Let’s recap what I said about JinQi being the male orchid. Remember these two Chinese idioms on “orchid fragrance” or Lanxiang.

One, 入芝兰之室，久而不闻其香 (Rù zhī lán zhī shì, jiǔ ér bù wén qí xiāng)
Literal translation: Entering a room of orchids and irises; after a long time, you no longer notice the scent.
My re-interpretation: She takes his love (or metaphorical orchid fragrance) for granted. JinQi has been showing interest in her, but each time, she FAILS TO SEE his goodness and feelings.

Note: I also told @Welmaris in the comment section that it’s INCOMPLETE to attribute her lack of interest in JQ as merely her desire a) to focus on survival, b) protect her foster parents, and c) avoid impractical attachment. No. I said that she’s also friend-zoned JQ as a coping mechanism. She’s in denial that she can have feelings for her ex-fiancé because she still harbors a grudge against him and his family for abandoning her and her family. She has a deep-seated resentment and grievance, and these can’t ever resurface. Otherwise, her past will come to light.

Two, 芝兰生于深林，不以无人而不芳 (Zhī lán shēng yú shēn lín, bù yǐ wú rén ér bù fāng)
Literal translation: Orchids grow in deep forests, but they do not stop being fragrant just because no one is around.
My re-interpretation: JinQi continues to love and care for LX, but all his intentions and actions are futile because LX doesn’t notice them or she willfully ignores his overt gestures.

Now, if I were JinQi, it would have been “out of sight, out of mind.”

But as JinQi adheres to his Confucian upbringing, he doesn’t stop being fragrant (i.e., loving and caring for LX) just because she doesn’t reciprocate his feelings. He still misses her.

1. He orders his assistant JiuGao to have a house rented out to LX at a cheap price.

But LX highly doubts that a well-maintained house in a prime location can go that low. She rejects the offer, suspecting that it must be “ill-fated” house, e.g., the house is connected to death or to a crooked landlord.

See the similarity to an orchid growing in a deep forest? No matter how fragrant — or benevolent – JQ’s intention may be, she doesn’t see it that way.

Her family ends up working at Mr. Lu’s calligraphy shop while lodging beside the shop for free.

And she ends up meeting Scholar Han. Da da da dum.

Note: Mr. Lu spots instantly that LX is a fine lady, or a woman of substance. She reflects well on her parents. So, in an oblique way, he praises her parents, saying, “A good father, a good mother. You’ve raised a fine daughter.”

I think LX understands him perfectly, but when her mother asks to explain Mr. Lu’s words later, she redirects the compliment. Shining the spotlight on her parents, she explains, “He said Father and Mother love me dearly and raised me well.”

2. JQ drops by LX’s new home and sees his potential rival.

JQ is on his way back from the Rear Military Prison. He’s feeling discontented because his investigation on the embezzlement of the military funds was officially ended by the Emperor. The Emperor can’t afford a political crisis as his health is failing. Even Commander Yuan tells him to accept the situation, saying, “Whether thunder or gentle rain, all are the sovereign’s grace.”

But that doesn’t console him.

That’s why the sight of flowers elegantly arranged outside the store attracts his attention. The flowers brighten his low spirits. And JuiGao, eager to get him out of doldrums, informs him that it’s LX’s father’s store.

JG: The flowers are beautifully arranged. It’s as if whoever did this had been formally trained.

JQ nods imperceptibly. He knows right away that it’s LX’s handiwork; as to be expected, she does everything beautifully.

He walks into the store and LX’s dad greets him. The store has been spruced up, and unlike the empty shell before, it’s now bustling with activity.

Next, he hears singing in the inner courtyard.

JG: LanXiang has really been hiding her talents. She plays the sanxian well and sings even better.

JQ smiles and goes outside to check. But when he opens the curtains, he sees that a man is actually playing the sanxian (or Chinese lute) while LX sings. They’re both seated on the ground. He tenses up.

JuiGao spills out the info he’s gathered on the store’s owner. But JQ isn’t particularly interested in knowing about him.

JG: (blah blah) … LanXiang is probably helping Mister Zong Bai transcribe song and lyrics.
JQ: That person? (referring to the unknown Scholar Han)
JG: (looking sheepish) I don’t know.
JQ: (displeased)
JG: I’ll look into it right away.

JQ’s attention returns to the couple playing music. She finishes her song and writes something on paper (presumably the lyrics). Meanwhile, the man thoughtfully gives her tea to soothe her throat.

JG tenses and sighs. Forcing a smile on his face, he makes his grand entrance. Everybody is surprised to see him. LX rushes to get a bench for him to sit on.

LX: No wonder the magpies have been chirping all day. Please have a seat, Young Master.
JQ: No need. (taking his spot on the ground)

Two things:

a. Unlike in Western culture, magpie chatter in China signals good fortune and the arrival of a welcome guest. She’s telling him indirectly that she’s glad to see him. I wish she would have said the words, though.
b. He rejects the bench because he wants to show that he’s comfortable sitting on the ground like them. But remember when she was drunk and she sat on the ground to smell the orchid? He was dismayed and asked, “What are you doing??!”

LX introduces the two men, observing proper etiquette: she speaks to JQ first then introduces Scholar Han and her relationship to him (e.g., he’s a neighbor). Next, she speaks to Scholar Han and says JinQi’s role and title.

However, the optics appear funny to me. Because Scholar Han remains standing in front of him while JQ is already down on his knees, it looks to me like Scholar Han is towering over JQ and JQ is in a subservient position. JQ looks like he’s imploring a master’s favor.

LX gets some tea for JQ and for a moment, Scholar Han has this dorky smile on his face as he watches her leave. His attention isn’t on JQ, the “distinguished” guest. Of course, JQ clocks this.

Han: No wonder you have such a distinguished bearing. So, you’re Assistant Commander Lin, accomplished in both letters and arms.
JQ: (ignoring him) Next year is the triennial provincial examination. Aren’t you preparing for the provincial examination?

He skips Scholar Han’s small talk and cuts right to the chase. He’s probably thinking, “What is Scholar Han loitering here when he has other things to do?”

Scholar Han explains that he’s been helping Mr. Lu with transcription and earning a little extra to support his family. But fortunately, LanXiang is there now to take over from him.

Note: I’m not Chinese but I think he calls her “Xu meimei” or younger sister of the Xu family. Calling her “meimei” suggests easy familiarity and warm friendship. JQ is annoyed the first time he hears it, but Scholar Han repeats it again. I wonder if Han is riling him up.

Han: Fortunately, Xu meimei is here. Once I hand everything over to Xu meimei, I can focus on preparing for the examination.
JQ: LanXiang!

Hear that? He’s demarcating their social boundaries. While Scholar Han keeps calling LX “young sister,” JQ can’t presume to call LX by any other name but her given one. He thinks Scholar Han is taking too much liberty.

JQ: (continuing) No need to fuss. I just came to see how you’re doing. I’ll sit for a while and then leave.

That’s his way of saying that sure, LX isn’t “his” young sister, but they’re much closer than “master/ex-slave”. They’re also familiar with each other, too.

She arrives with his tea.

LX: (apologetic) The tea isn’t very good. Please have some anyway, Young Master.
JQ: You’ve been to military camps before. A soldier isn’t so delicate.

By mentioning the military camp, he tries to establish their equal status. Though he’s the scion of the Lin family, he’s indicating that he isn’t very different from her. He’s also used to simple living in the military camps.

LX: (fawning) One who can endure hardship and enjoy good fortune is a true hero.

Even Scholar Han thinks her flattery is out of place. And JQ is visibly annoyed. He wants to project an image that he isn’t dainty, fastidious, or demanding. He’s relaxed and informal like Scholar Han. But what does she do? Her INSINCERE response makes him sound like a) he’s a distant stranger who needs to be humored, and b) he was fishing for compliments.

Still, he forgives her.

JQ: Don’t stand. Sit down and let’s talk.

He asks her how business is going at the shop. Essentially, the painting and calligraphy aspect of the business is slow, but the women’s enterprise, i.e., creating accessories for the scholars, is faring better.

LX: (blah blah) … And thanks to Scholar Han, I was recommended to Mister Lu to transcribe songs and lyrics and can earn some wages. With all that added together, we’re getting.

He doesn’t look to happy about the fact that she didn’t accept his (anonymous) help with securing a house, but she accepted Han’s assistance.

Han: I can’t take credit. It’s because Xu meimei is literate and well-versed in music that Mr. Lu took notice of her.

JQ: (nonplussed) You’re well-versed in music?

Too be well-versed in music requires years (with an “S”) of training. This isn’t a skill she could have hone simply through individual effort, without any tutelage.

And LX knows that he’s picked up on incongruity, so she quickly deflects.

LX: Scholar Han gives me too much credit. I’m learning as I go and doing the best I can.
Han: (virtually calling her a genius) Xu meimei is exceptionally quick to learn. She understands as soon as she’s shown.
LX: That’s because Scholar Han is a good teacher.

Remember how she explained Mr. Lu’s compliment to her parents? She merely bounced it back to her parents. Well, she’s doing it here again. She doesn’t want Scholar Han’s high praises, so she returns the praise to him.

And this kind of exchange is EXACTLY what JQ was hoping for earlier. Not only does Scholar Han and LX’s interaction sounds more natural and SINCERE, but there’s a positive loop of feedback, i.e., he praises her, and she praises him back.

Moreover, both Scholar Han and LX grin at each other spontaneously, without inhibitions.

This visual proves to JQ that the other two have developed a fine rapport and their relationship is much closer than his and LX’s. Again, he nods his head in understanding.

To change topic, he reaches out for the paper that LX was writing on earlier. But she snatches it away.

LX: My writing isn’t good yet. Once I’ve improved, I’ll show it to you, Young Master.

Whoops! She was barely managed to downplay her musical knowledge, so she can’t have him wondering about her handwriting, too. Like floral arrangement and music, calligraphy is a pursuit of the most educated women from elite families. She worries that if JQ discovers all her skills on a single day, he’ll suspect that something is fishy about her.

Note: I remember her helping YuChan with bookkeeping in the Lin household, but I don’t recall her needing to write anything down for JQ. And even if she did, I’m sure she would have disguised her handwriting to make it rudimentary.

JQ: (nodding) All right. I’ll look at it once you’ve improved.

I’m beginning to feel sorry for this guy. Mr. Lu and Scholar Han know already that her calligraphy is superior, otherwise she wouldn’t be transcribing for Mr. Lu. He’s the only one being kept in the dark.

Scholar Han takes his leave, saying he has more work to do at home and JQ and LX must want to catch up on things.

Lol. I don’t know why the translation just rubs me wrong, but the way he says, “I’ll let you catch up” sounds to me like he’s giving them his royal permission to socialize in his absence.

But to JQ, what bugs him is the mutual way LX’s mother and Scholar Han fuss over each other; Scholar Han looks positively filial. The significance isn’t lost on JQ. He understands that, for the Xu and Han families, a match between their children is a desirable one.

Then LX calls him back for tea. He begins his small talk.

JQ: It seems you’re doing quite well.
LX: (admitting) We’ve been fortunate to find a good employer and good neighbors. I was thinking that after we settled in, Mother and I could make some trinkets and send them to the Lin Residence for First Madam and the young ladies to enjoy. I didn’t expect you to come see us first.

Ha! Only gifts for the ladies, but nothing for him. Too bad, Orchid Guy!

But he goes along with this line of conversation because it allows him to talk about missing her.

JQ: Since you left, YuChan and the others have been thinking about you. Have you ever missed your days at the Lin Residence?

“YuChan and the others” and “Lin Residence” are just proxy words. What he really wants to know is if she misses him. But LX answers him literally.

LX: Of course, I miss YuChan and the others. As long as our bonds remain, distance cannot keep us apart. Besides, we’re only a few streets away.
JQ: (scoffing) From the looks of it, you’re having the time of your life. I doubt you’ve given them a thought. All right. I don’t want to hear any more of your sweet talk. I’m leaving.

Okay, he sounds petty here. But do have a heart and put yourself in this guy’s shoes. Imagine this:

You’re having a bad day when you see flowers. You get your hopes up because you think it’s a happy reunion. But immediately, you realize that she’s moved on without you. While you were pining for her, she hasn’t spared a single thought about you. Though she reassures you that she misses her past life and past company, you know that it can’t possibly be true because her future is definitely brighter now. So you choose to walk away rather than listen to her clichéd remarks and weak platitudes.

LX: Young Master. I really wasn’t lying. I just feel we have plenty of time ahead, and we’re all still in Jinling City. As long as we care, our bond will never be broken.
JQ: Now that’s something I like to hear. “As long as we care, our bond will never be broken.”

Goodness. This guy is naïve to the core.

I’m reminded of that night she had drunkenly told him that he was good person. He said he liked hearing that and asked her to say it some more. But she already fell asleep. This time, he’s pleased to hear her reassurance that distance doesn’t matter when feelings connect them. He really does hang on to her every word and give it more meaning than it’s healthy for him to do.

Anyway, her words give him hope. He’ll continue to love her from the distance in the hopes that his “orchid fragrance” will be being noticed in the future.

4. The orchid, butterfly and his directive

That night he tends to his orchid.

JQ You really are like wild grass. You thrive wherever you are. It’s just these butterflies that are annoying. Fluttering around and getting in the way. They’re such a nuisance.

His guard Nanke overhears him and misunderstands him. He thinks there’s a literal butterfly around. JuiGao reports on Scholar Han. It irks him to learn that Scholar Han is a good man.

JQ: So, he’s not just all looks and no substance.

He’s willing to concede that the other man will make a good match for LX, but he isn’t admitting defeat yet. He looks at his potted orchid again, then makes up his mind.

Note the camera action here. This is a rack focus. It’s when the camera pulls our attention from the subject in the background (JinQi) to another item in the foreground (the orchid). A rack focus is sometimes used to draw a link between the two. Here, it suggests JQ’s train of thought. JQ isn’t worried about LX because she thrives like a weed, but he is worried about the “invisible” butterflies that flit around his orchid. He plans to do something about this situation.

According to the sub, he pens,

“Plan before taking action, know when to stop and you will gain.”

As usual, I googled this. 🙂

Confucius indeed counseled that success is dependent on preparation. He said, “Success depends upon previous preparation, and without such preparation there is sure to be failure.” But it was Lao Tzu in “Tao Te Ching” who expressed the wisdom of recognizing limit. He said, “Knowing when to stop avoids danger.”

In effect, JQ was outlining his strategy for LX and the pesky Scholar Han.

1. First, he’s playing the long game. Instead of rushing things, he’s going to take steady but systematic steps to win her hand. And we see the partial results by the end of this episode.

In 6 months, he re-establishes his reputation in court, and gains favor from the Crown Prince. The fallout from his previous marriage has been erased. He’s now considered a worthy match because of his services rendered to the crown.

Not only that, because of his 3rd sister’s marriage to Commander Yuan, he’s become an indirect “family” member of the Crown Prince. The corrupt Duke Zheng Bai Chuan pays attention.

Duke: I hear Commander Lin has yet to take a wife. Have you arranged a marriage yet?
CP: A man like Feng Tai surely wouldn’t remain unattached.
JQ: It’s a long story. A good match has always been ordained by Heavens. Perhaps the right time simply hasn’t come.

Now, this can be understood in several ways.

a. One, he’s fending off the duke’s inquiry by implying that he has a match in mind already. It’s a diplomatic way of saying, “Thanks but no thanks. I’d rather die than be associated by marriage to you.”

b. Two, he’s letting the Crown Prince know that there’s a backstory to his love life, and it’s complicated so he’s biding his time for the right moment. He’s a patient one, and one day, he’ll confide the whole story to the Crown Prince.

c. Three, it’s dramatic irony. The viewers already know that a good match has been ordained from the beginning of the story. LanXiang was his original fiancée. But his love must take a circuitous route, otherwise there’s no story, no drama.

2. As for knowing when to stop, I had to laugh at this. In future Episode 25, he stops Scholar Han’s betrothal at exactly the right time. He stops before danger happens.

To sum up his situation, his metaphorical “orchid” doesn’t stop being fragrant because of distance and time. He’s just waiting for the opportune moment.