Marvelous Women Episode 11 Recap
> Marvelous Women Recap
Shen Cuixi, feeling conflicted, returns to the Ren family ancestral hall, questioning her role as the mistress of the Ren family and the purpose of her life. Recalling the past, she remembers when Ren Xuetang was brought back after attempting to elope with Zeng Baoqin. She kneeled and begged him to marry her, and Ren Xuetang, a kind gentleman, reluctantly agreed, although his heart belonged to Zeng Baoqin. She had been promised to Ren Xuetang since she was nine.
Wei Lianggong, hearing that Shen Cuixi is ill, comes to inquire about her health, but Shu Fang curtly dismisses him. Ren Rufeng, seeing Wei Lianggong leaving and mistakenly assuming he was speaking with Shu Fang, becomes jealous and makes sarcastic remarks to Shu Fang. He then learns from a servant that Shu Fang and Wei Lianggong are not together, which secretly pleases him. Ren Xiushan presents Shen Cuixi with a small wooden figure, which pleases her.
She recognizes that Ren Xiushan could not have carved it himself and suspects Wei Lianggong is the true craftsman, recalling his words about already having someone in his heart. She mistakenly believes that he is in love with her and makes a hasty exit. During an inspection, Ding Rong claims that the Ren family's Caihuakujin brocade is of poor quality and demands that it be rewoven within a limited time.
The other three major weaving families in Suzhou quietly accept the demand, waiting to see how the weaving master and leader will respond. Ding Rong arrives at the Ren residence, but Shen Cuixi deliberately makes him wait outside. The other three shopkeepers act coldly towards him. Shen Cuixi tells them that she suspects Ding Rong is using the Ren family as a starting point to undermine all the weaving families in Suzhou.
Ding Rong enters and claims the brocade has technical flaws, suggesting she go to Suzhou and explain the double-sided Kesi weaving technique to the local artisans to improve their skills. Ren Rufeng and the shopkeepers laugh, recognizing this as an attempt to steal the Ren family's core skills. Ren Rufeng slaps Ding Rong, who angrily threatens that the technique is required by the weaving official and that Shen Cuixi must provide it.
Shen Cuixi, accusing Ding Rong of damaging Li Zhao's reputation, orders Ren Rufeng to throw him out. Shen Cuixi realizes that Li Zhao is targeting the Ren family. She unites the four major Suzhou weaving families and many other weavers to close their shops in protest. Zeng Baoqin, understanding the situation, also orders Ruyi to close the Qingyue Small Workshop. Cao Wenbin has already sent the memorial impeaching Li Zhao to the capital.
Li Zhao, enraged by Shen Cuixi's actions, orders Ding Rong to make Qiao'er kneel before Shen Cuixi to beg for forgiveness. Ding Rong pleads against it, as Qiao'er is pregnant, but Li Zhao insists. Ding Rong begs Qiao'er, who kneels outside the Ren residence. Shen Cuixi, feeling compassionate, rushes out to help her, but Qiao'er, physically weakened, collapses.
Wei Lianggong asks Shen Cuixi how she will reconcile her efforts to secure justice for the ten thousand weavers of Suzhou with her own future, a question she cannot answer. Qiao'er goes into premature labor but delivers a healthy baby. Shen Cuixi instructs Ding Rong to tell Li Zhao that the Suzhou shops will remain closed until he provides a written guarantee that he will not steal the weavers' techniques. This enrages Li Zhao.
His advisor suggests he provide the guarantee to appease the weavers and allow him to deal with Shen Cuixi later. Ding Rong delivers Li Zhao's written guarantee, which is met with jubilation by the merchants.
