The Double Episode 28 Recap
> The Double Recap
Xiao Heng's aide, Wen Ji, reported that Ji Shuran had indeed sought out the Imperial Diviner, Liu Wencai. He noted the ominous signs of ghost fires outside Princess Wanning’s residence and the Diviner's upcoming exorcism at the Jiang family home. Since Liu Wencai was no longer solely serving the imperial court, Wen Ji suggested it was an opportune moment to dismantle the Office of Imperial Diviner entirely, presenting Xiao Heng with a map of the office.
While Xiao Heng was playing weiqi, Xue Fangfei arrived late at night, apologizing for the intrusion. She directly asked if he intended to eliminate the Imperial Diviner. When Wen Ji accused her of eavesdropping, Xue Fangfei calmly explained she followed Xiao Heng’s men and realized she arrived at a crucial time.
She confirmed that her stepmother had convinced her father to invite Liu Wencai to exorcise an evil spirit, believing this unusual turn of events was a scheme by Princess Wanning, the only person she knew who could command Liu Wencai and whom she had offended. Xue Fangfei emphasized that Liu Wencai's involvement with a royal matter outside court jurisdiction was a chance for Xiao Heng to act. Xiao Heng agreed, finding her insight brilliant.
She then requested his help in finding someone skilled in vocal mimicry and ventriloquism. Xiao Heng readily assented. As she prepared to leave, Xue Fangfei admitted feeling overwhelmed by her debt to him. Xiao Heng, in a rare moment of softness, told her not to worry about repaying him, stating he could afford any "loss."
He then ordered Wen Ji to withdraw all their men from the Office of Imperial Diviner, expressing full confidence in Xue Fangfei to handle the situation alone, reiterating that if he could afford to lose, she could too. His good mood even led him to spare Wen Ji from punishment for his earlier comments. Meanwhile, Ji Shuran finalized her plans for the next day's ritual.
Ms. Sun confirmed preparations were complete and the Imperial Diviner would arrive at the third quarter of the hour of Wu. Ji Shuran handed Ms. Sun a pill, instructing her to administer it to Ruoyao during the ritual and to keep Concubine Hu closely watched to prevent any interference. Ms. Sun, however, expressed deep unease, fearing Liu Wencai was untrustworthy and worried about the potential for further complications.
She tearfully confessed missing the carefree, smiling First Lady of the Ji family, lamenting how Ji Shuran had become increasingly like her own father, always scheming and risking her life. Ji Shuran dismissed her concerns, believing that once Jiang Li was gone, everything would improve. Xue Fangfei, anticipating the chaotic events, instructed Tong Er to find a safe location for herself. Tong Er assured her she was agile and capable. Xue Fangfei then asked Tong Er about her future aspirations.
Tong Er, reflecting on her past hardships in Zhennyu Hall, expressed a simple desire for a life of comfort and luxury. Moved, Xue Fangfei gave Tong Er a jade pendant and promised her a house in Luyang after the current events concluded, suggesting she could pursue small businesses or marry well, emphasizing that she already considered Tong Er her own younger sister. Tong Er was deeply touched, embracing Xue Fangfei.
Liu Wencai arrived at the Jiang residence and began his ritual with Jiang Ruoyao. After Ruoyao ingested the pill, she writhed and coughed up blood, a scene Ji Shuran and Ms. Sun orchestrated with feigned panic. Liu Wencai dramatically declared a powerful evil spirit had invaded the residence, almost draining Ruoyao's life force, and that its source must be removed quickly to save her.
Just then, a servant burst in, announcing that the ancestral shrine was on fire, adding to the manufactured crisis. Liu Wencai warned of dire consequences for the entire Jiang family if the spirit was not exorcised immediately. Jiang Yunbai, distraught over Ruoyao's condition, agreed to gather everyone for a ritual to identify the host of the evil spirit.
During the elaborate ritual, accompanied by thunder and lightning, Liu Wencai, with his eyes covered, dramatically pointed his peachwood sword directly at Xue Fangfei, declaring her the host of the evil spirit. The revelation shocked everyone. Tong Er and Jiang Jingrui immediately defended Xue Fangfei, accusing Liu Wencai of baseless slander.
When Liu Wencai suggested that those possessed by spirits often undergo a drastic personality change, Ms. Sun eagerly confirmed that Xue Fangfei had been like a different person since her return, while Ji Shuran feigned concern. Xue Fangfei explained that her transformation was a result of ten years of harsh survival in Zhennyu Hall, not an evil influence. Liu Wencai countered, claiming evil spirits could absorb the skills of their hosts.
He attributed Xue Fangfei's newfound talents and her connection to the late Xue Fangfei's family to this possession, concluding that the evil spirit was, in fact, the ghost of the deceased Xue Fangfei. When Jiang Yunbai hesitated, family members pressured him to make a decision, fearing for the family's safety. Jiang Yunbai turned to Ji Shuran, who, feigning distress for Ruoyao, tearfully agreed that Xue Fangfei should be sent to the temple for exorcism.
At this critical moment, Xue Fangfei seized the opportunity. She convulsed, coughed blood, and began to speak in the high-pitched voice of a young girl, crying out "Father!" and complaining of a terrible headache. Jiang Yunbai was stunned, recognizing the voice of his deceased daughter, Jiang Yue. Ji Shuran frantically signaled Liu Wencai to drag Xue Fangfei away, but Old Madam Jiang rushed in, demanding that no one touch her until the truth about Jiang Yue was revealed.
Concubine Hu, Jiang Yue's mother, also appeared, confirming it was her daughter's voice. Xue Fangfei, still embodying Jiang Yue, cried out about her head hurting, blood being everywhere, and begged her "Mother" not to push her. She then directly accused Ji Shuran of murder. Ji Shuran dismissed it as a demonic trick, urging Liu Wencai to subdue the "evil spirit."
In a low voice, she incited him further, reminding him of their shared past and blaming the real Jiang Li for the death of their unborn child years ago. Enraged by the memory of his lost child, Liu Wencai lunged at Xue Fangfei with his sword. In a heroic act, Tong Er threw herself in front of Xue Fangfei, taking the sword blow. Jiang Jingrui bravely tried to intervene, but Liu Wencai was too strong.
As Liu Wencai raised his sword for a second strike at Xue Fangfei, Tong Er again shielded her, receiving a mortal wound. Just then, Xiao Heng's agents, disguised among the crowd, surged forward, injuring Liu Wencai. Desperate, Liu Wencai grabbed Ji Shuran and threatened to kill her if anyone pursued them, managing to escape the immediate vicinity. However, his injuries were severe, and he collapsed.
His last words to Ji Shuran were that he was fortunate to see her before he died, but also that she still owed him a life and he would find her in the next. Overwhelmed, Ji Shuran wailed in despair. Xue Fangfei cradled the dying Tong Er, her grief unbearable. Tong Er, with her last breath, apologized for not being able to stay with her sister until the end.
She expressed immense gratitude, saying her time with Xue Fangfei was the happiest of her life, and wished to be sisters again in the next life, asking Xue Fangfei to bury her next to Jiang Li. After Tong Er passed, Jiang Yunbai ordered her body to be removed. Xue Fangfei, unable to accept her loss, desperately ran after the stretcher, collapsing unconscious from profound sorrow. Jiang Yue's death was finally revealed.
However, Concubine Hu later committed suicide, leaving a bloodied note. In it, she confessed the secret she had held for years: Ji Shuran had also murdered Ye Zhenzhen, all so she could marry into the Jiang family. Jiang Yunbai was devastated by these revelations. Meanwhile, Xiao Heng had the Office of Imperial Diviner sealed, a decision that greatly pleased Emperor Hongxiao. This series of events, orchestrated by Xue Fangfei, completely disrupted Princess Wanning's intricate plans, killing off all her pawns. Enraged, Wanning swore revenge, promising Xue Fangfei that "the best is yet to come."
