Episode Summary
Misunderstandings in the love triangle between Xiu Ju and the Shen brothers intensify. Feeling betrayed by Xiu Ju's alignment with his brother on a business matter, Shen Yanqing strips her of her authority. In retaliation, Xiu Ju helps rival Han Shijie steal a major client from the Shen family. When Shen Yanqing discovers this betrayal, the shock causes him to collapse from his illness. The episode culminates in Liu Ruyan publicly accusing Xiu Ju of adultery in front of the clan elders.
Spoiler Alert
Girls Fighting Fate E19: A Web of Misunderstanding and Betrayal
The fragile peace within the Shen household shatters as the love triangle between Xiu Ju, Shen Yanqing, and Shen Yanzhou reaches a boiling point.
The drama ignites when Xiu Ju confronts Shen Yanzhou, firmly putting him in his place. She states that she only helps him out of familial duty as her brother-in-law, and had he not returned, she and her husband, Shen Yanqing, would be living a normal life. A devastated Shen Yanzhou laments ever coming back, prompting a slap from Xiu Ju who reminds him of their boundaries. Unbeknownst to them, Shen Yanqing overhears the entire exchange from behind a screen.
Later, Xiu Ju calls out Shen Yanqing for eavesdropping. He, in turn, reveals his disappointment, believing her harsh words to his brother were merely a performance for his benefit. Feeling unjustly suspected, Xiu Ju tries to prove her loyalty in a desperate act, but Shen Yanqing misinterprets it as an insult. He confesses that he desires her love, not just her body, and despairs at how difficult it is to win her heart. Meanwhile, Shen Yanzhou discovers that his brother was present during his argument with Xiu Ju and comes to the opposite, joyful conclusion: he believes Xiu Ju's actions were a ruse to hide her true feelings for him.
The conflict spills over into the family business. When Shen Yanqing undertakes a massive, risky deal with a Mr. Chen, both Xiu Ju and Shen Yanzhou voice their concerns. Enraged that they have sided together against him, Shen Yanqing strips Xiu Ju of her business authority, telling her to be nothing more than the "Third Mistress." Heartbroken, Xiu Ju feels that all her contributions have been reduced to mere charity from her husband.
Seeking revenge, Xiu Ju turns to Han Shijie, the Shen family's rival. Reminded of how the Shens ruined her own family, she agrees to help him. She connects Han Shijie with Mr. Chen, who, tempted by a much lower price, immediately switches his allegiance. Han Shijie is triumphant, believing he has crippled the Shen family business.
The betrayal is quickly discovered when Lao Zhou reports Xiu Ju's actions to Shen Yanqing. A furious confrontation ensues, with Shen Yanqing accusing Xiu Ju of conspiring to destroy his family. The stress causes his underlying illness to flare up, and he collapses. As if on cue, Zhuang Hui arrives to blame a stunned Xiu Ju for her husband's condition.
While Shen Yanzhou maintains his unwavering faith in Xiu Ju, the opportunistic Liu Ruyan sees her chance. With Shen Yanqing incapacitated, she approaches the clan elders. Presenting old love letters and bringing forth Xiu Ju's own brother and sister-in-law as witnesses, Liu Ruyan formally accuses Xiu Ju of having an illicit affair with Shen Yanzhou, leaving Xiu Ju to face the interrogation of the elders alone.
On a side note, a smaller romantic plot unfolds as Xiao Ye and Shen Zhile, comparing their own forbidden love to the central conflict, decide to defy their circumstances. Xiao Ye vows to leave the Qing Bang, and the two consummate their relationship.
