Ripe Town Episode 9 Recap
> Ripe Town Recap
The beautiful woman found dead in the Jade Pavilion was Lin Siniang. Before the incident, Leng Guier had visited Lin Siniang at the Jade Pavilion.
The first time Leng Guier met Lin Siniang, she couldn't help but inquire about the past between her father and Lin Siniang. She had known about their relationship for a long time, and her mother was aware of it too. Finally, with the opportunity to meet, Leng Guier wanted to learn more about Leng Wujie's experiences.
In her early years, Lin Siniang lost her parents and, at the age of eleven, was sold by her uncle to the Cuihua Pavilion. Initially, due to her young age, she only learned some artistic skills like painting and playing musical instruments. However, as she reached fifteen, she began to have her monthly period, which meant she had to serve clients. This frightened Lin Siniang, so she seized an opportunity to escape from the Cuihua Pavilion.
After running for a while on her own, it was getting late. A drunk man on the street was about to assault Lin Siniang. At that moment, Constable Leng Wujie was on duty and helped chase the drunkard away. He inquired about the reasons for Lin Siniang's wandering in the streets and later bought her a hot meal, sharing all the money he had on him.
With no place to go, fearing that she would be beaten to death if she returned to the Cuihua Pavilion, Leng Wujie respected Lin Siniang's wishes and fabricated a lie to deceive the head madam of the Cuihua Pavilion. He safely sent Lin Siniang back. Afterward, Lin Siniang began serving clients, and Leng Wujie always spent his savings to meet her. Lin Siniang didn't want Leng Wujie to spend his money on her, so she revealed the secret back entrance of the Cuihua Pavilion to him, and they often met secretly in the courtyard of that alley.
Later, Leng Wujie tried various ways to buy Lin Siniang's freedom, but she knew she couldn't bear children and didn't want to hold Leng Wujie back from living his life. It was only after Leng Wujie married and had children that they still continued to meet.
Learning about Leng Wujie and Lin Siniang's history, Leng Guier no longer held any grudge against Lin Siniang. She realized that Lin Siniang, too, had led a difficult life. So, she, along with Qu Sangeng, burned joss paper for Lin Siniang.
A few days later, Zhao Youren was found dead in his own yard. He was the same Zhao Youren who, twenty years ago, had partnered with Lu Yuanbao to run the Hongshun Weaving Mill. In recent years, his fortunes had declined, and he spent his days raising pigeons. When he died, he was dressed in women's attire, and he had been killed the same way as Lin Siniang, with his throat cut. A white flag left a message: "He who doesn't belong but is offered in sacrifice."
Twenty years ago, since receiving treatment from Cheng Yi, Lu Yuanbao's health had deteriorated. He struggled to sleep and was haunted by nightmares, often dreaming of people who had already died. Sometimes he would suddenly wake from these dreams, urgently call Lu Zhong, and instruct him to kill someone, only to realize later that it was all just a dream.
As Lu Zhong grew a little older, he became more adept at managing the household accounts, still known as the young master in the Lu family. Lu Yuanbao was always cautious and once invited Lu Zhong to drink with him, during which he questioned Lu Zhong about recent financial transactions. Lu Zhong reported them one by one, while Lu Yuanbao secretly pulled out a note from his sleeve, periodically checking it. Even though Lu Zhong was drinking, he noticed all of Lu Yuanbao's actions.
Lu Zhong expressed his feelings to Lu Yuanbao, saying that if Lu Yuanbao hadn't taken him in, he would have starved to death on the streets long ago. Now, he had acquired some knowledge and was willing to be dutiful and respectful. He wanted to consider Lu Yuanbao as his father and take care of him in his old age.
Lu Yuanbao initially thought he would accept Lu Zhong's sincere feelings. However, unexpectedly, Lu Yuanbao suddenly turned hostile and kicked Lu Zhong, accusing him of coveting the family fortune and indulging in delusions. If he wanted to be recognized as a father, he should kneel and bow to each and every laborer on the Lu family estate to see who would be willing to be his father.
Chen Wang, who had received a lot of help from Lu Zhong, couldn't bear to see this and knelt alongside Lu Zhong to bow to the workers. They were mocked, and no one dared to stand up for Lu Zhong, not even Lu Zhong himself. Later, Lu Zhong was driven out of the Lu family estate and sent to the countryside to do farm work.
After some time, Lu Yuanbao remembered Lu Zhong and asked Lu Zhong about his recent situation. Lu Zhong reported that Lu Zhong had been working diligently with no unusual behavior. However, Lu Yuanbao remained suspicious of Lu Zhong, who had previously managed the accounts. According to the family's tradition, anyone who left the Lu estate needed to be quietly disposed of. Additionally, Lu Zhong had suffered severe humiliation and had a strong sense of pride. There was a fear that he might pose a hidden threat. Therefore, Lu Yuanbao sent Lu Zhong to the countryside and instructed Lu Zhong to kill him.
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