Time Flies and You Are Here Episode 11 Recap
> Time Flies and You Are Here Recap
Xie Xiaoman, having returned to the commandery Prince's mansion, was trying to quietly leave when Zhu Momo, who had learned of her presence, intercepted her. Zhu Momo, clearly displeased, remarked on Xie Xiaoman's return, stating she had no respect for her, and ordered servants to seize her. Xie Xiaoman conceded that her unauthorized departure was wrong, but asserted her right to leave according to the private contract she had with Zhao Xiaoqian. She declared herself willing to accept punishment.
Zhu Momo decided to teach her the "rules of the capital" and ordered a beating with a ruler. When the servant went to hit Xie Xiaoman, Wick shielded her, offering to take the punishment herself. Zhu Momo, however, ordered both of them to be beaten. Meanwhile, Squire Wang arrived to see Yanniang, pushing past her attendants. Yanniang granted him entry. Squire Wang apologized for his earlier rudeness towards Li Su and offered his help with her redemption.
He revealed his investigation showed that even Duke Teng, whom Li Su had approached, couldn't help Yanniang, implying the issue was not Yanniang's eligibility but rather Li Su's involvement. He hinted that Yanniang understood the underlying reasons. Expressing his sincere feelings, Squire Wang, a wealthy widower with a son and daughter, promised to secure her redemption and marry her with a grand wedding.
Yanniang acknowledged his words, saying she would consider them, but asked him to leave due to her ill health. Squire Wang left, expressing his willingness to wait for good news. Later, Li Su received a letter from Duke Teng explicitly refusing his request for Yanniang's redemption. Despite this, when Yanniang asked him for updates, Li Su concealed the truth, telling her Duke Teng had not yet replied and that a response should be coming soon, leaving Yanniang feeling more anxious.
As Xie Xiaoman and Wick were being beaten, Shi Deng'er rushed to inform Zhao Xiaoqian. Although ill with a cold and advised by his attendants not to expose himself to the wind, Zhao Xiaoqian insisted on going. He arrived and angrily questioned Zhu Momo's actions, asking if she was torturing Xie Xiaoman. Zhu Momo asserted that she was upholding the Princess Consort's discipline and that Xie Xiaoman's unauthorized departure and the lost rhino horn hairpin were grave matters.
She claimed that even Zhao Xiaoqian's father, the King, could not override her. Enraged, Zhao Xiaoqian knelt before Zhu Momo, reminding her that she was setting rules on his mother's behalf. He declared that he too had likely broken many rules and demanded that he be punished first, as he was a man protecting "his woman." Zhu Momo relented, and Zhao Xiaoqian then ordered all the servants who had beaten Xie Xiaoman to punish themselves.
He then scooped up the injured Xie Xiaoman and carried her back to her room. In the room, Zhao Xiaoqian insisted on applying ointment to Xie Xiaoman's injuries. She, embarrassed, tried to refuse. He teasingly reminded her they were husband and wife, then confessed that he had seen her back before when she was working at his mansion and changed clothes. He said his past insistence on her eating more was because he knew how thin she was.
Xie Xiaoman still wished to apply the ointment herself, so Zhao Xiaoqian agreed to have her maid assist with her back, but reiterated his desire to simply talk to her. He expressed regret for his harsh words the previous night, admitting he had drunk too much after being provoked by Shen Yan. He told her he knew she had gone to the brothel but didn't blame her, believing she had her reasons.
He then shared a dream he had of his late brother and spoke of their childhood, his brother's upcoming birthday, and his own ambition to protect the kingdom for his brother. Xie Xiaoman then apologized for lying, confessed that she had indeed gone to the brothel to learn Bian Embroidery from Courtesan Zhu. She was helping Minggu, who was grounded, by completing an embroidery project on her behalf, thus giving Minggu time to finish a sachet for Zhong Ziyan.
She admitted she was afraid to tell Zhao Xiaoqian lest he accidentally reveal Minggu's secret. She confessed that she wished she could dislike him, but his kindness, especially in defending her while sick, made it impossible. Zhao Xiaoqian gently kissed her forehead and embraced her, promising to arrange for Liangji to handle the Bian Embroidery for Minggu. He also invited her to celebrate the Qixi Festival with him the following night.
The next day, Minggu presented her mother with a fan featuring the exquisite Bian embroidery. Her mother was very pleased with the work and, after reminding Minggu to uphold good conduct, allowed her and Xie Xiaoman to go out for the Qixi Festival. They excitedly left to meet Zhao Xiaoqian and Zhong Ziyan. Zhong Ziyan visited a Kui Xing shrine, drawing a longan that portended he would become a top scholar.
Elsewhere, Yan Boyang repeatedly tried to win a white rabbit lantern at an arrow-throwing stall but consistently missed his targets. The four friends eventually met up. Xie Xiaoman suggested that she and Zhao Xiaoqian go look at the fish lanterns, leaving Minggu and Zhong Ziyan to spend time alone. As they walked among the fish lanterns, Xie Xiaoman remarked on their resemblance to the great fish they had seen at Mount Kunyan Temple.
She expressed her fondness for bright, flickering things, like stars, and mentioned the magnificent fireworks of Wu River Prefecture during the Lantern Festival. Zhao Xiaoqian, realizing her love for fireworks, suddenly told her to wait for him and that he would return shortly. While waiting, Xie Xiaoman encountered Courtesan Zhu. She handed Courtesan Zhu the copied intelligence, asking her not to tell Li Su. Courtesan Zhu then probed Xie Xiaoman, asking if she loved Zhao Xiaoqian.
Xie Xiaoman hesitated, remarking that many marriages were arranged and love was a luxury, and that Courtesan Zhu didn't need to feel guilty. Courtesan Zhu pressed further about Xie Xiaoman's feelings for Li Su, given her efforts to help him. Xie Xiaoman began to respond, "Towards Senior Li, I only. . ." , but Courtesan Zhu cut her off, saying it was inappropriate to ask such personal questions. Zhao Xiaoqian, returning at that moment, had overheard their conversation.
Heartbroken, he confronted Xie Xiaoman, stating, "So you don't have feelings for me. You returned for the intelligence." Xie Xiaoman tried to deny it, but Zhao Xiaoqian continued, expressing his hurt, "This is the first time in my life I've tried so hard to win a woman's heart. And you don't want anything to do with it." He then walked away, leaving Xie Xiaoman distraught. Fireworks erupted in the sky, a spectacle he had arranged for her.
Xie Xiaoman watched, torn by her feelings and silently apologizing to Zhao Xiaoqian. Meanwhile, Minggu was still unable to give Zhong Ziyan the sachet she had made. Zhong Ziyan, noticing her hesitation, asked if she wanted to say anything. When she demurred, he decided to return home to study for the upcoming civil examinations. Yan Boyang, still at the arrow-throwing stall, continued to fail in winning a white rabbit lantern.
Later, Li Su spotted Yanniang at the festival after seeing her interact with Xie Xiaoman. He confronted her, asking if she had orchestrated Xie Xiaoman's mission to retrieve intelligence from the Prince's mansion. He chastised her for resorting to such unethical methods, reminding her of the severe consequences if Xie Xiaoman were caught. Yanniang retorted, questioning Li Su's self-righteousness and stating that if he hadn't been so preoccupied with "a scholar's integrity," she wouldn't have been forced to become "bad."
She then accused him of lying, revealing that she knew Duke Teng could not help her and that he had deceived her. Deeply hurt, Yanniang turned and walked away, despite Li Su calling her name. The following morning, Zhu Momo and her servants stormed into Xie Xiaoman's residence in the Lotus Garden, demanding access to her chambers to confiscate her belongings. Wick bravely stood in their way, refusing to let them pass.
Zhu Momo ordered Wick to be dragged away, but Xie Xiaoman emerged, stopping them. Wick explained that Zhu Momo intended to take Xie Xiaoman's trousseau, including her dowry. Zhu Momo scoffed at the idea of a mere clerk's daughter having a significant dowry. Xie Xiaoman demanded to know why Zhu Momo was seizing her possessions.
Zhu Momo claimed the rhino horn hairpin given by Zhao Xiaoqian was an imperial tribute, and its loss meant not only punishment for Xie Xiaoman but also disgrace upon the entire Commandery Prince's mansion. Xie Xiaoman countered that Zhao Xiaoqian himself had not yet spoken on the matter. She accused Zhu Momo of attempting to embarrass the Prince and drive her out.
While conceding that most of her valuables were indeed gifts from the Prince and she couldn't stop Zhu Momo from taking them, Xie Xiaoman defiantly warned that if any of her family's dowry were touched, she would seek justice in court. With that, she left with Wick. Zhu Momo, furious at Xie Xiaoman's newfound defiance, called her cunning. Xie Xiaoman, contemplating the potential repercussions, acknowledged that her actions might lead to her divorce, which she would accept.
She instructed Wick not to engage in further confrontations. Meanwhile, Minggu rushed to Xie Xiaoman, declaring that something serious had happened. At Bailu Academy, Zhao Xiaoqian openly confronted Li Su in front of other students. He accused Li Su of meddling in his household affairs, questioning whether he was an imperial relative or an investigating censor. Li Su responded that as Zhao Xiaoqian's senior, it was his duty to teach him the principles of a gentleman.
Zhao Xiaoqian scoffed at being called a gentleman and asserted that in Wujiang, no one could control him. He declared Xie Xiaoman to be merely a "plaything" and stated he could sell her for "three cash" if he wished. Taking him seriously, Li Su declared his willingness to purchase "Xie Xiaoman of the Xie Family" for three cash.
Disgusted, Zhao Xiaoqian retorted that while she might be a plaything, he would rather sell her to a peasant than to Li Su. He then offered to sell her to any other student for free. Having overheard the entire exchange, Xie Xiaoman stepped forward, confronting Zhao Xiaoqian. The teacher intervened, and Principal Yang summoned them to his office. In the office, Zhao Xiaoqian reiterated his right to sell Xie Xiaoman due to their contract.
Li Su argued that Xie Xiaoman was also a student of the academy. Principal Yang admonished them for their quarrel, recalling fond memories of Zhao Xiaoqian's late brother, Xiaojie, and his upcoming birthday. He advised Zhao Xiaoqian to embody "broad-mindedness," even suggesting he sell Xie Xiaoman to Li Su. Zhao Xiaoqian, angered, told him not to mention his brother. Xie Xiaoman, unable to bear it any longer, spoke up, condemning both men for discussing her as property.
She declared, "Yes, I may be Your Highness' concubine, but I'm a person. I'm not an object. I'm not one to be sold and bought easily, or abandoned casually." She reminded Zhao Xiaoqian of their contract's expiry term and stated that while he might treat her as a plaything, she refused to treat herself as one. As a student of the academy and Principal Yang, she pleaded for his help. Zhao Xiaoqian scoffed, questioning her qualifications.
Xie Xiaoman challenged his misogynistic view, asking if he believed only men deserved education. She then announced her intention to participate in the upcoming polo tournament. She vowed to prove herself by achieving first place in both literature and martial arts, and if she succeeded in getting Grade A in the tournament, she requested Principal Yang's assistance in redeeming her freedom. Zhao Xiaoqian accepted her challenge, declaring they would settle the matter on horseback five days later.
