Resumo do episódio 16 de Marvelous Women
> Resumos de Marvelous Women
Wei Lianggong initially desired to reside in the side courtyard, which Shen Cuixi revealed was originally prepared for Zeng Baoqin, who had lived there for a period. Shen Cuixi then guided Wei Lianggong to a back door in a small courtyard that opened directly to the canal, where a small boat was perpetually ready for departure.
Wei Lianggong inquired if Shen Cuixi had ever contemplated using it to leave, but she remained silent and did not let him hold her hand. He expressed sadness and confusion, questioning why she would maintain such an exit if she had no intention of departing. Later, Wei Lianggong discovered that Shen Cuixi kept the door specifically for Zeng Baoqin's potential use, which brought him relief.
Li Zhao arrived at Shan Tang Street with medicine, ostensibly to visit Wei Lianggong, though he already knew Wei Lianggong was elsewhere. His true motive was to assess Zeng Baoqin's stance. Zeng Baoqin, realizing she could not conceal the truth, candidly stated that Wei Lianggong had returned to the Ren family. She initially claimed Xiushan had personally fetched him.
When Li Zhao doubted this due to Xiushan's young age, Zeng Baoqin clarified that Xiushan, upon hearing of Wei Lianggong's illness, had tearfully pleaded with Shen Cuixi to bring him back, and she (Zeng Baoqin) had also persuaded Wei Lianggong to return, considering the Ren family's resources. Li Zhao then broached the subject of the pervasive rumors circulating in Suzhou.
Zeng Baoqin countered by mentioning Wei Lianggong's history with his birth mother and principal mother (Pan Shi), asserting that while Wei Lianggong might potentially be interested in others, it was inconceivable he would be romantically involved with Shen Cuixi, the family matriarch. This firmly established Zeng Baoqin's position for Li Zhao, causing him to cease his probing.
Wei Lianggong confided in Shen Cuixi about his past, detailing his birth mother's tragic fate, his principal mother (Pan Shi), and his complex relationship with Li Zhao. He revealed that his initial prejudice against Shen Cuixi stemmed from his experiences with Zeng Baoqin, his birth mother, and Pan Shi. His birth mother had endured immense suffering under Pan Shi, being imprisoned, insulted, sold into a pleasure house, and ultimately driven to suicide.
He recounted knowing Li Zhao, his senior disciple, since he was seven, noting that Li Zhao had initially been very caring. However, after Li Zhao entered officialdom, he transformed into a cold, greedy individual solely focused on power. Li Zhao had even pressured Wei Lianggong to abandon his resentment towards his principal mother and write an insincere article praising both his principal and birth mothers, absurdly suggesting he had two good mothers and should memorialize them.
Wei Lianggong pondered whether acquiring power inevitably corrupted people. Shen Cuixi admitted her uncertainty but stated her constant struggle to control herself to avoid such a transformation. Wei Lianggong thanked Shen Cuixi for helping him understand that societal status itself is not inherently flawed, but rather the individuals wielding it.
He also acknowledged Pan Shi for inadvertently granting him and his birth mother six years of warmth and happiness in a small courtyard, despite Pan Shi indirectly causing his birth mother's death. Wei Lianggong disliked associating with Li Zhao due to his hypocrisy but, to Shen Cuixi's distress, ultimately sought Li Zhao's assistance on her behalf. Suzhou was rife with rumors about Shen Cuixi and Wei Lianggong, fueled by the Chief Accountant's suppression and stagnant silk prices.
These rumors alleged that Shen Cuixi, who managed the Ren family's business and oversaw the Suzhou Chief Accountant's office, was engaged in an affair with an outside teacher. Silk farmers (Sanghu) converged on the Ren family (specifically Qingyuefang) to demand answers. Ren Rufeng fiercely rebuffed and ridiculed them, warning against spreading unverified accusations and defending Shen Cuixi's integrity as baseless slander. Burdened by a secret, Qiao'er appeared at the Chief Accountant's office (or Qingyuefang) but hesitated and turned to leave.
Shu Fang pursued her, and after persistent persuasion, Qiao'er tearfully confessed that her husband, Ding Rong, was the mastermind behind the widespread rumors about Shen Cuixi and Wei Lianggong, using storytellers and storybooks to propagate the malicious tales. Qiao'er knelt and apologized to Ren Rufeng, who angrily condemned Ding Rong for becoming a "murderous blade." Ren Rufeng promptly dispatched men to apprehend the storytellers.
Qiao'er expressed fear that Shen Cuixi would not forgive Ding Rong, but Shu Fang reassured her, confident that Shen Cuixi's compassionate nature meant she would ultimately grant the undeserving Ding Rong a chance to live. Seventh Uncle and Fifth Uncle arrived at the Ren family to confront Wei Lianggong about the rampant rumors. Upon hearing of their presence, Shen Cuixi rushed to intervene.
The uncles expressed grave concern that Ren Xuetang, upon his return, would be deeply disturbed by the pervasive gossip throughout Suzhou. They insisted that Wei Lianggong's departure was the sole means to quell the incessant rumors. Meanwhile, Ding Rong cunningly deceived Qiao'er into revealing Shen Cuixi's room location.
He then secretly placed a pair of men's shoes in her room and discovered a man's garment on the bed, which he concealed, intending to frame Shen Cuixi and Wei Lianggong for an illicit affair. However, as he attempted to leave, he was caught red-handed by Shu Fang, Qiao'er, and Ren Rufeng. Ren Rufeng, along with Shu Fang and Qiao'er, apprehended Ding Rong and the storyteller, bringing them before the two uncles.
They exposed Ding Rong as the malicious fabricator behind the rumors. The storyteller confessed that Ding Rong had authored the storybook (including one about an embroidered pouch) and paid him to disseminate the false narratives. Accused by everyone of framing Shen Cuixi, destroying her reputation, and essentially "killing" her, Ding Rong furiously retorted by accusing Qiao'er of betrayal. He vehemently insisted that Shen Cuixi was not innocent and that she and Wei Lianggong were indeed involved in an improper relationship.
To counter this, Wei Lianggong swore an oath that if he had any private affair with Shen Cuixi, he would not survive past the spring. Qiao'er angrily slapped Ding Rong, simultaneously defending Shen Cuixi and vehemently declaring her intention to sever all marital ties with him. Ding Rong, heartbroken and desperate at her betrayal, retaliated by producing a garment he had hidden in his clothes.
He claimed to have found it in Shen Cuixi's room, asserting that Shen Cuixi, the Ren family matriarch renowned for her unparalleled needlework, had made it for Wei Lianggong, whom he derogatorily called an "outsider." Shu Fang, furious, cursed Ding Rong, calling him crazy and stating her pity was solely for Qiao'er. To protect Shen Cuixi, Shu Fang bravely stepped forward and claimed that she herself had made the garment for Wei Lianggong.
Qiao'er, emotionally overwhelmed with profound grief and regret over her marriage to Ding Rong, became distraught and began bleeding vaginally. Despite frantic efforts to call a doctor, Qiao'er tragically miscarried and passed away, losing both her own life and that of her unborn child. Before her death, when Shu Fang asked if she wished to see Ding Rong, Qiao'er firmly stated that she never wanted to see him, "this life, next life, forever."
Overwhelmed with remorse and despair, Ding Rong cradled Qiao'er's body and wept loudly. Ren Rufeng, who genuinely loved Shu Fang and intended to marry her, had prepared the fabric for her wedding dress. His mother (or aunt, Yi Nainai) advised him against holding the wedding during the prevailing controversy. Ren Rufeng agreed to delay the ceremony but still sought out Shu Fang in the side courtyard, presenting her with the wedding dress fabric.
He encouraged her to begin making the dress at her own pace, suggesting it could take three to five months, and assuring her they would marry once it was completed. Despite his earnestness, Shu Fang hesitated and ultimately informed him that their marriage should not continue.
