Time Flies and You Are Here Episode 24 Recap
> Time Flies and You Are Here Recap
Old Madam Su was gravely ill, remaining unconscious despite the family's efforts. Her daughter, Su Huazhong, worried as it became increasingly difficult to administer her medication. Meng Hanru, Su Huazhong's husband, proposed they revive a family tradition: the Winter Solstice Prayer Ceremony. They used to hold it annually for family longevity and peace when Minggu was young, and he hoped it would lift Old Madam Su's spirits and aid her recovery.
Minggu initially hesitated but ultimately agreed to make the arrangements. Suddenly, Yan Boyang, the second son of Prefect Yan, arrived with urgent news. Su Tingshan, exploiting Old Madam Su's unconscious state, had traveled from Tongzhou to claim the Su family's ancestral property, Su Chang Ji, in Wujiang Prefecture. He had filed a lawsuit against Meng Hanru and Su Huazhong, and the court hearing was scheduled for the very next day.
Su Huazhong was furious, condemning Su Tingshan as a malicious and ungrateful person. Xie Xiaoman, who had just returned to the Su family residence, learned of the dire situation. She recalled that before Old Madam Su fell ill, she had explicitly stated that all her property and shops, upon her death, were to be inherited by Su Huazhong and Minggu. Xie Xiaoman bravely volunteered to testify in court.
Minggu, feeling overwhelmed by the family crisis, found some relief in Xiaoman's offer. Yan Boyang reassured them that he would ensure Xie Xiaoman could leave the Duke's Mansion to attend. Earlier that day at the commandery Prince's mansion, Xie Xiaoman had sought Princess Consort Pu's permission to visit her ailing grandmother. Zhu Momo had criticized Xie Xiaoman's perceived lack of respect for wanting to depart so soon after the Princess Consort's arrival.
Nevertheless, Princess Consort Pu granted leave, though she sternly instructed Xie Xiaoman to return promptly. Princess Consort Pu then confronted Zhao Xiaoqian, asserting that Xie Xiaoman was an incompatible match for him as a main wife, only fit to be a concubine. She demanded he leave Wujiang Prefecture and return to the capital.
Zhao Xiaoqian adamantly refused, declaring his unwavering intention to marry Xie Xiaoman and asserting his independence from their dictates, reminding his mother that as an "abandoned son," he felt no need to abide by their instructions. The Princess Consort, seeing his resolve, merely sighed, conceding that "a grown son does not need his mother anymore."
That evening, Minggu was practicing the prayer for the upcoming ceremony when Yan Boyang secretly joined her, bringing roasted sweet potatoes because he was worried she might be hungry. He shared encouraging news: he had spoken with his father, Prefect Yan, who assured him that if the Su family's case was appealed to the provincial office, it would fall under his jurisdiction, guaranteeing a favorable outcome.
Yan Boyang then light-heartedly suggested they set a wedding date once the case was settled, which Minggu dismissed as ridiculous. Minggu confided her fear that if it didn't snow during the ceremony, it would signify a bad omen. Yan Boyang comforted her, dismissing her worries. Meanwhile, Zhao Xiaoqian discussed the Su family’s lawsuit with Zhong Ziyan, admitting his suspicion that Princess Consort Pu might be secretly involved.
Zhao Xiaoqian noted that his earlier attempts to provoke her had met with no reaction, deepening his belief that her visit to Wujiang Prefecture had a more complex agenda. Zhong Ziyan questioned if Zhao Xiaoqian feared Princess Consort Pu would derail his marriage to Xie Xiaoman. Zhao Xiaoqian, with fierce determination, stated that he would marry the woman he loved, declaring that no one, not even "the mother of the deity," could stop him.
The next morning, as Zhao Xiaoqian and Xie Xiaoman prepared to leave for the court, Zhu Momo blocked their path, insisting that Xie Xiaoman serve Princess Consort Pu for her morning routine. Zhao Xiaoqian ordered Zhu Momo to step aside. Princess Consort Pu then appeared, scolding them for the early morning commotion and questioning Zhu Momo's lax discipline. Xie Xiaoman attempted to explain her urgent need to attend court as a witness. Princess Consort Pu again criticized Zhu Momo.
Defiantly, Zhao Xiaoqian asserted his authority in the Duke's Mansion, stating that he sets the rules there. He challenged his mother to punish him if she disapproved, but reiterated that Xie Xiaoman must leave. Enraged, Princess Consort Pu ordered Zhao Xiaoqian to be flogged for his insubordination. Zhao Xiaoqian, enduring the blows, instructed Zhong Ziyan to take Xie Xiaoman and leave immediately.
His attendant later asked if the punishment was worth it, but Zhao Xiaoqian, though in pain, remained defiant, telling his mother that if she didn't kill him, he wouldn't obey. Eventually, Princess Consort Pu told Zhu Momo to "settle the matter," implying she would intervene to resolve the situation. At the Wujiang Prefecture court, Su Huazhong argued that Su Chang Ji was Old Madam Su's personal dowry, not clan property as falsely claimed by Su Tingshan.
Su Tingshan challenged her by asking why the store was named "Su Chang Ji" and not "Wang Chang Ji," given Old Madam Su's maiden name was Wang. Meng Hanru clarified that the first store, originally named "Xia Fei Ji," was indeed Old Madam Su's dowry, and the subsequent seven branches were expanded through its successful operations, thus solidifying its status as her private property.
Su Huazhong further stated that Old Madam Su had orally willed all her properties to her and Minggu, and a witness was present. Xie Xiaoman stepped forward, identifying herself as the niece of Su Huazhong and Meng Hanru, and testified to personally hearing Old Madam Su’s oral will while serving her. Su Tingshan objected, arguing that Xie Xiaoman's kinship rendered her testimony invalid. The magistrate agreed, preparing to close the case.
Just as the magistrate was about to issue a ruling, Xie Ruying dramatically intervened. She stopped the proceedings and confronted the magistrate, accusing him of having private meetings with Su Tingshan and showing clear bias. She even produced Su Chang Ji's ledger, implying financial impropriety. Xie Ruying sternly warned him against corruption and abusing public authority, reminding him of his duty to serve the people.
Faced with such a public accusation, the magistrate had no choice but to recuse himself, referring the Su family property case to the Wujiang Prefecture Magistrate for review and conclusion within ten days. Outside the court, Xie Xiaoman expressed her gratitude to Xie Ruying for her timely assistance.
Xie Ruying, however, dismissed the thanks, explaining her actions were primarily motivated by her father's attempt to marry her off to an ailing man for his own career advancement—a fate she would not accept. She then confessed her long-standing, unrequited affection for Li Su. Knowing her own impending marriage meant she might never see him again, she asked Xie Xiaoman to deliver a love letter to him, ensuring her true feelings were expressed.
Xie Ruying then, with a touch of bitterness, admitted her deep jealousy of Xie Xiaoman's abundant blessings: glory, wealth, affection, and luck, stating, "I hate you forever." Yet, in that moment of raw honesty, they seemed to find a strange, albeit tense, resolution to their past rivalry. Upon returning home, Xie Xiaoman found Zhao Xiaoqian still feeling the after-effects of the flogging, though he tried to downplay his pain.
Xie Xiaoman informed him that the case had been successfully transferred to Prefect Yan. Meng Hanru light-heartedly quipped that this was a chance for their "future son-in-law," Yan Boyang, to shine, much to Minggu's embarrassment. With Old Madam Su now recovered, the family decided to hold the prayer ceremony immediately. Despite her recent illness, Old Madam Su insisted on being present, enjoying the lively atmosphere.
She shared a tender moment with Su Huazhong, offering her a candy and reminiscing about her childhood love for sweets. Minggu then performed the ritual, chanting prayers and wielding a sword. Simultaneously, high on the roof, Yan Boyang and a servant diligently created artificial snow using feathers, ensuring the ceremony's success. The family rejoiced at the sight of the "snow," believing it to be an auspicious omen promising renewed health for Old Madam Su and prosperity for Su Chang Ji.
Yan Boyang, watching Minggu, quietly vowed to perform similar prayers for her and their future family once they were married. Princess Consort Pu's machinations continued. Zhu Momo delivered a message to Prefect Yan, implicitly instructing him to uphold the county magistrate's initial decision regarding the ownership of Su Chang Ji, ensuring no alterations to the outcome. Prefect Yan acknowledged her warning. Back at the Duke's Mansion, Zhu Momo reported to Princess Consort Pu that the Su family matter was "concluded."
However, Princess Consort Pu felt this was insufficient. She inquired about progress in the capital. Zhu Momo confirmed receipt of a secret letter concerning Xie Xun, Xie Xiaoman’s brother, assuring the Princess Consort that Xie Xiaoman would not dare jeopardize her brother's future and life. Zhu Momo then presented Xie Xun's jade pendant to Princess Consort Pu, a symbolic token of their leverage.
Meanwhile, a servant reported to Principal Yang at Bailu Academy that Li Guangwen's properties in the capital had been confiscated, and alarmingly, Bailu Academy itself was listed among the affected assets. The following day, the Su family property case reconvened under Prefect Yan. Su Huazhong reiterated her arguments, and Xie Xiaoman, testifying as a witness, restated Old Madam Su's oral will.
She further added that Old Madam Su had now regained consciousness and confirmed the will, with a formal written document to be submitted soon. However, Su Tingshan unexpectedly produced a property distribution agreement, claiming it was from his late father, Su Feihuan, and his brother, Su Feiyun, clearly stating the ownership of Su Chang Ji. Upon hearing this news, Old Madam Su, still recuperating at home, became agitated.
She recalled that her husband, in a moment of sympathy, had indeed drafted a document to assist Su Feihuan's family with some shops. But he quickly rescinded it after realizing their idleness and greed. She believed this document was merely wastepaper from his study and sent a message to the court, emphasizing that it lacked any official seals or signatures. Prefect Yan, however, possessed a sample of Su Feiyun's handwriting and ordered his adviser to compare the penmanship.
Despite Xie Xiaoman's protests that Old Madam Su, being alive, would certainly know if such an agreement was valid, and the validity of her own testimony, Prefect Yan silenced her, stating that a genuine distribution agreement would supersede an oral will. The comparison ultimately confirmed that the document was indeed written in Su Feiyun's hand.
