The Double Episode 6 Recap
> The Double Recap
Jiang Ruoyao began suffering from an itchy rash and red spots all over her face, deeply alarming Ji Shuran, who suspected a sandalwood allergy. A hesitant maid then accused Xue Fangfei, claiming the earrings she gifted contained sandalwood. Jiang Yuanbai personally inspected the earrings, confirming the presence of sandalwood. Xue Fangfei, remaining composed, denied putting any sandalwood in the earrings. Ji Shuran, citing the "incriminating evidence," demanded an explanation.
Xue Fangfei then proposed that she could alleviate Ruoyao's discomfort if given time alone with her. Despite Ji Shuran's misgivings, Jiang Yuanbai decided to grant Xue Fangfei the opportunity. Once everyone left, Xue Fangfei quickly discerned that Ruoyao's condition was a self-inflicted ploy stemming from jealousy and intended to make Ruoyao confess. Xue Fangfei predicted the scheme would unravel, identifying Xiangqiao as the culprit.
She explained that the expensive earrings she purchased from Jixiang Store had been swapped for a crude imitation. Furthermore, Xue Fangfei revealed that Tong Er had been secretly observing the maids and noticed a rivalry between Xiangqiao and Yunshuang, indicating that Yunshuang might expose Xiangqiao. Ruoyao accused Xue Fangfei of instigating discord between the maids, but Xue Fangfei countered that it was merely self-preservation, as she refused to let her reputation be further tarnished.
Xue Fangfei reiterated that she did not wish to be Ruoyao's enemy and had only returned to reclaim what was hers, urging Ruoyao to consider her choices carefully. Outside, Ji Shuran voiced her doubts about Xue Fangfei's ability to resolve the situation. However, Ruoyao soon emerged, clarifying that she had misunderstood Xue Fangfei, thus diffusing the tension. After Jiang Yuanbai departed, Ruoyao angrily confronted Ji Shuran, criticizing her ill-conceived plan and demanding the antidote.
Upon learning of the incident, the Old Madam summoned Xue Fangfei, offering her pear soup and expressing concern. Xue Fangfei downplayed the incident, attributing it to a maid's carelessness. The Old Madam, seeing through the facade, ordered Mama Zhang to reassign maids to Xue Fangfei, and had the "troublemaking" maids, Xiangqiao and Yunshuang, dragged away and sold.
Jiang Jingrui expressed his admiration for Xue Fangfei, marveling at her ability to involve their grandmother in household affairs and mentioning how much he liked the little turtle she gave him. The Old Madam, burdened by guilt towards Xue Fangfei, acknowledged Ji Shuran's manipulative tactics but felt constrained from interfering more directly. Mama Zhang then brought Xue Fangfei a new maid, Bai Xue, who hailed from Zaohua Village. This detail reminded Xue Fangfei of her former maid, Haitang.
Bai Xue had not heard of Haitang but promised to write home and ask her family about her. Tong Er wondered why Xue Fangfei was so keen on finding Haitang. Xue Fangfei confided her fear that Haitang might have also met a tragic end and believed that finding her could uncover crucial truths about her past unjust accusation.
Meanwhile, Jiang Yuanbai, touched by Ji Shuran's apparent diligence and recalling her elegance when they first met, expressed his sympathy for her burdens. Ji Shuran, feigning magnanimity, proposed arranging a marriage for Xue Fangfei, praising Zhao Qi, the Minister of Personnel's son, as an excellent match from a reputable family. Jiang Yuanbai agreed, informing Xue Fangfei of the proposal.
Xue Fangfei suspected Ji Shuran's true motive was to marry her off, but Tong Er's inquiries confirmed Zhao Qi's commendable qualities, prompting Xue Fangfei to suspect a hidden agenda. During their arranged meeting, Zhao Qi presented himself as a cultured man. However, when they were alone, he bluntly stated his priority for marriage was for Xue Fangfei to bear him children, revealing his true shallow nature.
Xue Fangfei, seeing through his pretense, shrewdly deduced that he had a secret lover whom he dared not bring home. She sharply rebuked him for his hypocrisy and self-serving attitude. Zhao Qi, caught off guard and fearing exposure, publicly declared that he found Xue Fangfei unsuitable, leading to the cancellation of the match.
Recalling the plight of her deceased friend, Dai Yun, who had suffered greatly from a philandering husband who only viewed her as a means to produce an heir, Xue Fangfei deeply resented men who treated women as mere tools. This reinforced her resolve not to be confined to such a fate. She realized that she needed to find an alternative way to secure her position and pursue her goals within the Jiang household.
Concurrently, Xiao Heng and his men surrounded the residence of Yang Song, an official from the Bureau of Salt and Iron suspected of colluding in the illegal salt trade. After Mrs. Yang was indirectly threatened by Xiao Heng about the severe consequences of defying the emperor, she revealed Yang Song’s hiding place. Upon entering, they discovered Yang Song had hanged himself, leaving a confession letter behind.
Xiao Heng realized he had been tricked, as Yang Song's death sealed off further leads, leaving him to report the incomplete findings to the Emperor. At court, Kong Zhaofeng of the Bureau of Salt and Iron offered to take responsibility for the corruption and requested a chance to redeem himself. Emperor Hong Xiao granted his request but warned him to be more cautious.
Shen Yurong reported on the progress of his imperial examination reforms, which included abolishing the old practices of pre-submitted essays and public recommendations, implementing anonymous grading, and providing travel subsidies for impoverished students. Li Zhongnan, however, voiced concerns about the increased workload for examiners and potential misjudgments, suggesting that the old system allowed examiners to better identify talented candidates beforehand.
Jiang Yuanbai countered that the old system fostered collusion and that any issues with the new reforms lay in academic administration, not the reforms themselves. Emperor Hong Xiao acknowledged that new policies would have initial flaws but emphasized the importance of reform and authorized Shen Yurong to oversee the annual exams for both the Imperial Academy and the School of Integrity, tasking him with selecting truly talented and ambitious individuals.
Later, Li Zhongnan gathered his sons, Li Jin and Li Lian, to discuss the financial deficit in the Bureau of Salt and Iron. They targeted the wealthy but less prestigious Ye family, in-laws of the Jiang family, noting that Ye Shijie had entered the Imperial Academy through "gongjian". Li Zhongnan promised to pave the way for his sons to exploit Ye Shijie and control the Ye family. Meanwhile, Princess Wanning invited Shen Yurong to a private banquet.
She proposed a "joint competition" for the upcoming annual exams, allowing male and female students from different academies to team up, thinking it would be more exciting. Shen Yurong, however, firmly rejected the idea, explaining that such an approach would lead to factionalism and favoritism, ultimately harming talented students from less privileged backgrounds and undermining governmental integrity. Offended by his serious tone and rejection, Princess Wanning angrily commanded him to kneel.
