Treasures Around Episode 18 Recap
> Treasures Around Recap
Si Ru Chu was furious at Oriole for failing in her mission to assassinate Si Ru Yu. He called her useless and questioned why he should keep her after repeated failures. Oriole claimed she had acted discreetly and that Si Ru Yu wouldn't discover their identities, insisting they still had a chance. She showed him a tattoo of his name on her shoulder, stating it proved her determination.
Si Ru Chu, expressing his deep disappointment, gave her one last chance, ordering that Si Ru Yu must die before leaving Jade Cloud City. As he spoke, he pushed her down, unleashing his frustration, and she complied submissively. Outside the window, Shan Shuangshuang observed their interaction. Meanwhile, Su Jue from Su Jade Pavilion sought Si Ru Yu.
He inquired at the Si residence but was told Si Ru Yu was not there, having left with Young Master Pei early that morning. Su Jue's man confirmed Si Ru Yu's absence. Su Jue wondered why Si Ru Yu was with Pei Pei and what he was searching for. Si Ru Yu was found drinking heavily, filled with sorrow. Shan Dandan and Pei Pei approached him, concerned by his state.
Si Ru Yu confessed the person behind the attempt on his life was his own brother, Si Ru Chu. He explained that despite their close ages, their father treated them equally, but Si Ru Chu felt his father favored him. Si Ru Yu hadn't taken Si Ru Chu's resentment seriously until he lost his wife and child.
He admitted he wasn't certain how they died but mentioned his late wife had been a maid, and Si Ru Chu was their father's biological son. Their father had long hesitated and begged him to drop the matter. To protect himself and avoid conflict, Si Ru Yu had adopted the persona of a playboy, yet Si Ru Chu still pushed him. The recent assassination attempt convinced Si Ru Yu that Si Ru Chu was genuinely trying to kill him.
Shan Dandan remarked on Si Ru Chu's apparent heartlessness. Pei Pei vowed that if Si Ru Chu was truly responsible, especially for the deaths of Si Ru Yu's wife and child, they would definitely help him fight and wouldn't let him face it alone. Shan Dandan discussed strategy with Shan Shuangshuang. Shan Dandan proposed inviting Old Master Si (Si Yuanian) to intervene.
Shan Shuangshuang worried this might backfire or be disrupted by Si Ru Chu, noting rumors that Si Ru Chu was favored and Si Yuanian had previously discouraged Si Ru Yu from pursuing the matter of his wife's death. Shan Dandan believed Si Ru Yu and reasoned that while Si Yuanian might not have wanted to harm his own son over an "outsider" previously, threatening his son's life was different.
She felt something deeper was behind Si Ru Chu's actions, as a potential heir wouldn't normally target a harmless playboy. Shan Dandan decided to try inviting Si Yuanian and planned to spread rumors that assassins were targeting both Si Family sons in Jade Cloud City to provoke Si Ru Chu into revealing himself. Soon, news circulated in the city about assassins targeting the two wealthy Si Family sons who were in Jade Cloud City.
People discussed the rumors, wondering who held such a deep grudge. A letter addressed to Si Yuanian arrived from Jade Cloud City. It mentioned a rare sky-blue ice-quality jade and invited him to come see it, knowing his love for jade. The letter was signed by the master of Precious Pei Pavilion. Su Jue met with Si Ru Chu.
Si Ru Chu, aware of the rumors and Su Jue's attempts to connect with Si Ru Yu, accused Su Jue of being a "fence-sitter." He correctly inferred that Su Jue feared their alliance might fail and was seeking security by befriending both brothers. Su Jue denied this, claiming he thought bringing Si Ru Yu closer would be convenient, but Si Ru Chu saw his intention to benefit regardless of the outcome.
Si Ru Chu stated his intense dislike for Si Ru Yu and those who betray him. Su Jue quickly pledged his loyalty, affirming he would definitely follow Si Ru Chu. Si Ru Chu then asked Su Jue to help him kill Si Ru Yu as a way to settle past issues. Si Ru Chu argued that if his father met Pei Pei, their alliance could end, and his father might supply jade to the Pei family instead.
He presented killing Si Ru Yu as the only way to secure their partnership. Si Ru Chu suggested the upcoming Su family banquet, attended by many people, would be the ideal opportunity. He planned to mix their people into the crowd, kill Si Ru Yu, stage an injury to himself, and blame it on the rumored assassins. Su Jue agreed to participate in the plan.
Si Ru Yu shared with Pei Pei that his father, Si Yuanian, had given him a task because Si Yuanian had also become aware of Si Ru Chu's ambition. Si Yuanian, who valued jade and its proper use over money, knew that Si Ru Chu had taken over the family business and sold good jade at inflated prices to those who didn't appreciate it, while also secretly involving other mine owners.
Si Yuanian had given Si Ru Yu the mission to uncover the truth and protect the family's reputation. Si Ru Yu expressed gratitude that the Pei family still adhered to the principles of the jade industry. He assured Pei Pei that despite their own difficulties, they would not abandon their friends. At the Su family banquet, Pei Pei and Shan Dandan arrived early.
Si Ru Chu was visibly disappointed that Si Ru Yu was not present, having been told Si Ru Yu was attending to personal matters. Pei Pei immediately challenged Si Ru Chu, asking if he was worried they would threaten his "lifeline" and accusing him of keeping Si Ru Yu away. Si Ru Chu dismissed this as ridiculous.
Pei Pei then directly accused Si Ru Chu of specific crimes: falsifying ledgers, taking over raw stone mines behind Si Yuanian's back, disregarding the tradition of Mount Mo jade, killing his sister-in-law, and planting spies to poison his own brother. Si Ru Chu denied the accusations, claiming Si Ru Yu's wife died from hemorrhage and he knew nothing of poisoning. Pei Pei questioned his lack of remorse for such actions, but Si Ru Chu maintained he lived with integrity.
Just then, Shan Shuangshuang entered with Si Ru Yu and witnesses, including Oriole. Shan Shuangshuang pointed out Oriole's tattoo of Si Ru Chu's name and accused him of forcing her to kill Si Ru Yu. Si Ru Chu initially dismissed the tattoo as a sign of infatuation and denied commanding her. However, when Oriole confessed she had done everything as instructed, Si Ru Chu became agitated.
He then astonishingly admitted to falsifying ledgers, taking over mines, planting spies, and attempting to poison Si Ru Yu (who survived). He also alluded to responsibility for his sister-in-law's death, noting her lack of luck compared to Si Ru Yu. Dropping his pretense, he declared he had planned another act but it was unnecessary now that they knew. He then ordered that everyone present be killed.
As assassins moved in, Si Ru Chu watched, believing Si Ru Yu had been successfully targeted. Si Ru Chu openly confessed his crimes, stating that with everyone dead, no one would know. At that moment, Si Yuanian appeared. It was revealed the entire confrontation was a carefully planned trap by Shan Dandan. The assassin who attacked Si Ru Yu was A'Liu in disguise, and the knife was spring-loaded, ensuring Si Ru Yu was unharmed.
Si Yuanian had arrived, alerted by Shan Dandan's letter and the staged events. Seeing his father, Si Ru Chu immediately knelt, pleading for forgiveness and claiming it was not as it seemed. Su Jue also knelt, apologizing to Si Yuanian but claiming he was unaware of Si Ru Chu's true intentions. Si Yuanian, though likely aware of Su Jue's complicity, focused on Si Ru Chu.
He condemned Si Ru Chu as a beast driven by greed who had broken familial bonds. Si Yuanian stripped Si Ru Chu of all his management rights and confined him to Mo City for the rest of his life. Si Yuanian expressed his gratitude to Pei Pei and Shan Dandan, stating their actions prevented Si Ru Chu from committing a terrible mistake.
Pei Pei and Shan Dandan replied it was their pleasure to help Si Ru Yu, whom they considered a brother. Si Yuanian recounted sending Si Ru Yu to investigate Si Ru Chu's annexing of mines and ruin of the jade's reputation, but he never anticipated such ruthless behavior.
Recognizing Pei Pei's skill and the Pei family's integrity, Si Yuanian decided to give them his largest agency, Qin Shi Liu's Jade Stone Store, located in Jade Cloud City, as the previous agent had embezzled funds. He promised to handle the necessary documents with the City Lord. Pei Pei and Shan Dandan were ecstatic, calling it a dream to have their own raw stone shop and the ability to choose materials. After the Si family departed, they celebrated their success.
Pei Qin Shi, already informed by A'Liu, gave Shan Dandan her phoenix wedding dress, stating it was time for a new owner and asking Shan Dandan if she would be her Young Madam Pei. Shan Dandan happily accepted. At Su Jade Pavilion, Su Jue learned from his spy that Si Yuanian would supply jade to the Pei family and establish a raw stone shop for them. He was furious at Si Ru Chu's failure, calling him useless.
He resented that the Pei family had gained both jade access and a shop, giving them first choice of materials. He resolved to find a countermeasure. His frustration seemed linked to Shan Shuangshuang, as a brief flashback/internal monologue showed her telling him she was with Pei Pei and accepting his earlier statement that her happiness was worth it, contrasted with Shan Dandan accepting Pei Pei's proposal.
Shan Shuangshuang sat alone, visibly worried about Shan Dandan marrying into the Pei family before they could confirm if they were their enemy. Pei Qin Shi found her, noted she looked thin, and gave her nourishing herbs prepared for Pei Pei, emphasizing they were all family. After Pei Qin Shi left, A'Liu joined Shan Shuangshuang. Shan Shuangshuang invited A'Liu inside to talk privately and asked about Pei Pei's past.
A'Liu mentioned that Old Master Pei was a respected figure who loved Young Master Pei but suddenly became unpredictable and forbade him from carving jade, especially techniques related to the Moon Phoenix Crown. A'Liu explained the crown was designed by Old Master Pei and others outside the city but was stolen on its way to the palace.
After the loss, Old Master Pei became very cautious, stopped using the crown's techniques, and forbade Pei Pei from displaying any skills he had learned related to it. Shan Shuangshuang speculated that Old Master Pei hid the techniques he knew after the theft and that the thieves were likely after the techniques rather than just the gems, implying an insider might have been involved. A'Liu cautioned against careless talk about a capital offense and claimed ignorance as a servant. Shan Shuangshuang agreed to keep their conversation private. Unbeknownst to them, Pei Pei overheard their discussion.
