Episode 8 recap: Li Tian Shun and Mr. Beller jointly opened a vegetarian restaurant.
After Li Yun Mian collected enough money, he went to the Jiudu Yamen to pick up Li Tian Shun. Li Yun Mian told Li Tian Shun that the 100 taels of silver were collected by their neighbors. He emphasized the importance of gratitude and asked Li Tian Shun to go house by house to express his thanks. Li Tian Shun wanted his father to go home and rest since he was sick, and he planned to go with Wu Xiu Zhen. However, Li Yun Mian insisted on accompanying them.
After expressing gratitude to the villagers, Li Tian Shun brought the well-carved statue of the Virgin Mary to Mr. Beller. Impressed by Li Tian Shun's integrity, Mr. Beller praised him and asked Li Tian Shun to call him "Uncle Pu San" instead of "Mr. Beller." Mr. Beller also proposed opening a jade workshop together with Li Tian Shun, which Li Tian Shun eagerly accepted. Li Tian Shun asked Mr. Beller to name the jade workshop because he wanted to bring his friend Zhao Yulu along. Mr. Beller named the workshop "Juhe Zhai" (Gathering House).
After Li Tian Shun left, Mingyue suggested to Uncle Pu San that they should throw away the statue of the Virgin Mary because it was the reason why Uncle Pu San lost his official title. She felt it was ominous to keep it at home. However, Uncle Pu San found it a pity to throw it away. He argued that many lands were given to foreigners by the Buddha, but no one accused her of colluding with foreigners. He had only carved a statue, but now he was accused of colluding with foreigners.
On the day of Juhe Zhai's opening, Uncle Pu San saw that Zhao Yulu had brought several foreigners with him. Due to his psychological shadow, Uncle Pu San was worried that it might cause trouble with the Buddha again, so he asked Li Tian Shun to take care of the guests while he hid in the back. After Juhe Zhai opened, Li Yun Mian was very happy. He gave his son a cherished carving knife and reminded him to always follow through with what he starts and not give up halfway. Once the sign of Juhe Zhai is hung, it should never be taken down as long as there is a breath left. Li Tian Shun knelt down and accepted the carving knife, assuring his father that he would manage Juhe Zhai well.
When the deputy commander heard that Uncle Pu San and Li Tian Shun had jointly opened Juhe Zhai, he murmured in confusion. He couldn't understand how a poor craftsman could mix with a former noble like Uncle Pu San. Wang Tong Ren reminded the deputy commander that even though Uncle Pu San had lost his title, he hadn't lost his property. The deputy commander realized that this was an opportunity for wealth and said with a smile that he was confident they could find a way to cause trouble for them.
Someone brought a jade stone to Li Tian Shun and wanted him to carve a replica of a jade bi. Li Tian Shun wanted to know who commissioned him for this job, but the person insisted on keeping it a secret for the main household. Wang Tong Ren went to Juhe Zhai, where the waiter Xiao Hezi blocked his entry. When Xiao Hezi pushed him, he deliberately fell to the ground and pretended to be injured, making a fuss about being attacked. Zhao Yulu came out and apologized to him, and only then did he stand up and leave.
After Li Tian Shun finished carving the jade bi commissioned by the guest, as the guest was about to leave, Wang Tong Ren suddenly walked in, took a look at the jade bi, made a few casual remarks, and then left. Empress Dowager Cixi summoned Mingyue and inquired about the recent situation of Uncle Pu San. Mingyue spoke a few kind words on behalf of Uncle Pu San. Empress Dowager Cixi said that as long as he stays obedient, even though he can no longer use the Aisin Gioro surname, she can let him leave a legacy.
Shortly after Mingyue left, a eunuch rushed over in a panic and reported that someone had switched the jade bi belonging to the Emperor. The deputy commander came to Juhe Zhai and informed them about the jade bi being switched. Since the switched jade bi was carved by Li Tian Shun, they wanted to arrest him and hold him accountable. Just then, Uncle Pu San walked in and clearly told the deputy commander that he had commissioned Li Tian Shun to carve the jade bi, but shortly after bringing it home, it was stolen by thieves.
The deputy commander reminded Uncle Pu San that he was no longer a noble, but Uncle Pu San showed no weakness and challenged the deputy commander to do whatever he could to hold him back.
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