Unique Lady Season 3 Episode 13 Recap
> Unique Lady Season 3 Recap
Someone began smashing a rice stall, destroying the rice Lin Luojing was about to buy. As she prepared to confront the person, Jiang Xuanyu arrived and stepped in front of her. He asked why she was there, and Lin Luojing explained that she was buying the popular Qi Yu rice everyone had been praising.
She then asked if he was also there to buy rice, to which Jiang Xuanyu replied that he was instructed by the Sheng Jing Chamber of Commerce to expel the rice vendors. Lin Luojing argued that it was heartless to drive away merchants who had traveled a long distance to conduct small businesses, especially after denying them entry into the Chamber.
Jiang Xuanyu clarified that while the Qi Yu merchants were fine initially, their current low pricing was disrupting the market through malicious competition. The public, however, praised the Qi Yu rice for its quality and flavor, wondering what they would eat if the vendors were expelled. Lin Luojing then inspected the rice closely and discovered it had been coated with white wax oil, suggesting a serious problem.
A secret guard informed Liu Xiuwen that Lin Luojing had discovered the Qi Yu rice fraud and that Zhong Wumei had already gone to see His Majesty. The guard warned that if the news spread, all of Liu Xiuwen’s efforts for Qi Yu’s commerce would be wasted. Liu Xiuwen was surprised by the news of the fraud and Zhong Wumei's audience with the Emperor, but the guard cryptically stated that he would know when the time was right.
Meanwhile, Zhong Wumei petitioned the Emperor, citing the treachery of Qi Yu merchants and requesting their expulsion, including Liu Xiuwen himself, from Sheng Jing. He emphasized the health risks of waxed rice to the Sheng Jing people. Just as the Emperor seemed swayed, Liu Xiuwen arrived, bringing the vendor who confessed to mixing white wax oil into the rice to make it appear whiter and sell better, claiming he was unaware it was poisonous.
Liu Xiuwen then theatrically cut his own arm, vowing that all Qi Yu rice would be withdrawn from Sheng Jing and never return. He offered the offending vendor to Sheng Jing for punishment without interference from Qi Yu, pleading with the Emperor not to punish other innocent Qi Yu merchants. The Emperor, acknowledging Liu Xiuwen's sincerity, ordered the vendor to be taken away for severe interrogation, allowing Liu Xiuwen to retain his position and the Qi Yu merchants to stay.
Later, Liu Xiuwen confronted Prince Jing Yuan, demanding to know why he instigated such a scheme. Liu Xiuwen declared that Qi Yu people would never resort to such low-level tactics unless provoked. Prince Jing Yuan cynically responded that people die for wealth and birds for food, and one cannot blame human nature for its pursuit of money.
Liu Xiuwen retorted that his plan was to obtain the crystal bead to save his Qi Yu people, not to tolerate actions that harm the people of Sheng Jing. Prince Jing Yuan criticized Liu Xiuwen for his "gentleman's heart and woman's benevolence," asserting that "only with sacrifice comes gain," and "being soft-hearted cannot achieve great things."
He then revealed that he had engineered the entire rice incident, from its initial popularity to the discovery of the fraud, to achieve his own goals. He provocatively asked Liu Xiuwen what he thought, confirming it was all part of his plan. Back at the manor, Zhong Wumei was in a foul mood after the audience with the Emperor.
Lin Luojing tried to comfort him by offering a new dessert, but he was fixated on her loyalty, accusing her of wanting Liu Xiuwen to stay in Sheng Jing. He recalled her past interactions with Liu Xiuwen, even after regaining his memory, showing his jealousy. Lin Luojing tried to teach Zhong Wumei how to make a "finger heart" as a gesture of love, but he comically misunderstood it as a "butt" gesture, much to her amusement and Xi Que's confusion.
The Emperor, whose health was clearly declining, received a rare thousand-year-old isatis root from Prince Jing Yuan. During their conversation, Prince Jing Yuan brought up the public's complaints following the rice incident, noting that people felt the Sheng Jing Chamber of Commerce was being too overbearing. He proposed holding a Chamber of Commerce contest in the marketplace to stabilize public opinion and silence critics.
The Emperor agreed, tasking Prince Jing Yuan with the arrangements and emphasizing that Sheng Jing must not lose. Prince Jing Yuan nominated Jiang Xuanyu to represent Sheng Jing, while Liu Xiuwen would represent Qi Yu. News of the upcoming contest and Jiang Xuanyu's participation spread rapidly among the common people, who expressed great confidence in his ability to win, especially since the first round involved garment design, his specialty.
Lin Luojing, however, worried about the immense pressure on Jiang Xuanyu, observing how much he had "lost weight" recently. Jiang Xuanyu's uncles also cautioned him not to be negligent, despite his strength in the first round. Tang Meng felt useless, wishing she could help Jiang Xuanyu, who reassured her to simply trust him. A mysterious woman then appeared in Tang Meng’s room, offering her help.
Finally, the Contest of Chamber of Commerce commenced with much fanfare, complete with a catwalk, which Lin Luojing likened to a "fashion show." Lin Luojing had intended for Xi Que to hold a sign, but Zhang Ji, eager to impress, insisted on doing it himself, enjoying the attention from the crowd.
She proudly mentioned lending Xi Que to assist, and Zhong Wumei teasingly remarked on her "sensible" behavior, joking that otherwise, she would again be accused of colluding with Liu Xiuwen. As the auspicious hour arrived, Jiang Xuanyu and Liu Xiuwen, the respective representatives of Sheng Jing and Qi Yu, made their grand entrances. Jiang Xuanyu, looking dashing, was cheered by the crowd as "the handsome, crazy rich Jiang." Liu Xiuwen also appeared extraordinary, garnering cheers from his supporters.
Zhong Wumei, standing with Lin Luojing, jealously tried to block her view of Liu Xiuwen, fearing her heart might "fly away." Moments before Sheng Jing's turn, Tang Meng grew anxious, realizing their models hadn't arrived, fearing sabotage by the Qi Yu people. Zhong Wumei dismissed her concerns, but Lin Luojing quickly devised a plan. The first round, "Ready-to-wear garments," began.
Su Yi Yi, a former top performer from Wen Xiang Lou, surprisingly took the stage to represent Qi Yu, declaring she would show no mercy to Jiang Xuanyu. Qi Yu's theme, "Crown of the Forest, Hundred Birds Greeting Phoenix," featured garments adorned with feathers from skylarks, peacocks, and gray wolf fur, symbolizing Qi Yu's natural style. For Sheng Jing’s presentation, Lin Luojing, Zhong Wumei, along with Xi Que, Yu, and other staff members, stepped onto the catwalk themselves.
Jiang Xuanyu explained that his designs were elegant, focusing on the beauty of culture and etiquette, incorporating totem patterns to deepen cultural heritage. He emphasized using ordinary materials, conveying that good clothing lies in design, comfort, freedom, and being down to earth, rather than expensive fabrics that "make you dizzy." Zhong Wumei and Lin Luojing modeled a beautiful dress featuring Kylin embroidery, a mythical creature symbolizing auspiciousness and protection.
Zhong Wumei praised the comfort and meaningful design of the dress, seizing the moment to announce that similar styles were available at Shisanyu Shop, strongly endorsing it to the audience. Liu Xiuwen watched Zhong Wumei and Lin Luojing on stage, observing this unexpected turn of events.
