Marvelous Women Episode 9 Recap
> Marvelous Women Recap
Li Zhao acknowledged Wei Lianggong's exceptional talent, advising him against harboring resentment towards his stepmother over his birth mother's fate. Wei Lianggong, however, remained indifferent, determined to reject an official career and choosing instead to pursue death. One snowy day, he collapsed in the snow and was rescued by Zeng Baoqin and Ru Yi, who were passing by. Upon waking, Wei Lianggong, still lacking the will to live, was gently encouraged by Zeng Baoqin to embrace life.
She revealed her own difficult past, having been imprisoned, confined to an acting house, and separated from her own son, Ren Xiushan. She stressed that despite life's hardships, death was not the answer, and they should strive to live well. Wei Lianggong had also suffered from the cold, which had affected his lungs, prompting Zeng Baoqin to keep him to recover, during which time he developed strong feelings for her.
They discovered a shared bond in their similar experiences of hardship and pain, mutually encouraging each other to persevere. Zeng Baoqin also found renewed purpose, resolving to live well in the hope of one day reuniting with Xiushan. Zeng Baoqin, a master of Suzhou embroidery, earned her living through her exquisite craft. While many admired her skill, she also became the subject of gossip.
Wei Lianggong, overhearing these rumors, advised her not to let them bother her, though Zeng Baoqin, having made peace with her past, largely dismissed them. Wei Lianggong shared details of his own tragic history: his stepmother, Pan Shi, had sold his birth mother into a Suzhou acting house when he was eight. Years later, upon learning of his success in the imperial examination, his birth mother took her own life in the acting house.
Wei Lianggong expressed his bitterness towards his stepmother for causing his birth mother's death, finding it ironic that society still expected him to fulfill filial duties to her. Li Zhao, learning that Wei Lianggong was residing in Shangtang Street, frequently visiting an opera troupe to learn acting and living a carefree life, sent his subordinate, Liu Shiye, with money to sound out Wei Lianggong's intentions regarding an official career.
Wei Lianggong, who enjoyed singing and wished to avoid the "chains of fame and fortune," instructed Ru Yi to always tell Liu Shiye he was unavailable. Zeng Baoqin reflected on her own father's past as an official, who, despite his ambition to serve the state, was eventually convicted of corruption and embezzlement, bringing misfortune upon their family. Her father’s dying words, which Wei Lianggong recognized as those of Li Si, suggested deep regret for entering officialdom.
Zeng Baoqin sent a half-finished "Mandarin Ducks Playing in Water" painting to Shen Cuixi. This gesture, according to Zeng Baoqin, was a sarcastic challenge, questioning Shen Cuixi's life choices and suggesting that despite her superb embroidery skills, she couldn't "embroider" such a simple scene of marital happiness into her own life. The painting symbolized her complex feelings for Ren Xuetang, put away when she resented him, picked up when she longed for him.
Zeng Baoqin wanted to know if Shen Cuixi’s life was merely for domestic peace, enduring a lifetime with a man who perhaps didn't love her. Puzzled by the painting's meaning, Shen Cuixi went to Shangtang Street to seek clarification. Wei Lianggong subsequently became a tutor in the Ren family, teaching Ren Xiushan. He initially disliked Shen Cuixi and mistakenly believed she was harsh towards Xiushan, denying him food. However, after speaking with Shen Cuixi, he learned he had misunderstood.
Xiushan had been suffering from indigestion and fever, and the doctor had advised him to eat less. He also heard Shen Cuixi's sincere words to Shu Fang, realizing that Shen Cuixi was not a cruel and callous woman like his stepmother. City-wide rumors also circulated, accusing Shen Cuixi of neglecting Xiushan because he was not her biological son, forcing him to study day and night, and failing to care for him properly when he fell ill.
Shen Cuixi, undeterred by the gossip, resolved to nurture Xiushan if he called her "mother," regardless of how he or others perceived her actions, seeking peace in her conscience. Meanwhile, seven years had passed since Ren Xuetang's disappearance. Three family elders confronted Shen Cuixi in the ancestral hall, accusing her of clinging to power, seeking glory, and deceiving the world, concluding that Ren Xuetang must be dead.
Shen Cuixi angrily refuted their claims, asserting that Ren family's current standing was due to her efforts and accusing them of being overly aggressive. She steadfastly maintained that Ren Xuetang was still alive, as there was no body. Distressed, Shen Cuixi left the Ren family home and wandered aimlessly through the streets in the rain. Wei Lianggong appeared with an umbrella, thoughtfully shielding her. Realizing her unhappiness, he took her on a boat ride.
During their outing, they overheard women on a bridge maliciously gossiping about Shen Cuixi. Unable to tolerate the slander, Shen Cuixi publicly cursed the women, leaving them speechless. After her outburst, she laughed heartily, even discarding her umbrella and letting the rain soak her. With clearer skies, Shen Cuixi returned to the Ren family home and resumed her normal life. Later, Zeng Baoqin heard rumors again, suggesting Shen Cuixi was mistreating Xiushan, causing her great anxiety.
She immediately sought out Wei Lianggong for clarification. Wei Lianggong assured her that Shen Cuixi genuinely treated Xiushan as her own son, and any strictness came from a loving mother's heart, urging Zeng Baoqin not to believe the gossip. Zeng Baoqin noticed a distinct change in Wei Lianggong, who, upon entering the Ren residence, had initially shown disdain for Shen Cuixi but was now defending her.
Wei Lianggong stated that the kindness of birth parents and adoptive parents were equally significant. Angered by his words, Zeng Baoqin abruptly left, while Wei Lianggong, at a loss, silently followed her. This scene was witnessed by Ren Rufeng.
