Resumo do episódio 20 de Marvelous Women
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Seeking to live life on her own terms, Shen Cuixi enters Ren Xuetang’s study, a place she had long avoided due to the sadness it evoked. There, she discovers a letter he left for her before he departed to investigate Zhang Biao. In the letter, Ren Xuetang claims to have severed emotional ties and expresses his hope that Shen Cuixi would treat Zeng Baoqin well.
Shen Cuixi, however, realizes his heart still belongs to Zeng Baoqin and believes the letter was meant to comfort her, but that he himself doesn't fully understand his feelings. Deciding to let go of the long-standing emotional entanglement, these matters become irrelevant to her. The next day, Shen Cuixi dispatches Shu Yan to bring Zeng Baoqin and Ru Yi to the Ren family, settling them in the West Courtyard.
Despite Ru Yi’s initial worries that Shen Cuixi intends to harm Zeng Baoqin, Shu Yan assures her there is no malice. Shen Cuixi admits that as the matriarch, she must act for the family's benefit, not merely her own desires, and invites Zeng Baoqin to enter the Ren family, not as an aunt, but as Miss Zeng, acknowledging her as Ren Xiushan’s biological mother and stating it's her responsibility.
Zeng Baoqin agrees, but proposes three conditions, all of which Shen Cuixi accepts. Zeng Baoqin, however, points out that the family genealogy lists Shen Cuixi as Xiushan’s mother and advises Shen Cuixi against acting arbitrarily for the sake of the family. She also states she won't stay in the Ren family forever and warns Shen Cuixi not to delegate all family affairs to her simply to seek peace, hoping Shen Cuixi will consider her decisions carefully.
With Zeng Baoqin now legitimately recognized, Ren Xiushan pays his respects to both Shen Cuixi and Zeng Baoqin, moving Zeng Baoqin to tears when he calls her "mother" for the first time. Shen Cuixi tells Xiushan that his mother is a talented woman, capable of helping him with his studies, even surpassing Mr. Feng. Shen Cuixi then begins to instruct Zeng Baoqin in the Ren family’s k'o-ssu (silk tapestry) traditions, starting with the methods used for New Year greetings.
Zeng Baoqin, though already skilled in k'o-ssu, initially wonders why, but Shen Cuixi explains that Zeng Baoqin’s previous skill was merely a pastime, whereas this is the family’s centuries-old heritage. Through this training, which includes production, personnel management, techniques, silkworm farming, raw silk fields, and weaving looms, Zeng Baoqin learns the difficulty behind every stitch and gains a deeper understanding of the entire business. Shen Cuixi affirms that Zeng Baoqin's future achievements will surpass her own.
She also compiles her years of experience managing the Ren family into written form, stressing the importance of Zeng Baoqin having a sense of purpose for the family's stability. Shen Cuixi also remains concerned about Ren Xiushan’s education, believing his studies are crucial for Zeng Baoqin and the family’s future prospects, as Xiushan will eventually manage the family business, and Zeng Baoqin needs to be able to assist him.
Elsewhere, Liu Ma observes Shu Fang’s brother, Lin Dahu, repeatedly seeking Shu Fang, only to be driven away by Ren Rufeng. Concerned about an urgent family matter, Liu Ma informs Shu Fang. Shu Fang interrogates Shu Mo, learning that Lin Dahu has sold her again, this time with a permanent contract. Fortunately, Ren Rufeng had bought the contract himself.
Accompanied by Shu Yan, Shu Fang confronts her brother, accusing him of selling her for 200 taels, despite her having given him all her savings over the years. Utterly disappointed in her brother and having been exploited by family before, Shu Fang vows not to be again. Aunt advises Ren Rufeng to coax Shu Fang and, when he resists, scolds him for being foolish and unable to get a wife, even asking his confidant, Shu Mo, about their relationship.
Ren Rufeng, learning of Shu Fang’s confrontation with Lin Dahu, rushes over worriedly, relieved to find her safe. Shu Fang discovers that Ren Rufeng had bought her contract. He is embarrassed, denying he did it out of pity and asserting his genuine love for her, feeling she was too good to be a concubine. Shu Fang, deeply moved to tears, finally accepts his proposal.
Their engagement is settled, and their wedding is put on the agenda, set for the end of the month, much to the happiness of Shen Cuixi, Aunt, and Chen Xiaohong. The couple shyly agrees to follow Shen Cuixi’s lead regarding the wedding arrangements. In her spare time, Shen Cuixi visits Qiao’er’s two daughters, playing shuttlecock with them, showing no ill will, which makes Ding Rong feel somewhat guilty.
Zeng Baoqin, while improving her k'o-ssu skills in the Ren residence, begins to feel confined to the embroidery workshop. She also notes Shen Cuixi providing her with business books, explaining that these are to help her assist Xiushan when he eventually manages the family business. Zeng Baoqin expresses concern that Shen Cuixi’s recent actions—confining her, fully teaching her skills and business management, and hastily marrying off Shu Fang—feel like preparations for her own end.
Shen Cuixi dismisses these speculations, reassuring Zeng Baoqin that she promised Wei Lianggong she would live well. As a heavy rain begins, Li Zhao returns to Suzhou from Jiangning. He informs Ding Rong that affairs in Jiangning are settled, preventing Cao Wenbin from causing him trouble anymore. Li Zhao instructs Ding Rong to expedite selling the raw silk inventory to the Jiangnan river bandits, and also mentions his intent to deal with Shen Cuixi once these matters are handled.
Meanwhile, Cao Wenbin warns Shen Cuixi that his retention fee needs to be double last time. Shen Cuixi advises Cao Wenbin to use this opportunity to expose Li Zhao’s vulnerabilities, eliminate the hidden danger, secure his official reputation, and then his retention could be easily resolved with less money. Cao Wenbin, frustrated, admits Li Zhao is cunning and he hasn't found any leverage for six months.
Shen Cuixi assures him she will secure credible evidence for him to act, ensuring a decisive blow. Ding Rong continues working for Li Zhao, selling raw silk from the warehouse to the bandits. After Cao Wenbin stops his patrols, the bandits increase their purchases, and Li Zhao, driven by greed, buys more raw silk from the Suzhou market for huge profits. Ding Rong cautiously changes transaction locations, meeting Zhang Biao at the dock to trade raw silk. Realizing the transfer will take time, they sit down for a drink.
