Sassy Beauty Episode 9 Recap
> Sassy Beauty Recap
Si Yan found herself in a dire situation, interrogated and beaten by Hu Ying and her accomplices. Hu Ying ordered a search of Si Yan and insisted on her punishment when she resisted. Fortunately, Qiguan Bao arrived, demanding they release Si Yan, and declared he believed her. He then ordered that those causing trouble be caned fifty times and copy the precepts a hundred times, effectively rescuing Si Yan from the ordeal.
When Qiguan Yi appeared, Qiguan Bao confronted him, questioning his apparent concern given he had ordered Si Yan's severe punishment. Qiguan Yi admitted to the order but offered no further explanation. He attempted to speak with Si Yan, but Qiguan Bao insisted he wait until she recovered. Upon regaining consciousness, Si Yan returned a book to Qiguan Yi, stating firmly that she no longer owed him anything.
Following this incident, Hu Ying, humiliated by Qiguan Bao's intervention, vowed to take severe revenge on Si Yan, dismissing her companions' warnings about Qiguan Bao's protection. Meanwhile, Qiguan Yi, looking at the returned book, deduced that Si Yan's recent outing was to purchase books.
His servant, Wang, reported discovering a pair of earrings identical to the one Si Yan was accused of stealing in Miss Min's maid Taotao's room, though Wang also noted that such earrings were widely available throughout East City. Qiguan Yi found this widespread availability suspicious, seeing it as a deliberate attempt to obscure the truth. His suspicions were further heightened upon learning that the shop selling these earrings, Treasure Pavilion, was owned by General Min.
Realizing the complexity of the situation, and noting that his investigation had pointed towards Tong Rui, he instructed Wang to monitor the shop for any developments. Si Yan impressed the Second Lady by applying a specialized recovery serum, highlighting its protective qualities against sun and dust. The Second Lady, reminiscing about her youth riding horses and regretting her past skincare negligence, praised Si Yan's innovative makeup, which she found to be "different than usual," and promised a reward.
Tong Rui, working as Si Yan's assistant, observed her closely, remarking that Si Yan seemed to have changed. Si Yan, relieved that her past identity wasn't recognized, attributed her improved makeup skills to her experience in the Makeup Service. Tong Rui was further amazed that Si Yan's homemade cosmetics remained fresh for days.
Si Yan explained that she had infused cloves into a liquid and mixed it with alcohol to neutralize the scent and preserve the products, humorously crediting the "Herbal Compendium" despite the trouble it caused her. Inspired by Si Yan's ingenuity, Tong Rui proposed they develop a line of pregnancy-safe cosmetics to be sold at the "Forever Young" store, offering to provide the necessary capital.
Si Yan's growing reputation brought her respect from other maids, much to the annoyance of Hu Ying, who openly criticized Si Yan. However, Si Yan, no longer intimidated, boldly retorted. While Qiguan Yi was practicing calligraphy, Qiguan Bao, still harboring resentment over Si Yan's beating, attempted to prank him.
He presented Qiguan Yi with two auspicious spiders, playfully suggesting they would bring good luck in marriage if given to a loved one on Chinese Valentine's Day, hinting that Tong Rui would be delighted to receive one from him. Qiguan Yi, feigning disinterest, dismissed the idea as childish and claimed he had no need for them.
When pressed, he deflected by suggesting such spiders might scare Miss Min and then challenged Qiguan Bao about his own intentions, causing Qiguan Bao to nervously retreat in search of "cuter" spiders. Later, Qiguan Yi sought advice from his servant, Wang, on how to apologize or make amends for unintentionally hurting or misunderstanding someone. Wang advised that for loved ones, one should cater to their preferences and "buy what she likes to please her in every way."
This advice gave Qiguan Yi an idea, and he quickly departed, leaving Wang to notice that Qiguan Yi had been writing poems containing the character "Yan." Qiguan Yi was then summoned to the back garden by the First Lady, where he found her with Tong Rui. The First Lady expressed gratitude to the Second Lady for filling in to meet the envoy due to her illness, thereby preventing a breach of etiquette.
She then praised Tong Rui for the Second Lady's makeup, noting how it made her resemble the First Lady, subtly implying Tong Rui had taken credit for Si Yan's creative concept. Tong Rui clarified that the idea was Si Yan's. Tong Rui, visibly pleased to see Qiguan Yi, suggested he take her to explore East City, as she hadn't ventured out since her arrival.
However, Qiguan Yi, seemingly overlooking Tong Rui's request, turned to Miss Min instead and invited her to the Chinese Valentine's Lantern Festival, all while discreetly keeping a watchful eye on her. Later that night, Tong Rui received a new assignment: to acquire the Top courtesan's tears for a "Blood Kiss" elixir. Disguised as a man, she visited a brothel and offered the madam a significant sum to make the courtesans cry. However, the tears she collected proved unsuitable.
The madam then revealed that two other Top courtesans were with an important guest, Qiguan Da, but only gave Tong Rui their general location, tasking her with finding them herself. Tong Rui discovered Qiguan Da practicing his speech with the two courtesans, noting a slight improvement in his stutter. She subtly gathered information about Qiguan Da, learning he was 25, had lost his mother young, was raised by matrons, and was studious, yet surprisingly lacked close female connections.
Tong Rui also overheard conversations about Qiguan Yi's advantageous position, supported by his mother, in arranging a Chinese Valentine's Lantern Festival boat trip with Miss Min. Intrigued by Qiguan Da's aversion to women, she pondered if it stemmed from a past heartbreak. Realizing the madam's earlier deception, Tong Rui concluded that she would have to wait until Chinese Valentine's night to obtain the genuine tears from the true Top courtesan.
The Makeup Service then announced its monthly exam: to design a "date makeup look" for Chinese Valentine's Day, incorporating one handmade cosmetic item, with the men of the mansion as judges. This news was met with collective groans from the maids, who dreaded being judged by "those straight men." To protect her unique design, Si Yan went to the riverside to sketch her ideas.
Qiguan Yi found her there and praised her unique and free-spirited design, comparing its blend of East Jin and High Tang aesthetics. There, she fell asleep and nearly tumbled into the water, but Qiguan Yi caught her, allowing her to rest on his shoulder.
As they sheltered from the rain, Si Yan confronted Qiguan Yi, accusing him of a lack of trust and questioning why he hadn't explained his actions earlier, asserting that if he truly knew her, he would have believed her. Qiguan Yi apologized for not trusting her fully, explaining he needed concrete evidence to clear her name, but also acknowledged that if she had simply given in or begged, she wouldn't be the Si Yan he knew.
Si Yan initially tried to make Qiguan Yi leave, but he insisted on staying, teasingly implying she would be responsible if he fell ill. To pass the time and playfully scare him, Si Yan recounted a chilling ghost story about a lady who, abandoned on Chinese Valentine's Day, committed suicide, and whose vengeful spirit now haunted men. Qiguan Yi was visibly frightened, much to Si Yan's amusement.
When Qiguan Yi expressed traditional views on women's reputation, Si Yan passionately argued for self-love, stating that Valentine's Day should celebrate everyone, not just lovers. This newfound perspective inspired her monthly exam makeup concept: a "Grape Blossoms with Rain makeup" that would allow singles to "cry beautifully." Qiguan Yi then presented her with a gift—a box of cosmetics.
Si Yan opened it, after Qiguan Yi insisted despite her concern it might displease Miss Min, to reveal a "death Barbie pink" lipstick. She openly criticized its "dull" and "horrible" color, though she ultimately accepted it as a gesture of his remorse. When Qiguan Yi asked for her forgiveness, Si Yan, still playful, told him, "Not today. Some other day," before leaving to prepare for her exam.
From a distance, Qiguan Da observed the two dressing maids, particularly Si Yan, noting their cleverness in navigating the intricate social dynamics without offending anyone. He found it especially intriguing how Si Yan managed to unsettle the usually composed Qiguan Yi, and how Qiguan Bao constantly remained by her side like a little bee in a flower patch. Qiguan Da mused that the situation was rapidly escalating into a "big melee."
