Marvelous Women Episode 29 Recap
> Marvelous Women Recap
Shu Fang has moved out of the Ren family home, her belongings gone, leaving Ren Rufeng aware of her departure. Missing her, he decides to pull himself together and begins diligently learning the family business, specifically the abacus, to the point where his hands become swollen. Shen Cuixi recalls that Shu Fang's hands also hurt when she first began learning the abacus. Following the turmoil within the Ren family, Zeng Baoqin assumes the role of head of the household.
Gossip about Shen Cuixi and the family spreads throughout Suzhou, described vividly by rumor mongers; Ren Xuetang refutes these stories and scolds those spreading them. The head accountants approach Ren Xuetang, asking him to document the experiences of Shen Cuixi and Suzhou's 100,000 weavers, as well as the Ren family, over the past seven years. Ren Xuetang complies, writing an article whose every word flows sincerely and truthfully.
Shen Cuixi is later found lost in thought, either in a small courtyard or leaning in a pavilion, staring at a small door and recalling Wei Lianggong's question about whether she ever considered walking out that door. Ren Xuetang appears behind her and startles her, just as he did when they were children.
Shen Cuixi calls him the best husband in Suzhou, and Ren Xuetang thanks her for breaking rules and opening the door, thereby offering Zeng Baoqin a way to live. While Shen Cuixi is grateful for Ren Xuetang's kindness to both her and Zeng Baoqin, Ren Xuetang feels immense guilt, believing he owes Shen Cuixi too much. He proposes that Shen Cuixi have a child, a biological son, for her own support and to guard the Ren family.
He plans to then take Zeng Baoqin and Xiushan to a distant post. Deeply saddened by this proposition, Shen Cuixi soon after proposes divorce to Ren Xuetang. Having incidentally heard Wei Lianggong's name mentioned earlier while writing a memorial tablet, Ren Xuetang asks Ren Rufeng about Wei Lianggong that night. Ren Rufeng, assuming Ren Xuetang is listening to rumors, quickly explains that Shen Cuixi and Wei Lianggong were completely innocent of any wrongdoing.
Ren Xuetang, regretting never having met Wei Lianggong, expresses his longing to know what kind of person he was. Shen Cuixi visits Wei Lianggong's tomb to pay her respects, recounting recent events: her imprisonment, her time on the execution ground, and how she was on the verge of reuniting with Wei Lianggong before Ren Xuetang returned. She tells him she promised to live well and asks him not to walk too fast on the Bridge of Forgetfulness, waiting for her.
Ren Xuetang, who had ridden past the grave without disturbing her, hears these words, then turns and leaves, realizing that what he desired to repay Shen Cuixi was not what she truly wanted. Returning to the Ren family, Ren Xuetang sees a kèsī tapestry, depicting either a flower-and-bird or mandarin ducks playing in water design, in Shen Cuixi's kèsī room.
He recalls his past belief that Zeng Baoqin's kèsī was more agile and intelligent, thinking only she could truly promote the Ren family's artistry, while Shen Cuixi's work was dull, too technical, and lacked spiritual agility. He now understands the words of the Old Madam, who had told him that Shen Cuixi's kèsī would one day break through its technicality and achieve enlightenment, hoping he would be the one to inspire it.
He realizes that while agility is important, true mastery in kèsī comes from continuous, daily practice and constant refinement. Zeng Baoqin, seeing Shen Cuixi packing her belongings, speaks to Ren Xuetang. She believes that after enduring so much hardship and suffering so many painful, hidden wounds over the years, Shen Cuixi cannot leave the Ren family. Ren Xuetang asks Zeng Baoqin if Shen Cuixi were to leave, only the two of them would remain, to be "one couple for life."
Zeng Baoqin does not state her opinion, only remarking that it is enough that Ren Xuetang cares about her. Shen Cuixi then takes Ren Xuetang and Zeng Baoqin to eat noodles at Shen Shiniang's noodle shop, where she recounts Shen Shiniang's experiences and her own encounter with her. As Shen Cuixi eats her noodles heartily, Ren Xuetang and Zeng Baoqin do not touch theirs.
Shen Cuixi clarifies that her desire for divorce is not a magnanimous act to fulfill Ren Xuetang and Zeng Baoqin, whom she considers a sister; rather, it stems from her own selfishness and desire to live the life she truly wants. She explains that for most of her life, she lived for the praise and affirmation of others, including the Old Madam and Ren Xuetang.
Now, thanks in part to Ren Xuetang and the Ren family, she has become confident and independent, no longer wishing to be dependent on anyone but to be her own Shen Cuixi. She asks Ren Xuetang to grant her this wish. Ren Xuetang finally agrees to write the divorce papers, allowing Shen Cuixi to live the life she desires. Zeng Baoqin silently sheds tears.
Afterwards, Zeng Baoqin attempts to persuade Ren Xuetang to retract his decision, expressing concern about the immense difficulties a divorced woman faces. Ren Xuetang comforts her, suggesting that perhaps Shen Cuixi will return on her own after experiencing enough hardship outside.
