Marvelous Women Episode 4 Recap
> Marvelous Women Recap
Upon learning of Ren Xuetang's disappearance, the Ren clan elders, including the Third, Fifth, and Seventh Uncle-Grandfathers, arrived at the Ren family residence. Chen Xiaohong immediately urged her son, Ren Rufeng, to greet them, dreaming of the day he would achieve prominence, while Aunt-Grandmother also quickly dispatched Ren Rufeng to meet them, expecting he would soon become the family head.
Shen Cuixi, aware of the elders' intentions and knowing their visit would not be for a good reason, promptly brought out the family head token. The elders argued that it was highly inappropriate for Shen Cuixi, a woman, to manage such a vast family business and the livelihoods of nearly a thousand weavers. They insisted that Ren Rufeng, as Ren Xuetang's brother, should assume this responsibility.
Chen Xiaohong also tried to persuade Shen Cuixi to relinquish her position, suggesting Ren Rufeng would take over if any harm befell Ren Xuetang. Shen Cuixi immediately rejected this possibility. Presenting the family head token, Shen Cuixi stated that being the head was not about prestige but about effectively managing the finances. Ren Rufeng felt slighted, believing Shen Cuixi was looking down on him.
The elders further argued that Shen Cuixi, being "without husband and son," should allow Ren Rufeng to become the family head. However, Shen Cuixi countered by revealing that Ren Xuetang's concubine, Zeng Baoqin, had given birth to a son. As the legal wife, Shen Cuixi asserted that this child should rightfully be registered under her name.
She then challenged the elders and Ren Rufeng: if they were so insistent on her stepping down, could Ren Rufeng guarantee the continued business of the Ren family's sixty-three shops (South Seven North Six) and the livelihoods of nearly a thousand weavers? Ren Rufeng remained silent, clearly outmatched, thus confirming Shen Cuixi's indispensable role as the Ren family head. The elders then inquired about the child's whereabouts. Shen Cuixi went to Shantang Street to meet Zeng Baoqin.
Seeing Shen Cuixi intently staring at her son, Zeng Baoqin immediately became protective. Shen Cuixi asked if the child had been named, and Zeng Baoqin replied truthfully that Ren Xuetang had named him Xiushan. Shen Cuixi then arranged for Shu Fang to take the child away, with Zeng Baoqin initially resisting. Shen Cuixi explained that children are innocent and should not witness adult matters, which led Zeng Baoqin to allow Ru Yi to carry the child.
Shen Cuixi declared her intention to bring Ren Xiushan back to the Ren family to raise him, ensuring he would legitimately inherit the family business in the future. Misunderstanding Shen Cuixi's intentions, Zeng Baoqin believed she was also being accepted back into the Ren family. She knelt and respectfully offered tea, promising to be dutiful once inside the Ren residence.
Shen Cuixi clarified that she was only there to take the child and that Zeng Baoqin would not be allowed to enter the Ren family. Enraged, Zeng Baoqin smashed the teacup, accusing Shen Cuixi of going back on her word, asserting that otherwise, she and Ren Xuetang would have married years ago. Shen Cuixi, in turn, decided to settle a long-standing score. She affirmed that the idea of elopement years ago had originated from Zeng Baoqin.
She argued that Zeng Baoqin, as an official's daughter, could not have conceived of eloping on her own, suggesting someone must have deliberately put the idea in her head. Shen Cuixi warned that if Zeng Baoqin's parents had reported them, Ren Xuetang, a man of scholarly achievement, would have been stripped of his honors and forbidden from participating in imperial examinations for life.
Furthermore, if her parents had been more ruthless and accused Ren Xuetang of seducing a respectable woman, it would have been a capital offense. Shen Cuixi also reminded Zeng Baoqin of her past as an imprisoned "lehu" (entertainer/prostitute), warning that Ren Xiushan would not only face mockery and insults but also, as an illegitimate child, would be unable to hold office or participate in imperial examinations.
Despite Zeng Baoqin's stubbornness and refusal to give up the child, Shen Cuixi, surrounded by her people, offered Zeng Baoqin only two choices. Ultimately, Zeng Baoqin was forced to hand her son over to Shen Cuixi. Zeng Baoqin was filled with hatred for Shen Cuixi, vowing never to marry into the Ren family as a concubine and to one day avenge the "taking of her son."
On their way back, Shu Fang expressed confusion, questioning why Shen Cuixi would willingly acquire a reputation for jealousy when the wealthy Ren family could easily support Zeng Baoqin. Shen Cuixi explained that the Ren family was currently in a tumultuous period, and it was better to keep Zeng Baoqin out. She elaborated that Zeng Baoqin and Li Zhao were fellow apprentices with a very close relationship.
Shen Cuixi pondered what Zeng Baoqin would do if Li Zhao turned out to be the "official" Ren Xuetang had mentioned. Shen Cuixi also candidly admitted that while supporting Zeng Baoqin was not difficult, she feared losing control of her emotions; as the family matriarch, she possessed the authority to punish Zeng Baoqin as she wished, making it safer for Zeng Baoqin to remain outside the family.
Shu Fang worried that Zeng Baoqin might conspire with Li Zhao against Shen Cuixi. Shen Cuixi sighed, remarking that if Li Zhao were to assist Zeng Baoqin in an internal family matter, the true mastermind behind the attacks on the Ren family would be unmistakably revealed. Shen Cuixi returned home with Xiushan. Ren Rufeng was excited and eager to hold his nephew.
Initially, Shen Cuixi was wary, but seeing no malice in him, she allowed him to hold the child for a while. Meanwhile, Ru Yi joyfully approached Shu Yan in the street, but Shu Yan awkwardly asked her to pretend they didn't know each other. Ru Yi was deeply heartbroken, as Shu Yan had previously promised to marry her, and was now going back on his word.
Shu Yan's reluctance stemmed from his difficult position: Zeng Baoqin was Li Zhao's junior fellow apprentice, and Ru Yi was Zeng Baoqin's personal servant. If Li Zhao was indeed the person who harmed Ren Xuetang, Shu Yan would find himself in an impossible situation. Seeking help, Zeng Baoqin went to the Weaving Bureau to find her senior fellow apprentice, Li Zhao, to retrieve her child, citing the unforgivable grudge of having her son taken.
She requested Li Zhao to ruin the Ren family's business, making Shen Cuixi a public enemy, especially now that Shen Cuixi managed every aspect of the family. Li Zhao agreed without hesitation, which caused a pang of anxiety in Zeng Baoqin. Separately, Shen Cuixi began strictly teaching Qiao'er kesi (tapestry weaving) and embroidery techniques.
It was revealed that Qiao'er was preparing for marriage, and Shen Cuixi was concerned she wouldn't be able to support herself after leaving the Ren family, hence her dedication to imparting these skills. Shu Fang believed Qiao'er would eventually understand Shen Cuixi's thoughtful intentions. Later, Zeng Baoqin and Ru Yi were resting at a teahouse when they coincidentally saw a drunken Ren Rufeng. They overheard others gossiping about the Ren family, which made Zeng Baoqin deeply worried about her child's safety under Shen Cuixi's care.
