The Heiress Episode 16 Recap
> The Heiress Recap
Under Han Shiyi’s guidance, various wealthy merchants have been actively donating money and provisions to aid the suffering disaster victims. Merchants from Sichuan, in particular, responded enthusiastically, influenced by Li Jinxuan. However, not a single leading merchant from the Jiangnan region came forward. Han Shiyi realized this was because Prime Minister Wang originated from Jiangnan, and these merchants feared offending him.
As Jiangnan is a fertile region with many wealthy merchants holding substantial grain reserves, their non-participation or, worse, their collective effort to inflate grain prices, would severely hamper disaster relief efforts. Initially, many officials were reluctant to provide inscriptions to merchants, deeming it beneath their station. However, after Han Shiyi personally escorted them to visit the refugee camps and witness the dire circumstances, they eagerly lined up to offer their calligraphies, acknowledging the greater good.
Wang Xiyuan, disguised as her cousin Wang Xilin, arrived, claiming to be a wealthy merchant and requesting Chen Yanyi’s inscription. Han Shiyi, recognizing her, saw this as an opportunity to address the Jiangnan merchants’ reluctance. He explained that Chen Yanyi’s inscription was not easily given, reserved only for those with a "special identity" who could "play a leading role." He subtly suggested that a leading figure from the Jiangnan merchant community would be an exception.
Wang Xiyuan, pretending to be Wang Xilin, the eldest son of the prominent Wang family in Jiangnan, expressed her admiration for Chen Yanyi. Chen Yanyi, aware of her disguise, played along and inscribed "Blessing for future generations" for her, though he also issued a subtle warning to remember this and not bring misfortune upon her family.
Afterward, Han Shiyi explained to Chen Yanyi that with a member of the influential Wang family seemingly taking the lead, other Jiangnan merchants would surely follow suit and donate. Soon after, Wang Xiyuan was accosted by several thugs who, seeing through her disguise, attempted to assault her. Han Shiyi intervened swiftly, his men subduing the assailants, who were revealed not to be genuine refugees but individuals paid by other counties to stir up trouble.
Han Shiyi, noting the obvious culprit behind this scheme, arranged for the thugs to be sent to the capital for punishment. He then sent Wang Xiyuan, who was shaken but unharmed, back to her family mansion under escort, despite her wish to stay and help. With Wang Xiyuan's (fake) example, the Jiangnan merchants promptly began donating, even being the first to transport their relief supplies to the disaster area.
With the new provisions, Han Shiyi, Chen Yanyi, and their team finally enjoyed a full meal of rice after subsisting on thin congee for days. However, a message soon arrived summoning Chen Yanyi back to the capital. He informed Han Shiyi that the Ministry of Rites had lodged an impeachment, accusing them of coercing imperial officials to curry favor with merchants, thereby undermining the authority of the imperial court.
Han Shiyi insisted on accompanying him to confront the "jerks" in court. During the imperial audience, Chen Yanyi reported on the stable situation in Licheng, noting the flood had receded, dams were being repaired, and no one had starved to death since the initial disaster. When the Ministry of Rites accused him of dishonoring the state by involving officials with common merchants, Chen Yanyi retorted that the survival of the populace was paramount, far outweighing the dignity of officials.
Han Shiyi further challenged the Minister, stating that "When food is sufficient, people will then know etiquette. If people all starve to death, then what's the point of the rules?" He then boldly asked if the Minister had ever experienced hunger. Wang Zhongyu stepped in, revealing that while he had never starved before, he had endured several days of hunger with the Licheng refugees due to the Ministry of Revenue's delayed supplies, sarcastically inviting the Minister to experience it himself.
The Emperor, angered by the Ministry of Revenue official's weak excuses regarding the delayed relief (claiming supplies were sent to "more severely hit" areas but failing to name any place worse than Licheng), sided with Chen Yanyi. Other officials who had participated in the inscription drive also spoke in Chen Yanyi's defense, highlighting his selfless efforts. The Emperor declared Chen Yanyi's disaster relief efforts meritorious and deserving of reward, while ordering a thorough investigation into the Ministry of Revenue’s inefficiency.
After the court session, Chen Yanyi noted Prime Minister Wang's absence from court, explaining that he had secretly gone to Zhangzhou to support the Second Prince. Chen Yanyi then expressed his genuine admiration for Han Shiyi’s sharp wit, admitting his affection for him. Back in Licheng, Lin Rang warned Chen Yanyi that a major disaster was often followed by a major epidemic.
While Licheng had implemented preventive measures like boiling herbs and burying bodies, other regions, such as Zhangzhou, under the Second Prince's governance, had taken no such steps. Chen Yanyi, prioritizing the welfare of the people over political rivalries, decided to send a warning to the Second Prince regarding epidemic prevention. Han Shiyi volunteered to go in person, believing that only his direct involvement would ensure the message was taken seriously.
Chen Yanyi, concerned for his safety, reminded him to be careful, assuring him of his unwavering support. Meanwhile, Wang Zhongyu had confined Wang Xiyuan for recklessly disrupting Prime Minister Wang’s meticulously laid plans by using her cousin's name to rally Jiangnan merchants.
Wang Xiyuan defended her actions, revealing that Han Shiyi had saved her life and that her perception of him had completely changed; she now saw his heroic side, contrary to her previous disdain for his perceived delicate and seductive nature. As they spoke, a servant interrupted, announcing Han Shiyi's arrival in Zhangzhou to advise on epidemic prevention and that both Prime Minister Wang and the Second Prince requested Wang Zhongyu's presence.
The Second Prince hosted a lavish banquet for Han Shiyi and Wang Zhongyu. Han Shiyi, feigning a ravenous appetite, ate heartily while making light of the frugal meals in Licheng. He subtly tried to convey the urgency of epidemic prevention, emphasizing that disease "does not discriminate by status" and urging them, as "royal members," not to be careless. The Second Prince, however, dismissively referred Han Shiyi to Wang Zhongyu for detailed discussions.
Han Shiyi then confronted Wang Zhongyu, angrily pointing out the shortcomings of Zhangzhou's relief efforts—such as uncollected corpses and the higher death toll despite receiving imperial funds—and chastised him for his perfunctory attitude. He handed over the limited anti-epidemic herbs he brought, instructing Wang Zhongyu to procure more and ensure they were decocted for the refugees.
Later, a report reached the Second Prince and Prime Minister Wang that an epidemic had indeed broken out in Sweet-water Village, with over a dozen villagers already ill. The Second Prince panicked, fearing the Emperor’s retribution. Prime Minister Wang calmly assured him that a drastic measure was required: "Block the village, and burn it down" to prevent further spread. The Second Prince hesitated, worried about the Emperor's known benevolence toward his people.
Prime Minister Wang, however, argued that the Emperor would ultimately cover up such an act if it successfully contained the epidemic, to avoid public outrage. He then ordered his men to intercept Wang Zhongyu, who was on his way to Sweet-water Village with medicine, and to "get rid of" Han Shiyi there to eliminate future complications, dismissing any concerns about the Han family’s reaction as a matter of fate and blameable on the Fifth Prince.
In Sweet-water Village, Han Shiyi comforted the villagers, including a young girl named Tianniu whose parents had been lost in the flood and whose brother was now gravely ill. He promised medicine and food would arrive by evening and urged them to gather dry straw for insulation. However, as Wang Zhongyu approached the village entrance with the urgently needed medicine, he found it surrounded by soldiers.
Upon realizing they intended to seal off the village, he tried to force his way through but was knocked unconscious and carried away by the soldiers, unable to warn Han Shiyi. Inside the village, villagers frantically reported the blockade. Han Shiyi confronted the soldiers, identifying himself and demanding to speak to their superior, but they confiscated his token, declared him an imposter, and reiterated orders to kill anyone attempting to leave or enter.
Trapped with the villagers, Han Shiyi realized the horrifying truth: they intended to burn the entire village to contain the plague. Convinced that the Emperor, known for his compassion, would never condone such an atrocity, Han Shiyi resolved to stop them.
