The Lady in Butcher's House Episode 21 Recap
> The Lady in Butcher's House Recap
Tang Ze assured Han Wenfang that she had no need to be disheartened, as the Nanfeng House had proven to be highly profitable under her management. He noted that Xu Qingjia, upon learning the owner's surname was Han, mistakenly assumed the business belonged to Han Nansheng's nephew, unaware he was falling into a carefully laid trap. Han Wenfang asked if Tang Ze had foreseen these events and deliberately used Han Nansheng's nephew as a front.
Tang Ze dismissed the idea, stating he was merely following orders from a higher lord, which allowed them to maneuver Han Nansheng without him becoming an obstacle. Han Wenfang flattered Tang Ze, calling him a brilliant strategist, to which Tang Ze humorously responded by likening her to Zhuge Liang's intelligent but homely wife. On the day of the Flower Goddess Festival, Gao Zheng strolled through the bustling streets.
He overheard people discussing the new tea offered at Jade Spring Pavilion and decided to order a cup. Yu Niang, recognizing him, playfully remarked that if he became fond of her special Flower Honey Tea, he would regret leaving Shangyong and finding it nowhere else. Gao Zheng's quiet presence and appreciative gaze softened Yu Niang, who then offered to take him on a stroll through the lively streets. As they walked, they shared a pleasant time together.
Later, as they rested, a young girl approached, selling flowers. Gao Zheng selected a bloom and presented it to Yu Niang, visibly captivated by her. Yu Niang unexpectedly changed her mind, personally refilling his tea, and then began to recount her difficult past. She revealed that years ago, her father, a director in the Ministry of Revenue, was unjustly imprisoned and died in exile.
Her mother succumbed to illness, leaving her to care for her younger brother, A'Lin, who suffers from a debilitating disease that causes red sores and requires expensive medicine. She had hidden A'Lin, keeping him in a secret room within the Jade Spring Pavilion, as sunlight worsened his condition.
Yu Niang confessed that to afford A'Lin's treatment, she had been forced to associate with wealthy merchants and corrupt officials, becoming entangled in a situation where she was framed for thefts she did not commit. She shared her deep desire for exoneration and to live with dignity. Listening to Yu Niang's story, Gao Zheng felt a profound shift in his understanding.
He admitted his prior narrow-mindedness, having wrongly assumed she lived a life of luxury and would disdain his meager official's salary. Yu Niang retorted that she was perfectly capable of earning her own money. Gao Zheng then promised that after helping Xu Qingjia establish himself in Xiangzhou, he would pursue the truth to clear her name.
He then subtly invited her to join him on his journey to Xiangzhou, saying he would miss her tea if he couldn't have it there. He concluded by asking her to meet him at the city gate in three days, to which Yu Niang, watching him leave, fell into deep contemplation. Meanwhile, Hu Jiao was busy preparing her new pharmacy.
She ensured all former staff, including Cha Bi, were paid an extra fifty taels for their service, settling all accounts to avoid future gossip. She explained to Lin Cui that paying above market price for the shop was a necessary reassurance to protect Xu Qingjia's reputation. Hu Jiao also considered having Yongshou and La Mei assist in the pharmacy, hoping they could learn a valuable trade for their future.
However, upon overhearing Hu Jiao and Lin Cui discussing the future prospects of Yongshou and La Mei finding spouses and careers, La Mei mistakenly believed Yongshou had proposed to Hu Jiao and chased him playfully in a fit of blushing embarrassment, an interaction that clearly showed her affection for him.
Later, Hu Houfu pulled Hu Jiao aside and presented her with his savings, explaining that their father wished to provide additional funds to prevent her and Xu Qingjia from facing financial hardship, especially when starting a business in an unfamiliar place. Hu Jiao graciously accepted it as a loan to be repaid with interest, though Hu Houfu dismissed the idea.
He also expressed concern about gathering medicinal herbs, as Nanfeng House had promised supplies but she was also relying on external sources. Hu Jiao clarified her decision not to rehire former Nanfeng House staff, suspecting they might be spies for a nefarious power behind the scenes. She believed it was safer to source herbs themselves, despite the difficulties.
Hu Houfu added that villagers were reluctant to sell them herbs, and noted that other Xiangzhou businesses sourced their herbs from Nanfeng House, suggesting a deeper problem. Given the mysterious favors from Nanfeng House, Xu Qingjia felt uneasy and decided to consult Han Nansheng. He presented the situation, inquiring how he might handle it without violating the principles of the cautionary inscription.
Han Nansheng, his expression changing subtly, declared that he would neither obstruct a person striving for righteousness nor allow himself to be a mere stepping stone for others. He then ended the conversation abruptly. Upon hearing that Xu Qingjia had returned the money for the shop, Han Wenfang felt a lingering unease, sensing he did not wish to accept the favor. She worried that if Xu Qingjia were to confront Han Nansheng directly, their scheme might be exposed.
Tang Ze, however, remained unconcerned. He explained that Han Nansheng was merely a front for a more powerful figure whose identity could not be easily revealed. Tang Ze believed that even if Xu Qingjia discovered the truth, he would be powerless to openly confront them. Three days later, Gao Zheng waited patiently by the city gate. As noon approached, he began to doubt if Yu Niang would arrive. Just as he prepared to leave, Yu Niang appeared in a carriage.
She explained that she had sold the Jade Spring Pavilion, ensuring enough funds for A'Lin's medicine for several years, and had temporarily entrusted him to a doctor. She planned to send for her brother once she and Gao Zheng had settled in Xiangzhou. With their plans aligned, they began their journey together. Meanwhile, Hu Jiao and Lin Cui ventured into nearby villages to inquire about medicinal herbs.
They unexpectedly encountered Hua Tuo, the man Hu Jiao had previously saved from a suicide attempt. Hua Tuo revealed the dire situation: for the past three years, Nanfeng House had monopolized the medicinal herb market by forcing other apothecaries to close and intimidating out-of-town merchants. The villagers were compelled to sell their herbs to Nanfeng House at extremely low prices.
When Hu Jiao questioned the existence of other large pharmacies in Xiangzhou, Hua Tuo disclosed that those three shops were also under the ownership of Nanfeng House, operating under different names to manage business with external merchants. He further explained that villagers could not sell their herbs elsewhere due to the perilous journey and the risk of spoilage.
When Hu Jiao suggested farming instead, Hua Tuo revealed that the Prefect had issued an order prohibiting tenants from selling land to the villagers, effectively trapping them. Hu Jiao rushed home to inform Xu Qingjia of these alarming discoveries. Facing this complex challenge, Xu Qingjia struggled to devise a plan. Hu Jiao, frustrated by their lack of progress, woke everyone in the middle of the night to brainstorm ideas. However, each suggestion proved impractical or dangerous.
Xu Qingjia, exasperated, lamented that if Gao Zheng were there, his intimidating presence might scare officials into confessing, and if Yu Niang were present, her cleverness and social connections would surely produce a brilliant solution. Just as he spoke, a knock came at the door. To everyone's delight, La Mei opened it to reveal Gao Zheng and Yu Niang.
Hu Jiao, pleased by their arrival, playfully teased Gao Zheng about Yu Niang, causing his usually stoic face to show a hint of embarrassment. Hu Houfu, misunderstanding the situation, angrily confronted Xu Qingjia, thinking he had betrayed Hu Jiao for Yu Niang. Gao Zheng quickly intervened, clarifying that he had asked Yu Niang to join him. After hearing about Xu Qingjia's predicament, Gao Zheng directly advised him to confront Han Nansheng.
Xu Qingjia hesitated, citing Han Nansheng's higher rank and the lack of conclusive evidence. Gao Zheng, drawing from his military background, asserted his preference for direct action, stating that if something was wrong, he would tackle it head-on, repeatedly if necessary. Hu Jiao enthusiastically agreed with Gao Zheng's approach. While Hu Jiao offered them lodging, Gao Zheng mentioned they were staying at a nearby inn and would move into Xu Qingjia's home the following day.
When asked about his future plans, Gao Zheng explained that having resigned from his post in Shangyong, he could not immediately take office in Xiangzhou without further disappointing the Prime Minister. Hu Jiao then spontaneously invited both Gao Zheng and Yu Niang to help with her medicinal herb business, an offer they both readily accepted. Later that night, Xu Qingjia lay awake, restless and burdened by guilt.
He confided in Hu Jiao that Gao Zheng's resignation and move to Xiangzhou, though tacitly approved by the Prime Minister, was ultimately a consequence of the turmoil he had created in Shangyong. He felt he had wronged Gao Zheng by indirectly causing his displacement. Hu Jiao, however, dismissed his self-reproach, reminding him that Gao Zheng was capable of managing his own affairs.
She urged Xu Qingjia to channel his guilt into becoming an even better official, to not disappoint those who supported him. Xu Qingjia agreed, yet still expressed anxiety about the confrontation with Han Nansheng the next day, asking Hu Jiao to give him courage to stand his ground when confronting Han Nansheng the next day.
