Her Fantastic Adventures Episode 8 Recap
> Her Fantastic Adventures Recap
Duan Yu suspected that Magistrate Du must be aware of the young woman's gamble to donate grain, believing there was something suspicious behind it. He instructed Xing Si to have someone keep a close watch on the prefect's gate. Xing Si questioned if Magistrate Du was perhaps using this situation to pressure Duan Yu into marrying Ruoyun.
Duan Yu dismissed the idea, stating Magistrate Du would not resort to such an absurd method involving a matter as critical as food supply for personal marital affairs. He insisted that Xing Si just ensure the prefect's gate was monitored. He then asked Xing Si to summon Shaoyi. When Shaoyi arrived, he seemed to think Duan Yu had discovered something else, but Duan Yu revealed he knew Shaoyi and Ruoyun were drinking at the pavilion.
Shaoyi explained he was only keeping Ruoyun company because she was upset about seeing Duan Yu with Miss Gu. Duan Yu countered that it was Shaoyi who was truly upset. Shaoyi voiced his displeasure with Gu Qingqiao, calling her eccentric and inferior to Ruoyun. Duan Yu mused on fate and clarified that although he grew up with Ruoyun, he had always regarded her as a younger sister.
When Shaoyi questioned why he had then been ignoring her, Duan Yu explained that his deliberate coldness was intended to shield her from damaging rumors, likening it to Xing Si's unspoken affection for her. He stressed the importance of protecting family members, regardless of personal feelings. Shaoyi directly asked if Duan Yu genuinely liked Gu Qingqiao and intended to marry her.
Duan Yu admitted that his initial interactions were part of an investigation, but he gradually realized she was different from other women and he felt significantly happier when he was with her. He added that there was a matter of great importance to the Duan family, and once it was resolved, he would formally propose to and marry her.
Finally, he mentioned he had the pavilion cleaned and suggested Shaoyi take Ruoyun there if she was feeling down, cautioning them to keep it discreet from outsiders and the Du family. Yang Chunfeng was celebrating his impending success and status as Chairman, confident he was about to make a fortune from the grain shortage. However, an underling reported that Duan Yu was unexpectedly selling grain at a low price.
Yang Chunfeng was shocked and upset, having believed he had bought up all the available grain in the vicinity, making Duan Yu's access to supply impossible. The underling relayed that Duan Yu was claiming the grain was "relief" rather than purchased stock. Despite his confusion and frustration, Yang Chunfeng decided to remain calm and observe the situation for a couple more days.
Gu Qingqiao had been actively trying to secure help, successfully getting Mr. Miao on board, which she hoped would alleviate the grain shortage and ease Duan Yu's burden. Duan Yu arrived to visit her, prompting her surprise that he wasn't preoccupied with the grain crisis. He explained he had simply stopped by, and she welcomed him warmly. Duan Yu shared that, following Mr. Miao's commitment, several other tavern owners had also agreed to suspend operations and donate their grain supply.
He expressed admiration for Gu Qingqiao, saying he had never seen a woman risk her life for the sake of others like she did, and she asked him to call her Xiao Qiao. Duan Yu commented on her beautiful smile, encouraging her to smile more often.
He then revealed that an idea had come to him while she was intoxicated: the fact that grain couldn't be purchased or found meant it was likely being hoarded, and locating the hoarder would resolve the crisis. Gu Qingqiao complimented his intelligence, and they decided to go out together. Meanwhile, Ruoyun was sadly recalling how Duan Yu used to enjoy her tea. Shaoyi took Ruoyun to Chunfeng Restaurant. Coincidentally, they saw Duan Yu and Gu Qingqiao there.
Ruoyun became upset and wanted to leave. Gu Qingqiao followed her, asking if they were still friends, but Ruoyun stated she didn't have friends like her, expressing anger about her father's perceived corruption by Yang Chunfeng. Later, Ruoyun requested to see Duan Yu and informed him that she knew the location of Yang Chunfeng's hidden grain. She offered to reveal the information on the condition that he agree to something, and Duan Yu accepted her terms.
Duan Yu sent Shaoyi to find Xing Si and the Wuyi Guards and bring them to West Mountain, instructing him to follow the marks he would leave. He also told Shaoyi to return to Chunfeng Restaurant afterward to watch Yang Chunfeng with Ruoyun. Ruoyun initially wanted to accompany Duan Yu, but Gu Qingqiao volunteered instead. Gu Qingqiao insisted on going with Duan Yu because of the potential danger, believing they could share the risk.
Duan Yu agreed, and they went together. They followed a grain carrier to a mountain cave in the western suburbs. Upon discovering the cave was guarded, Gu Qingqiao proposed subduing the guards, but Duan Yu favored caution. They observed guards discussing the high value of the hoarded grain and plotting to secretly sell damaged sacks. After the guards departed, Duan Yu and Gu Qingqiao entered the cave, confirming it held a massive supply, estimated at 40,000 dan.
The stone door closed, trapping them inside, and Gu Qingqiao expressed concern about the air. While lighting a fire, Gu Qingqiao detected wind, indicating an opening. Following the draft, they located an exit and managed to get out. They were immediately met by Xing Si and the Wuyi Guards who had arrived as backup.
Ruoyun was shocked to learn that Duan Yu had successfully located the grain hoard, totaling 40,000 dan, and she reminded him of the promise he had made. Duan Yu, accompanied by Gu Qingqiao, went to Chunfeng Restaurant to confront Yang Chunfeng. After some initial pleasantries, Duan Yu brought up the topic of the grain shortage and the merchants who had likely hoarded supplies but were now hesitant to sell.
He proposed a partnership with Yang Chunfeng, suggesting that by leveraging Yang Chunfeng's influence, they could sell the grain, alleviate the crisis, and still profit. Yang Chunfeng quickly realized that Duan Yu knew about the hidden grain in the western cave. Revealing the hoard was worth four million taels at the current market price, Yang Chunfeng offered Duan Yu one million for his assistance in resolving the crisis.
Duan Yu flatly refused, stating that the Chamber of Commerce would buy all 40,000 dan for only 200,000 taels, with no negotiation. He warned Yang Chunfeng that if civil unrest erupted due to the shortage, Magistrate Du would prioritize his own position and likely force Yang Chunfeng to release the grain, leaving him with nothing. Duan Yu argued that his offer was fair and advised Yang Chunfeng that accepting it would be the safest course of action.
He then proposed a wager: whether Magistrate Du would choose to protect his official position or Yang Chunfeng's illicit gains. Gu Qingqiao interjected, affirming Duan Yu's righteousness. Duan Yu pressed Yang Chunfeng to accept the deal, emphasizing the wisdom of securing the money now. Duan Yu then confronted Magistrate Du, presenting him with a copy of a grain transfer order.
He explained that this order had facilitated the rapid purchase of grain from neighboring provinces, compelling even cautious officials to comply, and revealed that the order, which should have remained solely with the Magistrate, had been given to him by Yang Chunfeng. When Magistrate Du denied the order had ever left his mansion, Duan Yu disclosed his wager with Yang Chunfeng, asserting they were betting on whether the Magistrate valued his official hat more than Yang Chunfeng's money.
Magistrate Du reacted with anger, interpreting this as a threat. Duan Yu calmly clarified that the real threat came not from him, but from the grain sacks found in the cave in the west of the city, which bore the magistrate's official seal on them. He confirmed that 40,000 dan of grain had been located, proving the hoard existed and implicating the magistrate directly. Faced with this undeniable evidence, Magistrate Du was compelled to act.
The grain crisis in Changqing was subsequently resolved as grain was distributed to the grateful citizens. To reward Gu Qingqiao, Duan Yu bought her a new hairpin to replace the one he had accidentally broken. Later, Gu Qingqiao bought a pair of rings and gave one to Duan Yu, explaining they were called "couple rings" in her hometown, symbolizing that their hearts were linked.
She insisted he wear it, stating it was a way of declaring his heart was taken and warding off other suitors, calling it a romantic ritual. Duan Yu, amused by her unique ideas, accepted the ring. They celebrated their success by drinking Yangmei wine. As Gu Qingqiao became increasingly intoxicated, she began revealing intimate secrets.
Earlier, she had a vivid dream of returning to her original world, frantically searching for her family and her watch, only to awaken and fear it might be a premonition that Lu Zizheng would harm her, especially given the secrecy surrounding the Nine-turn Melodious Bell as a sacred relic of the Mantra Sect. Now, while drunk, she confessed to Duan Yu that she was not from his world and was not actually the daughter of a restaurant owner.
She explained that in her previous life, she was a simple, ordinary person, once a dedicated discus athlete who loved bubble tea and her bus ride home. After an injury ended her athletic career, she became what she called a "three no" person – without a career, future, or love. She revealed that she was the "Star of Rebellion."
Showing him the Nine-turn Melodious Bell, she called it one of the Four Treasures, which was supposed to be her path back home. However, she tearfully told him that meeting him had used up all her luck and that he was now her entire dream, making the search for the Four Treasures irrelevant. She declared her intention to make his family her family, his ambition her ambition, and his responsibility her responsibility.
She pledged to share all his burdens with him and vowed that with her by his side, he would never feel isolated or lonely. Duan Yu initially thought she was merely speaking from intoxication, but she insisted she was serious and had never shared these truths with anyone else before him.
