The Double Episode 12 Recap
> The Double Recap
Jiang Jingrui's parents, Jiang Yuping and Lu, brought potted plants to Jiang Li, expressing their immense gratitude for her guidance. They were overjoyed that Jingrui, thanks to Li's help, had not only excelled in the Entry Exam but also earned an audience with His Majesty, something they never dreamed of. Jingrui, however, proudly boasted that it was his own talent, not her guidance, that led to his success.
In her excitement, Lu tried to playfully hit Jingrui but accidentally strained her back. Jingrui then pulled Jiang Li aside to ask about Zhou Yanbang's recent attempt to change his engagement. He revealed that the Marquis of Ningyuan was trying to keep the matter quiet, covering it up with various rituals.
Jingrui scoffed, remarking that Zhou Yanbang was getting his just desserts, recalling how the engagement was hastily switched to Jiang Ruoyao when Jiang Li was first sent to Zhennyu Hall. Jiang Li dismissed Zhou Yanbang as someone who acts on impulse without considering others, advising Jingrui not to take it seriously. Meanwhile, Jiang Yunbai passed through the courtyard and saw Jiang Yuping and Lu massaging their backs.
Misunderstanding their actions as public displays of affection, he tried to scold them, only to accidentally strain his own back. Jiang Li then emerged, and Jiang Yunbai, now visibly proud, praised her for her victory in the Entry Exam, which brought honor to the Jiang family.
He expressed regret for neglecting her studies, which Jiang Li humbly brushed off, explaining that her qin skills came from an elder sister she befriended in Zhennyu Hall, who left her a qin and music scores to practice. Sensing his unspoken doubts, Jiang Li candidly invited him to voice any concerns. Jiang Yunbai then brought up Zhou Yanbang's engagement, asking for her opinion.
Jiang Li firmly stated that she had never liked Zhou Yanbang, nor did she like him now, and certainly would not in the future; she had already rejected his proposition. Pleased by her unwavering stance, Jiang Yunbai promised to host a grand banquet to celebrate her achievements, recognizing her as a credit to the family. Jiang Li, however, knew his newfound affection stemmed from her enhanced status in the court.
Later, Tong Er congratulated Jiang Li, believing that the original Jiang Li's spirit would find peace knowing justice was being served. But Jiang Li remained vigilant, sensing that far greater dangers still lay ahead. At the Li residence, Li Zhongnan harshly condemned his younger son, Li Lian, for his public bet, ordering him to fulfill the vow of becoming a monk.
Li Lian desperately pleaded, reminding his father that he had not yet married or produced an heir, but Li Zhongnan remained unmoved, stating that his reputation for keeping his word was at stake and this would also force Li Lian to mend his "cocky ways." Li Jin, Li Zhongnan's elder son, smirked, understanding his father's true motives: a public display of loyalty to Princess Wanning and Lord Cheng, even at the cost of sacrificing Li Lian.
Li Jin suggested a more direct approach, targeting the Ye family in Luyang to secure their influence, to which Li Zhongnan readily agreed, entrusting the task to him. Meanwhile, Consort Li was informed of Jiang Li's growing influence. Ji Shuran, frustrated by her repeated failures to undermine Jiang Li, consulted Consort Li, revealing her earlier suspicions about Jiang Li's identity. Ms. Sun, at Ji Shuran's instruction, had visited the former Chief of Zhennyu Hall with a portrait.
The Chief, who harbored deep resentment towards Jiang Li for exposing the Hall's wrongdoings, definitively confirmed the person in the portrait was indeed Jiang Li, stating she'd recognize her even if she turned to ashes. With this confirmation, Ji Shuran concluded that Jiang Li was merely exceptionally cunning.
Consort Li, with a cruel gleam in her eye, recalled how Xue Fangfei's previous identity was disgraced by false accusations of adultery and suggested a similar tactic: ruining Jiang Li's reputation during her upcoming palace visit while she was at the height of her public recognition. In preparation for the palace banquet, the Old Madam personally selected a luxurious "silken Qing Bai Yue" fabric for Jiang Li's dress, intending for her to appear elegant and dignified.
The Old Madam expressed her deep satisfaction, remarking that Jiang Li possessed a bearing similar to her birth mother, Ye Zhenzhen, clearly indicating her noble upbringing. She tenderly advised Jiang Li to be cautious in the palace, look after herself and her sisters, and never internalize any grievances, promising to listen if she faced any troubles.
In her own chambers, Jiang Ruoyao, furious at being overshadowed by Jiang Li's victory, defiantly cut her gown and declared she wouldn't attend the banquet. She lamented her years of qin practice, feeling it was all for naught, and bitterly blamed her mother for making her learn. Enraged, Ji Shuran nearly slapped Ruoyao, scolding her for being unable to accept defeat and threatening to disown her if she refused to attend the palace banquet.
Later, Tong Er inquired about Jiang Li's next move. Jiang Li explained her plan to use Shen Yurong as bait to draw out the mastermind behind her past tragedy. She believed the culprit was a powerful woman who had coveted the position of "Zhuangyuan's wife" and considered her life insignificant, deducing this from Shen Yurong's previous words about being "powerless."
As Jiang Li prepared to leave for the palace, Ye Shijie, who was passing by the Jiang residence, caught sight of her elegantly dressed figure and was visibly smitten. He offered to escort her, but Jiang Li politely declined, mentioning that the family carriage was already arranged. Unexpectedly, Jiang Jingrui dashed out, insisting on riding with Ye Shijie and pulling Jiang Li into the carriage.
Along the way, Jingrui noticed Ye Shijie staring intently at Jiang Li and playfully teased him about being smitten. A flustered Ye Shijie denied it, only for Jingrui to clarify that he was, in fact, admiring the exquisite "silken Qing Bai Yue" dress Jiang Li was wearing. After a full day's journey, they finally arrived at the palace gates that evening.
Standing at the palace entrance, Jiang Li's mind drifted back to a decade ago, when she had stood there watching Shen Yurong enter the palace as the newly crowned Zhuangyuan, while she, his wife, remained outside, unable to follow. Now, under a different identity, she was about to step through those same gates, filled with a grim determination for revenge. Liu Xu then joined them, and the four entered the palace together.
Inside, whispers spread through the halls about Consort Li, noting her youthful appearance and her controversial past as the previous Emperor's consort before marrying the current Emperor Hong Xiao. Emperor Hong Xiao and Consort Li made their grand entrance. The Emperor warmly praised all the scholars for their diligence and announced Ye Shijie's appointment as the Vice Director of the Ministry of Revenue, commending his dedication and his treatise, "A Treatise on Men's Servitude."
He then turned his attention to Jiang Li, praising her resilience and talent, having risen to first place in the Entry Exam despite ten years in isolation at Zhennyu Hall. Jiang Li, humble and composed, attributed her skills to the recluses she met in the mountains, portraying herself as a simple, pure-hearted individual. The Emperor, impressed, offered valuable jewels and jade to all four top candidates. However, Jiang Li boldly declined the material gifts.
Instead, she expressed her profound admiration for Shen Yurong's scholarship, specifically citing his "Treatise on Men's Servitude," and humbly requested His Majesty's decree to appoint Shen Yurong as her mentor. Despite the unusual request, the Emperor, captivated by her genuine passion for learning, granted her wish, much to the surprise and murmurs of the court, who speculated she was smitten with Shen Yurong.
Shen Yurong, called upon by the Emperor, then asked Jiang Li why she held such particular admiration for his old treatise. Jiang Li responded that it was because it was penned when he was a "commoner with a pure intention," rather than an official. After a period of musical entertainment, Consort Li feigned dizziness from drinking and was escorted away by Emperor Hong Xiao, leaving the banquet.
Jiang Li seized the opportunity to approach Shen Yurong, subtly referencing his mourning for his deceased wife and their once-harmonious relationship, like "qin and se in concert." It was then that Princess Wanning made her dramatic entrance. Spotting Jiang Li, Wanning expressed her surprise at Li's face, directly stating that she bore an uncanny resemblance to Shen Yurong's deceased wife. Observing Wanning's reaction and knowing her history, Jiang Li immediately recognized her as the true mastermind behind her past tragedy.
Princess Wanning, seeking to test the "first place scholar," proposed an archery challenge and theatrically searched for a "live target." She pointed directly at Li Jin, intending for him to be the target. However, Shen Yurong quickly stepped forward, offering himself as the target instead, hoping to appease the Princess and prevent any harm. This protective gesture only infuriated Wanning further.
She demanded that the blunt arrows be replaced with real, sharp ones and challenged Jiang Li to shoot a wine jug placed on Shen Yurong's head. Jiang Li's eyes fixated on the wine jug Wanning was holding; it was the very same one Shen Yurong had gifted her (Xue Fangfei) years ago. With a steely gaze and unyielding resolve, Jiang Li aimed the arrow directly at Shen Yurong, drawing back the longbow.
