The Heiress Episode 18 Recap
> The Heiress Recap
Han Shiyi arranged for Tianniu and her brother, whom she met in the disaster area, to be brought back to the capital and cared for. Tianniu's brother had recovered and was staying at Shen's Mansion, and Han Shiyi planned to send Tianniu there to be with him. She also intended for Qin Wanning to look after the children once their marriage was complete, believing Qin Wanning to be a kind and trustworthy lady.
Meanwhile, rumors spread through the capital about Han Shiyi and Chen Yanyi's brave actions in saving the villagers of Sweetwater Village, with storytellers painting them as legends. Concerned that his growing reputation might make the Emperor uneasy, Han Shiyi decided he needed to create some "trouble" to re-establish his image as a frivolous playboy and put the Emperor's mind at ease. Around this time, he received a letter from Wang Xiyuan.
Han Shiyi met Wang Xiyuan at Li's Glorious Pavilion, in a private room that Wang Xiyuan noted was the same one where Han Shiyi had previously drunk with her brother, Wang Zhongyu. Wang Xiyuan confessed that she regretted rejecting her father's previous proposal to marry Han Shiyi, admitting she was "blind to a true hero." Han Shiyi tried to deflect her advances by mentioning his imminent marriage to Qin Wanning and the possibility of having a child soon.
However, Wang Xiyuan dismissed this, suggesting he was only marrying Qin Wanning out of a desire to protect her reputation, not true affection, and praised his kind nature. When Han Shiyi attempted to leave, Wang Xiyuan insisted he finish three cups of wine. After Han Shiyi seemingly complied and then collapsed, she revealed to herself that she had cleverly added rice wine to his drink, confident that she could now "make it a done deal."
Her plan was interrupted by the timely arrival of Wang Zhongyu, who quickly ordered a sobering drink for Han Shiyi. Wang Zhongyu chided his sister for making Han Shiyi drink while he was still recovering from injury. Wang Xiyuan, however, defiantly declared her love for Han Shiyi and her intention to force the marriage, revealing she learned such tactics from Wang Zhongyu's own novels.
Upon waking, Han Shiyi told Wang Xiyuan that, since nothing truly happened, he would let the matter go, but due to his upcoming marriage, he could no longer associate with her. Wang Zhongyu then escorted a reluctant Wang Xiyuan away. Han Shiyi privately mused that Wang Xiyuan's reaction indicated she was still unaware of the full scope of his true identity and other secrets.
Han Shiyi proceeded with his wedding preparations, instructing his staff to spare no expense and make the event sensationally extravagant. He learned that the eldest son of the powerful Li family, Li Chengxuan, would also be marrying on the same day. Determined not to be outshone, Han Shiyi resolved to make his wedding the grandest in the capital. He reiterated that his lavish spending was solely to maintain his image as a frivolous noble, thus reassuring the ailing Emperor.
While selecting wedding attire, Han Shiyi was drawn to a bride's gown. After excusing the tailor, he secretly tried it on, admiring himself in the mirror. Just then, Chen Yanyi entered, having been told Han Shiyi was in the room. Chen Yanyi was captivated, remarking, "Shiyi, you look stunning in that dress." When Han Shiyi moved to change, Chen Yanyi stopped him, then tenderly kissed him, promising, "You're going to look even more stunning on our wedding day."
Han Shiyi expressed doubt about their future together, but Chen Yanyi reassured him that he would protect Han Shiyi and the Han family, and that Han Shiyi would eventually reclaim her true identity and become his queen. On the wedding day, as Han Shiyi's procession was en route to collect the bride, they encountered Li Chengxuan's wedding convoy. Han Shiyi magnanimously allowed Li Chengxuan's procession to pass first, despite the risk of missing his own auspicious time.
During this interlude, assassins attacked, knocking Han Shiyi from his horse. Han Shiyi quickly observed that the attackers were merely firing weapons without revealing themselves, an unusual and inefficient tactic, leading him to conclude they were not Prime Minister Wang's men. Lord Qi and the Imperial Guards swiftly arrived, restoring order, and Han Shiyi was urged to quickly resume his journey to avoid delays.
After the wedding ceremony, Han Shiyi, feigning a need to entertain his "best friends and classmates," left the nuptial chamber to join the banquet. Though seemingly drinking heavily, he discreetly revealed to Chen Yanyi that the wine was merely sweetened water, ensuring he wouldn't get drunk. He explained this was all part of his act to solidify his "infamous playboy" image.
Han Shiyi then sent word to the bridal chamber that he was drunk and would be resting in his study. In the nuptial chamber, the bride, upon hearing this, angrily tore off her veil, revealing herself not to be Qin Wanning, but Wang Xiyuan. Han Shiyi was called back and angrily confronted Wang Xiyuan. She confessed to having orchestrated a bride swap by bribing Qin family servants, intending for Bai Yueru to be the bride in Han Shiyi's sedan chair.
However, she denied any involvement with the assassins. Han Shiyi realized the assassins' attack must have created the chaos necessary for the sedan chair bearers to inadvertently mix up the two families' sedan chairs. This meant Qin Wanning had been mistakenly taken to the Li family's mansion. News then arrived that Qin Wanning, discovering herself in Li Chengxuan's nuptial chamber, had attempted suicide by hitting her head and was in critical condition.
Han Shiyi, enraged, lashed out at Wang Xiyuan, who defended herself by saying Qin Wanning did not have to resort to suicide. Han Shiyi deduced that the assassins' true purpose was to create confusion and swap Qin Wanning with Bai Yueru, who was intended to be brought to his mansion, during the ensuing chaos. He wondered who was behind such a complex scheme, noting the Bai family's prominence and their existing engagement to the Li family.
Chen Yanyi then met with Han Shiyi in his study and confessed that he had indeed orchestrated both the assassin attack and the planned bride swap. He explained his actions were to protect Han Shiyi's secret identity, as he worried Qin Wanning might eventually discover it. He had arranged for Bai Yueru to be the bride because her father was his loyal ally, ensuring Han Shiyi's secret would be safe.
He also confirmed that Bai Yueru herself was unaware of Han Shiyi's true identity, having been instructed to avoid Han Shiyi. Han Shiyi was upset about not being consulted, to which Chen Yanyi apologized, promising to discuss all future decisions with her. Han Shiyi then informed Chen Yanyi that the actual bride was Wang Xiyuan and that Qin Wanning had attempted suicide.
Chen Yanyi was surprised by Qin Wanning's suicidal act, believing that Li Chengxuan, the eldest son of Sichuan's wealthiest family and a man of excellent character, would have made a good husband for her. Han Shiyi realized that the Li family was also part of Chen Yanyi's network. While Han Shiyi remained skeptical of Chen Yanyi's overconfidence, she conceded that marrying Li Chengxuan was preferable to her own complicated situation.
Chen Yanyi suggested simply tying up Wang Xiyuan and sending her home, but Han Shiyi hesitated, attributing Wang Xiyuan's stubborn affection to his "handsome appearance and amazing charm." News soon arrived that Qin Wanning had been saved, but remained suicidal and refused to take medicine. Feeling responsible, Han Shiyi wanted to visit her, but Wang Xiyuan, still in the Han mansion, threatened to kill herself if Han Shiyi left, reiterating her claim as his official wife.
Han Shiyi, realizing a direct visit would further harm Qin Wanning's reputation and hinder her relationship with Li Chengxuan, decided against it. Instead, he summoned Qin Wanning's servant, Zi'er, and agreed to send her back to care for her mistress. Han Shiyi also arranged for generous gifts of aged ginseng and other precious medicinal herbs to be sent to the Li family for Qin Wanning.
He then instructed Zi'er to deliver a message to Qin Wanning: that since she had married Li Chengxuan, she was now part of the Li family and should accept her fate. He implored her not to take her own life, adding an encouraging message that a woman's happiness should not solely depend on men.
He cited the Li family's own history, where its glory was established a century ago by a formidable widow, Madame Li, who single-handedly built its prosperity, hoping Qin Wanning would embrace self-reliance and not see herself as merely an appendage to a man. To further protect her, Han Shiyi declared his intention to officially adopt Qin Wanning as his sworn younger sister, announcing it to the authorities.
This would establish her as a legitimate daughter of the Duke's Mansion, ensuring the Li family would treat her with due respect. Zi'er conveyed Han Shiyi's message, and Qin Wanning, though touched by his kindness and foresight, regretted their missed opportunity for marriage.
Despite Wang Xiyuan's persistent refusal to leave the Han mansion, her father, Prime Minister Wang, arrived with his retainers and forcefully demanded her return, threatening to report Han Shiyi to the Emperor if she was not handed over. Han Shiyi quickly denied any formal ties to Wang Xiyuan and urged Prime Minister Wang to take her back, offering to overlook her previous transgressions.
Despite her defiant protests and claims of being Han's wife, Wang Xiyuan was bound and dragged away by her father's men, who threatened to disown her. As she was led away, she defiantly promised Han Shiyi that she would return. Afterward, Chen Yanyi reassured Han Shiyi that Qin Wanning and Li Chengxuan would eventually develop a bond, much like their own, and reiterated his promise that Han Shiyi would one day be his queen.
However, their conversation was cut short by an urgent military report from the northern territory: the State of Wei was invading, and the Yi people in the western territory had simultaneously risen in rebellion, indicating a large-scale, long-planned conspiracy. Han Shiyi was ordered to return to the northern territory immediately to provide support and secure the borders.
