Hilarious Family 2 Episode 5 Recap
> Hilarious Family 2 Recap
Luo Zhusi was furious upon learning that Jing Kan had received the worst of the family's shops. Her maid tried to calm her, reminding her that the Anping Bridge shop was shabby and inauspicious. However, Luo Zhusi was more concerned that Mr. An had spoken on Jing Kan's behalf, suggesting a burgeoning alliance. She saw this as the Old Lady paving the way for Jing Kan, believing her position would eventually be usurped.
Luo Zhusi acknowledged that the Old Lady was left with no choice but to rely on her, but vowed to "give Jing Kan another push" to expose his uselessness to the matriarch. Meanwhile, Jing Kan, frustrated with his own weakness, carved a straw figure with his name on it, declaring his intention to "kill the weak self within me." Ai Sixi, observing him, consoled him, teasing that she expected him to be wailing after failing to become the Chief.
Jing Kan explained that the Jing family held deep respect for the An clan, who had saved their ancestors upon their arrival in Taiping County, and Mr. An himself had significantly aided Jinyu Tea in its early days. Though emotional, Jing Kan denied crying, claiming it was his "weak self flickering back to life" and that he would "draw him back in." He asserted that he wanted everyone to acknowledge his existence.
Ai Sixi reminded him that avenging his mother should be his priority, not saving face. Jing Kan agreed, adding that a man might be killed but never humiliated. As they spoke, a servant delivered a letter from Mr. An, inviting both Jing Kan and Ai Sixi to his courtyard for a chat. Across the Jing estate, Jing Zhenzhu hammered on her mother Xue Muyun's door, demanding a shop.
She complained that the three shops allocated to the first branch weren't solely Xue Muyun's, and that even Jing Kan, who treated his aunt (Luo Zhusi) poorly, received one, while she, who constantly called her "Mother," got nothing. Xue Muyun firmly refused, stating that Jing Zhenzhu was not suited for business and spent money like water. Giving her a shop would only harm her.
Jing Zhenzhu then suggested calling Luo Zhusi her mother, pointing out that Luo Zhusi, not a Jing by birth, managed nine shops. Xue Muyun dismissed her daughter and son-in-law as "two pests" and left. Jing Kan and Ai Sixi arrived at Mr. An's serene courtyard. After thanking Mr. An for his support, Jing Kan denied any disappointment about not becoming Chief.
Ai Sixi, noticing Jing Kan's emotional state, teased that his "weak self is truly dead" and suggested their past favors (saving Mr. An's life) had balanced their karma. Mr. An clarified that his support for Jing Kan was not due to any debt, but "tea to drink." He then challenged Jing Kan to identify three different teas. Ai Sixi, unable to drink tea due to her pregnancy, asked if there was a reward; Mr. An only offered praise.
Jing Kan correctly identified the first tea as "Anhua Foshou from Laolongtan Tea," describing its unique steaming method and flavor profile. He then named the second as "Tingxicui from Ruicao Tea," noting a subtle shift in its floral fragrance. He explained the distinct tea-making methods of Taiping's three major tea shops: steaming for Laolongtan, pan-firing for Jinyu Tea, and flower-scenting for Ruicao Tea. Ai Sixi, growing impatient, assumed the third tea must be from Jinyu Tea.
Jing Kan, upon tasting it, found it familiar yet "a bit thin." Mr. An then revealed it was "Banfang Tea," a tea created by Jing Kan's own mother over ten years ago. He eloquently described its "three greens" and "three scents," attributing them to a unique pan-firing method now lost. Mr. An had tried for years to recreate it, but without success, and lamented the original creator was "no longer here."
This revelation deeply moved Jing Kan, who realized Mr. An was speaking of his mother. Ai Sixi, witnessing Jing Kan's emotional turmoil, felt a sympathetic "stomach ache," which she blamed on cold water. Jing Kan reflected on how his mother's Banfang Tea had helped Jinyu Tea win the Tea Contest and earn the right to make tribute tea, yet her contributions remained unseen. Ai Sixi encouraged him to live for himself and prioritize avenging his mother.
Inspired, Jing Kan declared his intention to open the Anping Bridge shop and "take back, piece by piece, what my mother lost to Luo Zhusi." Ai Sixi promptly reminded him to pay her on time, to which Jing Kan promised he would never break his word. He commented on how their fates seemed to align, turning misfortune into fortune. When Jing Kan asked Ai Sixi to help him manage the shop, she offered to recommend someone instead.
Ai Sixi later introduced her cousin, Guiwei, as "Mr. Wise of Taiping County" to Guiwei, preparing him for the role. Guiwei was hesitant about the elaborate charade, but Ai Sixi explained that she might need to flee someday and wanted to secure his future, having already negotiated a generous salary of five taels a month. Guiwei, amazed by his good fortune, confirmed that Jing Kan was indeed the eldest grandson of Jinyu Tea.
Ai Sixi again experienced period-like pains, blaming cold water. She then instructed Guiwei to pack his belongings, as she would be taking him to the Jing Residence. Upon arriving at the lavish Jing estate, Guiwei was visibly awestruck, despite Ai Sixi's warnings to keep his voice down.
Ai Sixi arranged a magnificent feast for Guiwei, ordering "a full set" of every dish on the menu, including Lubo meat, mandarin duck roast, pan-dragon dish, stir-fried prawns, frog legs, bamboo shoot chicken breast, braised pufferfish, flower pearls, braised venison, braised mushroom, stir-fried Huangcai with jellyfish, steamed eggplant, and Gelidium amansii. She told Guiwei to pack any leftovers. Ai Sixi then excused herself to "scout around," as the situation outside was "not so tense."
Ai Sixi visited the Taiping Government yamen to inquire about Jin Buhuan. To her shock, the officer, Jia, informed her that Jin Buhuan had been apprehended for the murder of Landlord Song, Prefect Song's brother, and that seven or eight individuals linked to Jin Buhuan had already been sent to Anning Prefecture. Jia dismissed concerns about wrongful accusations, stating that those who could be linked to Jin Buhuan's notorious name were habitual criminals anyway.
Realizing the danger this posed, Ai Sixi quickly feigned disinterest and left the yamen. Back at the Jing Residence, Guiwei continued to devour the lavish meal. Jing Zhenzhu, passing by, inquired about him. Guiwei, identifying himself as Ai Sixi's cousin, mistook Jing Zhenzhu for a "nanny," further irritating her. He then brazenly offered her a chicken leg with his unwashed hands. Disgusted, Jing Zhenzhu threw the chicken leg back at him, leading to a heated exchange.
Threatening to headbutt him, Jing Zhenzhu charged, but Guiwei dodged, causing her to collide with a doorframe and injure her head. Xue Muyun and the servants rushed to her aid. Later, Ai Sixi returned, and Guiwei recounted Jing Zhenzhu's antics. Ai Sixi dismissed it as merely "more odd folks here."
Feeling guilty about the innocent people wrongly implicated as Jin Buhuan, Ai Sixi instructed Guiwei to find a trusted person to write a letter to the Anning Prefecture yamen, clarifying that Landlord Song's death was related to "Sweet Couple Tea" and not Jin Buhuan, to exonerate the "seven or eight people" arrested. Guiwei offered to make her some brown sugar water for her "period pain."
Jing Kan then entered, immediately recognizing Guiwei despite Ai Sixi's attempts to maintain his "Mr. Wise" facade. After Guiwei left to make the brown sugar water, Jing Kan asked Ai Sixi about her "scheming." He mentioned tidying up the shop and planning its operation with Guiwei. Ai Sixi then demanded the 4 taels, 3 qian, and 50 wen Jing Kan owed her, and upon hearing the total was "a little over 50 taels," she insisted on immediate payment.
She dramatically declared her intention to leave Anning Prefecture for distant lands like Dali, Turfan, or Suzhou. Jing Kan, however, stated he had no money, jokingly suggesting he'd have to sell his grandmother's cane. Ai Sixi accused him of "boiling a frog in warm water," prompting Jing Kan to promise repayment within six months. He jokingly told her to "get out," then quickly corrected himself, inviting her to sit.
Jing Zhenzhu, her head now bandaged, complained to Xue Muyun about Guiwei. Xue Muyun, realizing Zhenzhu had been unreasonable, simply laughed. In the kitchen, Guiwei prepared brown sugar rice wine for Ai Sixi when a maid overheard him. Suspicious of Ai Sixi's supposed pregnancy and concurrent period, Wei Junyi arrived to check on her. Wei Junyi presented Ai Sixi with fish maw.
As Guiwei brought the brown sugar rice wine, he innocently blurted out that Ai Sixi's "period came, so her belly hurts." Wei Junyi, realizing the contradiction, began to laugh and insisted on calling a physician. Ai Sixi tried to avoid it, claiming she was fine and it was a waste of money. However, Wei Junyi insisted, "to be safe." Physician Zhou was summoned. As he prepared to take Ai Sixi's pulse, she discreetly slipped him silver under the table.
Wei Junyi's maid attempted to expose Ai Sixi, but Ai Sixi quickly silenced her. Physician Zhou, having been bribed, declared Ai Sixi's "pregnancy signs are steady. . . the child is very healthy," like "pearls rolling on a jade plate," and stated no stabilizing medicine was necessary. Everyone was surprised. Jing Kan then spoke to Physician Zhou, confirming that with his help, the child's true parentage could "forever remain hidden," thus allowing his revenge to "forever be taken."
Ai Sixi hushed them, claiming the "child is sleepy" and "kicking" her. Just as they began to celebrate this successful deception, Wei Junyi suddenly pushed open the door and entered, coldly stating, "Good, you're all here."
