Romance of a Twin Flower Episode 36 Recap
> Romance of a Twin Flower Recap
Wen Wan stated that her hand was merely experiencing a slight allergy, but Ji Man countered that allergies typically cause redness and swelling, not ulceration. She observed that it appeared as though mercury powder had been used, a common ingredient in face creams, but one that could cause poisoning if used excessively. Ji Man expressed concern that if products produced by Haifang were standardized based on this winning formula, incorporating large amounts of mercury powder, it would be detrimental.
She proposed testing the product from Joy Cosmetics. At this point, Wen Wan knelt and confessed, acknowledging that mercury powder was a common ingredient but claiming she did not know that overuse would lead to poisoning. The Emperor inquired if Ji Man's products contained mercury powder. Ji Man replied that her creations were formulated exclusively with natural Chinese herbal medicines to ensure they were safe for delicate skin.
The Emperor then declared that, in that case, Haoxue Cosmetics should be the true champion of the face cream category. Ji Man further proposed making all of Haoxue Cosmetics' product formulas public for the benefit of all cosmetic shops, explaining that this aligned with the Emperor's goal for Haifang to prosper for the common people, not just a select few. She stated that Haoxue Cosmetics was duty-bound to help promote the industry.
When the Emperor asked Ning Yuxuan if this was his idea, he clarified it was his wife's. The Emperor praised Ji Man's broad-mindedness and indicated he had chosen a candidate for the chairman of the Sea Trade Guild. Ling Jianxing then announced he had a gift for everyone. He informed the Emperor that during his initial time in Haifang, he noticed Ning Yuxuan's wife was significantly different from before.
He became concerned that someone might be impersonating the Second-rank Lady with Imperial Mandate and secretly investigated. He presented the spirit tablet of Ning Yuxuan's first wife, Nie Sangyu, found in a temple after following General Nie. General Nie and Ning Yuxuan were visibly surprised.
Ling Jianxing insisted the matter of impersonating a second-rank lady was serious and questioned the identity of the current Mrs. Ning, pointing out she did not behave like a general's daughter who had lived in seclusion but instead seemed well-versed in the lives of common people. He suggested searching Ning's Mansion for more evidence. General Nie and Ning Yuxuan were asked to speak.
General Nie stated the matter was complex and requested to explain privately to the Emperor, which the Emperor took as confirmation that Ling Jianxing's claim had some basis. Tao Siwei stepped forward, asserting that the woman present was definitely not Nie Sangyu, citing differences in painting skill, handwriting, and personality. He mentioned that Nie Sangyu was good at painting and studied regular script, while the current woman knew nothing about painting and had lively, vigorous handwriting.
He added that Nie Sangyu had a gloomy personality and was feared by servants, contrasting with the current Mrs. Ning who abolished strict rules after an incident involving a servant named Banxia. Tao Siwei stated he knew Nie Sangyu since childhood and could guarantee with his life the woman was an imposter, proposing to take her for severe interrogation at the Court of Judicial Review.
Ji Man confessed that she was not Nie Sangyu but maintained that her identity had no connection to Ning Yuxuan, her father General Nie, or anyone else in Ning's Mansion, and that she alone should bear the consequences. She then exposed the person posing as Princess Ruyue, revealing her true identity as Wen Wan, a former concubine of Ning's Mansion. Wen Wan was shocked that Ji Man knew this.
The Emperor, furious, confirmed with Ning Yuxuan that his first wife Nie Sangyu was deceased and that 'Princess Ruyue' was indeed Wen Wan. The Emperor ordered both Ji Man and Wen Wan to be taken out and flogged to death. Ning Yuxuan intervened to stop the guards. Wen Wan pleaded with Ling Jianxing to save her, reminding him that he had rescued her from prison and instructed her to impersonate Princess Ruyue to frame Ning Yuxuan, promising her safety.
Ling Jianxing denied this, calling her a vicious woman and accusing her of slandering him, suggesting she had colluded with Ning Yuxuan. Terrified of returning to prison, Wen Wan offered to confess everything she had done if Ning Yuxuan would save her. Lord Tan, who had been present, realized he had been deceived by Wen Wan posing as his niece. He ordered Wen Wan taken away for flogging and execution.
Ling Jianxing was also ordered arrested for colluding with a criminal and deceiving the Emperor. Ling Jianxing, before being taken away, accused Ning Yuxuan and Ji Man of being guilty as well, reiterating that Ji Man was not Nie Sangyu and was actually the daughter of Ji Ming, the court criminal who was the chief of the Tea Gang. He claimed they conspired to fraudulently obtain the title of Second-rank Lady with Imperial Mandate.
He suggested the Emperor send Tao Siwei to search the County Yamen for more evidence. Tao Siwei volunteered to lead the search personally to prevent interference, and the Emperor agreed, urging a thorough and impartial search. The Emperor, dismayed by the chaos at the Imperial Supplier Contest, ordered Ling Jianxing and Ji Man temporarily imprisoned in the County Yamen Jail. As Ji Man was led away, Ning Yuxuan apologized for not protecting her, and she urged him to protect himself.
Tao Siwei reported back to the Emperor, presenting evidence found in the rooms of Ning Yuxuan and 'Nie Sangyu' at the County Yamen. He produced Nie Sangyu's old regular script writing from school and a painting with similar verses, but pointed out the handwriting was completely different. He also presented a marriage contract found, bearing the names Ning Yuxuan and Ji Man. The Emperor dismissed everyone else, confronting Ning Yuxuan alone.
Ning Yuxuan confirmed that the woman was indeed not Nie Sangyu but the daughter of Cai Wenzheng, the chief of the Tea Gang, explaining he had intended to report this to the Emperor upon returning to the capital but was preempted.
The Emperor recalled that Ning Yuxuan, after effectively managing Haifang, establishing the Shipping Department, and improving tax collection, had previously asked for a favor for his wife, stating she was reckless by nature and might make a grave mistake in the future. The Emperor had promised to protect her life under the premise of fairness if such a situation arose. Ning Yuxuan confirmed this was why he requested the favor.
Ning Yuxuan confessed his actions were those of a husband protecting his wife and stated that there was more to the Tea Gang case from twenty years ago, implicating Lord Tan. He claimed his father, Ning Zhongtian, was ordered to subdue the Tea Gang, but Lord Tan instigated conflict from behind the scenes and sabotaged the peace talks.
When asked for evidence, Ning Yuxuan said he had Lord Tan's correspondence and believed Lord Tan would target Ling Jianxing after the day's events, having already sent Gui Bai to protect him. He expressed confidence that with Ling Jianxing's testimony and the evidence, he could dismantle Lord Tan's faction. The Emperor gave Ning Yuxuan a token, granting him full authority over the case and permission to execute Lord Tan on the spot if he resisted.
Meanwhile, as Lord Tan attempted to leave Haifang, his carriage was stopped by Yuan Lang. Yuan Lang revealed that he had investigated the events of twenty years ago and found proof that Lord Tan intentionally sent false messages to his father, sowing discord that led to the tragic deaths of his father and Ning Zhongtian.
He accused Lord Tan of exploiting his father's reluctance to submit by promising the Tea Gang a new path, leading his father to impersonate Cai Wenzheng to meet Ning Zhongtian. As soon as Ning Zhongtian arrived, Lord Tan set a fire, killing both men. Yuan Lang presented secret letters Lord Tan had written to his father, which miraculously survived the fire because one was found on his father's person after the blaze.
Lord Tan admitted to planning the Tea Gang's elimination but dismissed Yuan Lang's attempt to apprehend him. However, Ning Yuxuan then appeared, having anticipated Lord Tan's movements based on Yuan Lang's information. It was revealed that Yuan Lang, doubting his father's actions, had collaborated with Ning Yuxuan to uncover the truth.
They reasoned that Lord Tan, who didn't leave the capital, must have contacted Yuan Lang's father via secret letters and that Lord Tan benefited most from the Tea Gang's destruction as Ning Zhongtian was his rival. They suspected Ling Jianxing or someone close to him was also involved, given his detailed knowledge of the events. They decided to wait for the letter before acting, but after the events at the competition, Ning Yuxuan acted quickly, securing authority from the Emperor.
Brought before the Emperor, Lord Tan accused Ning Yuxuan of colluding with a rebel and framing him. The Emperor asked Ning Yuxuan if this was true. Ning Yuxuan accused Lord Tan of forming cliques, seeking private gain, and harming loyal officials over the years, stating his claims were true. When Lord Tan dismissed Ning Yuxuan's evidence as forgery, Ning Yuxuan produced a letter showing the handwriting matched Lord Tan's.
Lord Tan continued to deny writing it and claimed it was forged. The Emperor acknowledged that letters could be forged and asked for further evidence. Ning Yuxuan stated he had a witness. Ling Jianxing was then brought in, surprising Lord Tan.
