The Double Episode 9 Recap
> The Double Recap
Shen Ruyun informed her brother, Shen Yurong, about Jiang Li's bet with the Li brothers. She remarked that Jiang Li must be foolish to make such a boastful claim, risking a return to Zhennyu Hall if she lost. Initially, Shen Ruyun had feared that Jiang Li might be Xue Fangfei returning for revenge, but now she believed they only shared a similar appearance. Shen Yurong, however, expressed his disinterest in discussing the matter.
When Shen Ruyun persisted in mentioning Xue Fangfei, Shen Yurong grew agitated, striking the table and warning his sister not to be presumptuous. Shen Ruyun then suggested he move back to his own room from the study, but Shen Yurong curtly dismissed her. Late at night, Shen Yurong, disheveled, entered his old, dusty room with a candle. He was overcome with sadness as he remembered his past with Xue Fangfei.
But the memory of burying her himself suddenly jolted him back to reality, terrifying him out of his reverie. Meanwhile, Zhiyan, an informant working for Xiao Heng, charmed the Lonely Gentleman. He promised to buy her freedom soon, unaware that Zhiyan was merely playing a role. Xiao Heng and his men apprehended the Lonely Gentleman and interrogated him about the embezzled funds from the Bureau of Salt and Iron.
Wen Ji threatened him with castration, terrifying the Lonely Gentleman into revealing that Judge Kong had been moving the illicit money to a theater. He claimed to know nothing more about the recipient. Afterward, Xiao Heng offered Zhiyan a generous reward, but she declined the money. Zhiyan explained that she sought only to repay a debt of gratitude to the Xiao family.
She had been saved by Xiao Heng's mother, Yu Hongye, and deeply suspected that the deaths of Yu Hongye and General Xiao years ago had a hidden cause. Though Xiao Heng acted indifferent, he privately harbored thoughts about his parents. He stood on a balcony, lost in childhood memories. He remembered his parents leaving for a battle in Nanjiang, entrusting Peng Guang to take him to his grandfather, General Xiao Senior, at the Duke's Residence.
Young Xiao Heng had cried, wanting to go with them. But his father died in battle, and his grandfather, Xiao Dachuan, showed no sorrow, which Xiao Heng perceived as heartlessness. This fueled his determination to uncover the truth behind his father's death. Soon after, his mother, dressed in red, also passed away, succumbing to sorrow and illness.
Xiao Heng's subordinates later confirmed the Lonely Gentleman's regular visits to the theater, prompting Xiao Heng to plan an investigation there the next day. Tong Er, hearing about Xue Fangfei's bet, worried she might lose and be forced back to Zhennyu Hall. However, Xue Fangfei felt confident. She intended to use this opportunity at the Entry Exam to secure Jiang Li's true place in the capital, preventing others from easily judging her.
She also aimed to unmask the powerful individual behind Shen Yurong, who had caused such immense harm to her and her family. She suspected this person commanded vast wealth and influence and planned to use the Imperial Palace Banquet as a stage to lure them into the open. Shen Yurong was writing with Princess Wanning when she brought up Jiang Li's bet. His composure was visibly disturbed.
When asked who he thought would win, he offhandedly picked the Li brothers, but Wanning, noticing his unsettled state, called out his lie. He apologized, and her anger subsided. She then instructed Shen Yurong to publicly support Jiang Li in the bet. Ji Shuran informed Jiang Yuanbai about the bet, subtly fanning his anger. Jiang Yuanbai confronted Xue Fangfei, who feigned humility and knelt, expressing her distress at the thought of him being humiliated by Grand Chancellor Li.
She appealed for his support, claiming she wished to uphold the family's honor. Swayed by her plea, Jiang Yuanbai pledged his full backing and instructed Jiang Ruoyao to give her best qin to Xue Fangfei. Jiang Ruoyao and Jiang Yuru then offered their assistance, while Ji Shuran covertly planned to use this "help" to ensure Xue Fangfei's downfall. During her qin practice, Xue Fangfei's old wrist injury, sustained when she was bound and buried alive, began to hurt.
A physician diagnosed it as an old injury complicated by recent strain, requiring at least a month to fully heal. Tong Er grew anxious, worried about how Xue Fangfei would perform in the exam. Meanwhile, Jiang Jingrui dedicated himself to practicing chess, Ye Shijie buried himself in studies, and Liu Xu diligently practiced archery despite a past fear of horses. Inspired by Xue Fangfei's tenacity, Liu Xu resolved to give her all.
While practicing near a hunting ground, Xiao Heng appeared. He advised Liu Xu to adjust her loose thumb ring, which immediately improved her aim. He then offered to teach Xue Fangfei archery for self-defense, during which he noticed her wrist injury. Xiao Heng invited Xue Fangfei to his residence for treatment, but she did not go that day, choosing instead to continue practicing the qin despite her pain.
With only three days left until the Entry Exam, she had no choice but to seek Xiao Heng's help. Upon her arrival, Xiao Heng deliberately made her wait, punishing her for her initial refusal. He eventually led her inside and introduced her to Situ Jiuyue, known not as the "First Divine Physician" but as the "First Poison Expert."
Situ Jiuyue, who had strict rules about treatment, demanded a gamble: Xue Fangfei must choose one of two covered cups, one containing a poisonous spider, the other harmless. If she won, Situ Jiuyue would treat her; if she lost, she would forfeit her life. Xue Fangfei, observing Situ Jiuyue's subtle expressions, boldly used Xiao Heng's hand as her stake, confidently choosing the cup that contained the non-poisonous spider.
Situ Jiuyue was surprised but acknowledged Xue Fangfei's win, agreeing to treat her. She informed Xue Fangfei that her meridians were in disarray and required an extreme "fighting poison with poison" method, using scorpions to heal, which would cause immense pain. Despite the warning, Xue Fangfei accepted, trusting Situ Jiuyue. The intense treatment caused Xue Fangfei to lose consciousness. Situ Jiuyue then remarked to Xiao Heng that he seemed to have developed feelings for Xue Fangfei, noting his concern.
Xiao Heng, without directly admitting it, claimed she was merely an "actor" he needed to promote, and a crippled hand would prevent her from playing her part. Situ Jiuyue, however, saw through his denial and warned him not to deceive himself. Later, after Xue Fangfei regained consciousness, she thanked Xiao Heng for arranging her treatment.
Xiao Heng replied that she was not yet in a position to repay his favor, implying she was like a helpless "falling leaf," and his residence had no place for such a thing.
