Resumo do episódio 15 de The Heiress
> Resumos de The Heiress
Wang Zhongyu sought out Han Shiyi after hearing about the assassins at the hunting ground and questioned her about spending a night in a cave with the Fifth Prince. Han Shiyi assured him nothing unusual happened, stating she was with Shen Chengjun and Mr. Zhou the entire time. Later, Wang Zhongyu invited Han Shiyi to a play, a final chapter of "The Heiress" that he had written.
The play depicted a prince who, after ascending the throne, abandoned the female lord who had helped him, enjoying prosperity alone. Wang Zhongyu suggested an alternative ending where the female lord could choose to be with someone who truly loved her, living a free and happy life together. When Han Shiyi expressed annoyance at his probing questions, Wang Zhongyu confessed that he had long known she was a woman.
He explained that he discovered her secret after she fell into the water during the inauguration ceremony, noticing her unusual physique, and then sneaking into her mansion that night to investigate, even admitting to setting the fire as a diversion. Mistaking his intentions for blackmail to align her with the Wang family, Han Shiyi was met with Wang Zhongyu's declaration of love.
He revealed that he initially observed her for his script but gradually understood her pain and loneliness from her decade-long disguise as Han Shiyi, and that's when his feelings for her grew. He acknowledged her affection for Chen Yanyi but believed their relationship wouldn't end well, offering to abandon everything and elope with her to escape the capital's conflicts. Han Shiyi sharply dismissed his confession, advising him to seek medical help and attempting to leave.
Wang Zhongyu followed, pressing her about her relationship with Chen Yanyi since their return from the hunt. Remembering her father's strict warning never to expose her identity, Han Shiyi feigned consideration for Wang Zhongyu's offer. She asked if he would truly forsake his status as the Wang family's second son and all his wealth and fame to wander the world with her.
When he readily agreed, she told him she needed time to think and clarified that there was nothing special between her and Chen Yanyi. Chen Yanyi, who had been watching them speak closely, approached and asserted his unique connection with Han Shiyi. However, Han Shiyi pushed his hand away, insisting he had misunderstood.
She claimed she had never had feelings for him, that he had forcefully bound them together, and that her previous affectionate words were merely comfort spoken when she believed he was gravely injured and wouldn't survive. She then repeated her intention to travel the world with Wang Zhongyu. A visibly hurt Chen Yanyi stated he could offer everything Wang Zhongyu could. When Han Shiyi challenged him to give up everything for her, Chen Yanyi fell silent.
As Chen Yanyi walked away, Wang Zhongyu, despite being used by Han Shiyi, acknowledged her manipulation but expressed no anger. He was pleased that she had turned to him and vowed to remain her friend and a shield. News spread that Peng Kun and Cheng Mingsi had confessed everything, with their testimony reaching the palace.
Prime Minister Wang was informed that his network of contacts across the capital and provinces was exposed, and the Ministry of Justice, Imperial Court of Justice, and Censorate were unusually united against him, no longer engaging in their usual rivalries. Realizing he was facing ruin, he ordered Peng Kun's assassination to prevent a full interrogation. Peng Kun was murdered, a move that Chen Yanyi and his allies had anticipated, catching Prime Minister Wang in a trap.
The Emperor was furious that such an outrageous act occurred in the capital and ordered a thorough investigation, threatening severe punishment for any involved officials. A minister then reported a new crisis: the Hujiatan dyke in Dongping Prefecture had burst, devastating Licheng, Zhangqiu, Qidong, and Zouping. Homes were completely destroyed, fields submerged, and people and livestock swept away, leaving survivors without food or shelter. The Emperor sought solutions from his ministers.
While some proposed opening granaries or deploying troops, the Second Prince, Chen Yanhao, suggested the traditional method of distributing relief funds to each prefecture and county. Chen Yanyi, however, proposed sending officials directly to the disaster areas to oversee relief efforts and personally experience the suffering of the people. The Emperor agreed with Chen Yanyi's approach and dispatched both princes to supervise the disaster relief. Students from the Imperial College, including Lin Rang, volunteered to accompany Chen Yanyi.
Chen Yanhao chose Zhangzhou, a less severely affected area, leaving the more devastated Licheng for Chen Yanyi. Han Shiyi recognized this as another test for the Crown Prince selection, where Chen Yanhao had gained an early advantage. Motivated partly by a desire to repay Chen Yanyi for avenging her brother, Han Shiyi decided to go to Licheng, bringing Lin Rang along to address potential epidemics.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Wang, concerned about the Second Prince's (Chen Yanhao) potential for errors during the crisis, instructed Wang Zhongyu to closely monitor him, intending to ensure Wang Zhongyu supported the Second Prince for the Wang family's survival. Wang Zhongyu asked for a shadow guard token, but his father instead provided a secret order with a peculiar seal, avoiding handing over the token.
Upon arriving in Licheng, Chen Yanyi, Han Shiyi, and their companions witnessed the dire suffering of the flood victims. At a meeting, Chen Yanyi assigned tasks: Lu Long would investigate the dam's damage with canal officials; Han Shiyi would establish soup kitchens and distribute congee twice daily; and Zhou Xuezhang and Shen Chengjun would organize soldiers and survivors to rescue trapped villagers by boat, meticulously searching every village.
Lu Long soon reported that the dam's failure was due to long-standing structural issues, not recent negligence. Chen Yanyi ordered him to ensure the repairs were thorough to prevent future incidents. Despite the danger, Chen Yanyi set up his temporary headquarters near the river dyke to stay informed about the situation. Chen Yanyi was informed that the Licheng granary was completely empty.
Chen Yanyi immediately sent people to the Ministry of Revenue for supplies, while Lin Rang grew anxious over the diminishing supply of medicine. The mission to the Ministry of Revenue returned empty-handed. Yu Chengxiang, the Minister of Revenue and a loyal follower of Prime Minister Wang, had refused to release supplies, citing insufficient stock. Chen Yanyi's group realized this was a deliberate tactic to undermine their relief efforts and bolster the Second Prince's image.
Incited by paid provocateurs, the desperate populace began to cause unrest due to lack of food. Chen Yanyi resolved to use his own household's resources, ordering all his personal grains and supplies transported to Licheng. Han Shiyi and Shen Chengjun followed suit, arranging for their families to contribute their reserves. In Zhangzhou, the Second Prince and Wang Zhongyu, upon hearing of Chen Yanyi's efforts, plotted further. Wang Zhongyu predicted Chen Yanyi's private supplies would last only a few days.
They planned to ensure the Ministry of Revenue continued to withhold aid, hoping starvation would lead to widespread riots, which they could then exploit to discredit Chen Yanyi before the Emperor. Aware that their private provisions would only last five days, Han Shiyi proposed an innovative solution: solicit donations from wealthy merchants.
In exchange for money and grain, the government would issue plaques inscribed by officials, with the rank of the inscribing official corresponding to the donation amount, potentially even Chen Yanyi himself for the largest contributions. Chen Yanyi embraced this idea, recognizing that merchants, despite their wealth, craved social status, which such plaques would bestow. He deemed the potential accusation of "official-merchant collusion" acceptable, prioritizing the lives of the starving citizens over political maneuvering.
Initially, many imperial officials, fearing Prime Minister Wang and Empress Wang, were reluctant to inscribe plaques. Han Shiyi and Shen Chengjun personally visited key nobles, many of whom secretly supported Chen Yanyi. Their persuasive efforts secured the commitment of these elder nobles, ensuring their official descendants would participate. Students from the Imperial College, including Liao Jichang and Gu Wan, also arrived in Licheng to assist with various tasks.
A merchant named Zhang Fu'an, from Liaocheng, seventy li north of Licheng, approached Han Shiyi. He explained that his ancestors had been saved by the Han family, and his family had long revered the Han Army. He humbly requested a plaque inscribed by Lord Han for his household. Han Shiyi readily agreed, offering to even copy a book if he donated generously. Noticing leftover ink, she decided to inscribe several extra plaques in advance for future requests.
Chen Yanyi, observing her, also inscribed a plaque with the words "A Family of Loyalty" and presented it to Han Shiyi, deeply moving her. As the sun set, Chen Yanyi watched a sleeping Han Shiyi, reflecting on his decision to set aside his active pursuit of her and content himself with silently supporting her. He reaffirmed his private vow that he would marry no one else if not for Han Shiyi.
