Time Flies and You Are Here Episode 14 Recap
> Time Flies and You Are Here Recap
Yan Boyang met Xu Shu in an alley to retrieve a letter. Xu Shu demanded payment first, citing that Yan Boyang's father was corrupt and had amassed a fortune. Minggu suddenly appeared, questioning Yan Boyang about giving money to Xu Shu, whom she accused of constantly causing trouble. Xu Shu, however, asserted his right to a fee for delivering letters. He then threatened to tear the letter if Yan Boyang didn't pay.
Yan Boyang urged Minggu to leave, insisting it was a matter between men. After Minggu reluctantly departed, calling Yan Boyang a coward, Xu Shu, annoyed by her interference, demanded an additional 20 strings of cash and left without giving Yan Boyang the letter. Minggu, still upset, later complained to Xie Xiaoman about Yan Boyang's cowardice. Zhao Xiaoqian impatiently waited for Xie Xiaoman to return for their Ghost Festival dinner.
Upon her arrival, he revealed he had booked a decorated pleasure boat for them to watch lanterns, as he had something important to tell her later that evening. Xie Xiaoman, in a somber mood, expressed her reluctance to go. Zhao Xiaoqian insisted, adding that some words are best said during festivities to make them more formal. He then presented her with a lantern, instructing her not to light it until they reached Guizhao Workshop.
Xie Xiaoman then asked him if he believed in a love that transcends social status, where two people could be together based solely on mutual affection. She recounted a story of a couple separated by family background, where the man couldn't even bid his beloved a final farewell. Zhao Xiaoqian firmly stated he didn't believe in such prejudices. He emphasized that true manhood meant having a clear conscience, not only regarding matters of state but also one's personal feelings.
He declared that a man who didn't dare to see his lover one last time was unworthy. Inspired by his words, Xie Xiaoman decided to intervene for Li Su and Courtesan Zhu. Xie Xiaoman found Li Su in his study, urging him to meet Courtesan Zhu, who was leaving that night. She reminded him of Zhao Xiaoqian's words about being true to one's heart, which applied to personal matters as much as to grand ambitions.
Li Su then read a poem by Yanniang (Courtesan Zhu) that expressed deep sorrow and longing. Realizing the profound emotions within the verse, he agreed to go. Xie Xiaoman handed him the lantern that Zhao Xiaoqian had given her, suggesting he present it to Yanniang, and then left to rejoin Zhao Xiaoqian. Meanwhile, Zhao Xiaoqian and his companions were waiting.
Yan Boyang, hearing that the Ghost Festival involved a "Night Parade of One Hundred Demons," offered to protect Minggu if she became frightened. Xie Xiaoman intercepted Courtesan Zhu's carriage and gave the lantern to Li Su before discreetly leaving. Li Su approached Courtesan Zhu (Yanniang), presenting the lantern and pulling her away from her carriage. On a bridge, he apologized for his past insensitivity and confessed his romantic feelings, asking her to run away with him.
Yanniang acknowledged his earnestness but reminded him of their vastly different social standings, recognizing herself as a 24-year-old courtesan unworthy of his esteemed scholarly family. She urged him to pursue his grand ambitions, marry into a noble family, and become a high-ranking official who serves the people. She expressed her hope that, in his old age, he would recall Yanniang, the woman from Wujiang Prefecture who once wished him success.
Although deeply moved by his offer to abandon his future for her, she chose to accept her own path—a simple life with the man she was promised to. Her husband-to-be then called out for her, and after a heartfelt farewell, Yanniang left. Li Su was left alone, heartbroken, echoing her words about his path to becoming a chancellor. Zhao Xiaoqian and his companions waited for a long time for Xie Xiaoman. Growing impatient, Minggu offered to look for her.
Yan Boyang volunteered to join, but Minggu angrily rebuked him for his earlier cowardice in dealing with Xu Shu. Stung by her words, Yan Boyang declared his intention to confront Xu Shu and reclaim his money and letter, determined to prove he wasn't a coward. Concerned he would be unarmed and reckless, Minggu urged Zhao Xiaoqian to help. They soon found Yan Boyang being beaten by Xu Shu and his men. Zhao Xiaoqian intervened, swiftly taking down Xu Shu's thugs.
Xie Xiaoman arrived, bewildered by the fight. Xu Shu, trying to save face, claimed Yan Boyang's letter was a love letter that "Dew becomes frost" had rejected. Minggu, unable to tolerate Xu Shu's disparagement of Yan Boyang, bravely stepped forward and declared, "I am Dew becomes frost! And I am in love with Yan Boyang!" This gave Yan Boyang the courage to punch Xu Shu and retrieve his letter. Xu Shu quickly fled, intimidated by Zhao Xiaoqian.
Later, the group jokingly pressed Yan Boyang to introduce them to "Dew becomes frost." To their surprise, "Dew becomes frost" turned out to be a middle-aged man named Yu Qilin, Yan Boyang's pen pal to whom he confided his feelings about Minggu. Yu Qilin advised Yan Boyang to directly express his true feelings to Minggu. At the same time, Zhao Xiaoqian pulled Xie Xiaoman aside to watch the river lanterns.
He noticed that the lantern she held was not the one he had given her but one that symbolized rejection, and his mood instantly soured. That night, Zhao Xiaoqian was startled awake from another dream about his older brother. In a flashback, a young Zhao Xiaoqian was seen in the palace, eagerly flying a kite on which he had written messages to his parents. A eunuch intervened, forbidding the kite flying due to the empress's pregnancy.
The young prince became distressed, insisting that his true parents were Prince and Princess Consort Pu, not the Emperor and Empress. The kite string then snapped. Back in the present, Liangji discussed Zhao Xiaoqian's recent moodiness with Shi Deng'er, attributing it to the approaching death anniversary of the Duke of Yongguo. He advised Shi Deng'er to keep his distance from Zhao Xiaoqian during this sensitive time. Later, Minggu accompanied Xie Xiaoman to the Dongguan Building in the academy.
Xie Xiaoman picked up a book titled "Lonely Boat in the Night." Minggu observed that Zhao Xiaoqian had been acting strangely since returning from the Ghost Festival, suspecting they might have argued. Xie Xiaoman assured her they hadn't, but confirmed his unusual behavior. Minggu then informed Xie Xiaoman that her mother wished for her to return home.
Xie Xiaoman returned home to find her mother insisting that she bring Zhao Xiaoqian to a village wedding banquet to show off her newfound status. Xie Xiaoman protested, pointing out the simple country food wouldn't suit a prince and that she didn't need to put on airs in front of her childhood friends. Her mother, however, recounted their shared history with the host family and tearfully bemoaned her own struggles raising three children alone, appealing to Xie Xiaoman's conscience.
Reluctantly, Xie Xiaoman agreed to speak with Zhao Xiaoqian, though she made no promises about his attendance. Her mother then dismissed her, scoffing at her constant reading. Later, at Jingnv Pavilion, Li Su announced his decision to leave Wujiang Prefecture to meditate at Mount Kunyan Temple, bidding farewell to his students. Xie Xiaoman directly asked if his departure was prompted by Courtesan Zhu.
Li Su confessed that Yanniang's departure had left him confused about his future, particularly concerning his academic path and the imperial examination. He needed time away to clear his mind and decide his future. He also promised to get her a new lantern, replacing the one she had given Yanniang. Xie Xiaoman asked about Zhao Xiaoqian's location and learned he was attending a chess lesson at Tingtao Pavilion.
During the lesson, his teacher Yang Shanzhang was advising Zhao Xiaoqian on the philosophy of chess, emphasizing the importance of understanding when to let go and when to persevere. Zhao Xiaoqian, however, asserted that a life without something to hold onto would be dull. He then provocatively asked what if the opponent made the first move to give up.
Yang Shanzhang calmly replied that on the chessboard, one must look inward to their own heart, not to the actions of others. As Zhao Xiaoqian absorbed this wisdom, Xie Xiaoman arrived at the academy to find him.
