Episode 20 recap: Luo Shenyuan's High School Success
In Episode 20, Luo Yi Lian kneels before her father, tears in her eyes, overwhelmed with regret. She learns that her father plans to punish her brother Xuan Yuan by preventing him from taking the imperial examination. Anxiety floods her mind like a rising tide, and she desperately pleads with her father, reminding him of the hard work Xuan Yuan has put into his studies over the years and begging him not to let that effort go to waste.
Seeing his daughter’s heartfelt pleas, Luo Cheng Zhang’s resolve softens, and he ultimately agrees to let Xuan Yuan take the exam.
When Luo Yi Ning sees Xuan Yuan off, he quietly tells her that it hasn’t been easy for them to spare Yi Lian this time. Luo Yi Ning feels a mix of emotions; she knows Xuan Yuan is innocent, and it would be profoundly unfair for his future to be jeopardized because of his older sister’s mistakes.
Finally, fortune favors the diligent, and Xuan Yuan triumphs, becoming the top scholar! On the day the results are announced, both Luo Yi Ning and Lin Hai Ru are overjoyed. Lin Hai Ru feels particularly vindicated; after years of facing hardships since marrying into the Luo family, Xuan Yuan's success makes her proud and elevates her status from that of a looked-down-upon stepmother.
Luo Cheng Zhang is pleased to hear the news, but when he learns that Xuan Yuan is the top scorer, his smile fades, perhaps reflecting his mixed feelings.
Unfortunately, not all the Luo family members share in this joy. Luo Shan Yuan fails the exam, leaving his mother, Chen Lan, feeling despondent, so much so that she doesn’t attend the celebratory banquet. Lin Mao also fails, and fearing his older sister's disappointment, he breaks down in front of Lin Hai Ru, vowing to turn over a new leaf and study harder. However, Lin Hai Ru tests him and uncovers his secret stash of wine and meat, leading to a harsh reprimand.
Meanwhile, Lu Jia Xue, investigating Luo Yi Ning’s situation, discovers an unmarked grave that contains the body of a young woman—Mei Mei, a maid who once served Luo Yi Ning. Burdened by this discovery, Lu Jia Xue resolves to give the young woman a proper burial.
After Xuan Yuan’s success, Grandma Luo keeps her promise and hands him a crucial piece of evidence. Aware of its significance, Xuan Yuan vows to uncover the truth without implicating the Luo family. Dao Yan, however, insists on sounding the alarm by beating the warning drum. Xuan Yuan tries to persuade him to wait, but Dao Yan’s health is failing, and time is not on their side. Lu Jia Xue observes Dao Yan’s actions but has her own agenda to draw out even bigger fish.
Xuan Yuan sees through Lu Jia Xue’s scheme. While he worries about Dao Yan’s safety, he knows he cannot confront the situation openly. He discreetly reaches out to his brothers for help, hoping they can protect Dao Yan in secret. This turmoil keeps the entire Luo family on edge, but Xuan Yuan believes that as long as they work together, they can overcome any obstacle.
Comments(Episode 20)