Resumo do episódio 7 de Faithful
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Seven years ago, a young Shen Mu, new to Huaizhou, witnessed a constable extorting money from a Liang family farmer. Filled with righteous indignation, Shen Mu confronted the constable, demanding he return the illicit funds. The constable, mocking his youth, warned Shen Mu that Huaizhou had its own rules and that he shouldn't cause trouble, threatening him with violence from his men. Undeterred, Shen Mu declared his intention to report the constable to Prefect Chen.
The constable scoffed, noting that Prefect Chen was already overwhelmed by the "Peach Blossom Case" involving Rulan and Yanyu Tower and would likely be looking for someone to vent his anger on, advising Shen Mu to go get himself a beating. Rulan's family faced immense difficulties due to her lawsuit. The pharmacy teacher refused to take Lin Lang as an apprentice, and her parents' pharmacy was forced to close.
Rulan felt deeply remorseful, while her mother regretted ever sending her to the Yanyu Tower, which had brought such misfortune upon them. Lin Lang, enraged, wanted to confront Wu Lian but was restrained by his father. Despite their hardships, the family remained supportive and loving towards one another, assuring Rulan that they were there for her. The Wu family, however, was not backing down.
Mrs. Wu sent Matchmaker Wang to the Lin family's home with elaborate betrothal gifts, publicly announcing Wu Lian’s intention to take Rulan as a concubine. Matchmaker Wang boasted about her matchmaking prowess and praised the Wu family's high-standard gifts, implying Mrs. Wu's kindness for preserving Rulan's reputation. She openly declared that Rulan was lucky to be chosen, as even a virtuous maiden would struggle to marry into the Wu family, let alone Rulan.
Rulan's parents vehemently rejected the proposal, refusing to let the matchmaker enter and insisting she take the gifts back, stating Rulan would not marry Wu Lian. Matchmaker Wang, undeterred, tried to force her way in, with onlookers siding with her, calling Rulan ungrateful. Just then, Lin Lang emerged, brandishing a stick, forbidding anyone from entering and driving away the matchmaker and the gossiping crowd.
After they left, Rulan's father lovingly reassured her that they would support her for her entire life, no matter what. Meanwhile, Meng Wan returned home to the sound of her alcoholic father verbally abusing and physically assaulting her mother, demanding a bracelet. Meng Wan rushed in to protect her mother, who was being called a "loser" and a "jinx" by her father.
From her mother, Meng Wan learned that classes at Yanyu Tower were temporarily suspended due to recent incidents, and that Wu Lian had proposed to Rulan, but the Lin family had turned down the matchmaker. Meng Wan's mother expressed frustration, criticizing Rulan for "playing hard to get" and wishing Meng Wan was as capable. Feeling a sense of unease, Meng Wan quickly left for Rulan's house.
Upon arriving, Meng Wan found Gao Chengcheng pounding on Rulan’s door, loudly accusing Rulan of slandering Wu Lian to force him into marriage, claiming her rejection of the proposal was merely a tactic to "play hard to get." Meng Wan stepped forward, attempting to defend Rulan, arguing that Wu Lian's proposal was merely a cover-up for his misdeeds and that the Lin family had indeed sent the matchmaker away. Gao Chengcheng, refusing to listen, intensified her insults, calling Rulan "filthy."
Rulan then opened the door, slapped Gao Chengcheng, and forcefully told her to leave. Gao Chengcheng retreated, vowing to witness Rulan's downfall. Inside, Meng Wan asked Rulan if the betrothal rumors were true, expressing disbelief at Wu Lian’s audacity, to which Rulan responded with visible distress. Later, Gao Chengcheng confronted Wu Lian at Yanyu Tower, asking if he was truly marrying Rulan, but he dismissed her, advising her to focus on her embroidery.
Days later, Yamen officers, led by Captain Qian and including Mr. Zhou, arrived at Rulan's home to bring her to the Yamen for further investigation into her accusation of assault against Wu Lian. Rulan attempted to seek help from Liu Xin, but was informed by the officers that he had been imprisoned. Lin Lang tried to accompany his sister, but the officers prevented him.
As Rulan was roughly pushed and shoved by the constables, she nearly fell, but Shen Mu quickly stepped in to protect her. On the way to the Yamen, several constables made lewd and explicit comments about Rulan, comparing her skin to that of popular courtesans from Yanchun House and Xiaoxiang House, much to Shen Mu's visible displeasure. At the Yamen, Rulan demanded to see Prefect Chen, but was told he was too busy with official duties.
The constables then instructed her to recount the details of Wu Lian's assault, demanding explicit descriptions. Mr. Zhou and others physically reenacted parts of the assault, grabbing Rulan's hands and simulating undressing her, pushing her for louder and clearer details. Shen Mu intervened, reminding them that their duty was to question, not to brutalize. Mr. Zhou, accusing Shen Mu of "pitying women," ordered him to fetch water, forcing Shen Mu to leave as Rulan watched him with a desperate gaze.
Soon after, a matron arrived and ordered the constables to take Rulan for a physical inspection. The matron commanded Rulan to undress for the examination, explaining it was necessary to verify her claims. Rulan pleaded for the men to leave or for a more private setting, but the matron harshly refused, calling her "pretentious" as she was "no longer a virgin." The matron then offered Rulan an out: withdraw the lawsuit, and she would be spared the inspection.
Rulan, however, adamantly refused to drop the charges. Infuriated, the matron ordered the constables to forcibly undress her. Just as they were about to, Shen Mu burst back in, drawing his sword to fend off the constables and force them out of the room. After the examination, the matron confirmed that Rulan was no longer a virgin but noted an absence of any tearing, leading her to conclude that Rulan either willingly engaged with Wu Lian or actively seduced him.
She then scornfully accused Rulan of being a "shameless girl" who would resort to any means to "climb the social ladder." Meanwhile, Prefect Chen was informed that Rulan was proving to be resilient and that Shen Mu had complicated matters, reiterating that Rulan must not be allowed to tarnish Mr. Wu's reputation, as per Lady Ning's instructions. Seeing Rulan's outer garment ruined, Shen Mu offered her his uniform and escorted her to a clothing shop.
He had expected her to be discouraged, but was surprised by her unwavering resolve to seek justice, even if it meant taking her case to the capital. Moved by her determination, he suggested she find a litigator. At the clothing shop, realizing neither had money, Shen Mu used his Yamen officer's token and uniform as collateral for Rulan's new clothes.
Rulan then questioned why Shen Mu would help her, given that public opinion portrayed her as a "filthy" and "shameless girl" attempting to marry into the powerful Wu family, especially when he had to defy his own colleagues.
Shen Mu responded that he simply felt their actions were wrong and that he believed her, stating that he didn't think any woman would fabricate such a serious accusation about her chastity, and emphasizing that he did not find her "dirty," but rather, the true "filth" belonged to those who committed "beastly acts."
Later, back at the Yamen, Shen Mu faced hostility from his colleagues, including Mr. Zhou, who attacked him for his "heroic" actions and for associating with the now-imprisoned Liu Xin. Shen Mu fought back but was outnumbered and beaten. Rulan, determined, pawned her bracelet and began searching for a litigator. Many rejected her outright or tried to exploit her vulnerability. Finally, she stumbled upon an elderly litigator being harassed in the street and intervened to help him.
She then cautiously asked him to take her case. The old litigator recognized her from when she "filed the lawsuit" at the Yamen and asked if her testimony that day was entirely truthful, without any hidden details. Rulan swore on her life that she had concealed nothing. Convinced by her sincerity, the old litigator agreed to take her case, arranging to meet her at a teahouse to discuss the full story.
Rulan later encountered Shen Mu and informed him that she had successfully found a litigator, expressing her gratitude for his earlier advice and encouragement. Shen Mu, acknowledging her resolve, warned her that the path ahead would be arduous and advised her to take care. Rulan promised to treat him to wine once she won her case. As they parted ways, onlookers continued to hurl insults, calling them an "adulterous couple."
