The Double Episode 1 Recap
> The Double Recap
Xue Fangfei dreams of a happy moment with her husband, but she wakes up to find a stranger in her bed. Shen Ruyun and Shen's mother barge in, accusing her of infidelity, and she is locked in the woodshed. Shen Yurong arrives, feigning concern as he cuts her chains, promising to take her away. However, on the road, Shen Yurong offers her drugged water. She awakens to find herself in a pit.
Xue Fangfei demands to know why her husband, Shen Yurong, would do this to her. He tearfully explains that he has no choice due to the overwhelming power of someone else, and reveals that her father, Xue Huaiyuan, has been imprisoned for corruption and her brother, Xue Zhao, was killed by bandits. Shen Yurong knocks her unconscious and buries her alive, leaving only a bamboo flute, a memento of their love.
After Shen Yurong leaves, Xue Fangfei manages to claw her way out of the grave. Later, Shen Yurong informs Princess Wanning that he has buried Xue Fangfei alive. Wanning pretends to be shocked but then berates him for his cruelty. Shen Yurong knows that Wanning orchestrated the situation, using his mother to force his hand. Wanning continues to taunt and humiliate him until he grabs her neck, threatening to kill them both.
However, Wanning's words remind him that only she can save him from being punished as a murderer. Meanwhile, Xiao Heng raids a warehouse and captures Mr. Jia and others who are involved in the illegal selling of contraband salt. Mr. Jia, seeking to save himself, reveals that a Mr. Qin is involved and they are scheduled to meet at Helin Temple. An assassin attempts to silence Mr. Jia, but Xiao Heng intervenes.
The next day, Xiao Heng passes through a town where Shen Yurong is holding a funeral for Xue Fangfei. People gossip about Xue Fangfei's alleged affair and death, but also acknowledge her former reputation as a talented woman. Elsewhere, Jiang Li and her maid, Tong Er, are collecting firewood. They discover a wounded Xue Fangfei by the river and rescue her. Xue Fangfei is wary of them. Tong Er reveals that Jiang Li is the daughter of the Grand Chancellor.
Xue Fangfei remembers her past: how she defied her father to marry Shen Yurong, how Xue Zhao supported her decision, and how Shen Yurong promised to protect her. Consumed by despair, Xue Fangfei attempts to drown herself, but Jiang Li stops her. Jiang Li encourages Xue Fangfei to live for revenge, telling her that she can empathize with her situation, and promises to bring her food later.
Returning to the Zhennyu Hall, Jiang Li and Tong Er prepare food for Xue Fangfei. They are stopped by a fellow resident, who tells them that the Chief has ordered them to stay and collect firewood only after the weather improves. Concerned that Xue Fangfei will go hungry, Jiang Li sneaks out at night, only to be caught by the Chief, who accuses her of meeting a man. The Chief brutally punishes Jiang Li. Tong Er is restrained from intervening.
Xue Fangfei, having left her hiding place, overhears the women talking about Jiang Li's punishment. She sneaks into Zhennyu Hall and finds Jiang Li badly injured. Jiang Li tells Xue Fangfei about her past: she was framed by her stepmother and sent to Zhennyu Hall to suffer for ten years. Jiang Li, knowing that she is dying, gives Xue Fangfei a hairpin that can prove her identity.
She asks Xue Fangfei to deliver a message to her father, telling him that she was innocent. Jiang Li imagines seeing her deceased mother, Ye Zhenzhen, and dies. When the Chief discovers Jiang Li's lifeless body, she panics. Xue Fangfei appears and proposes a deal: she will take Jiang Li's place.
