Against the Current Episode 20

Lin JinQi meet Scholar Han🤣🫣

This is the first episode that was just pleasant and fun from beginning to end with no angst or crimes committed. At the Lin home Gpa is unconvinced that JinQi didn’t put XiuRu up to steeping up as a bride. This young lady did herself proud. 🥰 She started off a bit shaky with nerves, but she cited LanXiang as her shining example of reaching for your dreams no matter how hard it may seem. She admitted to being timid but then said Lan Xiang;s example gave her the courage to step up for herself. She acknowledged that she would not have ever been considered for this match, but now that opportunity presented itself and her sister truly didn’t want it, she was putting herself up for the title and wanted to live in wealth and comfort. She boldly held her own and was quite confident after the end of her testimony. Gpa looked surprised and proud. There was no mistaking the spunk underneath the timid. He had feared she would be bullied by in-laws, but this proved to him she was up to the task. He also told her that she was the better candidate between her and her sister, and considering her sister’s temper bursts, I agree with him. It was up to the Marquis to accept or reject the sister swap. JinQi had this covered as the Marquis just wanted an alliance with the Lin’s and wasn’t concerned which sister he married. This is not the ideal or a ringing endorsement of future husband, but in this circumstance it did work out to XiuRu’s advantage. The eldest sister is basically put under house arrest until further notice. She is still reeling from learning about the trap she’d entered with the Dus, and grateful that death was off the table. She was ready to comply with whatever the family wanted which was a very different attitude for this young lady to have. The Xu family are happily house hunting. They find the perfect home, but it is priced at only 5 taels per year and LanXiang isn’t buying it. Her dad is just getting ready to sign the paperwork when she grabs his hand and rushes her parents out the door. If an offer is too good to be true…there is a reason. And there was 🤣😂JiuGao was put in charge of getting them set up in a nice home. However his youth gave him no practical experience at all in what the price should be for the area. JinQi was most happy to literally kick his ass for messing things up, 🤣😂They come across an eccentric scholar who wants caretakers for his shop and dwelling. There is no salary but all sales will be divided equally. Even if they don’t make money they will have a place to stay so they accept and Mr Xu works at the shop while mother and daughter arrange flowers and make items more amenable for ladies to purchase. So far their items are selling better. She is improving her writing skills by writing lyrics and happily singing with Scholar Han who is playing accompaniment. JinQi senses from the flower arrangements she is there and follows his way to the back where he sees the happy scene. He gears up for it and then strolls in to say hello. As they are introduced it is clear JinQi is sizing him up and wanting him to be found wanting. But so far he is too handsome, too smart, and too kind. 🤣😂 JinQi pushes questions about the exam because he is hoping the Scholar finds his way to the capital..ASAP😂🤣 The scholar is definitely planning to go, there are just a few more arrangements to take care of and he seems more than happy to have LanXiang take care of everything. That’s understandable because she is miss capable and reliable. He sends his two aides out to gather intel about Han and the only info they give him is that he is moving his widowed sister home, studying hard and showing great promise as a scholar. JinQi going damn he’s not just a pretty face he has substance.🤣😂He talks to his flower that reminds him of that moonlit night where they actually had an almost conversation. He is wanting the butterflies out of the picture. 🤣😂 I still can’t decide which is funnier..Nanke’s literal interpretation, or JiuGao’s knowing smirk where he’s trying hard not to laugh because he doesn’t want another kick from JinQi. 🤣😂Absolutely loved this episode. It was perfect from XiuRu’s defense of her decision, to the Xu’s finding a quirky place that suits them well. The added fun of JinQi feeling out the competition and finding him too perfect a candidate for LanXiang. 🤣😂 I cannot wait to see how all this plays out. 👏🏻👏🏻 oh the best line…As long as our bond remains distance can’t keep us apart. Definite hope for the future of Xu and Lin families, tho she is counting this towards her maid friends, he is considering it more a heart matter. 🥰

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Where there’s a will, the bond remains unbroken

In this episode, Xiu Rui reveals she is no fool; she is determined and knows exactly what she wants. She demonstrates this to her grandfather, showing that she—not Xiu Wan—is the better match for the Marquis (while Xiu Wan briefly seems to regret never having accepted the marriage herself). However, Lin Jin Qi tells a tearful Xiu Wan that, after a year and a half, they will find a better solution for her once her grandfather’s anger has subsided. Weeping, she says, "I will do whatever you decide." Per her grandfather's orders, Xiu Wan is to be confined to a secluded pavilion on the estate. During their time off, Jia Lan and her parents look for a new house to rent but reject the first option because the low price seemed suspicious. Little did they know that Lin Jin Qi had arranged that house for them. When Lin Jin Qi learned of the rejection, he acknowledged that his subordinates' strategy had been flawed; someone as intelligent as Jia Lan would never accept such a suspicious offer, fearing it was a trap. (This moment—featuring the interaction between Lin Jin Qi and his subordinates, the punishment, and his contemplative, humorous monologues—was amusing, capturing the typical behavior of a man in love trying to figure out how to pursue his romantic interest.) Eventually, they settle on a house with a landlord who seems difficult to win over (could this, too, be part of Lin Jin Qi's plan?). The rent is paid through work. They meet a young scholar living in an adjacent house; the property is essentially a small complex containing three or four separate dwellings. Her parents are overjoyed, making plans for the future—dreaming of owning their own home and other aspirations. Meanwhile, Lin Jin Qi and the Marquis stand before the bodies of two soldiers, wondering how the intruders managed to gain such access (concluding that a powerful figure must be pulling the strings). Lin Jin Qi arrives at the house where Jia Lam is staying; upon seeing a flower arrangement, they realize it was created by someone with a refined education, and he immediately deduces that Jia Lam was the one who arranged it. However, Lin Jin Qi finds Jia Lam singing alongside a young scholar who is playing an instrument. He looks displeased. He sits down with them and joins the conversation, yet he keeps a suspicious eye on the young man beside Jia Lam. (But judging by the look on the scholar's face as he leaves, it seemed to me that he understood the situation perfectly and knew where things were heading—at least, that was my impression.) Meanwhile, Jia Lam’s mother is delighted to see the young scholar with her daughter (she likely views him as the best possible match for marriage, never suspecting that Lin Jin Qi—a nobleman from a prominent family—is actually the one interested in Jia Lam). "If the will is there, the bond remains unbroken." Jia Lam said this to Lin Jin Qi when he questioned the distance she kept (referring to her friends who were maids), though we know he was actually questioning the distance she maintained regarding *him*. She points out that they are only a few blocks apart, so they aren't truly distant. "You really are like a weed; you thrive anywhere." Lin Jin Qi is conversing with a flower (though inwardly, he is thinking of Jia Lam, who lives far away). Jiu Gao had investigated the scholar Han at Lin Jin Qi’s behest. After reporting what he discovered about the young man's capabilities, LJQ muttered to himself: "He isn't someone as easily outmaneuvered as I thought." His interaction with his subordinates here was amusing; both were eager to help Lin Jin Qi solve the problem. "Plan well before acting; know when to stop, and you will prevail." Lin Jin Qi wrote this saying—likely in flawless calligraphy—on the sheet of paper before him. He smiled as he looked at what he had written. (He believes that with the right strategy, he will be able to unite with Jia Lam). In due time. The episode concludes with Lin Jin Qi at the palace, receiving a promotion to Commander of the Shence Guard. (He is being rewarded for his heroism and other successfully completed missions). The imperial edict is read aloud by an emissary (or perhaps the king—I wasn't quite sure). Everyone is dressed in those peculiar red robes with loose waist sashes and wearing black hats with two large "ears." Yet, it is a solemn moment. An elderly minister in red robes congratulates Lin Jin Qi, acknowledging his merit. The man who read the edict also mentions that the marquis—who is also dressed as a minister—is set to marry one of "Fengtai’s" (referring to LJQ) sisters; he notes that since the marquis calls him "Uncle," Lin Jin Qi will effectively become part of the family. Lin Jin Qi remarks, "I feel apprehensive." The marquis states that the wedding will take place on the sixth day of the sixth month. However, not everyone offers congratulations to Lin Jin Qi; one individual—a mature man, though not yet in his fifties—casts a disdainful look at him and questions why he remains unmarried (we have seen that a man can also face stigma over a failed marriage; the maids in the drama have repeatedly mentioned their fear that Lin Jin Qi might be cursed). Yet, this minister (who looks suspicious) brings up the matter as a criticism, and Lin Jin Qi replies: "The Heavens make their own plans; perhaps the right moment has not yet arrived." It seems Lin Jin Qi has just made a new enemy. We shall see in Episode 21.

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Those annoying butterflies... 🤭

I was so proud of our girl that she has become an inspiration for Xiuru to fight for her dreams. And so was Jinqi. 🤗I am kind of relieved that his little scheme to get a house for Lanxiang didn't work. She's very capable and smart and if she earns and gets everything by using her own skills and judgment, that makes it feel so much more rewarding. 😌I liked how well they did with his jealousy. It did look like his eyes were filling with tears, yet he didn't cry. And his gaze — he literally pierced the guy. Yes, Jinqi will have to deal with many "butterflies" now... Nanke was so funny when looking for them. 🤭I didn't expect the time skip, but it makes sense. And we're getting Xiuru and Commander Yuan's wedding sometime soon. I really hope she'll get to thrive as his wife and there will be no trouble from his daughter and the Crown Prince. 🥺

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