Resumo do episódio 25 de Marvelous Women
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Zeng Baoqin attempted to save Shen Cuixi by bringing the real Kesi technique manual to Li Zhao, expecting to trade it for Shen Cuixi's life. Li Zhao, with his photographic memory, initially questioned the manual's authenticity but, upon seeing it, quickly memorized the technique. He then dismissed it as useless. Angered, Zeng Baoqin snatched the manual back and tried to leave, but Li Zhao stopped her, hugging her and urging her to abandon the declining Ren family.
Zeng Baoqin's recurring cough worsened, and she received Ginseng Lung Cleansing Pills, sent by Li Zhao through the Imperial Silk Bureau. She refused to take them, ordering Ru Yi to throw them away. Ru Yi searched for other medicinal herbs but discovered the Imperial Silk Bureau had bought all the medicine Zeng Baoqin needed, making it impossible to acquire more.
Eventually, realizing she had many things still to do and needing to live, Zeng Baoqin reconsidered and retrieved the discarded pills. Shu Fang witnessed this act. Meanwhile, Zeng Baoqin spread rumors that she was planning to remarry, even meeting with Steward Ma and others to discuss wedding arrangements. These rumors quickly spread throughout Suzhou. A jealous Li Zhao intervened, crashing one of her meetings and declaring that no one in Suzhou would be permitted to marry her without his consent.
Zeng Baoqin countered, accusing Li Zhao of betraying his promise to protect her by raiding the Ren family the very next day, asserting that she needed a reliable patron. The widespread rumors of Zeng Baoqin's remarriage deeply angered Shu Fang, who intended to confront her. Ren Rufeng, having reflected during his time in prison, tried to dissuade Shu Fang, arguing that survival was more important than family reputation or honor.
Shu Fang, however, did not listen and confronted Zeng Baoqin, scolding her as an ingrate for seemingly abandoning the Ren family in its time of trouble. Zeng Baoqin offered no explanation for her actions. Ren Xiushan subsequently went missing after Li Zhao took him after school, causing Zeng Baoqin and others to become frantic with worry and prepare a search party.
Just as they were about to leave the family estate, Li Zhao returned Xiushan, holding his hand, much to Zeng Baoqin's relief. Li Zhao then took Zeng Baoqin to a room filled with gold, silver, and numerous portraits of her. He claimed these were all hers, money he had saved year after year to buy her freedom.
He recounted his past as a poor student when the Zeng family faced hardship, and how he, despite his desire, lacked the power to help. He explained that he studied hard solely for her, starting to accumulate wealth to buy her freedom, but was ultimately a step too late, as Ren Xuetang had already taken her. He confessed his deep, long-standing love for her.
Zeng Baoqin questioned why he didn't use this money to cover the Ren family's deficit and why he raided the family and tried to harm Shen Cuixi, despite claiming to protect her. Li Zhao argued that without Shen Cuixi, Zeng Baoqin and Ren Xuetang would have spent their lives together.
Now that Ren Xuetang was dead, he proposed marriage, claiming he didn't mind that her heart belonged only to Ren Xuetang, but asserted that only he could provide her with a wealthy household and ensure Xiushan's successful education. Appearing softened by his confession, Zeng Baoqin requested Li Zhao to write an official agreement. The following day, Li Zhao arrived at the Ren family estate with a grand procession and wedding gifts, complete with gongs and drums.
Shu Fang attempted to block their entry, but Ru Yi announced that Zeng Baoqin wished to see Li Zhao. Zeng Baoqin then produced the agreement she intended to use to write a letter of accusation against Li Zhao to send to Inspector Wu. However, Li Zhao, who had anticipated her move, advised her not to send it and prompted her to check the agreement.
Zeng Baoqin discovered that Li Zhao had written the document with a special disappearing ink, whose words would gradually vanish when exposed to light. She realized she had been thoroughly outsmarted by his cunning. Li Zhao then had his men remove the wedding gifts. Zeng Baoqin sat dejectedly in the doorway, her plan a complete failure.
When Shu Fang and Ren Rufeng saw her and asked what had happened, she explained her intention to set a trap for Li Zhao to save Shen Cuixi, and how it had all come to nothing. Zeng Baoqin visited Shen Cuixi in prison, where they drank together and she tearfully expressed her profound regret for foolishly attempting to make a deal with someone as cunning as Li Zhao.
She conveyed her pain, feeling she had done everything possible to save Shen Cuixi and the Ren family, yet found herself out of ideas. Shen Cuixi comforted her, urging her not to blame herself and assuring her that caring for Ren Xiushan was enough. Shen Cuixi also reflected that Li Zhao's feelings for Zeng Baoqin were likely just an embellishment to a splendid future, not a bond for life and death.
Zeng Baoqin, however, vowed not to give up until the very last moment, and showed Shen Cuixi the small wooden figurine carved by Wei Lianggong, encouraging Shen Cuixi not to lose hope either. The Ren family's predicament became a widespread topic of discussion. Aunt Fu, whose life Shen Cuixi had once saved, tried to rally scattered weavers to plead for Shen Cuixi, even attempting to gather them to go to the execution ground the next day.
However, the weavers, fearing that speaking out would be a capital offense, refused to participate. For her efforts, Aunt Fu was severely beaten by her husband, who accused her of showing off. In a drastic move, Zeng Baoqin called together the major shopkeepers and announced her intention to make the Ren family's Kesi technique public. The shopkeepers were greatly surprised and dismayed, urging her to keep it private, as it was the Ren family's priceless treasure and a unique legacy.
They understood Shen Cuixi was wronged and desired to help, noting that the establishment of the general accounting office had brought improved prospects for Suzhou weavers. Later, as Zeng Baoqin tucked Ren Xiushan into bed, he called out for his mother in his sleep. Zeng Baoqin comforted him, promising that his mother would return soon, expressing her deep wish to always be with him.
