Romance of a Twin Flower Episode 18 Recap
> Romance of a Twin Flower Recap
Ji Man refused to stay at the magistrate's residence, opting instead to stay at her Haoxue Cosmetics shop with Muxu and Sang Shen. Though Muxu was concerned about their lack of money for an inn, Ji Man assured her she had a plan. Upon arrival, they found the shop had already been repaired. They improvised bedding and prepared to stay the night. When Sang Shen mentioned Ji Man's official status as a second-rank lady, Ji Man quickly hushed her.
Soon after, Ning Yuxuan and Gui Bai arrived with food, with Ning Yuxuan claiming he was worried she might be hungry. Ji Man initially refused, but Muxu's reminder that they hadn't eaten all day convinced her to accept. Ning Yuxuan explained that her ship, the Guihai, genuinely needed repairs and that he only wanted them to be comfortable at his residence. Ji Man insisted she was fine at the shop.
Later that night, as the three women slept, Ning Yuxuan and Gui Bai quietly entered. Noticing that Sang Shen had pulled the blanket off Ji Man in her sleep, Ning Yuxuan gently covered Ji Man again. Ji Man stirred, waking just in time to see their backs as they departed. The next day, Ji Man, Muxu, and Sang Shen found the streets bustling with activity.
Sang Shen explained it was for the upcoming Shangsi Festival, a grand lantern festival where couples light lanterns together to receive blessings. Ji Man declined Sang Shen’s suggestion to attend with Ning Yuxuan and instead led them to Shuiyan House to see Miss Shui. Ji Man met privately with Miss Shui, thanking her for helping clear her name. Miss Shui expressed remorse for her own weakness having caused Ji Man trouble.
Ji Man then shared two revelations: first, that she was not the real Nie Sangyu but Ji Man, the daughter of the Guihai Warrior Ji Ming, having lost her memory after a fall from a cliff. Miss Shui found this explained Ji Man’s honorable character, which was unlike the capital "She-devil's" reputation. Second, Ji Man offered Miss Shui the position of manager at Haoxue Cosmetics, with Ji Man handling product development.
Miss Shui, reflecting on her life and reliance on men for security, was moved by Ji Man's belief in her and her speech about choosing one's own path. She gratefully accepted the partnership. Subsequently, Ji Man presented share certificates to Miss Shui and Qian Lianxue, formally appointing them as manager and accountant, respectively. While they worried about the shop's tarnished reputation, they were ultimately confident in their joint ability not just to revive, but to expand Haoxue Cosmetics.
Meanwhile, Ning Yuxuan instructed Gui Bai to expedite the ship repairs for Ji Man. He then shared his suspicions about Yuan Lang, noting his suspiciously rapid takeover of the Dragon Gang since their arrival. Ning Yuxuan theorized that Yuan Lang could be the operative known as Alang, possibly with ties to Tea Gang remnants, and ordered Gui Bai to investigate.
At the same time, Yuan Lang solidified his new authority and formed a strategic alliance with Mr. Wang of the Sea Trade Guild. They agreed to join forces to resist external influence, namely Ning Yuxuan's, and control the Haifang wharf. Qian Lianxue's troubles mounted when she received a letter from her younger brother revealing he had accrued a 500-tael gambling debt. She was distraught, lamenting his irresponsibility and her inability to procure such a large sum.
On the night of the Shangsi Festival, Wen Wan invited Ning Yuxuan to release a lantern with her, but he declined, citing official duties. Elsewhere, Qian Lianxue encouraged a hesitant Nie Qingyun to invite Tao Siwei to the festival, arguing she still had a chance as long as he wasn't officially with the person he liked. During the festival, Miss Shui performed a dance, throwing a flower into the crowd that was caught by Gui Bai.
Later, Nie Qingyun found Tao Siwei, but he politely refused her invitation to walk with her, as he was on duty supervising security. Dejected, Nie Qingyun went to release a lantern alone, only to spot one floating by with the character for her family name, "Nie," written on it. Realizing it must be from Tao Siwei, she was filled with joy.
Nearby, a drunk Qian Lianxue argued with a waiter over her bill until Qin Yixian intervened, paid for her, and led her outside. Desperate, she offered to do anything for him—sing, dance, or perform chores—if he could give her a lot of money, tearfully insisting she had personal difficulties she couldn't explain. Miss Shui later found Gui Bai and asked why he wasn't releasing a lantern for a loved one. He replied that his only devotion was to the Marquis.
As she turned to leave, he stopped her, not to say something romantic, but to bluntly tell her that her dress was too revealing and she should change. In his own meeting, Yuan Lang confirmed to his subordinates that both Ji Man and the missing "She-devil of the Capital," Nie Sangyu, were his younger sisters. He ordered his men to search for the missing Nie Sangyu while keeping her identity an absolute secret to ensure her safety.
That evening, Yuan Lang visited Haoxue Cosmetics, where Ji Man was preparing for the reopening. Noting she was missing the festival, he made a surprising proposal: that they go out and use the festive crowds to generate some advance publicity for her products.
