Treasures Around Episode 1 Recap
> Treasures Around Recap
Young Master Pei of Precious Pei Pavilion in Jade Cloud City orchestrated a small scare, hoping to frighten away a visitor. However, upon seeing the person, both he and the visitor shrieked in surprise. The newcomer was Shan Dandan, a pragmatic individual who had seen a recruitment notice on her own door and come seeking work. Unexpectedly, she found herself face-to-face with Young Master Pei, with whom she had a past encounter.
A day earlier, at the Full Bloom House in Jade Cloud City, Shan Dandan was pretending to be an entertainer while secretly selling jade to customers. Pei Pei arrived, possessing a sharp eye for jade that allowed him to discern the quality and authenticity of a piece instantly. He quickly noticed Shan Dandan's deceptive practices and intended to expose her, but his mother, Old Madam Pei Qin, the head of Precious Pei Pavilion, arrived with attendants looking for him.
Fearing being caught, Pei Pei tried to escape, but Shan Dandan, sensing his urgency, grabbed him and refused to let go. To secure his release, Pei Pei was forced to buy all the jade Shan Dandan had. Old Madam Pei Qin witnessed this exchange and couldn't help but smile, seemingly reminded of her own fearless younger days by Shan Dandan. Upon returning home, Pei Pei was attended to by his maidservant, Cui Liu, who was overly attentive.
Old Madam Pei Qin saw this and, displeased with Cui Liu's forward behavior, decided to recruit a new maidservant for Pei Pei. Old Madam Pei Qin also urged Pei Pei to participate in the annual Jade Competition, but he refused, still unwilling to face something from years past. Old Madam Pei Qin could only sigh. Meanwhile, Shan Dandan visited Su Jade Pavilion after selling her jade. She met her sister, Shan Shuangshuang, who worked there as a silversmith.
Shan Shuangshuang gave Shan Dandan her wages, hoping she could live a happy life. Shan Dandan, thinking Su Jade Pavilion offered good opportunities, expressed a desire to work there too. However, Shan Shuangshuang strongly discouraged her, viewing the place as perilous and wanting to spare her sister from hardship. Unaware of her sister's deeper concerns, Shan Dandan believed Shan Shuangshuang simply didn't want her to work hard.
She secretly approached the Little Shopkeeper when her sister was away, asking for his help to get a position, preferably as a jade consultant. The Little Shopkeeper mentioned that Young Master Su Jue, the head of Su Jade Pavilion, would be attending an auction on East Street and suggested that if Shan Dandan could impress him there, she might have a chance. That evening, both Su Jue and Pei Pei attended the auction.
Pei Pei held a low opinion of Su Jade Pavilion, believing they dealt in inferior jade that disrupted the market. To his surprise, Pei Pei saw Shan Dandan arrive with the Little Shopkeeper. In a show of rivalry, Pei Pei resolved to outbid Shan Dandan on every item she desired. When a jade pendant was presented, Shan Dandan, viewing it up close, saw that its quality was not as good as it appeared.
Pei Pei, watching from the second floor, needed a telescope to see clearly. Shan Dandan conceived a plan; she intentionally used a bronze mirror to reflect light onto the jade, altering its appearance and leading Pei Pei to misjudge its quality. She then deliberately raised the bid significantly. Provoked by her actions and believing the jade to be exceptional, Pei Pei aggressively bid, eventually purchasing the pendant for six hundred taels.
Faced with numerous witnesses, he was obligated to pay even after realizing he had been deceived. Pei Pei knew Shan Dandan was responsible and chased after her, but she escaped into the chaotic crowd. Immediately after fleeing the auction house, Shan Dandan encountered Su Jue and appealed for a job as a jade consultant, presenting her qualifications like sales records and market analysis.
However, Su Jue dismissed her, stating she lacked experience, connections, and skills needed for such a position at Su Jade Pavilion. As a disheartened Shan Dandan left, she ran into the pursuing Pei Pei. Before he could demand an explanation, Shan Dandan loudly accused him of his previous actions, shocking him into a hasty retreat. Old Madam Pei Qin witnessed this interaction and smiled.
She then instructed her personal maid, Li Gui Xiang, to post a recruitment notice specifically for a maidservant at Shan Dandan's door, noting its requirement was quite "thrilling." Shan Dandan, carrying the recruitment notice, arrived at Precious Pei Pavilion. The first person she met was Cui Liu, who arrogantly looked down on her, believing her current status as a maidservant was temporary. Li Gui Xiang appeared promptly and escorted Shan Dandan to see Old Madam Pei Qin.
Shan Dandan explained that while the notice was for a maidservant, her true ambition was to be a jade consultant and she saw this as a potential opportunity. She presented her experience and understanding of the jade business and customer preferences. Old Madam Pei Qin listened and decided to hire her, but as a maidservant, albeit emphasizing it was a special kind of position.
Determined to eventually achieve her goal of becoming a jade consultant, Shan Dandan accepted the role and was directed to Pei Pei's room as arranged. Pei Pei was stunned to find Shan Dandan standing in his room. Their reunion was marked by a slap from Shan Dandan. She loudly declared she was the new maidservant assigned by Old Madam. Pei Pei, equally assertive, identified himself as the Young Master of the residence and immediately began pulling her away.
