Marvelous Women Episode 3 Recap
> Marvelous Women Recap
Ren Xuetang spent a night with Zeng Baoqin at Shantang Street, leaving Shen Cuixi alone in her cold bed, deeply upset and unable to sleep, resorting to working on kèsī embroidery. Upon his return, Ren Xuetang encountered Shu Yan and Ru Yi embracing; Shu Yan quickly knelt to confess his sincere intention to marry Ru Yi.
Ren Xuetang then informed Shen Cuixi that Zeng Baoqin was about to give birth, and he needed to provide for the child, planning to formally take Zeng Baoqin as a concubine on the twenty-fifth of the month, considering it the best arrangement for everyone. Shen Cuixi responded that she would comply, acknowledging Ren Xuetang's decision.
As the Ren family began preparing for the concubine ceremony, Zeng Baoqin found the concubine dress's color undignified, not red enough, and desired a more steady and appropriate color. Shen Cuixi was displeased, asserting that a concubine could not use proper red. She instructed her capable maidservants, Qiao'er and Shu Fang, to deliver the dress back to Shantang Street.
Outside Zeng Baoqin's residence, Qiao'er sarcastically remarked that Zeng Baoqin was merely a concubine, implying that if she wasn't put in her place, Shen Cuixi would face difficulties. Though Shu Fang, being kind, pulled Qiao'er away, her words deeply stung Zeng Baoqin.
Ru Yi tried to defend Zeng Baoqin but was stopped, as Zeng Baoqin acknowledged that Qiao'er and Shu Fang were Shen Cuixi's most trusted maidservants, whom Ru Yi would have to address as "sisters" once Zeng Baoqin joined the Ren family. Zeng Baoqin's sole hope rested on Ren Xuetang, believing he would support her.
She later tried to persuade Ren Xuetang to make Shen Cuixi change her dress to a "big red" color, but Shen Cuixi refused with logical arguments that left Ren Xuetang speechless. Ren Xuetang was displeased by Shen Cuixi's decision to send Shu Fang and Qiao'er to Shantang Street, perceiving it as an attempt to humiliate Zeng Baoqin.
Shen Cuixi, however, wished Ren Xuetang to understand that Zeng Baoqin was entering the Ren family as a concubine and must adhere to the rules governing concubines. She questioned Ren Xuetang whether he would always protect Zeng Baoqin if she made mistakes or felt wronged, suggesting that doing so would undermine Shen Cuixi's authority as the mistress of the house.
Shen Cuixi went to inspect the preparations in Zeng Baoqin's back house courtyard, where she discovered a "rotating bucket" installed, with staff claiming it was standard practice for distinguished families. She worried about fire hazards and clarified that her intention was only for Zeng Baoqin to be well-behaved, not to subject her to such arrangements or mistreat her, which included sealing the courtyard door and only leaving an opening for food.
Upon learning that the canal ran behind the wall, Shen Cuixi ordered a new door to be opened there. Ren Xuetang observed or heard all of Shen Cuixi's actions and words during this time, which led him to question and change his view of her, wondering what kind of person she truly was. Shu Yan praised Shen Cuixi as amiable, fair in rewards and punishments, and upright as a housekeeper.
Ren Xuetang personally delivered the concubine dress back to Zeng Baoqin, advising her to curb her temper and learn to abide by the rules of a concubine. Zeng Baoqin was heartbroken, feeling that she was special to Ren Xuetang, yet he had chosen to make her suffer. She argued with him, but Ren Xuetang left the dress without further comment. He then reflected on Shen Cuixi's goodness and wished he could satisfy both women.
Zeng Baoqin was deeply saddened by the non-red dress, contrasting it with her past dream of a grand wedding in a phoenix coronet and robes. She realized that constantly clashing with Shen Cuixi was pointless and would only trouble Ren Xuetang, but she struggled to control herself. While on a boat trip, Ren Xuetang asked Shu Yan about Ru Yi's background.
Shu Yan admitted that Ru Yi's background was difficult; she had no father, and her mother was a musician from Yangzhou, where Ru Yi had lived since birth. Despite this, Shu Yan still wanted to be with Ru Yi. Ren Xuetang warned Shu Yan that his family would not agree to the marriage, but if he was sincere, Ren Xuetang would help him. Shen Cuixi received urgent news that Zhang Biao's whereabouts had been discovered in the Dantou waterways.
Ren Xuetang immediately decided to lead men to pursue Zhang Biao. He returned to the mansion and asked Shen Cuixi to care for Zeng Baoqin, as he did not know when he would return. Shen Cuixi refused to bring Zeng Baoqin into the mansion, stating it was against rules and everything should wait for Ren Xuetang's return, though she promised to take care of Zeng Baoqin.
Before his departure, knowing the inherent risks of the mission, Ren Xuetang instructed Shu Yan to bid farewell to Ru Yi. Shu Yan rushed to Ru Yi, promising to marry her and asking her to wait for him. Ren Xuetang and his men tracked Zhang Biao to Dantou but fell into an ambush by water bandits. Arrows, identified by Ren Xuetang as military arrows, rained down.
He ordered everyone to dive into the water, only to find water bandits there too. Ren Xuetang covered Shu Yan's escape, instructing him that if he survived, he must tell Shen Cuixi that "official powers" were behind Zhang Biao. Ren Xuetang was then shot by an arrow and fell into the lake, his fate and whereabouts unknown.
After reading a letter from Ren Xuetang, Zeng Baoqin saw the incense in her courtyard self-extinguish, which startled her as it signified a major event for a male family member. Feeling uneasy, and despite anticipating potential humiliation, she decided to go to the Ren mansion to inquire about Ren Xuetang's return. Upon arriving at the Ren family gate, Zeng Baoqin saw Shu Yan being carried back. This sight agitated her, and she experienced abdominal pain, immediately going into labor.
Shen Cuixi quickly sent for a doctor and, recognizing Zeng Baoqin's labor, ensured she was carried inside and called for a midwife. Zeng Baoqin subsequently gave birth to a healthy son. Shu Yan, merely frightened, quickly woke up. He told Shen Cuixi that they had encountered water bandits in Dantou and he became separated from Ren Xuetang after falling into the water. He relayed Ren Xuetang's message: Zhang Biao was backed by "official powers."
Shen Cuixi learned there were two factions of "official powers" in Suzhou City: Li Zhao of the Weaving Bureau and Suzhou Prefect Cao Wenbin. She did not know who was truly behind Zhang Biao. Shen Cuixi dispatched Shu Fang to send people to search for Ren Xuetang, with Shu Fang emphasizing that finding him was the most urgent priority to uncover the truth. Shen Cuixi also told Shu Fang to remind Ren Rufeng to control his tongue to avoid trouble.
