The Lady in Butcher's House Episode 28 Recap
> The Lady in Butcher's House Recap
Observing the bustling business at the House of Relaxation, Zhen Fugui noticed that one reason for its popularity was the complimentary desserts guests received, which came from the nearby Lin Family Desserts. Intrigued, he approached Lin Cui to propose a partnership. He praised her desserts as "sweet and delicious, light and not greasy," and superior to his own, offering a deal that would at least double her monthly profits.
However, Lin Cui firmly rejected his offer, explaining that Zhen Fugui was Hu Jiao’s competitor, and she was Hu Jiao’s friend. Zhen Fugui argued that business and friendship should not be mixed, but Lin Cui insisted it was her decision and stated that while money is easy to make, true confidants are hard to find, concluding she would not do business with Great Wealth.
Meanwhile, Xu Qingjia, reviewing the expenditure ledger, discovered they had not paid Lin Cui a single cent for her desserts since the House of Relaxation opened. He felt it was wrong to take advantage of a friend, regardless of their financial struggles. Hu Jiao reassured him that Lin Cui would not mind, revealing her long-standing plan to reward their benefactors.
She had already decided to distribute shares of the House of Relaxation: two shares for her father, one for her older brother and sister-in-law, one for Yu Niang for her recipes, three for Xu Qingjia, and two for herself. She planned to give one of her own shares to Lin Cui, ensuring Lin Cui would own more than she did, seeing it as repayment for Lin Cui's crucial help in opening the establishment and providing free desserts.
Despite Lin Cui’s reluctance to accept, Hu Jiao pressed the agreement into her hands, joking that if the House of Relaxation failed, she might need Lin Cui to support her. Hu Jiao then urged Lin Cui to accept Zhen Fugui's offer, emphasizing that it was a significant opportunity to earn money and that the House of Relaxation's business was now stable enough not to rely solely on Lin Cui's desserts for competitive advantage.
Following Hu Jiao's advice, Lin Cui visited Great Wealth the next day and accepted the partnership. She also conveyed Hu Jiao’s message, welcoming the competition and declaring she would defeat Zhen Fugui fairly. Zhen Fugui found Hu Jiao's forthrightness interesting, even considering her stronger than his own "Eldest Sister." Later, an elderly woman with leg and back problems visited the House of Relaxation, but Yong Shou, overwhelmed by customers, simply directed her to choose a treatment from the menu herself.
Unable to read, the woman struggled and was about to leave when Xu Qingjia noticed her. He followed her out, learned she was illiterate, and personally escorted her back inside, describing the treatments for her. This incident inspired Xu Qingjia to suggest setting up a small area in the shop to teach literacy to customers while they waited, noting that many women in their town couldn't read.
Hu Jiao wholeheartedly supported this "great idea," believing it would benefit customers and enhance the House of Relaxation's reputation. To make space for the literacy class, Hu Jiao and Xu Qingjia moved Hu Tingzhi's books and paintings from his study into a back room at the House of Relaxation, much to his chagrin. Xu Qingjia began teaching reading to customers, even staying late to prepare lessons.
Despite the House of Relaxation regaining its female customers, Great Wealth's male clientele continued to dwindle. Jia Yi reported to Zhen Fugui that male customers were increasingly opting for the House of Relaxation, citing better results. Zhen Fugui, acknowledging this setback, declared he had only one method left. He then replaced all male therapists at Great Wealth with young women, enticing men with promises of new, skilled therapists. Soon, the male customers who had abandoned Great Wealth began flocking back.
Sensing something was amiss with the sudden surge of male customers at Great Wealth, Hu Jiao sent Lin Cui to investigate, despite Lin Cui's apprehension about being recognized by Zhen Fugui. Lin Cui, disguised as a male customer, entered Great Wealth and discovered that all the male therapists had indeed been replaced by young women. As she tried to leave, Zhen Fugui, easily recognizing her despite her disguise, confronted her.
Lin Cui admitted to gathering intelligence for the House of Relaxation and accused him of indecent business practices. Zhen Fugui clarified that while he had replaced male therapists with young women, he had eliminated all physical contact treatments like massage and bone manipulation. He asserted that he was merely capitalizing on men's desires without any indecency, and that the female therapist had deliberately teased Lin Cui after recognizing her gender.
He then boldly challenged Hu Jiao, declaring that if the House of Relaxation could win back all the customers this time, he would close Great Wealth and return home. Lin Cui relayed this challenge to Hu Jiao, who returned home furious, ranting about Zhen Fugui and calling men "animals" for falling for his tactics. She expressed her frustration to Xu Qingjia, not noticing his thoughtful silence.
That night, Xu Qingjia secretly stayed up late, not preparing lessons as he had claimed, but diligently writing. Soon, female customers at the House of Relaxation began discovering and discussing a new book, "Mastering Controlling the Husband." They praised its insightful content, which was easy to read and offered "fierce" strategies for managing husbands using both "soft and hard methods." The book quickly became a sensation, with women eagerly buying copies, claiming it helped them keep their husbands "leashed."
As a result, Great Wealth's business plummeted once again. Acknowledging his defeat, Zhen Fugui visited Hu Jiao and Xu Qingjia, explaining that while he had many businesses, Hu Jiao's single-minded dedication to her one House of Relaxation, like her defense of the Hu Pork Butchery, earned his admiration. He declared her the first person to ever defeat him in business and proposed they become friends. Hu Jiao agreed but demanded to know his true identity and purpose in Yunlai Town.
Zhen Fugui revealed his real name, Jia Jisheng, and confessed he was Princess Consort Ning's younger brother. He had been sent to Yunlai to investigate rumors of an affair between Hu Jiao and Ning Wang. After observing Hu Jiao and Xu Qingjia's strong relationship and Hu Jiao’s integrity, he concluded that his sister's suspicions were baseless. He apologized on his sister's behalf, attributing her sensitivity to the constant rumors of marital discord in the capital.
As a final gesture, Jia Jisheng offered to let Hu Jiao manage Great Wealth. Hu Jiao, having quickly calculated that Great Wealth could earn 1,800 taels a year, readily accepted. When Jia Jisheng requested a 30% ownership share, Hu Jiao generously offered him 50% instead. Meanwhile, in the capital, the Jade House, a much larger and more popular establishment than its counterpart in Shangyong County, was flourishing. Yu Niang continued to enchant guests with her performances.
However, Gao Zheng, now the Military Commissioner of Kaifeng Prefecture, grew visibly jealous of the patrons' admiration for Yu Niang. He sharply reprimanded two men for their comments about her beauty. After her performance, Yu Niang led Gao Zheng to an upstairs room, chiding him for his continued narrow-mindedness despite his elevated position.
