Time Flies and You Are Here Episode 22 Recap
> Time Flies and You Are Here Recap
Zhong Ziyan received a special opportunity to retake his civil examination, and his friends gathered to see him off. Minggu, showing her concern, gave Zhong Ziyan a cloak she had made and some snacks, reminding him to stay warm and eat well during the exam. Zhong Ziyan thanked her before heading into the examination hall. Outside, Minggu discussed her worry for Zhong Ziyan with Su A-po, who advised her to maintain high spirits and wish him success.
Separately, Yan Boyang passionately prayed to Mr. Frog to bless Zhong Ziyan with success, even promising offerings and a female frog. His father found him praying and gently reminded him about considering marriage. As the weather turned cold and drizzly, Xie Xiaoman expressed concern about Zhong Ziyan being cold inside the examination hall, but Minggu reassured her that he would be fine with the cloak.
Meanwhile, Zhao Xiaoqian, waiting outside with Shi Deng'er, inquired about the appeal he sent to the capital, learning it had been ten days since its submission. He then instructed Shi Deng'er to arrange for him to meet Shen Zhaowen at Taiping Tavern for a meal. After the exam, Xie Xiaoman and Minggu were there to greet Zhong Ziyan.
He asked about Zhao Xiaoqian's whereabouts, and Xie Xiaoman explained that he had left early that morning, adding that they would all see him later at the Mid-Autumn family dinner at the Commandery Prince's Mansion. At Taiping Tavern, Zhao Xiaoqian met with Shen Zhaowen. She toasted him, believing he had come to see her off. Zhao Xiaoqian, however, informed her that he was aware of the capital's plans but would have to disappoint her again.
He explicitly stated that he would not marry her and would not return to the capital. He explained that as her brother, he could not allow her to marry someone who did not love her, and that she, as Shen Zhaowen, Lingniang, and Commandery Princess Rong'an, deserved a better man. He promised to be the one to send her off on her wedding day.
He had already written an appeal to His Majesty, confident that the Emperor, who treated them like his own children, would not make things difficult for her. He wished her a safe journey back to the capital, leaving Shen Zhaowen to call out his name in despair as he departed. Minggu then sought out Zhong Ziyan to express her feelings, recalling their memorable evening on the bridge during the Qixi Festival, watching lanterns and fireworks under a bright moon.
She confessed that she had always had a crush on him. Minggu acknowledged that their futures were divergent; he was destined for the capital, to take the spring exam, meet the Emperor, and pursue a brilliant career, potentially becoming the principal graduate and meeting a better woman. She, however, would remain a simple merchant in Wujiang Prefecture. Despite their different paths and the unlikelihood of them ever being together, she wanted him to know she liked him.
Zhong Ziyan, deeply moved, told Minggu that she was the best lady he had ever met, but he felt he was not fortunate enough to accept her feelings, assuring her that such a wonderful person like her would surely find someone better. He then subtly asked if she had ever noticed Yan Boyang's feelings, implying that Yan Boyang was in love with her.
While Xie Xiaoman waited anxiously for Zhao Xiaoqian at the family dinner, an imperial edict arrived at the Commandery Prince's Mansion. The eunuch declared the Emperor's decree, demoting Zhao Xiaoqian to Duke of Wuguo, confining him to Wujiang Prefecture, and stripping him of his political duties, citing his "arrogant and imperious" behavior. The attendees were surprised, but the eunuch clarified that this was a self-requested demotion by Zhao Xiaoqian. Searching for him, Xie Xiaoman eventually found Zhao Xiaoqian.
Earlier, Zhao Xiaoqian had explained his decision to his master. His master was furious, questioning his ambition to go to the borders. Zhao Xiaoqian clarified that while he was a Commandery Prince, he felt like an abandoned pawn in the capital's grand scheme. He explained that Zhong Ziyan and especially Xie Xiaoman were the most important people to him, and he could not abandon them for his ambitions.
To break free from the manipulation of the capital and remain in Wujiang, he willingly submitted the appeal to be demoted and permanently stay in Wujiang Prefecture. He then took Xie Xiaoman to a scenic spot adorned with lanterns. Removing his mask, he revealed his new title as Duke of Wuguo, relinquishing all his former prestigious titles and duties.
He confessed his love for Xie Xiaoman, the daughter of a clerk from Wujiang Prefecture, sincerely asking her to be his first wife, promising to love her exclusively and remain with her for the rest of their lives. Overwhelmed, Xie Xiaoman tearfully accepted his proposal. Soon after, Zhao Xiaoqian bid farewell to Shen Zhaowen as she was escorted back to the capital by General Xie's troops.
Zhao Xiaoqian assured her that he had included her situation in his appeal to the Emperor, ensuring she would not be forced into marriage in the palace and could reunite with her family in peace. Shen Zhaowen, however, expressed her hurt, believing he went to such lengths to be rid of her, solely for Xie Xiaoman's sake. She ominously warned him that the capital would not easily let him go.
At the same time, the Empress instructed Wangfei to go to Wujiang Prefecture and bring Zhao Xiaoqian back, regardless of his marital status with Shen Zhaowen. Later, Xie Xiaoman and Minggu discussed their upcoming wedding, planned for next spring. Xie Xiaoman complained that Zhao Xiaoqian was an "irresponsible" Duke of Wuguo, leaving all the wedding preparations, from bedding to curtains, to her.
Xie Xiaoman then shared her aspiration to become a teacher like Teacher Liu after marriage, but worried about Zhao Xiaoqian's reaction. When Zhao Xiaoqian arrived, Xie Xiaoman playfully chided him for being late. She then broached the topic of becoming a teacher. Zhao Xiaoqian immediately refused, arguing that if she became a teacher, she would be too engrossed in the academy to manage household affairs or care for their future children, who would bear the Zhao surname.
Xie Xiaoman found his reasoning unreasonable, but Zhao Xiaoqian, now a self-proclaimed "unreasonable official," insisted on his stance. Zhao Xiaoqian and Xie Xiaoman visited Su A-po, who was ill. A-po lamented that she was getting old and tired, and expressed her worry that after she passed, Minggu might not be mature enough to manage the family business, Su Chang Ji, on her own. Soon after, Xie Xiaoman's father was seen chasing Xie Li, hitting him with a cane.
Xie Xiaoman intervened, only to learn that Xie Li had scored a "C" grade on his exam. Angered by this, Xie Xiaoman snatched the cane from her father, intending to discipline Xie Li herself, but her father quickly restrained her. She lamented that Xie Li, unlike her and her brother, could not even memorize The Analects, questioning if his teachers were negligent.
When Zhao Xiaoqian laughed at her fervent concern, Xie Xiaoman retorted playfully, suggesting he not buy Xie Li any more toys. Zhao Xiaoqian then proposed a bet: if Xie Xiaoman could successfully teach Xie Li The Analects, he would reconsider her request to become a teacher. Xie Xiaoman eagerly agreed, prompting Zhao Xiaoqian to instruct a servant to bring Xie Li to Lotus Garden for lessons the next day.
Minggu, separately, comforted a distraught Xie Li, telling him that her mother used to hit her with a stick. When Xie Li claimed he was stupid, Minggu assured him that his "brain isn't completely developed yet." She then offered a strategy: if he couldn't understand something, he should simply memorize it, and when asked, recite it all, which would make others think he was brilliant.
Minggu also realized Xie Li had a crush and encouraged him to express his feelings, advising him not to make her mistake of delaying and losing everything in the end. Meanwhile, Yan Boyang's mother, concerned about his marital status, tried to introduce him to several respectable young ladies from prominent families in Wujiang Prefecture. Yan Boyang, however, rejected each one without explanation.
His mother pressed him for his requirements, warning that his constant rejections were causing gossip and embarrassing his father, who was an official. She then announced her intention to arrange a meeting with Xue Yanwan, the daughter of Sub-prefect Xue. Yan Boyang flatly refused, leading his mother to threaten to forbid him from attending the academy or even leaving their mansion. She insisted that marriage was ultimately decided by parents and advised him to take it seriously.
