Treasures Around Episode 4 Recap
> Treasures Around Recap
At the black market, Shan Dandan tried to mediate a confrontation involving Pei Pei, explaining that he was her servant and new to the place, unaware of the rules. However, the situation escalated when the smugglers discovered a government official's jade pendant on Pei Pei, which he claimed was a reward from the City Lord. Recognizing him as potentially an "eagle" (government official), they decided to attack.
Realizing the danger, Shan Dandan pulled Pei Pei away, and they fled, pursued through the market area. Meanwhile, Su Jue was informed that Pei Pei was causing trouble in his black market, exposing contraband. He was enraged by the damage to his business. Unbeknownst to him, Shan Shuangshuang overheard the discussion.
Pei Pei and Shan Dandan attempted to hide during the chase, with Pei Pei questioning why Shan Dandan was there; she revealed she was trying to get jade stones for him. Their hiding spot was given away by a goose, forcing them to confront their pursuers. Just as they were overwhelmed, Pei Pei's attendant A'Liu arrived with reinforcements, protecting them and helping them escape back to Precious Pei Pavilion. A'Liu claimed credit for saving them.
Back at Precious Pei Pavilion, Shan Dandan noticed Pei Pei's injury, sustained during the escape. He refused to call a doctor to keep it hidden from the Old Madam, claiming it was a minor injury. Despite his protests, Shan Dandan insisted on treating the wound herself after A'Liu feigned an inability to handle blood. She carefully cleaned and dressed the cut, apologizing for any pain.
Though Pei Pei tried to deny the true reason for his black market visit, A'Liu revealed that Pei Pei had gone to find Hetian jade for Shan Dandan as an apology for breaking her stone previously. Pei Pei tried to brush it off, claiming he only did it so she could win the Jade Competition and he could continue living comfortably, but Shan Dandan thanked him sincerely for his effort.
The Old Madam was aware of Pei Pei's injury but chose not to intervene, trusting Shan Dandan to care for him. Su Jue was furious about the black market seizure and the loss of his jade mine to the Pei family. He vowed vengeance on Pei Pei, blaming him for disrupting his business and attracting government attention. He discussed with his servant how the Pei family had once pressured them but they had surpassed them by mastering new skills.
This conversation was overheard by Shan Shuangshuang, who wondered if the skills related to the Phoenix Crown. Su Jue also ordered an investigation into potential betrayal within his organization regarding the black market raid. After Su Jue left, Shan Shuangshuang entered his room, searching for something, but the subtitles do not explicitly show her finding a secret compartment, only that she was investigating the space.
At the workshop, Shan Dandan proposed a new strategy for Precious Pei Pavilion, focusing on red and white jade based on market trends. The shopkeeper adopted her suggestion, leading to a significant increase in sales and bonuses for the craftsmen, who were grateful to Shan Dandan. Pei Pei visited the workshop and was impressed by her business acumen. He then demonstrated his own skill by expertly advising a craftsman struggling with red jade, earning praise for his talent.
Witnessing his ability, Shan Dandan suggested they team up for the upcoming Jade Competition, confident they could win. However, Pei Pei abruptly dismissed the idea, stating he was not interested, and walked away. Confused by Pei Pei's refusal despite his obvious talent, Shan Dandan wondered why he avoided jade carving. The Old Madam found her and explained that Pei Pei suffered a tragedy years ago that broke his heart.
He was once the most talented carver but vowed never to touch the family business again, choosing instead to act as a playboy. The Old Madam revealed that she had let him be unremarkable for his safety, following his father's last wishes, but now needed him to take over the pavilion due to her age.
She saw hope in Shan Dandan, someone new to his life, and asked her to help him overcome his past trauma, stressing that the family's future relied on her. The Old Madam did not disclose the specifics of the tragedy, calling it a scar on his heart he wouldn't discuss. Across town, Su Jue prepared for the Jade Competition, selecting top-quality ice jade for his entry: a "Two jade mandarin ducks in clear water" piece.
He declared his intention to gift the winning piece to Shan Shuangshuang, interpreting it as a symbol of lasting love. Shan Shuangshuang responded modestly, but Su Jue insisted she deserved it. Later, Shan Dandan asked A'Liu about the importance of the Jade Competition. A'Liu explained its prestige and Su Jue's status as a two-time champion.
He confirmed Pei Pei had participated years ago but withdrew after something happened, frustrating Shan Dandan's attempts to learn more by being evasive and telling her to ask Pei Pei directly. Shan Shuangshuang continued her investigation in Su Jue's space, looking for a second drawing related to the Phoenix Crown design, but only found one. She lamented the difficulty of understanding the techniques with incomplete information and the loss of the actual crown.
While she was hiding, Su Jue and a servant discussed the missing drawing, suspecting betrayal and dismissing the Pei family as a threat because Pei Pei hadn't carved in years. After they left, Shan Shuangshuang emerged, still puzzled about the whereabouts of the original Phoenix Crown. She then visited her father's grave, recalling his dying words. Her father confessed he had been exploited, stating that the amber on the Phoenix Crown was not medicinal as claimed.
He told her he was foolish and instructed her to protect herself but specifically warned her not to seek revenge. Reflecting on her fruitless investigation in the Su family, she began to wonder if the clues might lie with the Pei family instead. Distraught by Shan Dandan's earlier comment about him being useless, Pei Pei attempted to carve but was overcome by his inner turmoil. He turned to heavy drinking. Shan Dandan found him and joined him.
He spoke despairingly, comparing himself to the moon, appearing bright but having no inner light. He confessed he envied her talent. Shan Dandan praised his abilities, insisting his indifference was an act and urging him to use his gifts for himself and the people who cared about him.
This prompted a painful memory for Pei Pei: as a boy, his father, fearing accusations of theft regarding the lost Phoenix Crown, scolded him for carving a piece that reminded others of it. His father forbade him from participating in the Jade Competition and from carving again, claiming he had already withdrawn Pei Pei to avoid trouble.
When the young Pei Pei argued, calling his father a coward, his father violently twisted his wrist, breaking three bones and permanently affecting his ability to carve. A doctor confirmed the severe injury. His mother, prioritizing his safety, accepted his father's decision to make him unremarkable. Pei Pei explained that since then, he had never carved again and became an indulgent fool as a form of defiance after his father's death.
Shan Dandan suggested his father might have had deeper reasons, but Pei Pei couldn't fathom what could justify such cruelty. Shan Dandan reassured him he wasn't destroyed, praised his talent, and urged him, as the only man left in the Pei family, to recover for his mother and the pavilion. Moved, Pei Pei repeated her words, "The best Pei Pei." Drunkenly, he pinky swore to pull himself together and then leaned on her shoulder and fell asleep, leaving Shan Dandan surprised.
