Sassy Beauty Episode 4 Recap
> Sassy Beauty Recap
Si Yan, having successfully created eyebrow pencils, was on her way to deliver them to Director Hua when she encountered Prince Bao. Struck by his handsome appearance, Si Yan was momentarily flustered. Prince Bao noticed her lack of eyebrows and kindly used a white cloth to cover them, asking her for advice on decorations for his beloved "Xiao Wan."
Si Yan, enchanted by his looks, could only manage to say he looked the best before quickly excusing herself, realizing she had been completely captivated. When Si Yan finally met with Director Hua, he was furious. Unfazed, Si Yan presented him with the eyebrow pencils she had made, assuring him that losing one's eyebrows wasn't necessarily a bad thing, as it presented an opportunity to create a desired new look.
She demonstrated various eyebrow styles on herself, from alluring and wicked to gentle and moving, and adorable. Director Hua, who wished for dashing, manly "sword-like brows," was impressed. Si Yan carefully drew his new eyebrows, and Director Hua, pleased with the result, agreed to let her stay in the residence. Before leaving, however, Si Yan, with a mischievous grin, gave Director Hua a single, straight-line eyebrow, much to his later dismay.
Si Yan was then assigned to Wei Meiren’s residence, a task her companion saw as a promotion. However, upon arrival, a flying knife narrowly missed her, suggesting a less-than-welcoming environment. Her new mission was to help Wei Meiren attend the Flower Feast and regain the King's favor. Si Yan's initial confidence soon waned as she found herself confined to menial chores like beekeeping, laundry, and sweeping for three days, without even meeting Wei Meiren.
Zhi Qiu, Wei Meiren’s maid, zealously guarded access to her mistress, scolding Si Yan for attempting to deliver food and reminding her that only she could enter Wei Meiren’s room and handle her affairs. Forced to submit, Si Yan overheard Zhi Qiu scolding another maid, Tangier. Si Yan quickly intervened, discovering that Tangier was a potential ally and friend in her mission.
Meanwhile, at the archery contest, the rivalry between Prince Da and Qiguan Yi escalated, fueled by the presence of Miss Min. Prince Da showcased his impressive skills, even shooting blindfolded, clearly trying to impress Miss Min. He then challenged Qiguan Yi, who reluctantly declined, citing an unhealed "cold" and a red rash. When Qiguan Yi’s attendant tried to intercede, Prince Da almost struck him, but Qiguan Yi agreed to compete to protect his subordinate. The challenge involved shooting while running.
In a dangerous final round, Prince Da shot, causing an arrow to fly towards Miss Min. Fortunately, Miss Min’s attendant, Min Taotao, quickly split the arrow in half, saving Miss Min from harm. Prince Da stammered apologies. Miss Min then asked Qiguan Yi to escort her back to her pavilion. Si Yan, secretly enjoying a snack nearby, overheard Qiguan Yi instructing his servant to discreetly fetch Dr. Pei from outside the residence.
Qiguan Yi’s attendant, Director Wang, was worried about Qiguan Yi’s condition, which Dr. Pei diagnosed as a rash resembling a venereal disease, not merely a cold. Dr. Pei suspected that Qiguan Yi’s prescribed medicine, containing conflicting ingredients like ginseng and veratrum, had been tampered with. The doctor recommended stopping the medicine and using topical ointment, but couldn't promise a quick recovery, which troubled Qiguan Yi given the upcoming Flower Feast hosted by his mother.
He refused to alert the First Lady, fearing more rumors and unwanted attention. He secretly discarded the questionable decoction, pretending to drink it while pouring it into a bonsai and later into a celadon vase, all to observe who was behind the plot against him. Later, Si Yan, needing to replace the medicine she had accidentally burned while cooking, decided to sneak into the Imperial Institute of Medicine.
Coincidentally, Qiguan Yi was there for the same reason—to catch the person swapping his medicine. They confronted each other, each accusing the other of sneaking around. Suddenly, a man in black appeared to swap medicine bottles. Qiguan Yi, in the ensuing chaos, protected Si Yan as the black-clad man threw all the medicine bottles, eventually escaping. Fearing Qiguan Yi would blame her, Si Yan feigned unconsciousness. Qiguan Yi, realizing her ploy, then actually knocked her out.
Si Yan awoke outside Prince Da's courtyard the next morning, surrounded by gossiping maids, deeply embarrassed and wondering if she had been drawn into a palace intrigue. Back at Wei Meiren’s residence, Si Yan was startled to see Tangier’s face covered in black, only to realize Tangier was using charred medicine dregs as a facial masque to treat her acne.
Tangier, whose father was a traveling physician, revealed that Wei Meiren’s prescription contained expensive, effective herbs like ampelopsis radix, cinnamon sticks, tree peony bark, peach seed, and peony root, good for soothing pain, reducing swelling, and treating acne. This made Si Yan realize that Wei Meiren’s reclusiveness was likely due to a severe acne breakout. Seizing this opportunity, Si Yan offered to cure Tangier's acne in exchange for her knowledge of herbs and the complete recipe for the mask.
Zhi Qiu soon arrived demanding Wei Meiren’s medicine. Si Yan tried to offer a modified facial masque recipe, claiming it was an ancestral remedy for acne. Zhi Qiu, however, accused Si Yan of trying to harm Wei Meiren and seize her position. Zhi Qiu dragged Si Yan before Wei Meiren, distorting the truth and alleging that Si Yan had burned the medicine and tried to trick her with a "modified formula."
Wei Meiren, already distressed, ordered Si Yan to be punished. In a desperate move, Si Yan splashed a bucket of water on Wei Meiren’s face. Wei Meiren was furious, but Si Yan quickly explained it was just washed rice water—the best makeup remover. She revealed that Wei Meiren's acne was exacerbated by heavy makeup and the stifling veil, preventing healing. The rice water immediately offered relief, convincing Wei Meiren to trust Si Yan.
Si Yan began treating Wei Meiren, preparing herbal remedies and emphasizing the importance of a healthy lifestyle, including early sleep, a controlled diet, and managing emotions. She explained that while the herbs offered temporary relief and established her credibility, true healing depended on Wei Meiren's own discipline. After some time, Si Yan noticed Tangier’s acne had cleared, but Wei Meiren’s had not improved. Investigating, Si Yan discovered Wei Meiren secretly indulging in late-night snacks with Zhi Qiu.
Si Yan confronted her sternly, asserting that self-respect and effort were necessary for any desired outcome, and that relying solely on a man's favor was futile. Her words, though harsh, resonated with Wei Meiren, who, seeing Tangier’s clear skin, agreed to follow Si Yan's strict regimen. Wei Meiren warned everyone not to speak of the incident and ordered an end to all illicit midnight snacks.
Later, Director Hua approached Qiguan Yi, complaining about Si Yan’s eyebrow prank, to which Qiguan Yi dryly remarked that Director Hua's unique eyebrows were indeed "distinctive." Meanwhile, Prince Da, having received confirmation from the pharmacy about Qiguan Yi's rash resembling a venereal disease, coupled with his recent visit to a brothel, saw an opportunity. He began spreading rumors that Qiguan Yi had contracted a venereal disease from his visits to brothels, intent on damaging his reputation.
