The Lady in Butcher's House Episode 7 Recap
> The Lady in Butcher's House Recap
Recognizing the deep public resentment over the winter clothing tax, Xu Qingjia proposes an alternative to Lord Zhu. He suggests abolishing the tax and instead encouraging citizens to reclaim barren land owned by the county government. After the spring harvest, a portion of the profits from this reclaimed land would go to the county to cover annual expenses, with initial funds for reclamation borrowed from wealthy merchants.
Lord Zhu, while outwardly praising the plan, subtly pushes Xu Qingjia to be the one to announce and implement it, citing that a "new person" would achieve better cooperation given the existing animosity between officials and citizens. Unaware of Lord Zhu's true manipulative intent, Xu Qingjia eagerly volunteers to take full responsibility, believing it a chance to serve the people. Later, Lord Zhu dispatches his officers for various tasks.
Yong Shou, when assigned to the western suburbs again, expresses his fear, revealing that the area is home to the county's most ruthless people who previously assaulted him. Lord Zhu then orders Yong Shou to lure the newcomer, Xu Qingjia, to these very western suburbs, promising a new assignment if he succeeds, and threatening him with dismissal if he refuses. Yong Shou then approaches Xu Qingjia, falsely claiming that Clerk Song sent him to assist.
Xu Qingjia, seeking the easiest district for communication, is misled by Yong Shou, who suggests the western suburbs. Upon arriving, Xu Qingjia attempts to address the gathered crowd about the winter clothing tax, but they instantly turn hostile, denouncing him as a "damned official" and accusing him of previous deceptions, including tricking their family members into years of forced labor.
They physically assault Xu Qingjia, but he is saved by the timely arrival of Constable Gao Zheng and his men, who swiftly arrest the attackers and disperse the crowd. Xu Qingjia, grateful for Gao Zheng's intervention, asks him to release the arrested commoners, believing their actions stemmed from desperation and misunderstanding, and claims his injuries are not severe. Gao Zheng, however, mocks him, stating his heart was hurt, and expresses his disdain for "hypocritical scholars."
Xu Qingjia counters, asserting that compassion is not hypocrisy and officials should care for their people like children. Gao Zheng dismisses this, explaining that his duty is to uphold imperial law and maintain public order, not to be swayed by sentiment. He argues that tolerating attacks on officials due to grievances would open the door to rebellion, rendering law enforcement useless.
Gao Zheng insults Xu Qingjia, calling his reasoning absurd and him an "incompetent and ferocious lost dog," and advises him to become a high-ranking official if he wishes to change the laws.
Before leaving, Gao Zheng reveals that the extreme poverty and hostility in the western suburbs are largely due to the ruthless exploitation, excessive taxes, and kidnapping of people carried out by the former official, Chi Wenjun, and strongly urges Xu Qingjia to leave Shangyong County for his own safety. Xu Qingjia is left to consider the implications of Chi Wenjun's past actions.
That evening, La Mei informs Hu Jiao about Yong Shou's suspicious behavior outside their home, suspecting him of being a thief. Bored and seeking excitement, Hu Jiao dons her fighting attire and gives chase, but Yong Shou escapes, leaving behind a mask. Upon Xu Qingjia's return, he shares his ordeal, including Yong Shou tricking him into the dangerous western suburbs.
While Hu Jiao quickly expresses a desire for revenge on Yong Shou, Xu Qingjia defends him, believing Yong Shou's guilt over his actions prevented him from fleeing further. Hu Jiao astutely deduces that Yong Shou must have been acting under orders, immediately pointing suspicion at County Governor Zhu, much to Xu Qingjia's surprise and admiration for her insight.
Hu Jiao then jokingly admonishes Xu Qingjia to bring her along next time, lest she be labeled a "widow of the butcher's house." Xu Qingjia brings up Gao Zheng's mention of Chi Wenjun and his connection to the western suburbs' troubles. Hu Jiao cautions him against trusting Gao Zheng, deeming him more dangerous than bandits, but agrees that Gao Zheng seems to oppose Zhu Tingxian, suggesting Xu Qingjia question Chi Wenjun in prison.
Xu Qingjia laments the difficulty of being a good official, and Hu Jiao imparts her mother's wisdom: a truly good person distinguishes themselves by not always prioritizing their own self-interest, making the path of a good person, and especially a good official, truly challenging.
Later that night, Xu Qingjia dreams of his deceased father, Xu Keyan, and the numerous commoners mourning outside their residence, a poignant memory that reaffirms his childhood vow to become an upright and benevolent official, loyal to the emperor and caring for his people, just like his father. Early the next morning, Xu Qingjia wakes before Hu Jiao. As he watches her sleep, he feels a growing affection.
Half-asleep, Hu Jiao unconsciously embraces him, murmuring the name of her lost puppy, "Little Green." Upon fully waking, she excitedly tells Xu Qingjia about her dream of finding her beloved dog, oblivious to his changed demeanor. Realizing it's 7 AM, Hu Jiao immediately forbids Xu Qingjia from going to the yamen, citing his recent injuries and her distrust of the county government officials.
She emphatically states that he is her most important "business" for the next three years and must prioritize his recovery, even threatening him with physical harm if he tries to leave. Xu Qingjia protests, arguing that as county magistrate, people's livelihoods depend on him, accusing her of selfishness. Hu Jiao retorts, calling him ungrateful and declaring that "a man does not give up when he faces hardship."
Their argument is interrupted by La Mei announcing breakfast, after which Xu Qingjia manages to slip away to work. Later, feeling idle, Hu Jiao visits the market. Intrigued by a pork stall, she offers to work for an hour without pay. The skeptical butcher agrees. Hu Jiao then amazes the crowd by expertly carving meat to precise weights without the need for a scale, earning her the title "Knife Goddess of Yunlai."
Back at the yamen, a large crowd has gathered, with two women persistently beating the grievance drum, loudly proclaiming injustice. Yang Master Book and Song Yasi, visibly overwhelmed, express relief at Xu Qingjia's arrival, quickly ushering him through a side entrance, claiming Lord Zhu is occupied with other important matters and that Xu Qingjia must handle a "difficult" case. They rush him to the main hall with minimal explanation.
There, Xu Qingjia faces two notorious, quarrelsome women locked in a fierce dispute over a porcelain pot, each claiming ownership. The situation devolves into a physical brawl. Xu Qingjia struggles to assert control; his orders to separate the women are ignored by the indifferent yamen runners, and the crowd openly mocks his authority. Simultaneously, in a private meeting, County Governor Zhu attempts to strike a deal with Yu Niang, a famed courtesan renowned for her beauty and cunning.
He offers her his share of the Jade Spring Pavilion if she can successfully "handle" Xu Qingjia, implying she should seduce him. Yu Niang, noting Zhu's unusual preoccupation with Xu Qingjia, questions his motives, subtly hinting at his own marital constraints. Overwhelmed by the escalating brawl and the uncooperative yamen staff, a frustrated Yong Shou discreetly fetches Hu Jiao from the market. To everyone's surprise, Xu Qingjia declares that his wife will mediate the dispute.
Hu Jiao swiftly resolves the conflict by offering to buy the porcelain pot for forty wen, splitting the money equally between the two squabbling women. The women, content with the unexpected payment, quickly depart, leaving the spectators and officials somewhat bewildered by the unconventional resolution. Xu Qingjia criticizes Hu Jiao for her approach, arguing that she prioritized a quick fix over true justice and truth, and that her method "stinks of money."
Hu Jiao retorts, calling him a "bookworm" and explaining that the women were only interested in personal gain, not abstract justice. She asserts that since the pot couldn't be physically divided, monetary compensation was the only practical solution. She further suggests that the officials deliberately set up Xu Qingjia with this difficult case to test him, and she points out the practicality of acquiring a pot for their own household needs. Despite her arguments, Xu Qingjia remains unconvinced.
Later, on their way home, Xu Qingjia buys her some local specialty desserts as an apology. However, Hu Jiao, still miffed, accepts the sweets but denies him entry to their bedroom, instructing him to spend the night in the study, claiming the room "stinks of money" from her settlement. When Xu Qingjia asks about dinner, she tells him to cook for himself, and when he attempts to summon La Mei for help, Hu Jiao intervenes, solidifying his solitary plight. Left alone and dejected, Xu Qingjia retreats to the courtyard, playing his zither.
