The Heiress Episode 22 Recap
> The Heiress Recap
Han Shiyi woke to find Chen Yanyi in her bed, questioning why he was there. Chen Yanyi calmly explained that they had always shared the same bed, promising to tell her stories to help her recall their past. Han Shiyi, feeling he was being brazen due to her perceived wealth, told him to leave. Chen Yanyi affectionately called her "Cinnabar mole" and insisted he had no other home if she kicked him out.
Han Shiyi pondered that if his claims were true, it would be improper to expel him, especially since a man of his charm was indeed her type, though she worried about his intentions. He then asked if she truly remembered nothing of him. A faint recognition sparked, and she softly uttered his name, "Yanyi." He encouraged her not to force her memories, assuring her they had an entire lifetime to create new ones.
He then asked if, given a fresh start, she would still fall for him. Han Shiyi, embarrassed, feigned sleep. After wishing her good night, Chen Yanyi leaned in for a kiss, and she playfully warned him not to touch her. The next morning, Han Shiyi was delighted by the lavish breakfast Chen Yanyi had prepared. When she remarked on the extravagance, he proudly stated their family wealth was enough to purchase nearly half the capital.
He attentively wiped her mouth as she ate. Before leaving, Chen Yanyi instructed her to stay home, explaining that the Han family had many enemies in the capital who would endanger her if her presence became known. He also hinted that her memory loss might be connected to these adversaries, vowing to seek justice for her. With a final playful kiss, he departed, leaving Little Black and Little White to attend to her.
Despite Chen Yanyi's warnings, Han Shiyi, thrilled by her newfound fortune, briefly contemplated escaping with her treasures to live a carefree life. However, her maids gently reminded her of Chen Yanyi's orders to remain indoors, thwarting her plan. Meanwhile, Chen Yanyi learned that Wang Zhongyu's family was mobilizing all their Shadow Guard to search for Han Shiyi, confirming his suspicion that Wang Anli had ceded power to Wang Zhongyu.
In response, Chen Yanyi assigned two trusted guards, Xinting and Jiye, to protect Han Shiyi and prevent anyone from approaching her. Han Shiyi consulted the doctor, Lin Rang, about her memory. Lin Rang explained her amnesia was due to a head injury and a blood clot, suggesting she would recover naturally within one to three years, or possibly sooner with acupuncture after more research. Eager to remember, she expressed her unease about not knowing her true identity.
When she inquired about her past relationship with Chen Yanyi, Lin Rang jokingly called them "partners in crime" who often caused trouble. Chen Yanyi, who had joined the conversation, affirmed his devotion, stating he was willing to serve her always. That evening, Chen Yanyi returned and personally cooked simple, comforting dishes for Han Shiyi.
She was both surprised and pleased by his culinary skills, as a faint memory of him cooking for her resurfaced, deepening her belief that they might indeed be husband and wife. She found the meal delicious, though he limited her to one bowl for her comfort. As Han Shiyi settled into her opulent lifestyle, she found herself increasingly captivated by Chen Yanyi, appreciating her grand home and her handsome, attentive "husband."
He lovingly recalled her past self as a mischievous and playful girl with minor flaws, yet he cherished her as a divine blessing, fearing her departure. He promised to help her build new memories since the old ones were gone. Han Shiyi wished to go out for new clothes, but Chen Yanyi gently refused, insisting a tailor come to the mansion, citing the dangers outside. She reluctantly agreed.
Elsewhere, Chu Xiangyue, driven by her ambition to become empress, continued her secret investigation into Chen Yanyi's mansion. The heightened security confirmed her suspicions that he was hiding someone, and she instructed her nanny to maintain surveillance. Wang Zhongyu, after his unsuccessful search for Han Shiyi, concluded she was with Chen Yanyi and promptly sought an audience at the Eastern Palace. Chen Yanyi greeted him with thinly veiled sarcasm.
Wang Zhongyu offered belated congratulations on Chen Yanyi becoming Crown Prince, adding that high status couldn't buy everything. He directly stated that he had once entrusted Han Shiyi to Chen Yanyi because he believed in Chen Yanyi's true feelings. However, with the Emperor's impending wrath against the Han family, Chen Yanyi, despite his new power, could no longer ensure Han Shiyi's happiness. Wang Zhongyu pressed further, questioning how Han Shiyi would cope once her memory returned and she remembered everything.
He concluded by reiterating his unwavering commitment: "I can give up everything for the sake of Han Shiyi. Can you?" He warned Chen Yanyi that Han Shiyi was an independent spirit, "an eagle flying in the sky, not a canary locked up in a cage," implying Chen Yanyi could not trap her forever. Chen Yanyi had arranged for the Fairy Garment Store owner to visit the mansion to make new clothes for Han Shiyi.
Chu Xiangyue seized this opportunity, disguising herself as the store owner to gain entry. Upon seeing Han Shiyi, Chu Xiangyue was struck by her uncanny resemblance to Han Shiyi. She initially suspected Chen Yanyi was merely hiding Han Shiyi, disguised as a woman, but during the measurements, she was astonished to confirm that Han Shiyi was, in fact, genuinely female. Han Shiyi, sensing Chu Xiangyue's true focus wasn't on clothes, confronted her, grabbing her neck and demanding her purpose.
Chu Xiangyue, undeterred, managed to learn that the amnesiac woman was indeed Han Shiyi, who had previously impersonated a young lord. Han Shiyi, still believing Chen Yanyi's story, claimed to be Han Yuanniang, her deceased sister. Recognizing a golden opportunity to create discord, Chu Xiangyue corrected Han Shiyi, stating her true identity was Han Shiyi, not Han Yuanniang.
She further revealed that Chen Yanyi, the man claiming to be her husband, was actually the Crown Prince and was widely believed to be responsible for the annihilation of the Han Army. Chu Xiangyue advised Han Shiyi to verify this information herself, pretending to be a concerned acquaintance, and then departed, promising to deliver the clothes the next day.
Han Shiyi, deeply disturbed, secretly consulted a medical book and realized Chen Yanyi had withheld information about a quicker memory recovery method. She was torn, feeling betrayed by Chen Yanyi, but when he returned to the mansion, she noticed his injured hand and her concern led her to tenderly bandage it. Chen Yanyi then left again, reassuring her of his commitment to restoring her identity and vindicating the Han Army.
Han Shiyi, left alone, was consumed by doubt and confusion, wondering who she could trust in a city where everyone seemed to be lying to her. After Chen Yanyi departed, Han Shiyi, still reeling from Chu Xiangyue's revelations, secretly changed into a servant's attire and fled the mansion. Almost immediately, she was recognized from Han Shiyi's wanted posters that had been plastered across the city and found herself pursued by government soldiers.
Just as she was about to be captured, Wang Zhongyu appeared and rescued her. He whisked her away, explaining they were heading to the Imperial College, a place he noted she used to despise, to meet someone who could help her regain her memories. Meanwhile, Chu Xiangyue reported her findings to Empress Wang: Han Shiyi was indeed a woman, meaning the Han family had committed the grave crime of deceiving the emperor.
Empress Wang was eager to report this to the Emperor, but Chu Xiangyue advised patience, revealing she had already instigated a city-wide search for Han Shiyi, complete with Han Shiyi's wanted posters and a significant reward. As public criers announced the bounty, soldiers continued their pursuit of Han Shiyi. Empress Wang and Chu Xiangyue then solidified their alliance, agreeing to ensure Han Shiyi's demise while sparing the Crown Prince. Empress Wang subsequently informed the Emperor about Han Shiyi's true gender.
Upon arriving at the Imperial College, which was deserted due to a holiday, Han Shiyi felt a strange sense of familiarity. Wang Zhongyu led her to meet a female guard named Yinzi, hoping her presence would trigger Han Shiyi's lost memories. As they reached their destination, a loyal servant rushed to Han Shiyi, joyfully exclaiming that she had been waiting and knew Han Shiyi would return. However, the servant then sadly revealed that Yinzi might never see her again.
