In a Class of Her Own Episode 23 Recap
> In a Class of Her Own Recap
Following Feng Chengjun's perfect score of ten in the previous round, the Grand Archery Ceremony's final round continued. Yu Lexuan from Han Shengzhi's team skillfully scored an impressive nine points, securing the second round for his team and leveling the overall score at one all, making Wenxi's team anxious. An observer remarked on Han Shengzhi's discerning eye for talent, noting his selection of members like Han Shengxiong and Yu Lexuan.
They also added that if he could have recruited Feng Chengjun, victory would have been certain, but a close match made the ceremony truly exciting. Gu Ziming then contributed six points to Han Shengzhi's team. However, when it was Lei Zexin's turn, despite aiming true, he regrettably scored zero points. Due to physical discomfort from his injury and a lack of strength, his arrow did not hit the target with sufficient power to stick.
This unexpected outcome shocked many, who now believed Feng Chengjun's team was certain to lose. The competition then moved to the fourth round, featuring Lin Bingshen against Lu Zhaorong. Despite his earlier boasts, Lin Bingshen displayed poor archery skills, scoring only five points, which led observers to question how he was even selected for the team. Lu Zhaorong, conversely, confidently scored six points, once again leveling the overall score at two all.
This set the stage for the climactic fifth round, the deciding match between Han Shengzhi and Wenxi. Spectators buzzed with anticipation, offering words of encouragement to Wenxi while also expressing concern about her chances against such a formidable opponent, despite her diligent training. As Han Shengzhi took his turn, Mu Xiaoman suddenly appeared, loudly cheering for Wenxi.
Attendant Officer Han, Han Shengzhi's father, angrily ordered Gu Zheyuan to remove her, despite Mu Xiaoman's protestations that she was invited by Han Shengzhi and other scholars to perform. This interruption visibly affected Han Shengzhi, causing him to become distracted. His arrow went off target, resulting in a surprisingly low score of six points. This unexpected turn of events ignited a fresh wave of hope among Wenxi's supporters, who now believed Wenxi, with her known skill, could surpass this score.
When Wenxi finally stepped up to shoot, she met with misfortune. As she pulled the bowstring, it severely cut her hand, causing it to bleed profusely and making it difficult for her to exert the necessary force. Feng Chengjun quickly realized that the bow had been tampered with, immediately suspecting Han Shengzhi's faction. Enraged, he moved to report the foul play to Master Wang.
However, Mr. Ding intervened, cautioning Feng Chengjun that exposing the sabotage would lead to the expulsion of Han Shengzhi and his accomplices, ruining their lives and severely damaging the academy's reputation. After Mr. Ding's earnest plea, Feng Chengjun and Wenxi decided against reporting the incident. Despite her injury, Wenxi, showing remarkable resolve, refused to give up.
Feng Chengjun encouraged her, telling her not to lose faith even if she hit a dead end, and reminding her that he was there for her. With her hand bandaged, Wenxi returned to the firing line, showing incredible courage. She drew the bow and released her arrow, hitting the bullseye for a perfect ten points. The crowd erupted, celebrating Feng Chengjun's team as the undisputed champions of the archery ceremony.
Following the victory, Mr. Ding praised Wenxi, acknowledging that she had won herself a new lease on life and decided to let her remain at the academy, urging her to always remember her ideals and ambitions, working diligently to achieve them. Later, Master Wang inquired about Wenxi's hand injury. She quickly claimed it was an old wound that had reopened, and Master Wang, satisfied with her answer, commended her bravery and remarkable achievement.
He also extended praise to Lei Zexin for his improved appearance and urged him to become a true scholar. Master Wang expressed his immense satisfaction with the dedication shown by all participants, especially Wenxi and Feng Chengjun, who had truly performed a miracle, hoping their perseverance would inspire others. As a reward, he announced that each member of the winning team would receive 100 nobility marks and a thousand mace.
Meanwhile, Han Shengzhi faced his furious father, Attendant Officer Han, who slapped him as a harsh reminder. His father berated him for being distracted by Mu Xiaoman, leading to his defeat. He scorned Han Shengzhi for not being a "real man" and failing to be the strongest in Yun Shang Academy.
Han Shengzhi protested that he had acted to secure their victory, but his father dismissed this, pointing out that if Wenxi had not kept quiet, Han Shengzhi and his accomplices would have faced expulsion. His father further chastised him for choosing "idiots" as teammates and ordered him to find a way to expel Feng Chengjun and Wenxi from the academy, warning that Yun Shang Academy would otherwise "change" for the worse.
He threatened Han Shengzhi with a permanent stay at the academy, never taking up an official post, if he ever shamed him before Master Wang again. Separately, Mr. Ding discreetly informed Master Wang that Lei Zexin had been attempting to redress injustice for his brother, Lei Zexun, by secretly distributing materials.
Surprised, Master Wang instructed Mr. Ding to warn Lei Zexin to cease such dangerous actions, emphasizing that his primary focus should be on his studies to secure an official position. Master Wang also inquired about Wenxi's family background, asking Mr. Ding to investigate it. Despite the pain from her bandaged hand, Wenxi was overjoyed, finding the thousand mace reward well worth the discomfort.
Meanwhile, Lin Bingshen sought out Han Shengzhi, tearfully confessing that he was the one who tampered with Wenxi's bow, explaining that he did it to ensure Han Shengzhi's victory. Han Shengzhi, however, was enraged by this admission, furious that Lin Bingshen's actions ultimately contributed to his humiliating defeat, and he aggressively drove Lin Bingshen away, vowing never to see him again.
Separately, Yu Lexuan, happy for Wenxi's victory, arranged a celebratory banquet at Yu Le House on South Street, inviting the winning team to unwind. Wenxi declined due to her injured hand, and Feng Chengjun chose to stay with her to care for her, despite other teammates urging them both to attend. During the discussion, it was revealed that Attendant Officer Han had expelled Mu Xiaoman, preventing her planned performance at the academy, which saddened many who had anticipated it.
Sympathetic to Mu Xiaoman's dashed performance, Wenxi went to visit her. She expressed regret that Mu Xiaoman's status led to her humiliation, but Mu Xiaoman dismissed the apology, stating her focus had shifted to more important matters beyond relationships, accepting her fate. Wenxi affirmed that everyone is equal and expressed hope for a future without discrimination, praising Mu Xiaoman's virtues. Upon her return, Wenxi encountered a heavily inebriated Lin Bingshen.
Still bitter about his own poor performance and humiliation, he lashed out at Wenxi, irrationally blaming her for his misfortunes and accusing her of risking her life just to show off. He even taunted her by admitting again that he was the one who tampered with the bow. Wenxi, however, sternly rebuked him.
She called him a "shameless disgrace to Yun Shang Academy" and questioned his integrity, criticizing him for constantly hiding behind Han Shengzhi's authority to engage in "cowardly and despicable" acts. She challenged him to act like a real man, with integrity, suggesting he could never become a good official if he continued such behavior. Stung by her words, Lin Bingshen began to cry, but Wenxi, tired of his self-pity, left him there to head to the woodshed for a bath.
