In a Class of Her Own Episode 29 Recap
> In a Class of Her Own Recap
Feng Chengjun stood up to defend Yu Lexuan, stating that it was the pervasive emphasis on origin and status within their society and among their classmates that forced Yu Lexuan to constantly worry about his background and hide his true identity. If true sincerity and kindness were prevalent among the students, he argued, Yu Lexuan would not have felt the need to conceal anything.
Han Shengzhi scoffed, reminding everyone that the laws of Yun explicitly forbid illegitimate children from entering Yun Shang Academy, a rule that no one could violate. Feng Chengjun countered that while Yu Lexuan might have erred in lying about his identity, no one had suffered a negative experience simply because of who Yu Lexuan was as a person.
He questioned why someone's future should be jeopardized over a mere identity, especially given Yu Lexuan's excellent academic performance at the academy, which everyone had witnessed. Xue Wenxi (Wen Bin) added her voice to the plea, revealing her own humble origins and how Yun Shang Academy had made an exception to accept her.
She expressed her hope that the academy would extend the same grace to Yu Lexuan, allowing him to anticipate a bright future, just as she had been given a new chance at life. The students echoed their agreement, asserting that there was no absolute nobility or inferiority, and that while one cannot choose their birth, they can choose their life. Master Wang listened attentively to their arguments before asking Yu Lexuan if he wished to offer any defense.
Yu Lexuan confessed that since he was old enough to understand, he had constantly evaded his family and his origin, indulging in vanity and speaking dishonestly. However, now that his deception was exposed, he felt an unprecedented sense of relief, understanding that true freedom comes only from a clear conscience. He declared that regardless of the outcome, he would have no complaints, committing to become a genuinely happy person, doing what he ought to do and following his chosen path.
Yu Lexuan's sincere words deeply moved his classmates, who, undeterred by Han Shengzhi's threats, rallied around him. Soon, with the exception of Han Shengzhi and Lin Bing Shen, the majority of the students voted for Yu Lexuan to remain. Master Wang was satisfied with the decision and urged Yu Lexuan not to betray the trust placed in him by his peers.
With Yu Lexuan's situation settled, Lei Zexin addressed Master Wang once more, requesting that he deal with Han Shengzhi's previous offense of instigating an assault on a fellow student. Han Shengzhi vehemently denied the accusation and demanded evidence. Just as students began to call for an injury examination to prove Lei Zexin's claim, Lin Bing Shen unexpectedly stepped forward and confessed to being the culprit.
He admitted that he was responsible for injuring Feng Chengjun, tampering with the bowstring during the archery ceremony, and falsely accusing Wen Bin of stealing medicinal herbs. Master Wang then instructed the Four Gentlemen of Yun Shang to decide on Lin Bing Shen's punishment. Yu Lexuan, when asked for his suggestion, advocated for leniency. He remarked that Yun Shang was a place for transformation and that punishment should not be the sole objective.
Since he himself had been given a second chance, he believed Lin Bing Shen deserved one too. His compassionate stance was met with widespread applause from his classmates, who lauded his magnanimity and hailed him as a role model. After the proceedings, Lin Bing Shen informed a stunned Han Shengzhi that his actions were a gesture of gratitude for Han Shengzhi's past financial support, but from that day forward, he would no longer be Han Shengzhi's lackey.
Instead, he intended to forge his own path and live with dignity. Later, Han Sheng Xiong also approached Han Shengzhi, expressing his contempt for his cousin's behavior and praising the true Four Gentlemen of Yun Shang. Lin Bing Shen and Han Sheng Xiong genuinely sought forgiveness from Yu Lexuan and Xue Wenxi.
Lin Bing Shen presented Yu Lexuan with a parasol, engraved with "Man in Rain," which he had purchased with money he earned honestly through a writing job Yu Lexuan had secured for him. He explained that the gift symbolized shielding Yu Lexuan from life's storms and wished him great success. Yu Lexuan, initially finding the gift peculiar, accepted it after Xue Wenxi playfully stated she would keep track of Lin Bing Shen's past misdeeds.
Yu Lexuan then candidly discussed his past wealth, which he had intended to use to secure a permanent aristocratic title. Now that it was useless, he offered to spend it on wine for everyone. Xue Wenxi, however, gently suggested he use the money to provide a better life for his long-unvisited parents, a thought that resonated with Yu Lexuan. As he prepared to move back to the common dormitory, his friends eagerly offered to help him relocate.
That evening, as Xue Wenxi drifted to sleep leaning against a wall in the dormitory, Feng Chengjun watched her. Her feminine image flickered in his mind, causing his heart to pound. He considered moving her to her bed but she unexpectedly stirred, waking up. Flustered and embarrassed, Feng Chengjun quickly departed. Meanwhile, Han Shengzhi's parents expressed their desire to arrange a marriage for him, seeking a young, beautiful woman from a prestigious family.
However, Han Shengzhi's thoughts were solely on Mu Xiao Man. He sought her out, confiding his romantic feelings and bitterly lamenting the betrayal he felt from his former confidantes, including Han Sheng Xiong, Lin Bing Shen, and Gu Zi Ming. Mu Xiao Man, however, sharply rebuked him, asserting that if he had treated others with sincerity and acted honorably, they would never have betrayed him.
She accused him of making excuses for his failures and drowning his sorrows in drink, declaring her contempt for his cowardly behavior and warning him that their meeting would be their last if he continued to be unreasonable. Feng Chengjun, distracted and troubled, began to make repeated errors in class, even misinterpreting Confucius's commentary on a poem about family harmony. Master Wang noticed his unusual behavior and assigned him the task of copying the poem twenty times.
Yu Lexuan later questioned Feng Chengjun about his strange demeanor. Feng Chengjun confessed his confusion, explaining that his emotions seemed inextricably tied to Xue Wenxi: he cared about what Xue Wenxi cared about, felt happy when Xue Wenxi was happy, and sad when Xue Wenxi was sad. He wondered if this was a strange predicament.
Yu Lexuan, observing Feng Chengjun's lack of experience with women, suggested he was simply a "bookworm" who struggled to differentiate between brotherly affection and romantic love, proposing that his constant proximity to Xue Wenxi might be the cause of his delusion. Yu Lexuan advised him that anxiety stems from suspicion, and if he was truly worried, he should try interacting more with other girls to uncover the root of his emotional turmoil.
Soon after, Ms. Han, Feng Chengjun's sister, sent him a letter containing three riddles, hoping to alleviate his boredom with his studies. Recalling Yu Lexuan's advice, Feng Chengjun readily agreed to solve them for her.
