Episode 14 recap: Li Xiucai Stole the Plum Blossom Painting at Night
Looking at the embroidery pattern placed in Wu Lian's room, he quietly slipped into the room and cut it with a blade. However, before he could cut the pattern, Wu Lian appeared at the door of the room and pushed it open, only to find that the door was locked from the inside. Sensing something was amiss, Wu Lian kicked the door, but by then, Li Xiucai had already jumped out of the window and escaped. Wu Lian harbored deep hatred towards Meng Wan for pushing him into a corner, and he no longer needed to wait.
Seven years later, Li Chunsheng strolled arrogantly down the street, instilling fear in everyone. Li Chunsheng was notorious for being a thief. In the blink of an eye, the money pouches of people walking on the street all ended up in Li Chunsheng's possession. Just as Li Chunsheng was about to target another person, Liu Xin stepped forward and grabbed his wrist. With a single glance, Li Chunsheng recognized the familiar face of Liu Xin. Liu Xin took out the copper coin from back then and threw it into the air. Li Chunsheng immediately cried out, accusing Liu Xin of being the thief. Liu Xin was quickly surrounded and unable to escape.
Thinking he had escaped, Li Chunsheng quickened his pace to flee. Just as he thought he had successfully escaped, he attempted to push open a door but was halted by a sword. To his surprise, Liu Xin caught up from behind and subjected him to a brutal beating. Li Chunsheng invited Liu Xin into his impoverished home. As Liu Xin looked around at Li Chunsheng's destitute living conditions, she couldn't help but incessantly mutter. Li Chunsheng wanted to explain something, but Liu Xin was unwilling to listen. Liu Xin got straight to the point and asked Li Chunsheng to find a woman at the Yanyu Embroidery Tower.
Meng Wan looked at the stunning Huaijin embroidery in front of her and said it could be completed in no more than ten days. However, she instructed Huang the shopkeeper not to rush and even if it was delayed until the last day, Huang the shopkeeper did not understand Meng Wan's intentions but decided to comply.
News of Huang Embroidery House receiving an order from the Duke's Mansion quickly reached Wu Lian's ears. Wu Lian personally went to the Duke's Mansion by sedan chair, but unexpectedly received a response from the Duke's Lady that she was taking a nap. Wu Lian naturally understood the Duke's Lady's meaning but chose to wait patiently.
Unable to do anything else, the Duke's Lady personally came out to entertain Wu Lian. She recounted the hardships she had faced in the eleven years since her husband's death. The wife of the Duke of Ningguo made it clear that she was just a lonely widow and that the current situation was the result of her careful calculations step by step. Therefore, she would not allow Wu Lian to sever all the options for her remaining years just because of one person.
to English:
The wife of the Duke of Ningguo proactively served tea to Wu Lian as a final conclusion. Wu Lian, who was unwilling to give up, smirked and retaliated against Meng Wan. After bidding farewell to the wife of the Duke of Ningguo, Wu Lian bowed and left. Back at the Yan Yu Xiu Lou, Wu Lian fiercely grabbed a pair of scissors and destroyed the embroidery in front of him.
On the other side, under the instigation of Li Chun Feng, Liu Xin was forced to meet Meng Wan. After a brief exchange, Li Chun Feng wanted to inquire about the mysterious request made by Meng Wan. Recalling the previous night when he met Lou Ming Zhang through a friend's introduction, Meng Wan expressed her willingness to take over Lin Ru Lan's case and continue to accuse Wu Lian. However, as Meng Wan was a close friend of Lin Ru Lan, her credibility as a witness was somewhat weakened. If they needed to reopen the old case, they would need a starting point and find credible witnesses and evidence. Wu's prominent daughter, Zhang Rong Er, might be a breakthrough.
Late at night, Liu Xin brought Li Chun Feng to the Yan Yu Xiu Lou. After hesitating for a while, Li Chun Feng couldn't help but ask for more compensation. Liu Xin thought Li Chun Feng was foolish, realizing that a piece of embroidery from Yan Yu Xiu was invaluable. Li Chun Feng immediately climbed onto the roof to investigate.
After leaving, Liu Xin returned to his residence and watched Liu San Niang, who was drunk and dancing. Under Liu San Niang's guidance, Liu Xin dug up some aged liquor from the ground. They sat on the ground and enjoyed drinking together. Both of them, disappointed in their romantic endeavors, spoke openly. Liu San Niang felt grateful for Liu Xin, as all the men she had encountered in her life were only interested in taking advantage of her. Only Liu Xin and her lord were afraid of doing so. Liu San Niang considered Liu Xin her friend. Liu Xin jokingly asked Liu San Niang to help him find a decent pair of shoes, and amidst the strong aroma, Liu San Niang playfully drove Liu Xin away.
After a series of acrobatics, Li Chun Feng couldn't find Wu's prominent daughter anywhere. Seeing the light in the kitchen, Li Chun Feng devised a plan and set the kitchen on fire. Upon hearing the commotion in the kitchen, Chen Mo Mo voluntarily informed Wu's prominent daughter. Upon learning about the fire, Wu's prominent daughter opened the door but closed it in disgust. Li Chun Feng then secretly entered Wu's prominent daughter's room. He hurriedly explained his purpose and begged her for the truth. After much hesitation, Wu's prominent daughter still sent Li Chun Feng away.
Torn by Wu's prominent daughter's refusal, Li Chun Feng observed the chaos below, with everyone rushing around like ants in a heated pan. Amidst the commotion, Li Chun Feng heard Wu Lian instructing his subordinates to move things from his study. Li Chun Feng quietly slipped into Wu Lian's study and locked the door. Despite searching through everything, Li Chun Feng found nothing. About to leave, Li Chun Feng remembered the priceless embroidery from Yan Yu Xiu and turned back to cut the largest piece. Before Wu Lian could open the door, Li Chun Feng locked it, and sensing the disturbance, Li Chun Feng picked up speed. Taking advantage of the moment when Wu Lian broke down the door, Li Chun Feng jumped out of the window and escaped. As Wu Lian saw the embroidery piece that had been cut, his heart trembled.
Li Chun Feng ran back to his residence and claimed that he found nothing. However, before he could leave, Liu Xin intercepted him and took out the embroidery piece from his pocket. Meng Wan immediately discerned the significance of it. Meng Wan gathered everyone and unraveled the thread. Underneath a bright red flower was the name of Lin Ru Lan, and under the next flower was Meng Wan's name. It must be the evidence Wu's prominent daughter mentioned — Wu Lian's spoils, a list of victims.
The next step was to find each victim separately. Convincing one would bring more hope. Before leaving, Meng Wan handed out the red fireworks she had prepared as a distress signal.
To be honest, it's not that I don't feel sorry for Rulan, but is this bravery? It's ignorant and pointless. Yes, she was a victim, and the villain deserves to die, but the key point is that the female lead told her the truth, so she should have known the severity of the situation.
It's an age-old truth that you can't win against a powerful opponent. To put it bluntly, she lacks evidence and reason. Even if you gather all the evidence, you should decide afterwards. In that era, it wasn't a rule of law society, and impulsive actions could cost lives.
If her parents lose their jobs, her brother loses his future, and she loses her chastity, the whole family's lives could be ruined. Reporting to the authorities without evidence won't establish rape and defilement, especially when she was actually involved to some extent.
If it weren't for Wu Lian revealing his true nature, this girl might have continued with him for a second or third time. How can we talk about defilement? What if he turns the tables and accuses you of seducing him, claiming that your virginity was taken by someone else?
What would you say then?
Regardless of whether it's ancient or modern times, don't panic when faced with a situation. Be rational, gather evidence, and wait for the right moment. Some people may think I'm speaking without empathy, but everyone has different ways of looking at things.
Think about the bigger picture. In the past, you could kill someone. If that's not possible, earn enough money and wait for the right moment to hire someone to kill him. Revenge must be sought, even if it costs your life. At least your family will be safe, and you'll be protecting the people.
But this is not a foolish way to do it.
It's absolutely sickening to claim that these violated girls were willing participants. They were only around 15 years old, inexperienced in matters of intimacy. Rulan did try to resist, but she lacked the strength and couldn't succeed.
Wu Lian committed rape! On one hand, they say that women in ancient times were considered adults at 15 and knew everything, but on the other hand, they insult them for being naive. You're truly both foolish and malicious!
May these despicable men disappear from existence. You are the ones who insulted Rulan!
If the woman is not at fault, does that mean there's no need for self-reflection? Should she just easily fall into the trap of love with a few sweet words next time? Will she have to hope that the man is not a scoundrel in order to avoid getting hurt again?
Shouldn't she reflect on her own foolishness for easily falling into such a love trap? It's quite laughable that an ancient woman can be easily taken to bed by someone.
There are too many plot reminiscences. In fact, having one or two would be sufficient because the more I watched, the less I liked Lin Ru Lan. I prefer watching the strategic planning and downfall of Wu Lian seven years later.
It's captivating to witness the intellectual battles between the protagonist and antagonist.
The excessive focus on Lin Ru Lan's character makes me feel that, firstly, it's understandable that she was captivated by her husband when she first entered the embroidery building, but easily surrendering herself shows a lack of self-respect.
Furthermore, she questioned and blamed Meng Wan without proper cause. Reporting Wu Lian was one thing, but merely having determination without the courage to speak up or enough intelligence to handle situations is futile.
As a result, the people who tried to help her either fled or ended up in prison, and those around her suffered as well. It gives me the impression that Lin Ru Lan is only concerned about herself and disregards the situations of others.
Therefore, there was no need for such an extensive portrayal of her character seven years ago. The more it was emphasized, the less meaningful it became. It would have been better to focus on the present timeline.