Time Flies and You Are Here Episode 5 Recap
> Time Flies and You Are Here Recap
Following the standoff at the Commandery Prince's Mansion, Zhao Xiaoqian emerged to face Li Congwen, who, as Xie Xiaoman's senior and old friend, demanded to know on what authority Xiaoman was being detained, emphasizing the importance of a woman's reputation. Zhao Xiaoqian presented a private contract, stating that Xiaoman had agreed to serve as his female attendant for two years, and challenged Li Congwen's right to interfere in his household affairs.
Lord Chang intervened, suggesting Xiaoman was at fault and the situation would not easily be resolved. Zhong Ziyan urged Li Congwen to leave, promising Xiaoman would be sent home the next morning. However, Li Congwen insisted on staying overnight to personally escort Xiaoman home, apologizing to Lord Chang for the trouble and vowing to seek pardon later. Xiaoman's father then entrusted his daughter to Li Congwen's care and advised Zhao Xiaoqian to prioritize peace.
Inside the mansion, Zhao Xiaoqian questioned Xiaoman about her actions. Xiaoman defiantly stated that while she knew the day was important for her uncle, as the Commandery Prince, Zhao Xiaoqian wielded power over everyone, whereas she, a commoner, could say nothing. She expressed deep hatred for him, accusing him of ruining her reputation, lacking respect, being arrogant, and trampling on others' dignity.
Xiaoman declared her intention to diligently perform her duties but demanded that he keep his distance, stating they had nothing more to say to each other. Enraged, Zhao Xiaoqian ordered her to kneel in Zhuiyuan Hall until she admitted her mistake. Xiaoman stormed off, with Zhong Ziyan following. Zhong Ziyan found Xiaoman and shared a glimpse into Zhao Xiaoqian's difficult past.
He revealed that Zhao Xiaoqian, then known as Hanchen, and his elder brother were brought into the palace at age five, intended as heirs, when His Majesty had no sons. He described the treacherous palace life where Zhao Xiaoqian's brother, Xiaojie, died at seven. Zhao Xiaoqian stayed by his brother's body for a day and night before being discovered.
After His Majesty later had another son, who became the current Crown Prince, Zhao Xiaoqian's status plummeted, and he was sent out of the palace at age eleven. Zhong Ziyan explained that Prince Pu had many children, but Zhao Xiaoqian did not get along with his siblings and was neglected by his wary parents. His move to Wujiang Prefecture, Zhong Ziyan clarified, was not for recuperation but to escape the "political strife."
Zhong Ziyan appealed to Xiaoman for understanding, suggesting Zhao Xiaoqian's lonely upbringing contributed to his eccentric personality. Despite being somewhat moved, Xiaoman firmly countered that personal suffering did not justify inflicting pain on others, maintaining her refusal to yield. Later, Xiaoman's mother arrived at the Su family residence, furious about the public embarrassment Xiaoman had caused, which had affected her uncle's business. Xiaoman’s aunt tried to calm her, attributing the family's struggles to a lack of resources rather than Xiaoman.
Xiaoman's uncle, Su Hanru, had already gone to smooth things over. Both her aunt and uncle expressed concern over the private contract with the Commandery Prince's Mansion, which could not be bought out, fearing that a unilateral annulment would incur the Prince's wrath and legal repercussions. Distraught over Xiaoman’s tarnished reputation, her mother declared that Xiaoman would quit school and return home to prepare for an arranged marriage.
Xiaoman vehemently opposed this, angrily pointing out that she had never been consulted about significant family decisions, including selling their land, moving to Wujiang Prefecture, attending Bailu Academy, or now, her own marriage. Her father explained the proposed marriage to Su Tingshan's son, a distant relative in Tongzhou, as a way to strengthen family ties. Xiaoman refused, asserting that she sought education to discern right from wrong, not merely to secure a good marriage.
Her mother dismissed her arguments, stating that studying was useless within the confines of marriage and questioning who would marry Xiaoman with her ruined reputation. Xiaoman, in turn, declared that she would not marry and threatened to jump into the river if forced. Meanwhile, Zhao Xiaoqian, attempting to reconcile, arrived with gifts of silk and cosmetics.
He awkwardly claimed they were for Yan Boyang's father's birthday, but Zhong Ziyan playfully teased him about bringing such items, implying a proposal, which Zhao Xiaoqian denied, also asserting he had no intention to apologize. Zhao Xiaoqian finally confronted Xiaoman, asking her to turn away as he had never apologized to anyone before, nor did he believe he was wrong, but he admitted he felt "distraught" when she was angry or sad, especially about the peach blossom shortbread incident.
He formally offered an apology. Xiaoman, observing his discomfort, playfully offered to read his palm, calling him "headstrong" and "like a child sometimes" who unintentionally hurt others. She advised him to perform more good deeds so that Taishang Laojun would pardon his mistakes, jokingly claiming to be Taishang Laojun's disciple who would report him if he ever bullied her again.
She assured him she would continue her work as per their agreement and then requested his help in acquiring Teacher Liu's fan, which he readily agreed to. Elsewhere, Shen Yan received a letter from the capital detailing Zhao Xiaoqian's refusal to return for their arranged marriage. This public defiance deeply embarrassed the Shen family. Shen Yan, referring to Zhao Xiaoqian as "trash abandoned by the palace," expressed his contempt that such a person presumed to marry his sister.
He then devised a plan: if Zhao Xiaoqian were to spend a night with Courtesan Zhu at the upcoming Teacher Liu's Poetry Competition, their marriage alliance would naturally be dissolved, saving the Shen family's honor. The next day, at the Teacher Liu's Poetry Competition, Xie Xiaoman, disguised as Zhao Xiaoqian's male assistant, accompanied him after Zhong Ziyan had made preparations and departed. Zhao Xiaoqian greeted Master Han, a scholar who remembered teaching him calligraphy as a child.
Shen Yan interrupted, subtly mocking Zhao Xiaoqian by also claiming to have been taught by Master Han and acknowledging that Hanchen's technique was superior despite his mischievousness. Xiaoman expressed concern to Zhao Xiaoqian about the difficulty of winning the fan for Li Congwen. During the Flying Flower Game, where participants recited poems containing the word "flower," Zhao Xiaoqian chose not to have Xiaoman present his verse, instead instructing Yan Boyang to do so, citing Xiaoman's clumsiness.
Yan Boyang, visibly uncomfortable with acting as a mere attendant in front of his father, resisted, but Zhao Xiaoqian insisted, appealing to their "brotherhood." Yan Boyang's father later privately praised his son for "planning for himself" amidst the volatile political climate, disregarding the public's taunts about him being the Commandery Prince's attendant. He dismissed Yan Boyang's notion of true brotherhood with Zhao Xiaoqian, reminding him of their vastly different social statuses.
Feeling humiliated by the taunts and his father's pragmatic advice, Yan Boyang angrily returned the poetry supplies to Zhao Xiaoqian and stormed off. Zhao Xiaoqian followed Yan Boyang, demanding an explanation for his behavior. Yan Boyang, feeling used and having "learned the reality" of his position as an attendant, confronted Zhao Xiaoqian, revealing that Xiaoman wanted Teacher Liu's fan not for him, but for Li Su.
Enraged and feeling foolish for being manipulated, Zhao Xiaoqian stormed back to Xiaoman, accusing her of using him and making him a "fool." He refused to listen to her explanations and abruptly departed. Xiaoman wanted to pursue him to clarify, but Minggu urged her to stay for the competition, promising to find Zhao Xiaoqian and explain everything for her.
Meanwhile, Xu Shu reported to Shen Yan that the boat was fully prepared, assuring that once Zhao Xiaoqian entered, he would not be able to leave easily. Xu Shu, tasked with luring Zhao Xiaoqian, found only Xie Xiaoman. He falsely informed her that Yan Boyang was trapped on the boat and urged her to quickly tell Zhao Xiaoqian to rescue him, emphasizing the potential danger if Yan Boyang remained confined for too long.
Xiaoman, still in her male disguise, rushed alone to the boat to find Yan Boyang. Upon her arrival, two courtesans, having been instructed to intercept a specific male target, mistook her for that person due to her attire. They enthusiastically greeted her and insisted she adhere to the boat's rule: "One must drink once they enter the boat," trying to force her to drink.
Meanwhile, Shen Yan arrived at the boat and questioned Xu Shu about the progress of their plan. Xu Shu explained that he hadn't found Zhao Xiaoqian but had sent Xiaoman to notify him, reasoning that his own appearance would arouse suspicion. He assured Shen Yan that even if Zhao Xiaoqian did not fall into their trap completely, merely his presence on the boat would be enough to fuel damaging rumors and tarnish his reputation.
Inside the boat, Yan Boyang, still stubbornly rooted, had played three rounds of chess and refused to leave. Shen Yan observed this and decided to engage him in a few rounds, proposing a game for money. Elsewhere on the boat, Xiaoman was cornered by the courtesans who pressed her to drink, reminding her of the boat’s rules. Despite her protests, she was forced to drink.
Distraught, she noticed Li Su and Yanniang together, with Li Su playing the zither while Yanniang sang. A courtesan commented that Yanniang was not available to just anyone, as she was already "in love" with Li Su. Xiaoman also overheard a private conversation where Li Su was advised against further helping her due to his "special status" and the potential damage to her reputation.
Li Su agreed, promising not to interfere in Xiaoman’s affairs again, citing his concern for Yanniang, who then reassured him that her "freedom" would soon be redeemed with Lord Chang's assistance. Overwhelmed by these revelations and the realization that even Li Su would no longer help her, Xiaoman, feeling deeply distressed and isolated, forcefully pushed her way out and left.
