In a Class of Her Own Episode 31 Recap
> In a Class of Her Own Recap
Leaflets accusing Lord Feng of bribery, containing content from a ledger belonging to a merchant named Gu Da Chao, were spreading throughout the capital, a result of Lei Zexin having copied and distributed the ledger's contents. Lord Feng was deeply troubled by these rumors. Contemplating whether to personally interrogate Gu Da Chao to clarify the situation, he consulted with Attendant Officer Han. Attendant Officer Han advised against it, suggesting that such action would only make the rumors appear true.
Instead, he proposed that Lord Feng distance himself from the matter to avoid suspicion, promising to handle everything swiftly to put an end to the trouble. Assured by Attendant Officer Han's pledge of support, given their families were soon to become in-laws, Lord Feng agreed to his advice, feeling somewhat relieved.
Meanwhile, Gu Da Chao’s uncle, upon learning of the situation, remarked that the ledger had been stolen from Wen Bin and that the person who copied its contents and spread the flyers must be connected to Wen Bin. Elsewhere, Xue Wenxi felt a deep sense of boredom and emptiness in the dorm, especially after Feng Chengjun moved out. She worried he was being too rash in his decision regarding Han Shumin and might come to regret it.
She confided in Yu Lexuan, expressing her desire to speak with Feng Chengjun and asking Yu Lexuan to arrange a meeting. Yu Lexuan agreed to help, but reminded her that for a "heartache," one must administer the "right medicine." At his home, Feng Chengjun appeared sullen despite his impending marriage proposal to Han Shumin. Yu Lexuan soon arrived, arranging for Feng Chengjun to meet Xue Wenxi at Mulan Alley on South Street that night.
Feng Chengjun arrived as scheduled but found no one there. A beggar informed him that a scrawny young scholar had been abducted by several strong men, prompting Feng Chengjun to rush off in pursuit. Feng Chengjun tracked Xue Wenxi to Gu Da Chao's location. Hiding outside, he overheard Gu Da Chao threaten Xue Wenxi, revealing that he knew her true identity as a woman.
Gu Da Chao demanded she hand over the ledger and its copies, promising not to circulate them, or he would expose her disguise as a male scholar at Yun Shang Academy, a crime of deceiving the emperor punishable by family execution. Despite her initial pretense, Xue Wenxi eventually confirmed her identity, stating she was Wen Bin, not his "little brother." Gu Da Chao then proposed she become his concubine in exchange for his silence.
Suddenly, Attendant Officer Han’s assassins stormed in, killing Gu Da Chao and his men. As one of the assassins moved to strike Xue Wenxi, Feng Chengjun burst through the door. Recognizing Feng Chengjun, the assassin retreated, leaving the scene. Attendant Officer Han was later informed and expressed his satisfaction, believing the murder of Gu Da Chao would be attributed to Lord Feng, thus diverting suspicion from himself. Following the ordeal, Xue Wenxi was questioned by officials alongside Feng Chengjun.
Feng Chengjun vouched for her, asserting that the killer was masked. He embraced Xue Wenxi, offering comfort. Later that night, after the officials had left, Feng Chengjun escorted Xue Wenxi back to the academy. Though Xue Wenxi expressed her deep desire for him to return, Feng Chengjun stated he had other matters to attend to. However, he promised not to avoid her anymore, assuring her that future meetings would not be difficult.
Upon returning to Room Two of Regular Dorm, Xue Wenxi recounted the night's terrifying events to Lei Zexin: her kidnapping by Gu Da Chao, his threats regarding the ledger, the masked assassin who killed Gu Da Chao and his men, and Feng Chengjun's timely intervention. She also mentioned that the Imperial Brigade believed the assassin was the one who had distributed the flyers.
The next day, Lord Feng, having learned of Gu Da Chao's death, visited Attendant Officer Han, expressing concern that the death might implicate him. Attendant Officer Han reassured him, but quickly redirected the conversation to the marriage, asking when Feng Chengjun would come to propose. He emphasized that his daughter, Han Shumin, was "the apple of my eye" and must not be wronged, stressing his family's reputation for keeping promises.
Attendant Officer Han appeared anxious about Feng Chengjun potentially reneging on the engagement. Meanwhile, Han Shumin, disguised as a male scholar, visited Feng Chengjun. Seeing her from behind, Feng Chengjun mistook her for Xue Wenxi and affectionately embraced her, expressing how much he had missed "Wen Bin." Upon seeing her face, he quickly released her in surprise. Han Shumin, misinterpreting his initial warmth as deep affection, was delighted and expressed a wish to study with him.
Feng Chengjun politely declined, citing his busy academic schedule. Later, at home, Feng Chengjun pranked his servant, Wang He, implying his food was poisoned, a trick he admitted was a taste of his own medicine. His servant remarked on Feng Chengjun's evident joy upon seeing "Wen Bin," even more so than for his own engagement. Feng Chengjun then declared his decision to return to Yun Shang Academy with "Little Brother" (Xue Wenxi).
Upon hearing of Feng Chengjun's return to Yun Shang Academy without completing the marriage proposal, Attendant Officer Han was furious. He believed Feng Chengjun should have secured the engagement first, fearing his family would become the laughing stock of Yunzhou. He decided to prioritize finding a suitable marriage for his son, Han Shengzhi, emphasizing the tradition of the elder sibling marrying first.
However, Feng Chengjun had already informed his father that he had clarified his position to Han Shumin the previous night, stating that prolonging the situation was "not the gentleman's way," and asked for his father's understanding. Meanwhile, Han Shengzhi, deeply depressed due to his feelings for Ms. Mu, wandered the streets late at night, drunk and getting into a fight with two men. Other scholars, including Xue Wenxi, Yu Lexuan, and Lin Bing Shen, discovered him.
Yu Lexuan confronted Han Shengzhi, calling him a coward who made excuses for his problems, which Han Shengzhi angrily denied. Xue Wenxi and the others intervened, stopping the fight and helping the inebriated Han Shengzhi. The next day, Han Shengzhi woke to find his hand bandaged and questioned what had happened. When Xue Wenxi, Yu Lexuan, and Lin Bing Shen came to visit, they informed him that Xue Wenxi herself had bandaged his wounds.
Han Shengzhi seemed surprised and found it hard to believe their kindness. Yu Lexuan tried to reassure him that Ms. Mu might still have feelings for him, and together, they encouraged Han Shengzhi to return to the academy and reconcile with his fellow scholars, emphasizing the importance of understanding and support.
