Resumo do episódio 7 de A Splendid Match
> Resumos de A Splendid Match
Determined to help the Nie family despite Chen Yanyun's cold exterior, Gu Jinzhao declared she would take matters into her own hands to ensure his reputation remained untarnished. Watching her leave, Chen Yanyun realized her outburst was a calculated move. He recognized that she had deliberately picked a fight to distance him from her actions, protecting him from political fallout while she pursued her plan to save Madam Nie and her daughter, Xiangyun.
Following through, Jinzhao instructed her household to never speak of Lord Nie’s situation again to avoid charges of deceiving the sovereign. Her butler, Ping, successfully arranged a refuge for Madam Nie. He located a former colleague of Lord Nie named Mr. Lv, who had established an embroidery business in the capital using a loan once provided by the Nie family.
Grateful for the past help, Mr. Lv agreed to hire Madam Nie as an instructor with a steady wage and housing. To ensure their safety, Ping planned to move them discreetly into the shop's backyard. Soon after, Jinzhao’s cousin, Ji Yao, arrived in the capital to begin his studies, bringing gifts from their grandmother, Madam Ji. The offerings included premium snacks, fermented tofu, and scholar’s tools for the Gu household, along with specially selected fabrics for Jinzhao.
When the two cousins met, Jinzhao was eager for news, but Ji Yao took a stern tone. Having reached the age of fifteen, he insisted they maintain a proper distance. Jinzhao found his sudden adherence to etiquette irritating, suspecting he was simply terrified their grandmother might try to arrange a marriage between them.
During a welcoming dinner, the family discussed Ji Yao’s future at the prestigious Cunshan Academy, which he entered thanks to a recommendation from Chen Xuanqing, the nephew of Chen Yanyun. Jinzhao offered to accompany him to the academy the next day.
This sparked gossip within the household; while Lady Song tried to push Gu Lan to join them to build a connection with Chen Xuanqing, Gu Lan refused, convinced that Jinzhao was the one who actually harbored feelings for the young scholar. Meanwhile, Ye Xian, the Heir of Longxing, sought out Jinzhao to show his gratitude for her help during his recent heart episode. Finding only Gu Lan at home, he learned Jinzhao had gone to the academy.
Though annoyed by the suggestion that she was seeking a marriage prospect at the school, he instructed his servant to send her an invitation for dinner later, unwilling to remain in her debt. At the same time, Ye Xian resisted his mother’s pleas to resign from his post at the Eastern Palace, despite the strictness of his tutor, Chen Yanyun. At Cunshan Academy, Jinzhao was captivated by the serene environment.
During a conversation with Chen Xuanqing, she learned of the headmaster’s interest in opening a school for women and asked to be kept informed. As they toured the grounds, she noticed Chen Xuanqing’s calligraphy and recognized the influence of Chen Yanyun’s style. They discussed the nuances of the Liu Gongquan technique, and Xuanqing revealed that while his uncle preferred the bold spirit of the Diamond Sutra copybook, he felt his own temperament was still too reserved.
That evening, Jinzhao reflected on her future with her maid, Qingpu. Realizing she could not rely on her father, Lord Gu, to protect her interests, she concluded she must take charge of her own marriage. When Qingpu asked if she had truly taken an interest in Chen Xuanqing, Jinzhao admitted he was a suitable candidate, though she remained mindful of the complexities within the Chen household.
Their conversation was interrupted by Nanny Zhao, who brought word that Madam Ji would arrive in the capital the next morning. The following day, Jinzhao went to meet her grandmother amidst a heavy downpour. The atmosphere turned grim when she saw several bodies being transported, evidence of a violent ambush on the road. Her anxiety peaked until a guard sent by Chen Yanyun arrived to reassure her that Madam Ji was safe and finishing her work.
The reunion was emotional, and Jinzhao was struck by how much the stress of the land equalization project in Tongzhou had aged her grandmother. At the palace, the Grand Chancellor, Lord Fu, reviewed the newly arrived land registration records (the "Yulin" charts). He was highly satisfied with the results, noting that these records were the foundation for the dynasty's stability and tax control. He praised Chen Yanyun and Madam Ji for their success. However, political tensions remained high.
In the Eastern Palace, a confrontation erupted when Prince Ruichang attempted to harm the Crown Prince’s dog, Frosty. Ye Xian intervened, mocking the Prince by bringing up the sudden death of his son. The incident raised suspicions about why the Prince had been loitering near the remote north gate of the Eastern Palace without an official announcement. Despite the political success, Jinzhao remained deeply concerned for her grandmother’s well-being.
She visited the Chen Mansion and begged Chen Yanyun to exempt Madam Ji from the upcoming land equalization efforts in Northern Zhili. Jinzhao even offered to take her grandmother’s place, insisting she could handle the travel and the calculations. Chen Yanyun treated her request coldly and had her escorted out. However, his subordinate later noted that he had already decided to let Madam Ji retire and simply record her experiences.
Chen Yanyun admitted he couldn't grant Jinzhao's plea on the spot to avoid the appearance of impropriety in state affairs. Before leaving the mansion, Jinzhao ran into Chen Xuanqing, who was returning to collect some books. He offered to lend her a book with a sharp, critical tone that Jinzhao found fascinating. As her grandmother prepared to return to Tongzhou with the news of her exemption, Jinzhao stayed up late into the night reading. She was determined to finish the book quickly so she could return it to Xuanqing, her mind finally finding peace now that her grandmother was safe from further danger.
