Romance of a Twin Flower Episode 26 Recap
> Romance of a Twin Flower Recap
Upon examination, a doctor determined that Qianji Powder had been added to the medicinal ingredients. Although the amount wasn't large, using it on broken skin would lead to more severe poisoning. Upon learning this, Ji Man immediately rushed out and, at five times the original price, successfully recalled all the products that had been sold. Ning Yuxuan went to confront Wen Wan, bringing a jar of Feiwan Face Cream made by Ji Man and suggesting she use it.
Wen Wan was naturally unwilling. Ning Yuxuan pressed her, asking why she had done it, but Wen Wan continued to deny any involvement. Ning Yuxuan then had Tanxiang brought in, stating that she had confessed everything. Still, Wen Wan insisted she was innocent, claiming Ji Man must have lied to him.
Ning Yuxuan countered, listing her past actions: the fire at Haoxue Cosmetics, the whipping of Nie Sangyu, the stabbing incident at the wedding (implying she orchestrated it), and the incident where she claimed to have been humiliated by bandits, suggesting she had arranged that herself. Holding a knife to herself, Wen Wan declared that since Ning Yuxuan refused to believe her, she would prove her innocence by taking her own life.
Ning Yuxuan watched her calmly, making no move to stop her performance. He then ordered Wen Wan and Tanxiang to be taken away and sent to the Court of Judicial Review for trial. Later, Ning Yuxuan explained to Ji Man about Wen Wan. He recounted that their families were old friends, but communication became infrequent after his father's death. Over a year ago, Wen Wan's father contacted him, asking for help locating Wen Wan who had run away.
Ning Yuxuan led a search into the mountains and found her in a distressed state. She was disheveled, and a man lay dead nearby. Wen Wan claimed she had encountered bandits after running away, was molested, and had stabbed the man with a dagger she carried for self-protection. She pleaded with Ning Yuxuan not to involve the authorities and reveal the incident, fearing ruin and shame for herself and her father.
To protect her reputation, Ning Yuxuan agreed to marry her temporarily, planning to find another solution later. He revealed to Ji Man that he later investigated (especially after the fire and the incident where Ji Man was whipped) and discovered that the entire incident was staged by Wen Wan. The man was not a bandit but an innocent woodcutter, and she had orchestrated the scene.
Ning Yuxuan lamented that her feelings had driven her to such extreme actions, harming an innocent life. He assured Ji Man that with the undeniable evidence now, Wen Wan and Tanxiang would face punishment, and Ji Man would no longer be targeted by such schemes. Ji Man visited Liu's Village to teach the residents how to cultivate herbs. She explained planting techniques, focusing on easy-to-grow varieties like wild chrysanthemum and dandelion that thrive even in the wilderness.
The villagers expressed concerns about their lack of experience, but Ji Man reassured them, promising to bring experienced cultivators to provide guidance regularly. She announced that Liu's Village would become the exclusive herb supplier for Haoxue Cosmetics, guaranteeing they would purchase all their medicinal plants and ensure a better life for the villagers with plenty of food and prosperity. Miss Shui was preparing to leave Shuiyan House.
Her manager tried to persuade her to hold a grand farewell performance, emphasizing her popularity and offering a significant share of the profits. However, Miss Shui declined, revealing that her farewell performance was already booked. That evening, Miss Shui performed a private dance for Gui Bai, who was her sole audience. She shared her long-held wish to have her own courtyard and dance only for the person she loved.
She told Gui Bai that he was the one who had given her the courage to leave Shuiyan House. Gui Bai responded that he felt honored but couldn't bear such a performance. Miss Shui asked if he didn't understand her feelings or if he was like others and minded her past identity. Gui Bai stated clearly that her past didn't matter to him, but he couldn't give her happiness and only felt appreciation for her, nothing more.
With that, he left, citing his duties, leaving Miss Shui heartbroken. As the death anniversary of the Old Master approached, the entire household observed three days of vegetarian meals. Ji Man went to find Ning Yuxuan and found him restless, possibly having a nightmare. She gently woke him. Noticing his distress, she asked if he had had another nightmare and if this was the reason he never shared a bed with anyone.
Ning Yuxuan half-jokingly replied that those who knew his secret either ended up dead or had to keep it forever by staying with him. He confessed that his nightmares were a result of childhood trauma. He recounted being five years old and witnessing his father's death. His father had taken him to recruit the Tea Gang, but the leader, Cai Wenzheng, betrayed and killed his father right before his eyes. He was left to drag his father's body home alone.
Since that day, he hadn't slept soundly, tormented by the memory and resulting nightmares. Ji Man apologized for making him recall such painful events. She comforted him, telling him he wasn't alone anymore and promised to stay with him forever. She told him that if his father visited him in a dream, she would tell him Ning Yuxuan had grown up and would live a better life with her taking care of him.
Ning Yuxuan decided he wanted to give Ji Man a formal wedding. Feeling overwhelmed by the task of selecting a wedding dress, he asked Gui Bai to invite Miss Shui to assist him, claiming it was a surprise for Ji Man and he didn't want her to discover it. Gui Bai went to arrange the meeting. Miss Shui arrived at the designated shop expecting to meet Gui Bai, but her excitement faded when she found Ning Yuxuan waiting for her.
Ning Yuxuan explained his plan to give Ji Man a proper wedding and asked for her expertise in choosing a dress. Miss Shui agreed to try on the dresses. After helping him select a set of wedding robes, she departed, and Ning Yuxuan requested that she keep their meeting and the purpose a secret from Ji Man. Later, Ning Yuxuan spoke to Gui Bai, observing Miss Shui's disappointment.
Gui Bai stated that he didn't understand romantic feelings and that Miss Shui desired a stable life that he, as a guard dedicated to Ning Yuxuan, could not provide. Ning Yuxuan encouraged Gui Bai to have his own life beyond his duty, but Gui Bai insisted that his sole focus was protecting Ning Yuxuan. Meanwhile, Lord Tan met with Ling Jianxing, informing him that the position of Transport Commissioner for the upcoming Imperial Supplier Contest was vacant.
Ling Jianxing immediately recognized that this position was ideal for restraining Ning Yuxuan, especially since Ning Yuxuan now managed the Shipping Department, effectively holding power over Lord Tan. Lord Tan confirmed his intention for Ling Jianxing to take the position under the guise of supervision to counterbalance Ning Yuxuan. Ling Jianxing vowed to secure the role, noting it would also be favored by the Emperor.
Lord Tan also discussed the position of Chairman for the Sea Trade Guild, which would go to the manager of the winning business in the contest, and planned to support his own candidate to recover losses in Haifang, with Ling Jianxing expressing high confidence in success. Back at Haoxue Cosmetics, news of the Imperial Supplier Contest being held in Haifang reached Ji Man and her colleagues, brought by Qin Gongzi.
They discussed the significant opportunity it presented, potentially making them a royal supplier. Ji Man found Ning Yuxuan's recent behavior unusual; he seemed to be acting secretively and hadn't mentioned the contest. She confided in Muxu, who agreed he had been acting strange and elusive. Ji Man suspected he was intentionally hiding information about the contest to ensure she competed fairly without special advantages. Determined to find out what he was up to, she went to his room.
There, she discovered red organza and other items that led her to believe he was seeing another woman and was secretly getting married, sparking her anger and accusations of keeping a mistress.
