Treasures Around Episode 19 Recap
> Treasures Around Recap
Practicing a gesture for a wedding ceremony, Pei Pei was joined by Shan Dandan. He offered her tea and they practiced together. Pei Pei noted that Shan Shuangshuang seemed quite calculating. Shan Dandan became defensive, telling him not to criticize her sister. Reflecting on their recent success and regaining control, Shan Dandan reminded Pei Pei of his principle: to not offend others unless offended, but to retaliate if provoked.
She suggested they should show no mercy to troublemakers like Su Jue and use their current advantage and good materials to teach them a lesson, a sentiment Pei Pei agreed with. As Precious Pei Pavilion thrived, Shan Dandan brought late-night supper for everyone working hard. She and Pei Pei acknowledged each other's efforts. They discussed expanding their business beyond the main store to leverage their good locations.
Pei Pei showed Shan Dandan a complex chain carving, a new technique requiring high-quality jade and precise skills. He explained it wasn't meant to be worn but displayed at home, leading Shan Dandan to comment she didn't understand the lives of rich people. Later, staff delivered finished pieces, including one destined for the City Lord's Mansion. Meanwhile, Su Jue demanded to know why business at Su Jade Pavilion was stagnant.
Shopkeeper Wang explained they had lost major clients and casual customers were only browsing. Frustrated, Su Jue went out and overheard people at Full Bloom House praising Precious Pei Pavilion's craftsmanship, particularly Pei Pei's unique skill. They lauded the quality and suggested they shouldn't settle for inferior goods, clearly referencing Su Jade Pavilion.
Su Jue confronted them, but they reiterated their preference for Pei Pei's work and prices, saying his "century-old brand" wouldn't have lasted if Pei Pei had been around a hundred years ago. They refused to back down, causing Su Jue to become aggressive before they departed, mocking him for being unable to handle criticism. Returning to Su Jade Pavilion, Su Jue found customers demanding refunds for purchased goods and demanding payment for raw materials bought earlier with only partial payment.
Shopkeeper Wang tried to manage the situation, but customers insisted on refunds, claiming Precious Pei Pavilion's items were superior. Su Jue instructed Wang to process the refunds and settle the debts. Wang explained the dire situation: unsellable goods, overstocked materials, and no funds. He told Su Jue they had only two options: create new designs surpassing Pei Pei or negotiate with him. Su Jue struggled to develop new designs. Thinking of Shan Shuangshuang, he felt useless.
He went to the Pei Residence to see her, confessing he wasn't doing well, that his business was failing, and the person he loved was in the enemy's hands. When Shan Shuangshuang tried to leave, he stopped her, admitting he had been wrong, chasing fame and fortune, and achieving nothing. He realized he needed her more than anything else and begged her to return. She reiterated her earlier stance, telling him to behave.
He claimed he couldn't endure needing her and mistakenly thought his wealth would win her heart. She responded that she didn't care about his wealth then, and asked what she could possibly gain from him now. When A Liu tried to intervene, Shan Shuangshuang stopped him, surprising both men by declaring Su Jue was her fiancé. Su Jue thought she was joking to reject him, but she insisted she was serious.
He then questioned why she was at the Pei Residence, stating she had won completely, though he never intended to compete with her. Later, Shan Shuangshuang discussed the encounter with Shan Dandan, clarifying that she had only said what came to mind to reject Su Jue. Shan Dandan observed that Su Jue, being arrogant and pretentious, must be truly desperate to personally seek peace, suggesting Su Jade Pavilion was on the brink of collapse.
Back at Su Jade Pavilion, Su Jue, feeling defeated, wanted to remove the business plaque. Shopkeeper Wang expressed disappointment in Su Jue's discouragement. He reminded Su Jue of his past efforts, including resorting to questionable deeds to establish him after his parents' death. Su Jue felt useless, admitting he wasn't as good as Pei Pei and couldn't continue the business. Wang Jiu reiterated the need for Su Jue to surpass Pei Pei or negotiate.
He promised that if Su Jue could regain composure, he would find a way to protect the family business. Shan Dandan felt some pity for Su Jue, noting his apparent genuine affection for her sister. Pei Pei, however, reminded her of Su Jue's past bad deeds, suggesting that some pitiable people are also detestable. Shan Dandan conceded this point but maintained his feelings for her sister seemed real.
Matron Li was carrying lotus root soup intended for Pei Pei and Shan Dandan when she encountered Old Madam Pei. Old Madam Pei deemed the soup unsuitable for their health, ordered it taken to her own room, and instructed Matron Li to prepare deer antler soup for them instead. Later, Old Madam Pei was found dead. Pei Pei and Shan Dandan were shocked, as she had seemed well earlier that day.
Matron Li knelt and confessed, claiming Old Madam Pei had suffered from a terminal illness for a long time but had hidden it to protect them. She asserted that Old Madam Pei's main concern was Pei Pei's future and the business, which led her to become strict and arrange for Shan Dandan to assist him. That night, Matron Li, also known as Gui Xiang, secretly met with Wang Jiu.
She admitted to accidentally poisoning Old Madam Pei, having intended the soup for Pei Pei. Terrified, she urged Wang Jiu to flee with her immediately, return to their hometown, and live in peace away from these troubles. Wang Jiu tried to calm her, saying Old Madam Pei's death was convenient and they could still find a way to eliminate Pei Pei and Shan Dandan. Gui Xiang refused, fearing that the shrewd Shan Dandan would suspect her.
She insisted they leave now. Wang Jiu argued that leaving so soon after the death would arouse suspicion and urged her to stay longer to watch the situation, promising they would have plenty of time later. Gui Xiang reminded him of his decade-old promise to take her away after she went undercover in the Pei family. Wang Jiu reaffirmed his promise, acknowledging her suffering, and asked for a little more time, claiming the difficult days were almost over.
At the memorial for Old Madam Pei, Shan Shuangshuang paid her respects. Recalling Old Madam Pei's kindness and trust, and finding Matron Li's behavior suspicious, Shan Shuangshuang resolved to investigate. Concealing her face, she confronted Wang Jiu, demanding to know how he had conspired with Matron Li to kill Old Madam Pei.
