The Story of Pearl Girl Episode 22 Recap, Plot

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Yan Zijing heard that Duan Wu had extended an invitation to Huan Lang. Confident in his new establishment, Zhen Lang Pavilion, and determined to secure the courtesan title, he sent Kang Ju to offer Huan Lang thirty million to withdraw from the competition. However, Huan Lang rejected the offer without hesitation, leaving Kang Ju disheartened and empty-handed.

When he reported back to Yan Zijing, Yan Zijing decided not to raise the price further, reasoning that since the competition hadn’t yet started, nothing was certain. At the beginning of the competition, people gathered at the Hangzhou assembly and quietly exchanged names of their bets. Many believed Bai Xiaoshu, Yan Zijing’s chosen candidate, was destined to win. Duan Wu gifted Huan Lang some jewelry to help her shine at the Qionghua Festival.

Just then, she overheard Huan Lang’s maid grumbling about her mistress’s refusal of Yan Zijing’s generous offer. With that much money, the maid felt there was no need to participate in the festival. Huan Lang, however, was displeased that the maid had taken her jewelry back to her family, who were inclined to accept Yan Zijing’s terms, reclaiming all the jewelry and putting Huan Lang in an awkward position.

Huan Lang dismissed the maid, and Duan Wu personally sketched designs for the jewelry Huan Lang would wear in the competition. Soon after, Huan Lang received a letter—a breakup letter from her beloved. Originally, Huan Lang had pinned her hopes on winning at the Qionghua Festival to win back her beloved's heart, but this letter crushed her hopes, leading her to abandon the competition, feeling all was lost.

Seeing Huan Lang devastated, Duan Wu held her tightly and urged her not to give up. On the streets, many were promoting the various noblewomen and songstresses they supported. Yan Zijing openly escorted Bai Xiaoshu to gather votes. Duan Wu looked on, disheartened, watching her former lover flaunt his closeness with another woman. Realizing that she and Yue Yunxiu alone were not enough to secure victory, Duan Wu thought of Zheng Zhiheng, the fifth young master of the Zheng family.

Zheng Zhiheng, an illegitimate child, had long been a target of Yu Xiaoniang’s ambitions, who tirelessly sought to elevate his status within the Zheng household, despite constant suppression by the main branch of the family. Now, she hoped to use this opportunity to make the Zheng family take notice of him. Since the Qionghua Festival hadn’t yet begun, Duan Wu secretly went to see Zheng Zhiheng, hoping he would support Huan Lang.

Although the Zheng family was backing Xue Liniang, if Zheng Zhiheng could bet on Huan Lang and she won, his name would surely gain recognition in Hangzhou. Duan Wu’s words struck a chord with Zheng Zhiheng, and he gave her a box of gold. Still harboring resentment over Duan Wu’s previous rejection of his invitation, he poured hot tea over her hand in a fit of spite. With the gold, Duan Wu was able to create jewelry for Huan Lang.

As she focused on preparing Huan Lang for the competition, Yan Zijing continued his schemes. Aware that Bai Xiaoshu’s age was a disadvantage compared to other songstresses, he posted public notices revealing embarrassing stories about the other songstresses, causing many to switch their votes to Bai Xiaoshu. With the Qionghua Festival fast approaching, the songstresses were busily preparing backstage. Suddenly, Xue Liniang, one of the songstresses, cried out—her shoes had been swapped.

Many songstresses around her laughed at her predicament, but Duan Wu produced an extra pair of shoes she had prepared and gave them to Xue Liniang, who was deeply grateful. Bai Xiaoshu feigned gratitude on her behalf, thanking Duan Wu, but Duan Wu coldly withdrew her hand. Everyone around understood who was behind the mysterious shoe incident.

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