The Heiress Episode 11 Recap
> The Heiress Recap
Han Shiyi, burdened by her responsibility to the Han Army, found herself unable to accept Chen Yanyi's affection, as her destiny was to live as the Han family's male heir. Chen Yanyi had expressed his joy upon learning she was a woman and openly admitted his feelings for her, which were widely known in the capital.
Han Shiyi, however, gently but firmly explained that as someone raised as a man, she had no interest in romance and felt unworthy of his love. She reiterated that she had truly come to see herself as a man and pleaded with him not to pressure her. Chen Yanyi was disheartened, feeling his affection only pushed her further away, and questioned if she truly did not love him.
Soon after, Han Shiyi and Chen Yanyi began their journey back to the capital. Tang Qian had already dispatched the Pan family father and son for escort. Han Shiyi worried about Chen Yanyi potentially exposing her female identity and wondered if it was too late to mend their strained relationship, as Chen Yanyi had been cold towards her since her rejection. During their journey, they made a stop at a secluded house belonging to a Sun family.
For their safety, they had paid the owner to leave and ensured the area was secure. They also spread a cover story that Chen Yanyi possessed a large quantity of medicinal materials and was seeking affluent buyers under the guise of the Li family from Western Sichuan. Upon settling in, they discovered everything they needed except a cook.
Han Shiyi, in an attempt to please Chen Yanyi, eagerly offered to cook, but her culinary efforts quickly resulted in a kitchen fire. Chen Yanyi then took over and cooked a delicious meal that Han Shiyi, Xinting, and Lin Rang devoured with gusto. Han Shiyi playfully chided Xinting for eating like he was starved but admitted the food was excellent.
Chen Yanyi remarked that it depended on Han Shiyi's "performance" when she asked when they would have such good food again. After dinner, Chen Yanyi announced they would leave for the capital the next morning, as the Emperor had summoned him to train in the Six Ministries, specifically proposing the Ministry of Personnel. Chen Yanyi, however, expressed his desire to train in the Ministry of Works.
Their conversation veered towards the imperial family, with Han Shiyi and Chen Yanyi discussing the Emperor's complex relationship with his sons, wanting them to be capable but not overly powerful, leading to a furtive existence for ambitious princes. Lin Rang noted that the current Emperor, having lived in fear himself as a prince, now showed apparent leniency towards his sons.
They also touched on Chen Yanhao's long tenure in the Six Ministries and Chen Yanyi's own dangerous training in the western territories, which the Emperor had supported. Chen Yanyi inquired if the northern and western garrisons had been warned about the Wei and Qiang’s planned invasion, expressing concern that the Emperor might withhold this information to weaken the military power of the Chu or Han families, thus suggesting that not notifying them might avoid arousing the Emperor's suspicion.
Han Shiyi teased Lin Rang for his boldness in discussing imperial matters. Lin Rang explained he was a lone doctor with no relatives to fear for. Chen Yanyi then revealed that Lin Rang had a master, who could be considered family. Lin Rang, surprised, asked why Chen Yanyi kept him by his side despite knowing his true identity.
Chen Yanyi explained that after sixty years, there were no longer "remnants of the previous dynasty" but only subjects of the State of Chen. He praised Lin Rang's master as an upright healer who saved lives, thus having no need to hide. Lin Rang expressed his gratitude, and Chen Yanyi assured him he was free to become a roving doctor if he wished, though Lin Rang said he hadn't decided.
Chen Yanyi then turned to Han Shiyi, jokingly asking if she hadn't often bargained with him. Han Shiyi, feigning humility, admitted Chen Yanyi was perceptive and that she likely amused him by hiding her true abilities. Chen Yanyi clarified he would never mock her, only worried she carried too many burdens. Han Shiyi acknowledged his concern.
Later that night, with only one room available, Lin Rang insisted Chen Yanyi and Han Shiyi share it, while he and Xinting would sleep outside. Both Chen Yanyi and Han Shiyi immediately protested, with Chen Yanyi claiming Han Shiyi snored and ground his teeth, and Han Shiyi agreeing that her sleep was "like a battle." Lin Rang, however, remained firm, stating Chen Yanyi's noble status prevented him from sleeping with commoners.
Han Shiyi realized Lin Rang, knowing she was a woman, was deliberately trying to force them together. Feeling awkward in the shared room, Han Shiyi decided to talk until Chen Yanyi fell asleep. She complimented his cooking, which he attributed to his solitary training days in the western military camp. She then expressed sympathy for his difficult childhood, suggesting a virtuous wife would bring him happiness, and offered to introduce him to suitable girls in the capital.
Chen Yanyi, however, described his ideal woman: someone with many flaws, rude, unreasonable, mischievous, petulant, and prone to lying. He pointed out Han Shiyi’s own lies: pretending she couldn't fight or write, and masquerading as a man. Han Shiyi feigned outrage, calling such a girl "detestable" and impossible to find, urging him to change his preferences. Chen Yanyi then admitted this "detestable girl" had brightened his world, and he feared never finding another like her.
He then leaned in and kissed her. Han Shiyi immediately pushed him away, asserting she had no feelings for him and that her initial reaction was merely surprise. Chen Yanyi countered that while her words might lie, her body spoke the truth. Han Shiyi then clarified her stance, stating she genuinely did not like him and asked him not to force her.
She then admitted that Han Yuanniang had died the day she became the Han family heir, and she would forever be Han Shiyi, with no intention of returning to her female identity. She implored Chen Yanyi to let go of his feelings. Chen Yanyi pressed, asking if she would care for him if not for her status. Han Shiyi firmly replied that there was "no if" and that she could only ever be Han Shiyi.
She questioned why, with so many good girls in the world, he stubbornly pursued her. Chen Yanyi declared he would rather remain unmarried than marry anyone other than her, hinting that he would never expose her. Angered by Chen Yanyi's persistence, Han Shiyi went to bed. Chen Yanyi, convinced she held feelings for him but was constrained by her responsibilities, privately vowed to help her restore her female identity once he ascended the throne.
Meanwhile, in the capital, Hong'er found Wang Zhongyu lost in thought, smiling. When he finally snapped out of it, he remarked that a few days without Han Shiyi felt like ages. Hong'er teased him, suggesting he was truly in love. Wang Zhongyu then acknowledged his feelings for the 'female heir,' Han Shiyi, were indeed real.
Upon returning to the capital, Chen Yanyi immediately reported to the Emperor that the Wei and Qiang people were colluding to attack the State of Chen, and the incriminating correspondence had been verified. He stressed the grave danger posed by the aggressive Wei combining with the Qiang for a two-front assault. Chen Yanyi also brought up Xue Fuliang's blood letter, detailing how it implicated Chen Yanhao in the loyal official's demise.
The Emperor, while defending Chen Yanhao by attributing the issue to using untrustworthy subordinates, promised to deliver justice for Xue Fuliang. Chen Yanyi pressed further, suggesting that Pan Zhanpeng, who was being escorted to the capital, could reveal the truth. Feeling cornered, the Emperor ordered Chen Yanyi to attend court alongside Chen Yanhao and to begin his training in the Ministry of Personnel.
Chen Yanyi, however, requested to train in the Ministry of Works, explaining its vital role in hydraulic engineering, agricultural improvements, and increasing grain output for the populace. Impressed by his concern for the people, the Emperor agreed and even provided Chen Yanyi with foreign crop seeds for cultivation. Later, Chen Yanyi encountered Empress Wang, who angrily admonished him for his lack of proper greetings.
Chen Yanyi retorted that she had never paid respects at his late mother’s tomb, implying she was no true empress to him. Empress Wang then complained to the Emperor, feigning illness as the reason for missing his mother's memorial services and expressing concern about potential misunderstandings between Chen Yanyi and Chen Yanhao. The Emperor, mindful of Chen Yanyi’s early loss, urged Empress Wang to be more understanding and directed her to focus on harem affairs.
Separately, Chen Yanhao confided in Wang Anli, frustrated that he was still outmatched by Chen Yanyi and now had to attend court with him. He expressed bitterness about Pan Zhanpeng’s accusations, which had angered the Emperor and led to a scolding, making him feel distant from his once-favored father.
Wang Anli counseled patience, reminding him that the Third and Seventh Princes posed no threat and that the throne would eventually be his once Chen Yanyi was removed, though the means to achieve this remained a question. Han Shiyi found herself in a gloomy mood after Chen Yanyi’s cousin, Chu Xiangyue, arrived in the capital. Her maid informed her that Chu Xiangyue was General Chu's adopted daughter and a potential candidate for Chen Yanyi's wife.
Chu Xiangyue, having elaborately prepared herself and applied "Charm Incense from the West Regions," went to meet Chen Yanyi. She expressed her happiness at finally seeing him after her arrival. Chen Yanyi, however, quickly inquired about her parents (his uncle and aunt), thanked her for bringing specialties from the western territory, but curtly dismissed her, saying he was busy and that servants should handle such matters in the future.
At the Imperial College, Chen Yanyi overheard Wang Zhongyu expressing how much he missed Han Shiyi. Wang Zhongyu then asked Han Shiyi if he had stayed with Chen Yanyi on their trip. Han Shiyi lied, saying it was impossible due to Chen Yanyi's noble status. Chen Yanyi, seemingly annoyed by her lie and the implication, put his arm around Han Shiyi and clarified that they "just slept together."
Han Shiyi, playing along, casually remarked that it was normal for men to share a room. Wang Zhongyu, however, grew suspicious, realizing Chen Yanyi likely knew Han Shiyi’s true identity and that his affections were for her, not for men. After class, Wang Zhongyu invited Han Shiyi to West Street that evening to see a magical show from the West Regions. Han Shiyi enthusiastically agreed, prompting Chen Yanyi to challenge her, asking about her earlier stated prior commitments.
Han Shiyi dismissed it as a minor issue she could resolve. Chen Yanyi was visibly displeased, calling her "improper" for being so intimate with another man as a woman. Han Shiyi retorted that since only he knew her true gender, she had to maintain her "playboy" facade for others, and suggested Chen Yanyi could join them if he was so worried about Wang Zhongyu discovering her secret. Chen Yanyi coldly refused, and Han Shiyi left.
Later that day, Chu Xiangyue brought Chen Yanyi some grapes, which Han Shiyi promptly snatched. Chen Yanyi then sent Chu Xiangyue away. Chu Xiangyue, observing their playful interaction, recalled rumors of Chen Yanyi's close relationship with Han Shiyi and angrily labeled Han Shiyi "detestable" for pestering her cousin. That evening, Han Shiyi and Wang Zhongyu arrived at West Street to watch the variety show. Chen Yanyi, accompanied by Chu Xiangyue, also appeared. Chen Yanyi sat next to Han Shiyi.
As he watched Han Shiyi and Wang Zhongyu chatting happily, he grew increasingly frustrated, silently drinking alcohol. Chu Xiangyue, frightened by the magic performance, clung to Chen Yanyi, who dismissed the acts as mere tricks and vowed to uncover their secrets.
