the table. Ai Sixi opened it with trembling hands and read her mother's message: "Sixi, yesterday was the happiest day of my life.
I heard the azaleas at Chongsheng Temple have bloomed. I'm going to appreciate them. Remember, you will always be my most precious treasure." Ai Sixi found the words "so cheesy" but couldn't shake the feeling that her mother had been "acting strangely lately," especially recalling her expression at the wedding. Anxious, she decided to go find Mai Youyou, asking a maid for directions.
Yet, the moment Ai Sixi stepped out, she was apprehended by officers who declared, "You are Ai Sixi? After verification by several citizens, Ai Sixi is the wanted criminal Jin Buhuan. Arrest her immediately for severe punishment. Any objections can be discussed at the yamen. Take her away!" This shocking revelation that she was the infamous killer of Landlord Song sent tremors through the household. News of Ai Sixi's arrest spread quickly, prompting Wei Junyi to gather the family.
Addressing the gathered family, Wei Junyi expressed disbelief, stating, "I can't believe Sixi would kill someone. If anyone dares to wrong her, we will even sell all our possessions to clear her name." However, Luo Zhusi questioned, "what if Sixi did kill someone? If it really was her, she should give others justice." Anxious, Jing Kan rushed to the yamen for information.
Upon his return, he declared that while Ai Sixi admitted to being Jin Buhuan, she insisted, "But she didn't kill anyone." When pressed about who told him this, Jing Kan clarified, "Sixi told me. Grandmother, I believe Sixi didn't kill anyone. We must find a way to save her." He learned from the yamen that Ai Sixi was scheduled to be sent to Anning Prefecture the next day, where she would "definitely be executed."
To protect the family's reputation, Wei Junyi instructed Luo Zhusi to ensure that "the fewer people who know about this, the better. We mustn't let anyone target Jinyu Tea or tarnish its reputation." She also dispatched someone with money and a letter to Lord Xu in Anning Prefecture to "help smooth things over," even suggesting to "arrange for her to have whatever she wants to eat or drink" if she were indeed guilty.
Luo Zhusi, prioritizing the family, advised Jing Kan to "get a divorce asap, so as not to bring disaster upon Jinyu Tea." But Jing Kan vehemently refused, asserting, "Absolutely not. No matter what, Sixi is my wife. I could never do such a thing." Someone else praised his loyalty, saying, "Jing Kan, just for what you just said, I respect you as a man."
Determined, Jing Kan recalled a conversation at the Plantation about Landlord Song's suspicious death, where it was suggested that "Jin Buhuan took the fall for him. That was huge. Someone hired him to poison Landlord Song. In the end, Jin Buhuan got unlucky and became the scapegoat." Realizing Ai Sixi might be framed, he promptly headed to the Plantation to find Long Er, hoping to uncover more clues.
Before he left, a family member offered help, saying, "Jing Kan, if Sixi needs anything, just let me know." At the Plantation, Jing Kan confronted Supervisor Lei, demanding to know Long Er's whereabouts. When Lei was evasive, Jing Kan threatened to expose Lei's tea embezzlement from the Plantation. Faced with the threat of being implicated, Supervisor Lei reluctantly allowed Jing Kan to see Long Er.
Long Er, under questioning, confessed that he had lied about poisoning Landlord Song and framing Jin Buhuan just to "make myself seem more impressive." He admitted, "I can't even kill a chicken. Would I dare poison him, huh?" He then revealed that the actual poisoner was "a man named Jiang Dayang," who was now "the guard for the Tans from Laolongtan Tea." Meanwhile, Ruan Ling and Wei Shuangxi arrived at the jail to visit Ai Sixi.
Only Wei Shuangxi was permitted entry, with Ruan Ling waiting outside. Inside, Wei Shuangxi brought "the 50-year-old Jinhua Wine from the Tongs" that Ai Sixi loved, despite it being the "last jar," a secret she swore not to tell Ruan Ling. Ai Sixi, surprised that Wei Shuangxi didn't first ask if she was guilty, confirmed, "No," to which Wei Shuangxi immediately responded, "Good. I believe you. Don't worry. Since you didn't kill him, we'll surely get you out of here."
Ai Sixi, however, felt a sense of fatalism, believing that Magistrate Meng was "eager to take credit" and that "whether I'm the real culprit or not doesn't matter now." She felt "relieved and very settled," but feared "dragging Jing Kan into this" and missing his victory in the Tea Contest.
As they drank and played games, Wei Shuangxi reaffirmed her commitment to Ai Sixi, jokingly stating she'd "go and tell the Emperor and see this through to the end" if Ai Sixi were to die, not "for your sake," but because "I just have nothing else to do." Ai Sixi then playfully worried about her thick neck being severed by an executioner. Eventually, both women became thoroughly drunk and fell asleep in the cell.
Ruan Ling, upon finding them, had to reluctantly drag a heavily inebriated Wei Shuangxi out, apologizing for the "smell of alcohol." Following Long Er's lead, Jing Kan and Ruan Ling proceeded to the Tan Mansion. The gatekeeper allowed only Jing Kan inside, as Ruan Ling was just a "friend of Jing Kan." Inside, Jing Kan met Chief Tan and directly stated his purpose: "I'm looking for someone. His name is Jiang Dayang."
Chief Tan denied any knowledge, claiming, "I really don't remember anyone named Jiang Dayang." When Jing Kan explained that his "wife has been framed for killing Landlord Song" and that Jiang Dayang was "the key witness," Chief Tan feigned concern and promised to "go ask around if anyone here knows someone named Jiang Dayang. Report back immediately if you find anything." Jing Kan left without receiving any concrete information.
Outside, Ruan Ling's attempts to discreetly inquire about a "Jiang" or someone from "Songxi County" among the guards were quickly shut down by a chief manager. Jing Kan rushed to the jail to see Ai Sixi, bringing her "cured goose, rice, mutton dumplings, and your favorite steamed fresh fish," all hot and ready to eat. Ai Sixi, surprisingly, did not appear overtly sad.
Jing Kan, seeing her comfort, worried about her sleeping conditions but Ai Sixi dismissed his concerns, saying, "Don't trouble yourself. It's fine. Anyway, I'll be taken to Anning Prefecture tomorrow." Jing Kan vehemently declared, "You won't go there. I won't let you go there." Ai Sixi acknowledged his belief in her innocence, reiterating, "I really didn't kill Landlord Song, but now Magistrate Meng insists I'm the murderer. Whatever I explain, it's useless."
She expressed deep worry that further resistance would "implicate you," fearing they might "pin a charge of harboring a criminal on you and then execute you." In a moment of resignation, she even suggested, "Landlord Song was not kind to begin with. Look, I'm trading my life for his. It's a good deal, isn't it? It's like ridding the people of a menace." Jing Kan, however, was unwavering.
He admitted, "I know in your heart, I've always been someone who acts rashly and easily gets carried away. But this time, I have a very strong intuition that you'll be fine." He asked Ai Sixi to "Trust me. Trust my intuition," and requested her help with one thing. Ai Sixi, despite her trust, asked for three favors in return: "First, don't attempt a jailbreak. Second, don't go begging those officials. Third, find a quick and sharp executioner.
I don't want to suffer twice." Jing Kan felt disheartened, sensing her lack of faith. Ai Sixi quickly reassured him, "I do believe you. I always have, Jing Kan. I'm just saying, just in case your intuition isn't as accurate as you think. On the day of the execution, don't come to see me." Jing Kan, determined, promised, "You'll be fine. You'll be just fine."
Jing Kan, Wei Shuangxi, Ruan Ling, and Guiwei gathered to devise a plan to save Ai Sixi. While Wei Shuangxi, Ruan Ling, and Guiwei were frantic, Jing Kan remained calm and collected. Guiwei suggested, 'Spread the word that we've created Banfang Tea,' a plan Ruan Ling immediately grasped, exclaiming, "I get it. Let's do it." Wei Shuangxi, confused, asked, "Why?" Ruan Ling explained, "We must have this news spread throughout Taiping County. This is the only way to save Sixi."
This news reached Wei Junyi, who, though "puzzled" by Jing Kan's actions, surmised, "But I'm sure it has something to do with saving Ai Sixi." The next day, as time was running out, Wei Shuangxi frantically asked Jing Kan, "Kan, there are only two hours left before Sixi is taken away. What should we do?" Jing Kan calmly replied, "Let's keep waiting." His patience was rewarded when Chief Tan unexpectedly arrived, greeting Jing Kan with "Do you sell tea here?"
Jing Kan, who had been expecting him, responded, "Chief Tan. I've been waiting for you." Chief Tan, surprised, asked, "How did you know I'd definitely come?" Jing Kan reiterated the urgency of finding Jiang Dayang, stating, "The urgent task now is to find Jiang Dayang. I'm sure he's hiding in Laolongtan Tea. They just won't hand him over. If only we knew someone in Laolongtan Tea."
At this, Ruan Ling suddenly remembered someone who might be able to help, saying, "If so, I remember someone." Acting on Ruan Ling's suggestion, Wei Shuangxi approached the identified contact. After some flirtatious banter and drinks, Wei Shuangxi successfully lured him into a room, saying, "Sir, would you like to go inside for a chat? Sure. Let's go." Once inside, Ruan Ling and others appeared, revealing the trap.
The man, realizing he had been "set up," tried to leave, especially after Ruan Ling mentioned Jiang Dayang's name. However, Ruan Ling presented compelling evidence (likely involving money, with her saying "Be sparing with it"). The contact then divulged the deep-seated rivalry between the Tan and Jing clans, explaining that "The Tan Clan and the Jing Clan are sworn enemies."
He revealed that "Laolongtan Tea once sent a spy to the Jing Clan" decades ago "to steal their pan-firing techniques," but the spy "had a falling out with Laolongtan Tea and never returned." He admitted he didn't know the spy's identity or Jiang Dayang's current whereabouts, and doubted Jiang Dayang would confess to a "capital offense." With this critical information, Jing Kan dismissed the contact, declaring, "I already know what to do."
Jing Kan then directly confronted Chief Tan, offering him the long-sought secret of Banfang Tea. He presented a cup of the freshly prepared tea, stating, "The tea is already on the table. Please drink it while it's hot." Chief Tan, initially skeptical ("Why should I believe you?" ), was astonished upon tasting it, admitting, "You really did it." Jing Kan then pressed him, "I made the tea, but have you found the man?"
Chief Tan, realizing the value of Jing Kan's sacrifice, remarked, "Banfang Tea is worth at least a mountain of gold and silver, yet you're giving it to me so easily. It seems your feelings for your wife are really deep." Jing Kan insisted, "Where is Jiang Dayang?" Chief Tan admitted to having "some clues" but claimed finding him was "not an easy task." Without hesitation, Jing Kan handed over the Banfang Tea recipe, emphasizing, "Time is of the essence.
If we wait any longer, there will be nothing left to exchange." Ignoring Chief Tan's comment about how much he paid Jiang Dayang's family, Jing Kan simply stated, "I don't want to know. I just want to see Sixi." Chief Tan then instructed his subordinate, Bai, to "Tell Jiang Dayang that it's time for him to repay his debt." While Jing Kan secured the recipe, Ruan Ling rallied their group for funds.
She explained that the doorman of the Tan Mansion was "definitely the biggest weak link" and likely knew many secrets, but they needed money. Ruan Ling, Wei Shuangxi, and Guiwei, moved by Ai Sixi's plight, generously contributed their personal savings. Ruan Ling offered her "funeral money," while Wei Shuangxi, claiming "I don't have money," offered her bracelet as "collateral." Guiwei also pledged, "This is all I have," promising to save money from now on.
Witnessing their profound dedication to Ai Sixi, Jing Kan was deeply touched. Wei Shuangxi anxiously paced outside the jail, wondering, "Why hasn't Sixi come out?" Moments later, Ai Sixi was released, overjoyed to see her friends and husband. Tearfully, she asked, "What's going on? I thought I was going to die. How did you save me?" Ruan Ling informed her that "Your silly husband exchanged Banfang Tea for you." Ai Sixi was surprised, "Just Banfang Tea?
You didn't spend any money?" Ruan Ling indicated it "must have cost a lot," but Guiwei assured her, "They're just material things. Don't worry about it." Ai Sixi gratefully offered, "I'll pay you back slowly," but Ruan Ling, referencing her own "funeral money," retorted, "Forget about paying it back." Ai Sixi playfully agreed not to, to which Ruan Ling jokingly insisted, "No, you can't." Ai Sixi then expressed concern to Jing Kan, "But you sold Banfang Tea.
What about the Tea Contest?" Jing Kan, with a reassuring smile, told her, "It's okay. There is always a way out. Besides, as long as we are united, there's no obstacle we can't overcome." Wei Shuangxi, Ruan Ling, and Guiwei, relieved by Ai Sixi's safety, suggested they go out to eat and celebrate at Fu's Restaurant, with Jing Kan treating them. Meanwhile, news reached Wei Junyi that Laolongtan Tea had "developed a new type of tea called Luhuaxian.
It tastes exactly like Banfang Tea." The maid reported that "everyone is saying that Laolongtan Tea's pan-fired tea has surpassed Jinyu Tea," urging Wei Junyi to "do something." Wei Junyi, contemplating Jing Kan's unexpected cleverness, humorously lamented, "When will Aji become clever? He's been romantically clever."
She also learned that more people than just Mr. An, including "Tea-gold" (a person whose tea is valued "one tael of his tea is said to be worth one tael of gold"), were assisting Jing Kan. Dismissing her maid's attempts to downplay these "trifles," Wei Junyi declared her intention to exploit Jing Kan's newfound success. " As the saying goes, pride goes before a fall. This time, we'll do the opposite. We'll let Jing Kan fly higher, so he can fall harder."
