Treasures Around Episode 7 Recap
> Treasures Around Recap
At the City Lord's event, when the gift from Su Jue's uncle was unveiled, it was a jade fan strikingly similar to the one Pei Pei had submitted for the competition, causing astonishment among the attendees. Su Jue then announced that this jade fan was originally his planned entry, but he had lost a design draft at his residence and, suspecting someone might copy his work, changed his entry last minute.
He claimed to be presenting the earlier-finished fan as an advance birthday gift to the City Lord. Pei Pei immediately protested, asserting the fan had been in his possession. Su Jue accused Pei Pei of insolence and plagiarism, arguing that his own fan's craftsmanship was superior and that if one were to copy, they ought to refine the technique. Pei Pei vehemently denied copying.
Shan Dandan corroborated Pei Pei's statement, confirming they worked on their piece together and did not reference others' work. Su Jue countered by mentioning his uncle could testify for him. The City Lord declared the evidence clear, expressing outrage that such a thing occurred in the city's largest competition. He decreed that Precious Pei Pavilion was permanently disqualified from the competition and forbidden from designing or making official tributes from that day forward.
Pei Pei and Su Jue exchanged sharp accusations. Following the scandal, creditors arrived at Precious Pei Pavilion demanding repayment and seizing items, citing that they had provided materials upfront and were to be paid after sales, which were now impossible with the official supply rights terminated. The pavilion was severely impacted. Inside, Lady Pei downplayed the significance of losing one competition, noting they had settled with the suppliers and stating that despite the current predicament, they could always start anew.
When someone suggested Shan Dandan was inexperienced and the pairing was rash, Lady Pei took responsibility, calling it a malicious plot and stating it had nothing to do with them. She announced a full investigation for a potential spy within Precious Pei Pavilion but praised Pei Pei and Shan Dandan, saying their performance was excellent throughout. She concluded the matter, forbidding further discussion without proof to avoid harsher scrutiny, and expressed hope of clearing their name later.
Dismissing everyone else, she asked Pei Pei to stay. Lady Pei expressed her deep satisfaction that Pei Pei had taken up carving again, regardless of the outcome. She acknowledged their strong preparation and her desire for them to grow and regain confidence. She conceded that Su Jue used devious tactics and that they did not need to argue with him, assuring Pei Pei that Precious Pei Pavilion would recover its glory with his continued progress, expressing her faith in him.
She also told him not to vent frustration on Shan Dandan, who did her best, noting a change in his usual attitude towards her. Pei Pei and Shan Dandan went to a tea house to confront Hong Yan. Pei Pei suspected Su Jue was behind the scheme and asked if she had leaked information, assuming she was protecting him.
Hong Yan admitted she had switched sides and joined Su Jade Pavilion because she couldn't afford to offend them due to Su Jue's dealings with Madam Yang. She admitted her ingratitude regarding being the Jade Model was a voluntary decision. Pei Pei clarified he was not questioning the Jade Model matter but the jade fan, noting that besides them, only she knew about it.
Hong Yan denied revealing the fan design, stating she would admit her own mistakes but not engage in harmful acts. She recounted meeting Su Jue, where she only mentioned that Pei Pei was making an Exquisite Jade Ruyi, and swore she never mentioned a jade fan. Pei Pei dismissed her, and afterwards, told Shan Dandan he didn't believe it was Hong Yan, reasoning that she wouldn't have revealed her encounter with Su Jue if she were guilty.
He then brought up a previous instance where Su Jade Pavilion was selling a design draft before it was released by Precious Pei Pavilion, suggesting another leak source within their own ranks. While Su Jue was receiving congratulations, Wang Shopkeeper observed that he still seemed unhappy despite winning first place. Su Jue stated that winning was part of the plan and nothing to be particularly happy about, but Pei Pei's fan carving technique was truly annoying to him.
Wang Shopkeeper found it strange, given Pei Pei hadn't been involved with jade for years. Su Jue stressed the need for continued vigilance, believing Pei Pei's resurgence would be brief. Separately, Shan Shuangshuang examined some of Pei Pei's work, noting the intricate filigree carving technique was almost equal to that used in the Moon Phoenix Crown, which made her question if she had misjudged him.
Shan Shuangshuang later visited Pei Pei, bringing him food and comforting him after the competition loss. They commiserated about Su Jue's methods and vowed to fight against him and expose his true self, with Shan Dandan pledging to remain his jade consultant. Cui Liu, harboring resentment towards Shan Dandan, sought an opportunity to cause trouble. She instructed a servant to discard jade scraps from the workshop and encouraged Shan Dandan to take them, calling her a "Country Bumpkin."
Shan Dandan collected the scraps, feeling it was wasteful to throw them away. Cui Liu then arranged for the main gate to be locked and publicly accused Shan Dandan of theft when she tried to leave with the scraps. Shan Dandan was brought before Lady Pei, who questioned why she would steal worthless scraps when more valuable items were available. Shan Dandan revealed that it was Pei Pei's previous idea to utilize scraps for low-cost jewelry.
She explained that her sister used to make and sell popular street jewelry from inexpensive materials and could transform the scraps into unique, affordable pieces. Lady Pei found the idea excellent, particularly given their recent loss of elite clients, suggesting they target ordinary people who value affordability. She ordered the workshop to immediately begin producing a jewelry series from the scraps under Shan Dandan's guidance, dismissing objections and praising Shan Dandan's initiative, which backfired on Cui Liu.
The next morning, Shan Dandan brought breakfast to Pei Pei. Cui Liu also arrived, offering tea and being overly attentive. Pei Pei was suspicious, even jokingly asking if she had poisoned his porridge. Cui Liu insisted she was merely fulfilling her duty and trying to make amends for falsely accusing Shan Dandan the previous day. Pei Pei remained unconvinced, implying he did not want her tea.
In front of the servants, Pei Pei made a declaration, stating that from then on, Shan Dandan was in charge, with full authority to direct and spend as needed, and anyone disobeying her orders would face severe consequences. He emphasized that they were to tolerate her direction, regardless of their personal opinions. Shan Dandan later met her sister, Shan Shuangshuang, to discuss the jade scrap project.
Shan Dandan explained her idea to use the scraps to create affordable, unique jewelry that could open a new market and benefit ordinary people, comparing the scraps favorably to the materials her sister used for street stall jewelry. Shan Shuangshuang agreed it was a good idea, acknowledging Lady Pei's support despite the competition loss. Shan Dandan mentioned facing resistance from others in the workshop.
Shan Shuangshuang agreed to help by drawing exquisite designs for her but stressed that it must remain a secret due to the rivalry between the Su and Pei families and the impropriety of her assisting the Pei family. Shan Dandan agreed, and Shan Shuangshuang privately wondered about the Pei family's true nature and whether they were truly friends or foes to her sister.
Shan Shuangshuang also visited Wang Shopkeeper at Su Jade Pavilion, bringing him soup and thanking him for his help during the competition. She inquired if the Pei family's recovery would be more difficult after their loss, which Wang Shopkeeper confirmed. She then questioned why Su Jue hadn't pressed the earlier accusation regarding the Moon Phoenix Crown.
Wang Shopkeeper explained that touching the crown would be a capital offense, and the Pei family would only risk selling the amber if they were in truly dire circumstances, which he believed was not yet the case. A'Liu gave Shan Dandan a doll. Cui Liu witnessed this and publicly accused Shan Dandan of having an affair with A'Liu and betraying Pei Pei. Pei Pei arrived and, after A'Liu began to explain about the doll, immediately believed A'Liu and Shan Dandan.
He confronted Cui Liu, stating he had overlooked her previous false accusation, but she had now tried to cause trouble again. He declared that Shan Dandan and A'Liu were the people closest to him and he would never believe Cui Liu over them. Cui Liu attempted to apologize and offered Shan Dandan a lipstick as a gift to make amends.
Pei Pei insisted she test it herself, prompting Cui Liu to confess it contained irritating substances intended to cause temporary sores. Calling her wicked, Pei Pei ordered her dismissed from the residence immediately. After Cui Liu's departure, Pei Pei reassured Shan Dandan. Upon hearing that Shan Dandan planned to meet her sister the next day, Pei Pei seemed curious or concerned and kept A'Liu occupied nearby.
