Marvelous Women Episode 27 Recap
> Marvelous Women Recap
Ren Xuetang recounted his past struggles, expressing his guilt over having chosen the Ren family over Zeng Baoqin years ago, which led him to relentlessly search for her, believing he had failed her devotion. He viewed Shen Cuixi as a mirror image of himself, but admired her courage in facing challenges, contrasting it with his own tendency to escape, which left him unable to choose between Shen Cuixi and Zeng Baoqin upon his return.
He detailed being severely injured by an arrow during an initial attempt to apprehend Zhang Biao. After recovering, he hired escorts for years to track Zhang Biao, convinced that Zhang Biao's continued existence endangered the Ren family. In a later, severe confrontation with Zhang Biao, Ren Xuetang was critically wounded, almost dying, but was saved by a Master. It took him a full three years to recover and stand up again.
He subsequently feared returning home to face both Shen Cuixi and Zeng Baoqin, but the Master encouraged him to confront his situation, prompting his return. Ren Xuetang expressed relief that he had not made a grave mistake. Ren Rufeng advised Ren Xuetang to be truthful with his two sisters-in-law, asserting that it was normal for a man to have multiple wives and concubines, and thus Ren Xuetang should not be so conflicted.
Shu Fang overheard these remarks and became furious, giving the food she had brought to Shu Yan. Later, a drunken Ren Rufeng laughed at Ren Xuetang's indecisiveness regarding his love for Shen Cuixi or Zeng Baoqin, reiterating that Ren Xuetang should not be tormented by such a choice, as any man would envy having both. Meanwhile, Cao Wenbin received his deserved punishment.
As a corrupt official who misjudged murder cases and imprisoned innocent citizens, he incited widespread public outrage that reached the Emperor. The Emperor, enraged, ordered Cao Wenbin and his wife to be exiled and publicly scorned. Liu Shiye bid farewell to Li Zhao, who had little to say. Zeng Baoqin visited Li Zhao at the weaving office, playing chess with him and recalling their first game.
Li Zhao questioned how long she had known of his plot to kill Ren Xuetang, to which she confessed she had known for six years, initially finding it unbelievable. Li Zhao remained perplexed, unable to understand why Shen Cuixi and Zeng Baoqin, whom he believed should have been mortal enemies as wife and concubine, had instead become close confidantes and allied against him, despite his own efforts to protect Zeng Baoqin.
Zeng Baoqin questioned if Li Zhao truly believed all his actions were for her, asserting that he had lost his true nature, consumed by fame and greed. She explained that Shen Cuixi, even while confining her, had always left her a "living path" (a door) in her small courtyard, unlike Li Zhao, who was ruthless and never left others a way out.
Zeng Baoqin emphasized that giving others a path to life also provides one's own, believing that if Li Zhao had retained even a trace of kindness, his current predicament would have been averted. Despite his daytime power, Li Zhao suffered nightly nightmares for years. Only after the imperial decree ordered his conscription into the military and deployment to the far-off Northwest army did he feel a sudden lightness and sleep soundly for the first time in years.
Before his departure, Zeng Baoqin offered him words of wisdom, hoping he would cultivate kindness to secure a chance at life. In other events, Ding Rong brought food to his two daughters, who remarked on his positive change, noting that he now smiled. Qingyuefang re-opened, with both Shen Cuixi and Zeng Baoqin deeply cherishing their current life and family.
Shen Cuixi realized that simple acts, like living an ordinary life and walking the streets with Zeng Baoqin, were the most precious. Shu Yan prepared a hairpin for Ru Yi, but Ru Yi expressed a preference for flowers. Zeng Baoqin instructed Ru Yi to send Ren Xuetang's clothing to the study, explaining that he would reside there henceforth.
Ru Yi was puzzled, but Zeng Baoqin clarified that it was more appropriate for Ren Xuetang to live in the study given that both she and Shen Cuixi were present in the residence. On Shu Fang's birthday, Ren Rufeng had prepared a surprise feast and bought her favorite velvet flowers. He was seen putting a headpiece on a woman, which Shu Fang misunderstood, believing he was involved with another woman and feeling jealous.
Shu Fang was also displeased that Ren Rufeng was still eating and drinking while Qingyuefang was re-opening and Shen Cuixi and Ren Xuetang were busy, fearing people would gossip about his idleness and lack of ambition. A drunken Ren Rufeng claimed he had borne the Ren family's burden for years and was now relieved by Ren Xuetang's return. He scoffed at Ren Xuetang's indecisiveness, stating that any man would envy such "blessings" and Ren Xuetang shouldn't be conflicted.
Infuriated, Shu Fang wrote a divorce letter and pressed Ren Rufeng's handprint onto it while he was unconscious. Later, servants' gossip further convinced Ren Rufeng that the Ren family's recent misfortunes were entirely due to his association with the water bandit Zhang Biao from the casino, leading him to lose interest in managing the family. He refused Shen Cuixi's offer to take over Qingyuefang.
Shu Fang, seeing his lack of ambition and believing he desired multiple wives and was entangled with other women, confronted him with the divorce letter. Ren Rufeng then realized Shu Fang had misunderstood; the woman she saw had no romantic ties to him. Shu Fang subsequently overheard a conversation between Shu Mo and that woman, and also discovered the woman was delivering velvet flowers that Ren Rufeng had sent for Shu Fang, causing her to question her earlier misjudgment.
However, before Ren Rufeng could fully explain, Shu Fang was occupied with Qingyuefang matters. Many weavers had returned, and Shu Fang successfully negotiated with the artisans to extend their work hours for urgent customer orders, promising fair compensation, which they all agreed to. Despite most of the items confiscated by Li Zhao and Cao Wenbin being returned, rejuvenating Qingyuefang and revitalizing the entire Ren family business required substantial capital. Ren Xuetang proposed using antiques, calligraphy, and paintings as collateral.
Shen Cuixi, considering the upcoming imperial examinations next year, suggested Ren Xuetang focus on his studies and entrusted her with the business. She assigned Zeng Baoqin two tasks and retained Shu Fang as the chief accountant. She also allocated Qingyuefang to Ren Rufeng, but he unexpectedly refused, pulling Shu Fang away. Ren Xuetang found Ren Rufeng's behavior strange.
Shen Cuixi understood that Ren Rufeng blamed himself for the family's troubles, believing it stemmed from his association with the water bandit Zhang Biao at the casino. Ren Xuetang, recognizing that the Ren family's prominence naturally attracted trouble even without Zhang Biao, decided to speak with Ren Rufeng later. However, Shen Cuixi advised Ren Xuetang not to intervene, suggesting Shu Fang should persuade Ren Rufeng, as she was currently the most important person in his life.
Ren Rufeng felt that with Ren Xuetang back as the family patriarch, he and Shu Fang could simply live their own, simpler lives. Shu Fang, however, was angered by Ren Rufeng's complacency, his previous remarks about multiple wives, and his perceived entanglement with other women, stating she would not halt her own progress just because of her marriage to him.
