The Double Episode 35 Recap
> The Double Recap
Xue Fangfei was helping her younger brother, Xue Zhao, practice walking when Xiao Heng arrived. Upon seeing Xiao Heng, Xue Zhao instinctively called him "Brother-in-law," which caused Xue Fangfei to blush while Xiao Heng found it amusing, noting Xue Zhao was much smarter than his sister. Xiao Heng offered to continue helping Xue Zhao but stumbled, leading Xue Zhao to tell him to slow down.
Xiao Heng then prepared to depart for Zhao, remarking that he had already delayed his journey by a day for Xue Fangfei's "good show." He inquired about the situation at Princess Wanning's residence, mentioning that Wanning had secretly dealt with an imperial physician who reportedly diagnosed her with a pregnancy. Xue Fangfei, understanding that Xiao Heng knew of her plan, asked him to feel her pulse.
When he registered surprise at a "pregnancy," she explained it was a fake pregnancy drug from Situ Jiuyue, which she had personally tested to ensure its safety before Consort Li administered it to Wanning at her birthday banquet. Xue Fangfei clarified that the drug only mimicked pregnancy symptoms and had no other harmful effects, and its effects would naturally disappear over time.
She reasoned that if news of Wanning's pregnancy spread, it would provide an opportunity for her to avoid the arranged marriage with Shen Yurong. Xiao Heng, concerned for her safety, reassured her that he could protect her where Shen Yurong could not. Despite the arranged marriage issue being resolved, Xue Fangfei was determined to continue her plan to expose Wanning and Shen Yurong's crimes and help Xiao Heng capture Lord Cheng's conspirators.
Xiao Heng urged her to be cautious in his absence and to contact him if any issues arose. Before he left, Xue Fangfei thanked him for bringing her back to the capital and never abandoning her. He reiterated his wish for her to live life on her own terms, free to pursue her revenge. Meanwhile, Wanning awoke feeling nauseous; even her favorite jasmine incense now smelled disgusting to her.
She summoned Imperial Physician Zhang, who, under her menacing gaze, reluctantly confirmed she was pregnant. Wanning was shocked, remembering Imperial Physician Zhang's previous diagnosis after her return from Dai Country: her body, damaged by numerous injuries and multiple miscarriages endured during her time as a hostage, rendered her infertile. The physician expressed his astonishment, calling it a miracle. When Wanning asked if she could conceive again if she chose not to keep this child, he said it was highly unlikely.
Realizing the implications of her secret pregnancy, especially at less than a month along, Wanning ordered Imperial Physician Zhang and his entire family to be "dealt with" to ensure their silence. Later, her maid expressed concern that the growing pregnancy would eventually be discovered, potentially ruining Shen Yurong's career and causing Wanning immense grief. Wanning, however, was adamant about keeping the child, viewing it as a precious gift she shared with Shen Yurong.
She instructed her maid to summon Shen Yurong to the Princess's residence. Elsewhere, Shen Yurong stared out a window, feeling that fate was unfair to those of humble birth. Wanning's maid informed him of the summons. When he arrived, Wanning, overjoyed, informed him of her pregnancy, confirmed by Imperial Physician Zhang. Despite his initial surprise, Wanning insisted that since he would eventually become her prince consort, they should simply advance their timeline and seek His Majesty's decree for their marriage.
Shen Yurong, however, feigned concern for her reputation, suggesting that such a hasty request might imply a secret affair. Wanning dismissed his concerns, declaring that she cared only about being with the man she loved and ensuring their child had a legitimate father. She confidently stated that she always got what she wanted and expected him to joyfully welcome her and their child into the Shen family.
Having learned that Shen Yurong was visiting Wanning, Xue Fangfei instructed her maid to spread the rumors further, effectively "lighting a fire" under them. Xiao Heng stood on the city wall, bidding farewell to His Majesty. They shared a moment remembering General Xiao's funeral, where Xiao Heng had suspected Lord Cheng's involvement in his father's death. With His Majesty's trust and support, Xiao Heng had secretly investigated for eight years, solidifying their bond.
His Majesty wished him a swift return, promising to wait for him in the capital. Meanwhile, Wanning was haunted by memories of her past in Dai Country, where she was cruelly abused and confined to a sheepfold by the Dai King. She recalled being forced to dance and suffering repeated miscarriages in harsh conditions, leading to her infertility. This past trauma made her fiercely protective of the child she now carried.
Xiao Heng's secret arrival in Zhao was met with stringent security. He gained entry by revealing Situ Jiuyue's bell. Situ Jiuyue was delighted, having expected him, but disappointed to learn he was there to meet her brother, the Zhao Prince. Xiao Heng requested military support from Zhao to counter potential internal unrest in Yan, specifically referring to Lord Cheng's impending rebellion.
However, Lord Cheng's envoy, Chu Lan, had already visited the Zhao Prince, attempting to persuade him to side against Yan, promising rewards if Lord Cheng became emperor and threatening retaliation if Zhao resisted. The Zhao Prince and his ministers were divided on which side to support, as less than half believed the Emperor of Yan would win.
The Zhao Prince, though distrustful of Yan's Emperor, expressed trust in Xiao Heng and offered his assistance on the condition that Xiao Heng remain in Zhao as a prince consort, marrying into the royal family. Xiao Heng understood that the Zhao Prince was waiting for a better offer. Back in the capital, rumors of Wanning's pregnancy had spread widely. Consort Li reported this to His Majesty, emphasizing the damage it could do to the imperial family's reputation.
She suggested sending an imperial physician to examine Wanning and offered to accompany him, arguing that Wanning would likely refuse a physician alone. Hearing the widespread rumors, Shen Yurong's mother rushed to the Hanlin Academy to question her son. Shen Yurong, realizing that someone was deliberately fanning the flames, dismissed her, telling her not to cause further trouble as he would resolve the matter. Consort Li, accompanied by Imperial Physician Chu, then confronted Wanning.
Wanning fiercely resisted the examination, viewing it as a public humiliation. She threatened Consort Li with secrets regarding Consort Xian. Consort Li, however, was unfazed. She revealed her own knowledge of Wanning's precarious position, implying she was aware of Wanning's true vulnerability and had her own leverage. Realizing that Consort Li had switched allegiance to Xue Fangfei, Wanning, in a fit of rage, smashed a cup.
Consort Li warned her to reflect on how to explain the origins of her child to His Majesty. Panicked, Wanning demanded that Shen Yurong immediately seek an imperial decree for their marriage. Shen Yurong urged her to calm down, stating that the rapid spread of the rumors and Consort Li's sudden involvement indicated a deliberate scheme.
He theorized that someone was pushing them to acknowledge their relationship to expose their affair, using it as a pretext to reopen the Xue family murder case, which would, in turn, destabilize Lord Cheng's impending rebellion. He proposed a temporary solution: Wanning should marry Li Jin, one of the Li family's unmarried sons.
This would provide a legitimate father for the child and a safe environment for Wanning to carry the pregnancy, as the Li family's status matched hers, and they could be easily influenced. He suggested that after Lord Cheng achieved his goals and the political landscape shifted, they could find an excuse for divorce and finally be together. Wanning was devastated, feeling that Shen Yurong was unwilling to truly commit to her and their child.
Li Jin, informed of the proposal, initially rejected the idea of marrying Wanning and raising another man's child. However, his father, Li Zhongnan, convinced him, emphasizing the strategic benefits of such a marriage for the Li family's alliance with Lord Cheng. Upon learning that Wanning was to marry into the Li family, Xue Fangfei realized she had underestimated Shen Yurong's cunning plan.
