Romance of a Twin Flower Episode 23 Recap
> Romance of a Twin Flower Recap
Sang Shen was astonished to discover that the man Ji Man loved was Ning Yuxuan. Sang Shen reminded Ji Man of her past efforts in pursuing him, traveling extensively and even losing her memory. Sang Shen suggested they reveal Ji Man's recovered memory to Ning Yuxuan and leave the mansion, but Ji Man refused, declaring her love for him and her unwillingness to leave since he was right there.
Sang Shen doubted Ning Yuxuan's worthiness, but Ji Man passionately defended him, confirming to Sang Shen that her memories were indeed back. At the dock, Ning Yuxuan inspected the Ship Guihai, noting its nearly completed repairs. He commented on the paint, suggesting another coat was needed, and his subordinate Gui Bai, after initially stating the paint was fresh, promptly agreed when Ning Yuxuan insisted.
Yuan Lang arrived, stating his intention to visit Ji Man, whom he referred to as Ms. Nie. Ning Yuxuan informed him that Ji Man was awake and well but required quiet rest, implying that Yuan Lang's presence would be a disturbance. Yuan Lang suggested that perhaps Ji Man herself didn't wish for Ning Yuxuan to disturb her, but Ning Yuxuan dismissed his speculation.
Continuing their conversation, Ning Yuxuan thanked Yuan Lang for his help with the case involving official taels, which benefited the people of Liu's Village. However, he warned Yuan Lang that if any members of the Dragon Gang committed evil acts in the future, he would show no leniency, despite their previous cooperation.
Yuan Lang asserted that the Dragon Gang had changed and now operated on the principle of protecting the good and punishing evil, asking Ning Yuxuan not to be prejudiced by past events. Ning Yuxuan acknowledged the impending changes in Haifang, stating that if Yuan Lang guided the Dragon Gang towards goodness, they would find their place. He cautioned Yuan Lang against following the path of Shen Liancheng and advised him to be careful.
Ning Yuxuan revealed his plan to establish a specialized Shipment Department in Haifang to transform it into a major cargo transportation hub. He submitted a memorial to the throne outlining his proposal, arguing that Haifang's strategic location as a nexus for merchants, connecting land and sea, made it ideal for implementing new sea trade policies that would benefit the entire nation.
The Emperor received the memorial and was highly impressed, praising Ning Yuxuan for both clearing his name and tackling such a challenging issue. Acknowledging that Ning Yuxuan, currently a seventh-rank magistrate, would face difficulty implementing such a large-scale project and would likely incur the wrath of Lord Tan, whose finances would be impacted, the Emperor decreed that Ning Yuxuan be reinstated to his original post and concurrently placed in charge of all matters related to the new Haifang Shipment Department.
He added a personal message for Ning Yuxuan: if his actions genuinely served the people and contributed to national prosperity, the Emperor would personally clear any obstacles, encouraging him to proceed without fear. Meanwhile, Lord Tan was furious about the Emperor's decree, seeing it as an attempt to seize control of Haifang, which he had managed for a decade. He found the idea of the Shipment Department ridiculous.
Ling Jianxing noted Ning Yuxuan's appointment was confirmed and he would likely reside in Haifang. Ling Jianxing admitted responsibility for the previous failures to eliminate Ning Yuxuan, explaining that being in the capital limited their reach and forced them to rely on others, which led to their frequent failures.
Now that their intentions were openly declared and they were confronting Ning Yuxuan directly in Haifang, Ling Jianxing declared he would personally step in to determine who the true "chosen one" was. Lord Tan stated he only cared about the outcome, leaving the methods to Ling Jianxing, who vowed to fight Ning Yuxuan relentlessly.
Back at the mansion, Sang Shen prepared a tonic for Ji Man, adding fish based on her past preference, resulting in a foul-smelling concoction Ji Man refused to drink. Sang Shen reminded her of her former fondness for fish and how she used to send the freshest catches to her beloved in the capital. Later, Ning Yuxuan brought Ji Man a bowl of fish soup he had prepared himself.
His maid, Muxu, commented that Ning Yuxuan had never cooked for anyone but Ji Man since childhood. Upon tasting it, Ji Man found the soup unappetizing. Offering the soup, Ning Yuxuan explained it was good for her recovery. He admitted he had overcome a psychological barrier to make it, asking her not to be angry. He then recounted how, years ago, a woman anonymously left buckets of fish and sometimes strange love poems at his mansion gate every month.
He explained that because the source was unknown, his staff often treated them as suspicious, sometimes finding them rotten in the summer and mistaking them for attempts by enemies. Ji Man realized he was describing her past actions. Upset that her heartfelt efforts were perceived as an attack, she angrily told him to leave with the soup. Ning Yuxuan, observing her strong reaction, concluded she was simply jealous.
Upon hearing that Ship Guihai was nearing completion, Ji Man remembered a hidden box she had on board and worried Ning Yuxuan might find it during inspections. She and Sang Shen snuck to the ship at night to retrieve it. They found the box and the key. Sang Shen suggested throwing it into the sea to prevent discovery, but Ji Man was hesitant, unable to discard the contents.
Believing the most dangerous place could be the safest, Ji Man decided to bring the box back to the mansion. Later, Ning Yuxuan unexpectedly arrived in Ji Man's room, finding her sitting on the box. He offered to take her to see the moon in the yard, but Ji Man refused, making excuses about sore legs. Ning Yuxuan pressed her, asking how long she would pretend and what was inside the box.
He even offered to help her by claiming the contents were his own. Ji Man, however, insisted the contents were private and unrelated to him, refusing to move or let him see. Their confrontation was interrupted by a report that Ji Man's maid, Sang Shen, and Wen Wan's maid, Tanxiang, were fighting. Wen Wan arrived with Tanxiang. Amidst the disruption, Tanxiang managed to open Ji Man's box, claiming it contained men's items, with an implicit accusation against Ji Man.
However, Ning Yuxuan's subordinate, Gui Bai, immediately recognized the contents, including Ning Yuxuan's poetry collection and a sachet he had lost years ago, thus discrediting Tanxiang's insinuation. Ning Yuxuan sternly warned Tanxiang against slandering Ji Man again and instructed Wen Wan to control her servants. Wen Wan accepted the reprimand and left with her maid. After the others departed, Ning Yuxuan picked up the sachet from the box, recognizing it as something he wore many years ago.
He questioned Ji Man about how she obtained it. Ji Man replied by revealing the truth: she had regained her memories. Ning Yuxuan reacted with surprise upon hearing this confession. Separately, General Nie was informed that Ji Ming had been located in the capital but was preparing to leave. General Nie rushed to meet him.
Addressing the man as both Ji Ming and the Guihai Warrior, General Nie demanded an explanation for his eighteen-year disappearance and how he became the renowned warrior. He questioned why Ji Ming had neglected one daughter for so long while seemingly living a carefree life with another. Ji Ming claimed he stayed away for their mutual safety, needing to sever ties with his past. General Nie challenged this, asking about Sangyu and if Ji Ming knew who she was.
Ji Ming was unaware. General Nie revealed that Sangyu was Ji Man's twin sister and was deceased, expressing disbelief that Ji Ming did not know this. Ji Ming was visibly shocked by the news of his daughter's death.
