Time Flies and You Are Here Episode 2 Recap
> Time Flies and You Are Here Recap
The Su family's grandmother warmly welcomed Xie Xiaoman, bestowing upon her a jade hairpin and inviting her to call her "grandma" just like Su Minggu. However, Su Minggu, overhearing, scoffed at Xiaoman's acceptance, citing the proverb "one's tongue is tied when one takes gifts" and questioning what Xiaoman lacked to accept such generosity while living in their home.
Su Minggu's mother, alerted by the commotion, scolded Su Minggu for her poor exam results and for lying about them, ordering her to kneel. Su Minggu's father intervened, stressing that integrity is fundamental to a person and that such deceitful habits could lead to bigger problems later. He instructed Su Minggu to remain on her knees without breakfast until school time.
Meanwhile, Zhao Xiaoqian confronted Xie Xiaoman outside the Six Gentlemen's Study, attempting to use her lost receipt to prevent her from reporting him for burning the exam papers. Xiaoman, defiant, asserted her right to report him. In a fit of anger, Zhao Xiaoqian tore the receipt again, threatening that she would never see it if she dared to report him.
Xiaoman called him "shameless," to which he retorted that there were many worse things he could have done but chose not to. Congwen, seeing the argument, inquired about the matter. Xiaoman, seizing the opportunity, feigned asking about the Spring Banquet. Congwen patiently explained that poetry should express "pure thoughts," advising her to speak her mind without fear. He encouraged her to work harder after her "B" grade on the last major exam.
Xiaoman promised to prove her innocence and strive to meet his expectations. Later, in Luming Pavilion, Xie Xiaoman searched Zhao Xiaoqian's desk for her receipt but instead found a sword tassel, instantly recognizing it as belonging to the Commandery Prince of Julu, thus realizing Zhao Xiaoqian's true identity. Zhao Xiaoqian entered, angrily demanding she put it down. During their struggle, the tassel broke. Infuriated, Zhao Xiaoqian retrieved her torn receipt and shredded it again in front of her.
Angered and disheartened, Xiaoman gathered the pieces and left. Zhong Ziyan found Xiaoman trying to reassemble the shredded receipt. He explained that the sword tassel was a precious keepsake of Zhao Xiaoqian's deceased elder brother, Dalang, whom Zhao Xiaoqian loved deeply. He added that Zhao Xiaoqian had been in Wujiang Prefecture for four years recovering since his brother's passing, and these keepsakes were more important to him than anything.
Zhong Ziyan apologized for Zhao Xiaoqian's outburst and offered to have the receipt repaired and sent to her residence if it was important. Xiaoman was left to process the revelation of Zhao Xiaoqian's identity. News spread throughout the academy that the Commandery Prince was furious, spending the afternoon shooting arrows in the training grounds. Xie Ruying, observing the Prince's foul mood, suggested that Xie Xiaoman was likely the cause.
Xue Sanniang, the sub-prefect's daughter and an admirer of Zhao Xiaoqian, was too timid to approach him directly and asked Xie Ruying to inquire about his well-being. Eager to curry favor, Xie Ruying then told Zhao Xiaoqian that she would ensure Xiaoman had a difficult time. She revealed that Xiaoman was the daughter of her second uncle, a son born of a concubine, and that her father used to be a coroner.
Soon, word that Xiaoman's father was a coroner spread through the school, with many students mocking her for having a father who "deals with dead bodies." Su Minggu, however, stood up for Xiaoman, asserting that there was nothing wrong with being a coroner and calling the detractors ignorant. Dejected, Xiaoman left school, only to find that the Su family's carriage had already departed.
She encountered Zhao Xiaoqian and, assuming he was there to mock her, defiantly told him she was indeed a coroner's daughter. Zhao Xiaoqian, however, stated that social standing did not matter, proclaiming, "Are nobles and kings born into their station?" He then declared that they were now enemies. On her way home, Xiaoman met her father and asked him about the meaning of "Are nobles and kings born into their station?"
Her father explained it meant "heroes are not judged by their origins" and that a person's worth is not determined by their background. Reassured, Xiaoman requested an embroidery book from her nanny and spent the night meticulously recreating the sword tassel, learning it was called a "gentleman tassel." Xie Ruying, still determined to humiliate Xiaoman, dismissed concerns about her own reputation, remarking that her family had long disregarded such things.
She ordered Xiaoman to fetch refreshments from the school kitchen for the Spring Banquet. Reluctantly, Xiaoman complied, fearing the repercussions for her parents if she refused. In the kitchen, she was ambushed, splashed with charcoal powder, and locked inside. At the Spring Banquet, Su Minggu noticed Xiaoman's prolonged absence and worried. She overheard students discussing how Director Xu had reported their grades to their parents, realizing that Xiaoman hadn't been the snitch she had suspected.
Minggu rushed to the kitchen, freed Xiaoman, and offered her a handkerchief to clean herself. Xiaoman arrived at the banquet late and disheveled. The teacher reprimanded her for her "disgraceful" appearance and for "seeking attention." Congwen interceded, citing historical precedent that a grand event should not be bogged down by minor details and that the Spring Banquet should focus on poetry. When asked for her poem, Xiaoman recited a simple verse about her hometown, Yuyangli.
The teacher dismissed it as unsophisticated. Xiaoman, however, stood her ground, declaring that she was speaking from her heart, as Congwen had advised. She then bravely asserted that being born in Yuyangli was no less noble than being born in Wujiang.
Citing the principles of "a gentleman has pure thoughts" and "nobles and kings are not born into their station," she challenged those from prestigious families who engaged in gossip and petty, dishonest tactics, questioning how they intended to "carry on the legacy of the ancient sages and bring peace to the world" if they behaved in such a manner. Her powerful words earned her widespread applause, though Xie Ruying remained unconvinced.
Xiaoman, holding an ink brush, confronted Ruying, suggesting she would retaliate with ink for the charcoal powder. Ruying called her a "barbarian." Xiaoman retorted that she was not like Ruying and would not resort to such "underhanded things." She defended her father, stating that while he was a coroner and others might look down on him, he was an "honest man" who diligently supported his family, earning her respect.
The principal decided not to pursue the matter further but warned everyone against similar future conduct. Moved by Xiaoman's speech, Zhao Xiaoqian confessed to the principal that he was the one who had burned the exam papers. The principal revealed he had known all along but chose not to investigate.
He told Zhao Xiaoqian that his father wished him to return to the capital and enroll in the Imperial College, reminding him of his past intelligence and lamenting that he now seemed to have "lost his way." Zhao Xiaoqian smiled faintly and left without a word. Xiaoman, having organized the books and compiled a catalog for the mansion, gave it along with the new sword tassel to Uncle Liangji, considering it something she "owed."
As she left, she again crossed paths with Zhao Xiaoqian. Liangji later showed Zhao Xiaoqian the new, identical sword tassel, mentioning it was made by the new maid in the study. Zhao Xiaoqian hurried after her, catching a glimpse of her changing clothes. He then politely waited outside the room, where he discovered the new maid was Xie Xiaoman. Xiaoman explained that she was working there to reclaim her family's farmland, which her uncle had gifted to Zhao Xiaoqian.
She told him the tassel was a "gentleman tassel" and that, considering his behavior, he was far from a gentleman, emphasizing her point by stepping on his foot. Zhao Xiaoqian, however, simply remarked on how "skinny" she looked. The Wujiang Prefecture School, a government-run institution, and Bailu Academy harbored a fierce rivalry, particularly during the annual cuju competition. Students from Wujiang, led by Shen Yan and Xu Shu, provocatively planted white flags at Bailu Academy.
Zhao Xiaoqian retaliated by leading his personal guards to Wujiang Prefecture School, where they shot arrows to smash its wooden plaque. Zhong Ziyan was dismayed, even questioning Mr. Qin, the coach, for participating in Zhao Xiaoqian's "mischief." Mr. Qin explained that their duty was to protect the Prince and prevent him from being bullied. Zhao Xiaoqian, pleased with their actions, promised his guards extra meat for dinner.
Yan Boyang, assuming Zhao Xiaoqian was returning to the capital, asked if it was to marry Shen Zhaowen, which would make Shen Yan his brother-in-law. Zhao Xiaoqian vehemently denied any marriage plans, calling Yan Boyang "sick." He then inquired about the mansion's meals, noting that the maids seemed to be getting thinner. He instructed Liangji to tell Xie Xiaoman to work in his messy study that day. Yan Boyang expressed surprise that Xiaoman was now working for him.
Later, Xiaoman learned from fellow students about the upcoming Cold Food Festival and its associated cuju competition. She was told that girls traditionally prepared refreshments for the male players, not only to wish them victory but also as a subtle way to express romantic interest or gratitude to elders, depending on the recipient. Xiaoman wondered what kind of dessert Zhao Xiaoqian liked, only to be told by his attendant that he enjoyed all "delicious foods."
