Romance of a Twin Flower Episode 9 Recap
> Romance of a Twin Flower Recap
After his release from prison, Ning Yuxuan returned home to find his household gathered to welcome him. Nie Sangyu had prepared a homecoming ceremony with a brazier of burning willow branches for him to step over to dispel bad luck. Ning Yuxuan dismissed the ritual as superstitious and ordered it removed, but later that night, he was seen soaking his feet in water prepared with grapefruit leaves, which Gui Bai revealed Nie Sangyu had specially selected for him.
Meanwhile, Yuan Lang learned that members of the Tea Gang had appeared in Haifang and resolved to go there himself. Ning Yuxuan instructed Gui Bai to follow up on the matter of the scholars, which had been delayed due to his imprisonment. Gui Bai mentioned that Nie Sangyu had skillfully used the scholars to rally support and clear Ning Yuxuan's name, acknowledging her contribution to his release.
Ning Yuxuan advised Gui Bai to handle the scholars discreetly, treating each case individually rather than applying a blanket approach. Ning Yuxuan decided that Nie Sangyu should accompany him to Haifang, explaining he was concerned for her safety in the capital after she had offended Ling Jianxing. Nie Sangyu initially refused, stating her intention to open a shop.
Wen Wan then arrived, expressing sympathy for Ning Yuxuan's hardship and suggested she accompany him to Haifang to cook for him and explore the local novelties and snacks. Hearing this, Nie Sangyu changed her mind and agreed to go, suggesting she and Wen Wan could travel together for company. Ning Yuxuan then gave Nie Sangyu a box of beads as a reward for helping restore his reputation, which she quickly accepted.
Later, Nie Sangyu made an anti-motion sickness balm and gave a bottle to Wen Wan. Wen Wan reciprocated by offering Nie Sangyu a dish of freshly picked cowpeas, explaining it was her first attempt at making a dish her mother used to cook. Nie Sangyu later brought a balm for Ning Yuxuan and saw he also had a dish of cowpeas from Wen Wan.
Nie Sangyu revealed that she had already sampled Wen Wan's dish, found it undercooked, and was now feeling unwell. She pointed out that if she hadn't tried it first, Ning Yuxuan would have been the one to get sick from the poisonous, undercooked beans. Concerned, Ning Yuxuan urged her to rest and said he would call for a doctor. Ning Yuxuan then summoned Wen Wan.
She feigned ignorance, claiming she didn't know undercooked cowpeas were poisonous and would never harm Nie Sangyu. Acknowledging her past suffering but stating it didn't justify her actions, Ning Yuxuan pointed out that Nie Sangyu had changed and had done nothing to harm her. He told Wen Wan it was time to stop her manipulations and ordered her to remain in the capital to reflect, informing her she would not be joining them in Haifang.
Wen Wan pleaded for forgiveness, but Ning Yuxuan remained firm. On the day of departure, Nie Sangyu insisted on personally carrying her most important belongings onto the carriage. Wen Wan appeared to see them off, presenting Ning Yuxuan with a straw mat and promising to pray for his safety. Ning Yuxuan instructed her to apologize to Nie Sangyu. Wen Wan did so, admitting her mistake. Nie Sangyu accepted the apology but declined the mat.
Meanwhile, Old Man Ji returned after three months at sea and immediately asked his attendant, Sang Shen, where Man'er was. Sang Shen informed him that Man'er had gone to the capital to find her beloved, which enraged him. He resolved to travel to the capital immediately. On the journey to Haifang, Ning Yuxuan shared information about their destination. He explained that Haifang was originally a small fishing village used by pirates to sell stolen goods.
As more merchants arrived, they collectively built a private port, and the area gradually developed into a hub for overseas trade. When Nie Sangyu asked why the court didn't govern it, Ning Yuxuan revealed it was difficult to control, as the previous three county magistrates sent there had all died under mysterious circumstances. Unconcerned, Nie Sangyu excitedly listed the famous local foods she had researched along their route.
Elsewhere, Ling Jianxing, convinced Ning Yuxuan had uncovered something significant, planned an ambush, noting that Ning Yuxuan's small escort made him vulnerable. That evening, they stopped at a post house. Ning Yuxuan had Nie Sangyu register for rooms, telling her to use her status as a second-rank lady with an imperial mandate to secure better accommodations for them.
Instead, Nie Sangyu used her title to request a premium room for herself while assigning a woodshed to Ning Yuxuan, claiming her rank could not be extended to benefit family and that a seventh-rank county magistrate warranted no more. To her surprise, Ning Yuxuan accepted the woodshed without protest, leaving her puzzled. In the woodshed, Ning Yuxuan ordered Gui Bai to remain vigilant, certain Ling Jianxing would try to attack them on the road.
He recalled his recent audience with the Emperor, who acknowledged that Ning Yuxuan had been framed and that Nie Sangyu's actions had provided a convenient excuse for his release. The Emperor tasked him with bringing Haifang under central control, promising it would create a justification for his eventual return to the capital.
Ning Yuxuan privately reflected on his perilous journey and thought of his deceased father, hoping his spirit would guide him in finding the remnants of the Tea Gang to avenge him. Later, Ning Yuxuan found Nie Sangyu outside looking at the stars. She pointed out specific constellations, explaining how she could tell the weather and time from their positions—a knowledge that had appeared in her mind spontaneously.
She confided that she felt isolated and considered the stars her friends, whom she often snuck out to talk to. She shared a belief that deceased loved ones become stars, watching over those they left behind. Briefly leaning on his shoulder, she mused about this connection. Ning Yuxuan softly said, "Thanks," but she didn't hear him clearly and asked, "What?"
