The Lady in Butcher's House Episode 6 Recap
> The Lady in Butcher's House Recap
Hu Jiao found a new, cozy two-story wooden house with a beautiful garden, though smaller than the previous one they'd considered. However, Xu Qingjia was preoccupied with matters from the county office. Hu Jiao noticed his sullen mood and asked if he had offended anyone in Shangyong before, as house brokers kept calling him "Exploiter Xu," leading to all desirable homes being unavailable.
Xu Qingjia realized this epithet was linked to the winter clothing tax, a system of "evil governance" implemented by the people before his arrival. Hu Jiao, whose family had always conducted business with conscience, warned him against becoming a corrupt official, emphasizing that a gentleman loves wealth but obtains it righteously. Xu Qingjia, claiming scholars like him only saw money as worldly possessions, initially disagreed, but Hu Jiao insisted he should embrace wealth to open a shop.
Later, Xu Qingjia informed Hu Jiao that Lord Zhu was hosting a welcoming banquet for them at the Jade Spring Pavilion that evening and asked her to attend. Hu Jiao was initially reluctant, feeling unappreciated after her tiring day of house hunting. Xu Qingjia tried to soften her by praising the unique courtyard of their new home. Eventually, Hu Jiao admitted her real concern: her lack of skill in reciting poems in public.
Xu Qingjia reassured her, explaining that Shangyong was not the capital, and the other officials' wives might not be literary scholars either. He also suggested that attending the banquet would provide an opportunity to gather information about the "Exploiter Xu" nickname and the winter clothing tax, preventing her from being called "Exploiter Madam Xu." Convinced, Hu Jiao agreed to go.
That evening, Xu Qingjia sent Hu Jiao to the Jade Spring Pavilion first, stating he had an urgent matter to attend to at the county office and would join her later. At the county office, Xu Qingjia was found examining a screen displaying the names of Shangyong County's successive County Magistrates, focusing on Chi Wenjun. He was then approached by Gao Zheng.
Xu Qingjia, still perplexed by the former county assistant magistrate Chi Wenjun's imprisonment, inquired about the reason, sensing that Gao Zheng was different from the other officials. Gao Zheng initially deflected, saying he was merely the county constable and not obligated to disclose such information to Xu Qingjia.
However, when Xu Qingjia pressed, asking if Chi Wenjun was a kind or evil man, Gao Zheng cryptically replied that Chi Wenjun was "a stupid person" whose status did not align with his virtues, rendering him incapable. Xu Qingjia probed if this was a warning, but Gao Zheng simply redirected him. Meanwhile, at the Jade Spring Pavilion, the atmosphere among the officials' wives was tense due to their disdain for Hu Jiao's butcher background.
Upon her arrival, they openly whispered about her being "from that family of butchers" and complained about a "fishy odor of pork," even implying she had a "disgusting heart." Hu Jiao, with her fiery temper, overheard their insults. She promptly took out a small knife and deftly demonstrated her exceptional knife skills, startling everyone into silence. Just then, Madam Zhu arrived with Concubine Yun. Hu Jiao immediately transformed, becoming quick-witted and deferential.
She impressed Madam Zhu by correctly identifying each wife's rank based on their seating, explaining that her husband had taught her the social etiquette. Hu Jiao flattered Madam Zhu, calling her the "moon" among the "stars," which greatly pleased Madam Zhu. Concubine Yun, who had entered with Madam Zhu, appeared visibly displeased by Hu Jiao's cleverness. During the gathering, Hu Jiao inquired if they would be reciting poems, a prospect she dreaded.
Madam Zhu assured her that such activities were reserved for the men, relieving Hu Jiao, who then apologized for her earlier behavior and toasted everyone with three cups of wine. Later, as the wives casually discussed the "winter clothing tax," Hu Jiao subtly listened and then openly asked for details. She learned it was a new tax imposed on making winter clothes, a notion she found absurd, remarking that the government was "doing good business."
Feigning a need to use the restroom, Hu Jiao excused herself. As Hu Jiao returned from the restroom, she overheard Concubine Yun instructing her maid to spill strong tea on her, driven by resentment. Concubine Yun, frustrated by her inability to retaliate against Madam Zhu, decided to target Hu Jiao, especially as Madam Zhu had shown favor to the butcher's daughter.
Hu Jiao then spoke with Madam Song, who advised her against offending Concubine Yun, suggesting a gift might appease her. Hu Jiao, however, stated she would handle the situation her own way. Madam Song corrected Hu Jiao's informal address, reminding her of their respective ranks and advocating for women to determine their own hierarchy rather than allowing men to dictate it. Hu Jiao then asked Madam Song about Concubine Yun, curious about her hostility.
Madam Song explained that Concubine Yun was Lord Zhu's most favored concubine, taken in last year. Her influence with Lord Zhu meant that wealthy officials sought her favors, making her a significant rival and "thorn in Madam Zhu's side." Madam Song clarified that Madam Zhu had deliberately brought Concubine Yun to Xu Qingjia's welcome dinner to assert her authority and publicly diminish her, and Concubine Yun, unable to defy Madam Zhu, was now venting her anger on Hu Jiao.
Hu Jiao, noting the complexities, commented on Xu Qingjia's seemingly insufficient rank, but Madam Song quickly corrected her, stating that Xu Qingjia was the highest-ranking official after Lord Zhu. They then re-entered the banquet hall. Xu Qingjia eventually arrived at the men's banquet, where he was subjected to a "punishment" of drinking wine and reciting poems.
He deftly responded to two officials' verses with a poignant poem about autumn, worrying about an "empty stomach," and the desire for a "leisurely" life, earning praise as a true talent. When an official jokingly suggested having Madam Xu drink on his behalf, Xu Qingjia gracefully accepted his own penalty. Lord Zhu, Zhu Tingxian, the County Governor of Shangyong, finally made his appearance and formally introduced himself, expressing his reliance on Xu Qingjia for county affairs.
Lord Zhu had even specially prepared a dish featuring a carved ingot, a subtle attempt to draw Xu Qingjia's attention and favor. He then introduced Yu Niang, the beautiful owner of the Jade Spring Pavilion, to Xu Qingjia, praising her beauty. Xu Qingjia greeted her politely but showed no particular interest. Later, despite Gao Zheng's attempt to intervene and suggest he had drunk too much, Xu Qingjia stated he had to voice his concerns.
He directly questioned whether the winter clothing tax could be removed. Yu Niang, witnessing Xu Qingjia's integrity, looked at him with newfound admiration, while Lord Zhu, initially surprised by Xu Qingjia's tactless directness, then responded with a feigned sigh, lamenting the difficulties of governing Shangyong County.
He described Shangyong as a remote region with scarce resources and fierce inhabitants, where two prominent families' ongoing feuds often erupted into violent clashes, necessitating expensive military intervention that left the government constantly "struggling to make ends meet." Yu Niang further revealed that the winter clothing tax also covered the increased expenses allocated to Xu Qingjia and the school he had proposed to build. Xu Qingjia was crestfallen, realizing he was indirectly the reason for the tax.
Lord Zhu subtly dismissed Xu Qingjia's idealism, suggesting that governing required more than just literary knowledge, before concluding that matters would improve with spring. At the same time, Concubine Yun's attempt to humiliate Hu Jiao backfired spectacularly when her maid accidentally spilled hot tea on Concubine Yun herself. Concubine Yun cried out in pain, drawing Madam Zhu's furious rebuke for creating a scene and embarrassing everyone.
Concubine Yun, in a fit of drama, ran to Lord Zhu, demanding justice and theatrically threatening to take her own life, causing a major commotion. Mortified by the domestic squabble, Lord Zhu, unable to control the situation, quickly proposed ending the banquet, which was met with immediate agreement by the other guests. As the guests were leaving, a maid on the second floor dropped a heavy flowerpot directly towards Hu Jiao.
Without hesitation, Xu Qingjia rushed forward, pushing Hu Jiao out of harm's way and taking the impact himself. Hu Jiao cried out his name in shock and concern. This heroic act made Hu Jiao's heart flutter, and she found herself starting her new life in Shangyong County by taking care of a drunkard. Back home, Xu Qingjia was completely intoxicated and unconscious. He babbled drunkenly about "woman's three obediences and four virtues" and "husband's authority."
Enraged by his chauvinistic ramblings, Hu Jiao sent away the maid La Mei, intending to teach him a severe lesson. However, before she could act, Xu Qingjia began to speak in his sleep, repeatedly calling for his "father," expressing deep loneliness and a desire for his father over "the people's umbrella." Witnessing his vulnerability, Hu Jiao found herself unable to strike him.
After Hu Jiao cared for the drunken Xu Qingjia through the night, he awoke the next morning seemingly unaffected. Hu Jiao, contemplating their long-term livelihood and the potential consequences of "murdering her husband," reluctantly prepared his breakfast. When Xu Qingjia inquired about the previous night, Hu Jiao advised him that it was best forgotten and not to ask around.
Xu Qingjia, recalling the events and realizing the complexities of Shangyong County, proposed a three-point agreement for their "long-term development" and to prevent reckless actions. His first rule was that Hu Jiao should not disturb him while he was studying. Secondly, he stressed that they must resolve disagreements through reason, as "a gentleman will argue with words, not hands."
He humorously added that if she absolutely had to hit him, she should be gentler and "try your best not to hit my face." Hu Jiao playfully agreed to "try her best." Finally, for the third rule, Xu Qingjia emphasized mutual assistance and cooperation in county government affairs. He explained that the "intricate know-how" among officials' wives could be even more complex than the men's work. He pointed to the falling flowerpot as a likely warning, indicating hidden dangers.
Hu Jiao expressed her frustration with Concubine Yun's animosity, but Xu Qingjia suggested that Concubine Yun's own suffering as a concubine and Hu Jiao's public humiliation of her likely fueled her misbehavior. He then reiterated that the "water in Shangyong County runs much deeper than we expected" and, fearing for Hu Jiao's "pure and kind-hearted" nature, asked her to discuss all matters, big or small, with him going forward.
Hu Jiao agreed, though she teased him about his drunken impulsiveness in saving her from the flowerpot, asking if he cared for her. He playfully denied it, claiming he cared about the flowerpot, but then silently admitted to himself that he would have rushed to her aid regardless.
