The Double Episode 25 Recap
> The Double Recap
Ji Shuran intended to create a conflict between Xue Fangfei and Old Madam Jiang by arranging a welcome banquet for the same day Xue Fangfei was expected to celebrate with the Huaixiang people at the Ye family. However, her plan failed. When Ms. Sun reported that Xue Fangfei was at the Ye Residence hosting the Huaixiang villagers and wouldn't return for the banquet, Old Madam Jiang was not displeased.
Other family members, including Jiang Yunping's wife and the third master, defended Xue Fangfei. Jiang Yunbai also remarked that it was normal, acknowledging she was growing and making her own way. After the celebration banquet, Xue Fangfei was invited to meet Xiao Heng. Upon her arrival, Xiao Heng, clearly displeased, questioned why she hadn't invited him, accusing her of only seeking him out when she needed something.
Xue Fangfei, recognizing his jealousy, offered a sincere apology and thanked him profusely for his extensive help, from rescuing officers and aiding refugees in Dingzhou to finding a witness for her case and clarifying her purpose at the Qingcheng Mountain grave. She raised a toast to him. However, her mention of Miss Situ, whom she hoped could cure Xue Huaiyuan, instantly angered Xiao Heng. Believing she had ulterior motives, he dismissed her and poured out his wine.
As she was leaving, Xue Fangfei requested he inform her of Miss Situ's whereabouts if he found her and playfully remarked that he looked handsome when angry. Xiao Heng, left alone, seemed amused by her comment. Xue Fangfei visited her unconscious father, Xue Huaiyuan. Speaking to him, she reflected on his teachings about uprightness and questioned why good people suffer, vowing that justice would ultimately prevail against those who wronged them.
Afterward, Ye Shijie, who was waiting for her, expressed concern about Xiao Heng's intentions, asking if the Duke, known for his aloofness, had used his power to oppress her. Xue Fangfei reassured Ye Shijie, stating that Xiao Heng had helped her and she knew how to handle the situation. She then requested Ye Shijie to temporarily care for Xue Huaiyuan, a task he readily accepted.
Frustrated by Xue Fangfei's growing popularity and the family's support for her, Ji Shuran felt pressured to remove her from the Jiang household. Ms. Sun delivered a letter from Princess Wanning, leading Ji Shuran to visit the Princess. Wanning, still under house arrest, subtly blamed Ji Shuran for the trouble "Jiang Li" had caused. Ji Shuran defended herself and asked for Wanning's guidance.
Wanning then proposed a scheme: she recounted a past incident where a palace consort possessed by an evil spirit was executed after an exorcism by the Imperial Diviner. She suggested that Xue Fangfei might also be possessed, a notion Ji Shuran readily agreed to, citing Xue Fangfei's changed demeanor and her niece Jiang Yu'e's recent erratic behavior as signs.
Wanning revealed she had already spoken to the Imperial Diviner, who was willing to perform an exorcism, and tasked Ji Shuran with convincing Jiang Yunbai and Old Madam Jiang to agree to the plan. Li Zhongnan delivered Princess Wanning's secret message to the Imperial Diviner, instructing him to initiate their plan. Soon after, several individuals, seemingly under a spell, publicly chanted about defied heavenly will and impending punishment before spontaneously combusting in blue flames.
The gruesome spectacle terrified onlookers, who quickly spread rumors blaming Emperor Hong Xiao for Princess Wanning's confinement and accusing him of harsh rule. Xiao Heng, upon learning of the incident, immediately suspected foul play and ordered Lu Ji to investigate thoroughly and suppress the spreading rumors. Realizing this was a deliberate act signaling major changes brewing in the capital, he subtly instructed Wen Ji to send a message to Xue Fangfei, advising her to minimize her outings.
Tong Er informed Xue Fangfei about Xiao Heng's warning. Xue Fangfei acknowledged that the recent events had stirred up her adversaries. She noted that while Jiang Yunbai currently accepted her, he harbored doubts about her true identity, making her vulnerable to Ji Shuran. She also knew that Princess Wanning, despite her confinement, would relentlessly pursue her.
When Xue Fangfei expressed concern about the perilous path ahead, comparing their situation to being surrounded by "wolves and tigers," Tong Er showed no fear. Instead, she declared herself excited, finding purpose in continuing their fight to witness their enemies face justice. Xue Fangfei, inspired by Tong Er's resolve, affirmed that they would ultimately succeed.
Ji Shuran arrived at the Imperial Diviner's office, where she noticed a portrait on the wall that eerily resembled her, triggering a painful memory of her youth when her father had Liu Wencai, a painter she loved, brutally beaten. The Imperial Diviner then appeared and revealed himself to be Liu Wencai, shocking Ji Shuran. A flashback showed that after being forced to marry Jiang Yunbai, she had met Liu Wencai again.
She seduced him before tying him up and setting his room ablaze to erase him from her life. Back in the present, Liu Wencai, revealing the severe burn scars on his body, confronted Ji Shuran, stating that her murderous attempt led to his current powerful position. He confirmed he was working with Princess Wanning but revealed that it was Ji Shuran who first approached the princess about "evil spirits" in the Jiang family.
He told Ji Shuran he hadn't sought revenge earlier because she was too powerful, but now that she needed him, he offered to eliminate Xue Fangfei for her in exchange for her cooperation. Ji Shuran returned home visibly shaken. Jiang Yu'e returned to the Jiang residence alone, revealing her unhappy marriage. Her parents, Jiang Yunxing and his wife, discovered she had brought back her own dowry and noticed bruises on her arm, confirming that Zhou Yanbang was physically abusive.
Despite this, Jiang Yu'e clung to the hope of becoming the Zhou family mistress by bearing a son. In a flashback, she confessed to Zhou Yanbang that Xue Fangfei had manipulated him into seeing her on the night of the palace banquet, which enraged him and led to a violent outburst. Meanwhile, Jiang Ruoyao was pleased to hear of Jiang Yu'e's marital troubles, believing it meant Zhou Yanbang still had feelings for her.
However, Ji Shuran discovered a love letter from Zhou Yanbang to Jiang Ruoyao and, furious, tore it up and confiscated a sentimental hairpin. She sternly ordered Jiang Ruoyao to meet with a Mr. Qi, threatening to disown her if she defied the arranged marriage. Jiang Jingrui returned to the Jiang residence, happily informing Xue Fangfei that the disaster in Dingzhou had been resolved. Meanwhile, Jiang Ruoyao received a clandestine letter from Zhou Yanbang asking to meet him that night.
Despite her maid's warnings, she decided to go. The next morning, Jiang Yu'e, having learned of the secret meeting, confronted Zhou Yanbang during breakfast. Enraged that she had followed him, Zhou Yanbang violently choked Jiang Yu'e and threatened her into silence. Jiang Jingrui later updated Xue Fangfei on Jiang Ruoyao's failed blind date with Mr. Qi, noting her sadness and the subsequent scolding from Ji Shuran.
Xue Fangfei expressed little sympathy, deeming Jiang Ruoyao foolish for clinging to an unworthy man and failing to resist her mother's control. Meanwhile, Xiao Heng received a report from Lu Ji that the coroner found no unusual causes for the mysterious blue fires. Drawing on his knowledge of the "Records of Diverse Matters," Xiao Heng explained that "ghost fire" was a natural chemical phenomenon and concluded the incidents were orchestrated.
He surmised that the victims were manipulated and ordered a thorough investigation into their backgrounds. Xiao Heng declared that these "ghost fires" were merely a prelude, and the true events were yet to unfold.
