Time Flies and You Are Here Episode 30 Recap
> Time Flies and You Are Here Recap
Shen Zhaowen claimed that Su Chang Chi, a renowned silk store, sold her fake silk, leading to the arrest of Meng Hanru, Minggu's father, and the sealing of the shop. Xiaoman received a letter from Commandery Princess Rong'an, Shen Zhaowen, requesting a meeting. Realizing Shen Zhaowen was targeting her, Xiaoman and Minggu confronted her. Xiaoman accused Shen Zhaowen of fabricating charges, asking if the people's tribute was for her to oppress them.
Shen Zhaowen brazenly admitted her actions, retorting, "I am oppressing you. What can you do?" Shen Zhaowen then revealed her true intention: she was to marry Zhao Xiaoqian and felt uneasy about Xiaoman's past relationship with him. She demanded Xiaoman marry Li Congwen, assuring that if she did, Shen Zhaowen would be at ease, Zhao Xiaoqian would be happy, and Meng Hanru would be safe.
Xiaoman pressed if this was Zhao Xiaoqian's will, which Shen Zhaowen confirmed, adding that Zhao Xiaoqian, as the Imperial Grand Governor of the capital, would even provide Xiaoman with an endowment to sever their ties. Shen Zhaowen mocked Xiaoman's naivety, warning her that "the capital is a complicated place," and "pride will do you no good. Nobody would take the grudges of the insignificant seriously." Determined, Xiaoman decided to seek out Zhao Xiaoqian.
Xiaoman and Minggu arrived at the Commandery Prince's mansion to plead for Meng Hanru's release. Inside, Zhong Ziyan was helping Zhao Xiaoqian review documents for the investigation into the missing military provisions, connecting the accounts of Jingdong and Jingxi Roads to Li Guangwen's bank and the embezzlement of military funds. Liangji informed them of Xiaoman's presence, but Zhao Xiaoqian instructed him to deny his presence. Outside, Xiaoman desperately called for Zhao Xiaoqian, asserting her uncle's innocence.
Liangji warned her to stop causing a scene. Xiaoman, realizing Zhao Xiaoqian was intentionally avoiding her, cried out, "Zhao Xiaoqian, you rascal!" Meanwhile, Zhong Ziyan urged Zhao Xiaoqian to prioritize the military provision case, reminding him of his oath at Baichuankou and the elaborate ruse he had constructed with the "marriage" to Shen Zhaowen to mislead Xu Huan. He warned that revealing their true intentions now would jeopardize everything.
Zhao Xiaoqian, torn, questioned if there would be a future for Baichuankou if he didn't act now. Hearing their conversation from outside, Xiaoman, in despair, shouted, "All you want is for me to marry Li Congwen. . . I admit defeat. I'll marry him!" She then threw down her hairpin, declaring they would never meet again. After she left, Zhao Xiaoqian emerged to pick up her broken hairpin.
He then instructed his subordinate to ensure Meng Hanru's safety in prison and allow no visitors, stating he would personally handle Shen Zhaowen. Zhao Xiaoqian then presented his meticulously gathered evidence to the Emperor. He declared that while many believed he sought to usurp the throne, his true purpose was to redress the injustices suffered by his brothers at Baichuankou. The Emperor dismissed his claims, asserting there was no injustice.
Undeterred, Zhao Xiaoqian detailed how a year prior, during their fight at Baichuankou, 200,000 of the 300,000 piculs of military provisions allocated by the Emperor were burned in Shuozhou, leaving them with only 100,000 to fight for six months. This led to the death of 10,000 soldiers, some starving to death, making their victory feel like a defeat. He revealed that the lost 200,000 piculs were actually hay.
Despite the Emperor's rising anger, Zhao Xiaoqian pressed on, accusing Xu Huan and the Crown Prince of corruption, claiming they had eaten away at the imperial treasury by diverting military funds from Jingdong and Jingxi Roads. He implored the Emperor to investigate. The Emperor demanded witnesses, and upon hearing Zhao Xiaoqian had none, declared the case nullified and dismissed him.
Zhao Xiaoqian passionately protested, crying that "the country is falling apart" and questioning if the soldiers deserved to starve, accusing the Emperor of suppressing the truth due to the Crown Prince's involvement. Despite guards seizing him, Zhao Xiaoqian continued to yell about the nation falling apart, leading the furious Emperor to order him to be flogged twenty times. Enduring the flogging, Zhao Xiaoqian quietly reaffirmed his resolve as he recalled it was Xiaoman's engagement day.
On the day of Xiaoman's engagement to Li Congwen, amidst the elaborate exchange of betrothal gifts, Zhao Xiaoqian, fresh from his flogging, burst into the ceremony. He declared his intent to stop the marriage, proclaiming, "If you're getting married, I'm going to stop it." Xiaoman's parents pleaded with him to leave their daughter alone, and Minggu accused him of pushing Xiaoman to this point. Zhao Xiaoqian simply stated he could not let her go.
When Li Congwen bravely stood in his way, Zhao Xiaoqian drew his sword. Xiaoman, protecting Li Congwen, urged Zhao Xiaoqian to stop his madness. Zhao Xiaoqian then struck her hairpin, sending it flying, and hoisted her onto his shoulder, carrying her away. Despite Xiaoman's shouts of him being a "rascal" and "shameless," Zhao Xiaoqian merely admitted to it, reiterating, "I said it. I'm stopping the engagement."
Xiaoman confronted him about their past kiss, asking if that night was real and why he had locked up her uncle and refused to see her if he cared. Zhao Xiaoqian kissed her, explaining that he was not involved in the malicious actions and never wanted her to marry anyone else. He revealed that he was unable to act due to complex circumstances but now could, asking her to trust him again and marry him.
When Xiaoman questioned if she would again be his concubine, he asked for six months to give her a "rightful title." Xiaoman slapped him, exclaiming, "In your dreams! . . . As long as I'm still alive, you belong to me alone. In life, you are mine, in death, you are my ghost." Zhao Xiaoqian then jumped into a nearby lake to catch wild geese for a betrothal gift.
He returned with two goose eggs, declaring, "From today onwards, you're my wife. . . I'll marry you in a few days." He promised to save her uncle and protect Su Chang Chi, and returned her broken hairpin, urging her not to lose it again. Minggu and Xiaoman's parents, relieved to find her, brought her home. Xiaoman confessed to Li Congwen that while she initially refused Zhao Xiaoqian, she was deeply moved and realized she still loved him.
Knowing he was engaged in something dangerous, she wanted to stand by him, and she apologized to Li Congwen. Li Congwen, understanding her heart was not his, gracefully accepted her decision. He encouraged her to follow her heart, promising, "No matter where you are, no matter what happens, I'll always be there for you." Xiaoman reaffirmed her decision was her own, not a deal.
The next day, Xiaoman went to the yamen and beat the drum to submit an appeal for her uncle. Meanwhile, Shen Yan spoke with Shen Zhaowen, reminding her that Zhao Xiaoqian's marriage proposal was merely a ruse. A despondent Shen Zhaowen questioned if her long wait was in vain. Shen Yan acknowledged Zhao Xiaoqian's wrongdoing and vowed to protect her reputation, urging her to abandon the pursuit of marriage. Finally, Zhao Xiaoqian grandly married Xie Xiaoman.
Her parents, though worried about the challenges of marrying into a powerful family, were put at ease when Xiaoman assured them that her decision was made willingly, without regret, and that she was merely indulging her own will one last time. As the band played to announce her arrival, her family sent her off with their blessings.
