Rebirth For You Episode 14 Recap
> Rebirth For You Recap
At the Bingzhou Government Office, Mr. Hu stopped Li Changqing, showering him with compliments, expressing admiration for Li Changqing’s smooth career and his reputation as an official who prioritizes the people. Mr. Hu then assigned Li Changqing the responsibility of organizing the upcoming God of Local Land’s Birthday festivities before swiftly departing. Li Qian questioned his father whether he was forced into this task by Hu Yiliang, but Li Changqing asserted that no one could coerce him.
He explained that with Princess Jiang Baoning entering their family, the Li family’s prominence was growing, attracting envy. He saw the festival as an opportunity to perform charitable deeds, thereby silencing public criticism. He Cuihua, however, complained about the unnecessary expenses. Gao Miaorong added that the grand wedding had already depleted the family’s savings, and sponsoring the event alone would necessitate selling off some property. He Cuihua vehemently agreed, unwilling to part with family assets.
Jiang Baoning inquired if previous such events had ever brought genuine credit to the Li family. Li Qian responded that ordinary people only recognized the Li family’s wealth, while all praise for clean governance and public service went to the Prefect. Li Changqing then vented his frustration at Li Qian, blaming him for devising the scheme that led to his amnesty by the court, and how he was now constantly manipulated by "that old fox."
He revealed to Jiang Baoning that during a bandit suppression campaign, Li Qian secretly collaborated with Hu Yiliang, staging a capture where Li Qian pretended to be a hostage. To ensure his son’s safety, Li Changqing was compelled to accept the imperial amnesty. Li Qian defended his actions, stating that becoming an official was a wise decision and a better path for the Li family than remaining bandits.
Gao Miaorong supported Li Qian, arguing that his ambition and talent would have been wasted had he stayed in the mountains. Despite the financial strain, Li Changqing insisted the family must bear the cost. He Cuihua then suggested using Jiang Baoning’s substantial dowry to fund the event, but both Li Changqing and Li Qian strongly objected, citing concerns about their reputation.
Jiang Baoning offered an alternative, asking Li Changqing for a list of Bingzhou’s prominent merchants and wealthy households, assuring them she would handle the fundraising. That evening, Li Qian, worried about Jiang Baoning toiling late into the night over family matters, insisted on keeping her company. Jiang Baoning explained her strategy: to identify wealthy individuals from the list who would be willing to contribute.
She remarked on how Hu Yiliang, despite his cunning, genuinely worked for the people, and her father-in-law accepted the task to improve the family's image after their extravagant wedding. She believed there were many in Bingzhou’s business community who desired to gain reputation or act benevolently, and with the right opportunity, fundraising would not be difficult. Meanwhile, a shrewd businesswoman named Dong Shanhu had recently acquired a garden at a fraction of its market price, demonstrating her sharp business acumen.
The next day, Dong Shanhu visited Jiang Baoning, bringing fresh, out-of-season fruits and vegetables. Jiang Baoning admired her enterprise and suggested Dong Shanhu expand her produce business to the capital, even offering her connections in the palace to facilitate this. Dong Shanhu was delighted by the prospect, acknowledging that without Commander Li’s introduction, she wouldn't have even met the Princess.
Li Qian later shared more details about Dong Shanhu, noting her impressive business history and widespread influence, remarking that Jinxi indeed had many remarkable women in commerce. Jiang Baoning then visited Dong Shanhu’s shop, observing that all her employees were women who were either homeless or war orphans, provided a livelihood by Dong Shanhu. Deeply impressed by her compassion, Jiang Baoning praised Dong Shanhu for setting a good example.
She then confided her predicament regarding the God of Local Land’s Birthday. Dong Shanhu, without hesitation, pledged her full support. Li Changqing was overjoyed when he learned Jiang Baoning had secured the funding. Gao Miaorong, however, warned him to be wary, suggesting Dong Shanhu likely had ulterior motives. Jiang Baoning calmly dismissed her concerns, stating that both parties had something to gain: Dong Shanhu could enhance her brand reputation, and the Li family could do good for the people.
It was a mutually beneficial arrangement. The God of Local Land’s Birthday festival commenced as planned, meticulously organized by Dong Shanhu. The Cuju match drew a large crowd, with teams comprising Li Qian’s military comrades and skilled civilians. As Jiang Baoning and Li Qian exchanged notes (Li Qian's first note asking, 'Baoning, is your husband courageous?' , followed by Jiang Baoning's reply expressing her enjoyment of the game and curiosity about his confidence in winning), Zhao Xiao grew visibly jealous.
He stepped onto the field to challenge Li Qian directly, accusing him of constantly competing and vowing to reclaim what he believed Li Qian had taken from him. Li Qian retorted that he only claimed what was rightfully his, and if something was never meant for Zhao Xiao, his efforts would be in vain. Li Qian then urged his team to unleash their full potential, stating that they shouldn't lose face for the Xuanjia Camp.
Meanwhile, Madam Zhuang, an influential figure due to her brother-in-law’s connection to Chief Councilor Wang, openly gossiped at the festival. She mocked Gao Miaorong for not having married into the Li family and criticized Li Dongzhi's upbringing, stating it made He Cuihua ashamed to appear.
She then made disparaging remarks about Jiang Baoning, commenting that Baoning's previous engagement to the Son of Marquis Jinghai was canceled, speculating that Baoning had fallen out of favor with the Emperor and was thus forced to marry down to the Li family. She further criticized Jiang Baoning’s “loose morals” for allowing Zhao Xiao’s audacious behavior.
Li Qian swiftly intervened, reminding Madam Zhuang that Jiang Baoning was the Grand Empress Dowager’s beloved and warning that such gossip could bring disaster upon the Zhuang family, urging her to be discreet. Later, He Cuihua, influenced by rumors, confronted Jiang Baoning, accusing her of having an inappropriate relationship with another man and accepting a love token. Jiang Baoning denied the accusation, even inviting He Cuihua to search her room.
He Cuihua promptly led a group to the West Courtyard and indeed found a jade pendant that Zhao Xiao had forcibly given to Jiang Baoning. Just as He Cuihua demanded an explanation, Li Qian arrived. He deftly diffused the situation by claiming the jade pendant was a wedding gift from Zhao Xiao to both him and Jiang Baoning, and that he had agreed to keep it for good luck.
He then sternly warned He Cuihua that slandering a Princess could have severe consequences, even beyond his father’s intervention. He then issued a strict order that, from that moment on, no one was permitted to enter the West Courtyard without Jiang Baoning’s explicit permission. After everyone had left, Li Qian, still feeling a pang of jealousy, needed comforting. Jiang Baoning apologized for forgetting about the pendant, explaining Zhao Xiao had thrust it upon her.
Li Qian admitted his anger stemmed from her not telling him sooner, feeling he had failed to protect her. Jiang Baoning reassured him that all she needed was his trust. Elsewhere, Prince Qing Tai, fueled by a desire for revenge against Li Qian, had finalized his plans for war. With his father, the King, gravely ill, Qing Tai proclaimed himself the ultimate authority and ordered his troops to march in two days, vowing to repay Li Qian's humiliation with interest.
Back at the Li mansion, news arrived that a border emergency had arisen, and alarmingly, Li Changqing's military report was missing from his study. Li Changqing threatened to imprison everyone if the culprit wasn't found. Gao Miaorong suggested that common servants were unlikely to steal such a document, as they couldn't even read it.
She then subtly redirected suspicion towards Jiang Baoning, implying that the Princess's recent frequent visits to Li Changqing's study, coupled with the Emperor's suspicious nature and Bingzhou's strategic importance, could mean she was an imperial spy. Jiang Baoning, who had just arrived, sharply advised Gao Miaorong to weigh her words carefully. She then suggested to Li Changqing that he investigate the actual state of affairs within the mansion, noting that conversations in his study were being leaked.
Qingke proceeded to read a long list of various servants' derelictions of duty, including a stable chief trespassing into the main house and flirting, and a gardener neglecting her duties. Jiang Baoning then asserted that just as a nation has laws, a household must have strict rules, emphasizing that the current chaos, including the easy theft of official documents, was a result of poor management.
She pointed out that Gao Miaorong, who had previously managed the household, was responsible for the lax discipline. He Cuihua and Li Changqing began arguing about who was to blame. Jiang Baoning intervened, promising to resolve the matter and uncover the truth within three days, much to Li Changqing's satisfaction. Shortly after, Li Dongzhi, who had been away, returned home to find Jiang Baoning attempting to discipline Nanny Tian, her former wet nurse.
Nanny Tian immediately pleaded for Li Dongzhi's help, claiming Jiang Baoning was unfairly persecuting her. Li Dongzhi confronted Jiang Baoning, accusing her of abusing her authority. Gao Miaorong tried to mediate, reminding Li Dongzhi to be respectful towards the Princess, but Li Dongzhi maintained that even a Princess should not oppress innocent people.
Jiang Baoning, undeterred, brought Nanny Tian before Li Changqing, presenting evidence from her investigation: Nanny Tian was a heavy gambler, and despite her meager maid's salary, records from the gambling house showed large sums of money. Jiang Baoning argued that Nanny Tian, being illiterate, could not have amassed such wealth through mere luck at gambling, urging her to confess.
He Cuihua, however, jumped to Nanny Tian’s defense, suggesting she might have simply been lucky and arguing against such a harsh judgment, especially for an elderly wet nurse, for the sake of the Li family's reputation. Jiang Baoning sternly countered that Li Changqing's career and the family's future were at stake, asking if He Cuihua would truly prioritize minor personal feelings over such critical matters. Jiang Baoning then announced she had a witness, and instructed Xiaoman to bring the person in.
