Time Flies and You Are Here Episode 10 Recap
> Time Flies and You Are Here Recap
Xie Xiaoman feigned a complete loss of memory regarding the previous night's events, attributing it to consuming wild fruits. Zhao Xiaoqian, though disappointed, reassured her that it was inconsequential since the Qixi Festival was fast approaching. He informed her that he would have Liangji send her clothes and accessories, insisting that they must celebrate the festival together. Yan Boyang echoed his excitement, specifically asking if Minggu would join them.
Xie Xiaoman was unsure but planned to inquire at her aunt's residence that evening, prompting Zhao Xiaoqian to decide to accompany her. Later, Zhao Xiaoqian arrived at the Su family home with gifts. Xie Xiaoman’s grandma warmly greeted her, expressing how much she missed her. She then asked about Xie Xiaoman's well-being at the Commandery Prince’s mansion and how Zhao Xiaoqian was treating her.
Xie Xiaoman affirmed that he was very kind, even taking her to try a new dish called "Yuguanfei" that morning. Her aunt chimin, mentioning the numerous tonics Zhao Xiaoqian had brought for the family, expressing hope for a grandchild by the following year. Excusing herself, Xie Xiaoman went to find Minggu, leaving Zhao Xiaoqian in an awkward silence with her grandma until her father offered him a drink.
While they drank, a servant brought a pot of millet seeds for the Su parents, explaining an ancient Qixi tradition of planting them to pray for a son. Zhao Xiaoqian, surprised by their continued desire for children, mentioned that some deer antler he brought could enhance virility. When Xie Xiaoman found Minggu, Minggu confirmed she was indeed grounded and forbidden to leave home until she mastered Bian Embroidery.
She showed Xie Xiaoman a pouch she was embroidering, intending to give it to Zhong Ziyan on Qixi. Xie Xiaoman warned her against such a gesture, reminding her of the trouble with Yan Boyang and the risk of her aunt sending her to a convent. Minggu confided that she knew a future with Zhong Ziyan was impossible but found it hard to let go.
To help her, Xie Xiaoman volunteered to embroider Minggu’s round fan, giving Minggu more time for her pouch. Minggu then requested Xie Xiaoman to keep this secret from Zhao Xiaoqian, fearing Zhong Ziyan might deduce her intentions. Xie Xiaoman promised her assistance. Back at the Commandery Prince's mansion, Zhao Xiaoqian, inspired by the Su family's tradition, began planting millet seeds in a clay pot in his courtyard, hoping for a son.
Liangji discreetly acknowledged the Commandery Prince’s wish but warned another servant to keep it quiet to avoid embarrassing Zhao Xiaoqian. Later, Zhao Xiaoqian approached Xie Xiaoman, who was examining the needlework on Minggu’s fan. He tried to rekindle her memory of their shared night, mentioning Su's grandma's wish for a grandson. Xie Xiaoman, however, maintained her pretense of amnesia, attributing it to the wild fruits and dismissing the grandma's words as her aunt's nonsense.
Zhao Xiaoqian then gently insisted she wear the rhino horn hairpin he gifted her the next day for school, as he loved seeing her wear his gifts. Meanwhile, Yan Boyang visited Minggu under the pretext of discussing academy lessons. Minggu jokingly rebuked him for nearly getting her into trouble. Yan Boyang asked if her mother had stopped her from attending school.
Minggu, though grounded for failing to learn Bian Embroidery, lied and assured him her mother would never do that, claiming she could return to school if she made a wish on Qixi. Yan Boyang then asked what she would wish for, and Minggu expressed her desire to participate in the white rabbit lantern riddle game. At Jingnv Pavilion, Li Congwen lectured the students on Qixi Festival customs.
Xie Xiaoman, distracted by the fan she was embroidering for Minggu, was called upon by Congwen to share a custom. She recounted a local tradition of "cow's birthday," involving flowers on cow horns and the Cowherd and Weaver Girl legend, which drew laughter from her classmates. After class, Congwen spoke privately with Xie Xiaoman. She explained Minggu’s situation and her wish to help by learning Bian Embroidery.
Congwen suggested seeking help from Yanniang, a courtesan and former capital lady skilled in Bian Embroidery, and offered to introduce them, reminding Xie Xiaoman not to neglect her studies. After school, Zhao Xiaoqian arrived to pick up Xie Xiaoman and invited her to a water puppetry show. Xie Xiaoman, however, fabricated a prior arrangement with Minggu and insisted on going to the Su family.
Though disappointed, Zhao Xiaoqian teasingly pinched her cheek, hinting he could provide her with an "older brother" if she desired, before leaving. Xie Xiaoman then met with Congwen. As they walked towards the Wazi entertainment district, a passing carriage bumped Xie Xiaoman, causing the rhino horn hairpin Zhao Xiaoqian had given her to fall. Congwen caught her, and they continued their journey.
Unbeknownst to them, Xie Ruying and Xue Yanwan witnessed the scene, retrieved the hairpin, and followed them to the entrance of Yanniang's establishment. Driven by jealousy and a desire to see Xie Xiaoman disgraced, Xie Ruying saw Shen Yan nearby. She approached him, spun a tale about Xie Xiaoman dropping the hairpin, and asked him to return it to Zhao Xiaoqian, believing this would expose Xie Xiaoman's visit to the courtesan house.
Shen Yan, with his companion, headed to Taiping Tavern to find Zhao Xiaoqian. At Taiping Tavern, Yan Boyang informed Zhao Xiaoqian and their friends that he would not join them for Qixi, citing other commitments. Just then, Shen Yan arrived and provocatively sat beside Zhao Xiaoqian. Despite Zhao Xiaoqian's evident disdain, Shen Yan produced the hairpin, infuriating Zhao Xiaoqian, who demanded its immediate return and absolute secrecy. Shen Yan agreed but only after Zhao Xiaoqian consumed eight cups of wine.
After Zhao Xiaoqian complied, Shen Yan returned the hairpin, but then taunted him, contrasting Zhao Xiaoqian’s past ambition to join the army with his current devotion to a mere lady, calling it "pathetic and ridiculous," and remarking that even the Duke of Yongguo wouldn't recognize him now. Upon Xie Xiaoman's return to the mansion, Zhu Momo noticed her missing hairpin and questioned its absence.
Moments later, a heavily intoxicated Zhao Xiaoqian, supported by Zhong Ziyan and others, also demanded to know where the hairpin was. Xie Xiaoman lied, claiming Minggu had admired it and kept it to make a replica. Zhao Xiaoqian, seeing through her deception, exploded in a fit of rage. He ordered everyone out of his room, then dragged Xie Xiaoman inside, demanding she undress him for a bath, asserting it was her duty as his concubine.
When she resisted, he accused her of exploiting his affection and questioned if she was capable of anything beyond lying. Following the argument, Xie Xiaoman sought solace with Minggu. Minggu offered her water, and Xie Xiaoman poured out her conflicted feelings about her arranged marriage and Zhao Xiaoqian's kindness. She then asked Minggu about Jia Zhixing's satirical poem against Chancellor Xu, a grave offense that could lead to execution, expressing deep concern for Congwen's involvement.
Minggu shared that her nanny, Hu Momo, had given her a spider in a box, which was diligently weaving a web. Minggu, having named the spider Deng Qiao'er, urged Xie Xiaoman to find peace by observing it. Back at Yanniang’s, while learning Bian Embroidery, Xie Xiaoman reiterated her worries about Congwen and Jia Zhixing’s case. Yanniang revealed that the Commandery Prince of Julu received confidential government intelligence every seven days.
She proposed that Xie Xiaoman secretly copy these reports for her, enabling them to understand the court's stance and devise a strategy to protect Congwen. Despite her reservations about betraying Zhao Xiaoqian, Xie Xiaoman agreed, believing it essential for Congwen's future. As she secretly copied the documents, Xie Xiaoman silently acknowledged her dilemma, hoping for Zhao Xiaoqian's understanding, while Wick stood guard, assuring her no one was approaching.
Xie Xiaoman then asked Wick if Zhao Xiaoqian was still angry or if he mentioned banishing her. Wick, initially confused and thinking she meant Shi Deng'er, eventually clarified that Zhao Xiaoqian had contracted a serious cold and Liangji had been attending to him all night. Meanwhile, Zhu Momo, learning of Xie Xiaoman's return and confinement to the Studio of Artlessness, gathered her attendants, including Hongsu, to confront her. Realizing Zhu Momo was coming, Xie Xiaoman instructed Wick to keep her return a secret as she planned to immediately go to Zhao Xiaoqian.
