The Double Episode 33 Recap
> The Double Recap
Wanning taunted Xue Fangfei, asking if she was afraid, then assured her she wouldn't kill her, as Grand Chancellor Jiang was waiting outside. She led Xue Fangfei into a secret dungeon and urged her to look closely at a bound, unconscious man. Xue Fangfei was horrified to recognize him as her brother, Xue Zhao, and cried out his name.
Wanning revealed her surprise that Xue Zhao was still alive, explaining that she always kept an ace up her sleeve and had imprisoned him to prevent the Xue family from seeking revenge. She then directly asked Xue Fangfei if she wanted to save her brother. Xue Zhao, feigning unconsciousness, stated he didn't know her. Wanning, holding a dagger, threatened Xue Zhao, prompting Xue Fangfei to beg her to stop. Desperate, Xue Fangfei asked Wanning what she wanted.
Wanning demanded that Xue Fangfei retract her testimony against Shen Yurong during the upcoming interrogation in exchange for Xue Zhao’s freedom. Xue Fangfei, trying to assert control, warned Wanning not to harm Xue Zhao again, or they would both perish. That night, Xue Fangfei awoke from a nightmare, hearing Xue Zhao’s pleas for help and seeing him being whipped. She quickly wrote a letter to Situ Jiuyue, instructing her servant, Zhao Ke, not to inform Duke Su.
Wen Ji, however, reported to Xiao Heng about the letter to Situ Jiuyue and Xue Fangfei’s distraught state after leaving the Princess Residence. Xiao Heng, choosing not to intercept the letter, ordered increased surveillance on Wanning and to be notified of any news from the Jiang family, suspecting Wanning had coerced Xue Fangfei.
At the Court of Judicial Review, Jiang Yuanbai vehemently denounced Shen Yurong to the Chief Minister, accusing him of attempting to assault Jiang Li at the Shen family banquet, disgracing his official uniform. The Chief Minister confirmed that witness testimonies and evidence were sufficient for Shen Yurong’s conviction, pending Jiang Li’s final confirmation. Xue Fangfei, remembering Wanning’s threat, hesitated.
She then retracted her initial testimony, claiming she had always admired Mr. Shen and had expressed her feelings to him at the banquet. She stated that after being rejected, she had become embarrassed and angry, leading her to injure him. She claimed this was solely her doing and sought Shen Yurong's forgiveness, wanting to clear his name. The Chief Minister warned her of the severe legal repercussions for slandering a court official, reminding her of the existing witness statements.
Despite being given another chance to reconsider, Xue Fangfei insisted her new testimony was the truth. The Chief Minister regretfully informed Jiang Yuanbai that, given Xue Fangfei's retraction, the case would be resolved differently, and she would be immediately detained and sentenced without further trial, unable to return to Jiang family custody. Jiang Yuanbai, shocked, questioned if Wanning had threatened her, urging her to speak the truth. Xue Fangfei, however, maintained her false confession, and she was taken away.
Wen Ji quickly informed Xiao Heng that Xue Fangfei had retracted her testimony and been detained. Xiao Heng was visibly shocked and rushed to the Court of Judicial Review. There, he observed Shen Yurong being released. Shen Yurong implied Xue Fangfei had a powerful backer. Xue Fangfei retorted that she never asked for help and accused Shen Yurong of complicity in Wanning’s actions, revealing Wanning had captured and tortured Xue Zhao in a dungeon.
Shen Yurong expressed shock at Xue Zhao’s survival, claiming ignorance, but Xue Fangfei dismissed his denial, asserting he was too close to Wanning for her to hide such a secret. She condemned him for indulging in pleasure while her family suffered and angrily declared she would expose all their evil deeds. She told him to never call her by her affectionate nickname again, as she found it utterly disgusting. As Shen Yurong left, Xiao Heng entered.
Xue Fangfei, distraught, implored Xiao Heng to rescue her brother from the Princess Residence, stating she trusted only him for this crucial task and confirming Xue Zhao was alive but barely. She also mentioned waiting for Situ Jiuyue's reply and subtly asked Xiao Heng to expedite it. Xiao Heng, observing her distress, remarked that a "little leopard cat isn't adorable when it cries." Xiao Heng then went to the Princess Residence.
Wanning, surprised by his personal visit, informed him that she had already sent Xue Zhao to his residence. Xiao Heng expressed his surprise, expecting Wanning to keep Xue Zhao as leverage. Wanning, however, gloated about keeping her promises, but then revealed her true, crueler intention: she wanted Xue Fangfei to witness her brother become a helpless cripple, believing this would be far more devastating than simply killing him.
Xiao Heng scoffed at Wanning's cruelty, stating that Xue Fangfei was not as greedy as Wanning, and simply knowing her brother was alive was enough for her. Meanwhile, Shen Yurong returned home, haunted by Xue Fangfei's scornful words. He instructed Shen Ruyun to clean his old room, signaling his dark resolve to move back and plan his counter-attack. Shen Yurong then visited Wanning, humbly apologizing for his perceived failure while in prison.
He proposed that they request His Majesty to arrange a marriage between him and Xue Fangfei. He reasoned that since the Jiang family and Xiao Heng would undoubtedly attempt to rescue her, bringing her into the Shen household through an imperial decree would effectively place her under their control. Wanning was skeptical, questioning if he sought to reunite with his former wife. Shen Yurong vehemently denied it, attributing his ruin to Xue Fangfei and crediting Wanning with saving him.
He suggested that if Wanning were to marry him in the future, Xue Fangfei could be demoted from wife to maid, serving Wanning forever and forced to grovel at her feet. He then presented Wanning with a hairpin, signifying his unwavering devotion. Wanning acknowledged his elaborate scheme but voiced concern that His Majesty would not compel the Jiang family into such a marriage. Shen Yurong advised her to seek Consort Li's help in persuading His Majesty.
Wen Ji reported to Xiao Heng that Xue Zhao's injuries, though severe, were not life-threatening, but doctors feared he might require crutches permanently. He also confirmed the Chief Minister's impartiality in Xue Fangfei’s case, noting that her charge of slandering a court official was finalized, and the Court of Judicial Review was deliberating her sentence. Jiang Yuanbai's attempts to intervene with His Majesty had been deflected to the Chief Minister, indicating the Emperor’s deliberate neutrality.
Xiao Heng prepared to take action. Wanning visited Consort Li, feigning concern. Consort Li, however, was clearly displeased, accusing Wanning of using Ji Shuran as a pawn, which led to her downfall. Wanning brushed aside the accusation, arguing that Ji Shuran would have clashed with Jiang Li regardless. Wanning then proposed her scheme to Consort Li: to persuade His Majesty to arrange a marriage between Jiang Li and Shen Yurong.
She explained this would bring Jiang Li under their complete control within the Shen family. Consort Li refused to be a pawn like her sister, prompting Wanning to threaten her. Wanning revealed she knew about the "disturbance of evil spirits" in the imperial harem that resulted in Consort Xian’s death, implying Consort Li's involvement.
She claimed to have found a palace maid who witnessed the events and offered to hand her over to Consort Li for disposal once the marriage was arranged. Xiao Heng questioned His Majesty about Jiang Li’s case. His Majesty dismissed it as a minor matter, but when Xiao Heng pressed about Wanning's potential involvement, His Majesty merely advised him to keep a close watch on his "pawn." His Majesty then dismissed Xiao Heng to take a stroll with Consort Li.
Xiao Heng's scout soon reported Shen Yurong's entry into the palace. Consort Li, during her stroll with His Majesty, delicately brought up the strained relations between the Shen and Jiang families, highlighting that both Shen Yurong and Grand Chancellor Jiang were trustworthy court officials and equally important to him. She then presented Shen Yurong, who, when questioned by His Majesty, framed the incident with Jiang Li as a "misunderstanding," believing Jiang Li acted out of "confusion" rather than "malicious intent."
He implored His Majesty to pardon her and drop the matter. Consort Li then seized the opportunity, suggesting that since Mr. Shen was "magnanimous" and Jiang Li had "professed affection" for him, an imperial marriage would resolve the conflict and "preserve Li's reputation."
After a moment of consideration about the fairness to Shen Yurong, His Majesty agreed, decreeing that since Shen Yurong would not pursue the case, the Court of Judicial Review should dismiss it and release Jiang Li into the custody of the Jiang family. Consort Li offered to handle the discussions with Grand Chancellor Jiang, eager to gain merit by arranging the match. Shen Yurong volunteered to deliver the imperial decree to the prison.
Xiao Heng learned of the planned arranged marriage and immediately headed to the prison. Shen Yurong arrived to escort Xue Fangfei, telling her she was being released because His Majesty intended to arrange their marriage due to their "love." He asked her to marry him, claiming it was to protect her. Xue Fangfei, disgusted, retorted that he had married her, killed her, and now sought to marry and kill her again.
She refused his carriage, calling it a "road to the underworld," and walked towards Xiao Heng, who had just arrived. Xiao Heng took her hand, and they departed together in his carriage. In the carriage, Xue Fangfei questioned Xiao Heng about the arranged marriage and Consort Li's unexpected involvement. Xiao Heng confirmed Consort Li initiated it, suspecting a "hidden motive" given Wanning's dangerous nature and Ji Shuran's recent downfall. He awaited further scout reports.
He then told Xue Fangfei he would take her to his residence to see Xue Zhao, advising her to prepare an explanation for the Jiang family. At Duke Su's residence, Xue Fangfei had an emotional reunion with Xue Zhao. He asked about their father and the gold mine. Xue Fangfei reassured him that their father was well and the gold mine was closed, praising Xue Zhao's blueprint for saving many lives.
She promised to explain everything else once he had recovered. She then revealed her new identity as Jiang Li, daughter of Jiang Yuanbai. Xue Zhao recounted his ordeal: after receiving a letter, he traveled alone to the capital to investigate, not wanting to worry his father. Suspecting foul play, he sent a letter to the magistrate of the capital. On his journey, he was ambushed by bandits.
When he regained consciousness, he was in the Princess Residence's dungeon, later realizing Wanning was behind it. He had feared he would die there unnoticed but was now relieved to be rescued and reunited with his sister and to know their father was alive, expressing hope for better days ahead. Xue Fangfei returned to the Jiang family. Jiang Yuanbai explained he had attempted to meet her at the prison but missed her.
Xue Fangfei attributed her delay to being picked up by Xiao Heng, who questioned her about the case and Wanning's potential involvement. Jiang Yuanbai affirmed his trust in her despite her retracted testimony and offered his unwavering support. Xue Fangfei assured him the issue with Wanning was resolved.
She then informed him about His Majesty's intention to arrange her marriage to Shen Yurong, noting that while no formal decree had been issued, Consort Li was handling the details and had initiated the proposal. Jiang Yuanbai was surprised. Xue Fangfei expressed her unwillingness to marry Shen Yurong but explained the difficulty of defying an imperial decree, especially for a marriage seen as bringing glory to their ancestors, and given her false confession of affection for Shen Yurong.
Refusing would place Jiang Yuanbai in a difficult position of "defying the imperial decree." She then inquired about Ji Shuran’s condition. Jiang Yuanbai confirmed Ji Shuran was deranged but otherwise fine. Xue Fangfei suggested that Ji Shuran meet with Consort Li, despite Jiang Yuanbai's doubts about Ji Shuran's ability to persuade her in her current state, and asked him to arrange it.
Xiao Heng, learning more about the "death of Consort Xian" and "supernatural events" through his scouts, believed Wanning had already secured a witness against Consort Li and ordered Wen Ji to investigate Wanning's inner circle. He dismissed informing His Majesty, suspecting the Emperor was already aware of the situation. Wen Ji expressed concern that Consort Li might expedite the marriage before they could find conclusive evidence. Xiao Heng then ordered Wen Ji to relay this information to Xue Fangfei.
