Treasures Around Episode 5 Recap
> Treasures Around Recap
Shan Shuangshuang entered Su Jue's room alone. Su Jue was already there and demanded to know what she was doing. Shuangshuang explained that she had brought him Goose Pear Scent, an herb with calming and slumber effects, because she had noticed he didn't look rested. She had wanted to give it to him personally but found no one in his room, so she decided to wait.
Su Jue apologized for being harsh, and Shuangshuang took the blame for entering his room without permission. He accepted her apology, saying he had misunderstood her good intentions, and she promised not to do it again, advising him to rest early. Shortly after she left, a servant arrived with news. They had retrieved the black market goods from the authorities, but bribes and lost goods along the way had cost them over 5,000 taels.
This news enraged Su Jue, and he called Pei Pei vile, vowing to make up their loss from him. He then asked about arrangements he had previously made, which his uncle confirmed were in place. Meanwhile, Shan Dandan took food to Pei Pei's room. She felt a bit shy about their kiss the previous day, assuming he had been completely drunk. However, Pei Pei told her that he hadn't been entirely drunk, which pleased Dandan.
Just as Dandan was waiting for him to say more, Aliu rushed in, announcing that something was wrong and they needed to hurry. At Pei Pei Pavilion, several creditors had gathered, demanding immediate repayment of their investments. They had heard rumors that the pavilion was running out of funds and feared losing their money. Old Madam Pei was furious, arguing that their contracts clearly stated the repayment dates, which had not yet arrived.
She accused them of damaging their relationship based on baseless rumors. The creditors insisted there was "no smoke without fire" and questioned the pavilion's solvency, even comparing it unfavorably to Su Jade Pavilion. Old Madam Pei's shopkeeper informed her they didn't have enough cash on hand as the finished jade pieces hadn't been sold. The creditors pointed out that the house was used as a guarantee and threatened real action if they didn't get their money today.
Old Madam Pei stood firm, refusing to pay before the contract date, stating it would break industry rules, and offered her life instead. Seeing the tense situation, Dandan stepped forward. She announced that she had saved enough money to buy her dowry. A maid brought forward a box filled with silver. The creditors were surprised that a maid could have so much money, but Dandan defended herself against any suggestion of theft.
She explained that Pei Pei Pavilion paid generous monthly wages, including extra wages for holidays, and that she had saved this much in less than half a year. She argued that if a maid could have such savings, it proved the Pei family was not short of money. She challenged the creditors, offering them her wages or suggesting they take the matter to the government.
She then added that she had heard a new regulation was coming from the Imperial City about strict penalties for contract breaches without cause, advising them to be careful. Convinced by her argument and the display of funds, the creditors decided to leave, promising to return on the specified repayment date. After they left, Old Madam Pei asked Dandan if the new regulation was real.
Dandan admitted she had lied, just wanting to buy them time to figure things out if the rumors were true. Aliu revealed the money came from Pei Pei's private stash under the bed. Old Madam Pei praised Dandan for being as smart as she was, admitting her own desperation in the moment. Pei Pei had witnessed Dandan's handling of the creditors and was deeply impressed, finding her actions both smart and courageous.
He reflected on how the little maid he initially disliked had proven to be so capable. Similarly, Dandan found herself thinking about Pei Pei. The next morning, Dandan brought breakfast. She noticed Pei Pei had styled his hair and changed his clothes, looking particularly handsome. Pei Pei insisted that she and Aliu join him for the meal, saying they were like his family now. During breakfast, he announced his intention to participate in the upcoming Jade Competition.
Dandan was incredibly excited by this news. Pei Pei's wrist had been injured years ago, leaving him unable to carve with his right hand. Dandan encouraged him, telling him that his left hand was just as capable and that he was a genius and the chosen one. She believed he could succeed with effort and that his vision and talent were more important than rigid technique. She reminded him that the Pei family depended on him.
Dandan actively supported his practice, helping him train his left hand strength and precision, such as drawing a bow. With her encouragement and consistent effort, Pei Pei began to show improvement. Meanwhile, Su Jue was working on his own jade carving of mandarin ducks. Shuangshuang offered a unique concept: carving blind mandarin ducks who still choose to stay together for life, suggesting that their bond went beyond physical appearance.
Su Jue found the idea brilliant and unconventional, calling Shuangshuang his lucky star. His servant arrived to inform him that Pei Pei was also preparing for the Jade Competition and that Old Madam Pei was overseeing his practice. Su Jue found it amusing that "Pei slacker" was actually making an effort and decided to take Shuangshuang with him to visit the Pei Residence and witness the spectacle.
In the carriage on the way to the Pei Residence, Shuangshuang asked Su Jue about the rumors surrounding the lost Moon Phoenix Crown, specifically whether it was the Pei family or Su family's fault. Su Jue explained that at the time, both families were of equal standing, so when the crown went missing from the Pei family, fingers naturally pointed to the Su family.
However, he shared another rumor from back then: that the Pei family had stolen their own crown. He elaborated that the crown wasn't crafted solely by Pei Chu Feng, as many renowned craftsmen contributed secret techniques the Pei family coveted. Furthermore, the water agate on the crown was the City Lord's family heirloom, entrusted to the Pei family to set into the crown, and it vanished with the crown. He asked Shuangshuang for her thoughts on the matter.
At the Pei Residence, Pei Pei continued practicing his carving, showing significant improvement, which delighted his family. Aliu announced that Su Jue of Su Jade Pavilion had arrived. Pei Pei, accompanied by Dandan, went to receive him. Su Jue asked for Old Madam Pei but was told that Young Master Pei was the pillar of the family.
Su Jue remarked on how much Dandan had changed, noting that not long ago she despised Pei Pei, but now they seemed like one big family. Dandan replied that people change and found Su Jue's comments even funnier. Su Jue warned her to be careful not to follow the wrong master. Dandan countered that she wasn't worried about their people and suggested Su Jue focus on himself. Pei Pei agreed with Dandan.
Dandan then asked if she could speak with her sister, Shuangshuang. They went aside, and Dandan explained that Old Madam Pei had assigned her the task of helping Pei Pei with the competition, while Su Jue wanted Shuangshuang to participate with him, which put them in opposing positions. Shuangshuang acknowledged that it made them seem like enemies but insisted it was just work and nothing could change that they were sisters.
Dandan praised the people at Pei Pei Pavilion, including Pei Pei himself, saying he wasn't like her initial impression, and mentioned Old Madam Pei's affection for her. She suggested Shuangshuang join them at Pei Pei Pavilion. Shuangshuang hesitated, stating that Su Jue had been very kind to her, especially with the competition approaching. Dandan understood that her joining now might look like poaching and suggested she join after the competition instead.
Shuangshuang then gave Dandan a hairpin she had made, which Dandan admired. Pei Pei approached and immediately recognized the gold and silver inlay technique used on the hairpin. Shuangshuang was surprised he knew it, and he said he knew a bit about the techniques used on the Moon Phoenix Crown. He then told Shuangshuang to see the shopkeeper for materials as he needed to practice.
Before she left, Shuangshuang asked Pei Pei about his main technique for the competition, and he replied: hollow carving and silk thread carving. After their visit, Shuangshuang asked Su Jue for permission to take an hour off to buy her favorite steamed cake from the western market. She declined his offer to accompany her, stating she wanted to go alone. Su Jue agreed and let her go.
However, instead of going to the market, Shuangshuang secretly returned to the Pei Residence, seemingly to search for more information related to the Phoenix Crown. She found several diagrams detailing complex techniques. She mused that since Pei Chu Feng had passed away when Pei Pei was very young, Pei Pei couldn't have possibly mastered the Phoenix Crown techniques on his own, unless something had been left behind for him to study.
She wondered if Su Jue's theory about the Pei family stealing their own crown might be true. Meanwhile, Tan Qing He, a renowned painter and Dandan's former boss, came to visit her. Dandan was delighted to see him. Pei Pei and Aliu were discussing arranging "Jade Beauties" for the competition. Pei Pei explained that Su Jade Pavilion had bribed and booked all the popular ladies at Full Bloom House, leaving other jade shops with limited options, which he found shameless.
Aliu speculated that Pei Pei's plan might involve sacrificing himself, or perhaps he was just afraid Dandan would get jealous. Pei Pei dismissed this. Dandan was happily chatting with Tan Qing He. She explained that with her increased workload as a "jade consultant," she could have asked him to help earn extra money, celebrating her new role.
Tan Qing He showed her portraits he had drawn of the ladies at Full Bloom House, explaining they wanted them for booklets as references for jade shops to assist consultants. Dandan remarked on Su Jade Pavilion always booking the famous ladies. Pei Pei then approached, and Dandan introduced Tan Qing He as her former boss and good friend.
Pei Pei greeted Tan Qing He but made a sarcastic comment about how close they must be, comparing the introduction to bringing an ex-husband to meet the current one. Dandan called him sarcastic. Pei Pei announced he was going to Full Bloom House. Dandan was surprised. Tan Qing He mentioned he was also going there to see if the portraits needed changes, and Dandan, deciding to earn some money, offered to deliver them for him.
Pei Pei arrived at Full Bloom House and was talking with one of the ladies, Ling Yuan, showing her jewelry. He complimented her appearance. An assistant arrived with urgent news from the shop, requiring Pei Pei to leave immediately. Ling Yuan was upset he had to go, reminding him he promised to spend the day with her and be her "Jade Beauty" escort. She complained he wouldn't even help her pick jewelry.
As Pei Pei was preparing to leave, Dandan arrived. Ling Yuan claimed Dandan had hurt her when she fell, but Dandan said her hand had slipped. Ling Yuan showed Dandan the painting of herself and asked Pei Pei whether the person or the painting was more beautiful. Pei Pei chose the person, leading Ling Yuan to conclude the painting wasn't beautiful and needed significant changes to match her and surpass Lady Hua Dian.
Dandan seemed aware of the specific changes requested and found it infuriating. She offered to have Tan Qing He make changes for Ling Yuan as well. Aliu reminded Pei Pei they had another appointment with Lady Hua Dian soon and urged him to leave quickly. Pei Pei, seeing Dandan, asked why she was there, assuming she was delivering paintings for "that ugly painter." Aliu confirmed this. Pei Pei decided to see Hua Dian first and deal with Dandan later, quickly leaving with Aliu, leaving Dandan standing there.
