Episode 25 recap: Time has passed, and everything has changed.
If none of this had ever happened... The Wu family sat happily around the dinner table. Wu's father hoped that Wu Lian would participate in the imperial examination, as it would secure his future career. Wu's mother, on the other hand, believed it was more appropriate for her son to learn business from her. The little sister respected Wu Lian's own choices and didn't want to force him.
Unexpectedly, when Wu Lian jokingly said he wanted to become a pastry chef, it became a reality. Wu Lian spent his days in the kitchen, studying how to make pastries. Proudly, he would present his creations to his mother and little sister for tasting. Later, Wu Lian actually opened a pastry shop in the city, and he had four of them. Wu's father and mother were preparing to open their own pastry shop in Huai Prefecture, but Wu Lian had even bigger ambitions. He wanted to open his own pastry shop in the capital city.
Wu Lian immediately set off, taking a carriage to the capital city. Along the way, he encountered Wu An, who was using a cane and had collapsed. Wu Lian got off the carriage and offered his water bottle to Wu An. In that moment, Wu An was filled with gratitude... If they didn't have to become sworn brothers...
Meng's mother had already chosen to separate from Meng's father. Faced with the rascal Meng's father constantly demanding money, Meng's mother took up a broom and drove him away.
Meng's mother expressed her satisfaction with the decision to separate, but Meng Wan's thoughts were elsewhere. He was thinking about the return of his neighbor, Xu Da Ge, and wanted to go overseas with him to do business. Meng's mother could immediately see through Meng Wan's thoughts.
Seeing Meng's mother hesitating, Meng Wan persuaded his mother to go overseas and broaden their horizons. After all, his mother knew his personality the best. In their conversation, the mother and daughter arrived at Dou Hua Xi Shi's place. Two children were playing and kicking a ball in front of the shop. Liu Xin, their father, approached and squatted down to ask about their studies.
After getting up and putting down what he held in his hands, Liu Xin took out a specially bought hairpin from his pocket and gave it to Dou Hua Xi Shi. He personally put it on her. Liu San Niang was still at the bird garden and immediately took a liking to the musician Yuan Mei. Yuan Mei had joined a traveling theater troupe and came to Huai Prefecture. It was said that the troupe leader mistreated him, and every time he ran away, he was caught and brought back. It was truly a pity.
After the performance, Liu San Niang applauded for Yuan Mei. When Yuan Mei got up to leave, Liu San Niang called out to him, asking for a moment to talk. Yuan Mei mistakenly thought that Liu San Niang, being a lady, was making fun of him and wanted to leave. However, he didn't expect that Liu San Niang actually admired his talent and was willing to redeem him. Seeing Liu San Niang's departing figure, Yuan Mei's heart was filled with excitement.
Back at her residence, Liu San Niang was preparing to leave in a carriage but realized that she had forgotten her handkerchief. She ordered her maid to go back to the house and find it. Just as she waited for a moment, a masked man burst into the carriage and covered Liu San Niang's mouth. A group of people followed closely behind. Liu San Niang pulled back the curtain of the carriage and scared off the pursuers.
As the carriage continued forward, Shen Mu introduced himself as someone who robs the rich to help the poor and fights against injustice in the world, which goes against proper order and propriety. They bid each other farewell. At the first alley, Shen Mu got off the carriage and went to Mofengxiulou, where people sold embroidered products and made huge profits. Shen Mu borrowed some embroidered items to distribute among the people affected by the disaster in the western suburbs in exchange for money.
Inside the embroidery building, Feng Da personally taught the embroiderers for the first time. Shen Mu, who had sneaked into the building, was quickly discovered by a servant nearby, who informed Feng Da. Feng Da went to investigate with his men. Shen Mu was playing with the embroidered items when Feng Da pushed open the door. Shen Mu instinctively held a knife and accused Feng Da of smuggling royal embroidery. However, Feng Da didn't recognize him or understand why he would make such an accusation. Upon closer inspection, Feng Da recognized the so-called embroidered items as the work of Xiao Niang Zi, an embroiderer in the building. Chen Mo Mo, who was standing beside them, kept her head down and didn't dare to speak. Under Feng Da's reprimand, Chen Mo Moapologized and admitted her mistake. She explained that she had taken the embroidered items without permission to help those in need. Shen Mu was taken aback by her courage and compassion.
Seeing the sincerity in Chen Mo Mo's eyes, Feng Da decided not to punish her severely. Instead, he gave her a warning and asked her to return the embroidered items. Shen Mu, who had been observing silently, was deeply moved by Chen Mo Mo's selflessness. He approached her and thanked her for her kindness. Chen Mo Mo was surprised by his gratitude and introduced herself.
As they continued to talk, Shen Mu revealed his true identity as a masked vigilante who fought against injustice. He shared his mission to protect the weak and punish the corrupt. Chen Mo Mo was both fascinated and worried for Shen Mu's safety. She expressed her concerns about the dangers he faced and the risks he took. Shen Mu assured her that he was prepared for the consequences and was willing to sacrifice himself for the greater good.
Their conversation continued late into the night, with Shen Mu sharing stories of his encounters and the injustices he had witnessed. Chen Mo Mo listened attentively, her admiration for Shen Mu growing with each word. She felt a deep connection with him, as if they shared a common purpose.
As dawn approached, Shen Mu realized that he had spent the entire night talking to Chen Mo Mo. He reluctantly bid her farewell, promising to return and continue their conversation. Chen Mo Mo watched as Shen Mu disappeared into the darkness, his figure becoming a mere silhouette.
Days turned into weeks, and weeks turned into months. Shen Mu and Chen Mo Mo continued to meet in secret, sharing their thoughts, dreams, and aspirations. They formed a strong bond, united by their desire to make the world a better place.
The farce came to an end, and Shen Mu quickly slipped away. Looking at the account book of Xiu Lou, Feng Da also sighed. There wasn't much left indeed, but the smuggling business could no longer continue. Feng Da had no choice but to go to Huangji Xiu Zhuang. The owner of Huangji Xiu Zhuang had always wanted to learn the Thunder Inducing Hammer Needle technique from Mo Feng Xiu Lou. Feng Da handed over the book he had personally written. This Thunder Inducing Hammer Needle technique was Feng Da's secret skill that he had researched for many years, but for the future and development of Xiu Lou, it had to be done this way.
Chen Mo Mo took the books and went to Huangji Xiu Zhuang to do business. The last secret book was only sold for one hundred guan. After Chen Mo Mo left, the wife of the Duke of Ningguo personally came to Huangji Xiu Zhuang. Tomorrow, the wife of the Duke of Ningguo would set off for the capital. She thanked Huang the shopkeeper for winning the favor of the Empress Dowager with Hua Jin Xiu. Huang the shopkeeper also expressed gratitude for the wife of the Duke of Ningguo's appreciation.
The wife of the Duke of Ningguo sympathized with Huang the shopkeeper and didn't want to leave her behind. She wanted her to go back to the capital together. However, Huang the shopkeeper refused even in such a good opportunity. The unexpected success of Hua Jin Xiu was not what she had originally intended when she opened the embroidery shop and silk thread workshop. She wanted to provide the common people with affordable and good-quality clothes. If Hua Jin Xiu became an exclusive embroidery shop for the wealthy and powerful, it would go against her wishes.
After finishing embroidering Tianjia Niang Zi's wedding dress, Huang the shopkeeper delivered it to the house and then left. Inside the house, Tian Xiao Ling refused to get married no matter what and insisted on waiting for Li Chun Feng, who was going to the capital for the imperial examination. It had been three years, but Tian Xiao Ling was still willing to wait. Tian's mother was enraged and gasping for breath. Tian Xiao Ling didn't want to listen to her mother's nagging, so she ran out of the house. However, at the doorstep, she finally saw the person who had been out of contact for three years, and they embraced each other.
Three years had passed, and Li Chun Feng still hadn't passed the examination. Hearing that Xiao Ling was going to get married, Li Chun Feng grabbed her hand and wanted to run away. Looking back at Tian's residence, the two of them ran through the streets and alleys. Tian Xiao Ling stopped and slapped Li Chun Feng. This slap was for his three years of no contact. They reconciled on the spot and got married on the spot.
Lin Ru Lan was dressing up in her room. She sat in front of the mirror in a red dress, and her mother was behind her combing her hair. Lin Ru Lan looked at herself in the mirror, and her smile never faded. Her mother gave her final instructions, but Lin Ru Lan had no fear. After all, she had grown up with her brother from the Lin family. The two families had known each other for many years and knew each other inside out. They were only separated by two streets, so there was no need to worry.
The Lin family's sedan chair had arrived. Lin Lang teased her younger sister and personally carried her into the sedan chair. The whole family was full of laughter and joy. Seven days later, it was the Lantern Festival. Meng Wan and Big Brother Xu strolled on the street, and Big Brother Xu took the initiative to hold Meng Wan's hand and bought her a lantern. Liu Xin and Dou Hua Xi Shi happily sold tofu pudding together. Liu San Niang pulled Yuan Mei to watch the fireworks show together. Shen Mu continued to evade pursuit. Feng Da and Chen Mo Mo enjoyed the lively streets. Huang the shopkeeper watched the dragon dance. Li Chun Feng and Tian Xiao Ling guessed riddles and won a rabbit lantern. Tian Xiao Ling couldn't bear to let it go.
Holding a candle alone, the embroiderer girl persists in seeking righteousness through the night, while the heroine steals from the nuns and prostitutes. After seven years of plotting, revenge is finally accomplished. The song ends, and people disperse, but the lingering emotions are hard to calm. A dream as ethereal as a yellow millet is exchanged for the mortal world. I only wish that this dream will never wake, even if we can't meet again in this lifetime. (End of the play)
The beginning of the final episode might initially provoke a strong dislike, as it feels like the well-established plotline is suddenly whitewashed, which is quite unsatisfying. However, if one persists and continues watching, they will discover the significance of this episode and can't help but applaud such an arrangement.
Starting with Wu Lian's childhood in a loving family environment, it rewrites another possibility for each character. It expresses the idea that if every child is cared for and introduced to the world through a medium of love within their family, not only with care and affirmation but also with a love for life, they will feel how wonderful it is to be born into this world.
They will then see the world with love and respond to it with love.
In that case, everyone's life becomes a simple and beautiful way of living, with a higher sense of happiness. This reminds me of the education system in Finland.
Unfortunately, in the world of television, everything cannot be redone. It was just a dream of the female lead, which is deeply regrettable and heartbreaking.
Thumbs up for this episode.
Deceiving emotions is a moral issue, while rape is a legal issue. There is a distinction between the two. I don't see Lin Ru Lan as entirely innocent.
Even a few days after the incident, she still appeared happy, giving a sense of mutual affection. It wasn't until she discovered that many girls had been deceived that she launched a furious counterattack.
Meng Wan is the true victim here, repeatedly coerced into engaging in sexual relations. However, gathering evidence for such incidents is extremely difficult, and Meng Wan herself struggles to break free due to her family circumstances.
This drama is very educational, as it alludes to real-life cases where teachers sexually abuse students, taking advantage of their innocence and deceiving them.
It's clearly the fault of the criminals, so why do we blame the victims? Is there a theory that victims are guilty?
If you were deceived because you were naive and trusting, does that mean you deserve it? Even if someone deceives and harms you, as long as you don't believe them, you won't be deceived or victimized, right?
If you can't protect yourself, then it's your own fault if you're deceived and victimized, and you should endure it silently.
Is it even wrong to seek justice?
We shouldn't interpret ancient times with modern thinking, but the reason this drama is being broadcast is to encourage everyone to criticize criminals with a modern mindset. It tells us that if women encounter such situations, they should be brave like Lin Ru Lan, like Meng Wan, like San Niang.
Silence only allows the evildoers to become even more brazen and lets more innocent people continue to be deceived and victimized.
The ending was fantastic, and it carried a great educational message! The first half of the drama, with the interweaving of scenes from seven years ago, was a bit confusing, and we had to rely on costumes to differentiate them.
Having visual distinctions in terms of color tones would have been helpful. Let everything follow the course of nature, without forcing it! When it comes to education, if there are differences, they can be discussed, or corrected gradually as one grows, without blindly suppressing them.
Life is not easy, and marriage is a turning point, a second chance at life! It requires calm and rational judgment for making choices. Otherwise, one wrong step can lead to a series of mistakes.