Time Flies and You Are Here Episode 7 Recap
> Time Flies and You Are Here Recap
Xie Xiaoman rushed home and found her mother distraught. Her mother explained that Xie Xiaoman's father had been arrested that morning for allegedly overstepping his authority by independently involving the Patrol and Inspection Office. Xie Xiaoman immediately suspected Zhao Xiaoqian and wanted to confront him, but her mother urged her to wait for her uncle, who had gone to the magistrate's office.
Moments later, a servant reported that her uncle had also been arrested, and the family's business, Su Chang Chi, was sealed. A messenger from the commandery Prince's mansion arrived, stating that Zhao Xiaoqian was waiting for Xie Xiaoman at Taiping Tavern and threatening that her father and uncle would never be seen again if she didn't comply. Despite her family's fears, Xie Xiaoman, feeling she had nothing left to lose, resolved to go.
Upon arriving at Taiping Tavern, Xie Xiaoman found only Zhong Ziyan. She questioned his authority, but he asserted that while he couldn't make decisions, she could. Zhong Ziyan revealed that Shen Yan had orchestrated the previous scandal involving her and Zhao Xiaoqian, aiming to break the marriage alliance between the Zhao and Shen families. He also admitted that Shen Yan was behind her father's arrest. When Xie Xiaoman asked about her uncle, Zhong Ziyan confessed that it was his doing.
He then told her that although the commandery Prince's mansion was not a peaceful place, they could protect her entire family if she married Zhao Xiaoqian as a concubine. He warned that if she refused, not only would her father and uncle suffer, but her brother, Xie Xun, a scholar in the capital, would also be barred from the imperial examinations due to his father's imprisonment. Xie Xiaoman accused him of threatening her, to which Zhong Ziyan affirmed, "That's right."
She demanded to see Zhao Xiaoqian. Zhao Xiaoqian then appeared, declaring that all actions were his, and Zhong Ziyan was innocent. He admitted his selfishness, explaining he didn't want to return to the capital and therefore used her. Xie Xiaoman angrily asked why he was so self-centered and whether he had ever considered her feelings, likening herself to an item to be moved at their whim.
Zhao Xiaoqian apologized, but Xie Xiaoman lamented that it was her entire life he had ruined. He then proposed a two-year marriage as his concubine. In exchange, he would order the release of her father and uncle, ensure Su Chang Chi's safety, provide her with 200 taels of silver, and return her family's mulberry fields in Yuyangli. After two years, a flexible contract would grant her freedom.
Xie Xiaoman slapped him, stating he owed her that, and then accepted his terms. Xie Xiaoman returned home, reassuring her mother that everything would be fine and her father, uncle, and Su Chang Chi would be safe. When her mother questioned Zhao Xiaoqian's sudden change of heart, Xie Xiaoman announced she would forgo her coming-of-age ceremony and marry him. Her mother wept, but Xie Xiaoman urged her to smile, wanting to be a joyful bride.
Liangji arrived soon after, delivering a gift from Zhao Xiaoqian and conveying that Xie Xiaoman's coming-of-age ceremony would proceed as planned. He also announced that Teacher Liu Huaiying, a renowned scholar, would serve as her honored guest, affirming that Zhao Xiaoqian would provide everything Xie Xiaoman deserved, as it was his debt to her. Enraged by this audacity, Minggu smashed the gift, deeming them despicable, and stormed off to confront Zhong Ziyan.
She found Zhong Ziyan drinking heavily at Taiping Tavern and furiously asked why they would ruin Xie Xiaoman's life. A visibly distraught and drunken Zhong Ziyan repeated that her life was ruined and expressed his own deep sorrow. He then began reciting classical poetry, declaring his grand aspirations. Xie Xiaoman's coming-of-age ceremony eventually took place. Teacher Liu Huaiying, her honored guest, assured Xie Xiaoman that she did not look down on her for her upcoming marriage.
Teacher Liu acknowledged the plight of many women unable to control their fate but encouraged Xie Xiaoman not to despair. She emphasized that while society dictates women depend on men, true reliance should ultimately be on oneself. She shared how she, like Xie Xiaoman, had read "Admonitions for Women" at a young age, remembering mostly the critique of unequal education for men and women.
Inspired by Ban Zhao's hope for women to learn courtesy and knowledge, Teacher Liu dedicated herself to teaching women. She advised Xie Xiaoman that even married into the commandery Prince's mansion, she should remain strong, pursue her studies, and never abandon her ambition, thus avoiding the pitfalls of domestic grievances and daily drudgery. Xie Xiaoman gratefully promised to uphold these teachings.
During the ceremony, Zhao Xiaoqian watched from afar and sent a painting, wishing Xie Xiaoman a life free from hardship. On the wedding day, a nervous Zhao Xiaoqian played chess with Zhong Ziyan, losing narrowly before Zhong Ziyan urged him to go to the bridal chamber.
Inside Xie Xiaoman's room in the Lotus Garden, a maid, Lampwick, scattered auspicious items on the bed according to custom, enthusiastically predicting many children for the couple, with a son becoming a top scholar and a daughter a princess consort in the capital. Zhao Xiaoqian entered, praised Lampwick, and sent her off with a reward. Xie Xiaoman noticed a fresh injury on his face and asked about it. Zhao Xiaoqian insisted on drinking a wedding toast with her.
Xie Xiaoman protested, stating that toasts were for wives, and as a concubine, her red attire was improper. Zhao Xiaoqian, however, insisted, saying he didn't want to wrong her and that it was their custom. They performed the toast, and Zhao Xiaoqian saw an auspicious sign in their cups, predicting a good life together. Their moment was interrupted by the arrival of Zhu Momo, Princess Consort Pu's nanny, sent from the capital.
Zhu Momo immediately reprimanded Liangji for the red decorations, deeming them improper for a concubine's wedding. She questioned Zhao Xiaoqian's understanding of customs, reminding him that as a royal, he must uphold proper etiquette. She pointedly asked what the true duchess would wear if a concubine wore red. Zhong Ziyan intervened, explaining that the dress was not bright red but mauve to signify a difference and add to the festivities.
Zhu Momo accepted this explanation but then declared that since Xie Xiaoman had married into the family, she would not dwell on past events but would ensure adherence to Prince Pu's Mansion's rules. She asserted that as a concubine, Xie Xiaoman held the status of a maidservant, and the mansion did not tolerate those without manners. She demanded Xie Xiaoman demonstrate her courtesy. Zhao Xiaoqian attempted to interject and suggest Zhu Momo rest, but was rebuffed.
Zhu Momo sternly ordered Xie Xiaoman to wake at 5:45 AM the next day to learn etiquette from her. When Xie Xiaoman protested, stating she had school, Zhu Momo dismissed it, asserting that a married woman should not leave the mansion freely or need to attend school after finding a husband. She forbade Xie Xiaoman from returning to the academy and ordered her to learn rules under her supervision.
Zhong Ziyan subtly held back an agitated Zhao Xiaoqian from reacting rashly. Later, Zhao Xiaoqian asked Zhong Ziyan about Zhu Momo's true intentions. Zhong Ziyan speculated that Princess Consort Pu still aimed for Zhao Xiaoqian to marry Shen Zhaowen and sought to remove Xie Xiaoman from the mansion. Zhao Xiaoqian, though angered by his parents' manipulation, decided not to alert them yet, claiming he had his own plan.
Minggu arrived, inquiring about Zhu Momo's presence and the ban on Xie Xiaoman's studies. Zhao Xiaoqian explained that Zhu Momo, his mother's nanny, was ostensibly there to enforce rules but was truly acting on his mother's behalf to control him. Zhong Ziyan elaborated on Zhu Momo's high status, making open defiance difficult. Zhao Xiaoqian asked Minggu to visit Xie Xiaoman after school and advise her not to provoke Zhu Momo.
Meanwhile, Senior Brother Li returned to the academy and noticed Xie Xiaoman's absence and the strange atmosphere. He learned that the rumors of Xie Xiaoman spending a night outside the city with Zhao Xiaoqian had spread, leading to her forced marriage. He expressed his regret over the studious Xie Xiaoman having to marry. At the mansion, Zhu Momo rigorously drilled Xie Xiaoman in the tea ceremony, criticizing her "clumsy skills" and holding a ruler as supervision.
Minggu's visit, approved by Zhao Xiaoqian, offered Xie Xiaoman a brief reprieve. Xie Xiaoman confided in Minggu, expressing her strong desire to continue her studies. Minggu encouraged her not to give up and suggested a plan: Teacher Liu had assigned an essay on Qu Yuan's poetry and prose for the upcoming exam, which coincidentally fell on Xie Xiaoman's day to visit her own family. Minggu offered to take Xie Xiaoman's essay to Teacher Liu and plead for her continued education.
Back in training, Xie Xiaoman, struggling with fatigue, continued practicing the tea ceremony under Zhu Momo's watchful eye. As Zhao Xiaoqian, Zhong Ziyan, and Yan Boyang walked past, Zhao Xiaoqian watched, clearly pained, as Zhu Momo raised her ruler to strike Xie Xiaoman's hand, but Zhong Ziyan restrained him.
