Episode 15 recap: Shi Zi tested Chun Jin Rong, and Guo Zhen Sheng comforted the four sisters with all his heart.
Shi Zi got drunk on his birthday, and the next day he had a slight headache, but when he remembered his and Jin Rong's affectionate moments, he felt sweet inside. Li Teng Yun brought porridge for Shi Zi, and Shi Zi casually asked about the events of the previous day. Li Teng Yun, cunning as ever, claimed to have also drunk too much and didn't remember anything.
Shi Zi was grateful to Li Teng Yun for celebrating his birthday and Li Teng Yun said it was something she should do. Early in the morning, Xiao Xiao came to Shi Zi's residence to invite Jin Rong to participate in a delicious tasting event. Many important figures in Jianglin would attend, and it was a symbol of status. Now that everyone knew Jin Rong was Shi Zi's woman, they all treated her politely. Jin Rong even had the honor of striking the bell at the tasting event.
A few sedan chair carriers were whispering outside and when they saw Guo Zhen Sheng passing by, they gossiped behind his back, speculating about his relationship with Du Ru Yu, the widow. Guo Zhen Sheng got angry and turned back to warn them not to spread rumors, or he would report them for defamation.
Jin Rong tasted the delicacies at the tasting event and found them difficult to swallow, but Jianglin's wealthiest woman, Wu Fu Ren, bought multiple servings. Guo Zhen Sheng returned home and told Lu Bu Ping about the gossip circulating about Chun Fu. Lu Bu Ping apologized, blaming herself for not handling things well and causing embarrassment to Chun Fu. Guo Zhen Sheng quickly comforted her.
Pei Lan came to pay respects to her father and tearfully explained the current situation of her family. Guo Zhen Sheng approached her and found her longing for her father understandable. Seeing Jin Rong not buying anything, Wu Fu Ren sarcastically remarked that she must be broke. If she truly was Shi Zi's woman, her behavior would be an embarrassment to him.
Jin Rong stood her ground and calmly responded that she only bought things she liked. She also sarcastically remarked that Wu Fu Ren had dirty hands. Then, she bid farewell to everyone at the tasting event in a straightforward manner. Guo Zhen Sheng noticed that people in the residence were truly unhappy, even Ke Ling, who was usually lively and cute. He wanted to find a way to make her happy. Du Ru Yu, watching from a distance, started to see Guo Zhen Sheng in a new light.
Jin Rong and Xiao Xiao left the tasting event, and on the way, they encountered Shi Zi's subordinates who informed Jin Rong that Shi Zi wanted to see her. Jin Rong's heart was filled with joy upon hearing the news.
When Shi Zi was alone with Jin Rong, he asked if she had been telling people that she was his woman and had been intimate with him. Jin Rong felt that Shi Zi had called her here today to interrogate her. Shi Zi asked her what she really thought because it wouldn't be good for him if such rumors spread. Jin Rong, angered by his words, expressed her disbelief that Shi Zi was such a person who took advantage of others and acted innocent afterward. She declared that she would no longer have any association with him.
Upset, Jin Rong angrily left, ignoring Shi Zi's calls. His true intentions were completely different from what he appeared to express. Guo Zhen Sheng came to comfort Ban Xia again and encouraged her to learn from Jin Rong, to learn how to heal herself, but Ban Xia didn't understand what he meant. Shi Zi, furious, sought the help of Li Teng Yun to bring Jin Rong back. He hadn't even scolded her yet, but she had already distanced herself from him.
Li Teng Yun speculated that Shi Zi had fallen in love with Jin Rong, but Shi Zi stubbornly refused to admit it. Li Teng Yun suggested a plan to test Jin Rong by offering her money. If she accepted it, it would mean she cared about Shi Zi's status and wealth. If she refused, it would indicate that she loved Shi Zi himself.
Guo Zhen Sheng and Lu Bu Ping saw Du Ru Yu holding a knife by the lake and thought she was contemplating suicide. They rushed over to persuade her but discovered that she was only planning to catch fish there. Li Teng Yun approached Jin Rong with silver notes, telling her that if she accepted the money, she would have no further relationship with Shi Zi. Jin Rong didn't hesitate and took the silver notes. When Shi Zi heard about this, he was still not convinced and sent Li Teng Yun again with the silver notes to test Jin Rong. Without hesitation, Jin Rong took the money and told Li Teng Yun to go back and tell Shi Zi that she not only had no intention of having any association with him in the future but also would soon forget about him completely.
Du Ru Yu busied herself preparing a sacrifice. It turned out to be the anniversary of her husband's death. Guo Zhen Sheng finally understood the reason why everyone was unhappy. He knelt in front of his senior brother's memorial tablet and cried uncontrollably. Du Ru Yu expressed that she had forgiven him a long time ago. Shi Zi couldn't sleep all night and decided to escalate the testing of Jin Rong. Li Teng Yun realized that Shi Zi had gone crazy.
Jin Rong held a tasting event at the Chun Jiang Tower and specifically invited Li Teng Yun to attend. Shi Zi, furious, rushed over to intervene and warned the men present that anyone who dared to have any thoughts about Chun Jin Rong would be dealt with severely. Shi Zi personally went to find Jin Rong with a gift, only to discover that Du Ru Yu had eaten the expensive imported fish he had bought.
Because of a box of egg pastries, the second sister mistakenly used the toxic powder that the youngest sister brought back, thinking it was powdered sugar, and added it to the pastries.
A blind date ended right there. Yu Ruyu cares about her reputation.
Her eldest daughter is already thirty and still unmarried. What kind of talk will circulate? And she still has three more daughters behind her. If the eldest can't get married, it will be even more difficult for the others.
Yu Ruyu continues to navigate the path of blind dates with her eldest daughter.
Unexpectedly, they are squeezed into the mansion by the congratulatory procession of a wealthy family. They didn't even receive a dowry when entering the door. Yu Ruyu stopped her eldest daughter from eating others' food, but when they were leaving, a servant intercepted them and demanded a dowry.
They didn't even get to sit at the table, yet they have to pay for the gifts. This is very distressing for Yu Ruyu. Not only does she have to compensate for the money owed due to the egg pastry incident, but she also has to give a gift to the wealthy master.
Isn't this adding insult to injury for a family that is not well-off to begin with?
Yu Ruyu is stubborn. Even though the servant had let them leave, she felt that his words were offensive. She clearly wasn't there to freeload, but being mistaken for one made her uncomfortable.
Several times, she tried to leave but returned to argue with the servant.
Later, they even alarmed the wealthy master. Originally, it was a polite situation, but Yu Ruyu's repeated emphasis caused the elderly master to grow cold and scold the servant for letting anyone in.
That's how people are, choosing to suffer rather than lose face. Yu Ruyu couldn't bear it anymore. She took out money to congratulate the elderly master's birthday and returned to the table, still feeling indignant.
Ruyu's ex-husband, called Meng Long? Haha, why not call him Meng Kong instead, as his grand dreams have come to nothing. His junior brother brings back a previously unseen herb from outside, and in the end, his senior brother plays the Divine Farmer and samples all sorts of herbs.
Unfortunately, he overdoses and meets an early demise.
Left behind are Ruyu, an orphaned widow, and their five children. His junior brother, Zhensheng, should feel guilty deep down, after all, it was he who brought back the herb. So, he willingly takes on the responsibility of taking care of this big family.
He sells the pharmacy and lends all his savings to Ruyu. Once the family settles down in the city, he makes a long journey to come and see how they're doing, claiming to just want to check on the well-being of the mother and daughters.
In reality, he has no money or house left and naturally wants to seek refuge with them.
He becomes another long-term laborer who doesn't ask for a salary. Ruyu's family, actually, is quite content, but they don't realize it themselves.
Let's not talk about anything else, let's just focus on this business partnership where they split the profits one-ninth.
Have you ever seen such a thing? When I saw that, I couldn't help but burst into laughter. How is this even considered a fair division? It's clearly the wife giving the husband an allowance!
Sometimes, people shouldn't be too stubborn, especially women.
If the person in front, for whatever reason, is gone and no longer there, then be resolute and brave enough to find someone else. Life is long, and there are still days to be lived. Why suffer and cling to a façade of self-righteousness under a memorial arch?
If you haven't found a true partner, that's one thing, but if you've encountered the right person, then dare to love again.
Take a look at our hero Lu Bu Ping's attire. Dressed in white with a white bamboo hat, at first glance, he truly embodies the image of a generation of heroes. He has a majestic appearance and speaks with a resounding voice.
But who would have thought that his true skill would be exposed by a little hooligan's attack? What kind of hero is he? Not only can he not defeat a little hooligan, but he can't even master the posture of drawing a sword.
From the moment the sword clumsily fell to the ground, he lost his reputation and bid farewell to his hero identity.
Now, let me ask you, is it worth giving up one's identity for the sake of love?
Although he no longer has dreams of wandering the world and upholding justice, he has entered the Pei Lan household and become a long-term servant.
If we consider only the aspect of survival, Pei Lan has undoubtedly saved him.
With his martial arts skills, if he hadn't left the city gates, he probably would have met an untimely end.
Moreover, being a servant is not a bad thing. Although he hasn't mastered martial arts, he has acquired many useful skills.
He can do everything from cleaning and picking vegetables to washing clothes. He has become a versatile household husband, which is highly sought after in today's society. Nowadays, it's popular to have a powerful female lead and a cute, obedient male companion.
That's how you can truly enjoy a happy life.
I think Pei Lan and Bu Ping's mismatched partnership is quite good. When they complain, there is someone to listen. When they are sad, there is someone to comfort and console.
Pei Lan can even step in and save the day when Ruyu loses her temper. Moreover, Lu Bu Ping should come from a decent family. Perhaps he ran away from home to experience life. When the truth is revealed, he will surely give Pei Lan a grand wedding ceremony.
The heavens always arrange opportunities for people, granting chances for even the lowliest serf to sing their song. It all depends on whether you can recognize this stroke of luck as your own and seize it.
However, there are some people who, even though they know it's an opportunity, still foolishly let it slip away. For them, another choice may seem like a disadvantage, but it's what they truly desire.
Just like our Uncle Zhensheng, his only wish for the rest of his life is to take care of the orphans and widows of the Chun family. It's his responsibility, obligation, and vision.
So when the owner of the big pharmacy extended an olive branch, he firmly declined.
Although it offered greater development and a better future, it also meant that he would have to leave the Chun family where he had finally found a home, only to set off on his own again. That wasn't what he wanted.
Even if he doesn't have significant progress in the future, he will persist in staying true to his original intention.
But what's most vexing is having intelligent people around you who also recognize these opportunities and think you're a complete fool for missing them.
They believe you're foolish, so they try to arrange things for your own good. This kind of situation is the most painful. You can't straightforwardly tell them the truth and reject their well-intentioned efforts.
Instead, you have to dodge and circumvent with them.
Uncle Zhensheng has also experienced such pain, but it's difficult to express his suffering.
The four Chun sisters have distinct personalities and have reached the age where they are ready for marriage. The heavens have truly been kind to them, as they each have been assigned their respective good matches.
Ruyu is still genuinely concerned about her four daughters and has been tirelessly seeking suitable matches for them. Her top priority is to marry off the eldest daughter, who is nearing thirty.
It's a comedy, or else, given the Chun family's status, how could the eldest daughter possibly marry into the Prince's household? Not to mention becoming the Princess, even being a concubine would be impossible.
The social status and background just don't match.
As for the fourth daughter, it's even more unlikely for her to have any connection with the Fourth Prince. Currently, the official partner for the third daughter hasn't been determined yet.
It would be quite disappointing for her to marry a fortune teller. Perhaps her destined marriage hasn't arrived yet. Oh, heavenly deities, don't overlook anyone. Everyone has their own good match.
It's just that some people can't wait and hastily settle for someone, only to realize they've missed out. It's truly regrettable.
When it comes to matters of the heart, there's no need to rush.
What's meant to come will come in due time. Why be so anxious and fear ending up alone in old age?
Even if one remains single, that can still be the best arrangement. It involves fewer calculations and allows people to live happily.
Ruyu is a good mother. She single-handedly raised her four daughters. Although their temperaments and personalities differ, none of them have caused major trouble. They each have their own pursuits and aspirations, but they are all harmless.
It's not unreasonable to say that they are all kind-hearted. In fact, Ruyu was quite strict when it came to educating her daughters. She always put on a tough and unapproachable demeanor, appearing fierce and threatening.
But did she really intend to physically harm or scold them? Not at all. It was just a way to frighten them.
Although it was an education, she fully respected her daughters' nature and didn't try to suppress them excessively.
Otherwise, they wouldn't have grown up to be so independent and unique.
Education should be like this—providing appropriate guidance while giving them more space and freedom. Children have their own understanding and judgment.
It's not that what you strongly restrict and plan for them is absolutely right and good.
In this world, there is no absolute right or wrong. Good and bad are relative. Many parents tend to impose excessive restrictions when educating their children.
You should do this, you shouldn't do that.
Such excessive constraints not only fail to achieve the desired results but also make the children resentful. In matters of great importance, children often know right from wrong.
The more you interfere, the more likely they are to rebel and choose the wrong path as a protest.
Money is a good thing, but a noble person knows how to handle it wisely. It's not advisable to follow in Xiaoxiao's footsteps and marry an old man just to secure a life of abundance.
Isn't she sacrificing her own happiness for the sake of material wealth?
Many girls in life make such choices. Perhaps they think that life is fragile, and who knows when the old man will pass away, leaving behind a large inheritance. Then they can continue to live a life of affluence and find a young partner to enjoy so-called love.
But people have thoughts and emotions. Can you easily forget all the hardships and compromises you have experienced? In secret, do you not despise and abhor the behavior of sacrificing yourself for money?
Living with or without money is one thing, but happiness is another.
Even a simple and ordinary life can be fulfilling. Selling your happiness in exchange for a life of affluence is truly something I cannot agree with.
Pelan and Lu Bu Ping are just an ordinary couple. Their simple life of farming and weaving, isn't that what we aspire to?
Even though they can't afford meat buns, poisonous mushrooms are not bad either. Haha! If it weren't for the poisonous mushrooms, Lu Bu Ping might not have called out "wife" and realized that they had already fallen deeply in love through their daily companionship.
The eldest sister is shrewd and calculating, while the second sister is naive and simple-minded. They complement each other, and in the future, the eldest sister will protect the second sister, ensuring that Prince won't be disappointed in his son again.
The second sister is thrifty and kind-hearted, just like Lu Bu Ping. The third sister is too straightforward, while Shen is cunning and adaptable.
As for the fourth sister, I really can't understand her. Not only does she have the behaviors that were disliked in ancient times, such as being coarse and resorting to violence, but even in modern times, people would rarely like someone like her.
There must be plenty of well-behaved and polite individuals with good manners in the palace that the prince has encountered. So, when he meets the fourth sister, he finds her refreshing and different.
In Ru Yu's eyes, it was Zhen Sheng who killed her husband, Meng Long. Originally, they were a happy and complete family with a loving husband, four beautiful daughters, and their own herbal medicine shop.
They lived harmoniously and had a prosperous life. But because of Zhen Sheng, who was probably lured by his own vanity or their family's wealth, he obtained some unknown herbs and poisoned her husband, Meng Long.
As widows with young children, they couldn't sustain the herbal medicine shop. So, Zhen Sheng bought the shop from them at a low price, claiming it was to repay their debts.
He was cunning and had planned all of this in advance. But in Zhen Sheng's perspective, it was also the truth. He and his senior brother were both passionate about studying medicine.
They had the intention of using their medical skills to save lives. So, when he discovered new herbs, it was only natural for him to bring them back and let his senior brother evaluate them.
As for his senior brother mistakenly ingesting the herbs, he had given a prior warning, but his senior brother didn't listen and met an unfortunate fate.
After all, it was Zhen Sheng who collected the herbs.
So, he felt guilty for his senior brother's death. The five of them, as widows and orphans, had no one to rely on. As a man, he naturally had a responsibility and obligation.
As for his admiration for Ru Yu, that cannot be denied. It might have existed for a long time, but if his senior brother were still alive, he definitely wouldn't have made any advances.
Now that he is gone, even then, he didn't make any inappropriate moves.
The youngest of the Chun family, she is a girl with dreams of becoming a female knight. She received the most education from her mother.
With her lively and active nature, she was bound to be educated. The fourth child has a tomboyish personality and dreams of rescuing the common people like a female knight.
Her carefree and unconventional character is both intriguing and rare. Look at her two followers, who are willing to sell their weapons and travel a long distance just to find her. They have recognized her as their leader, enjoying simple and happy days filled with food and drink.
Such a girl is truly captivating, and everyone feels at ease when spending time with her. They are not pretentious or artificial, saying whatever comes to mind, and they can handle both success and failure with ease. Even the prince willingly becomes her follower, which indirectly shows how likable and charming she is.
In life, I also enjoy being around girls like her. Life is already tough enough, so why bother guessing what they think or plan? It's exhausting.
Just say what you want, what you want to eat, drink, or play. Talk about your future plans and thoughts openly.
If it works, great. If it doesn't, if it can't be accomplished, then let it go. Clap your hands and remain friends. If there's a difficulty in the future, help each other out. Don't forget each other in this world.
Isn't that nice? Not all male-female relationships need to end with a romantic conclusion. Being open and honest friends is also a beautiful ending.
There are so many swindlers roaming the jianghu, both in the past and present. Once these three characters appeared, everyone could see that they were nothing but frauds with no real talent or knowledge. One can shake their chest, another can throw their shoe, and the so-called leader acts all serious, but in the end, none of them revealed any actual skills.
I guess they're just the type who can talk big but don't know much else.
Despite the abundance of con artists deceiving people, there are still individuals with low intelligence who willingly hand over their money to support these charlatans' antics.
Just think about today, there are plenty of people who can talk a big game but lack any substantial abilities. However, they encounter a few easy targets and end up prospering.
Where can you reason with such people? It's as if the righteous path in this world has faded away.
No wonder more and more people want to let loose, to live carelessly. Scammers seem to have a better life than honest folks. So, why bother striving? Just wait for fate to reward you.
Whether you work hard or not, it doesn't make much difference.
Striving might only bring bad luck and additional troubles.
Even Lu Bu Ping turned out to be a fake. His appearance truly deceived our eyes. We initially thought he would easily handle those three ruffians, but instead, he ended up being beaten like this.
What's the point of chasing after the dream of becoming a great hero? It's embarrassing even to talk about it.
Lu Bu Ping is so pitiful, a pure unlucky guy. First, he tries to be a hero and intervene in a fight, but his heroic spirit fails to shine as his sword slips out of its sheath and falls to the ground, causing him to be ridiculed by three hooligans.
Taking the wooden stick handed to him by Pei Lan, he swings it around chaotically, showing remarkable power and knocking down the hooligan leader in one fell swoop.
With the fate of the hooligan leader uncertain, Lu Bu Ping and Pei Lan have to retreat back home.
Lu Bu Ping hides in a haystack, not even daring to come out for a drink of water openly. Later on, he suffers two serious injuries caused by Ke Ling, losing his nose and his hands. It's a bloody lesson.
Furthermore, he is mistaken for a big rat from the Chun family, accidentally eats a bun laced with rat poison by San Jie, and nearly meets his demise.
These consecutive misfortunes make Lu Bu Ping gather courage multiple times to escape, but each time he is deterred by the patrolling guards at the door.
Well, going out means certain death, while staying in the Chun family might still offer a glimmer of hope. Being an unpaid laborer is already miserable enough, and to top it off, he is looked down upon by Du Ru Yu.
Indeed, if we consider his status as a laborer, he keeps insisting that he is a servant, yet he can't even handle the simple tasks that servants normally do, such as laundry, picking vegetables, or making tea.
It's no wonder Du Ru Yu looks down on him. Later, Uncle Zhen Sheng comes in and squeezes himself into Lu Bu Ping's single room.
Surviving in the Chun family is truly not easy. Taking care of the five masters, big and small, is a challenge.
Fortunately, there is always a way out, and Pei Lan is there to listen to his complaints and share the burden. Otherwise, life would truly seem endless.
Pei Lan's culinary skills are truly remarkable. Every episode showcases her cooking, and I can't help but think she could easily become the lunch chef for the production team.
In ancient times, women were expected to cook, and those who excelled in cooking could greatly increase their value.
The young ladies from noble families were especially skilled in making a variety of innovative pastries, which they would present to the esteemed individuals in the palace. This could significantly benefit their husband's career advancement.
They often say that a virtuous wife is a treasure. This saying truly applies to Pei Lan. Although she may appear a bit naive, it's simply because she doesn't like to argue. She is a kind-hearted girl with a peaceful demeanor.
Lu Bu Ping is truly fortunate. In reality, although her family members may seem bossy towards her, it's just their individual temperaments and personalities. They aren't truly targeting her.
They are all one family.
When faced with significant events or difficulties, they naturally support each other. Even if the elder sister and the third sister don't get along during normal times, when they encounter hardships, they will step forward to provide strong support.
That's what it means to be a family that stands together in times of trouble.
The usual quarrels and calculations are just a normal part of family life, like a long-married couple playfully teasing each other.
When it comes to serious matters, everyone will go all out to help each other. In our current era, girls don't need to learn so much anymore. Ordering takeout for meals is just fine.
In the past, people often emphasized the importance of social status and compatibility, and this so-called tradition has been passed down from generation to generation.
But if you think about it, there is some truth to it. When you have the same education and grow up in similar environments, there will be intersections and collisions of understanding and ideas, which can lead to better resonance.
Even when opinions differ, there can be more empathy and understanding through putting oneself in each other's shoes. If two people come from different family backgrounds, their upbringing and the quality of their education and life experiences will have an impact on their mentality.
Those from more privileged backgrounds tend to have a broader perspective and a more generous mindset. On the other hand, those from less fortunate family conditions often engage in constant disputes and find it hard to let go of minor matters.
Even if they achieve success later on, they may still be preoccupied with gains and losses. Of course, there are families like Ru Yu's in the drama who have raised such a wonderful daughter, but it depends on whether the parents possess excellent qualities themselves.
Only then can they have a subtle influence on their children and cultivate outstanding individuals. This Lu Bu Ping, he must come from an extraordinary family background. Although Pei Lan never had lofty ambitions, this is the ultimate happiness that fate has bestowed upon her.
It is all the result of her innate kindness, a life arrangement exclusively tailored for her.
Embrace your happiness, Pei Lan.
In this world, everything follows the law of mutual generation and mutual inhibition. Countless combinations exist, all adhering to the principle of one thing suppressing another.
This is the food chain and the ultimate truth of all things.
When the useless Shi Zi appeared, he was portrayed as a playboy, only interested in indulging in worldly pleasures and pursuing beautiful women.
It's the entertainment of the wealthy after their leisurely meals. What's peculiar is that he is never low-key and has no concept of being discreet.
When he asked the madams at the hotel if they knew who he was, and if he had revealed his identity, the madams pretended to be mysterious, claiming they understood, "Oh Shi Zi, you are such a noble person.
You should maintain a low profile. How could I possibly tell them who you are?
But the thing is, this isn't what Shi Zi had in mind. If he didn't mention who he was, how would they know?
How could they shower him with their affection and rush to please him?
Haha, it's truly the first time I've encountered such a character. I'm completely conquered by his self-importance.
He shamelessly displays his foolishness.
I like this kind of simple and straightforward character, especially the direct humor. And when the fourth sister appeared, it was to subdue him, dealing him consecutive slaps that instantly made him reassess himself.
Yet this cunning woman herself dares not overstep her boundaries. She has connections and someone watching over her!
To be honest, the first sister is with Shi Zi, the second sister is with the son of the martial arts leader, and the fourth sister is with a prince. Although it's meant to be funny, is it really reasonable?
Looking at the appearances of those few characters, you can say they have some charm, but what exactly attracts the men to them? The plot is so unreasonable and laughable, especially the second sister. She doesn't have the looks or the figure, so what's the appeal?
Is it because she can cook?