Treasures Around Episode 8 Recap
> Treasures Around Recap
Shan Shuangshuang showed her sister Shan Dandan a design for jade items, explaining the precise craftsmanship required. Shan Dandan was impressed, feeling that these designs would significantly help her improve her standing in the Pei family. As they talked, Painter Tan arrived, having been ordering materials for his fragrance business. He revealed he had recently opened a fragrance shop, putting aside painting for the moment, and invited them to visit.
They visited the Tan Fragrance Pavilion, where Painter Tan showed them various fragrant products like aromatic stones, sprays, and powders. He explained that the City Lord was currently promoting the fragrance trade, leading to increased competition and potential profit, which was why he had shifted his focus. Shan Shuangshuang remarked on his adaptability, and Painter Tan applied some fragrant powder to Shan Dandan.
As it grew dark, Pei Pei became worried because Shan Dandan had not returned home and went out to find her. Meanwhile, Su Jue was also concerned about Shan Shuangshuang's whereabouts. He went to the Auspicious Tea House, where he unexpectedly encountered Pei Pei. Recognizing each other's purpose in looking for the Shan sisters, they exchanged pointed insults about the women.
The tea house owner intervened, telling them the two women had left earlier with a painter and gone to a fragrance shop. Pei Pei and Su Jue immediately headed there. Outside the Tan Fragrance Pavilion, Pei Pei and Su Jue observed Shan Dandan, Shan Shuangshuang, and Painter Tan together. They saw Painter Tan interacting closely with both sisters, which made Pei Pei and Su Jue uncomfortable, but they decided not to interrupt.
After leaving, Su Jue commented that Shan Shuangshuang seemed interested in Painter Tan, while Pei Pei noted how gentle Shan Dandan appeared around him. They agreed that Painter Tan should not succeed with either sister and decided to ponder their next steps. Pei Pei mentioned that Painter Tan was an old acquaintance of Shan Dandan but admitted he didn't know much more about him.
Later, while eating with Pei Pei, Shan Dandan was wearing the fragrance powder Painter Tan had given her. Pei Pei reacted with jealousy upon hearing it was a special blend made for her, bringing up "old feelings." Shan Dandan denied any romantic involvement with Painter Tan, clarifying they had just attended the fragrance shop's opening. She compared Pei Pei's reaction to his sending away his former attendant Cui Liu, arguing that Painter Tan was different.
Changing the subject, Shan Dandan proposed combining jade jewelry with fragrances, believing it would be hugely successful and help surpass Su Jue. Pei Pei immediately rejected the idea, refusing to cooperate with Painter Tan. Undeterred, Shan Dandan declared she would pursue the fragrant jade idea on her own.
In the Su Jade Pavilion, Shan Shuangshuang reflected on her goal to recover the Phoenix Crown, believing that pushing the Pei family to the brink of financial ruin might force them to reveal its location. Su Jue arrived, visibly angry. He admitted he was frustrated and jealous because he had seen her interacting with Painter Tan. Shan Shuangshuang explained that Painter Tan was only Shan Dandan's acquaintance and she had simply met him by chance with no improper behavior.
She also reminded Su Jue that their relationship was strictly master and servant, and his agitation was unnecessary. Su Jue was momentarily speechless. Shan Shuangshuang then proposed developing low-cost fragmented jade jewelry, an idea she had previously considered. She argued that if they launched this business now, capitalize on the Pei family's weakened state after the Jade Competition, they could eliminate the Pei family as competitors. Su Jue initially disagreed but eventually conceded and approved the plan.
Pei Pei, hoping to appease Shan Dandan, arranged for peach blossom-flavored treats to be made, inspired by the fragrance powder Painter Tan had given her. While discussing business with Shopkeeper Hao, he learned Painter Tan had arrived to see Shan Dandan. Shan Dandan went to meet Painter Tan, and Pei Pei followed with the pastries. Painter Tan was actually meeting with Old Madam Pei to discuss Shan Dandan's idea of adding fragrance to jade.
Painter Tan proposed methods like infusing or attaching aromatic pieces to the jade and discussed the duration of the scent and the potential for a refill partnership. Old Madam Pei was supportive, praising Shan Dandan's innovative thinking. Pei Pei entered and vehemently opposed the idea, calling it merely a "trick" and not a legitimate technique, arguing it would tarnish the Pei family's legacy. Painter Tan countered that clinging to outdated notions was detrimental.
Their argument was interrupted by a messenger announcing that the City Lord had summoned Pei Pei. At the Hall of Proclamation, Pei Pei found Su Jue also present. The City Lord showed them fragrant jade pieces from Clear Water City, explaining that this new product was attracting merchants and harming Jade Cloud City's reputation as the top jade city.
He ordered both Pei Pei and Su Jue to quickly produce high-quality fragrant jade, exceeding the quality of Clear Water City's products, and emphasized the need for them to collaborate sincerely despite their rivalry for the city's benefit. Back at the Pei Residence, Shan Dandan playfully mocked Pei Pei for now being forced to pursue the fragrant jade idea he had initially opposed. Pei Pei acknowledged the situation but vowed they would produce fragrant jade of unparalleled quality.
Shan Dandan praised him, calling him a genius whose idea could save Jade Cloud City, and shared a kiss with him in encouragement. In the Su Jade Pavilion, Su Jue expressed his dissatisfaction with the City Lord's order to collaborate with Pei Pei, seeing it as just another form of competition. His servant suggested Shan Shuangshuang approach the owner of Tan Fragrance Pavilion to learn techniques since she knew him.
Su Jue, still sensitive about Painter Tan, decided he would go himself to discuss collaboration. The following day, Su Jue arrived at the Tan Fragrance Pavilion only to find Pei Pei already there, discussing the same matter. The two immediately engaged in a verbal sparring match. Su Jue boasted about having already started making fragrant jade pendants with Shan Shuangshuang using Painter Tan's fragrances.
Pei Pei retorted by mentioning that Shan Dandan was waiting for him downstairs, suggesting their team was more advanced. Pei Pei then left to meet Shan Dandan, leaving Su Jue feeling solitary as Shan Shuangshuang had not yet shown him such personal care. Pei Pei rejoined Shan Dandan downstairs, sharing candied hawthorn. They discussed Su Jue obtaining fragrances from Painter Tan and their progress, realizing they needed to work quickly.
Both teams, Pei Pei with Shan Dandan and Su Jue with Shan Shuangshuang, began their efforts to create fragrant jade, relying on Painter Tan's fragrances. Shan Dandan worked through the night researching how to best incorporate fragrance into jade. She concluded that jade itself was too dense, but porous limestone could be cut into thin slices and inlaid to hold the scent without affecting the jade's appearance.
Pei Pei praised her ingenuity but suggested aventurine might be a better choice due to its color blending better with jade. Agreeing to proceed, they went to see Shopkeeper Hao to discuss promoting their proposed fragrant jade bracelets. However, they found the atmosphere at the shop grim. Shopkeeper Hao revealed that their low-cost fragmented jade jewelry business was failing because Su Jade Pavilion had launched identical items two days prior, with better craftsmanship and lower prices.
Su Jue's claim that he designed the pieces to benefit low-income families boosted their sales while damaging the Pei family's reputation and leaving them with unsellable inventory, a significant blow after their Jade Competition loss. Shan Dandan immediately went to confront Shan Shuangshuang, who was also at the cloth store, asking how Su Jade Pavilion had obtained the fragmented jade designs.
Shan Shuangshuang claimed ignorance, stating they were old designs from her apprenticeship days and she had only found out about Su Jade Pavilion selling them that morning. She explained Su Jue claiming authorship was merely a marketing tactic. Shan Dandan lamented the severe impact on the Pei family's business. As Shan Dandan left to find a solution, Shan Shuangshuang expressed regret that her designs had caused trouble, and called out that she would not deceive her again.
