Treasures Around Episode 13 Recap
> Treasures Around Recap
They had been walking all night, yet the destination remained elusive, the scenery repetitive and the terrain difficult. Suddenly, they noticed a pleasant fragrance. Shan Shuangshuang, having released a confusing scent to delay them and prevent them from falling into Su Jue's trap, watched as Pei Pei, Shan Dandan, and A'Liu succumbed to its effects, acting playfully and calling out names.
Pei Pei, in a state of hallucination, called out for "Cui Liu" and nearly kissed Shan Dandan, mistaking her for the other woman. He then jolted awake, realizing they had been drugged, and quickly roused Shan Dandan and A'Liu, urging them to leave immediately. When they finally reached the intended meeting spot, no one was there. On the ground, they found a jade key bearing a micro-carving technique unique to the Pei family.
Pei Pei realized they had been set up. The coincidences were designed to frame the Pei family for the theft of the crown, specifically suggesting the key to the crown's hiding place came from them. Arriving at night and potentially being seen would make it impossible to clear their name. They concluded that the person who had drugged them had inadvertently saved them by delaying their arrival, but they couldn't determine if this person was a friend or foe.
With the risk of being discovered, they decided to return home immediately. Meanwhile, Su Jue, who had been poisoned, was being treated by a doctor and attended by Shopkeeper Wang. The doctor stated that while his life wasn't in danger, the toxins hadn't fully dispersed. Lady Shan Shuangshuang arrived, and Shopkeeper Wang questioned her about the accident. Shuangshuang claimed it was just an accident and provided a top-quality red jade powder, explaining its healing properties.
Su Jue soon woke and immediately apologized to Shuangshuang, admitting he was wrong and had doubted her based on rumors, setting a trap for her. He told her he was relieved when the person under the mask wasn't her. Shuangshuang, however, brushed it off and advised him to rest. She privately considered that the Su Family already suspected her identity and the Pei Family now seemed suspicious as well, feeling it was time to move on.
Back at Precious Pei Pavilion, Pei Pei suspected the Su family was behind the framing. Shan Dandan disagreed, citing Su Jue's helpfulness in previous matters and his apparent feelings for her sister. Pei Pei still felt a bad premonition about the Moon Phoenix Crown issue resurfacing. Shan Dandan, however, focused on the positive: their business was thriving, and her sister was coming to help.
She then playfully confronted Pei Pei about calling out "Cui Liu" while he was drugged, teasing him until he admitted he was wrong to appease her. Fully recovered, Su Jue sought out Shan Shuangshuang, deeply apologetic for having unjustly treated her and suspected her of the recent misfortunes at Su Jade Pavilion. As a token of apology and affection, he presented her with the "Mandarin Duck" jade carving from the competition, explaining it was meant for her.
He confessed his feelings, expressing how she had captivated him from her first day, admiring her talent and character, and realizing how important she was to him after facing hardships together. He then proposed marriage, promising to treat her well. Shan Shuangshuang, however, gently refused, stating she had never considered romantic feelings between them and only saw him as her master.
Su Jue, confused and hurt, offered to give her all of Su Jade Pavilion's wealth, wondering if her refusal was related to the success of Precious Pei Pavilion. Shuangshuang reiterated that her feelings weren't tied to such things, comparing it to blind mandarin ducks where choosing a partner isn't about appearances. She then informed him that she had decided to resign to be with her sister at Precious Pei Pavilion.
Su Jue was devastated, asking why she would choose his enemy after he had been so good to her. Shuangshuang insisted that their paths were decided by destiny and asked him to let her go. She confirmed her decision and apologized. Left alone, Su Jue collapsed, recalling a childhood memory of his father scolding him for not being able to defeat the "scoundrel of the Pei Family" and threatening to disown him.
Filled with bitterness, he vowed revenge on Pei Pei and Precious Pei Pavilion. At Precious Pei Pavilion, several noble ladies complained about the repetitive designs of the fragrant jewelry. They requested Shan Dandan create unique, higher-quality pieces with special fragrances, willing to pay significantly more. Dandan agreed to undertake the complex and costly development. Just then, A'Liu excitedly announced that Lady Shan Shuangshuang had arrived, expressing his immense joy that she would finally be staying at their home.
Shan Dandan welcomed her sister warmly, expressing happiness at their reunion and the prospect of living together. A'Liu awkwardly offered to accompany them as Dandan showed Shuangshuang her designated room. Shuangshuang noted that despite Dandan's promotion to Deputy Shopkeeper, she still lived in the maids' quarters, though Dandan seemed content with the spacious room. They then went to the workshop, where A'Liu had prepared everything. Dandan assigned Shuangshuang to gold and silver jewelry design, her area of expertise.
Inwardly, Shuangshuang felt that the specific work didn't matter; her primary goal was to investigate the cause of her parents' deaths. A'Liu approached Shan Dandan, asking her to deliver a gift package containing ginseng and a doll to Shuangshuang. He admitted his feelings for Shuangshuang, prompting Dandan to tease him about his seriousness. Just as Dandan agreed to help, Shuangshuang returned, and A'Liu, flustered, quickly left.
Shuangshuang heard about the gifts and A'Liu's feelings but stated she wasn't in the mood for romance, prioritizing helping with the business and finding clues about the crown. Later, Shan Dandan asked Shuangshuang about the Moon Phoenix Crown, a legendary item Shuangshuang seemed particularly knowledgeable about. Shuangshuang explained that Old Master Pei was the chief designer and craftsman for the crown intended for the Empress, but it was stolen on its way, leading to many deaths.
She viewed it as a disaster rather than a divine item, noting that it incorporated signature skills of famous craftsmen, many now lost. She found it odd that Pei Pei's skills were so extraordinary given his youth when his father died. She contrasted this with their own parents, who seemed to leave them nothing but a "lucky stone," which Dandan wondered might be a love token. Feeling tired, Shuangshuang decided to rest, and Dandan offered to share her room.
A'Liu, lost in thought about Shuangshuang while at the workshop, was startled when she suddenly appeared. Shuangshuang explained she needed inspiration for her designs, having used most of her ideas at Su Jade Pavilion, and asked if she could see Precious Pei Pavilion's historical drafts and designs. A'Liu eagerly agreed and took her to the collection room, proudly showing her shelves containing jade awards, historical crafts, and books compiling master carving techniques.
He pointed out a section holding records of the attainment of previous generations of Precious Pei Pavilion craftsmen. Shuangshuang, impressed, asked A'Liu to leave so she could examine the materials alone, claiming she needed time to study them. A'Liu reluctantly agreed, giving her a small bell to call him if needed. Shuangshuang's true intention was to search the archives for any clues about the crown.
