Time Flies and You Are Here Episode 19 Recap
> Time Flies and You Are Here Recap
Principal Yang informed Zhao Xiaoqian that the capital now knew of the renewed marriage alliance between Prince Pu's Mansion and the Shen family, and the imperial palace had approved it. Zhao Xiaoqian questioned why the Empress would agree, to which Principal Yang explained that the Shen family was allied with the Empress, and marrying their daughter would place Zhao Xiaoqian under her control in the capital.
Zhao Xiaoqian declared his refusal to marry Shen Zhaowen, stating his sole intention was to have Xie Xiaoman conferred as Noble Lady Wuguo. He asked Principal Yang, the only person in Wujiang Prefecture not controlled by the Prince's Mansion, to submit a memorial on his behalf, confident that Shen Zunfu would reconsider entrusting his daughter after seeing it.
Principal Yang, acknowledging Zhao Xiaoqian's resolve to defy Prince Pu's Mansion, regretfully said he couldn't help directly, as submitting such a memorial was beyond his authority. However, he suggested Zhao Xiaoqian seek assistance from Duke Teng of Tongzhou, who had resigned from his position and was free from political constraints, indicating that Duke Teng's involvement would significantly improve Zhao Xiaoqian's chances. Zhao Xiaoqian thanked Principal Yang, who wished him well and remarked on his high ambitions.
Zhao Xiaoqian then informed Zhong Ziyan that he would not be able to accompany him to the autumn imperial exam as he needed to travel quickly to Tongzhou, and Zhong Ziyan understood, wishing him to take care. Feeling dispirited about Zhao Xiaoqian's impending marriage to Shen Zhaowen, Xie Xiaoman encountered her childhood friend Ming Yue on the street. Ming Yue was bruised and seeking help.
Xie Xiaoman took Ming Yue back to the mansion, where Ming Yue tearfully recounted how, after Xie Xiaoman left, her family's poor harvest and her brother's illness forced them to marry her off to a man in Wujiang Prefecture. The matchmaker had promised a wealthy family, but her husband turned out to be a local hooligan who regularly beat her.
Ming Yue expressed her desire to return home, but then refused Xie Xiaoman’s offer of money, fearing her husband wouldn't let her go and that she would only be a burden or an "old maid" if she returned. Despite Xie Xiaoman’s reassurances, Ming Yue insisted on leaving, unwilling to implicate her friend. Meanwhile, Zheng Hai, the hooligan and husband of Ming Yue, was frustrated with Ming Yue for failing to bring Xie Xiaoman to him.
He was motivated by a desire to rescue his brother, Huang Liu, who was facing execution, and to get revenge on Zhao Xiaoqian. Originally, Zheng Hai planned to kidnap Zhao Xiaoqian from Bailu Academy for a "life for a life" exchange. However, upon learning that Zhao Xiaoqian was not in Wujiang Prefecture, Zheng Hai changed his strategy to target Zhao Xiaoqian's concubine, Xie Xiaoman, to exploit his perceived weakness.
Xie Xiaoman, Minggu, and Yan Boyang were among those who saw Zhong Ziyan off for his autumn imperial exam. A young woman gave Zhong Ziyan a cicada for good luck, hoping he would achieve the top rank. After Zhong Ziyan entered the hall, Minggu tried to reassure a troubled Xie Xiaoman about Zhao Xiaoqian's recent preoccupations, suggesting they could talk later.
Xie Xiaoman then departed to meet her Senior Brother Li, who had established a small private school in the mountain forest. Senior Brother Li invited Xie Xiaoman to teach the women a lesson from "Examples for Women." Instead of adhering to the traditional text, Xie Xiaoman taught the girls about having "high ambitions," like her own teacher Liu Huaiying had taught her.
She used a farmer's proverb to explain how women are often confined and undervalued, contrasting it with the freedom and ambition encouraged for men. She urged the girls to look forward, whether their ambition was to excel in academics or to grow large, sweet potatoes. Senior Brother Li praised her teaching, remarking that she truly seemed like a teacher who had found her own belief, unlike himself who had searched for years.
Xie Xiaoman admitted her confusion about her own future, especially concerning Zhao Xiaoqian. Senior Brother Li then recited a poem and revealed himself as the "Lunatic of Wild Dreams Hall," the author of the book Xie Xiaoman had found. He thanked her, explaining that reading and understanding his book had encouraged him to stay in Wujiang Prefecture and reconnect with his original ambition to live authentically, rather than getting entangled in his father's generation's affairs.
Xie Xiaoman, delighted to have inspired him, expressed her anticipation for his next book. Senior Brother Li affirmed that her support gave him confidence to move forward. Xie Xiaoman then sought his advice about a friend who wished to advance but feared societal gossip, asking if she should help her. Senior Brother Li advised her to trust her own judgment. A maid, sent by Shen Zhaowen, invited Xie Xiaoman to a public area where Xie Xiaoman's mother was working.
Shen Zhaowen confronted Xie Xiaoman, mockingly asserting that despite Zhao Xiaoqian's reluctance to marry her, Xie Xiaoman would never become his legitimate wife. She declared that the imperial palace in the capital had already approved her marriage to Zhao Xiaoqian. Shen Zhaowen’s maid then deliberately harassed Xie Xiaoman's mother, causing her to spill tea and prompting a humble apology from Xie Xiaoman's mother.
Shen Zhaowen continued to taunt Xie Xiaoman, questioning her status and lineage, claiming that Zhao Xiaoqian did not truly belong to her and that her son would call her "little mother" instead of "mother." She also highlighted that Xie Xiaoman’s parents would always be considered inferior.
When Shen Zhaowen pressed further, suggesting that Zhao Xiaoqian's affection couldn't protect Xie Xiaoman from the powerful Princess Consort Pu, the Empress, or the imperial palace, Xie Xiaoman's mother, in desperation, offered a bracelet to Shen Zhaowen’s maid, pleading for her daughter’s well-being and a place in the Commandery Prince’s mansion.
After witnessing her mother's humiliation and hearing Shen Zhaowen’s continued insults about her inferior status, Xie Xiaoman delivered two forceful slaps to Shen Zhaowen—one for her mother and one for herself—before leaving the scene. Zhao Xiaoqian visited Duke Teng, presenting a memorial and requesting his assistance to have his concubine, Xie Xiaoman, conferred as Noble Lady Wuguo, explaining that he desired for his beloved to have a proper status despite potential gossip in Wujiang Prefecture.
He added that he intended never to marry a legal wife, wishing for a simple life with Xie Xiaoman and children, and promising to stay out of the capital's political turmoil. Duke Teng found Zhao Xiaoqian's plan naive, reminding him that while his affection for Xie Xiaoman was understandable, his identity dictated he would eventually have a wife, and prioritizing a concubine over a wife was a grave taboo.
Duke Teng questioned if Prince Pu's Mansion or the Emperor would permit such an arrangement, and whether Zhao Xiaoqian was prepared to defy an imperial order, warning that his insistence would ultimately harm Xie Xiaoman. He also urged Zhao Xiaoqian to reconsider his ambitions, asking if he truly wished to spend his life as a leisurely prince in Wujiang Prefecture, especially with the imminent battles at Baichuankou.
Zhao Xiaoqian boldly affirmed that he would do anything for Xie Xiaoman, even defy the imperial order. While searching for Ming Yue in the neighborhood, Xie Xiaoman was intercepted and kidnapped by Zheng Hai’s men, who took her to Zheng's Mansion. Ming Yue was already there, tearfully pleading with Zheng Hai to release Xie Xiaoman. Zheng Hai, confirming Xie Xiaoman's identity, expressed his long-held desire to confront her, threatening to disfigure her.
He then revealed his motive: to retaliate against Zhao Xiaoqian, who he blamed for the arrest and impending execution of his brother, Huang Liu, in seven days. Xie Xiaoman, however, calmly informed Zheng Hai that he had miscalculated; she was a concubine of little consequence in the Commandery Prince’s Mansion, and Zhao Xiaoqian would not risk himself for her. She warned that his actions would not save his brother but would instead endanger his remaining comrades.
Ming Yue, witnessing this, tearfully apologized to Xie Xiaoman for her involvement. Zheng Hai, enraged, slapped Xie Xiaoman and ordered his men to inform the Commandery Prince's Mansion to retrieve her the next day. Xie Xiaoman confronted Ming Yue about her betrayal, who again apologized, claiming she hadn't anticipated Xie Xiaoman's arrival. Liangji and the servants searched frantically for Xie Xiaoman, initially suspecting the Shen family.
Ming Yue then arrived at the Commandery Prince’s mansion, kneeling and confessing that Zheng Hai had kidnapped Xie Xiaoman to use her as leverage against Zhao Xiaoqian. Zhao Xiaoqian, who had just returned, immediately rushed to Zheng's mansion alone, despite warnings from Liangji that it was a trap. Inside, Zheng Hai taunted Xie Xiaoman, threatening her with violence and claiming Zhao Xiaoqian would never come. Zhao Xiaoqian burst in, demanding to know the terms for Xie Xiaoman's release.
Zheng Hai, still bitter from a previous confrontation, proposed that Zhao Xiaoqian allow himself to be beaten, and in return, he would release Xie Xiaoman and safely return Huang Liu, whom he claimed was falsely accused of desertion while attending his mother's funeral. Zhao Xiaoqian maintained that desertion was a capital offense and military law was justice.
However, when Zheng Hai accused him of valuing royal lives over commoners', Zhao Xiaoqian instructed Xie Xiaoman to close her eyes, promising to take her home, and then ordered Zheng Hai's men to beat him. While Zhao Xiaoqian endured the beating, Xie Xiaoman used a sharp tile shard to cut her ropes. She then knocked the knife out of Zheng Hai's hand, prompting Zhao Xiaoqian to pull her behind him and effortlessly subdue four of Zheng Hai's men.
Just as Zheng Hai grabbed an axe, Mr. Qin and his soldiers arrived, arresting Zheng Hai, his men, and Ming Yue. Zhao Xiaoqian bandaged Xie Xiaoman’s hand, telling her not to act alone in the future and that he would help her. Recognizing her friendship with Ming Yue, he offered to let her visit Ming Yue in prison. Zhao Xiaoqian visited Huang Liu and Zheng Hai in prison, stating he wasn't there for revenge but was intrigued by their actions.
He praised Huang Liu's past service, demonstrating detailed knowledge of the Shenwu Army, its history, and Huang Liu’s unit under General Meng Liang, highlighting the significant Battle of Heyuan where General Xu Zi led troops to reclaim Shun City. Zhao Xiaoqian contrasted Huang Liu’s desertion with his own lifelong dream of serving on the battlefield, expressing respect for Huang Liu's contributions to a national battle.
He offered Huang Liu a second chance: to join General Xu's army when it returned to Zhending in three months, urging him to reclaim his role as a true soldier instead of remaining a gangster. For Zheng Hai, Zhao Xiaoqian commended his loyalty to his brother and clear sense of right and wrong, but criticized his recklessness and frivolous behavior towards women.
He offered Zheng Hai the same opportunity to join the army with his comrades after serving three years of penal servitude. Zhao Xiaoqian challenged them to prove themselves worthy of "swans" with high ambitions, not "sparrows," and both Huang Liu and Zheng Hai pledged their allegiance by tossing their cups. Huang Liu, however, questioned why Zhao Xiaoqian, who clearly harbored such martial ambition, chose to remain confined to the small Wujiang Prefecture.
