The Lady in Butcher's House Episode 14 Recap
> The Lady in Butcher's House Recap
After Zhu County Magistrate and his men departed, Hu Jiao accompanied Madam Yang into a room, where Madam Yang was distressed by an unspeakable scene. Madam Yang's cries soon filled the room. Meanwhile, Yu Niang, unfazed by the commotion, went to the adjacent room to attend to Gao Zheng, who informed her he had been poisoned with the Thievery Gang's Clothes Poison, which causes immediate collapse and difficulty breathing upon contact.
Cui Wulang, recognizing this unique Nanjiang poison, offered to retrieve a military physician to treat it. Gao Zheng also stressed the importance of delivering the true ledger to the army promptly, as any delay could lead to further complications. After expressing his gratitude, Cui Wulang left, and Xu Qingjia asked Yu Niang to look after Gao Zheng. That night, Xu Qingjia diligently copied the ledger, preparing for any unforeseen circumstances.
Hu Jiao observed his work and noted the ledger's peculiar lack of detailed entries. She explained that unlike a shop's ledger, which meticulously records every small expense for the owner, this ledger's simplicity suggested that the Stone Sheep Village silver mine did not belong to Zhu Tingxian directly. Instead, he was likely managing it for a higher-ranking "boss," to whom he would present a more generalized account.
Xu Qingjia agreed, confirming his suspicion that Gao Zheng, who had hinted at the case's complexity, knew more than he let on. He also expressed concern about General Cui Tai's involvement. Given the strict separation of civil and military authority in the current dynasty, Cui Tai's keen interest in Stone Sheep Village affairs was unusual.
Xu Qingjia feared that Cui Tai might use the ledger as leverage against the imperial court rather than publicizing it for the benefit of Shangyong's people. He worried that instead of resolving the corruption, Stone Sheep Village might merely gain a new, equally exploitative "landlord." Therefore, he deemed it crucial to keep a copy of the ledger as a safeguard.
Hu Jiao praised his foresight, acknowledging him as a true Second Place Scholar, to which Xu Qingjia affirmed that scholars relied on their intellect. Meanwhile, Cui Wulang informed his father, General Cui Tai, about Gao Zheng's poisoning with the Thievery Gang's Clothes Poison, confirming that the military camp possessed the antidote. He was dispatched to bring the military physician.
Cui Wulang also voiced his concern about the reappearance of the Thievery Gang, whose members were presumed executed years ago during a revolt in Nanjiang, hinting at a deeper conspiracy. Soon after Cui Wulang's departure, General Cui Tai reported to Prince Ning. Prince Ning, known for his nonchalant demeanor, complained about the quality of the tea and dismissed Cui Tai's elaborate report, urging him to get straight to the point.
He explicitly stated his awareness of Cui Tai's true intention to seek his support against the power behind the corruption. Cui Tai, feigning ignorance, insisted he was merely a "rough person who leads troops." This prompted Prince Ning to playfully threaten him with a beating, to which Cui Tai replied with gratitude. The next morning, Yang Chief Clerk returned to the yamen with a scratched face, a result of his wife's fury.
Zhu County Magistrate berated him, but his anger intensified when he discovered the ledger was empty, realizing it had been swapped. Enraged, Zhu immediately ordered his men to surround Xu Qingjia's home and seize him. At Yuchun Tower, after the military physician finished treating Gao Zheng's wound, Cui Wulang spotted Zhu County Magistrate and his men heading toward Xu Qingjia's residence. Realizing the danger to the ledger and Xu Qingjia, Cui Wulang prepared to rush to their aid.
Gao Zheng, despite his injury, urged Cui Wulang to remain and heal, directing him to a secret back path that would allow him to reach Xu Qingjia's home faster than Zhu's men. Cui Wulang arrived at Xu Qingjia’s residence just as La Mei rushed in to warn them. Knowing he couldn't escape without alerting Zhu Tingxian, Xu Qingjia handed the copied ledger to Cui Wulang, urging him to escort Hu Jiao out of the city.
He reasoned that if he remained and the original ledger was supposedly with him, Zhu would not close the city gates, thus ensuring Hu Jiao's safe passage. Hu Jiao, however, refused to leave, insisting on staying to protect him. When Xu Qingjia presented a divorce agreement, hoping to protect her in case of his demise, Hu Jiao snatched it and tore it to shreds, declaring their unbreakable bond as husband and wife.
Xu Qingjia then reminded her of Chu Wenjun's plight, whose family was held hostage, and persuaded her that her departure was essential for her safety and their future. He assured her that Zhu would only detain him for a few days, and they would soon rescue him.
Though reluctant, Hu Jiao agreed to leave, understanding that staying would only be a burden, and vowed to make Zhu pay if any harm came to Xu Qingjia, planning to seek General Cui Tai's help. Cui Wulang then hurried Hu Jiao out of the city. Shortly after Hu Jiao's departure, Zhu County Magistrate's men stormed Xu Qingjia’s residence. Zhu, finding the fake ledger, gloated about Xu Qingjia's impending imprisonment and his wife's supposed desertion with Cui Wulang.
He then formally accused Xu Qingjia of bribery, breaking the law, and assaulting La Mei. La Mei bravely tried to defend Xu Qingjia, but she was quickly silenced and taken away. Xu Qingjia was then arrested and imprisoned. Meanwhile, Cui Wulang had taken Hu Jiao to the military camp, instructing her to wait while he informed his father.
There, Hu Jiao encountered Prince Ning, whom she mistook for a frivolous "brothel visitor" due to his elegant attire and fan, ill-suited for a military setting. She scoffed at his claim of it being "his military camp," comparing his appearance to the armored soldiers around him. She then proudly mentioned her husband, Xu Qingjia, the Shangyong County Magistrate, and how even government messengers showed him respect, implying Prince Ning lacked similar authority.
Prince Ning, amused by her candor, became even more intrigued upon learning her husband was Xu Qingjia. Hu Jiao, still unaware of his true identity, threatened to hit him if he continued staring. Cui Wulang's timely return, addressing the man as Prince Ning, finally revealed his identity, leaving Hu Jiao stunned. General Cui Tai then reviewed the detailed accounting ledger and the testimonies from the people of Stone Sheep Village, confirming Zhu Tingxian's extensive corruption.
He decided to forward all the evidence to the Xiazhou prefect for official investigation. Hu Jiao, present during this discussion, urged Cui Tai to immediately arrest Zhu to save Xu Qingjia. However, Cui Tai explained that as a general, he could not arbitrarily arrest a county governor, as such matters fell under civil jurisdiction.
He assured Hu Jiao that Xu Qingjia, being a Second Place Scholar and a ranked official from the capital, would not face execution without imperial court approval, and his life was not in immediate danger. Cui Wulang was then instructed to arrange lodging for Hu Jiao while Cui Tai sought a solution. General Cui Tai later met with Prince Ning again, who, already aware of the ledger, initially chided Cui Tai for adhering too strictly to protocol.
However, Prince Ning then granted Cui Tai permission to arrest Zhu and specifically requested that Xu Qingjia be brought to him. Cui Tai questioned the Prince's interest in Xu Qingjia, given his innocence and role in exposing the corruption. Prince Ning, however, wanted to gauge Xu Qingjia's capabilities and simply dismissed Cui Tai's query before handing him a jade token, implicitly authorizing the action.
The next morning, Cui Wulang, armed with Prince Ning's jade token, arrested Zhu Tingxian, Yang Siren, and Song Hao for their crimes. He then informed Xu Qingjia that Shangyong County was now under their control and escorted him to the military camp to meet Prince Ning. Meanwhile, La Mei, having been released, told Hu Jiao that corrupt officials had been arrested, but Xu Qingjia had not returned.
Yu Niang then informed Hu Jiao that both Xu Qingjia and Gao Zheng had been taken by Lord Cui's men and soldiers. Remembering Xu Qingjia's earlier fears about Cui Tai's true intentions regarding the silver mine, Hu Jiao concluded that Cui Tai was not genuinely interested in rooting out evil but rather in seizing control of the mine for himself.
Believing that Xu Qingjia and Gao Zheng knew too much and that Cui Tai would not release them, Hu Jiao resolved to raid the military camp that very night. At the military camp, Xu Qingjia was ushered into Prince Ning's tent. He immediately recognized Prince Ning, accurately deducing his identity from his authoritative presence in General Cui Tai's camp, his age, and his esteemed military contributions to the country.
Prince Ning acknowledged Xu Qingjia's reputation as the Second Place Scholar who had famously rejected the Prime Minister's daughter and married a butcher's daughter, remarking on his apparent lack of resentment despite being assigned to a remote county. Xu Qingjia humbly explained his philosophy: true service to the people did not require a high rank, and effective governance demanded practical experience and collaboration, including the support of his wife.
He articulated that an official's true purpose was to bring kindness and livelihood to the populace. Prince Ning, impressed by Xu Qingjia's wisdom, even jokingly remarked that he would be happy to have Xu Qingjia as his brother-in-law, acknowledging Prime Minister Jia's good judgment.
He then encouraged Xu Qingjia, asserting that with loyalty, dedication to the people's welfare, and integrity, he would undoubtedly rise to prominence, just as "Old Jia" (the Prime Minister) had begun his career as a county magistrate. Prince Ning announced that Stone Sheep Village had been secured, the villagers would be released after their testimonies, and the silver mine would be managed by the Ministry of Revenue, ensuring it would be free from future corruption.
Xu Qingjia thanked Prince Ning on behalf of the people, to which the Prince acknowledged the court's debt to them. Prince Ning vowed to relentlessly pursue and punish the mastermind behind the corruption, regardless of their identity. Suddenly, a soldier burst in, reporting an attack on the camp. Prince Ning, initially assuming it was the corrupt mastermind's forces, ordered the assailant to be "chopped up into pieces."
However, the soldier clarified it was a single "dainty woman, holding a butcher's knife," demanding her husband back. Xu Qingjia immediately realized it was Hu Jiao and tried to interject, explaining it was his wife and a misunderstanding. Ignoring his pleas, Prince Ning ordered Xu Qingjia to be restrained and went to confront the attacker. He found Hu Jiao, who still mistook him for the "brothel visitor" and accused him and Cui Tai of colluding.
She demanded her husband's release, threatening him. With a powerful "Slash in the Wind," Hu Jiao lunged, narrowly missing Prince Ning's hair. Shocked, she realized his true identity, apologizing profusely for her ignorance. Prince Ning questioned her "cruel trick" and how she acquired such a harsh fighting style. She explained she learned it from "shaving pig hair day-in day-out," even jesting that "that guy over there has been begging me to teach him."
Considering her desperate attempt to save her husband, Xu Qingjia's false imprisonment, and his significant contribution in exposing the corruption, Prince Ning pardoned Hu Jiao. Hu Jiao, however, retorted that if he hadn't detained Xu Qingjia for so long, she wouldn't have needed to resort to such measures. Prince Ning then appointed Xu Qingjia as the acting County Governor until a new official arrived, with Gao Zheng assisting him after the interrogation of Zhu Tingxian.
He concluded by admonishing Hu Jiao to "be careful how you wield your knife next time." Outside, Xu Qingjia gently chided Hu Jiao for her reckless actions, which could have led to dire consequences for them both. Hu Jiao playfully responded that if he were to die, she would lose the money for her shop.
