Marvelous Women Episode 14 Recap
> Marvelous Women Recap
Wei Lianggong proposed leaving the Ren family, his steps heavy with sorrow as he departed. Shu Fang and Ren Rufeng then had a heated argument. Shu Fang defended Wei Lianggong, stating he had never harmed the Ren family and had even saved Shen Cuixi. She directly blamed Ren Rufeng for the Ren family's current precarious and unstable situation, citing his cooperation with Zhang Biao as the cause for Ren Xuetang's disappearance.
Shu Fang also pointed out that Ren Rufeng’s desire to marry her was merely for his own peace of mind, a fact he had revealed while feverish. Shu Fang confessed that she had only agreed to marry him to remain in the Ren family to accompany Shen Cuixi and suggested that since neither of them truly desired the marriage, they should part ways amicably. After leaving the Ren family, Wei Lianggong did not return to Shuntang Street.
He first went to his mother's grave, then disappeared. Zeng Baoqin searched extensively and finally found him at the spot where they first met. He was extremely weak and unconscious in the heavy snow. Meanwhile, in the embroidery room, Shen Cuixi finished a "Mandarin Ducks Playing in Water" brocade, which Zeng Baoqin had mentioned, but then cut and destroyed it. She sternly warned Shu Fang never to mention Wei Lianggong's name to her again.
Disturbed by Shen Cuixi's gloom, Shu Fang secretly asked Shu Yan to inquire whether Wei Lianggong was on Shuntang Street, promising to help him plan his marriage to Ru Yi in return. Ren Rufeng overheard this conversation, deepening his misunderstanding of Shu Fang. Servants gossiped that Shu Fang's true affections lay with Wei Lianggong and that she and Ren Rufeng would not last. Ren Rufeng heard these comments but did not vent his frustration.
Li Zhao visited Shuntang Street, inquiring about Wei Lianggong's serious illness and bringing up the possibility of taking Ren Xiushan as a disciple. Zeng Baoqin cautiously responded and apologized to Li Zhao for Wei Lianggong's past inappropriate words and actions. Li Zhao, who had previously urged Wei Lianggong to take imperial exams to honor his stepmother, now understood that Wei Lianggong's character was unsuited for officialdom and decided not to force him further.
Zeng Baoqin promised that once Wei Lianggong recovered, he would introduce Ren Xiushan to Li Zhao as a master. Li Zhao, angered by Ding Rong's reappearance after his "immoral act," ordered him to guard the Ren family gate daily and report all of Shen Cuixi's movements. Ding Rong reluctantly complied. While ill, Wei Lianggong continued carving a small wooden figurine, intended as a birthday gift for Zeng Baoqin.
Zeng Baoqin was stunned when she saw it, realizing the figurine had Shen Cuixi's charm and likeness, with the hairpin clearly carved to resemble Shen Cuixi's. Wei Lianggong, observing her reaction and then looking closely at the figurine himself, suddenly realized that the person he truly loved and yearned for was Shen Cuixi. This sudden, intense realization caused him to spit blood and faint due to emotional distress and "internal agitation."
Zeng Baoqin regretted sending him to the Ren family, but Wei Lianggong expressed no regret in knowing Shen Cuixi, only confusion as to why his love had shifted from Zeng Baoqin to Shen Cuixi. Zeng Baoqin frantically called Ru Yi for a doctor. Doctors in Suzhou confirmed that Wei Lianggong's five internal organs were severely damaged, and he might not survive the winter.
Despite the bleak prognosis, Zeng Baoqin clung to a slim hope, believing his lingering attachments could provide a chance. Wei Lianggong himself had not told Zeng Baoqin about the severity of his condition or that he had coughed blood. Shen Cuixi learned of Shu Fang and Ren Rufeng's argument and advised Shu Fang to apologize. Shu Fang found Ren Rufeng and apologized.
Ren Rufeng, still struggling with his own internal conflicts and realizing Shu Fang's points were valid, initially did not accept the apology. Shu Fang began to cry sadly. Ren Rufeng, distressed by her tears, returned to comfort her with a handkerchief, and they reconciled. Zeng Baoqin then knelt at the Ren family gate, causing a stir among onlookers, seeking an audience with Shen Cuixi. Shen Cuixi sent Shu Fang to inquire about her purpose.
Zeng Baoqin claimed Wei Lianggong was sick and desperately wished to see Shen Cuixi. Shu Fang allowed her into the Ren residence but warned that upon entering, she would be considered a concubine and must obey all orders, including remaining kneeling if commanded by the mistress. For Wei Lianggong's sake, Zeng Baoqin endured the humiliation and knelt outside Shen Cuixi's door.
Shen Cuixi ultimately agreed to meet Zeng Baoqin, not at Shuntang, but at a small cliffside in the suburbs, on a mountain. Shen Cuixi expressed disbelief that Wei Lianggong was truly ill and challenged Zeng Baoqin to jump into the cold lake below as proof of her sincerity. Zeng Baoqin was about to jump but was stopped by Shen Cuixi.
Zeng Baoqin then admitted that Wei Lianggong had not explicitly asked to see Shen Cuixi, as he was aware of Shen Cuixi's difficulties and did not wish to trouble her. However, Zeng Baoqin asserted that Wei Lianggong's heart undeniably belonged to Shen Cuixi, as evident from the small wooden figurine he had carved for her birthday. Zeng Baoqin showed Shen Cuixi the figurine, pointing out the distinct hairpin carved on it, which unmistakably represented Shen Cuixi.
Zeng Baoqin reiterated that doctors predicted Wei Lianggong might not survive the winter and desperately pleaded with Shen Cuixi to visit him, believing that even a single glance could ignite his will to live.
