The first two highlights are here:

Dr. Cutie: Ep 17 On Apologies

3. Ji Zheng’s request

Sigh. I feel sorry for this guy but at the same time, if I were in Ji Heng’s shoes I’d be frustrated that every time family members would ask me for a favor, their real intention was to poach Tian Qi from me. Madame Ji already did this and now here was Ji Zheng with a weak excuse.

In reply, Ji Heng told him that he could have anybody he wanted even his steward (note: he didn’t name Tian Qi outright) as long as Ji Zheng was upfront with him. Ji Heng knew that his brother had a different motive from his declared one. He knew that Ji Zheng didn’t want Tian Qi as a steward in his mansion but as a companion.

So Ji Zheng protested.

JZ: You think too much, Brother. It makes me uneasy.
JH: I think too much? Or have I thought too less so you’ve become what you are today. You went to the brothel and watched a strip dance.

In other words, he thought Ji Zheng was behaving like a libertine, a man without loose morals especially when it came to sexual matters, because he didn’t pay attention to him.

JH: (continuing) Tian Qi grew up in the streets. His manners are sometimes inappropriate. You spent much time with him, so you also become outrageous. That’s not what a man from a noble family should do.

Because of Tian Qi’s lies in Episode 15 when she and Ji Zheng were caught watching the belly dancing show, Ji Heng was convinced that his brother enjoyed Tian Qi’s company because they were both interested in girls. He no longer suspected his brother of being attracted to Tian Qi herself.

JZ: If Dr Tian is so bad as you described, then why do you still keep him at your side? If I should stay away from Tian Qi, how about you? Besides, you keep such a beautiful doctor in your room and never let go of him. Don’t you fear the rumors?

I’m sorry. I had to laugh here. Ji Zheng totally went there. He insinuated that his brother was gay.

JH: Impudence! You’re being irrational, ridiculous and disobedient. I must teach you a lesson for our forefathers. Let you realize your mistake.

I thought this was funny too.

They were both interested Tian Qi. But Ji Zheng had a “better” (or acceptable) excuse for keeping Tian Qi at his side. They were both girl-crazy and wanted to frequent brothels.

On the other hand, Ji Heng wasn’t girl-crazy. And he had no interest in watching belly-dancers, going to brothels, and reading pornographic books. The only reason he wanted Tian Qi with him was because he liked her company.

It bother Ji Zheng that Tian Qi slept on the couch in his brother’s quarters but he couldn’t confront Ji Heng about it until now.  However, once he called out his older brother for retaining Tian Qi at his side even at night time, Ji Heng was offended.

Ji Heng didn’t like to admit that he was attracted to another man, a delicate looking man like Tian Qi. He probably convinced himself that his feelings for her were merely platonic, that is, without physical attraction.

4. Rescuing Ji Zheng

I’ve to make a mental note here: Tian Qi was the one who made Ji Heng reconsider. He was ready to whip his brother until she walked in, knelt down and claimed responsibility. After their clash over Sun Congrui and Tian Qi’s silent treatment, Ji Heng learned his lesson. He wanted to avoid another quarrel so he was willing to listen to her. He didn’t think twice about ordering everybody out of the room when she requested a private audience with him. Once everybody left, he ordered her to stand up.

JH: No one else is here. Tell me.
TQ: Because…because… I like you.

I don’t understand why she blurted that. But it wasn’t the first time she’d done that. Of course he was shocked.

Gasp!

Mindblown!

JH: What?
TQ: I mean…I admire you. You are like the sun in the sky. I admire you so much. I couldn’t stop thinking about you either when I’m eating or sleeping.
JH: Really?
TQ: Yes. You’re the legend in this world. Compared to you, I’m no better than an ant on earth. Humble to the dust.
JH: (skeptical) Since you admire me so much, why did you agree to save Zheng?
TQ: I…I just love money and beautiful girls so much. Everyday I see you, I feel inferior. We are different like clouds and mud. So I don’t dare to admit that I admire you.
JH: We have a great difference, but you and Zheng don’t?
TQ: That’s not what I mean.

She was saying that she considered him out of her league because he was superior. But she and Zheng were at the same level. It was meant to be a compliment but she was afraid that he would misunderstand and think that she was insulting him.

But for Ji Heng, everything she was saying confirmed his belief that she and his brother had a close relationship because they shared the same interest, i.e., they liked girls, they went to brothels, they had fun together, etc. He was too distant and aloof for her.

TQ: (continuing) All you’re concerned about is national affairs while Marquis Marvel is more down to earth. He has enormous farmlands and tea plantations. So I think that if I stop working as a doctor in the future, I can’t still make a living.

JH: All you’re considering is money. You think I can’t pay you as much as he can?
TQ: No. (kneeling down and whispering to herself) Goodness. I said stupid things again. What’s wrong with me? My mind has broken down as I see him? (pleading with him) My lord, please don’t get angry.

By now, Ji Heng completely misunderstood her. Since he was blinded by jealousy, he thought that Tian Qi was comparing him to his Ji Zheng and found him lacking. First, he was too remote and cold. Second, he didn’t know how to have fun because all he cared about was work. And third, he couldn’t afford her.

JH: (smirking) Why should I get angry? Because you admire me? Or because you love money? Tian Qi, you are free from me. (And he left her in a snit.)
TQ: My lord! What did he mean? Is he kicking me away?

lol. He meant that he didn’t know whether he should be angry with her because she “admired” and looked up to him (as opposed to regarding him as a friend) or because she loved money above anything else.

5. Comparison with Ji Zheng

He was fuming when he returned to his quarters. He told Mr. Sheng to leave him alone so he could vent by himself.

JH: That Tian Qi! I treat him so well, even taking him on as a friend. But he’s never faithful to me. A little money from Ji Zheng and he changed his mind right away.

He called his steward for a second opinion.

JH: Do you think I’m irritable, unfriendly? And Ji Zheng is kinder and more easy-going?
Sheng: (nodding his head then changing his mind) No, my lord, you are in charge of this land, hold several powers of power, so you need to be unpredictable in emotions. But Marquis Marvel doesn’t have such responsibility so he’s carefree.

Whoops. Again, he confirmed what Tian Qi said earlier, that Ji Heng was all work while Marquis was more fun.

Sheng: (continuing) He can be a ranger.

I think, by ranger, the subber meant someone who was nomadic, without settled roots.

Sheng: (adding) If my opinion, if I have to compare you and Marquis Marvel, you are the sun; he is the moon. Sun is bright but dazzle the eyes. Not everyone can get close to it.

Again, he confirmed what Tian Qi said. He was distant, unlike Ji Zheng who was down-to-earth and approachable.

What Tian Qi said bothered him because that night, he couldn’t concentrate on his book. He recalled the other things that Tian Qi said to him. For instance, she empathized with him when he witnessed his stepmother killed herself. Back then, she told him, “It must have been very hard for you to accept. A live person collapsed dead in front of you. Forever, he died because of you. You must feel very guilty.”

Then he recalled Tian Qi’s words early that day that he was always focused on national affairs and compared to him, his brother was carefree and uncomplicated.

I think he was confused about Tian Qi. Sometimes, she seemed to understand him and commiserate with him. But other times, she was thoughtless.

He was so focused on his thoughts that he didn’t realize that he’d been holding his book upside-down. He was flustered when Tian Qi pointed it out to him.

He dismissed Tian Qi early, but she presented him with potpourri she’d made for him to improve him sleep. But he still hadn’t gotten over his pique and lied that he already recovered from his insomnia.

It worried Tian Qi that he wouldn’t be needing her services anymore. How was she to know that the real reason he turned her away was because he was jealous of his brother? He didn’t like to be compared to his younger brother who: a) was more laid-back, b) didn’t suffer from insomnia, and c) could read a book properly.

6. The gold dumpling

But our Tian Qi was a persistent one. The following morning she prepared him a photogenic lol breakfast.

TQ: My lord, please have breakfast.

Looking at the dumpling, he realized that it was the Dragon Boat Festival. These pyramid shaped dumplings, called zongzi, are eating during the festival. Here’s a little blurb from wikipedia.

Zongzi (rice dumpling)

A notable part of celebrating Dragon Boat Festival is making and eating zongzi with family members and friends. People traditionally wrap zongzi in leaves of reed, lotus or banana forming a pyramid shape. The leaves also give a special aroma and flavor to the sticky rice and fillings. Choices of fillings vary depending on regions. Northern regions in China prefer sweet or dessert-styled zongzi, with bean paste, dates and nuts as fillings. Southern regions in China prefer savory zongzi, with a variety of fillings including marinated pork belly, sausage and salted duck eggs.

The reason why the Chinese eat zongzi on this special day is because they are considered as a symbol of luck, as the pronunciation of zong is very similar to the pronunciation of zhong (中). This character has a positive connotation, used in words such as 中奖 (winning a prize or a mini prize).

source: wikipedia

JH: Today is the Dragon Boat Festival.
TQ: (excited) Yes! Today’s the Dragon Boat Festival. (grinning to herself)
JH: (studying her) It’s just a festival. Why are you so excited?

Remember: he didn’t believe in superstitions.

TQ: I like festivals. The masters always give rewards. (he glares at her) Don’t get me wrong, my lord. I don’t mean to ask for your rewards. I just answered your question.
JH: I’ve never seen a person like you before. Not only greedy, but also shameless.
TQ: Sorry, my lord. Please punish me.

lol. After the kneeling incident, she got into the habit of telling him to punish her after doing something wrong.

JH: Whatever. For the festival, I give you two gold zongzis as a reward. Get out. Don’t bother me.

She left him thinking that he wasn’t mad at her anymore.

To me, he’d forgotten about his jealousy. He saw the dumpling she made for him and was pleased. In return he gave her a golden dumpling.

He knew that money would please her so he gave her a gold zongzi. He didn’t know that, for her, it was the thought that counted. He’d given it to her so she treasured it.

7. Dressed up as a girl

This was funny as HEHarry said.

RY: Aren’t you as beautiful as a fairy. I will marry you when I grow up!
JH: When you grow up, Tian Qi will be old.
TQ: My lord. The reason should be: I’m a male.
JH: Shut up. Of course I know!

The overriding reason Ru Yi could NOT marry Tian Qi was because she was “male” — and not because she’d be old and decrepit by the time Ru Yi grew up.

I also liked it when he scolded her for her unladylike demeanor. “Seeing you in that dress, I realized one thing: if you’re a woman, it’s a insult to all the women in the world.”

Tian Qi really knew how to push his button. lol. She knew it would turn him off if she sat with one knee up and cursed loudly. Ji Heng liked refined ladies.

8. Banished from Ji Mansion

TQ: (waking up) My lord. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t fall asleep. I should wait till you come back and serve you to bed. Please punish me.
JH: If you don’t want to serve me, don’t come here again.
TQ: My lord. My lord. My lord!

Did you hear that? She shouted at him

TQ: It’s my honor to serve you.
JH: (scoffing) Your honor? You’re really good at flattering.

I know YT subbed it as “ass-kissing” Bootlicking is also an alternative.

JH: (continuing) Since you requested that Ah Zheng take you out from the manor, considering our old friendship, I almost found a new job for you. Sheng Anhuai!
Sheng: Here.
JH: Take him away. Arrange a new job for him.
TQ: My lord, wait. My lord. Although I’m greedy for money, I’ll never betray you because of money. Please believe me, my lord. I know my mistake. Please.

Then he recalled telling Ji Zheng that if he promised to stay far away from Tian Qi, he would spare him. But Ji Zheng only said he won’t change his mind and that he was ready to take his punishment.

Then again that evening when he asked his brother if he reconsidered, Ji Zheng never wavered.

Ji Zheng’s firmness angered him and he blamed Tian Qi for it.

JH: Get him out of here. Don’t let me see him again.

Now do you have any idea why Ji Heng suddenly ordered her to go? This guy blows hot and cold.  If I were Tian Qi, I’d be dizzy.

To me, there were a few possible explanations to Ji Heng’s sudden change of heart.

A. He was upset with Tian Qi because he believed that she requested to transfer to Ji Zheng’s manor. He was hurt that she wanted to leave him and that she didn’t talk to him about this first. But it was unfortunate that he believed her lie. He didn’t know that she only lied to rescue Ji Zheng from being whipped.

B. He was upset that Ji Zheng was adamant about taking Tian Qi away from him. Ji Zheng complimented him for training his servants well and requested for Tian Qi to be transferred to his household as his new steward. I suspect that Ji Heng tried to block Ji Zheng’s request by dismissing her from his manor and moving her far away. Ji Zheng couldn’t request for her if she’d been sacked from her job.

C. In Ji Heng’s mind, his brother’s intransigence was all Tian Qi’s fault. His brother stood up against him twice and he’d never done that to him, prior to meeting Tian Qi. He wanted Tian Qi’s influence ended.

D. He was jealous. He wanted Tian Qi and her brother separated. But he also wanted to be separated from her.

Overall this was a hectic episode to review with so many new developments to keep an eye on. Tian Qi, Ji Heng and Ji Zheng are on a collision course with their secrets. But I’m surprised that Tian Qi has held her own and that her lies, as preposterous as they are, have a way of coming together to her advantage.