Her Fantastic Adventures Episode 7 Recap
> Her Fantastic Adventures Recap
Miss Du, identified as Ruoyun, distributed newly made candy from Fengxiang Bakery to the people in the Chamber of Commerce, who were delighted, noting how difficult the candy was to purchase. Gu Qingqiao arrived and, upon seeing Duan Yu eating the candy, quickly claimed a toothache and left, feeling deeply hurt. Later, she spoke to her maid, Dongxi, expressing her sadness over Duan Yu and wondering if the emotional pain she was experiencing was what being in love felt like.
Ruoyun returned home and met with her father, Magistrate Du. After dismissing a subordinate, he told Ruoyun he was aware of her affection for Duan Yu but emphasized the importance of maintaining her social standing and his reputation. He reminded her of the care and education he had provided, calling her the most accomplished woman in Changqing.
Though he doted on her, he was pained to see her unhappy because of Duan Yu and even jokingly suggested kidnapping him for a marriage, which Ruoyun immediately refused as it would demean her. Magistrate Du then advised her that winning Duan Yu required strategic planning and schemes, not just emotional appeals, adding that a suitable opportunity was presenting itself.
Meanwhile, Duan Yu and Xing Si discussed the dire grain shortage in Changqing, exacerbated by heavy rains damaging the E barn and A barn. They noted that grain in neighboring regions had already been bought up, causing black market prices to surge, and worried their remaining stores wouldn't last. Gu Qingqiao overheard their conversation and became anxious for Duan Yu, the chairman of the Chamber of Commerce. Determined to help, she prepared food, including braised pork, and handmade candy.
She brought these to Duan Yu, who was touched by her thoughtfulness, remarking that his mother used to say nothing a bowl or two of braised pork couldn't fix. Gu Qingqiao then gave him a candy she had made, shaped like a dragon, explaining she knew he was destined for greatness like a "flying dragon" and that while others cared about his success, she cared about the difficulty of his journey.
This brought back fond memories for Duan Yu of his mother making similar candy and wishing him to be a great man. Gu Qingqiao showed him another candy, a sheep, explaining the different horns meant she was Aries and the "little dragon" and "little sheep" could play happily together. Duan Yu sincerely thanked her, expressing his appreciation for her effort and gift. Ruoyun arrived to see Duan Yu but found him sharing a moment with Gu Qingqiao.
Seeing them together, she realized Duan Yu did not feel the same way about her, despite her past belief that she was unique to him. Deeply saddened, she sought out Duan Shaoyi and insisted they drink together, ignoring his warnings about getting into trouble with his father or Duan Yu. She revealed she had seen Duan Yu and Miss Gu and that he liked her.
Shaoyi dismissed this as impossible, stating Duan Yu wouldn't easily like someone, especially not "that lunatic girl," if he didn't even like Ruoyun. Ruoyun was hurt by his bluntness, realizing others seemed aware of Duan Yu's lack of feeling for her. Xing Si found Ruoyun and Duan Shaoyi drinking and sternly told Shaoyi off for letting Ruoyun, who never drank, consume alcohol. Shaoyi insisted Ruoyun had forced him and asked Xing Si not to tell Duan Yu.
Xing Si ordered his subordinate, Ruoyi, to take Shaoyi back home immediately and make it seem as if nothing had happened. A visibly drunk Ruoyun clung to Xing Si, tearfully stating that he had always been the kindest person to her since they were children. Amidst the crisis, Qingfeng Restaurant kept its prices unchanged, as requested by the Chamber of Commerce. Gu Qingqiao and her father discussed ways to conserve grain.
Gu Qingqiao proposed suspending the buffet and introducing a "French-style" dining approach with individual servings, focusing on exquisite presentation, "food culture," and "sense of ritual" to enhance the dining experience while naturally reducing consumption. Her father praised her business acumen, saying Yang Chunfeng couldn't have come up with such an idea, and agreed they should save grain and support the community. Meanwhile, Duan Yu's efforts to secure grain were failing.
His attempt to purchase supplies in Yuzhou was thwarted when someone else bought the grain before his team could finalize the deal. He sent investigators to find the buyer and instructed his men to buy any available dry food like millet and corn if rice was unavailable. Recognizing the urgency, he sought help from Magistrate Du, requesting the government arrange a grain transfer from the court.
However, Magistrate Du was hesitant, stating the request was serious and could cost him his official position. He mentioned Ruoyun had also inquired about the grain, leading Duan Yu to express surprise at her civic concern. Magistrate Du clarified that Ruoyun's concern was purely for him, not the public. Magistrate Du ultimately refused to apply for the government grain transfer.
While Gu Xingwu, known as Master Gu, supervised Qingfeng Restaurant's porridge distribution to refugees, which was met with gratitude, Gu Qingqiao spoke with Duan Yu. She informed him that Qingfeng Restaurant's grain reserves were nearly depleted and she and her father planned to temporarily close the restaurant to donate their remaining grain if the shortage wasn't quickly resolved. Duan Yu explained his failed attempt to get government grain from Magistrate Du, who was evasive and unhelpful.
Gu Qingqiao suggested they approach Ruoyun, believing she would help them because she liked him. Duan Yu vehemently rejected the idea, stating it was inappropriate and "despicable" to involve personal feelings in a critical public matter like grain relief. Angered that he called her attempt to help despicable, Gu Qingqiao accused him of being ungrateful. Duan Yu, also losing his temper, told her to leave.
Remembering that grain is used to make liquor, Gu Qingqiao went to Miao's Tavern, a partner of Qingfeng Restaurant. She proposed that the owner, Mr. Miao, donate grain in exchange for a year's supply contract with Qingfeng Restaurant, with delivery delayed for two years. Mr. Miao was surprised and hesitant, stating he had never done business with a woman and needed grain for his business.
To prove her commitment and earn his trust, Gu Qingqiao proposed a drinking wager: she would drink five large jars of his potent sorghum liquor as a gesture of friendship. Impressed by her courage but also concerned about his reputation, Mr. Miao agreed to the bet, promising to donate more grain the more she drank, while he would drink double her amount. They asked Manager Li from next door to witness the wager.
As news of the unusual bet spread, Duan Yu and Xing Si rushed to the tavern. Duan Yu found Gu Qingqiao already heavily intoxicated and urged her to stop, but she playfully insisted she was drinking with her "brother." The onlookers explained the bet required her to drink alone, and if she stopped, her efforts would be wasted. Duan Yu watched anxiously, attempting to help with some rice, which she refused.
She continued drinking, talking nonsensically about "six-vein sword," until she finished the last jar and collapsed. Mr. Miao, deeply impressed by her determination and sacrifice, honored the bet and donated a significant amount of grain. Later, Gu Qingqiao woke up, initially fearing she hadn't finished and the donation failed, but was relieved to hear Mr. Miao had donated generously.
Yang Chunfeng reported to Magistrate Du that he had successfully procured and stored grain from Yuzhou and other areas, giving them control over Changqing's grain prices. Magistrate Du stated that if Yang Chunfeng could become the Chamber of Commerce chairman, the city would be firmly under his control. Yang Chunfeng's stated goals were to replace Duan Yu, expel Gu Xingwu, and take over Qingfeng Restaurant. Magistrate Du encouraged his ambition.
After Yang Chunfeng left, Ruoyun entered, having overheard part of the conversation. Magistrate Du confessed to Ruoyun that the entire scheme was orchestrated for her, as he knew she had loved Duan Yu since childhood. His plan was to create a severe grain shortage, forcing Duan Yu to seek his help, at which point his condition would be for Duan Yu to propose and marry Ruoyun.
Ruoyun was distressed, questioning if they could undo their actions and return the grain, fearing for her father's safety as secretly hoarding government-controlled grain was a serious crime. Magistrate Du dismissed her concerns, assuring her he would be safe as long as the grain's location remained secret, and that it was only a matter of time until a desperate Duan Yu would agree to marry her.
