Love Like White Jade Episode 1 Recap
> Love Like White Jade Recap
The Lang Ya Pavilion, a distinguished organization for high-end maids, takes on the crucial responsibility of cultivating young masters into pillars of society. The maids trained within its walls are renowned for their exceptional intellect, martial arts prowess, and extensive knowledge. In Chong'an City, a household's social standing is often gauged by the number of Lang Ya maids it employs.
Pavilion Matron Qiu Hai Tang oversaw a rigorous competition where several maids navigated obstacle courses, including passing through plum blossom stakes amidst a hail of arrows and crossing a precarious single-plank bridge. In the final stage, maids Shui Wuxia and Qi Delong arrived simultaneously before three Senior Sisters. Their task was to select one of three chests containing a pearl, a test that had already begun the moment they arrived.
Qi Delong, relying on logic, concluded that if only one Senior Sister was telling the truth, the pearl should be in the blue chest. However, upon opening it, she found nothing. Shui Wuxia, observing more closely, realized that the Senior Sister who always spoke the truth had mentioned the test began upon their arrival, implying the statement "the pearl is among these three chests" was a lie.
She then noticed that the truth-telling Senior Sister had picked up her teacup but had not taken a sip. Deduced that the pearl was hidden inside the teacup, Shui Wuxia lifted the lid, revealing the pearl and securing her victory. Following the competition's ranking, Pavilion Matron Qiu Hai Tang announced the assignments: Shui Wuxia would mentor Jiang Tianling, the Jiang family's younger son, while Qi Delong would be assigned to Jiang Baiyu, the elder son.
Chong'an City was a thriving hub, and the Jiang family was highly esteemed in the medical field. Qi Delong, displeased with her loss and assignment, voiced her concerns to the Matron, describing Jiang Baiyu as a notorious ruffian who despised learning, a stark contrast to the diligent Jiang Tianling. The Matron, however, insisted that despite his frivolous facade, Jiang Baiyu was cunning and talented, believing he could become as capable as his younger counterpart with the right guidance.
She stressed the maids' duty to transform the young masters into worthy individuals. Qi Delong opted to travel to Chong'an alone by carriage, challenging Shui Wuxia that her assignment didn't guarantee success. As Qi Delong departed, she inadvertently dropped her name tag, which Shui Wuxia picked up. Meanwhile, Jiang Hu and his subordinate Fang Yun Cheng arrived at Lantern Boudoir, searching for Jiang Baiyu.
Zhe Zhi, the proprietress, skillfully intercepted them, claiming Jiang Baiyu was timid and wouldn't dare stay in such a crowded place due to a recent contagion. Inside, a storyteller was captivating the audience with tales of the heroic young swordsman Shen Qingli. Zhe Zhi explained that the famous Jude Auction House had rented her establishment for the day to rehearse for an upcoming auction of a valuable item.
Jiang Hu, though initially curious about the treasure, ultimately decided against waiting, reasoning that the arrival of a Lang Ya maid would soon set his nephew straight. After Jiang Hu left, Zhe Zhi entered a private room where Jiang Baiyu was being entertained by women. Jiang Baiyu complained that his days of leisure were numbered, as he anticipated the arrival of his Lang Ya maid, whom he referred to as a "vicious beast in human skin" named Qi Delong.
He expressed his intention to attend the auction later, noting the abundance of treasures available. Shui Wuxia, after arriving in Chong'an City and buying some pear soup, overheard locals discussing the Jiang family's lavish reception for the new Lang Ya maids. Soon after, she spotted a promotional flyer for the "Golden Phoenix Pin" auction at Lantern Boudoir and immediately recognized it as belonging to her deceased brother, an item he cherished and carried everywhere.
Determined to retrieve it, Shui Wuxia disguised herself as a man and entered the auction. She sat down in a seemingly vacant seat, only to be confronted by Jiang Baiyu, who claimed the seat was reserved for Young Master Zhao of Shan Ye Pharmacy. Shui Wuxia fabricated a story, pretending to be Zhao's friend.
However, Jiang Baiyu, with keen observation, saw through her disguise, pointing out her dark circles, shaky Adam's apple, and the damp fragrant powder on her sleeves, suggesting she had spent more than a day in a brothel and was a mere pretender. Shui Wuxia retorted, accusing him of being the real pretender. Jiang Baiyu then had the surrounding crowd confirm his identity as "Chong'an's most foolish prodigal son" before boldly tearing off her fake mustache, exposing her true gender.
The Golden Phoenix Pin, described as an exquisitely crafted medical instrument made of flawless white jade, was then presented. A fierce bidding war ensued, with prices soaring from 1,000 to 6,000 taels. Ultimately, Jiang Baiyu won the coveted item. Shui Wuxia pursued Jiang Baiyu, pleading to simply get a glimpse of the Golden Phoenix Pin, arguing that she had contributed to raising its price. Jiang Baiyu, however, defiantly refused and locked her out of the room.
Undeterred, Shui Wuxia kicked down the door and continued to struggle with him for the pin. Their altercation was abruptly interrupted by a group of masked black-clad men who stormed in, demanding the treasure. Shui Wuxia bravely fought the assailants alone until Shen Qingli, the legendary swordsman, dramatically intervened. Together, they fended off the attackers. As the black-clad men retreated, Shui Wuxia chased after one who dropped an item, but she failed to catch him.
Shen Qingli caught up to her, returned the dropped item, which was Qi Delong's name tag, and noticing her torn sleeve, thoughtfully draped his cloak over her shoulders before departing. Later, in a secluded setting, Shen Qingli removed his mask, revealing himself to be Jiang Baiyu.
He recalled that seven years prior, he had gotten into trouble while investigating a case, and someone had advised him to adopt a facade of foolishness and use the alias Shen Qingli to continue his investigation in secret. After this, Jiang Baiyu returned to the Jiang Mansion, resuming his persona as the carefree Young Master Jiang. The following day marked the death anniversary of Jiang Baiyu's late father, Jiang Jue.
Jiang Tianling and his father, Jiang Hu, visited their mother's pear tree. Jiang Hu expressed his sorrow, lamenting his inability to save his wife despite his medical expertise. Jiang Tianling comforted him, assuring his father that their mother lived on in their memories and urging him not to blame himself. Jiang Hu also discussed Madam Jiang's desire for both Jiang Baiyu and Jiang Tianling to compete for a prestigious position in the Ministry of Inspection and Reserve.
Jiang Tianling, embodying the spirit of a gentleman, believed in fair competition with Jiang Baiyu and mutual support among kinsmen. Separately, Shui Wuxia sought out Ba Xi at a gambling hall to discuss the Golden Phoenix Pin. She explained its significance as the only keepsake from her brother, who had died suddenly. Ba Xi deduced that the original seller was likely a thief or burglar and that the black-clad robbers were involved in an internal or rival conflict.
Shui Wuxia mentioned the seller's distinct dark bruise under his ear, which Ba Xi identified as a potential sign of Five Eras Powder use. They planned to investigate the black market and an opium den the following night, with a box of pearl powder sent to the Jiang Mansion as a signal. Later, Madam Jiang, Jiang Hu, and Jiang Tianling confronted Jiang Baiyu in his room, which was in a state of disarray, reflecting his irresponsible lifestyle.
Madam Jiang was furious, making him kneel and scolding him for dishonoring his father's memory on such an important day. Jiang Tianling tried to intercede, highlighting some minor improvements in Jiang Baiyu's behavior, such as fewer skipped classes and hangovers. However, Madam Jiang dismissed these as insufficient, emphasizing that the incoming Lang Ya maid would surely transform him and restore his father's good name.
Jiang Baiyu, still under the mistaken impression that Shui Wuxia was Qi Delong, tried to persuade his grandmother to switch maids, arguing that Jiang Tianling was already competent and therefore needed a less capable maid, while he, being less diligent, required the gentle and amiable Shui Wuxia's guidance. Madam Jiang firmly refused, stating that the Lang Ya Pavilion's assignments were final.
The day for the Lang Ya maids' official arrival at Jiang Mansion finally came, drawing a crowd of onlookers who admired their beauty and elegant demeanor. At the welcoming banquet, Jiang Baiyu arrived late, fabricating an excuse about an upset stomach from snacks. He then reiterated his plea to his grandmother to switch maids, praising Shui Wuxia's qualities and wishing her to be his mentor. Madam Jiang, again, sternly rejected his request.
Finally, Shui Wuxia and Qi Delong were formally introduced. As Shui Wuxia announced her name, Jiang Baiyu, with a look of astonishment, realized that she was the very woman he had encountered at the auction. Shui Wuxia, in turn, recognized him as well.
