Episode 27 recap: Xue Shu's clever scheme backfired.
Jiang Xue Ning asked Xie Wei what he wanted from her. Xie Wei explicitly told her that because she saved his life, he did not take advantage of her. Throughout his difficult journey, he never gave up. He urged Jiang Xue Ning not to give up on herself. Although the palace classes were suspended, Xie Wei wanted Jiang Xue Ning to continue learning the qin at his residence. Furthermore, Xie Wei informed Jiang Xue Ning that Zhang Zhe was not suitable for him.
Upon returning home, Jiang Xue Ning faced her mother's stern expression as she questioned her about the scandalous things she had done. Jiang Xue Ning was bewildered by the scolding until her father explained it to her. He told her that during the Minister of Rites' family singing gathering, someone used storytelling to mock her for secretly meeting her lover in prison. After hearing her father's account, Jiang Xue Ning immediately guessed that it was the doing of the Xue family. Worried that this news would bring trouble to her family, her mother was infuriated and about to slap Jiang Xue Ning, but her father stopped her.
Upon learning about the incident, Jiang Xue Hui immediately guessed that Xue Shu wanted her to give up on the selection of the consort, so she confronted him. Jiang Xue Hui's speculation turned out to be correct. When they met, Xue Shu straightforwardly told her that if she gave up on becoming Shen Jie's consort, he would no longer trouble the Jiang family.
Upon discovering that Jiang Xue Hui had met with Xue Shu, Jiang Xue Ning worried that she would consider the Jiang family's interests and give up the opportunity to become the consort. In order to thwart Xue Shu's plot, she wrote a letter to Shen Jie. Due to Jiang Xue Ning's trip to Tongzhou, rumors were spreading in the capital. Xie Wei approached Zhang Zhe, hoping he would investigate the matter thoroughly. Xie Wei also reminded Zhang Zhe that Jiang Xue Ning had always kept him in her heart.
After Xie Wei left, Zhang Zhe suddenly remembered his mother's words. When he called off the marriage arrangement with the Yao family, his mother immediately guessed that he had feelings for someone else. She asked him which girl he had in mind. As Zhang Zhe thought about this, tears uncontrollably streamed down his face.
Shen Jie's love for Jiang Xue Hui was deep and unwavering. After receiving Jiang Xue Ning's letter, he stormed into the study to see the Emperor, pleading for his intervention. The Empress Dowager insisted on him marrying Xue Shu as his consort, but his heart already belonged to another beloved girl. Upon hearing Shen Jie's words, the Emperor started coughing violently. Once Shen Jie left, the Emperor sighed as he caressed the Empress's belly, realizing that the Empress's appetite for power was growing, and there might not be any room left for a younger prince.
When Jiang Xue Ning returned home, she unexpectedly learned that her father intended to resign from his position. Perplexed, she asked her father for the reason. Her father sighed and told her that he had always remained neutral, but now, judging from the Xue family's targeting of Jiang Xue Ning, they must have set their sights on him. Jiang Xue Ning expressed remorse, realizing that she had been willful and failed to understand her father's difficulties. However, she was determined to take responsibility for her actions. Seeing his daughter's maturity, Old Jiang felt deeply gratified. Holding the memorial he had just written, he became even more resolute.
The next day at court, Old Jiang submitted his memorial to the Emperor, accusing Xue Yuan of embezzling relief grain funds three years ago. Although Xue Yuan was somewhat surprised, he did not panic. However, what he did not expect was that after Old Jiang finished his accusation, Xie Wei once again brought up the case of missing military supplies. To his further surprise, Zhang Zhe also suddenly reported to the Emperor that Jiang Xue Ning had taken risks and made achievements during the pacification of rebellion in Tongzhou. Shockingly, Xue Shu, in order to secure her position as a consort, deliberately spread rumors through storytellers to defame Jiang Xue Ning's reputation. Xie Wei presented the evidence he had recently investigated. Enraged, the Emperor ordered Xie Wei and Zhang Zhe to thoroughly investigate all matters related to Xue Yuan.
Upon learning the news, the Empress Dowager realized that Xue Shu had once again caused trouble for herself and slapped her. After returning home, before Xue Shu could complain to her father, Xue Yuan slapped her twice. Still furious after punishing Xue Shu, Xue Yuan received a sudden report that Xie Wei and Zhang Zhe were causing trouble at the Xingwu Guard. Upon hearing this news, Xue Yuan hurriedly rushed there and questioned the two about their intentions. However, Xie Wei coldly sneered and asked if Xue Yuan had forgotten the Emperor's recent decree.
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