The Heiress Episode 3 Recap
> The Heiress Recap
When Doctor Xia accused Han Shiyi of bringing a cheat sheet to the exam and demanded a search, Chen Yanyi intervened, offering to search his own reading partner. Han Shiyi, however, felt taken advantage of during the search. After the search, Chen Yanyi confirmed that Han Shiyi had no cheat sheet, and the exam continued. Afterward, Chen Yanyi remarked that Han Shiyi did not need to thank him, as he had acted to preserve his own reputation.
Han Shiyi, however, was furious, retorting that she would rather be wrongly accused than accept his help. When Chen Yanyi ordered her to return to his mansion, she defiantly refused and stormed off. Puzzled by her strong reaction, Chen Yanyi later speculated that his search might have been the cause of her anger and subtly compared his guard Xinting’s physique to Han Shiyi's, noting a distinct difference. Soon after, Chen Yanyi was summoned to the palace.
His father, the Emperor, expressed concern about Chen Yanyi’s injuries from the Lantern Festival assassination attempt, but Chen Yanyi assured him they were minor. The Emperor then decided that the Imperial Court of Justice, led by Chang Guozan, should investigate the assassination, deeming it too significant for the Ministry of Justice. Chen Yanyi agreed, internally observing that the Emperor’s knowledge of his reading partner implied the Wang family would soon act, and he resolved to carefully watch Han Shiyi’s stance.
That night, Han Shiyi awoke from a nightmare where Chen Yanyi tried to kiss her, further solidifying her resolve against him. Meanwhile, Wang Zhongyu, the son of Prime Minister Wang, was secretly the proprietor of Yidian Pavilion and a popular author of storybooks. He discussed his latest work, "A Scholar Met an Officer," with his subordinate, emphasizing the need to keep his identity hidden from his father.
Prime Minister Wang summoned Wang Zhongyu, revealing that Chen Yanyi’s selection of Han Shiyi as a reading partner indicated an impending alliance with the Han family, which would put the Wang family at a disadvantage. To preempt this, Empress Wang and Prime Minister Wang planned to arrange a marriage between their daughter, Wang Xiyuan, and Han Shiyi. Prime Minister Wang instructed Wang Zhongyu to invite Han Shiyi to dinner and gauge his attitude.
Wang Zhongyu initially resisted, claiming disinterest in political maneuvering and deeming Han Shiyi unreliable. However, faced with his father's firm resolve, Wang Zhongyu reluctantly agreed to handle the matter. In class, Han Shiyi resumed her pranks, subtly throwing a stone at Doctor Xia and attempting to pin the blame on Liao Jichang and Gu Wan. When Doctor Xia demanded the culprit, Han Shiyi looked to Chen Yanyi for support.
Chen Yanyi, using logic, explained that based on the trajectory, the stone could not have come from Liao Jichang or Gu Wan, thus clearing them without directly implicating Han Shiyi. Frustrated, Doctor Xia then caught Liao Jichang and Gu Wan napping and reading novels in class, punishing them by making them clean the toilets after school, which coincidentally achieved Han Shiyi’s objective. During lunchtime, Han Shiyi, acting unusually polite, offered Chen Yanyi a meal.
Suspicious, Chen Yanyi politely declined to eat. Han Shiyi then distributed food to Wang Zhongyu and his followers. Soon after, Gu Wan and Wang Zhongyu experienced severe stomach cramps and rushed to the toilet, revealing Han Shiyi had laced their meals with laxatives. Chen Yanyi, who had already deduced her trick, warned Han Shiyi not to "play with fire," threatening to retaliate. Undeterred, Han Shiyi escalated her mischief.
In class, she threw a book at Doctor Xia and pointed towards Chen Yanyi. When Doctor Xia discovered an erotic art book inside, Chen Yanyi silently accepted the blame. Doctor Xia sentenced him to copy "Analects: Xue Er" ten times while suspending his wrist with weights. Chen Yanyi then insisted that Han Shiyi, as his reading partner, must share the punishment, citing ancient rules. Han Shiyi protested but had no choice but to comply.
She questioned why Chen Yanyi, knowing the truth, would accept the punishment, to which he replied that he wished to see how long her act would last. While Chen Yanyi diligently copied, Han Shiyi drew a caricature of a turtle and proudly named it "Wang Er," openly mocking Wang Zhongyu. An enraged Doctor Xia attempted to strike Han Shiyi, who cleverly hid behind Chen Yanyi, causing Doctor Xia to accidentally hit Chen Yanyi instead.
Seizing the moment of confusion as Doctor Xia profusely apologized to Chen Yanyi, Han Shiyi made a hasty escape. Chen Yanyi, observing her antics, understood that her mischief was not mere revenge, but a calculated effort to avoid being drawn into political factions. Later, Wang Zhongyu provoked Han Shiyi into a drinking duel at Li Jin Xuan. Fearing appearing cowardly, Han Shiyi agreed.
Chen Yanyi, aware of Wang Zhongyu's recruitment attempt, instructed his subordinates, Jiyue and Xinting, to closely monitor Han Shiyi. At the pavilion, Wang Zhongyu had arranged for his parents and sister, Wang Xiyuan, to discreetly listen from an adjoining room. He began by feigning friendship and subtly inquiring about Han Shiyi's preferences in women, trying to ascertain his suitability for marriage.
Han Shiyi, discerning his intentions, skillfully played the role of a reckless playboy, claiming a preference for all women and boasting of countless admirers in the northern territory. When Wang Zhongyu formally proposed a marriage with Wang Xiyuan, Han Shiyi was so shocked that he spat out his wine. He then audaciously insulted Wang Xiyuan, calling her unattractive, shrewish, and even inferior to her maid, whom he jokingly expressed a preference for marrying.
This barrage of insults enraged Wang Xiyuan and her parents, who burst into the room. Wang Xiyuan, unable to endure the humiliation, attempted to confront Han Shiyi but was restrained by Han Shiyi's attendants, Jinzi and Yinzi, and then by her own family. Wang Zhongyu, secretly pleased that the match was ruined, pulled his mother away.
Han Shiyi, still aware of Chen Yanyi's spies, continued his audacious performance, even claiming the "seductive perfume" on him was from his "two vixens" at home, further cementing his image as a dissolute youth. Jiyue and Xinting reported Han Shiyi’s outrageous conduct at the dinner to Chen Yanyi, confirming his suspicions about the Wang family's overtures. Chen Yanyi acknowledged the convincing nature of Han Shiyi's playboy act but saw through it.
He recalled Han Shiyi’s precise footwork while dodging assassins and his steady brushstrokes during calligraphy practice, indicating training in both martial arts and scholarly arts. He concluded that Han Shiyi’s "scoundrel" persona was a deliberate facade designed to appease the Emperor and avoid entanglement in political alliances, as the Han family was clearly unwilling to take sides.
Han Shiyi, observing the Wang family's aggressive recruitment and Chen Yanyi's surveillance, recognized the urgent need to distance himself from the Fifth Prince and end his role as a reading partner. To resolve her situation, Han Shiyi unexpectedly offered to stay for dinner at Chen Yanyi's mansion.
Chen Yanyi, knowing that Han Shiyi was from the Northern Territory and that such people often liked strong liquor, and seeing an opportunity to gauge his stance, served her potent spirits, hoping to extract information. Unbeknownst to him, Han Shiyi had already consumed an anti-temulence potion. She feigned extreme drunkenness, rambling about the capital's delights and refusing to leave. Internally, she devised a plan to provoke Chen Yanyi.
Announcing her intention to "cuckold" the Fifth Prince, she lurched into the room of one of the beauties recently sent by the Emperor and Empress. As she aggressively pursued the protesting beauty, Chen Yanyi rushed in to intervene. In the ensuing struggle, Han Shiyi lost her balance and, unable to stop, accidentally fell onto Chen Yanyi, planting a kiss squarely on his lips.
